The UFC took its foot off the pedal last weekend as the MMA giant had its first weekend off in months. Fight fans need not worry though as Dana White brings the action back to the Apex this weekend for UFC Vegas 80. To the bettor, we are back too, and ready to share our top picks of the week.
The Best Bets for UFC Vegas 80
Vanessa Demopoulus vs Kanako Murata
This women’s strawweight fight features one of the largest spreads on Saturday night’s card. This is for good reason.
Vanessa Demopoulus (9-5, 3-2 UFC) is a respectable fighter with both grappling and striking capability; however, her track record has proven nothing more than that first acknowledgment. Suffering losses to Karolina Kowalkiewicz and JJ Aldrich and barely scraping past Jinh Yu Frey, “Lil Monster” has had very few positive moments in her UFC tenure that warrant serious consideration in this one.
Kanako Murata, although coming off of a two-year layoff, will certainly prove to be the better overall fighter. A brutal grappler and submission technician, the former Invicta FC Strawweight Champion will get her hands raised in victory come Saturday night.
Fight Pick: Kanako Murata via Unanimous Decision
Philipe Lins vs Ion Cutelaba
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Next enters the big boys. Philipe Lins (17-5, 3-2 UFC) had a rough go in the start of his UFC career. Debuting to the UFC in 2020, Lins lost his first two fights at heavyweight. The Brazilian would drop down to the light-heavyweight division and find immediate success. Utilizing his heavy hands backed by his BJJ skill, Lins has notched three straight victories.
Ion Cutelaba (17-9-1, 6-8-1 UFC) is a guns ablaze type of fighter who pushes the envelope, seeking a finish. This has not always worked out for “The Hulk” as Cutelaba has been finished seven times inside the Octagon. With a strong grappling base and confident standup, Cutelaba will look to push the issue on Lins.
Cutelaba should get it done in this one, but as the line develops, Lins could be a valuable underdog. Watch the spread.
Fight Pick: Phelipe Lins Moneyline
Drew Dober vs Ricky Glenn
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This lightweight contest features two exciting strikers. Drew Dober (26-12-0-(1), 12-8-0-(1) UFC) is one of the most fun guys at 155-lbs. (and there are plenty of fun guys in the division) because of his wild, brawling style that has earned him ten T/KO victories throughout his career.
Ricky Glenn (22-7-2, 4-4-1 UFC) is a solid combo striker who utilizes range to find success. This type of striking, against a guy like Dober who likes to force the issue, is problematic. Glenn does not have a ground game to bail out to either, so expect Dober to find a finish.
Fight Pick: Drew Dober via T/KO
Joe Pyfer vs Abdul Razak Alhassan
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The co-main event features a tilt of two middleweight finishers. Joe Pyfer (11-2, 2-0 UFC) exploded onto the UFC scene last year and has scored two finishes in his time with the promotion. A dangerous grappler to boot, Pyfer is a serious issue at 185-lbs.
The blue corner will be held down by Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-5, 6-5 UFC). Razak Alhassan is known for his powerful hands but is also a Judo black belt. This fight will be a scrap and will certainly produce a finish. The nod goes to “Bodybagz”.
Fight Pick: Joe Pyfer via Finish
Grant Dawson vs Bobby Green
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Fight fans have been critical of this main event tilt since it was announced. The #10 ranked lightweight Grant Dawson (20-1-1, 8-0-1 UFC) is on an eleven fight win streak dating back to July 2016. “KGD” has scored finishes over Michael Trizano, Darrick Minner, Leonardo Santos, Jared Gordon, and Mark Madsen during his time in the UFC and will make his first main event walk against Bobby Green (30-14-1-(1), 11-9-1-(1) UFC).
Green has been a professional since 2008 and has been a staple of the UFC’s Lightweight Division since UFC 156. Known for his charisma, unique beard trim, and somewhat awkward standup, Green snoozed Tony Ferguson, albeit a 2023 version of Ferguson, in his last fight at UFC 291.
This fight should end up how many are thinking it should. To sprinkle a few bucks on the underdog is tempting, but in reality, Dawson is going to tie Green up, wear on him, and find a submission.
Fight Pick: Fight to End Before the 3rd Round (-2.5 Rds)
