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UFC 217: 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 217. 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: 158-79).

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 217.

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.

 

John Hendricks vs Paulo Borrachinha

I wish the UFC would give Johny Hendricks a winnable fight to call it a career. That is not this fight. Hendricks has been on a skid recently, including his recent move to middleweight. Borrachinha, on the other hand, has looked outstanding in two UFC fights. He has not fought the competition of Hendricks, nor has he ever fought anyone as good as Hendricks used to be, but who knows exactly how much he has left in the tank? Borrachinha will have a significant size advantage and he should be able to pressure Hendricks from the start of the fight until he picks up the finish. Keep in mind, Hendricks does have a great wrestling background, which could keep him in this fight against the much less experienced Borrachinha. With that being said, the physical advantage is drastically in Borrachinha’s favor, which should be enough to pick up the win.

Paulo Borrachinha, TKO, 1st Round

 

Stephen Thompson vs Jorge Masvidal 

This is an interesting fight. Jorge Masvidal is the more active and accurate striker, while also possessing better striking defense. With that being said, Thompson’s unorthodox style and diverse striking gives him a small advantage in the standup department. Thompson also possesses more knockout power in his striking than Masvidal. Unfortunately for Thompson, Masvidal has not been knocked out since 2008, making it highly unlikely Thompson will end that streak. On the other hand, Thompson has proven to have an elite chin, as well. Thompson is elite at outpointing his opponents, giving him a slight edge in what should be a fun three round fight.

Stephen Thompson via Unanimous Decision

 

Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Rose Ramajunas

Is Jonna Jedrzejczyk the best pound for pound fighter in the world? Potentially. She has the best striking in the strawweight division, and it does not necessarily seem as if anyone is close. She also has elite takedown defense, nearly certifying all of her fights stay on the feet. What does that mean for Rose Namajunas? Namajunas will be looking turn this fight into a grappling match, while looking for a submission. Simply put, Jedrzejczyk will not allow that to happen. Namajunas will be game for a fight, but she simply does not possess the standup to keep up with the champ.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk via Unanimous Decision

 

Cody Garbrandt vs TJ Dillashaw

This fight has so much bad blood that it certainly cannot disappoint. A good start to this matchup is simply looking at both fighter’s recent fights against Dominick Cruz. Garbrandt dominated Cruz, something no one has ever done before. Dillashaw, on the other hand, lost a questionable decision. Statistically speaking, Dillashaw has better standup than Garbrandt, but this is one of those times that the stats do not add up to the eye test. Garbrandt has flashed tremendous power for his size, something Dillashaw has not done throughout his career. Garbrandt has also never been taken down, and while Dillashaw has a great wrestling background, I’m not sure he will be able to take Garbrandt down. If this fight stays standing, Garbrandt has the advantage because of his elite power. This fight reminds me a bit of when Garbrandt and Cruz fought with many people thinking it was going to be significantly closer than it was. Garbrandt will make his case for one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world in this fight.

Cody Garbrandt, TKO, 4th Round

 

Michael Bisping vs Georges St-Pierre

I do not particularly want to pick this fight, honestly. I have always said that Bisping is a bit of an overrated champion. Luke Rockhold took a fight on short notice and was supposedly injured, which is how Bisping won the belt. He then barely beat a retiring Dan Henderson in his only defense. Georges St-Pierre has not fought since 2013, though, when he won a questionable decision against Johny Hendricks. Bisping is a cardio machine that comes with elite boxing. GSP is much more reserved when striking, coming with tremendous efficiency. The difference in this fight will be GSP’s grappling. He has elite takedown accuracy with tremendous grappling once he is on the ground. If this fight stays standing, I believe Bisping has a slight edge, but I simply cannot imagine that he is able to stop every takedown this weekend. Furthermore, people have been taking about GSP’s age as being his downfall, but Bisping is two years older than GSP. Ring rust, if one believes in it, is a much bigger factor than GSP’s age. Regardless, this should be a fight for the ages.

Georges St-Pierre via Unanimous Decision




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