UFC Fight Night 96 Dodson vs. Lineker: Picks, Prognostications + Odds (Updated)

     We have yet another garbage card from the UFC. This event is stacked full of shit and a couple of major pull outs making things worse. The Main Even features two cats that are simply unlikable and we have Cody East, who is a rapist and child abuser. Nice. The odds are fairly close on all the bouts but we couldn't find an Upset pick. Can you?

October 1, 2016

Moda Center

Portland, Oregon

Main Card on Fox Sports 1:

John Lineker (28-7) + 110 vs. John Dodson (18-7) -130

Holy bouncing lil' boys Batman, what have we here? Both men have moved up to Bantamweight but for different reasons. Dodson lost twice to champ Demetrious Johnson and has no where left to go whereas Lineker just cannot make the damn weight. Both are high octane fighters who put people to sleep so this should be quite exciting.

The difference seems to be that the Brazilian likes to press foes against the fence to do his work while the American zips around in frustrating fashion waiting for a mistake and then popping your head off. 

Dodson has more game in more areas and good luck getting your feet planted to punch him in the face. "Doddy"never stops moving and Lineker will gas thus making his attack less effective. MMAFO doesn't care for either guys jib but at least Dodson has a more complete game and isn't a 1-trick pony.

WINNER-John Dodson by Rd.4 TKO

* History has been made! John Lineker is the 1st fighter in UFC history to ever miss weight in two different classes. Congratulations on the unprofessional ass who has missed the Flyweight limit 4 times and now his 1st miss at Bantamweight. Five times Lineker has failed to meet his contract requirements. This cat just cannot get his shit together and major fines need to be levied. 

@TRILLwillbrooks (Twitter)

#6 Will Brooks (18-1) -280 vs. Alex Oliveira (14-4-1) +240

"Trill" Will is staying busy and getting comfortable in the Octagon while the division shakes itself out. A smart move for the former Bellator champion.

The "Brazilian Cowboy" is an exciting fighter who is making the head scratching move down in weight to 155's. Oliveira was big at 170 so if he can make the weight, it will be interesting to see if he can perform. Alex likes to get wild in there using his length advantages and scrambles like a mad man.

Brooks should be able to win this bout as long as he uses his superior technical wrestling game and plays it safe. There's no reason to get into a brawl here because fans boo the ground game. Do ya thang, move up the ranks, and don't take chances are the key this night.

WINNER-Will Brooks by Decision

* We mentioned that Alex Oliveira was big for Welterweight and he didn't even come close to the Lightweight limit coming in at 161.5 lbs. That, is ridiculous! 

Josh Burkman (28-13) -245 vs. Zak Ottow (13-3) +205

Sooooo tired of seeing Burkman. We were really looking forward to Bobby Green running game on Josh but he pulled out of the fight about a week ago. Zak steps up and gets put down.

WINNER-Josh Burkman by Decision

Louis Smolka (11-1) -470 vs. Brandon Moreno (11-3) +375

Smolka is a badass who can't use social media properly. Louis was slated to face Sergio Pettis but when he dropped out of the bout, Smolka took to Instagram basically saying Sergio had a vagina and was on his period. It did not go well as the momentum of criticism flowed in (get it) at the cringe worthy insults. Bad P.R. move sir and his beard is also silly.

The Mexican fighter is game enough stepping up on about a weeks notice but he is going to get wrecked.

WINNER-Louis Smolka by Rd.1 Submission

Prelims on Fox Sports 2:

Luis Henrique da Silva (11-0) -125 vs. Joachim Christensen (13-3) +105

"Frankenstein" has yet to taste defeat and was successful in his UFC debut. Silva is a striker by nature and used the body shots to set up his finish last out.

Christ is on a 5 fight streak coming into his own UFC debut. The 37 year old is more of a grinder who works hard for a points win.

Luis is 10 years younger and has more pop in his fists. It could be a close fight early but da Silva will pull away at the end.

WINNER-Luis Henrique da Silva by Decision

Hacran Dias (23-4-1) -175 vs. Andre Fili (15-4) +155

"Touchy" Fili has been underwhelming since his entrance to the big show. The Team Alpha Male fighter is very aggressive but just not a top tier talent.

Dias has also gone .500 in the UFC and is your standard Nova Uniao fighter. Big on leg kicks but he seems to wait to strike far too often. 

Not much to offer here. Andre's vitriol in the cage tends to get him in trouble as he overextends himself time and again. The safe play is the more well rounded and technical Hacran as long as he doesn't just sit back and watch the bout unfold.

WINNER-Hacran Dias by Decision

* Hacran Dias is the 3rd fighter to miss weight on this Oregon card. WTF is going on?

Shamil Abdurakhimov (16-3) -120 vs. Walt Harris (8-4) +100

The 35 year old Russian is technically sound but had a dismal debut against Tim Johnson. His 2nd effort against Anthony Hamilton was much improved and Abdurakhimov showed glimpses of why he was such a highly sought after free agent for the big boy division. Shamil is well rounded and not without skills and looks strong dirty boxing in the clinch.

Harris is an intimidating force visually but if he can't knock you out in the opening minutes he has nothing left to offer.

Shamil survives early and then puts the mitts on Walt wearing him out for an exhaustion TKO finish.

WINNER-Shamil Abdurakhimov by Rd.3 TKO

Keita Nakamura (31-7-2) -140 vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos  (14 – 4) +120

"K-Taro" is a tuffy and has grappling credentials for days. "EZ" has some striking to offer but he'll be put on his back and tapped before he has the chance to show it.

WINNER-Keita Nakamura by Rd.1 Submission

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:

Nate Marquardt (34-16-2) +190 vs. Tamdan McCrory (14-4) -230

Geez, Nate is still fighting. Someone tell this guy its time to go home and get back on the TRT which he claimed years ago he had to have to live a normal life. Ahem, he's a cheater.

The old "Barncat" is quite an adept fighter despite looking like a Dungeons & Dragons level 4 wizard (no idea if that is really a thing). The dude is tough as hell and has nasty striking that is going to make Marquardt disintegrate like a goblin into the mists of Ishtar.

WINNER-Tamdan McCrory by Rd.2 TKO

Jonathan Wilson (7-1) +140 vs. Ion Cutelaba (11-2, 1) -160

This is a boxing match. Both are going to throw leather and both are similarly skilled. Ion is only 22 years old and has all the time in the world to improve. Flip a coin but Ion is a badass name.

WINNER-Ion Cutelaba by Decision

Cody East (12-2) +200 vs. Curtis Blaydes (5-1) -240

Cody East is the fighter who was controversially signed after a litany of very nasty allegations. You can read the Bloody Elbow article here http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/2/26/11111414/mma-news-new-ufc-signing-cody-east-troubled-past-includes-rape-assault-child-abuse

Based upon all of the above information, we are not even going to try to break this one down. East should be fired from the UFC and needs to be in prison. Seriously, read the charges. This guy is a piece of shit.

WINNER-Curtis Blaydes by Rd.1 KO (we hope)

Kelly Faszholz (3-1) -120 vs. Ketlen Vieira (6-0) +100

These ladies are very green in the sport and both tend to rely on grappling. Faszholz held her own in her debut against the equally tough Lauren Murphy before getting stopped in the final round. "Fenomeno" may undefeated but she has fought no names.

WINNER-Kelly Faszholz by Decision

UFC Fight Night 96 Start Times:
Main Card on FS1: 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT

Prelims on FS1: 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass: 7:15 pm ET / 4:15 pm PT