UFC Fight Night 94: Johnson vs Poirier Date: September 17, 2016 Arena: State Farm Arena City: Hidalgo, TX The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be in Hidalgo, TX for the first time in promotional history with UFC Fight Night 94: Johnson vs Poirier. The 12 fight card is set to kick off at 7pm ET on UFC Fight Pass, and preliminary action will follow at 8pm ET on FOX Sports 1, culminating with a six fight main card ont he same channel. If interested in wagering on any bouts for this fight card, all betting lines will be made available at Several Bookmakerss. My Over/Under Totals are: Lightweight bout: Dustin Poirier (-165) vs Michael Johnson (+145) Gabe’s Thoughts: I think this is a closely contested match-up in the UFC’s lightweight division, and at the current odds, I see it as a “dog or pass” situation. I am ultimately passing on a play on the dog, however I do like the Total of Over 2.5 rounds at -145 in this five round contest, as I see it reaching the midway point of the third round more often than not. No outcome really would really surprise me, but I think Johnson’s superior striker will likely be the difference here. Poirier’s striking is constantly improving; so much so that he was able to outstrike Carlos Diego Ferreira and Bobby Green, two guys who I was sure were better strikers than Poirier, so it is possible he can continue proving me wrong. That said, Johnson having Blackzilian head striking coach Henry Hooft is huge and they likely have a good gameplan for this bout, though it may prove to not be so easy to gameplan against a constantly improving 155-pound Dustin Poirier. Poirier really needs a win here to keep his streak going and Johnson needs a win to save his job, as he has his back against the wall heading into this contest, which is a rare “winner vs loser” match-up in the UFC’s lightweight division. Gabe’s Call: Johnson by Split Decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Over 2.5 rounds (-145) 1.45u to win 1u Featherweight bout: Chas Skelly (-185) vs Maximo Blanco (+160) Gabe’s Thoughts: Putting it simply, I think there’s a good chance that either Skelly scores an early sub or Blanco gets an early T/KO. It would depend on if the fight hits the mat or stays on the feet, obviously. At the current betting odds, I don’t see any value on either fighter for a play, however I do like the Total of Under 1.5 rounds at +155. Gabe’s Call: Skelly by Submission (rear naked choke, 3:02 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Under 1.5 rounds (+155) 1u to win 1.55u
