Unfortunately my UFC Vegas 53 cash core fell through a bit with Lianesse, who did not score very well. Then there were another 30 points lost with the Collier decision as well. That being said, the tournament line I decided to go with did very well, once again finishing second in the We Want Picks contest – second is kind of my thing. My lineup performed very well in single entry tournament contests, but fell a bit short of solid money in multiple entry contests.
This week the UFC 274 card is amazing, not that the underwhelming cards aren’t amazing, but this one has the hype on paper as well as in the octagon. There is loads of value on this card as well from a DraftKings perspective and numerous female fights that can be used as salary savers in cash and tournament lineups.
The main three fights on this card are sure to impress but most of the value for my core is going to be found elsewhere as I believe two of the three headlining fights have significant potential to end early. Here are my core plays;
THE CORE PLAYS
MICHAEL CHANDLER – $9600
There are a ton of people that seem to be against using Chandler at $9600, but I don’t think those people are correct. Chandler is that price because he is fighting a guy that is essentially washed at this point. Tony Ferguson hasn’t had a good showing in his last three fights.
Against Justin Gaethje he went to war and ultimately was knocked out, and really hasn’t seemed the same since. Then he was taken down three times by Charles Oliveira. In that fight he was controlled for 11:39 of the 15 minutes, ultimately losing that one in a unanimous decision. Finally in his last fight against Dariush he was once again taken down three times, and this time was controlled for 12:15 of the 15 minute fight.
Despite all of that, there are still numerous people that have faith that “El Cucuy” is still potentially viable in this fight for DraftKings. I just don’t see it. Michael Chandler has power in his hands, high output, and the ability to take Ferguson down. Once that happens the ground and pound game is ferocious. “El Cucuy” is cooked as far as my DraftKings lineups go, Chandler will easily be in my core at this incredibly high price and I won’t think twice about it.
R.I.P. to the legend of “El Cucuy”.
LUPITA GODINEZ – $9000
The next fighter in my core is Lupita Godinez. This is another fighter that has taken a bit of beating in many of the analyst opinions. Even right here on We Want Picks, Angelo has taken the position that Ariane Carnelossi is bully proof because she has big muscles. I am sure more went into his opinion than that, but it certainly cannot be based on her UFC fights.
In the UFC Carnelossi has fought two of the smallest girls possible and then the least dangerous wrestler possible. Against Istella Nunes – who is incredibly frail in stature – Carnelossi put together five takedowns. These are her only takedowns in the UFC, and if I had to bet money on something confidently it would be that Istella Nunes could weigh in dressed for an Antarctic Expedition and still easily make weight. It is also worth noting, that despite the five takedowns, Nunes outstruck Carnelossi, and Nunes spent half the fight being controlled.
Monkey Knife Fights is a unique prop based daily fantasy game. Click here to claim your 100% deposit match up to $100. There are no strings attached!
” use_button=”on” button_text=”PLAY NOW” button_link=”https://www.monkeyknifefight.com/signup?btag=a_2011b_71c_&affid=1455&utm_source=incomeaccess&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=IA&pid=incomeaccess_int&af_sub1=a_2011b_71c_&siteid=2011″ text_alignment=”center” content_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” image_alignment=”center” image_hover_animation=”pulse” overlay_icon_color=”#bc1e2c” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Archivo Black|700||on|||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”20px” subtitle_font=”Archivo|700||on|||||” subtitle_text_color=”#bc1e2c” subtitle_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Archivo|500|||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ header_font=”Archivo Black|700||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#bc1e2c” background_enable_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#fbae17″ button_border_width=”4px” button_border_color=”#fbae17″ button_border_radius=”10px” button_font=”Archivo|600||on|||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon=”||fa||900″ button_alignment=”center” module_alignment=”center” overflow-y=”hidden” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” link_option_url=”https://www.monkeyknifefight.com/signup?btag=a_2011b_71c_&affid=1455&utm_source=incomeaccess&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=IA&pid=incomeaccess_int&af_sub1=a_2011b_71c_&siteid=2011″ link_option_url_new_window=”on” title_font_size_tablet=”16px” title_font_size_phone=”14px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” subtitle_font_size_tablet=”14px” subtitle_font_size_phone=”12px” subtitle_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” button_text_size_tablet=”16px” button_text_size_phone=”14px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii_item=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all_item=”2px” border_color_all_item=”#000000″ border_radii_figure=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all_figure=”1px” border_color_all_figure=”#000000″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/wdc_content_carousel_child][wdc_content_carousel_child admin_title=”EarnU Blurb” photo=”https://wewantpicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Earn-U.jpg” photo_alt=”Click Here To Play EarnU” title=”GUARANTEED TO WIN” subtitle=”USE PROMO CODE ‘WWP'” body_content=”
EarnU is a crypto based game where you literally cannot lose betting on sports and eSports. If you lose – don't worry – it is like the wager never happened!
