UFC on ABC 7 Picks & Odds Breakdown

UFC on ABC 7 takes place on Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and this should be an exciting card.  Let’s take a look at a free play on each of the main card fights to make your Saturday a winning one. This card kicks off earlier, and the main event starts at 3:00 PM ET. 

Cory Sandhagen vs Umar Nurmagomedov 

Sandhagen +270 / Nurmagomedov -340  // Total Rounds: 4.5

This fight is going to come down to if Cory Sandhagen has improved his wrestling enough. Umar Nurmagomedov is going to want to wrestle, and Sandhagen is going to need to try to find a way to deal with it. Sanhagen isn’t as bad as he once was with his wrestling, but I don’t think he’s improved enough to really put up much of a fight here against Nurmagomedov. Sandhagen is going to find a way to get this fight to the final bell, but he’s not going to win. Back Nurmagomedov by decision.

Sharaputdin Magomedov vs Michal Oleksiejczuk

Magomedov -258 / Oleksiejczyuk +210 // Total Rounds: 1.5

Sharaputdin Magomedov and Michal Oleksiejczuk face off in a middleweight battle for the co-main event, and this is a fight that many are excited about. Oleksiejczuk is making a quick turnaround, and he has lost two fights in a row. There are going to be some who are tempted to take the underdog, I just don’t see how he finds success. During his career, he has struggled with his kick defense, and that is one of Magomedov’s strengths. Magomedov is going to take advantage here, and Oleksiejczyuk is going to take a ton of damage. Back Magomedov by finish to win this fight by finish.

Marlon Vera vs Deiveson Figueiredo

Vera +120 / Figueiredo -142 // Total Rounds: 2.5

Marlon Vera is a very good fighter on the feet, but once the fight goes on the ground, he struggles, and that is going to be bad news for him in this fight. Deiveson Figueiredo is a well-rounded fighter and will take the fight to the ground to find success. Once this fight gets to the ground, Vera is going to have no real answer, and that is going to be the difference here. This is my favorite play on the entire card for UFC on ABC 7.  Back Figueiredo to get the job done on the money line. 

Tony Ferguson vs Michael Chiesa 

Ferguson +440 / Chiesa  -600 // Total Rounds: 2.5

Tony Ferguson and Michael Chiesa face off on Saturday in a fight that promises to have all kinds of fireworks. Both of the fighters head into this fight with a multi-fight losing streak, and I just don’t trust either of them here. Chiesa has fought the better competition heading into this fight, but Ferguson still has the magic could help him get the win. He’s going to need to get a little lucky, but there is just no way I am laying this number with Chiesa. Back Ferguson on the money line to pull off the shocker. 

Mackenzie Dern vs Loopy Godinez

Dern -120 / Godinez +100  // Total Rounds: 2.5

Mackenzie Dern and Loopy Godinez face off in a strawweight battle, and this is a crucial matchup in the division. Dern has struggled in her last couple of fights, but both have also been tough matchups against fighters with a ton of power. Godinez knows this is a big fight for her, and if she wants to make a run for the belt at some point, this is one that she really needs to win. In this fight for Godinez though, she needs her takedown defense to be strong, because there is no doubt that Dern is going to try to get the fight here. She has an 84 percent takedown defense and that is going to be enough here. Godinez will control the grapping, and use her power to her advantage. Back Godinez on the money line. 

Shane Mickle's Pick: Nurmagomedov by Decision