We head back to the Apex for UFC Fight Night 102. We are slated for 12 fights this week with some interesting matchups up and down the card headlined by Jared Cannonier and Gregory “RoboCop” Rodrigues. We have 6 ranked fighters in the lineup, with two ranked women’s bantamweights being the lone fight pairing ranked opponents. The lineup should make for some fun DFS plays as you’ll need to be creative in making lineups with a lot of the cheaply priced underdogs not being in great spots.
For anyone who hasn’t read this article before, this series will be released every week on Wednesday and will cover the slate by isolating the fighters that I like within the various salary groups. Please be aware that these plays are subject to change as the week goes on. You can unlock my Saturday Morning Slate Sleuth article that contains my exact plays, and access to the entire suite of DraftKings DFS tools available with Premium Membership – Click Here To Join – Use code ‘ADP’ for 10% off your first month!
$9,000+ PRICE POINT
JACQUELINE CAVALCANTI
She has won all 3 of her UFC fights, is the highest priced fighter on the card at 9500, and is a -440 favorite. This range isn’t loaded with fighters who look like they’ll score a ton, but she averages 6 significant strikes per minute, has elite takedown defense at 90% and should win the fight on the feet.
YOUSEFF ZALAL
Coming in with 3 wins via submission averaging 98.6 in those fights, Zalal will undoubtedly take the Aljo route against Kattar and drag him to the mat to look for a finish. His output on the feet isn’t great at 3 significant strikes per minute, but he’s got power and can finish the fight on the feet with a big shot or get Kattar to the mat and choke him out.
$8,000 – $8,900 PRICE POINT
RODOLFO VIEIRA
Vieira has 3 wins in his last 4 fights averaging over 96 DK points in them. He and Petroski both will look to wrestle, however Vieira has 5 wins via submission in the UFC and should be able to handle business on the mat. He averages about 2.5 takedowns per win and those have come in rounds 1 or 2 in four of his fights.
VALTER WALKER
This fight will come down to Walker getting Mayes to the mat where he won’t be able to get up. He averages 4.5 takedowns in his 2 UFC fights, and we’ve seen Mayes struggle to get up after being taken down. Give me the wrestler who will be in position to get a sub or TKO and score 100+ with a first round finish like his last fight.
UNDER $8,000 PRICE POINT
NAZIM SADYKHOV
The Bonfim brothers have a lot of hype around them, and I guess I’m going to pick on them for underdogs here. Nazim has good output at nearly 5 significant strikes per minute, averages almost 2 takedown per fight, is only a +160 dog and in his three UFC fights has 2 wins and a draw. He has 5 takedowns and a knockdown in his 3 UFC fights, which lead to extra DK points.
KHAOS WILLIAMS
This pick or more so based upon taking a chance on an underdog who has big power, a 5 inch reach advantage, and has won 6 of his 8 fights in the UFC with 4 of his wins coming via knockout. He has good takedown defense at 80% and if he can keep it on the feet he should have a chance to crack Bonfim when they’re exchanging in the pocket.
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