X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

UFC 203: MMA Main Card Predictions and DFS Picks

MMA has one of the best sweats in DFS. Two fighters compete at a time with only one coming out as the winner. It's the best feeling in the world when you are watching the main event of a show and know you need a first round knockout to win the entire tournament.

And nothing feels worse than when you need a first round knockout by Stipe Miocic to win thousands of dollars in a tournament, but when he lands that knockout punch, you realize that you placed 14th because Jacare Souza was too dominant in a previous fight. This was a serious scenario that I had to live through when Miocic won the Heavyweight Championship.

Anyway, Jason and I will be taking a look at the main card for UFC 203. We will be keeping track based on picking winners and losers. We will also predict how the fight will be finished, but that will not reflect in the records.

Justin's Record: 28-14

Jason's Record: 24-18

Without anymore waiting, here are our picks and analysis for the main card at UFC 203.

 

Jessica Andrade vs Joanne Calderon

Justin’s Pick

This is a sleeper matchup to win Fight of the Night on this card. Both of these girls love to come out throwing, and it has all that makings of a great fight. Andrade recently dropped weight classes, and she looks more comfortable, as it allows her to use her aggression and power in a more effective manner. Calderwood, on the other hand, is an elite prospect, who only has one blemish on her record, which was a submission loss to Maryna Moroz. Calderwood will look to win this fight in the clinch, while Andrade will likely rush her opponent while throwing heavy strikes. Ultimately, I believe Andrade’s power and pressure will be too much for Calderwood, but I’m expecting these women to meet up again before their careers are over.

Jessica Andrade via TKO, 2nd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This is definitely going to be a great way to kick off the main card on Saturday, as both Jessica “Bate Estaca” Andrade and Joanne “JoJo” Calderwood have solid finishing potential. Andrade simply has more ways to win, which gives her the slight edge in this fight. Calderwood definitely has the power to land a big punch and end this fight quick, but Andrade is too experienced to allow that to happen. She is going to push this fight, and even if it ends up on the ground, Andrade has the advantage. Aside from a puncher’s chance, Calderwood will likely be slightly overwhelmed.

Jessica Andrade via TKO, 2nd Round

 

Urijah Faber vs Jimmie Rivera

Justin’s Pick

This is an interesting matchup. Faber is ending his career, while Rivera is a hot up-and-coming prospect. Faber has lost two of his last three fights, but they are against top fighters. Rivera is on an 18-fight win streak, including a 3-0 record in the UFC. He hasn’t faced the talent Faber has, but he has beaten some stiff competition in guys like Iuri Alcantara. Faber has been displaying physical decline over the last year or so, while Rivera is only getting better. As long as he can avoid the big shot and slick chokes of Faber, Rivera should be able to outwork him to a fun, close victory.

Jimmie Rivera via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

This is the UFC attempting to skyrocket Jimmie “El Terror” Rivera into the spotlight on the main card of UFC 203 against a very difficult opponent in Urijah “The California Kid” Faber. Unfortunately for Dana White and company, Faber is not going to allow that to happen. Rivera is one of the best up-and-comers in his weight class, but he has never fought competition like Faber, and Faber is going to make him pay in this fight. The number two ranked Bantamweight in the world has multiple ways to end this fight. If it goes decision, it is possible that Rivera eeks out a victory due to the decline of Faber’s stamina, but as soon as Rivera makes a mistake, Faber will be there to capitalize.

Urijah Faber via Submission, 3rd Round

 

CM Punk vs Mickey Gall

Justin’s Pick

This is the moment everyone is waiting for. It’s a genius move for the UFC to make money on CM Punk’s name, but it has been a lot of build up for what is going to be a quick fight. Punk is a 37-year-old fighter without any professional fighting experience and more than 10 years worth of WWE wear and tear on his body. Some people are calling this an easy matchup for Punk because Gall only has two professional fights, but he has looked outstanding in both of those fights. I have seen very little film on Punk, but he was continuously getting punched in the face during training that was released. There’s an extremely slim chance that Punk comes out and dominates, but Gall will likely rock him on the feet before sinking in a submission to spoil Punk’s UFC debut.

Mickey Gall via Submission, 1st Round

 

Jason’s Pick

Unfortunately for WWE fans, CM Punk is going to be a one-and-done in the UFC. Dana White may allow him to fight a second time just because of the name recognition, but he is going to get laughed at after Mickey Gall ends this fight in the first round. Punk is no slouch in his profession, but Gall is just too good. He is going to be a household name after this fight, and the UFC will be looking to capitalize on that. Punk will be tapping, breaking a bone, or going to sleep at some point in the first round.

Mickey Gall via Submission, 1st Round

 

Fabricio Werdum vs Travis Browne

Justin’s Pick

Browne was once seen as an elite prospect, but Werdum threw him off course in 2014. Since then, Werdum continued to get better, while Browne’s career seemed to stall. Browne has the power to end the fight at any given time, but it’s much more likely that Werdum will control the fight in a similar fashion to the way he did in 2014. He may even begin to finish this one, although it’s more likely he’ll outwork him in route to a three-round decision.

