Category: Mini-Editorials

Jets’ riskiest free agency decision in 2023 NFL offseason

June 2, 2023

Though their biggest offseason acquisition was trading for Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets also made several important moves in NFL free agency. The Jets filled holes at wide receiver and defensive tackle and bolstered their offensive line with several free agent signings.

Wide receivers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman were likely the two biggest names added from the free agent market. Signing receiver Randall Cobb, a favorite of Rodgers from their Green Bay Packers days, was a nice addition late in free agency.

Veterans Quinton Jefferson and Al Woods were brought in to replace Sheldon Rankins and Nathan Shephard on the interior of the defensive line. They should fit nicely in a rotation that will include All-Pro Quinnen Williams, Solomon Thomas (re-signed this offseason), John Franklin-Myers and Micheal Clemons (the latter two will play defensive end as well as tackle).

Billy Turner was the key signing on the offensive line. The veteran will compete with Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton for a starting spot and is a nice upgrade as a backup if he’s not a starter. Free agency also brought Wes Schweitzer, Trystan Colon and Yodny Cajuste to provide quality depth on the line.

New York did not overlook special teams, where they re-signed kicker Greg Zuerlein after a solid 2022 season and signed punter Thomas Morstead to replace the inconsistent Braden Mann.

The Jets re-signed center Connor McGovern, their starter the past three seasons, to compete with rookie Joe Tippmann. And they re-signed linebacker Quincy Williams, an important move to bring back the rising star on the defense.

That said, let’s focus on the riskiest free agency decision made by the Jets in the 2023 NFL offseason.

Jets did not replace Kwon Alexander at linebacker

Re-signing Williams to start alongside C.J. Mosley at linebacker was pretty much an absolute must for the Jets. Quinnen’s older brother is coming into his own at 26, starting 28 games the past two seasons and finishing second behind Mosley in tackles with 110 in 2021 and 106 last season.

But the Jets left a hole at their third linebacker position by not re-signing Kwon Alexander nor replacing him in free agency. Alexander played roughly 50 percent of the defensive snaps last season with the Jets often deploying a nickel package that featured an extra corner in Michael Carter II.

Still, Alexander was a valuable leader and solid contributor, especially against the run. Replacing the former Pro Bowl linebacker from within won’t be easy.

Right now, the Jets will trust either Jamien Sherwood or Hamsah Nasirildeen to fill Alexander’s role. Each is a third-year pro and converted safety with limited NFL experience. Sherwood is the better prospect of the two and capably stepped in last season when Williams missed two games.

There’s also rookie sixth-round pick Zaire Barnes, though he’s expected to be a special teams contributor and not in the mix to play a lot of snaps at linebacker.

Of course, even if Sherwood, let’s say, is up to handling the third linebacker role, what happens should Mosley or Williams get injured and miss time? The Jets’ depth chart at linebacker in painfully thin, so not addressing the situation could come back to haunt them.

However, there might be a solution out there that still makes sense. Re-sign Alexander. The 28-year-old is still available, wants to return and is a favorite of the coaching staff.

The Jets have a chance to right a wrong. Let’s see what they do before training camp begins next month.

The post Jets’ riskiest free agency decision in 2023 NFL offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

2 biggest adjustments Heat must make for NBA Finals Game 2 vs. Nuggets

June 2, 2023

Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets wasn’t as close of a game as the final score indicated. The Nuggets may have only won on Thursday night by 11 points, but they were in control the entire game and led by 24 points at one point.

Heat star wing Jimmy Butler was unable to match Nikola Jokic’s Game 1 performance. Jokic finished with a 27-point triple-double on just 12 shot attempts, while Butler finished the game with a mere 13 points, his lowest scoring output this postseason.

While not a lot went well for the Heat aside from big scoring nights from Gabe Vincent, Bam Adebayo, and Haywood Highsmith, Heat fans shouldn’t worry just yet. After all, all the Nuggets did was win a game at home. And if Erik Spoelstra and the Heat make just two adjustments, they will be in a prime position to steal Game 2 on the road on Sunday night. With this in mind, let’s look at the two biggest adjustments the Heat must make for Game 2 of the NBA Finals vs. the Nuggets:

2 biggest adjustments Heat must make for Game 2

1. Get Caleb Martin more touches

In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, Caleb Martin was arguably Miami’s best player. He averaged 19.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the series on shooting splits of 60.2%/48.9%/87.5%. Martin scored the ball incredibly efficiently from all areas of the floor against Boston, and the Heat probably wouldn’t be playing in the NBA Finals right now if it wasn’t for his contributions in the Conference Finals. But Martin flat-out laid an egg in Thursday night’s loss to the Nuggets.

