It's time! UFC 287 is one more sleep away from kicking off! We have a wild card in store for us tomorrow night and a lot of picks to explain, so let's get right to it. As always we are using the DraftKings fight odds. Starting off with the preliminary co-main event, Michelle Waterson-Gomez (+140) vs Luana Pinheiro (-165). While the "Karate Hottie" may be a legend she's an underdog for a reason, she hasn't won a fight since 2020 and her clock in MMA is certainly ticking. At the other end of the octagon, Luana Pinheiro hasn't lost a fight since 2017 and is a new face in the UFC. Waterson-Gomez might be the perfect opponent to place Pinheiro in the top 10 in the Strawweight Division. Pinheiro, money line is the play here.
Chris Curtis (+120) vs Kelvin Gastelum (-140) is going to be a fantastic fight. Expect Gastelum to try to start with the wrestling, due to training with Cejudo, but also expect The Action Man to be able to overcome Gastelum's grappling. Chris is a fighter who likes to get after it and that's why they call him the action man. Gastelum has been on a downward trend as of late and Chris Curtis has looked as hungry as anyone. Granted, Gastelum has been facing the top-level fighters on this downward trend. That said, Curtis is coming off a huge knockout victory against Joaquin Buckley and is looking like a top contender himself. Curtis straight-up is the pick in this fight.
Raul Rosas Jr. (-240) vs Christian Rodriguez (+200) is a very highly anticipated fight. The 18-year-old phenom is going to win, I'm willing to say that's a lock. The UFC does not want Rosas to lose. However, they're being risky because C-Rod can fight. He's going to be a real challenge for Rosas, so I'm taking Rosas over 1.5 rounds (-120). If you only want to take the over the odds change (-190).
Kevin Holland (-240) vs Santiago Ponzinibbio (+200) should be a really interesting Welterweight Bout. I've had trouble picking Kevin Holland's fights in his last few. Mainly because I have been picking him and his fight strategy has just seemed off. As for the Ponz, he knocks you out, or the fight goes to the decision. Considering Kevin Holland can win or lose by any possible method, Opinion Octagon is just taking over 1.5 rounds (-190). It seems like a really safe pick, I'll even call it a lock!
Rob Font (+155) vs Adrian Yanez (-180) could steal the show tomorrow night. The Bantamweight division is loaded and Adrian Yanez wants to start fighting the top contenders to make his claim for a title opportunity. Rob Font is on a two-fight losing streak and his last victory was against Cody Garbrandt. Yanez is undefeated in the UFC, and if you are familiar with my picks, you know I have trouble picking against undefeated fighters. I'm taking Yanez straight up.
Now for the co-main event, Gilbert Burns (-435) vs Jorge Masvidal (+350). When the fight was announced I immediately agreed with the odds and thought Gilbert is gonna destroy Jorge. As fight night continues to draw near, I have been wavering over the outcome of this fight. Jorge always talks a great game, but that's not it. It's the fact that Dana White has been so adamant about Colby Covington being the next Welterweight Title challenger. I believe both Jorge and Gilbert know how many people are tuning in tomorrow night and are gonna box/kickbox each other until the other falls. They want this fight to be as bloody and glorious as possible to try and take Colby's place after an amazing highlight knockout. I believe they are both okay with the risk of getting knocked out. I mainly say that for Gilbert's sake. Gilbert can probably just take Jorge down and submit him if he wanted to, but Miami wants to see someone fall, not quit. If Gilbert can knock Jorge out in Miami, Dana may just have to change his mind. That said, the crowd is going to freak out if Masvidal does it and knocks out Burns which would be even more enticing for White to remove Covington from the title picture for now. I'm taking the exact method of victory via KO/TKO/DQ (-165). This one is gonna be a bloodbath!
Now for the main event, Alex Pereira (+120) vs Israel Adesanya (-140) in a Middleweight Championship rematch. This is the fourth time they will be fighting and the second in the UFC. Pereira has won all three prior matchups and frankly, it is hard to see any other outcome if these two are booked. Their first kickboxing fight went the distance, their first UFC fight was a stalemate till Pereira was able to get the finish in round five. In their second kickboxing bout, Pereira put Izzy to sleep, I believe the same will occur in their second UFC fight. That said, Pereira money line is the play, just out of respect for Adesanya. I would have taken Pereira via KO, but I gotta respect the former champ, but he just can't outfight Poatan Pereira, Alex is simply too good!
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