Written by LineStar contributor, combat sports enthusiast, and practitioner, Chris Guy. Instagram: @therealsethgeko | Twitter: @DadHallOfFamer

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Main Card

Aljamain Sterling (+110) vs. Youssef Zalal (-130)

Sterling: DK: $7.8k | Zalal: DK:$8.4k

Sublime’s “Pawn Shop” was playing on overhead speakers as he stepped into the pawn shop: “Down there at the pawn shop...” The pawn master greeted him with an ironic smile, “What can I do for you today?” 

The man stepped up to the counter and unloaded a giant gold-plated belt from his shoulder that looked straight out of the WWE. The old pawn master didn’t say a word; his eyes did the talking, “What is this?” 

“It’s my first world title belt.” 

With a slight tilt of his head, the old pawn master asked, “Why do you want to sell it?” 

The customer looked affronted by the question, “Have you seen gas prices?”  

“Actually, no. I drive a Tesla,” the old pawn master retorted. 

“Well, let’s just say they have to do a credit check and require a co-signer before you can fill up.” 

“Ain’t that some shit. Alright, how did you win it?” 

“Well, I voted for—” 

“No, I mean the belt.” 

“Oh, yeah. I beat Petr Yan.” 

Only on rare occasions did the old pawn master betray his poker face. This was one of those occasions. There was no hiding how impressed he was. “Did you knock him out?” 

The man they call Funk Master looked around nervously like Erika Kirk in an actual church. “Um, well... He got DQ’d. It was an illegal knee—”  

“Ah, I see,” the old pawn master interrupted. “And how much do you want for it?”  

“Give me your best offer.”  

Looking around, the old pawn master said, “I got these cheeseburgers.” He walked over to one of the shelves and held up a McDonald’s bag. “They’re twenty-two years old and still look fresh off the grill.”  

Now it was Aljo’s turn to speak through facial expressions. He said, “Is Aljo gonna have to choke a bish?” 

Sensing the customer’s dissatisfaction, the old pawn master quickly made another offer, “Hold on a second.” He disappeared through a set of swinging doors and returned with a large frame with a flag pressed inside. “This is the Lakers’ 2020 NBA Finals Championship banner.” The old pawn master hit Aljo with a look that said, “Don’t act like you’re not impressed.” 

“The f**king bubble chip?” Aljo was ready to leap over the counter. 

“Sorry, man. That’s all I got.” 

Sublime dogged his heels as the former champ walked out the door, “Down there at the pawn shop...” 

When he got to his car, Aljo realized he had left the belt inside on the counter. But he didn’t feel like going back inside to get it. He’d just sell pictures of his feet if he had to. Or... He heard Cory Sandhagen made two million dollars selling pictures of his balls. Feeling a little hopeful, Aljo peeled out of the parking lot.  

Nobody will ever forgive Aljo for ending Petr Yan’s first title reign. Who could ever forget the illegal knee to a downed Aljo and the Brazzers acting that followed? But the world has since healed; Petr Yan is once again the champ. To Aljo’s credit, he beat Yan a second time and defended his belt three times before moving up to featherweight. But in Aljo’s world, it’s always winter; he will never get his flowers. Unless he can find a way to win the featherweight chip, too. The problem with Aljo is that he is really good, but in a boring way. His style is like anesthesia; it just puts you to sleep. His style is like dying in your sleep; you don’t feel it.   

But that style got him to the top of the mountain. Other than Movsar Evloev, Aljo might be the best pure grappler in the division. Aljo is going to get you down, and do you like an old-school D’Angelo music video. He’s gonna do you Nice & Slow like Usher. You got it, you got it bad when Aljo gets you to the mat. You have to let it burn, whoa, let it burn—third-degree mat burns. In between rounds, you have to get Aljo lanced off you like a mole after he takes you down. They have to hit you with liquid nitrogen, like you have a wart to get Aljo off you. You wear Aljo like an unsightly birthmark when he gets you down. He turns you into Drew Brees’s face—he turns you into the gravy stain on Mikhail Gorbachev’s head. Google that shit.   

