This article is part of our Drake's Takes series.
Victor Altamirano (10-1-0) v. Carlos Hernandez (7-1-0)
Fight Analysis: Both guys are making their UFC debuts after split-decision wins on the Contender Series. Hernandez will look to grapple early and often, as he will sport a considerable advantage in that department. On the feet, he likes to attack the body often and has solid kickboxing. Altamirano will have a slight edge on the feet and has considerable power in his kicks. He likes to brawl in the pocket and leaves himself open to takedowns.
DFS Perspective: This match is close to a 50-50. Both guys are making their debut, and the determining factor comes down to the takedowns and control of Hernandez. I like Hernandez to work body shots and mix in takedowns to dominate on the mat.
My Pick: Hernandez
Ramiz Brahimaj (9-4-0) v. Micheal Gillmore (6-4-0)
Fight Analysis: Brahimaj has been up and down so far in the UFC but will bring in a massive advantage on the ground for this fight. He will look to shoot early and immediately look for the neck for an early submission. Gillmore prefers to keep the fight on the feet, has moderate power in his hands, and throws a decent volume. He struggles on the mat and will look to avoid takedowns and keep the fight upright.
DFS Perspective: Gillmore was dominated via grappling in his debut, and this fight should be no different. He has three submission losses on his record, and I think Brahimaj gives him his fourth. Brahimaj likely scores a takedown early where he controls until he finds a squeeze on the neck.
My Pick: Brahimaj
Alejandro Perez (23-8-1) v. Jonathan Martinez (14-4-0)
Fight Analysis: Perez is a forward-pressure power striker that tends to be reckless at times. He has decent grappling and takedowns but prefers to keep the fight on the feet, looking for brawls in the pocket. Martinez will bring in a five-inch reach advantage and have a considerable edge with kicks. He will keep the fight at range and counter when Perez walks forward, throwing kicks to the head and body and looking to end the contest early.
DFS Perspective: This fight ends with a really dull decision or a nasty knockout. I expect both guys to come out swinging early, with Martinez having the advantage with range, kicks, and counters. I do not expect the fight to hit the mat, but if it does, I think both guys are equally capable of getting the fight back upright quickly.
My Pick: Martinez
Terrance McKinney (11-3-0) v. Fares Ziam (12-3-0)
Fight Analysis: Ziam is a patient striker, preferring to fight from range and at his pace. He will look to keep the fight off the mat and out of the clinch, avoiding takedowns and keeping McKinney pushed back. McKinney is explosive and well-rounded, carrying immense power in his hands, and has a solid wrestling background. He will pressure forward from the bell, looking to land something big; if he cannot, he will hunt early for takedowns and dominate on the mat.
DFS Perspective: Ziam will look to keep his distance and turn this into a boring fight. McKinney will be the aggressor looking to press forward. So long as he avoids the power of Ziam, he should win this fight through takedowns and control.
My Pick: McKinney
Josiane Nunes (8-1-0) v. Ramona Pascual (6-2-0)
Fight Analysis: Pascual will be making her UFC debut, coming in on a four-fight win streak with three consecutive finishes. She has a well-rounded game with solid power striking and decent wrestling. On the other side, Nunes constantly comes forward, throwing bombs and high-volume. She is tough and will gladly eat a couple of shots to throw a combination of her own with more punishment.
DFS Perspective: Pascual looks decent but has not fought much for competition. Nunes has a nasty approach and will likely overpower Pascual to an early finish. However, if Pascual can get the fight to the mat, she could find success and potential upset.
My Pick: Nunes
Rong Zhu (18-4-0) v. Ignacio Bahamondes (12-4-0)
Fight Analysis: Zhu was highly impressive in his first UFC win, showing a great all-around game with high volume, power, and chained takedowns. He has solid technical striking but would be wise to take this fight to the mat, where he can control or find ground-and-pound. Bahamondes has been equally impressive, showing off phenomenal takedown defense, high volume, and immense power in his first UFC win. He will look to apply a fast-paced forward pressure blitz with technical striking and put on a striking clinic.
DFS Perspective: I think this fight ends with an early finish. Both guys have power and throw high-volume. Bahamondes will have the edge on the feet with a four-inch reach advantage and elite takedown defense. If Zhu can work this to the mat, he will find success and potentially upset the favorite.
My Pick: Bahamondes
Armen Petrosyan (6-1-0) v. Gregory Rodrigues (11-3-0)
Fight Analysis: Rodrigues sports a black belt in jiu-jitsu and will be looking to take this fight to the ground early. He also has a decent stand-up game with power and could threaten on the feet as well. Petrosyan will be making his UFC debut after a nasty knockout kick in the first round of his Contender Series fight. He is a dangerous striker with considerable power, having six knockout wins in seven fights.
DFS Perspective: This fight likely ends early. Petrosyan has incredible power and only needs to connect once. Or, Rodrigues could find an early takedown, score an early submission, or find ground-and-pound top control. This is an excellent fight to target for DFS. I like Rodrigues's experience and overall ability a bit more and lean his way.