Martin scored just three points on 1-for-7 shooting from the field in Game 1. For reference, Martin averaged 12.6 field-goal attempts in the Celtics series, nearly double the amount he took on Thursday. And if the Heat want to tie this series up at one game apiece on Sunday, they need Martin’s total shot attempts to be closer to that 12.6 number. He’s simply too talented of an offensive player and too invaluable to this Heat team to be taking just seven shots in an entire game.

2. Start Haywood Highsmith over Max Strus

Max Strus is one of the best pure shooters on the Miami Heat roster. And his ability to space the floor and open up driving lanes for the likes of Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin is very beneficial to the Heat’s offense.

But Strus stunk it up from behind the three-point arc on Thursday. He shot a shockingly poor 0-for-9 from three. It was Strus’ worst shooting performance of the entire postseason, which should be a sign to the Heat coaching staff that they should shake up their starting lineup and take out Strus for Haywood Highsmith.

Highsmith has received inconsistent playing time in these playoffs, but when called upon on Thursday, he made the most of his opportunity by impacting the game on both ends of the floor. In 23 minutes off the bench, he scored 18 points on 2-for-4 shooting from behind the arc and also chipped in two steals and a block. While Highsmith isn’t a better shooter than Strus, he shot the ball better than Strus in Game 1 while also being much more active on defense than him. Hence, Erik Spoelstra and the Heat would be wise to change their starting lineup for Sunday’s game.

The post 2 biggest adjustments Heat must make for NBA Finals Game 2 vs. Nuggets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Alex Caceres vs. Daniel Pineda prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023

June 2, 2023

The time has come for the UFC Fight Night Co-Main Event as we bring you a prediction and pick for this compelling matchup in the Featherweight (145 lb) Division. No. 15 ranked Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres will face off against Houston’s Daniel Pineda. This one is bound to be an electric display of striking! Check out our UFC odds series for our Caceres-Pineda prediction and pick.

Alex Caceres is 20-13 as a mixed martial artist and has gone 15-11-1 inside the UFC. He’s a former TUF winner and has provided some electric moments inside the octagon. Despite being looked over as a veteran, Caceres has impressively gone 6-1 in his last seven fights and is looking to make a serious jump in the rankings. An exciting finish over a hungry opponent like Pineda could put stock into Bruce Leeroy’s already impressive resume. Caceres stands 5’10” with a 73.5-inch reach.

Daniel Pineda is 28-14 as a professional fighter and is 5-5-1 in the UFC since 2012. During that time, Pineda has bounced around other organizations, amassing two ‘No Contest’ results in PFL and a 1-4 record in Bellator. Pineda is 2-1-1 in his last 5 UFC fights and has a history of penalties inside the octagon. He’ll look to pick up an impressive win over Alex Caceres fresh off signing a new contract. Pineda stands 5’7″ with a 70-inch reach.

Here are the UFC Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Alex Caceres-Daniel Pineda Odds

Alex Caceres: -192

Daniel Pineda: +148

Over (1.5) rounds: -180

Under (1.5) rounds: +140

How to Watch Alex Caceres vs. Daniel Pineda

TV: ESPN, ESPN+

Stream: ESPN App, UFC Fight Pass, fuboTV

Time: 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT (Main Card)

*Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why Alex Caceres Will Win

Alex Caceres has had a career resurgence in the last two years and it’s seen him go on a 6-1 run. Still, Caceres believes that people continue to overlook his skills and will be walking into this one with a constant chip on his shoulder. He’s shown a new level to his striking, offering a more crisp and precise technique than we’ve seen in the past. He continues to work on his defensive grappling and has become a dangerous submission artist from his back. He’s won two of his last five fight by submission and will look for another finish against Pineda.

