Draftkings MMA DFS UFC Vegas 70 Picks
Welcome to our coverage of MMA DFS UFC Vegas 70, where we’ll be breaking down each of the fights on the card and providing our picks for the winners. For each matchup, we’ll start with a brief rundown of the fighters and their recent performances, followed by the consensus pick and a contrarian pick. Finally, we’ll give our own prediction for the fight and explain our reasoning.
With a variety of exciting bouts on the card, including a highly-anticipated middleweight matchup and a potential barnburner in the bantamweight division, there’s sure to be plenty of action for MMA fans to enjoy. So, let’s dive into the matchups and see who we think will come out on top at UFC Vegas 70.
Prelim card (4 p.m. ET on ESPN+)
Bantamweight: Jose Johnson vs. Garrett Armfield
Brief Rundown: Jose Johnson and Garrett Armfield are two well-rounded bantamweights with impressive wrestling and grappling skills, as well as moderate striking volume. However, Johnson’s tendency to stand flat and load up could make him vulnerable to Armfield’s takedowns, while Armfield’s tendency to shell up under fire could pose a challenge when facing Johnson’s length.
Consensus Pick: Armfield is the favorite to win due to his well-rounded skill set, combination punching, and strong wrestling and grappling abilities.
Contrarian Perspective: Johnson could potentially use his length to keep Armfield at bay and avoid his takedowns, while also using his wrestling and grappling skills to dominate the fight on the ground.
Prediction: While both fighters have much to offer, Armfield is likely to come out on top due to his solid defense, combination punching, and skillful grappling. I predict that Armfield will dominate the fight once it hits the mat, ultimately securing a victory in this bantamweight bout.
Bantamweight: Hailey Cowan vs. Ailin Perez
Brief Rundown: In this bantamweight matchup, Hailey Cowan, a promising wrestler with impressive grappling skills, makes her UFC debut against Ailin Perez, an experienced switch stance fighter with a well-rounded skill set.
Consensus Pick: The consensus pick for this bout is Ailin Perez, who has shown solid striking and grappling abilities, an aggressive style, and a dangerous top game that could help her secure the win.
Contrarian Pick: Cowan’s wrestling and grappling skills may give her an opportunity to control the fight and hunt for a submission, which could be her path to victory. She may also use her southpaw stance and reach advantage to disrupt Perez’s striking game.
Prediction: This bout has the potential to be a slow burner, with long stretches of inactivity against the fence. However, Perez’s superior striking and grappling, along with her aggressive style, should allow her to edge out a hard-fought victory. Nevertheless, Cowan’s wrestling and grappling skills may prove to be a challenge for Perez, making this an intriguing bantamweight clash to watch.
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Lightweight: Nurullo Aliev vs. Rafael Alves
Brief Rundown: This lightweight matchup features two promising fighters with contrasting styles. Rafael Alves is a dangerous striker with power and early-fight finishing ability, while Nurullo Aliev boasts suffocating wrestling and grappling skills that can make it difficult for opponents to get back to their feet.
Consensus Pick: The consensus pick for this bout is Nurullo Aliev, who is undefeated and has shown great promise in his Contender Series victory over Josh Wick. His consistent approach and strong wrestling make him a threat to neutralize Alves’ explosiveness and take the fight to the mat, where he can potentially secure a finish.
Contrarian Pick: Alves’ striking prowess could be the key to victory if he can use his power and explosiveness to keep the fight standing and land some big shots. He may also have an opportunity to counter Aliev’s takedown attempts and land some heavy shots while defending against the wrestling.
Prediction: This should be an intriguing matchup between two talented fighters with different strengths. If Alves can keep the fight standing and use his striking to its full potential, he may have a chance to pull off the upset. However, Aliev’s consistent wrestling and grappling make him the favorite to win, and he should be able to control the fight and potentially secure a dominant victory.
