This week’s UFC Fight Night has three highly intriguing matchups at the top of the card. The event is headlined by Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang in a Light Heavyweight matchup. The Prelims for this card begin on August 23 at 3:00 a.m. ET with the Main Card starting at 6:00 a.m. ET on ESPN+.
Here are my best bets for this week’s UFC Fight Night.
Zhang Mingyang Round 1 (-160)
When someone is on a streak like Zhang Mingyang, it is hard not to ride the hot hand. Mingyang has had nine straight first-round knockouts with all 19 of his career victories coming in the first round. He proved in his last fight against Anthony Smith that the same thing is inevitable even against a veteran.
With Mingyang being a -360 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, getting him at -160 to win in the first round is the better play. Walker is coming off two straight knockouts, and two of his last three losses have come in the first round.
Aljamain Sterling To Win By Decision (-110)
Aljamain Sterling was supposed to fight Brian Ortega at Featherweight, but the fight got moved to a 153-pound catchweight bout after “T-City” had difficulties with his cut. The odds have shifted even more in Sterling’s favor after that news. Sterling is a -485 on DraftKings Sportsbook as Oretega is a +370 underdog.
Sterling has a two-inch reach advantage, which should allow him to take control of this contest. Even if he struggled to get the fight to the mat, Sterling has displayed an improved striking ability. Since Sterling’s last two wins and three of his previous four wins have come by deicoson, it is best to get him to win via decision at -110.