But can Aljo out-grapple the Hogwarts Suma Cum Laude? Whoa, buddy. Suma what? Youssef Zalal is a grappling wizard. Yo! Hit that Run the Jewels “Legend Has It!” Legend has it that Zalal once went the distance with Ilia Topuria in Topuria’s debut. If I went the distance with Ilia Topuria, I’d make an entrance like Mason Miller coming out of the bullpen with Korn blaring. Hit that “Blind!” I’d walk into Applebee's, and you’d hear “Are you ready!?” Then everybody in that bish would start headbanging and wilding out. I’d turn Denny's into a Woodstock ‘99 mosh pit. Three UFC champs couldn't go three rounds with Tapuria. That was the only occasion that I’ve seen Zalal get out-grappled. 

On the mat, Zalal looks like an arachnid. When you watch Zalal grapple, you’re overcome by an urge to throw a chancla at the TV to smash him. That’s that Zalalaphobia. Fook a Patronis spell, this grappling wizard will hit you with choke spells. Rear-naked, arm-triangle, Brabo/D’arce chokes; he’s surgical with that bish like Alonzo with the shotty. If this fight hits the mat, it will be a rare grappling fire-fight. But most grappler-versus-grappler matchups turn into tepid kickboxing matches. If that’sthe case, who will have the edge?  

Technique-wise, Zalal is the better, more technical striker. Output-wise, Aljo is the higher volume striker, averaging four and a half SLpM compared to Zalal’s three. Zalal’s output is like a leaky faucet. His output is like a forty-three-year-old's stream—that ol’ enlarged prostate output. Zalal’s hands dribble down his legs. He leaves the Octagon looking like a public toilet seat. But I slightly favor Zalal in a kickboxing match based on more traditional attacks.   

I had these odds backward. Zalal is the (-170) favorite, and Aljo is the (+140) live-ass dog. Even if Aljo can’t find a submission, if he takes your back, the round is over. No matter how much time is on the clock. There is no escape. He can steal rounds with back control. And his top game is stifling. Zalal is the favorite because of his superior stand-up. Likely, the grappling will cancel out. I don’t know if Aljo can create enough damage on his feet to win rounds. The play for this one is a decision. Zalal is 5-0 with four subs since returning to the UFC. But Aljo has never been submitted. And Zalal has yet to be finished in twenty-three career fights.  

Better call Elite Security because we’re streaking like a drunk soccer fan. The main event dub streak now sits at two after Mike Malott destroyed what was left of Gilbert Boo-urns. Winning a third straight will be tough. I hate underestimating Aljo. He takes pleasure in fooking up parlays. Aljamain Sterling via decision Put it on wax.   

Props

Zalal: TKO/KO (+400) Sub (+1100) Dec (+185)  

Sterling: TKO/KO (+1400) Sub (+450) Dec (+215) 

Winner: Aljamain Sterling | Method: Decision

Norma Dumont (-245) vs. Joselyne Edwards (+200)

Dumont: DK: $8.8k | Edwards: DK: $7.4k

Hard times have fallen on co-main events. Co-main events are in a recession. Fook that, a depression. I’m in depression writing this. Yo, DJ! Quit playing and hit that Castor Troy, “I hate to see you go, but I love to see you leave.” That’s all I can say about these ladies. Never in my life did I think I would be writing about Joselyne Edwards. Granted, it took Yana Santos pulling out of the fight, but Joselyne Edwards is in a co-main event. It’s been a while, but I have to do it: Hit that Mr. Nice Guys theme! “When life gets hard, pick up that card with the smiley face.” This WKO official smoke break is brought to you by Tegridy Farms. “Do you have any Tegridy?” Best believe I’ll be politicking with Mary Jay in the Thunderdome during this one.  

I don’t know what to say. Not waiting thirty minutes after you eat to go swimming is more dangerous than these ladies. Chewing gum and walking simultaneously is more dangerous. Norma Dumont could be the champion, but she plays to fookin’ much. When she lets her hands go, Norma is one of the better women’s strikers, but she often plays it too safe and ends fights with the same number of bullets in the clip as she had when she set off for battle. Risk is the spice of life, and the lack of it is why Dumont’s career has been relatively bland. Overall, she has that accouterment Maltese stowed away in a cute Prada handbag dog in her. She tends to the bare minimum to win and not an ounce more. She went to a split decision against Ketlen Vieira in her most recent bout. I’d powder up like Lebron and Power Slap myself if I went to a split decision against Ketlen Vieira.   

