UFC Fight Night 117 takes place Friday night, as it is taking place in Japan, and has a main event of Ovince St. Preux versus Japanese fighter Ushin Okami. There are some solid plays available to us this week, so make sure you get your lineups in to DK in time, and prepare to build your bankroll! Let’s dig in, and see what we have.

 

Undercard

Fight #:

1

3 Rounds

Weight:

Welterweight

Daichi Abe

Vs.

Hyun Gyu Lim

Wins

Losses

 

Wins

Losses

5

0

Record

13

6

0

0

UFC Record

3

3

5

0

Record Last 5

2

3

$7,800

DK Salary

$8,400

101

Vegas Odds

-125

20%

% Fights to Dec

16%

137

Inside The Distance Prop

122

Snapshot:

The first fight of the night has my attention from a DK perspective, as their numbers are attractive, as well as the odds and salaries. Lim is 32 and is 3-3 in the UFC, while Abe is making his debut as a slight dog at +105.

Lim has had trouble with his striking defense recently, losing by KO to Mike Perry and Neil Magny, but he hasn’t fought in over a year, which does concern me, but Abe making his UFC debut is also a concern. I like this matchup from a GPP perspective, as it’s a risky call, and I’ll shy away from a Cash perspective.

PICK: Abe, TKO, 2nd

Cash Game: N/A

GPP: Abe (7/10): I like his salary and odds of victory. Need to find those Live Dogs!

Lim (6.5/10): Same story here. Hedge your bets.

 

Fight #:

2

3 Rounds

Weight:

Welterweight

Shinsho Anzai

Vs.

Luke Jumeau

Wins

Losses

 

Wins

Losses

9

2

Record

12

3

1

1

UFC Record

1

0

4

1

Record Last 5

5

0

$7,300

DK Salary

$8,900

205

Vegas Odds

-254

27%

% Fights to Dec

27%

410

Inside The Distance Prop

225

Snapshot:

Jumeau is a New Zealand based fighter who is a 29 year old who has a 1-0 record in the UFC, and is riding a 7 fight win streak. He is a solid, well-rounded fighter, but he’ll have an advantage on the feet against Anzai. I would be a little concerned with his grappling, and if he can keep it standing, then he’ll be in good position.

Anzai is a Japanese fighter who is farley aggressive, and is 1-1 in the UFC. I don’t think he’ll have a good enough takedown game, and is pretty low paced, so I don’t think he is a great target for our LU’s. You will have to pay for Jumeau though, as he is priced at $8,900 on DK. He most likely gets the KO, but there are some questions with this one.

PICK: Jumeau, TKO, 1st

Cash Game: Jumeau (7/10): I like the odds of victory here, and will roster when possible.

GPP: Jumeau (8.5/10): I like his odds of finishing this one quickly while keeping it on the feet.

 

Fight #:

3

3 Rounds

Weight:

Strawweight

Syuri Kondo

Vs.

ChanMi Jeon

Wins

Losses

 

Wins

Losses

5

0

Record

5

1

0

0

UFC Record

0

1

5

0

Record Last 5

4

0

$8,000

DK Salary

$8,200

-114

Vegas Odds

-110

80%

% Fights to Dec

33%

440

Inside The Distance Prop

380


Snapshot:

Kondo opened up as the favorite in this one, but the line has shifted pretty drastically to a pick ‘em. From what I’ve watched, this one is just way to tough to call, so I’ll be avoiding in all formats. Not one I want to roll the dice on, if you know what I mean. No trust here.

PICK: ??

Cash Game: N/A

GPP: N/A
 

Fight #:

4

3 Rounds

Weight:

Flyweight

Jussier Formiga

Vs.

Ulka Sasaki

Wins

Losses

 

Wins

Losses

19

5

Record

20

4

5

4

UFC Record

3

3

3

2

Record Last 5

2

3

$9,200

DK Salary

$7,000

-426

Vegas Odds

326

58%

% Fights to Dec

38%

173

Inside The Distance Prop

725

Snapshot:

Here’s one I think makes sense for us to take a look at. Formiga is a world-class grappler, and is 32 years old and is 5-4 in the UFC, but don’t let this scare you off, as he has battled against some monsters in the UFC that he’s lost to. I really like Formiga’s odds of winning, and racking up some serious points in this one. Sasaki I won’t be touching at all, so proceed at your own risk with him. A strong pivot from OSP here in Formiga.

