UFC Denver Gambling Preview: Will Rose Namajunas fend off Tracy Cortez and make her case for a title shot?

After a rare week off, UFC is back at it, this time with a Fight Night in Denver, headlined by a women’s flyweight matchup between Rose Namajunas and Tracy Cortez. Originally set to face rising star Maycee Barber, Namajunas looks to continue building towards a flyweight title shot, while Cortez steps in on short notice for the biggest opportunity of her career. Let’s take a look at who should win and the rest of the best bets for this weekend’s MMA action.

As always, all odds are courtesy of our friends at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Straight Bets

Rose Namajunas (-218)

As with any Namajunas fight, there is always at least some small concern that she might show up and simply lay an egg, like she did in the Carla Esparza rematch. That being said, the lines also account for this, meaning there’s usually some value there for her.

Namajunas is one of the very best female fighters in the world. Setting aside the bizarre Esparza fight, Namajunas’ only recent loss is Manon Fiorot, her first foray up to 125 pounds and a fight that she looked better in than anyone else has in the weight class. She remains an elite, crafty striker with a well-rounded game. Cortez is a fun prospect, but this is a massive step up in competition and she wasn’t preparing for a five-round fight. Namajunas should show her class here.

Jasmine Jasudavicius (-110)

Jasudavicius faces promotional newcomer Fatima Kline, who steps in on short notice. Though she turns 24 on Friday, Kline enters UFC with a ton of hype as she’s the CFFC flyweight and strawweight champion, despite only being 6-0 in her career. Those accolades make Kline a great prospect, but these are tough circumstances to show out in as Jasudavicius is a big, physical fighter who is capable of stymieing Kline’s grappling game. Back the known commodity in this one.

Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images

Prop Bets

Jean Silva To Win By KO/TKO/DQ (+185)

I’m extremely high on Silva, who was one of my favorite prospects from the most recent season of Contender Series (11-1 overall for those prospects in the octagon!), and he paid off that support just two weeks ago when he ethered Charles Jourdain. Prior to UFC 303, Jourdain had never been knocked out. Then he met Silva and that changed abruptly.

Silva has thudding, devastating power, and the confidence to find a home for it in unique ways. Drew Dober is a very exciting fighter, but he relies on his chin too much and gets hit an awful lot. That’s a bad combination against someone like Silva. Even the prospect of Silva fighting twice in one month (and missing weight for UFC 303) doesn’t deter me from continuing to support my guy.

Joshua Van To Win By Decision (-125)

Still only 22 years old, Van is a brilliant prospect for the flyweight division. Fast hands, great volume, and solid pop on the feet, plus good wrestling ability makes him one to watch at 125 pounds. In Charles Johnson, Van faces a consummate professional but one who doesn’t have the tools to keep up with him on the feet, nor the grappling to control this fight elsewhere. That being said, Johnson has proven exceptionally durable through his career so I suspect Van have to win this one on the cards.

Wrap Up

After a week off, it’s right back to the old salt mines. We had small win last time out, and we’re keeping things light this week as there aren’t a ton of great spots out there.

Until next week, enjoy the fights, good luck, and gamble responsibly!

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