UFC on ESPN 11 Undercard Prediction, Preview and Odds Part One
The undercard of UFC on ESPN 11 features youngsters and memorable veterans seeking brighter lights among MMA’s pinnacle. Seven fights kickstart another Zuffa installment from Apex Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Career Octagon standouts headline an appetizing prelim lineup as lightweight mainstays Clay Guida and Bobby Green lock up for the first time. Each fighter has made rounds among the always deep 155 pound division where Guida found greater heights. Though Green (-235) enters Saturday moderately favored.
The consensus is “King Green” was robbed in his two recent losses to mitigate an unsightly 1-5-1 slump. Meanwhile, at 38 former contender Guida (+195) was recently handled by Jim Miller and Charles Oliveira -each submitted “The Carpenter” by guillotine. Look for the fresher Bobby Green (35-19) to outpoint Guida (24-10-1) standing while taking a unanimous decision nod. A decent prop bet from 5Dimes.com has Green at +170 inside the distance. Considering the 33-year-old’s nine paid submissions combined with Guida’s glass neck, there’s value in taking Green by stoppage.
Bobby Green wins by decision
Women's Strawweight action pits backsliding pernnnial contender Tecia Torres (+165) against riser Brianna Van Buren (-190).
After a 6-1 UFC start, Torres (10-5) built ranking collateral before drowning in a four-fight losing run vs. three current or ex champions and the division's hottest prospect. Clearly situated below 105 lb elite, the 30-year-old guns Saturday for her first Octagon win since 2017.
The younger "Bull" Van Buren punctuated her ongoing four fight unblemished mark last July vs. former Invicta champ Livia Renata Souza. Well built and athletic for the smallest MMA division, expect 26-year-old Van Buren (9-2) to use wrestling chops to outpoint her experienced opponent. This is an excellent gatekeeper matchup to determine exactly where Octagon novice Van Buren stands.
Brianna Van Buren wins by decision
Marc-Andre Barriault (+105) and Oskar Piechota (-125) meet in a crossroads affair to abolish matching three-fight losing streaks. This fight will likely result in its loser being fired. That stated, Piechota (11-3-1) began his Zuffa run hot before falling against harsher opposition.
Conversely, Barriault (11-4) hasn't tasted Octagon victory and was outwrestled in each of his prior setbacks.
Look for the more well-rounded Piechota to impose grappling to finish Barriault via submission: the 30-year-old Piechota owns five subs and is regarded on the mat. A decent prop has Piechota winning within distance at (+160). The Pole owns ten career finishes. Barriault has never been stopped, but he's well outmatched in the Jui Jitsu department this weekend.
Oskar Piechota by submission
These three matchups are followed by four additional UFC on ESPN 11 undercard bouts which offer a pair of men and women's battles.
As Octagon action resumes normalcy, many replacement fighters have been thrust under big stage lights with COVID testing and failed weight cuts now a greater reality. For that reason, this week's undercard preview, which features seven fights, will take a two-part approach. Check back tomorrow for the final round of UFC on ESPN 11 Undercard picks, plus any breaking news for this weekend's event.