Fanatics Favourites: Fanatics MMA shifts the line at UFC 258: Usman vs Burns

‍Fanatics' Favourites

Maycee Barber (+105) vs Alexa Grasso (-125) - 68% of users are picking Barber

Barber is a finisher. Her first 3 UFC wins and one contender series were by TKO. She lost her last fight to Roxanne Modafferi, which is why she’s rated low for this fight. But she hurt her knee in the second round of the Roxanne fight and that heavily impacted her performance. And she’s 22. She was out grappled by Roxanne in this fight but she was never in grave danger, defended well, reversed positions, and still has massive potential. 

Grasso has good striking and wrestling but lacks a solid MMA striking defence (too much double forearms guard) She’s going to sit in the pocket with Barber and get hurt. 

Grasso is a better kicker and will look to get in good leg kicks, especially considering Barber’s previous knee injury. But this may leave her in place for Barber’s boxing. Grasso’s lack of defensive head movement leads to her getting cracked by less powerful strikers. Barber will hit her and hit her hard.

Prediction: Barber by TKO

Polyana Viana (+135) vs Mallory Martin (-160) - 77% of users are picking Viana

Ok, I see why Viana is the Fanatics favourite. Mallory was flash KO’d in her last win and Viana has good Muay Thai fundamentals. Mallory took a beating in the first round of her last fight, an easy 10-8, but she rallied and got the RNC in round 2. 

Viana’s striking is better. She has a 4-inch reach advantage. Better BJJ too. 

Prediction: Viana by finish. Not sure if KO or SUB

Value Pick of the week

Ian Heinisch (+195) vs Kelvin Gastelum (-250)

Gastelum has lost 3 in a row. Looks like he’s going downhill. Heinisch is great value at +195.

Skill for skill you’d want to take Kelvin, but it looks like he left the best of himself in the cage against Izzy. Hard to imagine him taking 4 in a row, but that’s what this fight is designed for. Kelvin should take this match on skill, but Heinish can take it on activity, pressure, and toughness. Ian will take shots, but outfight Kelvin to a dec. 

Prediction: Hard fought but 29-28 DEC Heinisch.