Caceres will win this fight if he continues to strike with patience like he has in his recent bouts. He’s toned his wild striking back a notch and has seen his accuracy improve. His grappling has also been consistent as he defends takedowns at 70%. Caceres will also have an advantage in his striking defense, absorbing at a much lower rate than Pineda. He’ll have to avoid spending too much time on his back, but if Caceres can work his usual game plan, he should win this fight.

Why Daniel Pineda Will Win

Daniel Pineda comes in as a veteran of the sport, but would like to see some more consistency from his performances. He won his most recent fight against Tucker Lutz by guillotine choke. Pineda is a seasoned grappler and regularly competes in submission grappling tournaments. If this fight goes to the ground, he could pull off a sneaky submission and get the upset win. His chin has gotten tested in the past so he’ll have to improve on his three significant strike absorbed per minute.

Pineda can win this fight if he’s able to back Caceres into the cage and not let him open up his striking. Caceres works best in open space, so it’ll be vital for Pineda to crowd him and get him uncomfortable. If Pineda can lands shots up against the cage, he could shoot for a takedown or be aggressive in the clinch. He throws everything he has into his strikes, so there’s a good chance he could catch Caceres on the chin. His best chance to win will be early in the first round while Caceres throws the kitchen sink at him, so look for Pineda to be a KO threat through the first five minutes.

Final Alex Caceres-Daniel Pineda Prediction & Pick

Daniel Pineda will be dangerous throughout this fight with his power and tendency to commit to everything 100%. He throws a ton into his shots and shoots aggressively for takedowns – there’s a solid chance he could catch Caceres and compromise him. However, Caceres has very good takedown defense and will be weary to Pineda’s shots. In the striking, Caceres should have a noticeable advantage with his reach. Look for Caceres to do enough with his hands to get this victory over Pineda.

Final Alex Caceres-Daniel Pineda Prediction & Pick: Alex Caceres (-192)

The post UFC Las Vegas Odds: Alex Caceres vs. Daniel Pineda prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023

June 2, 2023

The UFC Fight Night Main Card is finally here as we bring you a prediction and pick for the opening fight of Saturday’s action from The Apex. Welterweight contenders Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos will square off for a possible spot in the rankings. Check out our UFC odds series for our Nurmagomedov-dos Santos prediction and pick.

Abubakar Nurmagomedov is 17-3-1 as a professional fighter and has gone 2-1 since joining the UFC in 2021. While he was stunned in his debut and lost by decision, Nurmagomedov bounced back and won his last two fights by unanimous decision. He’ll look for a similar result as he takes on an equally dangerous prospect in dos Santos. Nurmagomedov stands 5’11” with a 73-inch reach.

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is 23-7 inside of the octagon and has gone 9-3 during his UFC career. Following a loss in his debut, dos Santos won seven fights in a row, including a win over Sean Strickland. He dropped two fights intermittently, but will be coming into this one fresh off a win over Benoit Saint-Denis. Dos Santos stands 5’11” and has a 73-inch reach.

Here are the UFC Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Abubakar Nurmagomedov-Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Odds

Abubakar Nurmagomedov: -113

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos: -113

Over (2.5) rounds: -215

Under (2.5) rounds: +164

How to Watch Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

TV: ESPN, ESPN+

Stream: ESPN App, UFC Fight Pass, fuboTV

Time: 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT (Main Card)

*Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why Abubakar Nurmagomedov Will Win

Abubakar Nurmagomedov is the first cousin to UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. He’s been a part of Khabib’s fight camp for his entire career and is seen as one of the tougher members of the Dagestani fight team. While he was stunned in his debut, Nurmagomedov came back with dominant wins behind his suffocating wrestling and notched typical unanimous-decision victories. He doesn’t have the same level of wrestling as his cousins, but he’s shaping up to a be a future problem in this division. If Nurmagomedov can control dos Santos on the ground, he’ll cruise to a win.

To win this fight, Nurmagomedov will have to secure the first takedown and steal a round of control. Dos Santos will be the more dangerous striker, so it’s be crucial for Nurmagomedov to be patient and defensive on the feet. He’ll have to be careful of knees up the middle when shooting, so look for Nurmagomedov to pick his shot carefully. The clearest path for him will be to control the wrestling exchanges en route to a win.

