What's up RotoBallers. In this column, Jason and I will be taking a look at the main card for Fight Night 104. Our analysis will help you with your DraftKings MMA lineups. We will be keeping track based on picking winners and losers. We will also predict how the fight will be finished, but that will not reflect in the records (Justin's Record: 81-35, Jason's Record: 64-52).
MMA has one of the best sweats in DFS. Two fighters compete at a time with only one coming out as the winner. It's the best feeling in the world when you are watching the main event of a show and know you need a first round knockout to win the entire tournament. And nothing feels worse than when you need a first round knockout by Stipe Miocic to win thousands of dollars in a tournament, but when he lands that knockout punch, you realize that you placed 14th because Jacare Souza was too dominant in a previous fight. This was a serious scenario that I had to live through when Miocic won the Heavyweight Championship. Without anymore waiting, here are our DFS lineup picks and DraftKings analysis for the main card at Fight Night 104.
Editor's Note: Interested in RotoBaller's MMA DFS Cheat Sheet with advanced fighter statistics, deep analysis and detailed insights from MMA DFS Experts Jason and Justin Bales? Let us know here.
Jessica Andrade vs Angela Hill
Justin’s Pick
I have nothing against Angela Hill, but Jessica Andrade is on a different level. There is a reason Andrade is a -400 favorite. She strikes at an elite pace with great accuracy, but she can also land takedowns. Once there, she lands heavy ground and pound or opts to sneak in a submission. Andrade can win this fight any way she wants and in any round she wants. I expect her to clip Hill early before picking up another impressive TKO victory.
Jessica Andrade via TKO, 1st Round
Jason’s Pick
This is a rather sure bet for the gambling man – Jessica “Bate Estaca” Andrade is going to defeat Angela “Overkill” Hill, and likely, she is going to do that easily. The Vegas line started to shift a bit toward Hill, but that is natural given the large opening line. Hill is a great striker, and Andrade will have to be careful on her feet, but if she gets into trouble, she will just take Hill down. There is a very limited path to victory for unranked opponent. Andrade is ranked number five for good reason.
Jessica Andrade via TKO, 1st Round
Anthony Hamilton vs Marcel Fortuna
Justin’s Pick
This is a bit of an odd matchup. Anthony Hamilton will come in with a huge size advantage, as he’s four inches taller than Marcel Fortuna, who also generally fights at light heavyweight. Hamilton, on the other hand, is a huge heavyweight. Fortuna also hasn’t fought since June of 2015. Hamilton should have a distinct power advantage over the UFC newcomer, but Fortuna has the BJJ pedigree to keep this fight interesting. With that being said, Hamilton has the wrestling to keep Fortuna on his back if he decides to go that route, which could lead to fight ending ground and pound.
Anthony Hamilton via TKO, 2nd Round
Jason’s Pick
In his last fight, Anthony “Freight Train” Hamilton looked horrible against the up-and-coming Francis Ngannou. It would not be fair to Hamilton to dismiss Ngannou as an average fighter, though. He has the ability to win the championship at the heavyweight division within a year or two, so Hamilton had his work cut out for him. This matchup against Marcel Fortuna should be much easier, but it will not be a walk in the park. Hamilton could get caught on the ground, but if he doesn’t, he will walk out of the octagon victorious. That is the more likely scenario.
Anthony Hamilton via TKO, 3rd Round
Ovince Saint Preux vs Volkan Oezdemir
Justin’s Pick
Ovince Saint Preux comes into this fight as a heavy favorite, and for good reason. He has lost three of his last four fights, but they have been to Jimi Manuwa, Jon Jones, and Glover Teixeira, while Volkan Oezdemir lost to Kelly Anundson just three fights ago. By no means does that mean Oezdemir is out of this matchup, as he has more than enough power to end this fight at any point in time. OSP should be able to use his athleticism to work around Oezdemir before ending the UFC newcomer with his striking.
