ufc fight night 108 betting tips

An odd pairing tops the UFC Fight Night 108 card taking place this Saturday as established veteran Cub Swanson takes on Conor McGregor’s teammate Artem Lobov. The #6 ranked American comes in as a huge favorite over the heavy-hitting underdog “The Russian Hammer” in the main event. While the UFC didn’t put on a card of top-ranked fighters, it does have former title contenders John Dodson and Eddie Wineland facing-off, plus long-time fan favorites Diego Sanchez and Joe Lauzon on the card to keep it entertaining.

Let’s take a closer at the UFC Fight Night 108 card going down at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

early prelim card

Dandois will make her UFC debut and face a former title contender. Davis lost to Ronda Rousey in 2014 in a high-profile loss, but now she will be starting off the show. Davis is a favorite here, but look for the Belgain to try and make a name for herself in her Octagon first.

Barberena got his fame from his high-profile win over UFC poster boy Sage Northcutt, but he will have his hands full when he faces Proctor. Expect an entertaining battle here early Nashville.

Sandoval faces The Ultimate Fighter 24 cast member Schnell. “Kid Alex” should have a slight advantage over “Danger” who was stopped in his last bout in December.

prelim card

Penne was at the top of her game and challenging for a title back in 2015, but now she finds herself on a two fight losing streak. “Dynamite” has had mixed results in her two split decision bouts in the Octagon, and will be in trouble with the grappling and submissions of Penne.

McBride lost to Nik Lentz in his last bout, and he will have to step up his game against Holtzman if he doesn’t want a second straight loss. Holtzman is from Tennessee so will have the crowd behind him, and that should be move than enough to get a victory.

23-year-old Moreno has won his first two bouts in the UFC and will face Ortiz that will be stepping into the Octagon for his 10th time. Ortiz has six split decisions in his career, so always in a battle to the end. The flyweight out of Mexico has shown impressive submission skills and will have the opportunity to become the first to stop the durable Ortiz.

You have to love a fighter with the nickname of “Smiling,” but that’s what Alvey does before, during, and after his bouts. With KO power, Alvey will be looking to take out the former title contender Leites. While being known for his BJJ, Leites has no problems keeping the fight standing as he did against the current middleweight champion Michael Bisping. This should be a good, entertaining stand-up brawl that brings the prelim card to an end.

main card

Ellenberger’s days seem numbered in the sport as he has now lost six of his last eight fights. “Platinum” stopped all nine of his first opponents, until he was outpointed against Alan Jouban last December. Odds have Perry as the favorite as he should be, and with poor cardio, I don’t see “The Juggernaut” making it past the second round.

Lauzon has been in the UFC for ten years and this will be the 40th bout. Ray is an emerging European star out of Scotland that has won four out of five in the UFC. While Lauzon has punching power early, “Braveheart” is durable and has a variety of strikes and kicks to keep the advantage over 15 minutes. Look for the young prospect to make a name for himself over The Ultimate Fighter 5 star.

Dodson, a former flyweight title challenger, faces Wineland, a former bantamweight title challenger. “The Magician” has speed, power, and agility. The 32-year-old has all the skills to avoid the power punches of Wineland over three rounds. Wineland was the WEC Bantamweight Champion in 2006 and is having a late surge in his career with two straight TKO’s in the Octagon. Dodson is a big favorite, but with some inconsistent performances a play on Eddie might have some value.

OSP was quickly rising the light heavyweight ranks, but has now hit a three-fight losing streak. The Brazilian won the first eight fights of his career, but has had ups and downs since then including his last bout where he missed weight. OSP is a favorite here, but has showed little improvement since his unlikely three-round survival over former champion Jon Jones. This is #10 ranked Ovince’s opportunity to show he can still be relevant in the division.

“Raging” Al was a hot prospect, winning four straight bouts. After unhappiness in his contract, the New York native turned to real estate instead of prize fighting to make money. Sanchez first entered the Octagon in 2005 by winning The Ultimate Fighter 1. The 35-year-old turned back time, beating prospect Marcin Held in his last bout. The “Nightmare” might be a big underdog and at the end of his career, but I like the grappler to find a way to get another upset in the co-headliner.

The biggest betting favorite on the card is Swanson. The American will only have to watch out for the power punches of Lobov, who does have KO capability. Swanson is ranked #6 and has put together a three-fight winning streak, including the ridiculous slugfest against prospect Doo Ho Choi in what was seen as fight of the year last December. Artem is most known for his push by friend and teammate Conor McGregor. Lobov won his last outing over Teruto Ishihara in an impressive performance, showing improved game-planning and cardio. Swanson is a justified favorite in this headliner, and with five rounds to work with should find a way to get the finish before the bell rings after 25 minutes.

About Ryan O’Leary

Ryan O’Leary is the founder of MMAViking.com, the premier source for daily mixed martial arts news in the Nordics. Established in 2008, the UFC credentialed media source has covered over 200 events cageside.