UFC Fight Night Louisville Preview and Predictions By Brett Cagle
Jared Cannonier (17-6) vs Nassourdine Imavov (13-4)
Middleweight contenders Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov headline an exciting card from the YuM! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Cannonier is a former title challenger whose only loss in his last five fights came against Israel Adesanya. Cannonier enters this fight at 40 years old but is an extremely explosive athlete with ten wins by knockout on his professional record. Nassourdine Imavov just defeated Georgian contender Roman Dolidze and is 6-2 in his UFC career. Imavov trains out of the MMA Factory in Paris, France, and is a slight betting favorite in this matchup (-125).
On the feet, Imavov is a very technical and efficient striker whose accuracy is over 57% on significant strikes (ESPN Stats). Cannonier does have knockout power but will be the shorter fighter by four inches. If Imavov can use his length from the outside, I believe he can earn a decision victory. All three of Imavov’s last fights have gone to the judges scorecards. Cannonier has never been finished in the Middleweight division.
Prediction: Nassourdine Imavov by Decision (+230)
Dominick Reyes (12-4) vs. Dustin Jacoby (19-8-1)
Light heavyweight strikers Dominick Reyes and Dustin Jacoby both are in desperate need of a victory. Reyes has been knocked out in three consecutive fights and took a near two-year layoff from the sport after his loss to Ryan Spann. Jacoby is a former professional kickboxer who has struggled at times with grapplers and the division's elite fighters. Having gone 2-3 in his last five contests, both of Jacoby’s wins over that stretch were by knockout. Reyes once challenged for UFC gold against Jon Jones but has struggled since the disappointing decision loss.
Jacoby comes into this matchup as a (-240) betting favorite at online sportsbooks. If the fight stays standing Jacoby has a chance of scoring another knockout victory. The chin of Reyes has been brought into question after taking massive amounts of damage in his recent outings. If Reyes can get the fight to the ground it can get interesting but the safe play here is Jacoby.
Prediction: Dustin Jacoby by Knockout (+125)
Carlos Prates (18-6) vs. Charles Radtke (9-3)
My pick for Fight of the Night comes from 170-pound prospects on the prelims. Carlos Prates is a devastating striker from Brazil who has won seven fights in a row by knockout. Prates stands 6-foot-1 with a 78-inch reach and is one of the most aggressive fighters on the roster. His opponent, Charles Radtke, is a powerful athlete with legitimate one-punch knockout power. Radtke just knocked out Gilbert Urbina in a dominant fashion and is a very outspoken personality. Radtke also has skills on the ground, and Prates has been submitted three times previously.
Prates enters this contest as a large betting favorite at online sportsbooks (-225). Both of these fighters are finishers through and through. I do not see this fight going the distance; someone will get finished. I like the value on the under in total rounds here (1.5 rounds) with a plus money bet on Fanduel (+116). Both fighters have multiple ways to win, which should lead to fireworks for fight fans.
Prediction: Under 1.5 Total Rounds (+116)