Ovince Saint Preux via KO, 2nd Round
Jason’s Pick
It would be quite an impressive statement from Volkan Oezdemir to walk into his UFC debut, knockout Ovince Saint Preux, and walk out, but that is likely not going to happen. Saint Preux is an elite-level MMAist, and he should out-work Oezdemir on his way to a victory. Oezdemir has a puncher’s chance, but it is likely that he will have to wait to pick up his first ever win in the UFC. That is not to say he does not have a bright future, though.
Ovince Saint Preux via Unanimous Decision
Abel Trujillo vs James Vick
Justin’s Pick
Abel Trujillo and James Vick are two fighters that have impressed quite a bit in their UFC careers. Trujillo has a 6-2-1 record in the UFC with his only two recorded losses coming to Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Vick has also had an impressive run, as he comes into this fight with a 5-1 record in the UFC. Both fighters have found plenty of success on their feet, but Trujillo has also been able to work in his grappling. I expect Vick to use his boxing skills to try to outpoint Trujillo during this fight. Trujillo will be the stronger fighter, though, and he will likely try to get this fight to the ground. As long as Vick can stay out of the grasp of Trujillo, he can wear him down and win another impressive decision.
James Vick via Unanimous Decision
Jason’s Pick
This fight is a toss up, but ultimately, Abel “Killa” Trujillo should take home the victory. He has fought against elite-level competition in his career, as Justin previously mentioned. Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov are arguably the two best in their respected weight class. Trujillo does not have the tools to defeat them, but James “The Texecutioner” is not at that level. He has the ability to win this fight, if it stays standing, but it would be surprising if Trujillo does not take it to the ground for the majority of the fight.
Abel Trujillo via Unanimous Decision
Alexa Grasso vs Felice Herrig
Justin’s Pick
Alexa Grasso looked outstanding in her UFC debut, while Felice Herrig has had an up and down start to her UFC career. Ultimately, I expect Grasso to keep this fight standing, where she will have an advantage over Herrig. I still feel more than comfortable with Grasso if this fight goes to the ground, as well, though. Herrig has slick submissions, but Grasso will likely stay out of harms way on her way to her second UFC victory.
Alexa Grasso via Unanimous Decision
Jason’s Pick
Well, this is starting to get boring, but Justin and I simply do not disagree much this week. Alexa Grasso should make light work of Felice “Lil Bulldog” Herrig. Grasso will finally get into the double-digits in the win category, and she will remain undefeated for the time being. Herrig does not have the skills to defeat someone of Grasso’s caliber. Yes, Grasso could give up an arm or her neck at some point in the fight, but it is very unlikely. She will out-point Herrig on her way to victory.
Alex Grasso via Unanimous Decision
Dennis Bermudez vs Chan Sung Jung
Justin’s Pick
This is such a tough fight to pick. My heart says The Korean Zombie will make an epic comeback with a statement win, but my head says that is not going to be the case. The Korean Zombie hasn’t fought since August of 2013, while Dennis Bermudez stayed busy with two wins last year. He should be able to put The Korean Zombie on his back, but that is a dangerous position to be in. Bermudez has been comfortable winning decisions recently, and he has struggled against finishers, as he has been finished in each of his five career losses. The Korean Zombie is a finisher himself, as he has finished 11 of his 13 career victories. Ultimately, I feel it will take a couple rounds, but The Korean Zombie will find his footing on his way to his twelfth career finish.
Chan Sung Jung via Submission, 4th Round
Jason’s Pick
While seeing that epic comeback from “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung would be incredible, it is not going to happen. Dennis “The Menace” Bermudez has the tools to take this fight wherever he pleases. Jung has great standup defense, but he is not great at stuffing takedowns. Bermudez, on the other hand, has elite-level takedown defense, and does not struggle to get opponents to the ground either. If he starts to feel uncomfortable in his feet, he will work Jung on the ground. If this fight goes five rounds, which it should, Jung is in trouble.
Dennis Bermudez via Unanimous Decision