UFC 235: Jones vs. Smith (March 02, 2019)

[JIBBBY]

What odds can I get on Askren to hit a takedown in the first round? What about the first minute?

Robbie will be at a low stance and looking for the shoots like in the Woodley fight and backing up with his chin up.. Just don't think Askren can throw the lightening fast bomb on the chin like Woodley did early on.

I can only guess Robbie will be REALLY looking to stand and keep distance.. Robbie has the UFC Octagon experience Ben does not..

My question to you have we ever seen Robbie Lawler completely grapple focked by a strong wrestler in the past? I'd say no unless my memory is not serving me right.

[Hugo de Naranja]

Robbie will be at a low stance and looking for the shoots like in the Woodley fight and backing up with his chin up.. Just don't think Askren can throw the lightening fast bomb on the chin like Woodley did early on.

I can only guess Robbie will be REALLY looking to stand and keep distance.. Robbie has the UFC Octagon experience Ben does not..

My question to you have we ever seen Robbie Lawler completely grapple focked by a strong wrestler in the past? I'd say no unless my memory is not serving me right.

Yes!!! Jacare and Kennedy mauled him with wrestling. Hendricks had significant success as did RDA. Askren is a way better wrestler than all of them.

[JIBBBY]

Yes!!! Jacare and Kennedy mauled him with wrestling. Hendricks had significant success as did RDA. Askren is a way better wrestler than all of them.

I'll have to look at the film.. If so then you are correct.. Yes Askren is a one trick wrestling pony and better then all of them mentioned.

[Hugo de Naranja]

I'll have to look at the film.. If so then you are correct.. Yes Askren is a one trick wrestling pony and better then all of them mentioned.

One trick pony for sure but for my money he's the best wrestler in the game. Has basically no striking though as you say.

[Andy117]

I'm going to be in Vegas Saturday night and was thinking of going to this. I've never been to a UFC event before, worth going?

[Hugo de Naranja]

I'm going to be in Vegas Saturday night and was thinking of going to this. I've never been to a UFC event before, worth going?

Definitely. This is the best card of 2019 so far.

[JIBBBY]

I'm going to be in Vegas Saturday night and was thinking of going to this. I've never been to a UFC event before, worth going?

This one is if all the main players can stay healthy and show up at fight time..

This is the one event that is really stacked and good to go!!

[unlearn]

God I am so pumped for this card. First ppv I'm paying for in a long time. I fully expect somebody to get hurt before Saturday though as is tradition

[Hugo de Naranja]

God I am so pumped for this card. First ppv I'm paying for in a long time. I fully expect somebody to get hurt before Saturday though as is tradition

How many BetPoints are we betting for the Askren vs. Lawler fight?

[unlearn]

0 you condescending prick

[unlearn]

I'd rather lose real $ to a crooked sportsbook than buy a mongoloid like you a pizza

[Hugo de Naranja]

I'd rather lose real $ to a crooked sportsbook than buy a mongoloid like you a pizza

Have fun losing another bet idiot. Fools like you come and go around here but legit cappers stick around.

[unlearn]

God forbid anybody have a difference of opinion in a fight than the almighty hugo. Look, I understand Askren is leaps and bounds ahead of Lawler on the mat but he looks like CM Punk when he throws strikes. Robbie is more than capable of stuffing a takedown or landing something when Askren shoots. Just think the odds are inflated for a guy who hasnt fought top level competition in years. Askren will either win a 30-27 UD or get KTFO in the 1st round. I'm sure you will bet both sides like you always do so not sure why you are mocking me for a difference in opinion

[firekillex]

One trick pony for sure but for my money he's the best wrestler in the game. Has basically no striking though as you say.

agreed, Askren has the best wrestling in MMA and the biggest treat ever will be Khabib vs Askren.. would LOVE to see how that would play out

you can tell by the ways Woodley talks about Askren that hes a legit problem and could be 170 champ even in the UFC... hes gonna maul Lawler , only way he losses is by TKO/KO with a huge shot, hes beat some good guys like Douglas Lima , Koreshkov, Hieron who was super underrated , Lyman Good

and training with Tyron Woodley a top 3 WW all time for his entire career , hes used to huge power and explosiveness that are on other levels of Lawler especially on a decline

Askren -133 decision looks solid

[firekillex]

whats everybodys take on Woodley Usman??

[unlearn]

whats everybodys take on Woodley Usman??

