UFC Betting Preview: Does Colby Covington Have Anything Left?
Colby Covington is no longer calling the shots when it comes to his UFC matchmaking. Nor should he be, really. Covington has been inactive and is largely best known for failing to win the undisputed welterweight gold three times.
But there is no denying that Covington has a personality and willingness to say anything that excites many people who follow MMAfighting latest news. Covington’s challenge this weekend will be trying to slow down the hard-hitting Joaquin Buckley.
Buckley has found new life since he returned to welterweight from middleweight in May 2023. Buckley has won five straight fights, including three by knockout. During Buckley’s last fight, he obliterated former title challenger Stephen Thompson.
Covington won’t want to play around on the feet with Buckley, who has 14 knockouts to his credit. But there is a real question of whether Covington’s wrestling can still slow down his opponents. When Covington fought Leon Edwards for the title last year, he didn’t have the same explosion he had earlier in his career.
Buckley is fighting for the fourth time this year and has yet to be taken down. Covington may get Buckley down, but he won’t do enough to keep him there. Back Buckley by a late stoppage.
Bets to consider: Buckley KO/TKO/DQ, Under 4.5 rounds
Quarantillo Seeks Consistency
Billy Quarantillo never fails to entertain during his time in the octagon. Quarantillo’s problem, recently, has been that those bouts that have entertained the fans haven’t seen him always getting his hand raised. During Quarantillo’s last six fights, MMA breaking news shows the American is 3-3.
Quarantillo’s chance to get back in the win column will come against long-time veteran Cub Swanson. Despite Swanson being 41 years old, he is still putting on entertaining contests. He last fought in June and earned fight of the night honors during a split-decision loss to Andre Fili.
Swanson is an action fighter who is willing to take risks, no matter what the outcome may be for him. Swanson has lost seven times by submission and three times by knockout. Quarantillo needs this fight more, but it won’t be easy.I’m going to back Quarantillo on the moneyline but expect a close fight.
Bets to consider: Quarantillo ML
Kape Needs to Do Something Spectacular
The most disappointing fight of 2024 may be the uncomfortable dance between Manel Kape and Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304. There was a thought that both men were fighting in a flyweight title eliminator. Instead, after weeks of trash talk and a punch outside the octagon, both men hardly touched each other during a boring three-round affair.
Kape lost the fight and had his reputation take a major blow. Mokaev was cut from the UFC despite being undefeated. The best MMA news sites show Kape must now try to find a way to recapture the magic of his four-fight winning streak that preceded the Mokaev fight.
Kape, who has 11 career knockouts, will attempt to earn a win over Bruno Gustavo da Silva. Silva has only fought twice since 2021. When Silva was healthy, he produced a submission of Tyson Nam and a knockout of Cody Durden.
Kape is the superior striker and should use his embarrassment from his last fight to score another knockout in this battle.
Bets to consider: Kape KO/TKO/DQ, Under 2.5 rounds
Petrino Needs to Rebuild His Reputation
Vitor Petrino didn’t capitalize on his opportunity for a win over an opponent with high name recognition. When Petrino fought Anthony Smith at UFC 301, he failed to match the former light heavyweight title challenger’s veteran savvy. Smith locked up a guillotine choke submission in the first round and handed Petrino his first career loss.
Petrino will look to prevent a losing streak from starting when he takes on Dustin Jacoby. Jacoby has been in a real run over the past two years. Jacoby has lost four of his last five fights, including a knockout loss to Dominick Reyes last time out.
Jacoby may be rushing back to the octagon after being knocked out for the second time in June. This is a spot where there may be some value on Jacoby, a proven veteran, but Petrino has the power to make things rough.
Bets to consider: Fight to end inside the distance, Under 2.5 rounds, Petrino by KO/TKO/DQ
Yanez to Try and Earn Another Victory
Adrian Yanez had a rough 2023. Following consecutive defeats, Yanez decided to take seven months off before returning with a TKO win over Vinicius Salvador this past May. Now, Yanez is hoping to add another win to his resume as a small underdog against Daniel Marcos.
Marcos has been impressive early in his career. The Peru native has won three of his first four fights on the main roster since joining the promotion through Dana White Contender’s Series.
The challenge for any fighter who comes to the UFC is how they handle the increased competition. Marcos prefers to keep things on his feet. He has never submitted an opponent or been submitted.
Marcos and Yanez should engage in a striking battle. Yanez is a solid veteran fighter and will earn a win in this fight.
Bets to consider: Yanez ML, Over 2.5 rounds
Here’s a look at the rest of the fights on the card:
Light Heavyweight, Navajo Stirling (-500) vs. Tuco Tokkos (+380)
Lightweight, Michael Johnson (-198) vs. Ottman Azaitar (+164)
Featherweight, Joel Álvarez (-380) vs. Drakkar Klose (+300)
Featherweight, Sean Woodson (-155) vs. Fernando Padilla (+130)
Women’s Flyweight, Miranda Maverick (-470) vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (+360)
Bantamweight, Davey Grant (+105) vs. Ramon Taveras (-125)
Women’s Strawweight, Josefine Lindgren Knutsson (-218) vs. Piera Rodriguez (+180)
Featherweight, Miles Johns (+200) vs. Felipe Lima (-245)
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By Dean McHugh.
