Weekend Fights Preview

UFC 276: Adesanya vs Cannonier

As usual, the UFC has stacked their 4th of July weekend pay per view. This time with two title fights and big names from top to bottom. The prelims are better than most of the fight night cards. That's right, this is one of those handful of PPV's you get throughout the year that are actually worth the $75 and not risking a crashed stream. Atleast Enjoy the free prelim fights on ABC - the first time UFC has aired PPV prelims on ABC.

Here are some things to look out for Saturday night:

• Israel Adesanya looks to defend his middleweight belt against Jared Cannonier. Cannonier is a violent striker going against the more tactical superstar Adesanya.

• Alexander Volkanovski faces Max Holloway in a fight that will not only determine the Featherweight champ but also probably the greatest featherweight of all time. Holloway was an unstoppable champ at one point with 13 straight wins but has lost two close fights to Volkanovski who is undefeated in the UFC. Can't stress enough how good this fight is. Fun fact: Volk was once an Australian rugby player who walked around at 215 pounds... this fight is at 145!

• Infam former neo nazi Sean Strickland faces Alex Pereira in a number one contenders fight. Pereira is new to MMA but a champion kick boxer who has two wins over Adesanya. That is 100% who the UFC wants to win here - a lot easier to promote a comeback fight for Adesanya than it is to promote a loud mouth controversial guy like Strickland.

Ok like I said, stacked card, let's rattle off a few more quick things to look for:

• Another Donald Cerrone fight! -kind of. His past two fights we've previewed have been cancelled over the last month.

• Sean O'Malley, known for saying he wasn't going to fight anyone good until he got paid more, got his new contract and now has his toughest fight yet.

• Ian Garry is a 24 year old star out of Ireland people compare to Conor McGregor

Fight Schedule

UFC 276: Adesanya vs Cannonier on Saturday 7/2/2022

Early Prelims - 6:00 EST - ESPN / ESPN+

Prelims - 8:00 EST - ABC / ESPN / ESPN +

Main Card -10:00 EST - PPV on ESPN +

Lock of the Week

Parlay (+112): Maycee Barber (-285) WITH Volkanovski vs Holloway over 2.5 rounds (-550) WITH Adesanya to win and over 1.5 (fight parlay section of draftkings No free plugs) (-300)

Gotta get back on track with this one. We went with a three leg parlay this time to get it to plus money, If you want to drop one, drop the Holloway vs Volk over at -550.

Some stats behind the reasoning for these picks:

• The Maycee Barber pick is more of a fade on her opponent Jessica Eye. Eye has lost 4 of her last 5 and really just does not have any impressive wins on her resume.

• In Volkanovski vs Holloway's previous two fights - both went all 5 rounds.

• Holloway hasn't gone under 2.5 rounds since 2015. and Volk since 2018.

• Adesanya has made his career off picking apart power punchers from the outside. That is exactly what this matchup is, and he will do it again.

Storyline to Watch

Are The Prospects Legit?

This card has a lot of big name prospects who are taking a big step up in competition on Saturday night. It will be interesting to see who is legit and who still needs work. All of these fighters are young and coming off UFC wins, but to much lesser competition than they will face Saturday night. All in interesting close tough fights as you can see by the betting lines below. (-110 would be a 50/50 pick em fight.)

• 27 year old Sean O'Malley (-295)

• 27 year old Jalin Turner (-135)

• 24 year old Ian Garry (-175)

• 28 year old Dricus Du Plessis (-135)

• 24 year old Maycee Barber (-260)

Clip of the Week

Watch Max Holloway mid fight saying that he is the best boxer in the UFC - all while slipp and throwing punches en route to setting the UFC record for significant strikes in a fight