X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Stats & Leaders
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
24x7 News and Alerts

UFC 214: MMA Main Card Predictions and DFS Picks

What's up RotoBallers. In this column, I will be taking a look at the main card for UFC 214. 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: 137-69).

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 UFC 214.

Editor's Note: Interested in RotoBaller's MMA DFS Cheat Sheet with advanced fighter statistics, deep analysis and detailed insights from MMA DFS Expert Justin Bales? Let us know here.

 

Jimi Manuwa vs Volkan Oezdemir

This is an interesting matchup. The winner of this fight could potentially get the next title shot against the winner of the main event. Manuwa and Oezdemir both possess elite power, but Manuwa is the more proven fighter. He is 6-2 in the UFC, but has only lost against elite competition. Oezdemir is only 2-0 in the UFC, but he’s coming off a highlight reel knockout of Misha Cirkunov. Oezdemir clearly has tremendous power, but with a split decision win against Ovince St. Preux in his debut, the Cirkunov fight was somewhat lucky. I still believe Cirkunov would win more often than now. This fight will likely be somewhat boring, as both fighters will feel each other out before unloading fight ending strikes. Ultimately, Manuwa has slightly more proven power against more proven competition, and he will be next in line to in the championship race.

Jimi Manuwa, TKO, 1st Round

 

Robbie Lawler vs Donald Cerrone

This fight has been scheduled for quite some time, and we finally get to see it. This will be Lawler’s first fight in nearly a year since losing his championship to Tyron Woodley. Cerrone, who is generally a quick turnaround fighter, will be fighting for the first time since a January loss to Masvidal. Both fighters were on winning streaks before their most recent losses, as well. Both fighters have the takedown decent to keep this fight standing, where neither fighter has a clear advantage. Cerrone is the slightly more accurate striker, while Lawler has slightly better defense. Lawler is also the more powerful striker of the duo. Both fighters possess elite finishing abilities, but each fighter is also fairly durable. I anticipate Lawler landing a few more power shots to sway the judges.

Robbie Lawler via Unanimous Decision

 

Cris Cyborg vs Tonya Evinger

Evinger will finally be making her UFC debut, but unfortunately for her, it will be again Cyborg. Cyborg is arguably the most dominant fighter in UFC history, although she has only had two fights. Evinger could pose more of a problem for Cyborg, as she is closer to her size than the other UFC competitors. Evinger also has finishing potential, but Cyborg has not lost since 2005, and this is not the fight she is going to lose. She’s simply too powerful with too good of striking. Cyborg is going to overwhelm Evinger early on, and while she may not get her first round finish, she will hand Evinger her first ever knockout loss.

Cris Cyborg, TKO, 2nd Round

 

Tyron Woodley vs Demian Maia

Maia does not receive the respect he should, and he has not been given any respect from Woodley. Woodley carried around a weighted backpack as a joke stating that he was training for Maia. He also stated that he knows he is going to win, so he can continue to work as an analyst at this time. Woodley has looked good as a champion, but nearly lost to Stephen Thompson two fights ago. Maia, on the other hand, has won seven consecutive fights. Maia has very little striking prowess, but he is an elite grappler that is comfortable eating punches on his way to the clinch. Once there, Maia grinds the fight out, while always looking for a choke. Woodley is an elite level wrestler, which will help him grapple with Maia, but if he feels comfortable enough to turn this into a grappling match, it will be hard to keep Maia off of his neck for five rounds. I expect Woodley to use his wrestling to keep distance while using his power to end the fight.

Tyron Woodley, TKO, 3rd Round

 

Daniel Cormier vs Jon Jones

This fight is going to depend on what type of Jon Jones we see. If he returns to his old form, he will be able to pick up the win. If he looks rusty, like in his fight with Ovince Saint Preux, he will not. Jones is the better striker of the duo, as he’s more efficient and comes with better defense. Cormier seemingly has the advantage in the grappling game, but Jones was able to stuff takedowns while landing his own in their first fight. Both fighters continue to claim they are better than ever, but that is often times talk for the press before fights. Jones will be able to use his reach in order to stuff takedowns on his way to reclaiming his championship belt.

