This card will be taking place in Saitama, Japan. I usually give a slight edge to anyone fighting in their hometown or country. However, that is just a small piece to the puzzle in the grand scheme of things. You can play daily fantasy MMA on sites like DraftKings.

Shinsho “Animal” Anzai (8-2) vs. Roger “Viva” Zapata (4-1)

Opening Odds: Anzai -130 / Zapata -110
Current Odds: Anzai -110 / Zapata -110

Anzai is a wrestler with knockout power. His last fight was a knockout loss to Albert Mina a little over a year ago. I’d expect him to come out aggressive on Saturday. Zapata will be fighting up a weight class from Welterweight to Middleweight. His last fight was over two years ago, which is significant. I think this fight could go either way, but I predict a finish.

“Ragin” Kajan Johnson (20-11-1) vs. Naoyuki Kotani (33-12-7)

Opening Odds: Johnson -270 / Kotani +190
Current Odds: Johnson -280 / Kotani +220

Johnson trains out of Tristar Gym, which is one of Canada’s best. Most of his wins have come by way of submission. He is good at the Rear-Naked Choke (RNC) and Armbar. Kotani is a submission expert himself, with 25 of his 33 wins coming by way of submission. He is coming off back-to-back losses to Yan Cabral and Norman Parke – both game opponents. Overall, I’m more impressed with Kotani’s resume, which is why I took him at +220.

Yusuke Kasuya (9-1-2) vs. Nick “Sergeant” Hein (12-2)

Opening Odds: Kasuya +200 / Hein -280
Current Odds: Kasuya +230 / Hein -270

Eight of Kasuya’s nine victories have been by way of submission. Hein, on the other hand, is very good at winning by decision. He’s never been submitted and has the more impressive resume in my opinion. I think he will win the fight, but I’m not willing to pay over -200 for him.

Keita “K-Taro” Nakamura (30-6-2) vs. Jingliang “The Leech” Li (10-3)

Opening Odds: Nakamura +160 / Li -210
Current Odds: Nakamura +215 / Li -255

Li is one of China’s top prospects. He is coming off his most impressive win a few months ago, a first round knockout upset of Dhiego Lima. His three losses have been by decision. Nakamura is well-rounded. He’s an active fighter with a great RNC. I took Nakamura +215.

Diego Brandao “DB” (19-10) vs. Katsunori Kikuno (22-7-2)

Opening Odds: Brandao -210 / Kikuno +160
Current Odds: Brandao -240 / Kikuno +200

Brandao was a standout on The Ultimate Fighter, knocking multiple fighters out with flying knees. He trains at Jackson-Wink MMA, one of the best camps in the US. He is heavy-handed, but has a suspect chin. Kikuno is coming off a knockout loss to a very game Edimilson Souza six months ago. Both fighters have fought tough competition along the way. I think this will be an exciting fight as well. I took Brandao -225.

Mizuto “Pugnus” Hirota (17-7-1) vs. Teruto “Yashabo” Ishihara (7-2-1)

Opening Odds: Hirota -245 / Ishihara +175
Current Odds: Hirota -235 / Ishihara +195

Hirota is ten years older than Ishihara. He normally fights at Featherweight, so he’ll be the bigger fighter, as Ishihara normally fights at Bantamweight. Hirota has no submission wins in 17 fights, so he’ll be looking to keep the fight standing. Ishihara is also a striker, with six of seven wins coming by way of TKO. Neither fighter has ever been knocked out, so this should be interesting. I took Ishihara +195.

Alan Yoshihiro Yamaniha “Hiro” (11-4-4) vs. Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto (18-6)

Opening Odds: Yamaniha +130 / Yamamoto -170
Current Odds: Yamaniha +140 / Yamamoto -160

Yamaniha is nine years younger than Yamamoto. Normally I’d say this is very significant, but Yamamoto is known for his amazing cardio, so I don’t think it will be an issue in this fight. Yamaniha is well-rounded, but has a weak resume. Yamamoto, on the other hand, was once ranked the #1 Bantamweight in the world. He’s fought against some of the best and come out on top more often than not. That said, he’s lost five of his last six fights. I’m excited to take the “Kid” at -160. I think the line should be closer to -250.

George Roop (15-11-1) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (20-9-2)

Opening Odds: Roop +175 / Mizugaki -245
Current Odds: Roop +195 / Mizugaki -235

Roop will have a whopping 6″ height advantage for this fight. He is a mediocre fighter with a few great upset wins on his resume. He had a second round head-kick knockout of “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung when he was +325. He had a third round body-shot knockout of Josh “The Fluke” Grispi when he was +280. He also TKO’d Brian Bowles in the second round when he was +260. Mizugaki, on the other hand, is one of Japan’s best. Nearly all of his losses have been to elite fighters. He is a solid veteran, but not a finisher, as 14 of his 20 wins have been by decision. Initially I was tempted to take Mizugaki -225, but given Roop’s history of upsets and the height differential, I stayed away.

Chico “King” Camus (14-6) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (15-2)

Opening Odds: Camus +285 / Horiguchi -405
Current Odds: Camus +290 / Horiguchi -350

Camus trains at Roufusport, one of the best camps in the US. Most of his losses have been to top-level competition. Horiguchi trains at Krazy Bee, one of the best camps in Japan. He is coming off a late fifth round stoppage loss to Demetrious Johnson, the long-reigning Champion of the division. Horiguchi is six years younger than Camus, which could come into play. Overall I think the line is right about where it should be. If it continues to escalate, I might take Camus around +350.

Urijah “Primetime” Hall (11-5) vs. Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi (37-5-2)

Opening Odds: Hall +250 / Mousasi -350
Current Odds: Hall +375 / Mousasi -470

Hall has fought some tough competition in his relatively short career. His last three losses have been by split decision. His only stoppage loss came at the hands of the current Champion, Chris Weidman. That said, he is about to face the toughest fighter he’s ever faced. Mousasi is a legend in MMA. In his 44 fights, he’s never been knocked out. He’s great at stopping fights, even against top-level competition. I have him ranked in the top five of a stacked Middleweight Division. I took Mousasi at -450.

Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett (33-7) vs. Roy “Big Country” Nelson (20-11)

Opening Odds: Barnett -210 / Nelson +160
Current Odds: Barnett -270 / Nelson +230

Barnett is a legend in MMA. He’s put together numerous strings of 8+ wins throughout his career against elite competition. However, his last fight was a first round knockout loss to Travis Browne over a year and nine months ago. Nelson is a much more active fighter. Thirteen of his last 16 fights have been against fighters in the top 20. He has a great chin and surprisingly good cardio. I’m happy to take Nelson at +230.

I think this card will be very entertaining. Great job UFC!

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