My Pick: Rodrigues
Arman Tsarukyan (16-2-0) v. Joel Alvarez (19-2-0)
Fight Analysis: Alvarez is big for the weight class and will look to mix in kicks and power shots while pressuring forward. This allows for level changes and forces opponents to shoot in on him, where he then quickly reverses course and hunts for a choke. His grappling is elite and nearly unstoppable, as he has 16 submissions in 19 wins. Tsarukyan has shown top-notch skill for this division, sporting an excellent, well-rounded game. He is a strong wrestler who also has solid striking and fantastic defense.
DFS Perspective: This match is much closer than the odds indicate. Alvarez is bigger, has better striking, and is far more dangerous with submissions. Tsarukyan had seen four consecutive decisions in the UFC until the most recent knockout in his last fight. He will need to get it to the scorecards here again and avoid the finishing power of Alvarez to win this.
My Pick: Alvarez
Ji Yeon Kim (9-4-2) v. Priscila Cachoeira (10-4-0)
Fight Analysis: Cachoeira is a dangerous striker who applies constant forward pressure while throwing bombs and looking for a knockout. She tends to eat a lot of shots to move into the pocket and inflict punishment herself and does not have the best takedown defense. Kim will feature a seven-inch reach advantage and should use it to keep Cachoeira from rushing her. She stands tall with solid technical striking and high volume, plus she can be dangerous if given a chance to grapple.
DFS Perspective: Cachoeira continues to be uninspiring and should see her exit card soon. However, she does have power in those hands and only needs to land a few strong shots to work towards a finish. That said, Kim has the reach and volume advantage and has never been knocked out, so I will lean with the favorite to take it home.
My Pick: Kim
Misha Cirkunov (15-7-0) v. Wellington Turman (17-5-0)
Fight Analysis: Cirkunov will be making his second consecutive fight at middleweight and suddenly finds himself in need of a win, having lost five of the last seven contests. He has shown improvement in his striking, but his grappling is his bread and butter. His ground game will have the most success, as he can chain takedowns for control or hunt a submission. Turman has shown little in his five UFC fights, losing three of five. He, like his opponent, is an experienced grappler and works well off his back. His striking is decent and is likely where he will find the most success against the veteran.
DFS Perspective: I do not trust either guy much. However, Cirkunov has fought much better competition and should have the experience to raise the judges' hands at the end of the fight.
My Pick: Cirkunov
Islam Makhachev (20-1-0) v. Bobby Green (29-12-1)
Fight Analysis: Green walks into this fight on a high note but on short rest, as he just fought just two weeks ago. However, he is an experienced and solid all-around fighter with great volume, defense, and above-average grappling. On the other hand, Makhachev has taken the division by storm and is clearly one of the absolute best in the division. He sports a complete game; solid striking with good power and an incredible relentless ground game.
DFS Perspective: I give all the credit in the world to Green for taking this fight, but I do not expect him to have much of any chance. Makhachev should rag doll him from start to whenever it finishes, which will likely be by early submission.
My Pick: Makhachev
FANDUEL SCORING
Moves Scoring
Significant Strikes = 0.6pts
Takedown = 6pts
Takedown Defense = 3pts
Knockdown = 12pts
Submission Attempt = 5pts
Fight Conclusion Bonuses
1st Round Win = 100pts
2nd Round Win = 75pts
3rd Round Win = 50pts
4th Round Win = 35 pts
5th Round Win = 25pts
Decision Win = 20pts
Scoring Notes
- Significant Strikes are "Distance Strike" or "Clinch/Ground Strikes" that are considered "Power Strikes" by official scorers.
- A knockdown is awarded to a fighter who knocks his/her opponent down due to debilitation for what the official scorers consider a substantial amount of time.
DRAFTKINGS SCORING
Moves Scoring
Strikes: +0.2 PTS
Significant Strikes (SS): +0.5 PTS
Control Time: +0.03 PTS/SECOND
Takedown (TD): +5 PTS
Reversal/Sweep (REV): +5 PTS
Knockdown (KD): +10 PTS
Fight Conclusion Bonuses
1st Round Win (1rW+): +90 PTS
2nd Round Win (2rW+): +70 PTS
3rd Round Win (3rW+): +45 PTS
4th Round Win (4rW+): +40 PTS
5th Round Win (5rW+): +40 PTS
Decision Win (WBD+): +30 PTS
Quick Win Bonus: +25 PTS
(fight is finished in 60 seconds or less)
Scoring Notes
- Significant Strikes are any Distance Strike or Clinch/Ground Strikes that are considered "Power Strikes" by official scorers.
- A Significant Strike will count as both a strike and a significant strike and will be worth a total of 0.4 Pts
- Control Time is the time spent in the dominant position on the ground or in the clinch. +0.03 points are awarded per second.
- A Knockdown is awarded to a fighter who knocks his/her opponent down due to debilitation for what the official scorers consider an appreciable amount of time.
- A Quick Win Bonus is awarded to the winning fighter if they win in the first round in 60 seconds or less.