Lightweight: Joe Solecki vs. Carl Deaton III
Brief Rundown: Joe Solecki, known for his suffocating grappling style, faces Carl Deaton III in a lightweight bout. Deaton is expected to have the edge in striking, but will struggle to keep the fight standing against Solecki, who has faced tougher competition and should have the advantage in dictating where the fight goes. Once Solecki takes Deaton to the mat, he is likely to employ his grappling to grind out a win.
Consensus Pick: The consensus pick for this bout is Joe Solecki, who has the grappling skills to control the fight and secure a victory. Despite Deaton’s toughness, he lacks the skills to stop Solecki’s takedowns or pose a significant threat on the feet.
Contrarian Pick: Deaton’s striking and toughness may provide him with an opportunity to catch Solecki off guard and secure a surprise victory. He may also try to defend the takedowns and force the fight to stay standing, where he can use his striking skills.
Prediction: While Deaton’s toughness and striking skills cannot be overlooked, Solecki’s grappling and ability to control the fight should be the deciding factor in this matchup. If Solecki can consistently execute his takedowns or stop Deaton on the feet before testing his grappling, he should come away with the win. Deaton’s toughness may make him difficult to finish, but Solecki has the skills to grind out a victory.
Flyweight: Ode Osbourne vs. Charles Johnson
Brief Rundown: Flyweights Ode Osbourne and Charles Johnson are set to square off in what promises to be a close striking battle. Osbourne has a reach advantage, good wrestling and grappling, and has secured 9 finishes in his 11 wins. Meanwhile, Johnson is a switch fighter with a solid grappling game, and 9 finishes in his 13 wins. This fight could either end up as a dull decision or an exciting striking contest leading to a knockout. Johnson is the favorite due to his overall skill set, but Osbourne is not far behind and could cause an upset.
Consensus Pick: Charles Johnson is the consensus pick to win this fight due to his solid grappling game, speed and volume, and his ability to get stronger as the fight progresses.
Contrarian Pick: Ode Osbourne could potentially cause an upset in this fight with his reach advantage and good wrestling and grappling skills. He also has the ability to finish fights both by knockout and submission.
Prediction: This fight has the potential to be an exciting striking battle, but it may also turn into a slow-paced decision. Johnson’s solid grappling game and ability to get stronger as the fight progresses may give him an edge in the later rounds, leading to a late stoppage or decision victory. Nevertheless, Osbourne’s reach advantage and good wrestling and grappling skills cannot be ignored, and he may potentially pull off an upset if he can utilize those skills effectively.
Lightweight: Jordan Leavitt vs. Victor Martinez
Brief Rundown: Jordan Leavitt and Victor Martinez are set to face off in a lightweight bout with Leavitt’s wrestling and grappling skills against Martinez’s striking prowess.
Consensus Pick: The consensus pick for this fight is Jordan Leavitt. He has faced tougher competition and has shown an ability to persistently pursue takedowns and seek submissions, which could prove difficult for Martinez, who has shown weakness in defending takedowns and giving up his back.
Contrarian Pick: Victor Martinez’s superior boxing skills and high volume of strikes could pose a threat to Leavitt’s less developed striking. If Martinez can keep the fight standing, he could potentially capitalize on a mistake by Leavitt and score a finish.
Prediction: This fight has the potential to be competitive and not consistently deadlocked, with each fighter looking to dominate in their respective skill sets. However, Leavitt’s persistence in securing takedowns and seeking submissions, combined with his experience against tougher competition, give him the edge in this matchup. If Leavitt can control the fight on the ground and avoid getting caught on the feet, he should be able to secure a victory, potentially via submission.
Flyweight: Gabriella Fernandes vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
Brief Rundown: In this flyweight bout, Gabriella Fernandes, a well-rounded fighter making her UFC debut, will face off against Jasmine Jasudavicius, who relies on her grappling and takedown ability. Fernandes is expected to dominate the fight on the feet, while Jasudavicius will look to take the fight to the ground and use her wrestling to secure a win.
