Ronda Rousey is set to defend her UFC women's bantamweight title against Cat Zingano at UFC 184. It could be the most thrilling bout in Rousey's career to date, but it's not a fight you want to target in your DraftKings lineup.
Zingano is easily the toughest and most well-rounded opponent Rousey has faced. While I couldn't bring myself to pick against Rousey, I do acknowledge that this should be a tough fight that lasts into the third round or later.
The longer it goes, the less points Rousey would potentially score for DK players. Thus, I'm leaving this one untouched. It's best you watch this bout for the thrill of the fight and not with any DK interest.
You have to pick someone, right? Here are the best picks for Saturday's card.
Jake "The Juggernaut" Ellenberger ($11,400) vs. Josh "Kos" Koscheck
To put it plainly, Josh Koscheck is done. Kos has lost three straight bouts, with the last two coming by TKO/KO. He probably should have called it quits in 2013 when Robbie Lawler stopped him at UFC 157, but Koscheck is still chasing Octagon glory. He recently told Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie he wants to fight out the end of his contract, which has two matches remaining.
Per Bohn, Koscheck said: "I started my career with the UFC and hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to end my career with the UFC. I’d like to have that opportunity to win two more fights and then see."
Just about any fighter opposite the 37-year-old Koscheck would be a smart fantasy pick. As it turns out, the shopworn Koscheck is just what the doctor ordered for a struggling and desperate Jake Ellenberger. The Juggernaut has also lost three straight.
He needs a win in the worst way, and it would be a shock if he doesn't get off the schneid against Koscheck. In a bout that will likely end in the first two rounds, Ellenberger is perhaps the smartest and easiest pick on the card.
He's a heavy-handed fighter facing an opponent who has lost a step and been the victim of a few too many vicious KO losses. Ellenberger should score a KO/TKO win to make good on his high DK salary.
Roman "El Gallito" Salazar ($7,600) vs. Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto
At one point, Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto was one of the most exciting smaller fighters in the sport. Now, he's a 37-year-old fighter coming off a three-year absence and a three-fight losing streak.
Roman Salazar isn't exactly a star waiting to explode in the UFC, but he is an excellent submission fighter who is hungry to perform well in the promotion. He lost his UFC debut to Mitch Gagnon in Oct. 2014, but this is a fight he can win.
By taking Kid Yamamoto to the mat and pushing the pace, Salazar will come out on top. A decision win is possible, but I'm making a partially bold and precise prediction for this one. Salazar will score an impressive submission victory.
This fight is set up to be the biggest bargain of the night for DK players.
Roan "Jucao" Carneiro ($7,700) vs. Marc "The Filipino Wrecking Machine" Munoz
If you made a list of the most overrated active fighters in the UFC, Marc Munoz's name should be on it. He's lost three of his last four fights, and the last two losses have come in the first round.
Munoz is no longer a serious contender at 185 pounds, and he's on his way out of the top 15 in the division.
On Saturday night, Roan Carneiro will help usher him down the ladder. The 36-year-old Brazilian hasn't fought in the UFC since 2008, and he was just 2-3 during his stint with the promotion.
Since leaving, he is 7-1. Carneiro is hungry and eager to impress in his return.
Munoz simply isn't the striker nor ground-and-pound threat he once was. He'll get outworked by Carneiro and lose by lopsided decision or TKO in the second bargain pick of the evening.
Dhiego Lima ($10,100) vs. Tim "Dirty Bird" Means
There aren't a ton of welterweights with length to match that of the 6'2" Tim Means, but Dhiego Lima is one of the few. One of Means' two losses in the UFC came to the unusually long Neil Magny in the Dirty Bird's return to the UFC after a brief hiatus.
Lima has a similar length and grinding style. He's also a bit quicker than Means, as well as a better grappler. The former Ultimate Fighter season 19 participant has a bright future ahead of him, as his overall game is still taking shape.
Neither fighter has proven to be a devastating striker at the high levels of the sport. Thus, this one is likely to go to the scorecards. When it's all said and done, Lima should earn the victory based on time spent in top control or a dominant position on the ground.
Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson ($11,400) vs. Gleison Tibau
Despite being one of the winningest fighters in UFC history, Gleison Tibau has routinely come up short against elite competition. He lost to Michael Johnson, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jim Miller when it seemed he was ready to ascend toward a title shot.
With four straight wins and a 7-1 record in the UFC overall, Tony Ferguson is on the cusp of being regarded as one of the best at 155 pounds. A win should put him in the top 15 in the lightweight rankings. Tibau will serve as the gatekeeper for Ferguson in this bout.
I believe Ferguson will win on the strength of effective striking. Both men are excellent submission fighters, so there won't be much of an advantage on the ground for either of them.
However, in the stand-up game, El Cucuy's length and speed should allow him to potshot Tibau en route to an easy unanimous-decision victory and some extra DK fantasy points for significant strikes.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
