Whittaker vs De Ridder, Live Dogs, Strong Parlay and Value Pick | Quick Picks With The Geek

“First up, Martin Buday at plus 250. Now, I know Martin Buday's fights have the excitement level of a DMV line, but listen, he's got size, he's got experience, and most importantly, he's fighting a dude who treats head movement like it's a suggestion. Buday's striking isn't going to win awards, but it's meat and potatoes. reliable, filling, and enough to maybe smother Marcus McGhee into a decision loss. If he stuffs those takedowns, Marcus McGhee could be in big, sweaty heavyweight trouble.”

“Leg one, Da'Mon Blackshear, minus 295, improved striking, slick grappling, and he's facing Davey Grant's retirement tour version. De Man is younger, sharper, and not trying to get his hips replaced next week. If he doesn't do something profoundly dumb, this should be his fight.”

“Leg two, Carlos Leal Miranda 520. Yeah, the odds are brutal, but so is Carlos. Forward pressure, big power, good chin, and defensively sound. Unless his opponent finds a punch from Narnia, this is Carlos's fight to lose. and he doesn't strike me as the losing type.”

“Leg three, Sharabutdin Magomedov minus 670. Let's be honest, Shara is here to style. Flashy striking, great distance management, and enough knockout power to shut off your Wi-Fi. Marcus McGhee been getting chin check like TSA, and I think he gets caught again. Even if not, Shara's got that point fighting style that judges love, like a sniper with high kicks.”

“But I do have a value pick. Amanda Ribas at minus 188. Now listen, I get it. Women's MMA betting is like flipping a coin while blindfolded in a wind tunnel. But Reebus has great cardio, more volume, and better striking and grappling. She's like a Swiss Army knife. If the knife also dance samba and armbbard you, unless she has one of her get cracked and wobble around like Bambi on ice moments, I think she gets it done.”

“Next live dog, Reinier de Ridder at plus 124. Yes, Mr. Grapple You into the upside down himself. Reinier de Ridder's got more chokes than an overeager magician and a grappling style that turns elite strikers into anxious white belts. Sure, Robert Whittaker's the better striker, but Reinier de Ridder's not in there to trade jabs. He's in there to hug you like a needy X until you tap out or mentally check out. ... Leg four, Reineer Derritter plus 124. ... If Reinier de Ridder turns this into a grappling match, I think Robert Whittaker's in for a long night flat on his back listening to Bruce Buffer yell, "Arm triangle choke."”