With this Saturday night?s UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem pay-per-view upon us, one look up and down the card and we can see some excellent match-ups. Cross reference those with some props and lines at various sportsbooks and money and/or bragging rights can potentially be had.
In the main event, we have the heavyweight championship title on the line. Kingpin Stipe Miocic, fighting at home in Cleveland is set to defend his belt for the very first time against Alistair Overeem. ?The Reem? is one of the greatest heavyweight strikers of all time, so it?s obvious looking at him to (T)KO Miocic is an option to lay some money on.
But he?s also been knocked out nine times in his career. In fact, all three of his losses in the UFC have been via (T)KO. On the flip side, Stipe has only lost once via (T)KO and is only other career defeat was four bouts later (2 years afterwards) in an incredible 25 minute, back and forth affair with Junior Dos Santos.
With all that being said though, looking at some of the lines and props shows some challenges in finding big-time value. Stipe to win is at -125 and should he do so via (T)KO, it pays -105. If you like Alistair to win, you?ll get +105 and if you fancy him via (T)KO, you?ll get +180 for your money.
There are many pundits out there that look at those numbers and see solid bang for their buck, but it?s MMA and crazy things happen in this wonderful sport of ours.
What if either of these two gentlemen decide this is actually an MMA bout (sarcasm noted) and remember that submissions are also a viable way to have their hand raised in victory?
If you think this can actually happen, fasten your seatbelts.
Stipe has an under-appreciated wrestling acumen ? takedowns lead to ground fights. Ground fights could lead to a submission and if you think that could be his gameplan on Saturday night, you could be in for a massive payday. Miocic to win by submission pays +2800.
Old school MMA cats remember that there was a period of time when ?The Reem? was a submission fiend. Look at the ways he has defeated opponents in the past and you will see he has more submission victories (19) than (T)KO victories (18). If you think he will employ this game plan to defeat Stipe, you?ll get +1500.
Looking at a few other bouts on the card, we can find some other props that have the potential to provide some serious pay days.
Fabricio Werdum via (T)KO at +405 or via submission at +220 cannot be overlooked. He is the former heavyweight champion of the world and not has knockout power but is one of the best submission artists in the division.
Mickey Gall is a huge favorite (-465) vs. CM Punk (+370). Putting money on Mickey at those odds is risky, no matter who tells you he is a lock to win. If anything, the most attractive prop would be Gall via (T)KO at +200.
Urijah Faber is an underdog (+150) in his bout vs. Jimmie Rivera. One look at the caliber of talent each fighter has faced in the past and a few head scratches later, you could realize this one could be a steal.
In the opening bout of the pay per view broadcast, we can expect some fireworks between Jessica Andrade (-135) and Joanne Calderwood (+125).
Scroll up and down most sportsbooks and you will see a variety of numbers that could put a smile on your face. The way these two throw leather, a knockout could happen in the blink of an eye. An Andrade finish via fists pays +325 and if you like Calderwood?s punching acumen, then that +850 it would pay out is an eye-opener.
UFC 203 is going to be an incredible night of MMA. Here?s hoping you can enjoy it, put some money in your pocket and unleash the fury of your bragging rights. If there?s anything you believe has serious value, I?d love to read your thoughts. Hit me up on social media anytime, via @ShowdownJoe.