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The best MMA bets, top DFS picks across multiple sites, and predictions for this weekend's UFC Seattle card are live on RotoWire before Saturday's international event.
The top UFC betting and DFS plays for this weekend's Seattle card are up, as well as breakdowns of betting and lineup strategy, plus predictions for the entire event.
UFC Seattle takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
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Faces another slumping fighter
Simon will take on Javid Basharat in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Seattle on Feb. 22, Alex Behunin of MMA Mania reports.
ANALYSIS
Despite some signature victories from earlier in his career, Simon's UFC roster spot is on thin ice following three consecutive defeats, most recently falling to Vincius Oliveira last June. He now draws Basharat, who hasn't competed since March and last saw a UFC victory in January of 2023. It may be a tough matchup for Simon, who relies on his takedown ability but faces a fighter in Basharat who defends them at a solid 85 percent clip.
Despite some signature victories from earlier in his career, Simon's UFC roster spot is on thin ice following three consecutive defeats, most recently falling to Vincius Oliveira last June. He now draws Basharat, who hasn't competed since March and last saw a UFC victory in January of 2023. It may be a tough matchup for Simon, who relies on his takedown ability but faces a fighter in Basharat who defends them at a solid 85 percent clip.
No-shows UFC 303 opener
Simon lost to Vinicius Oliveira via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 28-29) at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's easy to envision Simon being handed his walking papers given how poor he looked in this fight. Entering as a -250 favorite, Ricky spent the entire 15 minutes serving as a punching bag for Oliveira. He fought with zero pace, and although Simon landed two takedowns, he did absolutely nothing with his positional advantage, allowing Oliveira to hop right back up. Simon won five in a row from May 2020 to July 2022, but has lost three in a row since. His time appears to be just about up.
It's easy to envision Simon being handed his walking papers given how poor he looked in this fight. Entering as a -250 favorite, Ricky spent the entire 15 minutes serving as a punching bag for Oliveira. He fought with zero pace, and although Simon landed two takedowns, he did absolutely nothing with his positional advantage, allowing Oliveira to hop right back up. Simon won five in a row from May 2020 to July 2022, but has lost three in a row since. His time appears to be just about up.
Facing Oliveira in June
Simon will face Vinicius Oliveira in a three-round bantamweight contest at UFC 303 on June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, per MMAJunkie.USAToday.com.
ANALYSIS
Simon will face "Lok Dog" Oliveira coming off back-to-back losses to Yadong Song and Mario Bautista, respectively. Prior to these losses, the five-foot-six American had enjoyed a five-bout win streak dating back to May 2020. The younger Brazilian represents a tough challenge for Simon, with Oliveira and his knockout power heading into Vegas riding a three-fight win streak across promotions.
Simon will face "Lok Dog" Oliveira coming off back-to-back losses to Yadong Song and Mario Bautista, respectively. Prior to these losses, the five-foot-six American had enjoyed a five-bout win streak dating back to May 2020. The younger Brazilian represents a tough challenge for Simon, with Oliveira and his knockout power heading into Vegas riding a three-fight win streak across promotions.
Crushing defeat in Vegas
Simon lost to Mario Bautista via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Simon was primed to make a move at 135 pounds as recently as last April. He had won five in a row before being dominated by Yadong Song in a lopsided main event loss. He had a chance to get back in the win column here against Bautista as a -180 favorite and simply wasn't able to put it all together. Ricky is known as a high-volume wrestler with excellent cardio, yet it was Mario that had the better gas tank. With the fight possibly in the balance in the closing minutes, Simon faded, while Bautista excelled. It's going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the 31-year-old Simon to overcome these back-to-back setbacks. There's simply too much depth and talent at bantamweight these days.
Simon was primed to make a move at 135 pounds as recently as last April. He had won five in a row before being dominated by Yadong Song in a lopsided main event loss. He had a chance to get back in the win column here against Bautista as a -180 favorite and simply wasn't able to put it all together. Ricky is known as a high-volume wrestler with excellent cardio, yet it was Mario that had the better gas tank. With the fight possibly in the balance in the closing minutes, Simon faded, while Bautista excelled. It's going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the 31-year-old Simon to overcome these back-to-back setbacks. There's simply too much depth and talent at bantamweight these days.
Scheduled to fight Bautista
Simon will compete against Mario Bautista in a bantamweight fight at UFC Vegas 83 on Jan. 13, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Simon will look to begin his 2024 on a positive note. The bantamweight logged only one fight during 2023, during which he was dominated for all but one of five rounds against Yadong Song.
Simon will look to begin his 2024 on a positive note. The bantamweight logged only one fight during 2023, during which he was dominated for all but one of five rounds against Yadong Song.