Welterweights
NR | Zelim Imadaev (8-1) vs. NR | Danny Roberts (16-5)ODDS: Imadaev (-210), Roberts (+175)
This is an odd choice for a main card bout, but at least it will be a fun one.
Imadaev earned a bit of hype coming into the UFC, but that was based more off talent than results. His pre-UFC resume was filled with empty calories in the form of quick finishes against overmatched competition. On the plus side, when faced with his first real competition in the form of Max Griffin, Imadaev managed to make it through all three rounds and put on an entertaining brawl, even if he wound up on the losing side of the ledger.
For a follow-up test, he draws England’s Roberts, who has had an exciting but inconsistent UFC campaign. Roberts has a lot of tools -- he is a slick boxer with some impressive grappling skills to back that up -- but he often finds his way to a losing fight, typically by getting himself into striking exchanges that his chin cannot withstand.
If Roberts fights a smart fight, particularly by looking to wrestle, he could have some quick success, but once Imadaev looks to start a firefight, the Englishman will probably be much too willing to meet the Russian on his own terms. The pick is Imadaev via first-round knockout.
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