Stitty Wap Bets Presents: UFC 247 Betting Guide (Jones vs. Reyes)

I'll be throwing a little curveball to this blog going forward. Most of my blogs have been very technical and super detailed regarding each fighter's style, past bouts, records etc. It's time to make this shit fun again and get back to what gets the people going, $$$$. I will still highlight the fights and why I like a certain fighter/match-up but I'm also going to trust my gut a little bit more and produce so more winners for the Stitty Wap Army. So please grab a beer, read my thoughts (if you want to), and gamble responsibly. And, most importantly, follow and subscribe #RideWithStittyWap.

UFC Light Heavyweight Title Fight/Main Event (205)

Champion: Jon "Bones" Jones, (25-1* MMA, 19-1 UFC), (-500, Favorite)

#4: Dominic "The Devastator" Reyes, (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), (+350, Underdog)

*See Steve Mazzagatti.

This has the potential to be a very fun fight. You have a dominant champ in Bones Jones who has unprecedentedly dominated every opponent he has faced thus far in the UFC. I don't think people really understand how insane Jones is as a fighter, he has gotten so bored of winning he will fight people at their strengths just to prove he is the better fighter. This strategy almost cost Bones in the last fight, squeaking out a split decision and getting tagged a lot by an injured Thiago Santos.

On the flip-side, Reyes has that confidence of an undefeated fighter willing to go for broke. He will come forward looking to get Jones into boxing exchanges where he has the major advantage. As seen in the last fight, Jon can be hit, if Reyes can land that left hand, we can be hearing AND NEW Saturday night.

PREDICTION

At the end of the day JBJ is unbeaten for a reason. He loves the new, fresh blood on the block. The only time he ever struggles in a fight is when he doesn't take the opponent seriously. While I think Reyes can catch Jon with a few good shots and his height will give JBJ some trouble, JBJ ultimately has a MASSIVE advantage in the wrestling. I see Reyes overextending and getting caught somewhere in the 3rd/4th round and Jon finishing him in this one.

BET

Jones: -500, KO/TKO

Champion: Valentina "Bullet" Shevchenko, (18-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC), (-1400, Favorite)

#1:Kaitlyn "Blonde Fighter" Chookagian, (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), (+800, Underdog)

This one is tough. I want to find a way that Valentina doesn't win this one, but I can't. Don't get me wrong, Chookagian is ultra tough and has the heart of a lion. But, Valentina is a robot, or a spy as some have speculated. That might be true as she has flawless Muay Thai and is pretty damn good grappling. She is the only girl that has a real shot at the Female GOAT throne.

PREDICTION

If you can't see who I like in this fight a) gtfo my blog and 2) look at that betting line (-1400). I do think this fight will go the distance as Kaitlyn is really durable, and Bullet is more of a technical fighter. I'm not even going to touch that -1400 line.

BET

Fight goes to Decision

FIGHT OF THE NIGHT (Ige/Bektic, Featherweight 145)

#14 Mirsad Bektic, (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), (-130, Favorite)

Dan "Dynamite" Ige, (12-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), (+100, Underdog)

Bektic is a absolute monster on the ground, he has nasty top control and wrestling. He has some pretty good power in his hands but I imagine he is going to want the fight on the ground and to keep Ige on his back.

Ige is very well-rounded and has a ton of potential as a threat at 145. Not only is he a solid striker, he has a very good wrestling game and jiu jitsu. Ige has proven toughness in his short UFC stint. Ige needs to stay at a distance and avoid being held down as Bektic has done with many of his opponents so far.

This fight is far and away the fight of the night. It has it all, the trash talk, two hungry prospects, and very little press. These two guys will put on a show for the fans and should walk away $50k richer. This is super close fight and one that can be massive down the road at 145. I give Ige the slight edge here. In such a close fight I look at intangibles and Bektic's pace dips vastly as the fight wears on. In what should be an exhausting fight, I like the gritty fighter.

BET

Ige +100

PROSPECTS/CONTENDERS

Flyweight, 125 (Contender)

#7: Lauren Murphy, (8-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC), (+220, Underdog)

#8: Andrea "KGB" Lee, (11-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC), (-300, Favorite)

Pivotal fight here in the super thin 125 lb division. Winner of this fight is next in line to get slaughtered by Shevchenko (but seriously). The UFC has been pushing Andrea Lee hard as the former Invicta Champ is looking to get back on track after her first UFC defeat. Lauren Murphy is a tough veteran and a great match-up for Lee to showcase her world class Muay Thai. The UFC knows how to get their young prospects back on track and put on a show. Lee dominates this fight and stamps her ticket for the title shot.

BET

Lee (-300)

LOCK OF THE EVENT/BIG MONEY WINNER

Heavyweight, 206+ (KO)

#6: Derrick "Black Beast" Lewis, (22-7 MMA, 13-5 UFC), (-220, Favorite)

#12 (LHW): Ilir Latifi, (14-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC), (+180, Underdog)

Love Black Beast here. Absolutely love him. Ilir Latifi is moving up from LHW where he had mixed results, most recently losing via KO to Oezdemir. The thing that stuck out to me was how much smaller Latifi was in that fight (5' 10"). Granted DC is the same height, and finished Lewis in his title fight, but, Latifi is no DC. DC took some massive shots from Lewis in that fight and Derrick has only gotten better and more fit since. Ilir is tough but Lewis hits much harder than Oezdemir. Were riding Black Beast here for the HW KO record in his hometown of Houston, on his birthday weekend nonetheless. All things coming up Black Beast and Stitty Wap. April get ready...

BET

Derrick Lewis: -220, KO/TKO