UFC on ESPN 56 takes place on Saturday night at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis Missouri, and this is a solid fighter card. Let’s take a look at a free play on each of the main card fights to make your Saturday a winning one.
Derrick Lewis vs Rodrigo Nascimento
Lewis -162 / Nascimento +136 // Total Rounds: 1.5
Derrick Lewis has made it clear he doesn’t want to be in five-round fights anymore, but that’s what could happen in this fight if it goes the distance. Lewis is 2-4 in his last six fights but you know it’s always going to be a show when he enters the octagon. Rodrigo Nascimento comes into this fight with an 11-1 record and he has won three fights in a row. Lewis doesn’t want this fight to go long, and I really don’t know if he will win or lose, but he’s going to get the knockout or get knocked out early. Lewis is going to put the pressure on early, and I don’t think this one is going to make it out of the first round. Back the under 1.5 rounds to cash here.
Joaquin Buckley vs Nursulton Ruziboev
Buckley -130 / Ruzieboev +110 // Total Rounds: 1.5
Joaquin Buckley and Nursulton Ruziboev face off in the co-main event and this should also be an exciting fight. Joaquin Buckley has made it clear that he wants a step up in competition, and that’s exactly what he’s getting in this fight against Ruziboev. Buckley has won each of his last three fights by knockout, and I expect he’s going to do much of the same here. Buckley is going to avoid the knockout in the first round, and once it gets into the second round, it’s going to be a big problem for Ruziboev. Buckley is going to quickly get it done in round two. Back Buckley to win this fight by knockout.
Alonzo Menifield vs Carlos Ulberg
Menifield+225 / Ulberg -275 // Total Rounds: 1.5
Carlos Ulberg lost his first fight in the UFC, but since that point he has won five fights in a row and each of the wins have been quite impressive. Alonzo Menifield can be explosive at times, but all around he isn’t as talented of a fighter. One thing to not overlook is Ulberg’s wrestling and how he can get this fight to the ground if he needs to. Ulberg is going to get out to a fast start here, and Menfield is going to have zero answer here. Back Ulberg to win this fight by knockout. This is the top play on the entire card.
Diego Ferreira vs Mateusz Rebecki
Ferreira +380 / Rebecki -500 // Total Rounds: 2.5
It really feels like the UFC is putting out Diego Ferreira in this fight for him to get knocked out by Mateusz Rebecki. Ferreira is 39 years old and at this point his job in the UFC is to fight up and comers, something that Rebecki really feels like he is. Rebecki has the knockout power and there is no reason he won’t finish this fight early. Ferreira just doesn’t have the chin at this point of his career. By Rebecki by finish to cash.
Alex Caceres vs Sean Woodson
Caceres +180 / Woodson -218 // Total Rounds: 2.5
Sean Woodson is the hometime fighter and he is going to have an entire crowd behind him in this fight. Alex Caceres at times can be an unknown fighter who will try to switch up his style to make life tough on his opponent, and I think that is going to be what really hurts Woodson. Woodson is going to want to put on a show at home, but he’s going to struggle with the style of Alex Caceres. Caceres might not get the finish, but he’s going to grind out a victory. Back Caceres to pull the upset.
Shane’s Pick Under 1.5 Rounds
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
