With no UFC event occupying this past week, it feels like an eternity since the last UFC event.
But the wait is almost over for fight fans. The action returns Saturday night with a mediocre fight card headlined by an exciting showdown between explosive flyweights Kai Kara-France and Amir Albazi.
Here are this weekend’s best bets:
Bet the Under: Kai Kara-France vs. Amir Albazi
When a person with a nickname like “Don’t Blink” steps into the octagon, one would be wise to take the sage advice.
It’ll be a firefight when Kai “Don’t Blink” Kara-France and Amir “The Prince” Albazi collide Saturday night, and don’t expect this sprint to last long.
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Top 10 flyweight contenders @KaiKaraFrance and @AmirAlbazi will take center stage 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙎𝘼𝙏𝙐𝙍𝘿𝘼𝙔!#UFCVegas74 | Jun 3 | Main Card 9pmET | LIVE on @ESPN pic.twitter.com/SUq9KLJvKo
— UFC (@ufc) May 29, 2023
Albazi (16-1) has only had three fights go to decision. The Prince, who is riding a five-fight win streak, most recently knocked out Alessandro Costa in December, and he submitted Francisco Figueiredo back in Aug. 2022.
Kara-France (24-10) is coming off a July loss to current champion Brandon Moreno, but “Don’t Blink” remains a top contender in the division. Winner of 7 of 10 fights since joining the UFC, Kara-France has established a reputation for showing up when the lights are brightest.
It’s not likely there will even be a second round. Expect both of these surging stars to let the fists fly early and often.
Going the distance: Andrei Arlovski vs. Don’Tale Mayes
Andrei Arlovski is an ageless wonder. A part of the UFC for (seemingly) ever, the 44-year-old continues to square up with some of the best in the world.
But gone are the days of “The Pitbull” knocking out foes. Arlovski hasn’t knocked anyone out since he TKO’d Travis Browne way back in May 2015. His last 10 victories have all come by decision.
Since 2019, if Arlovski’s not dragging out a victory, he’s getting knocked out or submitted, and there’s no way Don’Tale Mayes can do either of those to “The Pitbull.”
Arlovski has eaten punches from some of the heaviest hitters to step into the Octagon. Sure, he’s been put out, but Mayes doesn’t have the same power that Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Francis Ngannou used to put down “The Pitbull.”
Furthermore, Mayes, who most recently was outpointed by Augusto Sakai in February, might have enough of a skillset to submit a grappling dummy, but not a seasoned veteran like Arlovski.
Mayes can’t finish Arlovski, and vice-versa. Bet the over.
Lock of the Week: Jared Gordon vs. Jim Miller
Jim Miller and Jared Gordon are trending in opposite directions.
A legend of the sport, Miller recently regained some momentum with a pair of pedestrian victories and a submission win against now-Hall of Famer Donald Cerrone, but he stumbled against Alexander Hernandez in February. His days as a contender are over and retirement is looming. One more loss might be the setback that finally pushes Miller into the proverbial rocking chair.
Gordon, on the other hand, is like Hansel in Zoolander: So hot right now.
“Flash” Gordon seized the spotlight in his bout against superstar Paddy Pimblett in December. While judges gave the unanimous decision victory to Pimblett, fight fans around the world knew Gordon won that fight.
While Gordon’s rise to the top was delayed by an accidental clash of heads in a no contest fight against Bobby Green in April, Gordon is still in position to become a household name.
Gordon will certainly be ready to make a statement with a victory against a well-respected Miller.
Bet on it.