But never forget the time Dumont turned Chelsea Chandler, aka the Diaz sister, into The Running Man. She’s a runner; she’s a track star. Hit that Pharcyde “Runnin’.” Can’t keep running away... Chandler looked like Kat Williams running the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. That was the highlight of Dumont’s career. She reminds me of a female Paulo Costa when she lets her hands go. There’s no doubt she’s the best striker in the bantamweight division. She should dominate this fight, but she will let Joselyne Edwards hang around and make it close.   

Watching Joselyne Edwards’ fights is like the plot to the movie Memento. I have to take notes on my arms and body, and I have Sticky Notes covering every inch of my walls so I can remember her fights. I get amnesia immediately following her fights. Pfizer actively lobbies against Edwards fights because they eat into their Ambien and Lunesta profits. But I’ll say this about Edwards, she’s fookin’ strong, and she’s riding a four-fight finishing streak. Sure, all four opponents were Billy Blanks Tae Bo strikers, but I won’t dub shame today. This will be a massive leap in competition for Edwards. I’m talking Homer Simpson jumping the Springfield Gorge type of leap.  

Dumont will be the (-200) favorite, and Edwards is the (+170) live-ish dog. The fact that Dumont isn’t a (-500) favorite is the exact reason why Edwards has a chance to win. Dumont can’t be trusted like Tiger Woods driving Uber. The only play is a decision. And if you’re playing this one, you’re a sick individual. But you’re my type of individual. Norma Dumont via decision. On wax.  

Props

Dumont: TKO/KO (+1200) Sub (+900) Dec (-175) 

Edwards: TKO/KO (+1400) Sub (+1200) Dec (+330)

Winner: Norma Dumont | Method: Decision

Alexander Hernandez (-130) vs. Rafa Garcia (+110)

Hernandez: DK: $8.5k | Garcia: DK:$7.7k

After four straight dubs, I can’t call Alexander Hernandez “The Mediocre” anymore. Make Alexander Great Again. Alexander “The Great” Hernandez is back. Never forget the time Hernandez had gold rings flying out of Chase Hooper’s ass while dropping bombs on him like any country that doesn’t exploit its population through capitalism. Hernandez laid out Chase Hooper like a chaise lounge. He had Chase Hooper chasing Hoop Dreams on the canvas. Then, Alexander wasted no time turning Diego Ferreira into Syko Stu, while the ref turned into Drago, “If he dies, he dies.” Go back and watch the ending of that fight. The ref turned into the Ep$t3!n prison guards, falling asleep on duty. Kids in the crowd were yelling, “Stop! He’s already dead!” Can Alexander “The Great” keep the winning streak alive against the Little Vato That Could, Rafa Garcia? No matter the outcome, this one should be a crunchy little undercover banger.   

Historically, Alexander Hernandez’s toughest foe has been Alexander Hernandez. “The call is coming from inside the house!” The only thing Alexander has to fear is Alexander himself. Fear is the Alexander killer. In the past, Alexander has been one of those fighters you just can’t trust. When you expect the world from Hernandez, he hands you Blythe, CA. And when you expect Blythe, CA from him, he drops the world on your fookin’ head like Eminem and Lil Weezy. You can see when Hernandez starts to question himself like a witness on the stand. “Did you order the code red! I want the truth!” As soon as he runs into some adversity, Hernandez starts to fade.  

But when he’s on his game, Hernandez is an underrated striker. This guy debuted with a forty-second KO over Beneil Dariush. Before Dariush’s chin became an on/off switch. Hernandez combines solid defensive wrestling with intricate wrestler-striking. I say intricate because most wrestler-strikers don’t switch stances as Hernandez does. He can change his stance based on the opponent’s defensive openings. When he faces Rafa Garcia, it will be Hernandez’s fight to lose. He is the more well-rounded, powerful striker who has shared the cage with better competition. If he defends takedowns and stays aggressive, a third straight finish could be in order.    

Blood In, Blood Out: Rafa Garcia is bound by honor when he steps into the Octagon. He won’t just give you some Chon-Chon; you’re gonna have to take it. Yo, DJ! Hit that 2Pac “Little Homie!” Rafa is a little down-ass vato. The higher the socks, the downer the Rafa Garcia. R U Still Down? Rafa is always down to kick some ass. In the yard, in the street, or at his son's tee ball game; it doesn’t matter to Rafa Garcia. This guy is a blue-collar grinder, racking up unapproved OT in the pocket and from the top position. Rafa looks like he scraps on his state-mandated ten-minute breaks just to stay sharp. Fook money, this guy fights for commissary. Rafa is the dog that bit Craig’s Dad’s ass. You need some Milk Bones to get this MF off your ass. This guy goes to dog parks just to get into scraps, and I ain’t talking about with the owners. Poodle, St. Bernard, Doberman, it doesn’t matter; Rafa welcomes all challengers. 