PICK: Formiga, Sub, 1st

Cash Game: Formiga (8/10): He’ll dictate what happens in this fight, and will win.

GPP: Formiga (8.5/10): I really like Formiga here, but you’ll pay for him in your LU’s.

 

Fight #:

5

3 Rounds

Weight:

Welterweight

Keita Nakamura

Vs.

Alex Morono

Wins

Losses

 

Wins

Losses

32

8

Record

12

4

2

5

UFC Record

2

1

3

2

Record Last 5

4

1

$7,700

DK Salary

$8,500

109

Vegas Odds

-134

38%

% Fights to Dec

31%

344

Inside The Distance Prop

288

Snapshot:

Here’s another one I won’t be targeting for my lineups, as there are just too many question marks surrounding this matchup. If Morono can keep this one the feet, then he has a nice advantage, but stuffing that takedown is not highly likely. Morono has a nice output on his feet, but dancing around and trying not to get taken means that he won’t be overly aggressive in this one.

I somewhat like Nakamura here due to the odds and salary he presents, but the odds of him winning are still a toss up. He may be a dog I have in a lineup or two. Play with caution.

PICK: Mornoro, Dec, Unanimous

Cash Game: N/A

GPP: N/A
 

Main Card

Fight #:

6

3 Rounds

Weight:

Featherweight

Teruto Ishihara

Vs.

Rolando Dy

Wins

Losses

 

Wins

Losses

9

4

Record

8

5

2

2

UFC Record

0

1

3

2

Record Last 5

3

2

$8,700

DK Salary

$7,500

-159

Vegas Odds

134

31%

% Fights to Dec

54%

106

Inside The Distance Prop

415

Snapshot:

Here’s a Featherweight bout that has Ishihara, who is 26 and 2-2-1 in the UFC, and has lost two decisive decisions to Artum Lobov and Gray Manyard in his last 2 bouts. Ishihara ian awful wrestler, and has a lot of trouble stuffing takedowns when his opponents want to get him to the ground. I do not have much faith in Ishihara here, as his training has come into question recently, and no one loves to hear that.

Dy also concerns me, as he is 8-5 in his pro MMA career, but hasn’t fought anyone to make note of. Dy is 26 and is 0-1 in the UFC, but I don’t think he is UFC caliber, so roster accordingly. I’ll be keeping my distance from both fighters, although Ishihara may be able to dictate the speed and tempo of the fight, but a lot of question marks here!

PICK: Ishihara, Dec, Unanimous

Cash Game: N/A

GPP: Dy (6/10): I’ll take a small waiver with Dy on some GPP LU’s.


 

Fight #:

7

3 Rounds

Weight:

Heavyweight

Gokhan Saki

Vs.

Henrique da Silva

Wins

Losses

 

Wins

Losses

0

1

Record

12

3

0

0

UFC Record

2

3

0

1

Record Last 5

2

3

$8,600

DK Salary

$7,600

-181

Vegas Odds

152

0%

% Fights to Dec

7%

-138

Inside The Distance Prop

-266

Snapshot:

Saki is a world-renowed kickboxer, but only has one MMA fight, where he lost by TKO in 2004! Yes, he hasn’t fought a MMA match in over 10 years! He is a crazy dangerous striker though. Saki needs to keep this one on the feet, and it could be a nice fight for us to target from a DK perspective. Da Silva has made comments that he is going to stand with him, and this is not a good way to approach this fight.

Can Saki defend a takedown? Who knows? Can da Silva get takedowns? Who knows? This is a tough one to call, and you should probably focus on rostering both guys in GPP’s, but I would be more cautious in rostering Saki in your Cash LU’s.

PICK: Saki, TKO, 1st

Cash Game: Saki (5/10): I think he holds up and outstrikes da Silva.

GPP: Saki (7/10): I like this play in tourney’s, although I won’t be ignoring the otherside in GPP’s either.

