UFC Shanghai: MMA Betting Picks and Odds Insight
The UFC is in Shanghai, China, on Saturday, August 23, for a solid UFC Shanghai fight card. The main event sees light heavyweight contenders throw down, as No. 13-ranked Johnny Walker takes on No. 14-ranked Zhang Mingyang.
Below, I'll share my UFC Shanghai predictions, including my favorite pick, an underdog, a prop, and a two-fighter parlay. All UFC odds are via the DraftKings Sportsbook and are accurate as of the post date of this article.
Weight Class: Flyweight
Lone'er Kavanagh (9-0) vs Charles Johnson (17-7)
UFC Shanghai appears to be a very chalk-heavy card, but a short favorite I do like is Lone'er Kavanagh to defeat Charles Johnson.
Kavanagh looks like the real deal at flyweight, as he's 2-0 in the UFC and had a great Contender Series fight. He's a great striker and has good wrestling, which has been a weakness of Johnson.
Kavanagh averages 1.85 takedowns per 15 minutes, while Johnson has a mediocre takedown defense of 67 percent. On the feet, Johnson is more active, but he is there to be hit, and I like Kavanagh to mix in the wrestling and striking to get a decision win.
UFC Shanghai Bet: Lone'er Kavanagh (-205)
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Weight Class: Lightweight
Hayisaer Maheshate (10-4) vs Gauge Young (9-3)
For my underdog pick, I'm taking Hayisaer Maheshate to defeat Gauge Young at lightweight on the prelims.
Maheshate is 2-3 in the UFC and is coming off a decision loss to Nikolas Motta, while Young is 0-1 in the UFC. Both fighters have a negative striking differential, but the UFC experience of Maheshate and fighting close to home will pay dividends here.
Maheshate has power and should be able to land the more damaging shots to edge out a competitive decision win, which could very well be a split. In a fight this close, I'll take the fighter who has the more powerful shots.
UFC Shanghai Bet: Hayisaer Maheshate (+102)
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Weight Class: Welterweight
Taiyilake Nueraji (11-1) vs Kiefer Crosbie (10-5)
For my prop, I'm taking Taiyilake Nueraji to beat Kiefer Crosbie by KO/TKO/DQ in his UFC debut at UFC Shanghai.
Nueraji is a good prospect who has a ton of power, as he has won four of his last five fights by knockout. Overall, he has 10 of 11 wins by knockout, with the other by submission.
Crosbie, meanwhile, is 0-2 in the UFC and was submitted in both losses. However, Nueraji should be able to piece up Crosbie on the feet and likely get a standing TKO to impress in his debut, as Crosbie's striking defense is a concern.
UFC Shanghai Bet: Taiyilake Nueraji by KO/TKO/DQ (-185)
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Weight Class: Featherweight & Light heavyweight
Aljamain Sterling (24-5) vs Brian Ortega (16-4)
Zhang Mingyang (19-6) vs Johnny Walker (21-9)
For my parlay at UFC Shanghai, I'm taking the main and co-main events, as I'm backing Aljamain Sterling in the co-main and Zhang Mingyang in the main event.
Sterling is fighting Ortega in a five-round, co-main event, and this is a good spot for him to get the win. Sterling should be able to out-wrestle Ortega and stay smart on the ground to control the fight en route to a decision. The former bantamweight champ fights with high IQ, which will help stave off the patented Ortega hail-mary sub.
To close out the parlay, I like Zhang to beat Johnny Walker in the main event. Zhang is a powerful contender and is 3-0 with three knockout wins. Walker's chinny, as his striking defense is a concern of late. Zhang should start strong and KO Walker early -- as he has done in each notable fight so far -- to get arguably the biggest win of his career.
UFC Shanghai Bet: Aljamain Sterling & Zhang Mingyang parlay (-133)
UFC Best Bets
Here is a recap of my best UFC picks for this weekend's UFC Shanghai card.
- Lone'er Kavanagh (-205)
- Hayisaer Maheshate (+102)
- Taiyilake Nueraji by KO/TKO/DQ (-185)
- Aljamain Sterling & Zhang Mingyang parlay (-133)
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