On his feet, Rafa does his best work within close quarters, like while in line for the chow hall. All you hear when Rafa throws hands is “sst, sst, sst,” and suddenly you feel woozy, losing blood so fast it turns a Blood into a Crip. The key for Rafa against Hernandez will be committing to his wrestling even if it isn’t effective. He has to give Hernandez something to think about on his feet. It’s the only way Rafa will be able to close the distance consistently. 

Fantasy-wise, these guys average exactly 4.31 SLpM. Exactly. The difference is that Rafa averages three takedowns per fifteen minutes compared to Hernandez’s one. And both defend around 75%. On paper, this fight is almost dead even. Odds-wise, Hernandez is the (-165) favorite, and Rafa is the (+140) live-ish dog. Rafa is just a little undersized for Hernandez. Rafa can win this fight, but only if he can secure some minutes on the mat. A fifteen-minute kickboxing match heavily favors Hernandez. I like playing this one to go the distance. It’s been four years since Hernandez was finished, and Rafa has only been finished once in twenty-two career scraps. This might be the first time I’ve picked Hernandez in years. Alexander Hernandez via decision. Put it on wax.   

Props

Hernandez: TKO/KO (+320) Sub (+2800) Dec (+175)

Garcia: TKO/KO (+1100) Sub (+800) Dec (+180)

Winner: Alexander Hernandez | Method: Decision

Davey Grant (-135) vs. Juan Luna (+115)

Grant: DK: $8k | Luna: DK: $8.2k

Banger Alert! Last week, I told you about Mark Vologdin’s fight on the Contender Series and how it was the best fight in the show’s nearly ten-year history. Well, Juan Luna is the guy Vologdin fought that night. It shouldn’t be legal to kick as much ass as Luna kicked that night. There wasn’t a freckle on Vologdin’s ass that went unkicked. Vologdin’s ass level map was completely explored after that fight.  Luna’s hands went on strike in the middle of the fight for poor working conditions. His hands suffered heat exhaustion in the second round. Go watch that second round. I shit you not, at one point, Luna landed a fookin’ seventy-five-punch Killer Instinct combination. Merab cardio, this guy has it. After round two, I was lying on my living room floor looking like Mayee Barber after Alexa Grasso KO’d and submitted her at the same time. At the end of the fight, there was a hole in Vologdin’s forehead from eating Luna’s knees. They had to blur it out when the cutman put his finger inside it. It looked like an actual 30-.06 round wound.   

But can Juan Luna kick ass like that under the bright lights against a grimy, shifty, low-down, dirty-ass dog like “Wavey” Davey Grant? If he averages eleven SLpM against Davey Grant as he did on the Contender Series, he will. Homie landed 165 strikes that night. This guy spams everything: teeps, leg kicks, liver shots, knees, elbows, they all go directly to the spam folder. They have to clear Luna’s cache between rounds. This guy throws so many different strikes that it looks like he throws them all at the same time. This guy throws everything except the Ol’ D*ck Twist! And I wouldn’t be surprised if he had busted out the D*ck Twist in his UFC debut. Shit, he might start with the D*ck Twist and progress to the kitchen sink. The last place on earth you want to be is in Luna's clinch. He looks like Anderson Fookin’ Silva in the clinch. Nolan Ryan uppercuts, endless knees, and elbows are what you’re in store for.   

Pace will be the key for Luna. Luna is far from a defensive fighter, and Grant throws the most awkward punches outside of DDP in the UFC. He has to limit Grant’s aggression by keeping Grant moving backward. Also, Grant entered the UFC as a grappler. I wouldn’t be surprised if Grant goes back to his roots for this fight. Never forget the time Grant hit Rafael Assuncao with the de Ridder Diddy Choke. Wavey Davey hit Assuncao with that Will and Jada entanglement. Assuncao and Davey looked like Kanye and his cousin when Ye’s Mammy walked in on them. Davey has noine career submissions, but that was his only sub in the UFC. 