” use_button=”on” button_text=”PLAY NOW” button_link=”https://betuearn.com/invite/wwp” text_alignment=”center” content_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” image_alignment=”center” image_hover_animation=”pulse” overlay_icon_color=”#bc1e2c” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Archivo Black|700||on|||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”20px” subtitle_font=”Archivo|700||on|||||” subtitle_text_color=”#bc1e2c” subtitle_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Archivo|500|||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ header_font=”Archivo Black|700||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#bc1e2c” background_enable_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#000000″ button_border_width=”4px” button_border_color=”#000000″ button_border_radius=”10px” button_font=”Archivo|600||on|||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon=”||fa||900″ button_alignment=”center” module_alignment=”center” overflow-y=”hidden” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” link_option_url=”https://betuearn.com/invite/wwp” link_option_url_new_window=”on” title_font_size_tablet=”16px” title_font_size_phone=”14px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” subtitle_font_size_tablet=”14px” subtitle_font_size_phone=”12px” subtitle_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” button_text_size_tablet=”16px” button_text_size_phone=”14px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii_item=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all_item=”2px” border_color_all_item=”#000000″ border_radii_figure=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all_figure=”1px” border_color_all_figure=”#000000″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/wdc_content_carousel_child][wdc_content_carousel_child admin_title=”DK Blurb” photo=”https://wewantpicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/FREE-DraftKings-League.jpg” photo_alt=”Click Here To Join Our Free Draft Kings League” title=”Join Free League” subtitle=”MEMBERS WIN $50″ body_content=”
Our league is free to enter. Each week we give away $50 to the winner! Remember that you need to be a member of our YouTube channel to qualify.
” use_button=”on” button_text=”PLAY NOW” button_link=”https://wewantpicks.com/playdraftkings” text_alignment=”center” content_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” image_alignment=”center” image_hover_animation=”pulse” overlay_icon_color=”#bc1e2c” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Archivo Black|700||on|||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”20px” subtitle_font=”Archivo|700||on|||||” subtitle_text_color=”#bc1e2c” subtitle_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Archivo|500|||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ header_font=”Archivo Black|700||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#bc1e2c” background_enable_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#53d337″ button_border_width=”4px” button_border_color=”#53d337″ button_border_radius=”10px” button_font=”Archivo|600||on|||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon=”||fa||900″ button_alignment=”center” module_alignment=”center” overflow-y=”hidden” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” link_option_url=”https://wewantpicks.com/playdraftkings” link_option_url_new_window=”on” title_font_size_tablet=”16px” title_font_size_phone=”14px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” subtitle_font_size_tablet=”14px” subtitle_font_size_phone=”12px” subtitle_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” button_text_size_tablet=”16px” button_text_size_phone=”14px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii_item=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all_item=”2px” border_color_all_item=”#000000″ border_radii_figure=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all_figure=”1px” border_color_all_figure=”#000000″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/wdc_content_carousel_child][wdc_content_carousel_child admin_title=”PrizePicks Blurb” photo=”https://wewantpicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/PrizePicks-100-Deposit-Match.jpg” photo_alt=”Click Here To Play Prize Picks” title=”100% DEPOSIT MATCH” subtitle=”Prop Based Fantasy” body_content=”
PrizePicks is a daily fantasy game where you are competing against the lines – not the sharks. Enjoy a 100% deposit match up to $100 with this offer.
” use_button=”on” button_text=”PLAY NOW” button_link=”https://wewantpicks.com/playprizepicks” text_alignment=”center” content_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” image_alignment=”center” image_hover_animation=”pulse” overlay_icon_color=”#bc1e2c” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Archivo Black|700||on|||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”20px” subtitle_font=”Archivo|700||on|||||” subtitle_text_color=”#bc1e2c” subtitle_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Archivo|500|||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ header_font=”Archivo Black|700||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#bc1e2c” background_enable_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#000000″ button_border_width=”4px” button_border_color=”#000000″ button_border_radius=”10px” button_font=”Archivo|600||on|||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon=”||fa||900″ button_alignment=”center” module_alignment=”center” overflow-y=”hidden” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” link_option_url=”https://wewantpicks.com/playprizepicks” link_option_url_new_window=”on” title_font_size_tablet=”16px” title_font_size_phone=”14px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” subtitle_font_size_tablet=”14px” subtitle_font_size_phone=”12px” subtitle_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” button_text_size_tablet=”16px” button_text_size_phone=”14px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii_item=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all_item=”2px” border_color_all_item=”#000000″ border_radii_figure=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all_figure=”1px” border_color_all_figure=”#000000″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/wdc_content_carousel_child][wdc_content_carousel_child admin_title=”FanDuel Blurb” photo=”https://wewantpicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/FanDuel-Daily-Fantasy-Games.jpg” photo_alt=”Click Here To Play FanDuel” title=”GREAT GPP CONTESTS” subtitle=”SINGLE ENTRY – BIG PRIZES” body_content=”
FanDuel is not something that we normally cover, but they do have great single entry contests. The scoring is also a bit different allowing new strategy!