Why Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Will Win

Elizeu Dos Santos has been known for his all-out wars and warrior spirit inside of the octagon. He fights with a capoeira background and has a number of flashy strikes he can throw. His last fight against Benoit Saint-Denis was a battle for three rounds, seeing dos Santos come out on top. At 36 years old, there’s got to be a question of how much he has left in the tank in terms of his chin. Against Nurmagomedov, having a good gas tank could pay dividends as the fight goes into the later rounds.

Dos Santos will have the significant striking advantage in this one. His best bet would be to stay defensive through the takedowns and wait for openings on the feet. In the clinch, dos Santos should look to land shots as Nurmagomedov tries to finish the takedown. Getting up from his back will be a huge focus for dos Santos as he avoids the wrestling. If dos Santos can keep this one standing, he should be able to get the win on the near-even betting line.

Final Abubakar Nurmagomedov-Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Prediction & Pick

Nurmagomedov will likely be the fighter controlling the wrestling exchanges in this one. The problem, however, is that he fails to land significant ground-and-pound when he’s down there. With the new rules taking affect, referees could begin to stand fights up off the ground if they don’t see any significant work being done. This could harm Nurmagomedov’s game plan as he focuses on controlling the fight. This one may be too close to call – let’s instead go with the fight to go the distance with our prediction. Conventional wisdom would be to take the Dagestani for the solid price.

Final Abubakar Nurmagomedov-Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Prediction & Pick: Abubakar Nurmagomedov (-113); Fight Will Go The Distance (-185)

The post UFC Las Vegas Odds: Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Nets 2022-23 player grades: Dorian Finney-Smith

June 2, 2023

The Brooklyn Nets were not known for their wing depth throughout the Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving era. However, following the trades of both stars at this year’s deadline, the team was suddenly left with a logjam at the position.

Dorian Finney-Smith was among the wings to join the Nets in the blockbuster deals. The 29-year-old’s stock had steadily risen within league circles in recent seasons due to his hard-nosed defense, three-point shooting and high-level playoff performances. While Finney-Smith appeared to be the 3-and-D wing Brooklyn had been missing in recent years, the team did not see immediate returns.

Dorian Finney-Smith’s 2022-23 season with Nets

In 26 games with the Nets, the Florida product averaged 7.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists. After shooting 35.5 percent from three with Dallas before the trade, Finney-Smith struggled to find his rhythm with the Nets, converting at a 30.6 percent clip. Some of those struggles may be attributed to a nagging injury to the pinky finger of his shooting hand.

Days after their first-round sweep against Philadelphia, the Nets announced Finney-Smith underwent successful surgery to correct a contracture on the finger and is expected to resume workouts in mid-June. A contracture is defined as a “tightening of the muscles, tendons, skin, and nearby tissues that cause joints to shorten and become very stiff.”

While his shooting struggles were glaring, Finney-Smith did flash his 3-and-D capabilities in spurts following the trade. He drained five threes to go with nine rebounds and two blocks during a 28-point comeback in Boston, tied for the largest in Nets franchise history.

Despite his slow start with the injured finger, Finney-Smith improved in the playoffs, shooting 7-of-17 (41.2 percent) from beyond the arc.

Regardless of his offensive deficiencies amid the change in scenery, the veteran’s defense was as advertised. At 6-f00t-7 with a seven-foot wing span, Finney-Smith effectively guards across positions in Brooklyn’s switch-heavy scheme. The Virginia native uses his length and quick feet to defend on the perimeter while utilizing his 220-pound frame to bang in the post.

With a 41.5-inch max vertical, he also turned in some highlight blocks off weakside rotations:

What does the future hold for Finney-Smith?

Finney-Smith is under contract for $28 million over the next two seasons before a $15 million player option in 2025-26. With a wing rotation that already includes Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Royce O’Neale and Joe Harris, league executives believe the Nets could look to cash in on some of their depth this summer. Finney-Smith or Royce O’Neale are the logical candidates to be moved in that scenario.

Brooklyn turned down two first-round picks for Finney-Smith at the trade deadline and could’ve landed one for O’Neale, according to HoopsHype. During his exit interview, the newly-acquired Net seemed to indicate Brooklyn could be in store for another roster shakeup in the coming months:

“Well, we got to see what’s going to happen this offseason, if we’re being honest,” Finney-Smith replied when asked how the team can gel this summer. “We know the pieces we have and you just never know in this league. So I guess we’re going to see after the draft. See what’s going on and go from there.”