What makes Davey so underrated is his awkwardness. He’s awkward like asking a lady when she’s due and finding out she isn’t a lady and isn’t due. Davey is awkward like taking a shit in the handicap stall and suddenly hearing “squeak, squeak” like Deebo’s bike. And when you’re done blowing it up, Chris Reeves is sitting there mean-muggin' your non handicap ass. Davey’s fists are like heat-seeking missiles. No matter what, they find your face. You can shoot flares and execute all the evasivemaneuvers in the book, but you won’t shake them. Wavey loads up on each shot like he’s reaching into the backseat, fumbling around for the CD case. He has those magic bullet hands; they ricochet all over the Octagon. He might not hit his opponent,but something will get hit.  

Grant will be the (-130) favorite, and Luna will be the (+110) live-ass dog. Davey Grant isn’t Mark Vologdin. Davey Grant has fifteen UFC bouts under his belt. Luna has zero. Davey has dubs over some real killers, while Luna doesn’t have any. And Luna has never faced anyone with Davey's style. But Luna has the ultimate weapons in his arsenal: Pace and cardio. I think both fighters have outside chances of finishing the fight, but I like playing another decision. Davey has been finished five times, but all came by submission. Luna has six career subs, but I think he will stand and bang and put on a show. I’ve put my kids through community college by betting on Davey Grant. I’ve turned many Jacksons into Grants. Time for one last ride. “Wavey” Davey Grant via decision. On wax.   

Props

Grant: TKO/KO (+250) Sub (+1400) Dec (+215)  

Luna: TKO/KO (+1000) Sub (+500) Dec (+240)

Winner: Davey Grant | Method: Decision

Montel Jackson (-175) vs. Raoni Barcelos (+145)

Jackson: DK: $8.6k | Barcelos: DK: $7.6k

Quit playin’ and hit that Montel Jordan “This is How We Do It!” It’s impossible not to type “Jordan” after Montel. Williams is a close second. Fook it, if Jackson wins this one, go ahead and induct him in the Montel Hall of Fame. I started taking Montel Jor-ackson seriously when he slept Da’mon Blackshear in under a shot clock violation. I remember that fight vividly because my high ass thought I dropped a Hamilton on Jackson but realized I bet on Blackshear because I got them mixed up. Those guys' styles are identical. It looked like when you have to fight yourself in Mortal Kombat. Jackson knocked the apostrophe off Da’mon’s name that night. Jackson turned Blackshear into Damon, like Wyans or Matt. Now Montel is back. It’sSaturday night, and I feel alright. The party is here in the Octagon, so I reach for the J, and I turn it up.   

Is Montel Jackson a wrestler or a striker? I still don’t know. This guy averages three takedowns per fifteen minutes but only has one career submission. He should just develop a cheap, alternative energy source like manipulating electromagnetic fields, and the CIA will teach him a thing or two about chokes. All he has to do is throw on a Cowboys jersey, and he won’t stop choking for the next thirty years. But what he lacks in submissions, he makes up for with ground-and-pound. He beats you like an MPC drum machine. He drops elbows on you like the Macho Man Randy Savage.  

On his feet, Jackson lacks footwork, but he has 6G hand speed. His hands will leave you with radiation poisoning. You can download Montel’s hands instantly. Against Raoni Barcelos, Jackson will have to use his long reach to dictate the exchanges on his own terms. If he can keep Raoni at the end of his punches, it will open up opportunities to level change. But getting Barcelos to the mat won’t be easy. 

Not only does Barcelos look like a dehydrated Aldo, but he also has Aldo’s impenetrable takedown defense. Barcelos rocks an 87% takedown defense. His takedown defense is like trying to pin a cat down. Raoni always lands on his feet no matter where he falls from. Homie wouldn’t even stumble in a 10.0 earthquake. He’s a walking Life After People episode. He has the offensive grappling to match his defensive prowess. Montel’s takedown defense is 67%; it could be Montel who has to fight from his back.     

It’s easy to doubt Barcelos after losing four of five fights leading into 2024. Also, because he looks like an old catcher’s mitt. Homie is 38, going on Social Security. Barcelos doesn’t get carded at the local Bingo hall. My man looks like your fingers and toes when you’ve been in the pool too long. My man looks like an old-school California Raisin. Memory unlocked! Barcelos looks kind of like a hairless cat. But don’t get to thinking he’s some kind of p**sy. Raoni has completely turned his career around and is currently riding a four-fight win streak. Homie is streaking like my six-year-old's drawers since he started wiping his own ass. I think Raoni is the more well-rounded fighter in this matchup. The key for him will be dealing with Jackson’s speed on his feet. 

