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Justin Bales gives his DraftKings MMA DFS lineup picks for the UFC 211 Main Card. Get a head start on your UFC DFS lineups for DraftKings.
What's up RotoBallers. In this column, I will be taking a look at the main card for UFC 211. Our analysis will help you with your DraftKings MMA lineups. 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: 108-53).
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. Without anymore waiting, here are our DFS lineup picks and DraftKings analysis for the main card at UFC 211.
Editor's Note: Interested in RotoBaller's MMA DFS Cheat Sheet with advanced fighter statistics, deep analysis and detailed insights from MMA DFS Expert Justin Bales? Let us know here.
Henry Cejudo vs Sergio Pettis
Cejudo is coming off two consecutive losses, but one was against Demetrious Johnson and the other was a split decision loss to Joseph Benavidez. He will see a step down in competition against Pettis, who is currently riding a three fight win steak. Cejudo is a significantly better wrestler than Pettis, and he should be able to control this fight. It might not be the most exciting fight on the card, but Cejudo should be able to get back in the win column this weekend.
Henry Cejudo via Unanimous Decision
Frankie Edgar vs Yair Rodriguez
Edgar has been one of the best featherweights in the world for quite some time. He only fights elite opponents, and he has only lost once since 2013. Rodriguez, on the other hand, is on an eight fight win streak, but against lesser competition than Edgar. Rodriguez has the type of diverse offense that can give anyone fits. Edgar simply continues to outwork his opponents with elite conditioning. If this fight were set at five rounds, Edgar would have a huge advantage, as Rodriguez’s offense takes a lot of energy. With that being said, Rodriguez has the flashy offense that will score well with the judge’s and he is a strong underdog this weekend.
Yair Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision
Demian Maia vs Jorge Masvidal
This is an interesting matchup. Maia will be looking to drag this fight to the ground, while Masvidal will be looking to keep it standing. It’s an extremely cut and dry type of fight, and Maia will win on the ground and Masvidal will win on the feet. Maia is relentless with his takedowns, and that was on full display in his last fight against Carlos Condit. Masvidal has the power to knockout Maia in only a few punches, but it’s more likely Maia is able to secure a takedown and work in a choke.
Demian Maia via Submission, 2nd Round
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Jessica Andrade
This could be Jedrzejczyk’s toughest fight to date. She’s a fighter that has elite striking, and loves to point her way to victory. Andrade isn’t nearly as technical, but she’s a powerful fighter that is always looking for a finish. If she feels Jedrzejczyk is simply looking to win on the judge’s scorecards, she could rush her and look for a knockout. Jedrzejczyk’s footwork and hand speed will keep this from happening, though. She’ll work her way to another impressive title defense.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk via Unanimous Decision
Stipe Miocic vs Junior Dos Santos
This is an interesting matchup. Dos Santos beat Miocic in 2014, but Miocic has gone on a run of wins and is now the champion. Since that fight, Dos Santos went 1-1 and has looked significantly less impressive than Miocic. Miocic will be looking to sprinkle in takedowns with his striking, while Dos Santos will likely be trying to keep this fight on the feet. Even though Dos Santos won the first fight, Miocic has been continuously progressing as a fighter, and he has the speed and power to avenge that loss.
Stipe Miocic via TKO, 3rd Round