Woodley better everywhere

[firekillex]

Woodley better everywhere

cardio and length , many aspects to mma so saying hes better everywhere is foolish imo

but i agree Woodley has more power, better striking imo even though Usman is improving and he should be the better wrestler to keep this on the feet. Personally I think Woodley gets a TKO but i think this is a super dangerous stylistic fight for him if it gets past round 3

[WolfTicketDealer]

He is the UFC’s new hot prospect. He has impressed me so far. Don’t think they are giving him anyone he can’t handle. This will be a good test but I thinks it’s a quick KO win.

The logic that he's the "hot prospect" as reason for picking him (and that they're giving him a favorable matchup as a result) is poor imo. We've seen plenty of "hot prospects" face their first legit test and crumble. I don't think Cirk is a future champ but I do think he's top 5 skill wise in the division and has the potential to be an elite gatekeeper.

If Walker lands that shot, much respect but he's at a large disadvantage on the mat and Cirk isn't really a bad striker.

[magpie878]

Keep that money coming in on Smith please!

Jones was down to the -800's this morning on DK....

[PaperTrail07]

He wont.....he will be floored and tossed.....love lawler...just a bad fight for him...

Not early on.. Ben has the worst stand up I've ever seen.. Can't even throw a straight punch..

If Robbie can tap into his wrestling defense and keep it standing with distance he does have pop and could land something.. Robbie has fought the best in the bidnesssss.. Can't write him off as being grapple focked all fight IMO.. When Robbie gasses though he will be on his back for sure though..

He was training for Woodley and his wrestling and got cracked.. Don't see that same thing happening in this fight with Ben..

[HurlSweatPants]

Only dogs I like are Mischa, Tecia and Munhoz.

I would like to think Stephens has small value ITD, as I haven't been all that impressed with Zabit. He's a wizard at striking, and has some excellent clinch trips and throws, but he seems to let off the gas. If Zabit wins, I think it's most likely by DEC.

I know people have the last image of Stephens hitting the mat after Aldo floored him with that liver shot, but prior to that he was only KOd by Yves Edwards early in his career. Nothing wrong with getting finished by a world class striker and P4P all timer in Aldo, and a power puncher in Edwards.

I would love to see a finish here, and maybe have Zabit live up to the hype, but the film tells me this could be a boring, 30-27, 29-28 win for Zabit.

[HurlSweatPants]

He wont.....he will be floored and tossed.....love lawler...just a bad fight for him...

Papes, forgot to tell you great call on MVP. That fight was trash, after Daley ran from him the whole entire 1st, I knew he was going to lose a points match.

[Hugo de Naranja]

He wont.....he will be floored and tossed.....love lawler...just a bad fight for him...

Same for me. Lawler is an action fighting hero who has always been fun to watch. Seems like a nice guy as well. Style matchup just doesn’t favor him.

[PaperTrail07]

For sure.....he is also a guy that puts on a HELL of a show....fan and UFC favorite.....BUT...he is zero threat off his back and will have problems getting up....if Askren didn't have an Iron chin...Id maybe give him more of a chance.....he will basically have to uppercut Askrens head off to win here it seems...that's if the takedown even goes down like that....

Same for me. Lawler is an action fighting hero who has always been fun to watch. Seems like a nice guy as well. Style matchup just doesn’t favor him.

[PaperTrail07]

Appreciate it....that fight exposed both of them lol...cant wait to bet lima over MVP....

Papes, forgot to tell you great call on MVP. That fight was trash, after Daley ran from him the whole entire 1st, I knew he was going to lose a points match.

[JIBBBY]

^^ Surprised you guys aren't giving Robbie a solid punchers chance in this fight. I understand wrestling rules, but when the wrestler has 0 standup abilities that wrestler can and often will get caught while the fight remains standing..

Robbie by KO or Askren by UN decision has to be the safe hedge play like poster UNLEARN stated.. The early prop odds are pure garbage with the decision Askens prop unfortunately though

1205 Lawler wins inside distance

+385

1211 Askren wins by 3 round decision

-133

[Hugo de Naranja]

I think Askren will use his initial takedown attempt to clinch up and then chain wrestle until he gets Lawler down. This will be safer than shooting only long range takedowns.

Also, Lawler hasn’t knocked anyone out since Rory Mac in July 2015.

[bjpenn85]

I have a strange feeling that Usman will put the pressure on Woodley, and just never stop to the 5th round ends, a late stoppage or win by a clear unanimous dec. Think about it, what will woodleys achilles heel be? A black twin brother with excellent physique with no apparent sense of humor, a wrestling stud with good cardio who likes to put the pressure for 25 min. Usman has all of those skills, hes beat everybody in front of him pretty easily. Nobody talks about it. I think this dude will win.