Jackson will be the (-170) favorite, and Barcelos will be the (+145) live-ass dog. Leg kicks will be the key for Barcelos. He can slow down Jackson with Aldo-like calf kicks. He also has to make this an MMA fight and threaten Jackson with level changes. Never forget when Barcelos son’d Payton Talbott. Barcelos now claims Talbott as a dependent on his taxes. He beat Talbott by putting him on his back for fifteen minutes. This looks like another decision to me. I’d give Jackson a better chance at a finish. His speed will cause Barcelos problems. But Barcelos has only been finished on his feet once. Fook it; give me the dog. Raoni Barcelos via decision. Wax on, wax off.    

Props

Jackson: TKO/KO (+225) Sub (+1100) Dec (+185)  

Barcelos: TKO/KO (+1600) Sub (+800) Dec (+240)

Winner: Raoni Barcelos | Method: Decision

Prelims

$7k Value Menu

Ryan Spann ($7.9k): Ryan Spann is the ultimate all-or-nothing pick. When he faces the Jiu-Jitsu world champion Marcus Almeida, he will either get submitted in the opening round or knock out Almeida in the opening round. Spann can hang with Almeida on the mat, but Almeida can’t hang with Spann on the feet. Spann has fourteen career submissions to six TKOs/KOs. Spann has been in more grappling firefights than he has stand-up firefights. If he can avoid the early submission, his upside is the moon. Hey, diddle, diddle, the Ryan Spann jumped over the moon. Spann’s red flag is that he is an accident waiting to happen. Nobody can steal defeat from the jaws of victory quicker than Ryan Spann. Homie is the definition of a gamble. You belong at a poker table with Chauncey Billups and Ohtani’s interpreter if you bet on Ryan Spann fights.   

Aljamain Sterling ($7.8k): It’s never pretty, an Aljo fight. But check it: Aljo has scored well over one hundred fantasy points in four of his last five bouts. Aljo can light up the Fantasy scoreboard with takedowns and control time. Against Calvin Kattar, Aljo only landed thirty-noine significant strikes but racked up 114 fantasy points in a three-round bout. Aljo will get Zalal to the mat. The question is whether he can hold him there and continue to land takedowns deep into the fight. Zalal will slow down in the championship rounds; Aljo won’t.  Zala will have to get an early lead and try to ride it to the finish line. I expect Aljo to make a late run. Plus, this fight is almost guaranteed to go the distance, which gives Aljo plenty of time to put points on the board.   

Raoni Barcelos ($7.6k): Barcelos won’t light up the scoreboard, but he is dependable and consistent. You can count on Raoni fighting for a full fifteen minutes. He has only been finished once in the UFC, and that came against Umar Nurmagomedov. Also, Raoni averages nearly five SLpM and two takedowns per fifteen minutes. He’s a two-pronged Fantasy scorer. With multiple all-or-nothing options on the Value Menu this week, Raoni represents a more conservative option, someone you can count on to put up at least moderate Fantasy points. And he might fook around and win this fight. Barcelos could be the one to control the top position. His takedown defense is better (87%) than Montel Jor-ackson's (67%). 

 $6k Clearance Rack  

Eric McConico ($7.1k): Let’s fookin’ gamble! This card is a true gambler’s card. McConico is another all-or-nothing pick. With only one Clearance Rack option available this week, McConico represents the second-lowest salary cap cost. But he has a real path to victory against the Jitz Gawd, Rodolfo Vieira. If Vieira doesn’t immediately get McConico to the mat and submit him, McConico will steal the fight on the feet. Vieira has notorious Mackenzie Dern takedowns. If McConico can defend one takedown (the first takedown) this fight will be over and McConico will get his hand raised. The only way he loses (and it’s a good chance) is if he gives up his back in the opening minutes. Other than that, McConico will out-point Vieira in the stand-up. 

