UFC Fight Night 212: Alexa Grasso-Viviane Araujo, Cub Swanson-Jonathan Martinez Early Moneyline Bets – Oct. 15

UFC Fight Night 212 puts ladies first on the matchup marquee. Flyweights Alexa Grasso and Viviane Araujo joust for a chance to shine under the brightest lights as the next possible challenger to divisional queen Valentina Schevchenko. 

OddsJam takes less drastic, damaging measures to guide you to your own gold Saturday!

Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo  Pick: Grasso Moneyline | Shop for the Best Odds Below!

Women’s Flyweight | Main Event | 7 p.m. ET

I sway from history in this classic grappler vs. striker scenario. I’m less confident Brazillian jiu-jitsu specialist Viviane Araujo will be able to sway away from Grasso’s solid fundamental boxing fired off at a rapid pace for the division. Jessica Eye followed the same path to victory against the Brazillian that is highly visible without many roadblocks heading into this matchup.

Grappling prowess is the biggest differential Grasso has to overcome. She suffered multiple losses to fighters with superior ground games. The two most recent occurred at a larger weight class against current UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza and undefeated challenger Tatiana Suarez.

Stature and strength won’t present a sizeable mismatch here. Grasso is undefeated since moving down in weight, making the right moves on an even playing field. They are essentially even in reach and height, with Araujo’s frame holding slightly more muscle mass.

I like Grasso’s chances of getting to her feet should her longtime Brazillian jiu-jitsu practitioner score a takedown regardless and maintain control from the top positions she builds a tough reputation on. Araujo maintains more than advances. In fact, Grasso owns more UFC submission finishes in just two more organizational fights (1-0).

I locked this in for -205 at DraftKings, but be sure to shop for the best odds right here at OddsJam!

Cub Swanson vs. Jonathan Martinez Pick: Martinez Moneyline | Shop for the Best Odds Below!

Bantamweight | Co-Main | 7 p.m. ET

When life gives you better than -200 lines involving a spirited slugger relying on reflexes who is nearly 39 and cutting to a new weight class, make profit. I locked this in for -196 at FanDuel, but shop for the best odds using the table below before confirming your bet.

Cumulative damage from a style trademarked by blitzing brawls robbed a few steps from Cub Swanson. Kicks to the body and legs steal points from him too ala the Michael Pineda fight.

Martinez darts quick kicks to an array of targets as a focal point to his striking strategy. The game plan has gelled recently under heavier activity both in scheduling and action. This is simply the fresher, quicker, younger fighter with a taekwondo style conducive to being first in exchanges that he will take over as long as Swanson can’t connect with a first-round knockout blow.

Askar Askarov vs. Brandon Royval Pick: Askarov Moneyline | Shop for the Best Odds Below!

Flyweight | Main Card | 7 p.m. ET 

This fight’s events appear easy to envision — stop me or your parlay if you’ve heard that one before. Askarov takes Royval down with wrestling. Royval responds by creating wacky scrambles off of niche techniques like high butterfly guards. Askarov leans on his wrestling background to shut down explosions with a steady patience navigating fundamental positioning. The clock runs out and Askarov snags a decision.

Royval’s creativity levels match his torrid pace, which could throw a wrench in these plans. However, wackiness isn’t a safe bet in this sport, even though it makes for a spectacular highlight when it makes an appearance. 

Oddsmakers don’t predict that’ll be the case here. I agree.

I locked this in for -240 at DraftKings — use the table above to find the best lines before locking in your pick.