Consensus Pick: The consensus pick for this bout is Gabriella Fernandes, who has a well-rounded skill set and should have the advantage on the feet. While Jasudavicius’ wrestling is a threat, Fernandes’ solid takedown defense and striking skills make her the favorite in this matchup.
Contrarian Pick: Jasudavicius’ grappling skills could give her an opportunity to control the fight and hunt for a submission, which could be her path to victory. She may also look to use her height advantage to disrupt Fernandes’ striking game and take the fight to the ground.
Prediction: This bout is likely to be a striking battle, with Fernandes’ kickboxing and combination punching giving her an edge on the feet. However, Jasudavicius’ wrestling and grappling could prove to be a challenge for Fernandes if she can’t stop the takedowns. Overall, I predict that Fernandes will come out on top with a decision victory, showcasing her striking and takedown defense.
Main card (8 p.m. ET on ESPN+)
Lightweight: Erick Gonzalez vs. Trevor Peek
Brief Rundown: In this lightweight matchup, we have Erick Gonzalez, a powerful striker with a high finishing rate, facing Trevor Peek, an excellent wrestler with a high volume striking style.
Consensus Pick: The consensus pick for this bout is Trevor Peek, who has a clear advantage in wrestling and an effective striking game that can set up his takedowns and control the pace of the fight.
Contrarian Pick: Gonzalez’s power could be a game-changer in this bout, as he only needs to land one big shot to end the fight. He may also use his footwork and movement to stay elusive and avoid Peek’s takedowns.
Prediction: This fight is likely to be a battle of styles, with Peek looking to control the fight on the ground and Gonzalez searching for a knockout on the feet. Peek’s wrestling and striking volume should allow him to dictate the pace and grind out a decision win. However, Gonzalez’s power and finishing ability make him a live underdog who could capitalize on any mistake from Peek. Overall, Peek has the edge in this matchup and is predicted to come out with a hard-fought victory.
Welterweight: Mike Malott vs. Yohan Lainesse
Brief Rundown: In this welterweight matchup, undefeated Mike Malott faces Yohan Lainesse, who has nine wins with six finishes. Malott has a well-rounded skill set with a 100% finishing rate, while Lainesse is a wrestler and grappler with a reach advantage.
Consensus Pick: The consensus pick for this fight is Mike Malott, who is favored due to his high-volume striking, solid wrestling and grappling skills, and perfect finishing record.
Contrarian Pick: Yohan Lainesse may have an opportunity to win if he can keep the fight at range and avoid being taken down. He will need to use his wrestling and grappling to defend against Malott’s pressure and ground-and-pound.
Prediction: The fight is likely to be dominated by Malott’s forward pace and pressure, with Lainesse struggling to defend against Malott’s attacks. While Lainesse may be able to use his wrestling and grappling to keep the fight competitive, Malott’s well-rounded skillset and finishing ability make him the favorite. Therefore, the prediction is that Malott will come out on top with a finish, barring a significant upset.
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Flyweight: Tatiana Suarez vs. Montana De La Rosa
Brief Rundown: Tatiana Suarez, a former Ultimate Fighter winner, returns to the UFC after a long layoff due to injury to take on Montana De La Rosa. Suarez has an undefeated 4-0 record with the UFC, while De La Rosa has struggled in her past six bouts.
Consensus Pick: The consensus pick for this bout is Tatiana Suarez, who is known for her Olympic-level wrestling and dominant performances in the UFC. With her impressive takedown average and De La Rosa’s middling takedown defense, it’s likely that Suarez will control the fight on the mat.
Contrarian Pick: De La Rosa has eight submission victories in her career and is comfortable on the ground, so she may have an opportunity to pull off an upset if she can catch Suarez in a submission. However, with Suarez’s pedigree and strength, it will be a challenging task to achieve.
Prediction: This fight is expected to be a showcase for Suarez, who has the potential to be a future star in the UFC. Despite concerns about ring rust, her dominant wrestling and top control should lead her to a comfortable win over De La Rosa. There is a chance for a big first-round finish from Suarez, making her a viable option for DFS lineups.
