UFC fighter Billy Quarantillo, who competed on the UFC’s May 30th card at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. So, you’d think that this Saturday’s UFC event, also scheduled at the UFC APEX, would be cancelled. But, nope, UFC president Dana White recently said “the whole world’s become pussies overnight”, so there’s no backing down from this man. The UFC show must go on.
Blaydes v Volkov & Burgus v Emmet Preview
Which means we’ve got some live sports to bet on again this Saturday with UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs Volkov (full fight lineup right here). The main event pits top heavyweight contenders Curtis ‘Razor’ Blaydes versus Alexander ‘Drago’ Volkov. This is definitely a big boy matchup, with Blaydes checking in at 6’4”, 250 pounds and Volkov at 6’7”, 265 pounds. Despite the slight size disadvantage, Blaydes is the definitive betting favorite, currently sitting at 20/87* on the Mansion Bet board. This is a wise number, as I see Blaydes having his way with Volkov and probably finishing him off in the fight, either via a massive right hand while they are striking, over via heavy ground and pound after he takes the Russian down to the mat.
The co-main event pits lightweight contenders Shane Burgos and Josh Emmett against one another. Burgos is the favourite at 5/8, and I like him getting the W in this one. But look out for Emmett’s knockout power – might be worth grabbing him at 23/20.
Better Odds Down the Card
While the main event might be one worth avoiding due to the high odds, there are some other numbers on the board that I’m a fan of. I especially like Clay Guida at 19/10 in his fight against Bobby Green. The 12-year UFC veteran (yes you read that right – Guida debuted in the promotion in 2006) matches up real well with Green, who seems to enjoy and encourage his opponents to hit him in the face, which Guida will do. A Tasmanian Devil in the cage, Guida is nonstop action and will put the fight to Green. I seem him earning himself a decision victory in this one.
I also like UFC newcomer Max Rohskopf at 1/2. A slightly high number for an octagon rookie coming in on short notice, but he’s a matchup nightmare for his opponent on Saturday, Austin Hubbard. Rohskopf is a highly decorated grappler, which has been Hubbard’s kryptonite in past fights. Might be worth a splash of money on Rohskopf winning via submission.
Another good chance at a submission victory on Saturday is Gillian Robertson. She’s at 10/13 in her fight with Cortney Casey, who she is a much better grappler then. Casey gets taken down often in her fights, so Robertson should be able to get her to the mat, then she can work her jiu-jitsu magic.
Roxanne Modafferi is basically a pick ‘em – 4/5 – in her fight against Lauren Murphy. A women’s pioneer in the sport, ‘The Happy Warrior’ has been a pro since 2003, but she showed in her last octagon appearance that she has plenty of fight left in her. She ended young prospect’s Maycee Barber’s rocket rise to the top of the division, and I think she can make it two-straight wins after a grapple-heavy victory over Murphy on Saturday.
Finally, I like Roosevelt Roberts at 10/27 against Jim Miller. A rather steep number, to be sure, but young prospect Roberts has looked superb as of late in the UFC. I think he’ll be too big, too strong, too athletic and too young for grizzled veteran Jim Miller to handle.
Jeff Fox’s UFC Fight Night Tips
| Jeff’s Picks | Odds |
| BLAYDES v Volkov | 20/87 |
| BURGOS v Emmett | 5/8 |
| GUIDA v Green | 39/20 |
| ROHSKOPF v Hubbard | 1/2 |
| ROBERTSON v Casey | 10/13 |
| MODAFFERI v Murphy | 4/5 |
| ROBERTS v Miller | 10/27 |
You can watch UFC Fight Night: Blaydes v Volkov on Sky Sports from midnight on Saturday going into Sunday morning (UK times).
*All odds correct at time of writing