A Gambler’s Guide to UFC 178

Welcome to another exciting and enlightening edition of A Gambler’s Guide. Today let’s talk about UFC 178; a fight card with a high watchability factor but a card with limited gambling potential.

There is always an opportunity to make plays, but UFC 178 is not a card you should go into expecting to make a killing.

Amanda Nunes, +235 vs. Cat Zingano, -275

This women’s bantamweight bout may just be the most intriguing of all the fights on the card from a gambling standpoint. Zingano is a tremendous fighter, but she is coming off of an extended layoff due to an injury and personal issues and that is a lot to overcome against a fighter like Nunes. Nunes is coming off of an extended layoff as well, but not nearly as long a layoff as Zingano.

The play – Take Nunes to win in an upset

Tim Kennedy, +135 vs. Yoel Romero, -145

Kennedy is the very definition of a well-rounded fighter; while he is not great at any one thing he is good at all aspects of the fight game. Against most other middleweights in the world I would take Kennedy, but Romero is not most other middleweights. Romero’s blend of world class wrestling and devastating power make him a nightmare matchup for anyone. Kennedy is as tough and talented as they come, but Romero can be scary good.

The play – Take Romero to win and at +115 play the Under on 2 ½ rounds

Conor McGregor, -265 vs. Dustin Poirier, +225

McGregor is a damn good fighter and deserving of all of the attention he has garnered since coming to the UFC, but don’t let the hype cloud your judgment; Poirier is every bit as good a fighter. Poirier is younger than McGregor and has already compiled an impressive 8-2 inside the Octagon. Poirier is a live underdog here.

The play – Take Poirier to win

Donald Cerrone, -110 vs. Eddie Alvarez, -110

It’s great to see Alvarez finally making his UFC debut, but man did he get a tough draw in Cerrone. Cerrone has taken his game to another level having won four bouts in a row all by stoppage. Cerrone isn’t running over bums either as he has destroyed some of the best fighters in the sport. This is a tough fight for Alvarez but this is a “pickem” bout for a reason.

The play – Take Cerrone to win and at +450 take him to win by submission

Chris Cariaso, +900 vs. Demetrious Johnson, -1375

Cariaso is a good fighter, but he really has no shot at dethroning Johnson. Johnson is one of the sport’s true elite and his championship reign has been dominant. Johnson will continue to rule the UFC flyweight division with an iron fist.

The play – Stay away!!!

Odds by BestFightOdds.com