Jon Jones via Unanimous Decision




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Stats & Leaders
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Dustin May10 mins ago

Dodgers Sign Dustin May To One-Year Deal To Avoid Arbitration
Walker Kessler14 mins ago

Might Return To Action Saturday
Kyle Filipowski23 mins ago

To Miss Saturday's Game
Jordan Clarkson29 mins ago

Considered Questionable For Saturday
Miles McBride36 mins ago

Questionable To Face Jazz
Joel Embiid46 mins ago

To Remain Out On Sunday
Nikola Jokic53 mins ago

Returns To Action Friday
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope1 hour ago

No Longer On Injury Report
Wendell Carter Jr.1 hour ago

Considered Questionable For Saturday
Brady Singer1 hour ago

Shipped To Cincinnati
Jonathan India2 hours ago

Traded To Kansas City
Tre Mann2 hours ago

Listed As Out For Saturday
Torrey Craig2 hours ago

Available Versus Hawks
Nick Richards2 hours ago

Ruled Out For Saturday
Jarace Walker2 hours ago

Ready To Face Bucks
Ben Sheppard2 hours ago

Misses A Third Consecutive Game
Anfernee Simons2 hours ago

Returns To Action Friday
Ja Morant2 hours ago

Considered Doubtful For Saturday
Jerami Grant2 hours ago

Ready For Action Friday
Marcus Smart2 hours ago

Questionable For Saturday
Deandre Ayton2 hours ago

Remains Out On Friday
Yves Missi2 hours ago

Will Not Play On Friday
Stephen Curry2 hours ago

Available Versus Pelicans
Scoot Henderson2 hours ago

Absent On Friday
Rashod Bateman3 hours ago

Added To Week 12 Injury Report
Vince Dunn3 hours ago

Could Be An Option For Kraken Next Week
TOR4 hours ago

Alexander Nylander Joins Maple Leafs On One-Year Deal
George Kittle4 hours ago

Cleared For Week 12
Jason Dickinson4 hours ago

Expected To Play On Saturday
Cam York4 hours ago

Expected To Return Saturday
San Francisco 49ers4 hours ago

Nick Bosa Won't Play Against Packers
Mason McTavish4 hours ago

Remains Out On Friday
Brock Purdy4 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 12
Tage Thompson4 hours ago

Continues To Sit On Friday
Kevin Hayes4 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Friday
Kris Letang4 hours ago

Might Return On Friday
Ladd McConkey5 hours ago

Returns To Practice On Friday
CeeDee Lamb5 hours ago

Cleared To Play In Week 12
Sam LaPorta5 hours ago

Off The Injury Report, Cleared For Week 12
Jake Ferguson5 hours ago

Ruled Out With Concussion
DeVonta Smith5 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 12
Brock Purdy5 hours ago

Not Seen At Friday's Practice
T.J. Hockenson6 hours ago

Expects To Be More Involved In Week 12
Alexander Mattison6 hours ago

Zamir White Doubtful To Face Broncos
Nico Collins6 hours ago

Set For Increased Workload Against Titans
Mike Evans6 hours ago

Officially Listed As Questionable
Malik Nabers6 hours ago

Questionable For Week 12, Intends To Play
Sam Darnold7 hours ago

Cleared For Sunday
D'Andre Swift7 hours ago

Gets Questionable Tag For Week 12
Keenan Allen7 hours ago

Lands On Injury Report, Questionable For Week 12
Isiah Pacheco7 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 12
CeeDee Lamb7 hours ago

Practices Friday, Expected To Play Sunday
Tyjae Spears8 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 12
Shohei Ohtani9 hours ago

In Early Stages Of Recovery From Shoulder Surgery
Tabatha Ricci9 hours ago

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Yan Xiaonan9 hours ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Muslim Salikhov9 hours ago