Finney-Smith’s 2022-23 player grade

Overall, Finney-Smith’s shooting struggles were a problematic development for a Nets offense struggling to produce following Durant and Irving’s departures. However, his high-level defense remains a resounding positive. As long as his shooting can return to his career average, Finney-Smith should be a valuable role player to Brooklyn or whatever team decides to enter bidding for his services.

Dorian Finney-Smith’s 2022-23 grade with Nets: C

The post Nets 2022-23 player grades: Dorian Finney-Smith appeared first on ClutchPoints.

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Andrei Arlovski vs. Don’Tale Mayes prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023

June 2, 2023

UFC Vegas 74: Kai Kara-France vs. Amir Albazi keeps it moving on the prelims with a fight in the heavyweight division between Andrei Arolvski and Don’Tale Mayes. Both fighters are coming off lopsided losses in their last fight and are desperately in need of a win to keep their UFC careers alive. With that said, check out our UFC odds series for our Arlovski-Mayes prediction and pick.

Andrei Arlovski (34-21) is now 44 years old and really showed his age in his last fight against Marcos Rogerio de Lima. Even with that loss, he is still 4-1 in his last 5 fights and still has the ability to compete at the highest level. He will need to do so against Don’Tale Mayes come Saturday night.

Don’Tale Mayes (9-5) has had a rough go in the UFC thus far with a record of 2-3 and 1 NC. In his two wins, he showed that he has some skills to where he belongs in the UFC. That is the Mayes that needs to show up if he wants to get back on track against his most experienced opponent in his career Andre Arolvski.

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Andrei Arlovski-Don’Tale Mayes Odds

Andrei Arolvski: +110

Don’Tale Mayes: -134

Over 2.5 Rounds: -192

Under 2.5 Round: +150

UFC Las Vegas: How to Watch Andrei Arlovski vs. Don’Tale Mayes

TV: ESPN

Stream: ESPN+

Time: 6:00 p.m. ET/ 3:00 p.m. PT (Prelims)

Why Andrei Arlovski Will Win

Andrei Arlovski has been a pro-MMA fighter since 1999 and he is still at it 24 years later. The even crazier part he is still winning fights at age 44. He has switched his style from a vicious striker with deadly knockout power to a point-style fighter that is very hard to gameplan against.

Being as this fight should take place primarily on the feet, this is a good chance for Arlovski to turn back time yet again and get another win on his resume. He does a great job utilizing his speed and range with his kicks to keep himself out of harm’s way of his opponent’s power. If he is able to keep this fight at his preferred distance he will certainly give Mayes a ton of trouble

Why Don’Tale Mayes Will Win

Don’Tale Mayes has all the intangibles to be a good MA fighter, standing at 6’6″ with an 81″ reach and is 13 years younger than his counterpart. He does very well utilizing his range with his jab and front kicks but he certainly will need to close the distance to have some success against Arlovski.

Arlovski will utilize his movement to keep on the outside of the strikes of Mayes while Mayes will need to hunt him down and cut off the angle of the octagon to land his shots in hopes of getting back into the win column this weekend.

Final Andrei Arlovski-Don’Tale Mayes Prediction & Pick

I am very reluctant to lay any type of money on a 44-year-old fighter but this is Andrei Arlovski and he is fighting Don’Tale Mayes. Mayes is a freak of nature in terms of his size but has never been able to utilize it when it really matters and I expect more of the same here. Ultimately this is a good fade spot on Don’Tale Mayes with plus money on the veteran that has been there, done that, and beat the who’s who of the heavyweight division.

Final Andrei Arlovski-Don’Tale Mayes Prediction & Pick: Andrei Arlovski (+110) / Over 2.5 Rounds (-192)

The post UFC Las Vegas Odds: Andrei Arlovski vs. Don’Tale Mayes prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

UFC Las Vegas Odds: John Castaneda vs. Muin Gafurov prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023

June 2, 2023

UFC Vegas 74: Kai Kara-France vs. Amir Albazi keeps it moving on the prelims with a fight in the bantamweight division between John Castaneda and Muin Gafurov. Casteneda was getting ready to fight Mateus Mendonca until he had to withdraw from the fight and then Gafurov stepped on two weeks’ notice to take this opportunity. With that said, check out our UFC odds series for our Castaneda-Gafurov prediction and pick.