Fabricio Werdum via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

After getting slightly embarrassed in his last fight, which was against Cain Velasquez, Travis “Hapa” Brown has something to prove. It will be difficult for him to beat Fabricio “Val Cavalo” Werdum, especially if the fight goes the distance, but the longer than Werdum is in the ring with Browne, the more likely that one-punch knockout power comes into play. Werdum should not overlook Browne or Browne’s ability to get the fight to the ground and pound out a victory. This fight is a toss up, but I’m giving the slight edge to Browne due to his powerful hands.

Travis Browne via KO, 2nd Round

 

Stipe Miocic vs Alistair Overeem

Justin’s Pick

Who would have ever guessed that these two men would meet in a UFC Heavyweight Title Fight? Miocic is coming off a clean first round knockout of Fabricio Werdum, while Overeem has finished three of his last four fights. Both men are powerful, but Miocic will have the advantage in wrestling. He also has a better chin, as Overeem has been knocked out nine times in his fighting career. Miocic has the power to end the fight in one punch, but he also has elite cardio and can outpoint Overeem for five rounds. While it would be ridiculous to count Overeem out of this fight, Miocic certainly has the advantage.

Stipe Miocic via TKO, 2nd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This is going to be quite the fight. Alistair “The Reem” Overeem has over 50 professional fights, while Stipe Miocic just knocked out Fabricio Werdum in an impressive fashion. Due to his ridiculous power and ability to continue to push forward into the later rounds of the fight, Miocic takes the advantage. He is likely going to wear down Overeem until he gasses and then take advantage. Miocic will retain his championship, showing off for one of the two fighters in the prior fight, as Browne or Werdum will likely get a chance at the belt next, if not Cain Velasquez, who definitely deserves it.

Stipe Miocic via TKO, 4th Round




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaylen Warren

Highly Efficient on the Ground Thursday, Adds Value as Receiver
Aaron Rodgers

Fails to Finish Comeback Despite Throwing for Four Touchdowns
Joe Flacco

Flashes Vintage Form in Comeback Win Thursday
Pat Freiermuth

Records Two Big Touchdowns in Week 7 Loss
Ja'Marr Chase

Targeted 23 Times in Huge Thursday Night Showing
CFB

Curt Cignetti Signs Eight-Year, $11.6 Million Extension With Indiana
Carlos Rodón

Carlos Rodon Unlikely to Be Ready for Opening Day After Elbow Surgery
Anthony Santander

Removed From ALCS Roster With Back Injury
Jackson Chourio

Aggravates Hamstring, Pulled Early in Game 3 of NLCS
Joe Burrow

on Track to Return in Mid-December
Lamar Jackson

Expected to Return in Week 8
Trey Hendrickson

Bengals' Trey Hendrickson Ruled Out for Thursday Night vs. Steelers
George Kittle

Plans to Play in Week 7
Brady Tkachuk

to Miss 6-8 Weeks After Having Thumb Surgery
Noah Hanifin

Remains Sidelined Thursday
Akira Schmid

Faces Bruins Thursday
Jake Allen

Starts Against Panthers
Troy Terry

Expected to Play Thursday
Matt Duchene

Unavailable Against Canucks
Anze Kopitar

a Game-Time Call Thursday
VEG

Carter Hart Joins Golden Knights on Tryout Contract
CeeDee Lamb

Says He Will Return Without Limitations in Week 7
Aaron Judge

Will Not Need Elbow Surgery
Anthony Volpe

Won't be Ready for Start of Next Season
Gerrit Cole

Won't be Ready for Opening Day Next Year
Milwaukee Bucks

Chris Livingston Waived by the Bucks
Keegan Murray

Nique Clifford Shines in Keegan Murray's Absence
Cooper Flagg

Continues to Start at Point Guard
Chuba Hubbard

Expects to Play in Week 7
Ron Harper Jr.

Earns a Two-Way Deal with the Celtics
Spencer Dinwiddie

Waived by the Hornets
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sterling Shepard's Stock Rising for Buccaneers
Cam Talbot

Collects Third Straight Win
Connor Bedard

Shines With Three Assists
CFB

Jermod McCoy Officially Out for Alabama Matchup
Zach Benson

Records Four Assists In Season Debut
CFB

Jam Miller Questionable to Face Tennessee
Cam York

on Track to Make Season Debut Thursday
John Klingberg

Deemed Day-to-Day
Will Borgen

Battling Lower-Body Issue
Hampus Lindholm

Still Day-to-Day
Jaden Ivey

Considered Day-to-Day
Josh Hart

Making Progress
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Busy in Preseason Debut
Keegan Murray