” use_button=”on” button_text=”Play Now” button_link=”https://fndl.co/xagajkz” text_alignment=”center” content_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” image_alignment=”center” image_hover_animation=”pulse” overlay_icon_color=”#bc1e2c” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Archivo Black|700||on|||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”20px” subtitle_font=”Archivo|700||on|||||” subtitle_text_color=”#bc1e2c” subtitle_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Archivo|500|||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ header_font=”Archivo Black|700||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#bc1e2c” background_enable_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#1493ff” button_border_width=”4px” button_border_color=”#1493ff” button_border_radius=”10px” button_font=”Archivo|600||on|||||” button_use_icon=”on” button_icon=”||fa||900″ button_alignment=”center” module_alignment=”center” overflow-y=”hidden” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” link_option_url=”https://fndl.co/xagajkz” link_option_url_new_window=”on” title_font_size_tablet=”16px” title_font_size_phone=”14px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” subtitle_font_size_tablet=”14px” subtitle_font_size_phone=”12px” subtitle_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” button_text_size_tablet=”16px” button_text_size_phone=”14px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii_item=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all_item=”2px” border_color_all_item=”#000000″ border_radii_figure=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all_figure=”1px” border_color_all_figure=”#000000″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/wdc_content_carousel_child][/wdc_content_carousel]
Next fight back on the trip down Carnelossi’s memory lane is against Na Liang. Liang is a good wrestler, evidenced by the three times she took Carnelossi down, and she even managed to drop Carnelossi with the first punch of the fight. In fact, if you go back and re-watch this fight, Liang didn’t lose this fight to Carnelossi, she lost this fight to adrenaline and oxygen.
And then in her first UFC experience, Carnelossi was knocked out by Angela Hill. Yes, Angela Hill…correct, that Angela Hill. Hill has a total of two knockouts in her UFC career that spans over twenty fights, and Carnelossi is one of them. All three of Carnelossi’s previous opponents share one thing – a good gust of wind could take them out. That is not the case with Loopy.
This fight is cut and dry in my opinion. Loopy is an actual bully that averages four and a half takedowns per fifteen minutes. Unfortunately her volume is generally pretty low, so I don’t expect a finish, but I could certainly see over half the fight in control time – and with the relentlessness that she hunts takedowns with, coupled with Carnelossi’s 25% takedown defense, I am as close to sure as one can get that she has a fairly safe floor for cash games.
KHAOS WILLIAMS – $8300
Before I just jump into this pick, let me preface it by saying that Khaos Williams for me is like Ryan Hall to Jacob. I am just going to back him no matter what. His opponent, Randy Brown, is very likely the more well rounded fighter. I just personally cannot allow myself to pick against Khaos, I have faith in him and we will ride that faith until the wheels fall off.
Neither fighter is too takedown heavy, but Randy Brown does look for and achieve more of them than Khaos does. In the event that happens however, I like Khaos to work back to his feet quickly. Basically I am banking on the activity and the power of Khaos to get me either a nice high scoring decision or a knockout. His cardio is great and he maintains his power throughout the fight, so if he can just avoid getting caught in a submission I think that outcome is very likely.
THE PIVOT
ROSE NAMAJUNAS – $8900 / CARLA ESPARZA – $7300
Man I love Rose, she has been and always will be one of my favorite female fighters. Unfortunately this matchup is a big question mark for me when it comes to Rose, and truthfully I am all but 100% convinced that Carla Esparza will win a decision here by stealing rounds with takedowns and whatever passes for ground and pound for Carla these days.
That being said, there is always the off chance that Rose could secure a finish because she is incredibly dangerous from all levels in every fight she is in. While her wrestling is terrible, and she can’t stop takedowns very effectively, she is a very solid grappler and shows an urgency to get off of her back. Unfortunately once she is back to her feet she will likely just throw another kick and be taken down again because Carla catches kicks regularly and uses that leverage to secure takedowns easily.
Since their first fight back in 2014 following the first female TUF series, Rose has not fought a single other true wrestler to get a solid read on where her defensive wrestling has progressed to. She was taken down by Wei Li Zhang in her last fight with her a total of five times – and I do know for a fact that Zhang is not even remotely close to as good a wrestler as Carla Esparza is.
Ultimately for me, the play will be Carla in all cash games and most tournament contests. I don't think Rose is a terrible tournament choice either however and will sprinkle in some exposure to her as well. While I normally don’t stack fights unless I am playing a H2H on FanDuel, if I was to stack a five rounder on this card for cash games, this is definitely the one.