John Castaneda (19-6) is coming off a brutal knockout loss at the hands of Daniel Santos (who’s also on this card). He is now 2-2 in the biggest promotion and is looking to right the ship and get back on track against promotional newcomer Muin Gafurov on Saturday night.

Muin Gafurov (18-4) would just be the 4th fighter in UFC history from Tajikistan as he makes his debut this Saturday. He tried his luck on Dana White’s Contender Series but lost a close split decision as a sizable favorite. He has since gone two and captured the LFA’s bantamweight championship with a knockout win over Diego Silva. He will be looking to keep that momentum going this weekend against John Castaneda.

Here are the UFC Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

UFC Las Vegas Odds: John Castaneda-Muin Gafurov Odds

John Castaneda: -144

Muin Gafurov: +118

Over 2.5 Rounds: -140

Under 2.5 Round: +110

UFC Las Vegas: How to Watch John Castaneda vs. Muin Gafurov

TV: ESPN

Stream: ESPN+

Time: 6:00 p.m. ET/ 3:00 p.m. PT (Prelims)

Why John Castaneda Will Win

John Castaneda has shown some glimpses of being a great fighter during his time in the UFC. He has some great output on the feet, has dynamite in his hands, and underrated grappling to go along with it. He also mixes things up quite well and he gets stronger the deeper the fight goes.

Knowing how he has great cardio and how it is hard for Gafurov to cut to 135 lbs, it could be to his advantage to drag Gafurov into deep waters and drown in the later rounds. As long as Castaneda makes Gafurov work early and not get clipped or finished in the process he can certainly get back on track here this weekend.

Why Muin Gafurov Will Win

Muin Gafurov was once a bantamweight contender for ONE Championship before taking his talents to the Contender Series where he fell short. He has since rattled off two vicious knockout victories to claim the LFA bantamweight title and get his short-notice shot in the UFC. This debut is a long time coming as he has shown he has been UFC caliber even in the loss to Chad Anheliger.

He has shown the ability to finish his opponents anywhere the fight takes place. Of his 18 wins 17 have come inside the distance with 10 by knockout and 7 by submission. Also, Gafurov is quite durable never being finished in his professional career even going the distance with “Hands of Stone” John Lineker.

Final John Castaneda-Muin Gafurov Prediction & Pick

This is going to be a great fight between two high-octane bantamweight fighters. This has a legitimate chance to be over quite early if both fighters come out guns blazing like I expect them to do. Both should have their moments early but I don’t think Castaneda will be able to take the power of Gafurov and he puts him out early in the first or second round and really put his name on the map for those that don’t know him.

Final John Castaneda-Muin Gafurov Prediction & Pick: Muin Gafurov (+118) / Under 2.5 Rounds (+110)

The post UFC Las Vegas Odds: John Castaneda vs. Muin Gafurov prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Jaime Mullarkey vs. Muhammadjon Naimov prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023

June 2, 2023

UFC Vegas 74: Kai Kara-France vs. Amir Albazi kicks off the main card with a fight in the lightweight division between Jamie Mullarkey and promotional newcomer Muhammadjon Naimov. Mullarkey is riding a two-fight winning streak and is looking to pick up his longest win streak in the UFC while Naimov is taking this fight on very short notice while on a three-fight win streak. With that said, check out our UFC odds series for our Mullarkey-Naimov prediction and pick.

Jamie Mullarkey (16-5) came into his UFC career dropping his first two fights with his back against the wall and has since gone 4-1 with his lone loss against a top-ranked competitor in Jalin Turner. He is now looking to make it three straight when he takes on promotional newcomer Muhammad Naimov.

Muhammadjon Naimov (8-2) is a featherweight fighter that is moving up in weight to get his chance at the big show when he takes on Jamie Mullarkey on days’ notice after Guram Kutateladze had to withdraw from the fight. Naimov is another Contender Series product that came up short on the show but now is he here to put on a show Saturday night.

