UFC Vegas 53: Font vs. Vera DraftKings Spreadsheet

Best Plays

9k Range:

Alexandr Romanov ($9,600) – A perfect 15-0, with four wins coming in the UFC, Romanov is the highest salaried fighter on the card. For good reason however, as Romanov, with the exception of the Juan Espino fight, has been running through everyone. This Sherman fight should be no different, as the “Vanilla Gorilla” has lost three straight against fighters in the bottom of the division. Throw in the fact that this is his third stint in the UFC, and Romanov is a no brainer regardless of the price.

8k Range:

Gina Mazany ($8,900) – Not too often would I spotlight a fighter who is 2-5 in the UFC and currently on their second stint with the promotion. However, when Mazany wins, she racks up the points. Seeing that her opponent is Shanna Young, who is 0-2 in the UFC and has struggled with takedown defense, I see a perfect fight for Mazany to once again put up big time points.

Grant Dawson ($8,700) – Often when looking at fighters to roster, either finishers or wrestlers are key. Dawson being a wrestler with excellent grappling is one to target. Having yet to taste defeat in the UFC in six fights, Dawson is averaging a wholesome 98.82 in victory. Not great, but not bad at this price. Especially when you know he’s going for takedowns and control time.

Darren Elkins ($8,600) – A wrestler and durable fighter, Elkins has made a living out being in fifteen minute brawls. When he wins, he’s averaging a healthy 101.5 points. Mainly due to his wrestling, which has often been in his game plan. At 8.6k, I don’t hate Elkins, especially against a non-power threat in Tristan Connelly.

Rob Font ($8,300) – If there is anything certain, you should definitely have stake in the main event. My play however, will be Rob Font. Averaging the third most fantasy points on the slate, as well as the third highest in victory, Font is one of the better plays on the card. Durable and a high active striker, you can count on Font to rack up the points.

7k and Below Range:

Marlon Vera ($7,900) – In the last ten fights, Vera is 8-2. In those ten fights, he is averaging 96.78 points in victory with a high of 107.7. Having never fought in a five-round fight before, the opportunity to increase that high is very possible. The other aspect that Vera is solid in, is in defeat. Averaging 45 points, which is the second most, you can at the very least count on Vera to put up a significant amount of points.

Jared Gordon ($7,500) – This play comes with risk, as Gordon hasn’t faired all that well at Lightweight. While his durability can be problematic, his cardio and high activity are always focal points in victory. Averaging the fourth most fantasy points on the slate at 80.2, as well as the second most in victory (134.8), Gordon has the potential to be a strong play at this price range.

Gerald Meerschaert ($7,400) – If there is anything certain about Meerschaert, it’s that he can weather a storm and he’s a dam good submission artist. In fact, in his nine victories in the UFC, all have come via finish with eight being by submission. With good comes bad though, as Meerschaert has been stopped in eleven of his fourteen losses. However, that’s the risk you know playing Meerschaert. Averaging 87.32 in victory, you could do worse than picking a submission specialist at this price.

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Value Plays

Krzysztof Jotko ($8.800) – Not exactly screaming value, but I believe this fight against Gerald Meerschaert is an opponent that fits well with his game. Having excellent takedown defense and with only one submission defeat in twenty-eight fights, you can trust Jotko to keep this on the feet and likely win. The only thing is, can he score a knockdown or a finish?

Gabe Green ($8,500) – This could be an interesting play, as Green should be involved in a scrap against Yohan Lianesse. The reason I liken Green at this price, is he’s shown durability and solid striking abilities thus far in the UFC. What we haven’t seen though is his dangerous grappling abilities. Against an undefeated fighter in Lianesse could prove to be tough, but I choose Green’s technique over the White Lion’s looping power shots.

Daniel Lacerda ($8,200) – I could see those avoiding Lacerda at this price. However, Lacerda is a better fighter than he showed in his UFC debut. An aggressive striker with dangerous submission abilities, Lacerda has won all eleven of his fights via stoppage (6 via submission, 5 via T/KO). The reason I liken Lacerda, is that his opponent Francisco Figueiredo isn’t much of a striker and has a bad gas tank. A recipe for a late finish if you ask me.

Jake Collier ($7,800) – If there is anything certain about Collier, it’s that he is an active striker and has good gas tank for a Heavyweight. Against Arlovski, who can be hit or miss with both activity and cardio, it’s plausible to see Collier score an upset and notch 90 or so points.

Tristan Connelly ($7,600) – This isn’t my favorite play, but if Connelly turns out to be a problem for Darren Elkins on the feet or with his grappling, this is a strong play at this price. However, I’m not so certain, especially considering Connelly doesn’t possess the power that has given Elkins problems.