Da Silva (5.5/10): His only path to victory is on the ground, but can he get it there, or will he stand an bang? I’ll have a little exposure here.

 

Fight #:

8

3 Rounds

Weight:

Lightweight

Takanori Gomi

Vs.

Dong Hyun Kim

Wins

Losses

 

Wins

Losses

35

13

Record

14

8

4

8

UFC Record

1

2

1

4

Record Last 5

3

2

$7,100

DK Salary

$9,100

291

Vegas Odds

-369

40%

% Fights to Dec

32%

434

Inside The Distance Prop

-240

Snapshot:

Gomi should not be fighting in the UFC at this point in his career. His chin is gone, and he has no business in the cage. Kim will be incredibly high owned due to Gomi’s 4 consecutive losses in the 1st round. This will be a ridiculous, vicious beating, and Kim will have no issues ending this one quickly.

It’s a simple play in my eyes, and the $9,100 isn’t bad, as I think he gets 100+ points. Take Kim and smile.

PICK: Kim, KO, 1st

Cash Game: Kim (9.5/10): Yup, do it!

GPP: Kim (9/10): You need him in your LU’s.


 

Fight #:

9

3 Rounds

Weight:

Strawweight

Claudia Gadelha

Vs.

Jessica Andrade

Wins

Losses

 

Wins

Losses

15

2

Record

16

6

4

2

UFC Record

7

4

3

2

Record Last 5

3

2

$9,000

DK Salary

$7,200

-280

Vegas Odds

227

47%

% Fights to Dec

27%

-472

Inside The Distance Prop

465

 

Snapshot:

Gadelha comes into this fight with the highest Inside the Distance odds at -472 on the card, and this is one stat I really like to focus on. Gadelha is a great grappler, and a much improved striker, and I think she has her way with Andrade over the course of the match. She’s riding a 2 fight win streak, and she is one of the top all-around women fighters in the world!

Andrade is 25 and is 7-4 in the UFC. She is a high volume striker with an underrated ground game. She is much improved fighter, but I don’t think she is on the same playing field as Gadelha.  A lot of takedowns by Gadelha, and a lot of DK points. We like TD’s!

PICK: Gadelha, Sub, 2nd

Cash Game: Gadelha (8/10): I like Gadelha in all formats.

GPP: Gadelha (9/10): This will be another epic performance for one of the best women’s fighters in the world.


 

Fight #:

10

3 Rounds

Weight:

Heavyweight

Yushin Okami

Vs.

Ovince Saint Preux

Wins

Losses

 

Wins

Losses

33

10

Record

20

10

13

5

UFC Record

8

5

4

1

Record Last 5

2

3

$6,700

DK Salary

$9,500

353

Vegas Odds

-472

49%

% Fights to Dec

40%

-185

Inside The Distance Prop

725

 

Snapshot:

OSP comes into this fight with an 8-5 UFC record, but he has fought some of the best in the division. OSP has solid striking, and a good grappling game as well. He is a big favorite at -472, and has a DK salary of $9,500, so you’ll definitely have to pay for him in order to roster him.

Okami is back in the UFC after being away for 4 years, and fighting the WSOF. He is taking the fight on very short notice, and this will be a big factor in this fight!

I think OSP wins this one, but anything can happen, and I really don’t like his price tag, as he is tough to build your roster around, and I can’t guarantee that OSP will keep the pace high enough to rack up enough points to pay for his salary. I’ll have some OSP in both formats, and may even stack this fight or the Gadelha fight in Cash games.

PICK: OSP, TKO, 3rd

Cash Game: OSP (8/10): Tough to roster, but will have a nice score.

GPP: OSP (7/10): Tough to pay for his salary.



 

Optimal Lineups

Cash 1

Slot

Fighter

Salary

1

Gadelha

$9,000

2

Kim

$9,100

3

OSP

$9,500

4

Dy

$7,500

5

Da Silva

$7,600

6

Andrade

$7,200

 

 

GPP 1

Slot

Fighter

Salary

1

Abe

$7,800

2

Anzai

$7,300

3

Da Silva

$7,600

4

Formiga

$9,200

5

Gadelha

$9,000

6

Kim

$9,100