Despite Jon Jones’ best efforts, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will cap off 2018 this Saturday (Dec. 29, 2018) with UFC 232, which pits the beleaguered ex-champion against Alexander Gustafsson for the vacant Light Heavyweight belt. Sixty pounds south, Cris Cyborg defends her women’s Featherweight belt against Bantamweight queen Amanda Nunes, while Carlos Condit looks to end his current slump against Welterweight debutant Michael Chiesa.

Let’s face it, $60 is a lot to ask for after so much spent on holiday shopping; therefore, let’s recoup that real quick.

What Went Wrong at UFC on FOX 31?

There’s the slightest chance that I may have underestimated Edson Barboza. Dan Hooker’s pressure attack wasn’t nearly as effective as I thought it would be, and once his lead leg was compromised, it was target practice for Barboza. Not a blunder I’ll be forgetting soon. Also, for those of you unaware: one of the bets was a parlay of Jack Hermansson and Andrea Lee. Since Lee didn’t compete on account of Jessica Rose-Clark missing weight, the bet is treated as a straight bet on Hermansson.

UFC 232 Odds For The Undercard:

Walt Harris (-160) vs. Andrei Arlovski (+140)
Cat Zingano (-165) vs. Megan Anderson (+145)
Petr Yan (-275) vs. Douglas Andrade (+235)
Ryan Hall (-525) vs. BJ Penn (+415)
Nathaniel Wood (-115) vs. Andre Ewell (-105)
Uriah Hall (-115) vs. Bevon Lewis (-105)
Curtis Millender (-145) vs. Siyar Bahadurzada (+125)
Montel Jackson (-155) vs. Brian Kelleher (+135)

Thoughts: Granted, Walt Harris is 4-6 in the UFC, but only a -160 favorite against 39-year-old Andrei Arlovski, loser of seven of his last nine? Really? “The Big Ticket” is taller, rangier, faster, and more powerful than Arlovski at this point in “The Pitbull’s” career, not to mention the fact that Arlovski looked terribly mediocre even in his two victories since 2015. Harris should shred him, so shred the bookies in turn.

Curtis Millender seems a bit undervalued against Siyar Bahadurzada as well. He’s got a considerable amount of height and reach over the Afghan knockout artist, who hits hard but doesn’t have many methods of closing the distance besides just wading forward alternating hooks. “Curtious,” never before stopped by strikes, should be able to piece him up at long range.

UFC 232 Odds For The Main Card:

Jon Jones (-265) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (+245)
Cristiane Justino (-255) v. Amanda Nunes (+235)
Michael Chiesa (-175) vs. Carlos Condit (+155)
Ilir Latifi (-155) vs. Corey Anderson (+135)
Chad Mendes (-155) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (+135)

Thoughts: These are the best odds you’re ever going to get on Cris “Cyborg,” so don’t waste the opportunity. Nunes will struggle to outwrestle her or get the better of exchanges, and honestly shouldn’t trouble her fellow Brazilian terribly much.

UFC 232 Best Bets:

• Parlay — Walt Harris and Cristiane Justino: Bet $60 to make $75.60
• Single bet — Curtis Millender: Bet $50 to make $34.48

Make some money ... start the new year right! See you Saturday, Maniacs.

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 232 fight card on fight night, starting with the Fight Pass “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET, before the pay-per-view (PPV) main card start time at 10 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 232: “Jones vs. Gustafsson 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.