At first glance, Saturday’s UFC on ABC 4 card looks… well, meh.
But look closer: While these aren’t clashes between big, marquee names that casual fight fans would tweet about, this is a sneaky stacked card for the serious fanatics to savor.
- Claim your bonus and bet on UFC on ABC 4 at DraftKings Sportsbook
- Download Caesars Sportsbook and place your bet on UFC on ABC 4
- Claim your bonus and bet on UFC on ABC 4 at FanDuel Sportsbook
There are plenty of opportunities for bettors to make some serious change on Saturday night.
Here are this week’s best bets:
Bet the Under (1.5): Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Jailton Almeida
It’s an odd choice to have Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Jailton Almeida headline a Charlotte card that is being broadcast on national TV. One would think the UFC would have a plan for well-known, household names to represent the sport to such a large audience, especially considering even semi-invested fight fans barely flinch when they hear either fighter’s names.
But who cares if the casuals know their names?
Heavyweights collide on Saturday!!
Three days out from @JairRozenstruik vs @Malhadinho_UFC at #UFCCharlotte!
[ 3pmET / 12pmPT | LIVE on ABC ] pic.twitter.com/aWRRkYuate
— UFC (@ufc) May 11, 2023
We’re in it for the cheddar, and here’s the only fact you need to know: Rozenstruik is entering his fifth headline bout in the UFC. Of “Bigi Boy’s” previous four headliner bouts, three have ended in knockout.
For those who haven’t seen the electrifying Almeida fight, just know he’s not worrying who the judges are. They’ve only been needed once in Almeida’s 20 pro fights to date, and that was the only bout to get out of the second round.
Expect fireworks to close out the night in Charlotte.
Lock of the Week: Johnny Walker ML
If this fight happened three years ago, it’d be a no-brainer, but it’s 2023 and Anthony Smith just hasn’t been the same.
Once one of the best in the Lightweight Division, Smith is one more setback away from inevitable retirement. Since beating Alexander Gustafsson in 2019, Smith is 3-3, including being mauled by Magomed Ankalaev this past July.
On the other side of the octagon, a surging and boisterous Johnny Walker is looking to extend his winning streak to three. His last loss—a first-round knockout at the fists of current UFC champion Jamahal Hill—happened back in Feb. 2022. Walker has improved since that loss—earning impressive first-round finishes against Paul Craig and Ion Cutelaba—and he’s primed for a run at the title.
He just has to handle business against Smith. Count on it.
Fight of the Night: Daniel Rodriguez vs. Ian Garry
As gangster as he is hilarious, Daniel Rodriguez is a must-follow on Instagram and a must-watch in the octagon. Since bursting onto the scene in 2020, Rodriguez is an astounding 7-2, including victories over Jingliang Li, Kevin Lee and Mike Perry. Never scared to throw down, “D-Rod” is the perfect dance partner for Ireland’s undefeated sensation Ian Garry.
Garry—dubbed “The Future”—is a perfect 11-0 entering Saturday’s bout. He most recently brawled with Kenan Song for nearly three rounds in March. While Garry ultimately got the finish late in the third, he’ll need to ramp it up against Rodriguez if he hopes to keep his unblemished record intact. Will “The Future” rise to the occasion?
Ready for battle and set to collide on Saturday, these two rising stars are prepared for war. There’s certain to be carnage, and UFC can start writing that bonus check now.
