UFC 192: Best Underdog Bets

This Saturday we have a stacked event in UFC 192, headlined by light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson. There are some great fights on the card, and I will have full predictions up later in the week. Right now however, I want to take a quick look at a couple of the best underdog picks for the fights. Whether you bet, play fantasy games online or just like being right, selecting the right upsets can be the difference maker. Let's get started:


Daniel Hooker @ 9/4

Hooker has a tough task at UFC 192, coming up against rising prospect Yair Rodriguez. Rodriguez has been looking good in his short career, but it seems people are either overestimating him or underestimating Hooker. I have a soft spot for Hooker after picking him at 5/1 to finish Hatsu Hioki in his last fight. While this happening again is far from a guarantee, I think Hooker has every chance of finishing a wreckless and forward moving fighter like Rodriguez. If Hooker can keep it standing then he should get the win. If it goes to the ground Rodriguez will most likely tap him. A bit of a toss up, so Hooker is definitely worth a stab at this price.


Chris Cariaso @ 7/5

Somehow people still can't seem to grasp that Sergio Pettis is not the same fighter as his brother, former lightweight champion Anthony. Both look alike, but “Showtime” is better than Sergio in virtually every way. Chris Cariaso is not a world beater, but I would consider his chances of taking a win in this fight to be pretty good. Neither fighter has great finishing ability, so I expect this to be contested everywhere and go the full three rounds. Once more bets are announced closer to the fight, I think Cariaso by decision is going to be a good line, and you should bet it before too many other people realise the same thing.


Derrick lewis @ 7/5

A heavyweight underdog is always worth investigating, especially when its one that hits as hard as Lewis. Lewis is fighting Czech heavyweight Viktor Pešta, and is considered a slight underdog. Don't get me wrong here, I don't think Lewis is that great a fighter. It is just that he has ridiculous knockout power, and Pešta is going to be in trouble if he takes too long to adjust in the fight. Lewis doesn't have the gas-tank to win a decision, and poses very little submission threat. When the lines are released I would look at Lewis by KO in Round One. Any other bet is very unlikely to come off, but this is definitely worth a look.

I will be studying the fights more in the coming weeks and should have all my picks by Friday. I went 4-1 last week with three correct methods. I will be doing more fights this week, but looking to improve on that record if possible.