A Favorite At UFC Macau
Chris Sale9 hours ago

To Have Normal Offseason
Garrett Crochet9 hours ago

Drawing Plenty Of Interest
Song Kenan9 hours ago

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Zhang Mingyang10 hours ago

Set For His Second UFC Fight
Ozzy Diaz10 hours ago

An Underdog At UFC Macau
MacKenzie Weegar12 hours ago

Notches Three Assists Against Rangers
Macklin Celebrini13 hours ago

Tallies Two Assists In Thursday's Loss
Nikita Kucherov13 hours ago

Comes Up With Three Assists Versus Blue Jackets
Sean Monahan13 hours ago

Finishes Thursday's Win With Four Points
Zach Werenski13 hours ago

Enjoys Career Night With Five Points Against Lightning
Jack Hughes13 hours ago

Posts Three Assists Versus Hurricanes
Joonas Korpisalo13 hours ago

Records 21-Save Shutout Versus Utah
Carlos Ulberg1 day ago

Looking To Cement Himself As A Title Contender At UFC Macau
Volkan Oezdemir1 day ago

Eyes Another Knockout At UFC Macau
Gabriella Fernandes1 day ago

A Big Underdog At UFC Macau
MMA1 day ago

Cong Wang Puts Undefeated Record On The Line At UFC Macau
Deiveson Figueiredo1 day ago

Looks To Extend Win Streak At UFC Macau
Petr Yan1 day ago

A Favorite At UFC Macau
Shohei Ohtani1 day ago

Named National League MVP In 2024
Aaron Judge1 day ago

Wins American League MVP Award
Alex Ovechkin1 day ago

To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Fractured Fibula
Zach Hyman1 day ago

Expected To Miss 4-7 Days
Kent Johnson1 day ago

Back For Blue Jackets Thursday
Yaroslav Askarov1 day ago

Makes Sharks Debut Thursday
Mikael Granlund1 day ago

Good To Go Thursday
Alexandar Georgiev1 day ago

Returns To Action Versus Capitals
Cody Bellinger1 day ago

Cubs Looking To Trade Cody Bellinger?
1 day ago

Blake Snell Has Met With Red Sox, Dodgers
Chris Sale2 days ago

Wins National League Cy Young Award
Tarik Skubal2 days ago

Wins 2024 American League Cy Young Award
Austin Eckroat2 days ago

Heads To The RSM Classic After Win
Harris English2 days ago

Finding Form Heading To The RSM Classic
Ben Griffin2 days ago

Continues Playing Well Heading To The RSM Classic
Denny McCarthy2 days ago

Returns to The RSM Classic
Ludvig Aberg2 days ago

Looks To Defend RSM Classic Title
Si Woo Kim2 days ago

An Intriguing Option At RSM Classic
Maverick McNealy2 days ago

In Solid Form Ahead Of RSM Classic
Eric Cole2 days ago

Chasing First Tour Victory At RSM Classic
3 days ago

Guardians' Stephen Vogt Named AL Manager Of The Year
Milwaukee Brewers3 days ago

Pat Murphy Named NL Manager Of The Year
3 days ago

Nick Pivetta Declines Boston's Qualifying Offer
Jose Siri3 days ago

Mets Acquire Jose Siri From The Rays
3 days ago

Phillies To Meet With Juan Soto
3 days ago

Luis Severino Rejects Qualifying Offer From Mets
3 days ago

Willy Adames Declines Brewers Qualifying Offer
3 days ago

Teoscar Hernandez Declines Qualifying Offer From Dodgers
3 days ago

Juan Soto Declines Yankees' Qualifying Offer
Charles Oliveira4 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Michael Chandler4 days ago

Gets Dominated At UFC 309
Karine Silva4 days ago

Suffers Her First UFC Loss
Viviane Araujo4 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Mauricio Ruffy4 days ago

Extends His Win Streak To Six
James Llontop5 days ago

Loses Clear-Cut Decision In Thrilling Fight At UFC 309
Paul Craig5 days ago

Loses Decision At UFC 309
Bo Nickal5 days ago

Remains Undefeated With Lackluster Performance At UFC 309
Stipe Miocic5 days ago

Retires After UFC 309 Loss

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP