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UFC Tampa takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
UFC 310 takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
The sharpest MMA bets, top DFS picks across multiple sites, and predictions for this weekend's UFC 307 card are live on RotoWire before Saturday's pay-per-view event.
The top MMA betting and DFS plays for this weekend's UFC 307 card are up, with full fight breakdowns feat betting and lineup strategy, as well as predictions for the entire event.
The top MMA betting picks are live on RotoWire. Check out UFC 307 predictions for a favorite, an underdog, a prop & a parlay for bettors to consider Saturday.
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Scheduled against Buckley
Thompson will compete against fellow welterweight Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, according to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
Once again, Thompson will have to defend his ranking against a rising opponent, this time in Buckley. Thompson is 1-3 across his last four, but all his losses have come against championship contenders. Perhaps the 30-year-old Buckley is not at that stage, and Thompson has made good work of fending off those who have not fought for a title yet.
Once again, Thompson will have to defend his ranking against a rising opponent, this time in Buckley. Thompson is 1-3 across his last four, but all his losses have come against championship contenders. Perhaps the 30-year-old Buckley is not at that stage, and Thompson has made good work of fending off those who have not fought for a title yet.
Taps to Shavkat Rakhmonov
Thompson lost to Shavkat Rakhmonov via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:56 of Round 2 at UFC 296 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Thompson is arguably the most gifted pure striker in the history of the sport, but there's a reason he entered as a +450 underdog, by far the largest on the entire card. He'll be 41 years of age next February and has never been a great grappler. He was also facing a stone-cold killer. Thompson managed to remain upright in Round 1, but his luck ran out in Round 2. At that point, it was just a matter of time before Rakhmonov earned the stoppage. Wonderboy nearly made it to the end of the frame but was forced to tap with just seconds left. It's the first submission loss of Thompson's career. Wonderboy is in a near-impossible spot moving forward. It's clear he's not on the same level as the top welterweights on the roster. That said, he has plenty of gas left in the tank. It's a story to monitor as the calendar turns to 2024.
Thompson is arguably the most gifted pure striker in the history of the sport, but there's a reason he entered as a +450 underdog, by far the largest on the entire card. He'll be 41 years of age next February and has never been a great grappler. He was also facing a stone-cold killer. Thompson managed to remain upright in Round 1, but his luck ran out in Round 2. At that point, it was just a matter of time before Rakhmonov earned the stoppage. Wonderboy nearly made it to the end of the frame but was forced to tap with just seconds left. It's the first submission loss of Thompson's career. Wonderboy is in a near-impossible spot moving forward. It's clear he's not on the same level as the top welterweights on the roster. That said, he has plenty of gas left in the tank. It's a story to monitor as the calendar turns to 2024.
Will fight Rakhmonov
Thompson will fight Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 on Dec. 16, UFC President Dana White announced.
ANALYSIS
Thompson needed a big fight, and a win here would show the world that he's still firmly in the contender mix. His opponent is as exciting as it gets though, as Rakhmonov is sporting a 17-0 record during his professional career.
Thompson needed a big fight, and a win here would show the world that he's still firmly in the contender mix. His opponent is as exciting as it gets though, as Rakhmonov is sporting a 17-0 record during his professional career.
Fight scratched
Thompson will no longer fight Michel Pereira at UFC 291, Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie reports.
ANALYSIS
Thompson will no longer face off with Michel Pereira after his opponent weighed in too heavy. It remains to be seen if the bout, which had already been rescheduled, will be re-booked in the future.
Thompson will no longer face off with Michel Pereira after his opponent weighed in too heavy. It remains to be seen if the bout, which had already been rescheduled, will be re-booked in the future.
To face Pereira at UFC 291
Thompson's scheduled welterweight matchup against Michel Pereira has been rebooked for UFC 291 on July 29 in Salt Lake City, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The two were originally set to face off at UFC 289 on June 10, but the bout was postponed due to reasons that were never officially disclosed. Seven weeks later, the contracts have apparently been finalized, and if oddsmakers treat this one anything like the last, Thompson could see himself as high as a (-245) betting favorite. He'll be facing an opponent in Pereira who is 11 years younger, tremendously athletic and also tends to employ unorthodox striking styles (sometimes to his detriment). Thompson is a veteran of the sport with tremendous Fight IQ and stand-up defense, however, so it makes sense to see him favored. Pereira will have to catch him with something out-of-the-box, or perhaps employ more of his wrestling game, in order to get this fight closer to even.
The two were originally set to face off at UFC 289 on June 10, but the bout was postponed due to reasons that were never officially disclosed. Seven weeks later, the contracts have apparently been finalized, and if oddsmakers treat this one anything like the last, Thompson could see himself as high as a (-245) betting favorite. He'll be facing an opponent in Pereira who is 11 years younger, tremendously athletic and also tends to employ unorthodox striking styles (sometimes to his detriment). Thompson is a veteran of the sport with tremendous Fight IQ and stand-up defense, however, so it makes sense to see him favored. Pereira will have to catch him with something out-of-the-box, or perhaps employ more of his wrestling game, in order to get this fight closer to even.