Heavyweight: Augusto Sakai vs. Don’Tale Mayes
Brief Rundown: In this heavyweight bout, Augusto Sakai, who is currently on a four-fight losing streak, faces Don’Tale Mayes, who has a significant reach and height advantage over Sakai.
Consensus Pick: The consensus pick for this bout is Don’Tale Mayes, who has shown considerable power and a more well-rounded skill set than some of his heavyweight peers. With Sakai’s recent durability issues, Mayes is in a good position to capitalize and secure the win.
Contrarian Pick: While Sakai’s recent performances have been poor, he had an impressive start to his UFC career and has shown power in the past. If he can stay durable and utilize his striking, he may be able to surprise Mayes and pull off an upset.
Prediction: This fight is likely to be a striking battle, with both fighters looking to land heavy shots. Mayes’ reach and height advantage could give him the edge in keeping Sakai at bay and landing his own shots. Meanwhile, Sakai will need to find a way to stay durable and avoid getting knocked out early. Ultimately, Mayes’ more well-rounded skill set and durability give him the edge in this matchup, making him the favorite to win.
Middleweight: Andre Muniz vs. Brendan Allen
Brief Rundown: In this middleweight fight between Andre Muniz and Brendan Allen, two rising stars in the division will clash in an exciting matchup. Muniz has been making a name for himself with his elite grappling skills, while Allen has been a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division.
Consensus Pick: The consensus pick for this bout is Andre Muniz, who has shown incredible grappling prowess in his five-fight win streak in the UFC. Muniz’s ability to take his opponents down and submit them is unmatched in the middleweight division, and he has already scored impressive wins over the likes of Jacare Souza, Eryk Anders, and Uriah Hall.
Contrarian Pick: Brendan Allen has a solid wrestling and grappling game of his own, and he will look to use his striking skills to keep the fight standing and limit Muniz’s takedown attempts. Allen has the power and technique to land significant strikes on Muniz and could cause the upset if he can keep the fight on the feet.
Prediction: This fight has all the makings of an exciting clash between two of the middleweight division’s top prospects. Muniz’s grappling skills are among the best in the UFC, and he will likely look to take Allen down and control him on the mat. Allen, on the other hand, will look to keep the fight standing and land significant strikes to keep Muniz at bay. In the end, Muniz’s grappling prowess is likely to be the deciding factor, and he may be able to control Allen on the mat en route to a victory.
Main Event
Light heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Ryan Spann
Brief Rundown: The main event for the light heavyweight division will feature Nikita Krylov against Ryan Spann. Both fighters are known for their finishing abilities, and the fight is expected to be a close one.
Consensus Pick: While the fight is expected to be close, the consensus pick for this bout is Nikita Krylov. He has been consistent in his recent performances and has shown improved defensive skills.
Contrarian Pick: Ryan Spann has a reputation for being a dangerous striker and submission artist. He has more power than Krylov and has the potential to record a first-round finish.
Prediction: This fight has the potential to be a battle of two well-rounded fighters. Krylov will likely fight defensively, while Spann will look to use his power and grappling to get the win. Krylov’s physicality and all-around game make him the preferred pick. However, Spann’s submission abilities make him a dangerous opponent. Ultimately, it will be an intriguing fight to watch, with the potential for either fighter to come out on top.
Taking into account both fighters’ strengths and weaknesses, my prediction for the Krylov vs. Spann fight is that Nikita Krylov will come out on top. While Spann has shown great potential in the past, his durability issues and Krylov’s well-rounded game and physicality make me believe that Krylov will have the edge in this bout. Of course, anything can happen in a fight, and there is always a chance for an upset, but based on the information available, Krylov seems like the more likely winner.
That’s all I’ve got for today 
Thank you for checking out the article, I hope I was able to provide you with some value as you begin to build your DFS lineups for today’s contests.
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