UFC on Fox 24 Betting Tips
The pound-for-pound best fighter in the world Demetrious Johnson will look to defend his flyweight title for the tenth time at UFC on Fox 24. “Mighty Mouse” will face Brazilian Wilson Reis in the main event on April 15th at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The co-headliner, Rose Namajunas takes on Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson in a hight stakes women’s strawweight fight. Other popular fighters such as Roy “Big Country” Nelson, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, and Jeremy Stephens will ensure the night has entertaining exchanges and highlight-reel finishes.
Let’s take a closer at the UFC on Fox 24 card.
UFC On Fox Early Prelim Card
Ashlee Evans-Smith (5-1-0) versus Ketlen Vieir (7-0)
American Evans-Smith will face undefeated Brazilian Vieir to kick-off the event. Evans-Smith is on a two fight winning streak in the Octagon and stopped her last opponent with elbows in the third round.
Nathan Coy (15-6-0) v Zak Cummings (20-5-0)
Cummings is out of Kansas City, so will be enjoying a hometown crowd for this matchup. Coy is 38-years-old and should make for a good opponent for Cummings to show that he is still relevant in the welterweight division.
Andrew Sanchez (9-2-0) v Anthony Smith (26-12-0)
Sanchez and Smith are set for an entertaining bout in the middle of the prelims. Smith is coming off of a win by KO and “El Dirte” has won both of his UFC bouts. One fighter will take a nice winning streak into their next bout.
Devin Clark (7-1-0) v Jake Collier (10-3-0)
Watch for Collier to flex some more flashy skills, as he won a $50,000 bonus for his spinning back kick KO last May. Clark is a hard working grappler and will have to be careful against the “Prototype.”
Augusto Mendes (6-1-0) v Aljamain Sterling (12-2-0)
Sterling brings flash and personality into the cage, but the “Funk Master” will be fighting to avoid a three fight losing streak as he faces the Brazilian. Mendez is 34 years old and got the biggest win of his career against Frankie Saenz in his last outing. Sterling has said that he will make the appropriate adjustments to bring back the spark that brought him three straight win in the Octagon. I like Sterling in this matchup.
UFC On Fox Preliminary Card
Tim Elliott (13-7-1) v Louis Smolka (11-3-0)
Kansas-born Elliot made a name for himself with his aggression and ultimately going the distance with Demetrious Johnson in his recent title fight. “Da Last Samaai” has lost two straight after winning his first three in the Octagon. This is a grappler’s dream, with both fighters active and creative on the ground. Elliott’s momentum should work in his favor as he has the advantage in striking and power.
Bobby Green (23-7-0) v Rashid Magomedov (19-2-0)
Green was a star on the rise until Dustin Poirier TKO’d the trash talking Californian in his last bout. Russian Magomedov is a powerful grappler that will put Green to the test. The fight should stay on the feet, and Green will have to be more active with his hands instead of his mouth as he fights off an aggressive Magomedov, who once had a 12-fight winning streak.
Roy Nelson (22-13-0) v Alexander Volkov (27-6-0)
Oh, yes. “Big Country” will look to land a big right hand on former Bellator champion Volkov as the two heavyweights step into the cage. The American has now won two out of three bouts after looking like his career may be coming to an end. “Drago” won a split decision in his first UFC outing and will have to keep his hands up if he wants to get out of Kansas with a victory. Make sure to watch this prelim headliner.
UFC On Fox Main Card
Renato Moicano (10-0-1) v Jeremy Stephens (25-13-0)
Win or lose, Stephens is one of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC. With alternating wins and losses in his last five bouts, Lil’ Heathen should get back to winning here against the inactive Moicano. The American is a big favorite and a safe bet, barring a submission from Renato.
Ronaldo Souza (24-4-0) v Robert Whittaker (17-4-0)
The is one of the most anticipated fights on this card. “Jacare” is world champion grappler that will be looking at a title shot with a win over the New Zealand opponent. While, not a well known name in the division, Whittaker has a six-fight winning streak and ranked #6 in the UFC. The big favorite Souza, currently ranked #3, will only have to be watchful of a big punch from Whittaker. However, if you want to make a play on an underdog, there are safer plays on the card.
Rose Namajunas (5-3-0) v Michelle Waterson (14-4-0)
Namajunas is a slight favorite in this matchup with the “Karate Hottie.” While impressive in her last outing, Waterson shouldn’t have the power or reach to deal with standup game of “Thug.” The two strawweights should put on an entertaining fight, with Michelle adding more spinning kicks and aggression to her game. I like Namajunas to bounce back from her recent loss, and slow the hype and two-fight winning streak of the Hottie.
Demetrious Johnson (25-2-1) v Wilson Reis (22-6-0) – Flyweight Title
You won’t find a bigger favorite in any other title fight, as the odds show Johnson as a near lock. “Mighty Mouse” will try to tie Anderson Silva’s ten consecutive UFC title defenses. No fighter has figured out the riddle of Johnson, and I don’t expect Reis to either. While on a three fight winning streak, the Brazilian is getting the title shot by default, as the American has already beaten #1 contender Joseph Benavidez twice and #2 contender Cejudo once. While it may not be competitive, it’s a good time to watch one of MMA’s greatest fighters make history.
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.
