What's up RotoBallers. In this column, Jason and I will be taking a look at the main card for UFC on Fox 24. 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: 102-49, Jason's Record: 82-69).

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 on Fox 24.

Editor's Note: Interested in RotoBaller's MMA DFS Cheat Sheet with advanced fighter statistics, deep analysis and detailed insights from MMA DFS Experts Jason and Justin Bales? Let us know here.

 

Jeremy Stephens vs Renato Moicano 

 

Justin’s Pick

Jeremy Stephens has been on a bit of a skid recently, but there’s a reason people aren’t lining up to fight him. Renato Moicano, on the other hand, is undefeated and is looking for this to be his platform to stardom. Moicano’s only problem is that he has never faced anyone nearly as good as Stephens, and he simply will not be ready for the jump in talent. He could potentially work Stephens into a bad position and slip a submission in, but that is highly unlikely. Stephens is a veteran, who will be looking to keep this standing where he has a distinct power advantage. If he’s able to do that, it will only be a matter of time before he picks up his 17th victory via (T)KO.

Jeremy Stephens via TKO, 3rd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens has been dying for a fight for the last few months. It looks like the UFC finally got it done. Renato Moicano is either extremely confident in his abilities or simply insane. Stephens is a much better fighter at this point in time. As Justin so expertly comments, Moicano is not ready for this kind of jump in competition. Stephens will get back to his winning ways, and more fighters are going to have to start stepping up to fight him. He is a very dangerous man.

Jeremy Stephens via TKO, 1st Round

 

Ronaldo Souza vs Robert Whittaker

 

Justin’s Pick

These are two of the best middleweights in the world, and it makes for an interesting matchup. Jacare Souza will certainly be trying to take this fight to the ground, but Robert Whittaker has elite takedown defense. If this fight stays standing, Whittaker will have the advantage. That likely won’t be the case, though, as Souza is relentless in his takedown attempts, but also has enough striking prowess to keep this fight interesting. Similarly to the first fight, I think this is going to be too big of a jump in competition for Whittaker to come away with the victory.

Ronaldo Souza via Submission, 2nd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

First things first, Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker is no joke. He is one of the best fighters in the world, and he showed that against Derek Brunson. Unfortunately, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza is standing in his way this Saturday. Souza deserves a title shot very shortly, but it does not look like that is going to happen. Regardless, Souza is the better striker, and if this fight ends up on the ground, Whittaker will be tapping within a couple of minutes. There is just no where that Whittaker has an advantage. He throws more frequently from his feet, but that does not mean he is the better fighter standing. Souza is just a little bit more selective with his punches.

Ronaldo Souza via Submission, 3rd Round

 

Rose Namajunas vs Michelle Waterson

 

Justin’s Pick

There were a lot of question marks surrounding Michelle Waterson’s health before her fight with Paige Van Zant, but she put those to rest with a first round submission. Rose Namajunas was also able to submit Paige Van Zant, but that was a year prior to Waterson’s fight. Since then, Namajunas split a pair of fights, losing her last one to Karolina Kowalkiewicz. The story of this fight will be whether or not Namajunas can break Waterson’s defense. I don’t see that happening, and Waterson should be able to win this fight, regardless of where he decides it will take place.

Michelle Waterson via Unanimous Decision 

 

Jason’s Pick

Rose “Thug” Namajunas is a step up in competition for Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson, but Vegas is undervaluing Waterson’s time off. She is ready for the next step in competition, and in two or three more fighters, Waterson will be fighting for the title. She is one of the best female fighters in the world, has great defense, has great takedown ability, and can submit anyone in the UFC. Namajunas, like Justin said earlier, will have to get past Waterson’s defense, and that is just not going to happen.

Michelle Waterson via Submission, 2nd Round

 

Demetrious Johnson vs Wilson Reis