Here are the UFC Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Jamie Mullarkey-Muhammadjon Naimov Odds

Jamie Mullarkey: -480

Muhammad Naimov: +350

Over 2.5 Rounds: N/A

Under 2.5 Round: N/A

UFC Las Vegas: How to Watch Jamie Mullarkey vs. Muhammadjon Naimov

TV: ESPN

Stream: ESPN+

Time: 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT (Main Card)

Why Jamie Mullarkey Will Win

Jamie Mullarkey has shown some extreme toughness during his run in the UFC so the likelihood of someone like Naimov coming into knocking him out seems highly unlikely. Also, Mullarkey has been fighting a lot smarter lately and not getting into stand-up wars when it isn’t necessary. He has been mixing things well with his striking and wrestling which is something that can suit him well in this matchup against Naimov.

Knowing that Naimov isn’t going to be in well enough conditioned shape to go hard for a full 15 minutes, it would be best for him to make this a tough grueling fight for him. Mullarkey has to chance to call a top-15 opponent next if he is able to get the job done here this weekend.

Why Muhammadjon Naimov Will Win

Muhammadjon Naimov is another Tajikistan fighter taking the most of his opportunity but taking this fight on short notice as he takes on Jamie Mullarkey. Naimov is a hard-nosed grinder that is well-rounded in all facets of MMA with a will to win whether he is the more skilled fighter in there or not.

There is no backing down for Naimov in any of his fights as he is always pushing the pace, coming forward, and being the aggressor. That is what makes Naimov an exciting prospect that most fight fans do not know about. After this weekend win or lose Naimov will be someone that you will not forget and he will be giving Mullarkey one hard fight on just a couple of day’s notice.

Final Jamie Mullarkey-Muhammadjon Naimov Prediction & Pick

While I do think Muhammadjon Naimov is a fine signing for the featherweight division I think this is just a bit too much on short notice and up a weight class for him. Mullarkey has a very well-rounded skillset that he can beat Naimov anywhere he wants to take this fight. Also, the durability and firepower should be too much for Naimov to overcome in this matchup.

Final Jamie Mullarkey-Muhammadjon Naimov Prediction & Pick: Jamie Mullarkey (-480)

The post UFC Las Vegas Odds: Jaime Mullarkey vs. Muhammadjon Naimov prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Elise Reed vs. Jinh Yu Frey prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023

June 2, 2023

UFC Vegas 74: Kai Kara-France vs. Amir Albazi continues on the prelims in the strawweight division with a fight between Elise Reed and Jinh Yu Frey. The longtime veteran Frey is looking to right the ship after losing two in a row meanwhile Reed is coming off a submission loss in her last time out. With that said, check out our UFC odds series for our Reed-Frey prediction and pick.

Elise Reed (6-3) hasn’t had a productive run on the biggest stage with just a 2-3 record and most recently getting submitted by a Muay Thai specialist in Loma Lookboonmee. She is desperately in need of a win on Saturday when she takes on Jinh Yu Frey.

Jinh Yu Frey (11-8) also has had a rough guy in the UFC with just a 2-4 record and most recently getting knocked out Polyana Viana in just 47 seconds into round one. Much like Reed this is a desperate win for Frey come Saturday night.

Here are the UFC Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Elise Reed-Jinh Yu Frey Odds

Elise Reed: -136

Jinh Yu Frey: +106

Over 2.5 Rounds:

Under 2.5 Round:

UFC Las Vegas: How to Watch Elise Reed vs. Jinh Yu Frey

TV: ESPN

Stream: ESPN+

Time: 6:00 p.m. ET/ 3:00 p.m. PT (Prelims)

Why Elise Reed Will Win

Elise Reed showed her abilities in her wins against Melissa Martinez and Cory McKenna. She has good movement on the feet and she is able to mix it in with takedowns, showing her all-around skillset. When she is on she is a tough out for anyone in the strawweight division even someone as experienced as Jinh Yu Frey.

Frey has shown good striking over her time in the UFC but also has shown she’s susceptible to be taken which is where Reed can take advantage of. If Reed can just be the busier fighter and mix it up on the feet and on the mat, she’s got the chance to get the job done.

Why Jinh Yu Frey Will Win

Jing Yu Frey had a ton of praise coming into her debut as the former Invicta FC atomweight champion. She showed a ton of promise when she rattled off two wins back to back when her back was against the wall but here she is again with her back against the wall.

Her striking has been her bread and butter throughout her time in the octagon and she will need to stick and move to keep away from grappling with Elise Reed. If she can utilize her movement to keep out of the range of Reed she has a chance to get back on track.

