BY: SLICK L
Folkksssssss, we are BACK! Slick’s picks are coming right at you for the last UFC pay-per-view of the year! Wow, that sounds so weird to say, but it’s true. This night of fights will be headlined by “The God of War” Deiveson Figueiredo, making his second flyweight title defense in just a month! We have a loaded card ahead of us full of great fights and highlight-reel fighters. Get your liquor drinks ready, and let’s get right to the locks.
Kevin Holland vs. Jacare Souza
This one is going to be good, and these are two extremely exciting fighters to watch. There has been a lot of hype behind Kevin Holland lately, and understandably so. This guy has already won four fights in 2020. As we know, though, he was supposed to be in last week’s fight night main event against Jack Hermansson but contracted COVID. Hopefully, this fight stays ago because I like this matchup just as much. Last year, coming off back to back losses to Jan Blachowicz and Jack Hermansson, respectively, Souza is a force to be reckoned with on the mat with 14 wins by submission. However, Holland has quite a substantial reach advantage here and will make good use of that. I think this is the next step in Kevin Holland showing he’s a legitimate contender.
Money line odds:
Kevin Holland: -106
Jacare Souza: +450
PICK: Kevin Holland (-106) ML
Tony Ferguson vs. Charles Oliveira
This right here is premium matchmaking by Dana White! The Boogeyman’s return set to go up against the man with the most submission wins in the UFC, Charles Oliveira. This is definitely the biggest fight of Oliveira’s career, but believe it or not, there is more pressure on Ferguson in this fight. We already know he’s one of the best strikers in the UFC, but back in May, he got absolutely worked by Justin Gaethje. I think that’s a tough reason to count him completely out, but there are definitely some doubts. Charles Oliveira will benefit from the fact this is a three-round fight, although he tends to get gassed going into the later rounds. Tony Ferguson is the exact opposite. I think Ferguson proves the doubters wrong and takes this either by decision or a third-round knockout.
Money line odds:
Tony Ferguson: -175
Charles Oliveira: +140
PICK: Tony Ferguson (-175) ML
Deiveson Figueiredo (C) vs. Brandon Moreno:
The champ is back for more, ladies and gentlemen! This unfolded pretty well as both men won their fights on November 21 in the first round. Immediately after Moreno’s victory, he’s basically complaining to anyone that will listen that he needs a title shot ASAP, as he felt he should’ve been fighting for it that night. Well, Dana White was listening, and you got your wish! Although he fought well that night, it wasn’t the most impressive victory as Royval probably could’ve kept fighting had it not been stopped. Figgy, on the other hand, man, that guy is a beast. I don’t see this fight going as smoothly for him, but it will still end the same way as his last defense.
Money line odds:
Deiveson Figueiredo (C): -335
Brandon Moreno: +250
PICK: Deiveson Figueiredo (C) by stoppage
Dog Pick: Cub Swanson vs. Daniel Pineda
Folks, did you forget or something? It’s still Dog December!! And we are not slowing down. Cub Swanson is a UFC vet going up against a fighter kind of new on the scene, who spent some time in the PFL. Swanson mentioned this could be the last fight of his career, and I think he’s going out with a win.
Money line odds:
Cub Swanson: +127
Daniel Pineda: -159
PICK: Cub Swanson (+127) ML
Slick’s Parlay: (+156)
Billy Quarantillo (-167) ML
Ciryl Gane (-455) ML
Deiveson Figueiredo (-335) ML
**All money lines and odds courtesy of Seneca Creek Casino**
The Sports Desk can be reached at editorialtrainwrecksports@gmail.com
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