[JIBBBY]

I have a strange feeling that Usman will put the pressure on Woodley, and just never stop to the 5th round ends, a late stoppage or win by a clear unanimous dec. Think about it, what will woodleys achilles heel be? A black twin brother with excellent physique with no apparent sense of humor, a wrestling stud with good cardio who likes to put the pressure for 25 min. Usman has all of those skills, hes beat everybody in front of him pretty easily. Nobody talks about it. I think this dude will win.

1103 Usman / Woodley goes 5 round distance

-125

1107 Usman wins by 5 round decision

+240

[bjpenn85]

1103 Usman / Woodley goes 5 round distance

-125

1107 Usman wins by 5 round decision

+240

Yes baby!

[Hugo de Naranja]

I have a strange feeling that Usman will put the pressure on Woodley, and just never stop to the 5th round ends, a late stoppage or win by a clear unanimous dec. Think about it, what will woodleys achilles heel be? A black twin brother with excellent physique with no apparent sense of humor, a wrestling stud with good cardio who likes to put the pressure for 25 min. Usman has all of those skills, hes beat everybody in front of him pretty easily. Nobody talks about it. I think this dude will win.

I like Usman a lot and am betting him here but this is a tough style matchup for him. Woodley hits hard, has high Fight IQ, and excellent takedown defense. Usman will really need to wear on him with his pace and put his cardio advantage to work.

[HurlSweatPants]

I like Usman a lot and am betting him here but this is a tough style matchup for him. Woodley hits hard, has high Fight IQ, and excellent takedown defense. Usman will really need to wear on him with his pace and put his cardio advantage to work.

I'm staying away from this one, but I def. think Usman by Dec is a solid get right now at +240 (5D). Even if you are betting Woodley, its definitely a nice hedge.

[bjpenn85]

I like Usman a lot and am betting him here but this is a tough style matchup for him. Woodley hits hard, has high Fight IQ, and excellent takedown defense. Usman will really need to wear on him with his pace and put his cardio advantage to work.

I think its a bad style matchup for woodley. When Usman win, because i think he will win, we can all go back and look at his performance and look at his track record and think...yeah, this is champion type of behaviour? Youre winning more than 30-27 or at least 30-27 on all the judges scorecards. Youre never in a close fight ever....you got all the physical tools genetically, i mean, he is the typical champion. Hes a freak athlete blowing through people, WITH CARDIO. Unheard of. I got Usman here and i dont think he will struggle. Hes always on cruise control, he can easiy be 30% better than we think.

[Hugo de Naranja]

I think its a bad style matchup for woodley. When Usman win, because i think he will win, we can all go back and look at his performance and look at his track record and think...yeah, this is champion type of behaviour? Youre winning more than 30-27 or at least 30-27 on all the judges scorecards. Youre never in a close fight ever....you got all the physical tools genetically, i mean, he is the typical champion. Hes a freak athlete blowing through people, WITH CARDIO. Unheard of. I got Usman here and i dont think he will struggle. Hes always on cruise control, he can easiy be 30% better than we think.

I think he's the best Welterweight in the UFC and have bet him in his last five fights. Just think this is stylistically tougher than fights like RDA and Meek.

[Thrilla]

Event Background

A UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout between two-time champion Jon Jones and challenger Anthony Smith is expected to headline the event.^[2]

A UFC Welterweight Championship bout between current champion Tyron Woodley and The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians welterweight winner Kamaru Usman has been slated for the event and is expected to serve as the co-headliner.^[3]

As a result of the cancellation of UFC 233, a welterweight bout between former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler and promotional newcomer and former Bellator Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren (also former ONE Welterweight Champion) was rescheduled for this event.^[4]

A women's bantamweight bout between former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm and Aspen Ladd was expected to take place at the event. However on January 31, it was reported the matchup was scrapped due to undisclosed reasons and both fighters are expected to face new opponents in other events.^[5]

Thomas Almeida was expected to face Marlon Vera at the event. However, Almeida pulled out of the fight on January 31 citing an injury.^[6] He was replaced by Frankie Saenz.^[7]

Former interim title challenger Ovince Saint Preux was expected to face Misha Cirkunov at the event. However on February 11, it was announced that Saint Preux suffered an injury and was pulled from the fight.^[8] He was replaced by Johnny Walker.^[9]

Yadong Song was expected to face The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America bantamweight winner Alejandro Pérez at the event, but pulled out of the bout on January 11 due to an undisclosed reason. He was replaced by Cody Stamann.^[10]