Final Elise Reed-Jinh Yu Frey Prediction & Pick

If in the losses, Elise Reed I believe has shown more promise than Jinh Yu Frey. Also being less shopworn, and not coming off a brutal knockout at age 38, Reed has a real chance to showcase her abilities in this matchup. Frey will need to keep on her bike and stay away from the cage if she wants to get back on track here against Reed. In short, Frey mixes it up a bit on the feet until Reed gets inside the clinch takes her down and just beats her up with control time to take the unanimous decision victory.

Final Elise Reed-Jinh Yu Frey Prediction & Pick: Elise Reed (-136) / Over 2.5 Rounds

The post UFC Las Vegas Odds: Elise Reed vs. Jinh Yu Frey prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Luan Lacerda prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023

June 2, 2023

UFC Vegas 74: Kai Kara-France vs. Amir Albazi keeps it moving on the prelims with a fight in the bantamweight division between Da’Mon Blackshear and Luan Lacerda. Both Blackshear and Lacerda are looking for their first win inside the octagon as they go to battle this Saturday night. With that said, check out our UFC odds series for our Blackshear-Lacerda prediction and pick.

Da’Mon Blackshear (12-5-1) cut his cloth fighting on all of the top regional promotions from CES, Titan FC, CFFC, and even Bellator MMA. He’s fought the who’s who on the regional scene but has failed to get that big win which will be looking to get this weekend as he takes on the dangerous Luan Lacerda.

Luan Lacerda (12-2) came into his UFC debut against one the hardest debut fights you can have in the bantamweight division as he lost a unanimous decision against Cody Stamann. In that fight, he was able to take one round off the former top-ranked bantamweight and he hopes that momentum will continue into this fight to get his first win inside the octagon.

Here are the UFC Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

UFC Las Vegas Odds: Da’Mon Blackshear-Luan Lacerda Odds

Da’Mon Blackshear: +122

Luan Lacerda: -156

Over 2.5 Rounds:

Under 2.5 Round:

UFC Las Vegas: How to Watch Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Luan Lacerda

TV: ESPN

Stream: ESPN+

Time: 6:00 p.m. ET/ 3:00 p.m. PT (Prelims)

Why Da’Mon Blackshear Will Win

Da’Mon Blackshear has a ton of experience against high-level competition inside and outside of the UFC. This experience has taken him far and he will need to utilize that to get past Luan Lacerda. Blackshear has shown that he has been progressing in his striking over the years but it’s his wrestling and grappling that has been his money maker throughout his career.

He is taking on a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt in Lacerda so playing the grappling game may be a bit dicey his long-range attacks on the feet will need to play a major factor in this fight. He is tall and long for the division so his long snapping jab and kicks will be his key to victory on the feet along with mixing in takedowns to secure minutes, rounds, and the decision victory.

Why Luan Lacerda Will Win

Luan Lacerda looked quite good in his UFC debut even in a loss against someone as good as Cody Stamann. In that fight, he was competing on the feet with Stamann who’s a golden gloves boxer and was able to defend takedowns against the collegiate wrestler and even took him down with nicely timed double legs. That bodes well for him in this matchup against Blackshear.

On the feet, Lacerda has a Muay Thai striking background and it shows with punishing body and leg kicks and that high guard to deflect heavy power coming his way. He was able to defend most of the heavy strikes that Stamann was throwing at him and seeing as Blackshear is nowhere near the striker that Stamann is, Lacerda has a sizable advantage at distance in this matchup.

Final Da’Mon Blackshear-Luan Lacerda Prediction & Pick

I really like what Lacerda brings to the table as he is a very well-rounded mixed martial artist. Blackshear is a great athlete as well with some really good wrestling, but his control on the mat isn’t great, and his striking leaves a lot to be desired. Mix that with some bad cardio I just see Lacerda being too much for Blackshear everywhere and he either gets the late finish or a unanimous decision victory.

Final Da’Mon Blackshear-Luan Lacerda Prediction & Pick: Luan Lacerda (-156) / Over 2.5 Rounds

The post UFC Las Vegas Odds: Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Luan Lacerda prediction, pick, how to watch – 6/3/2023 appeared first on ClutchPoints.