UFC Fight Night Long Island: Best Bets

Jessica Penne vs Emily Ducote

Opening the card, Penne vs Ducote is an interesting bout. Jessica Penne is on a two-fight win streak, with the 39-year-old most recently submitting Karolina Kowalkiewicz nearly a year ago. She takes on Emily Ducote, the debuting former Invicta strawweight champion who has made quite the impression, stopping her last two opponents on route to the UFC. Penne is a hard-nosed competitor who tries to pressure with punches to close the distance and set up the clinch and grappling exchanges. Ducote on the other hand is a hard striker who likes to be given space to work. A strong fundamental striking game, Ducote is patient and is willing to spend long periods prodding and kicking at the legs to create openings. What makes her stand out is her finishing power, which will be why many bettors agree with her favourite price tag.

Emily Ducote has been impressive, but she is a good deal smaller than Penne, who is a seasoned grappler. Take a chance on Jessica Penne, the proven entity inside the UFC here.

Jessica Penne to win @ +130

Dwight Grant vs Dustin Stoltzfus

One of my best bets for the UFC Long Island card is Dwight Grant. Having lost his last two, it wouldn"t be an obvious bet, but here is why.

Grant has a higher strike landed rate than Stoltzfus, as well as better defence and fewer strikes absorbed per minute. Grant has a 100% takedown rate as well as a higher takedown defence rate, yet the lines are fairly close. Stoltzfus has had a very tough run, losing his last three, albeit to good competition. 

Dwight Grant to Finish @ +162

Dustin Jacoby vs Da Un Jung

For this battle of the giant light-heavyweights, we are going to be looking at two plus money options. Da Un Jung is a dangerous fighter who has had two first-round knockouts in his UFC tenure and may need to do the same to beat Jacoby. Dustin Jacoby is a much more technical kickboxer who has been known to frustrate opponents by sniping from range.

This one is hard to call, but with the Jacoby line drifting, it is becoming more apparent that the value lies in him. 

Da Un Jung to win by first-round knockout @ +550

Dustin Jacoby to win by decision @ +220

Bill Algeo vs Herbert Burns

After both of these combatants" original opponents withdrew, they agreed to fight each other, and what a fight it is. Algeo comes into this one with a 2-2 record in the UFC, beating Joanderson Brito by decision. Herbert Burns is 2-1 in the UFC and coming off a loss. Burns though represents huge value here. With tremendous, aggressive grappling and a high-quality level of opponents that it has been tested against, Algeo looks to be a good match-up for Burns. Algeo has struggled against guys like Spike Carlyle is grappling exchanges, and Burns is levels above. Get on this quick.

Hebert Burns @+162

Burns by Submission @ +300

Ricky Simon vs Jack Shore

When Ricky Simon vs Jack Shore was announced for this card, and on the prelims, many scratched their heads in bemusement. Ricky Simon is on a four-fight win streak, while Shore is undefeated and catching a lot of eyes. The bout is an interesting one stylistically, with Simon a grinding grappler with finishing instinct taking on a young, well-rounded prospect facing his UFC coming of age. Many may see this as a battle to keep it off the feet and presume Simon should win this exchange and get it to the mat. 

Where Shore can win this though, is the exchanges upon entry. A destructive puncher in the pocket who is tight and technically sound, We look for Jack Shore to surprise the audience by stopping Simon with strikes.

Jack Shore to win @ -162

Jack Shore by Knockout @ +500

Punahele Soriano vs Dalcha Lungiambula

For the featured prelim bout we have a middleweight firefight between Soriano and Lungiambula. Both men could be fighting for their UFC lives here following two concurrent losses apiece heading into this one.

Soriano looks the more proven of the two entities in the UFC, and if he can rediscover some of the forms that saw him knock out the likes of Dusko Todorovic in the first round. Lungiambula is a dangerous fighter, although very inconsistent and tends to empty his gas tank ahead of schedule. Take southpaw Soriano to win by knockout as we look for his better hand speed to land a finishing blow.

Punahele Soriano to win by knockout @ +150

What are your best prelim bets for UFC Fight Night Long Island?

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