Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., has seen generations of legends grace its halls. It gets a few more this Saturday night (Nov. 4, 2018) as three Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champions put their titles on the line.
In UFC 217’s pay-per-view (PPV) main event, Michael Bisping welcomes Georges St-Pierre back to the Octagon after nearly four years away, while the co-feature sees rivals Cody Garbrandt and T.J. Dillashaw finally settle the score. Oh, and on top of all that, we get to see Joanna Jedrzejczyk face “Thug” Rose Namajunas.
It’s an A+ card, so let’s see if it can’t be an A+ investment opportunity, too.
What Went Wrong at UFC Fight Night 119?
I took a gamble on Lyoto Machida still having it. He does not, unfortunately, still have it. He left himself wide open with his signature left straight and got his counter countered. Props to Brunson and here’s hoping “The Dragon” hangs them up.
UFC 217 Odds For The Under Card:
Joe Duffy (-190) vs. James Vick (+165)
Walt Harris (-345) vs. Mark Godbeer (+285)
Ovince Saint Preux (-160) vs. Corey Anderson (+140)
Randy Brown (-120) vs. Mickey Gall (EVEN)
Curtis Blaydes (-400) vs. Aleksei Oleinik (+325)
Ion Cutelaba (-500) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (+400)
Ricardo Ramos (-125) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (+105)
Thoughts: Christ, this card’s betting appeal is inversely proportional to its viewing appeal. It has “Event of the Year” potential ... and not a single standout line. The one thing I can think to do is parlay Ovince Saint Preux and Ion Cutelaba together for a near-even return. Anderson is chinny and one-dimensional in his wrestling — issues that even the flawed “OSP” can exploit to brilliant effect. Cutelaba, meanwhile, is up against a smaller, younger, technically inferior slugger with porous defense and an iffy chin, which is about as perfect a match up as you can imagine for him.
UFC 217 Odds For The Main Card:
Georges St-Pierre (-115) vs. Michael Bisping (-105)
Cody Garbrandt (-175) vs. T.J. Dillashaw (+155)
Joanna Jedrzejczyk (-600) vs. Rose Namajunas (+450)
Stephen Thompson (-185) vs. Jorge Masvidal (+160)
Paulo Borrachinha (-230) vs. Johny Hendricks (+190)
Thoughts: You know what? I’ve got Left Hook Larry here.
Georges St.-Pierre is coming off a four-year layoff against the largest man he’s ever fought. Even worse, Bisping simply does not get tired and knows how to put the hurt on an exhausted opponent. “GSP” lacks the overwhelming size and strength Tim Kennedy used to shut down Bisping for five rounds and hasn’t recently shown the pop needed to crack his chin. Bisping has beaten quality takedown artists before. GSP may be among the best to ever step in the cage, but at the end of the day, he’s a rusty Welterweight. While I fully expect Robert Whittaker to turn Bisping inside-out in Perth, I think he’s got one more defense left in him.
UFC 217 Best Bets:
- Parlay -- Ovince Saint Preux and Ion Cutelaba: Bet $150 to make $142.85
- Single bet -- Michael Bisping: Bet $90 to make $85.71
UFC 217 is stacked to the rafters — see you Saturday, Maniacs!