Welcome back fellow MMA fight fans to a Saturday Night of UFC . This time we have a 12-fight card taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are several very close matches on this card which will make for some interesting choices in your tournament builds. But, that’s not what this article is about. My goal is to help navigate you through this interesting card and find some solid fighters to begin your cash game construction with.
For your 1st time readers, welcome and I hope you enjoy the article. For all you regular readers, you will notice a change. Moving forward I am going to gear this article for cash games. If you want my full thoughts on the entire card, you can find them in our MMA coaches notes Yes, I know everyone wants to win that big tournament win! But a major point we make here at DFS Army is proper bankroll management. A major part of that is, of course, cash games. It may not be the sexiest way to build your bankroll but, over time it can be the most consistent. I would love to hear any feedback on this new format, and I look forward to helping everyone learn the art of creating a solid cash game lineup.
We have been on a huge run in all sports at DFS Army! Plus the 2020 MLB season has started off right where we left off last season. We just had a huge win by a member last Saturday in MMA! You name the sport from NBA to MMA, and we cover it! If you want to join in on the winning use promo code “FORSLUND” to save 20% on your membership.
As always have some fun in tournaments this week. Just remember the Golden Rule! While chasing after the big payout is enticing always remember bankroll management. I am a firm believer in the 80-20 rule. Which is 80% of your allocated bankroll for the night in cash games and 20% in tournaments. Remember to take advantage of our Research Station and Domination Station. Plus check out the podcast, and follow me on Twitter (@MMACashAssassin) for the latest MMA and DFS Army news!
MMA UFC Cash Game Basics for DFS
In cash games, unlike tournaments, we are trying to build a solid floor with our lineups. Many times that may mean using a fighter with great odds to win a match or taking someone who is severely mispriced in a solid spot. Cash games are often times card dependent. For example, if a fighter is expected to be chalky in cash games and I feel they are in a good spot I have no problem eating the chalk and just rostering him. After all, he’s chalky for a solid reason. One major difference between cash and tournament play is getting past your aversion to play the chalk. Often times, the chalk makes a lot of sense. (I’m going to use the word “chalk” a lot, if new, chalk is slang for “popular player.”) If you ever have any questions pertaining to cash games feel free to reach out to me on Twitter, or if you are a VIP shoot me a dm.
May 16, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Kevin Holland (blue gloves) defeats Anthony Hernandez (red gloves) during UFC on ESPN at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
DFS MMA UFC On ESPN 32 Cash Core Plays
Kevin Holland (-440) 9.4k
Holland is the most expensive fighter on this slate and finds himself the biggest favorite on the entire card. Add to the fact that Vegas fully expects this fight to end Inside The Distance (ITD) with a prop of -335 and in that scenario expecting Holland to be the one getting his hand raised (-165 to win ITD). He has surpassed 100+ DraftKings points in 2 of his last 4 wins with his highest score being 155.5 DK points. Add all of this up and Holland is a strong play on this 12-fight card and someone I am locking into my personal cash game builds.
Yana Kunitskaya (-220) 8.9k
Kunitskaya may not have the highest upside of the fighters priced around her but, I think she is a safer play to get the win than other fighters priced above her. Even with Vegas predicting this fight to go all 3 rounds (-170 fight goes to decision) I think Yana strikes at a high enough rate (5.24 Significant Strikes per minute) that she should be able to score 80-100 DraftKings points in a decision win. At her salary, I am fine with that and am personally constructing my cash builds with her in mine.
Tim Means (+115) 7.9k
In order to fit the higher-priced favorites on this card you are going to have to punt with an underdog or 2 on this card. Means is my favorite cash punt on this card. I think many will shy away from targeting him in cash games with this fight expected to end ITD (-135). I think because of the upside he brings though (posted DK scores of 111.5 and 109.5 in last 2 wins) at his salary and odds he makes a ton of sense to roster in cash games. The safest play in cash games in my opinion is to use him. That way you allow yourself the ability to pay up for several high priced fighters with solid floors.
Sure, these are MY favorite cash game plays, but maybe you play GPPs or like others. That’s fine…..you need tools, though. Our MMA UFC Research Station is locked and loaded with every related statistic in an easy to read, color coded fashion that cuts your research time down. It allows several fighters, like the ones I mentioned, to really pop at you and make DFS life easier. But, to access this beast, you need to become a member at DFSA…
And, if you are already a member, we have podcasts related to this UFC MMA card, as well as premium articles breaking down strategy and advice even further to #RaiseYourEdge over your competition. I’m sure you’ve seen our army helmets all over the leaderboards. We have not one, not two, but THREE of the top-ranked MMA players in the world coaching our members up on a weekly basis and helping them become better MMA DFS players. See Marley’s UFC Breakdown article here.
MMA UFC Fight To Target In Hybrids/Tournaments
Now that we covered some cash plays. Let’s breakdown 1 fight I really think you should get exposure to in your hybrid and tournament lineups.
Darren Stewart (-145) 8.6k vs Maki Pitolo (+125) 7.6
This fight is expected to go to end ITD (-150). At both their salaries the winner of this fight should be on the optimal lineup. I will personally have a good amount of exposure to this fight in tournaments because it’s a fight that will score well for DraftKings purposes. My preferred play is Pitolo because he is the cheaper fight and I think he offers a higher ceiling in a win. If you plan on playing multiple lineups in tournaments this is a great fight to target both sides of.
DFS MMA UFC Standing 8-Count
Ok, that was a boxing reference to make sure you are still paying attention. I hope you all enjoyed the new format and I look forward to hearing your feedback. Be sure you check out our VIP Podcast! If you are new to the sport of MMA, let us teach you the fundamentals to go along with this be sure you check out our new tutorial on how to MME for MMA by our CEO Geek. Become a VIP at DFS Army right now!! Our mixture of content, tools, and coaching can take the best NBA player and teach him MMA like a boss in a very short time. We have NFL guys learning Nascar, and we even have people learning how to dominate the silent sport of tennis! That’s right…..major edge in tennis, and I help out there, too.
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Good Luck Army!