Welcome back fellow MMA fight fans to a Saturday Night of UFC . This time we have a 11-fight card taking place on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. 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.
DFS MMA UFC On ESPN 16 Cash Core Plays
Charles Jourdain (-450) 9.3k
Jourdain finds himself the highest priced fighter on this slate as well as the biggest favorite on the entire card. Vegas likes this fight to end Inside The Distance (ITD) -225 and like Jourdain to be the 1 getting his hand raised in this scenario (-160 to win ITD). In his lone UFC win thus far he posted a DraftKings score of 122 points and I think that is around the range he will score in a win. To sum it up Jourdain is a fighter I an starting my cash game builds with and I highly suggest you do the same.
May 30, 2020; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Casey Kenney (blue gloves) celebrates after his submission victory over Louis Smolka (not pictured) in their bantamweight fight during UFC Fight Night. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa via USA TODAY Sports
Casey Kenney (-325) 9k
Kenney is a solid all around fighter that not only lands at a decent rate of 3.16 Significant Strikes (SS’s) per minute, but also has the ability to take the fight to the ground as well (1.25 TD’s per fight). Both of these things are what we look for when targeting fighters on DraftKings. I am guessing Kenney has a floor of around 80 DK points in a win and a ceiling of 100. Either or that is nothing to complain about at his salary in cash games. Overall I think he is a strong play in cash games.
Irene Aldana (+100) 7.8k
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. Aldana is my favorite cash punt on this card. I see no reason she doesn’t score 30-40 DraftKings points in a decision loss (fight carries a -230 fight goes to decision prop). Add to the fact I am picking her to win and in all of her UFC wins via decision she has scored 89+ DraftKings points. The safest play in cash games in my opinion is to use her. 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.
Yorgan De Castro (-240) 8.9k vs Carlos Felipe (+200) 7.3k
This fight carries an ITD prop of (-270) the highest on the entire card. 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 (north of 80%) because it’s a fight that will score well for DraftKings purposes. My preferred play is Felipe because he cheaper and with this being a Heavyweight fight very live to getting the 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.
If you are still on the fence, remember, my code FORSLUND knocks 20% off the cover price as long as you remain a member. It’s not a one-month code….it’s permanent. And, are a couple of quick notes from our members….
Good Luck Army!