Twenty-Twen-Twen Sleepers

Max Griffin (+125): Max is a wiley veteran facing a debutante, Victor Valenzuela. I’m not too impressed by Valenzuela. This is a guy who got annihilated on the Contender Series this past October. He is a lumbering power puncher and not much else. Griffin is a seasoned like country potatoes. He can use his range on the feet and he can turn this into a grinding, grimy affair in the clinch and against the cage. Griffin has multiple paths to victory while Valenzuela will have to rely on landing one big shot (Which isn’t out of the question). But I can see Griffin dragging Valenzuela to the mat and grinding him out over fifteen minutes. And if Griffin can’t get Valenzuela to the mat, Griff can strike with him from range. He just went three tough rounds and lost a split decisioin to Chris Curtis who is a better fighter than Victor Valenzuela.  

Ryan Spann (+125): Wait a minute. Didn’t you just say: “You belong at a poker table with Chauncey Billups and Ohtani’s interpreter if you bet on Ryan Spann fights.” And here we are, MF’ers! The good thing about betting on Ryan Spann is that he won’tdrag it out. He’ll put you out of your misery with the quickness if he loses. He won’t drag it out and give you false hope along the way. He’s either going to get got ASAP or KO Marcus Almeida ASAP. It’s a coin flip. And coin flips are good odds. If you’relooking for a little adrenaline rush on Saturday night, drop a Hamilton on a Spann finish.   

Aljamain Sterling (+130): I’ve gone back and forth all week on this fight. I can’t believe Aljo is the dog. Aljo at plus money for this matchup is a steal. Zalal has faced Ilia Topuria and some decent competition outside of Topuria, but Aljo has fought Hall of Famers and been in the cage with the elite of two weight divisions. Never forget that Topuria stepped in on short notice to make his debut against Zalal and out-grappled Zalal for fifteen minutes. Ilia scored five takedowns and eight minutes of control time that night. What worries me about Aljo is his striking. It’s clunky and awkward, but not awkward in a good way. But Zalal isn’t very dangerous on his feet. He is the more technical striker, but he has zero TKOs/KOs in twelve UFC bouts. All it takes is for Aljo to get Zalal’s back one, then it’s a wrap. Wrap it up, B. 

Pick ‘Em

Marcus Almeida (-145) vs. Ryan Spann (+125) 

Winner: Ryan Spann 

Method: TKO Rd.1 

Rodolfo Vieira (-260) vs. Eric McConico (+215)  

Winner: Rodolfo Vieira 

Method: Rear-Naked Choke Rd.1 

Sedriques Dumas (+170) vs. Jackson McVey (-200)  

Winner: Sedriques Dumas 

Method: Decision 

Mayra Bueno Silva (+305) vs. Michelle Montague (-410) 

Winner: Michelle Montague 

Method: Decision 

Cody Durden (+490) vs. Jafel Filho (-675)   

Winner: Jafel Filho 

Method: Rear-Naked Choke Rd.3 

Francis Marshall ( ) vs. Lucas Brennan ( )   

Winner: Francis Marshall 

Method: Decision 

Max Griffin (+125) vs. Victor Valenzuela (-145)  

Winner: Max Griffin 

Method: Decision 

Talita Alencar (+210) vs. Julia Polastri (-250)  

Winner: Julia Polastri 

Method: Decision 

Thanks for reading LineStar Weekly Knockout! We'll be back next Thursday with another one. Until then, good luck and support your local MMA Gym.

About Me

My name is Chris Guy, and I’m an avid combat sports enthusiast and practitioner. I’ve been a fan of MMA since the early 2000s when Limewire was still around, and I downloaded Bas Rutten’s Big Book of Combat. In 2004, I started training Muay Thai at City Boxing in San Diego, CA. I competed as an amateur for many years, and I've also dabbled in Jiu-Jitsu. I follow many different disciplines, such as Combat Ji-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Glory Kickboxing, Boxing, and MMA.

I’m equally as enthusiastic about the craft of writing, and in addition to writing about combat sports, I also write short fiction and music. I hope to bring unique prose to sports writing, and along the way, encourage people to not only become Martial Arts fans but to also become Martial Artists themselves.

In the future, you may see me refer to the Thunderdome; it's an ode to the old Mad Max movie and refers to the world-class training facility I built in my one-car garage. It's complete with throw dummies, wrestling mats, heavy bags, and six months' worth of Chef Boyardee cans from when I thought the world was going to end back in March.

I hope you enjoy my work, and if you don’t, the Thunderdome has an open door policy.