While March Madness dominates the sports betting attention on Saturday, the UFC is in London for a great afternoon of fights on the East Coast of the United States. While heavyweights Alexander Volkov and Tom Aspinall take the headlining spot, Englishman Paddy Pimblett will dominate the conversation, as many believe he is the future for the company.
Let’s take a closer look at a few fights I have my eyes on.
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Leg #1. Molly McCann (-140 at DK Sportsbook)
A pair of women flyweights will go at it in this one, as Molly McCann looks to start another win streak, this time against relative newcomer Luana Carolina. Since joining the UFC in 2019, Carolina has put together a record of 3-1, but her challenge gets much steeper Saturday in London. With wins over Diana Belbita and Ariane Lipski, McCann was en route to the rankings before dropping two straight in 2020 and 2021.
In this fight, McCann has edges in striking at 5.67 significant strikes landed per minute (vs. 4.49), but even more so on the ground with a takedown average of 1.70 and 32.35% accuracy vs. 0 from Carolina. I like for McCann to have enough to get this one done before the final bell.
Leg #2. Paddy Pimblett (-600 at DK Sportsbook)
Whether it be a lack of equal tenured opponents or the UFC propping him up to be the next superstar, Paddy Pimblett is being handed another layup here against Kazula Vargas. Having lost two of his first three in the UFC, Vargas draws a fighter in Pimblett who is as dangerous as he is eccentric.
All three of his past three fights have ended in the first round via TKO or Submission, and Pimblett holds the edge across the board in striking and grappling metrics. It’s no coincidence he’s on this card in his home country of England, and I like for another early finish as he puts the featherweight division on notice. The English are coming.
Leg #3. Tom Aspinall (-125 at DK Sportsbook)
Another up-and-comer will get his biggest shot to date on Saturday when Tom Aspinall (#11 heavyweight) takes on veteran Alexander Volkov (#6). 4-0 since joining the UFC, Aspinall has seven straight wins coming into this fight, with his last non-DQ loss coming in June of 2015. For Volkov, there’s no shame in his last loss coming to Ciryl Gane in June, since winning via decision in October vs. Marcin Tybura.
With nearly double the significant strikes landed per minute at 7.19 (vs. 4.86) and a takedown average (2.73) that is 5x that of Volkov’s, I like for Aspinall to end this fight inside the distance and continue his climb up the ranks
Total Odds: +260 at DraftKings Sportsbook
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