Lands Five-Year, $140 Million Extension
Domantas Sabonis

Sustains Hamstring Injury Wednesday
Jaylen Brown

"Fine" Following Wednesday's Early Exit
CFB

Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt Probable For Saturday
Jake Walman

to Remain Out Thursday
Dmitry Kulikov

to Miss Five Months Following Surgery
Darcy Kuemper

Day-to-Day With Lower-Body Injury
Anze Kopitar

Listed as Day-to-Day
Jacob Markstrom

Out for "Couple of Weeks"
Kevon Looney

Slated to be Sidelined With Knee Injury
Nick Foligno

Out on Wednesday
New York Knicks

Malcolm Brogdon Calling it a Career After Nine NBA Seasons
Russell Westbrook

Inks Deal With Kings
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Open 21-Day Practice Window for Khalik Mack
Quentin Johnston

Will Practice Wednesday
Travis Hunter

Jaguars Plan to Expand Travis Hunter's Role on Offense
Anthony Volpe

Undergoes Left-Shoulder Surgery
Deshaun Watson

"a Good Month Away" From Practicing
CFB

Jayden Gibson No Longer with Oklahoma Program
David Njoku

Not Practicing Wednesday
Rashee Rice

Chiefs "Allocating a Heavy Workload" for Rashee Rice Right Away
Puka Nacua

a "Long Shot" to Play in Week 7
Emeka Egbuka

is Expected to Miss Week 7
Jalen Suggs

Participates in Contact Drills
Mark Williams

Progresses to Five-on-Five Work
Gary Harris

to Miss 1-2 Weeks
De'Andre Hunter

Sustains Knee Contusion Tuesday
Karlo Matković

Karlo Matkovic Hurts Elbow in Loss to Houston
Jalen Duren

Returns to Action Against Cavaliers
Emmanuel Clase

to be Banished for Life After Gambling Allegations?
Alex Bregman

Plans to Opt Out of Contract With Red Sox
CeeDee Lamb

"Looking Good" for Week 7
D'Andre Swift

Breaks Out for 175 Total Yards and Touchdown in Win
Christopher Bell

Sits Third in Points After Quiet Third-Place Finish
Chase Briscoe

Passes Denny Hamlin at the Start, but Hamlin Gets Him in the End
Joey Logano

Falling Out of Playoff Picture Despite Other Contenders' Crashes
Ryan Blaney

Stage 1 Crash Puts Ryan Blaney in Severe Playoff Trouble
Denny Hamlin

Wins at Las Vegas and Will Compete for the 2025 Cup Series Title
Kyle Larson

Dominates at Las Vegas but Ends Up Second
Chase Elliott

Struggles to Gain A Solid Finish at Las Vegas After Pit-Road Penalty
William Byron

Strong Run Ends In A Wreck at Las Vegas
CFB

Sam Leavitt Viewed as Day-to-Day with Undisclosed Injury
Anthony Santander

Scratched From Game 2 of ALCS With Back Tightness
San Diego Padres

Mike Shildt Retires as a Manager
Mateusz Gamrot

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Charles Oliveira

Gets Back In The Win Column
Montel Jackson

Drops Decision
Deiveson Figueiredo

Gets Split-Decision Victory
Vicente Luque

Outclassed
Vicente Luque

Joel Alvarez Outclasses Vicente Luque
Jhonata Diniz

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mario Pinto

Remains Undefeated
CFB

Matt Rhule Denying Interest in Penn State Head Coaching Job
CFB

Le'Veon Moss Not Believed to Have Suffered Season-Ending Injury
Ricardo Ramos

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Kaan Ofli

Scores Comeback Win
CFB

Bill Belichick Says he's Committed to North Carolina
Tiger Woods

Undergoes Back Surgery
CFB

UAB Fires Head Coach Trent Dilfer After 2.5 Seasons In Birmingham
CFB

Penn State Fires Head Coach James Franklin After 10.5 Seasons
CFB

Penn State QB Drew Allar Will Miss The Rest Of 2025 Season With Ankle Injury
Brandon Woodruff

Will Not be on NLCS Roster
Max Scherzer

Added to ALCS Roster
Bryan Woo

Makes ALCS Roster
Bo Bichette

Won't Make ALCS Roster
Christopher Bell

the Favorite to Win at Las Vegas
Denny Hamlin

on the Pole at Las Vegas
Joey Logano

Can Joey Logano Get Lucky in Las Vegas Again?
William Byron

has the Fastest Car in Practice at Las Vegas
Ty Gibbs

Speed of Ty Gibbs a Good Sign for Toyota at Las Vegas
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Should Contend at Las Vegas
Ross Chastain

Scrapes Wall in Practice But Qualifies 15th at Las Vegas
Chris Buescher

Looking for Improvement at Las Vegas
Austin Cindric

It Has Been Hit or Miss for Austin Cindric at Las Vegas
Chase Elliott

Should Run Well at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson

Conservatism May Keep him from Replicating Previous Las Vegas Drive
Josh Berry

After Josh Berry's Las Vegas Win, Ryan Blaney Should be a Top Contender
Chase Briscoe

has Definitely Improved on Intermediate Tracks
Gleyber Torres

Will Undergo Surgery to Repair Sports Hernia
Bryan Woo

Expected to be on Mariners' ALCS Roster
CFB

CJ Baxter to Miss Saturday's Game Against No. 6 Oklahoma
CFB

Syracuse QB Steve Angeli Will Miss Significant Time

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP