Upcoming Match-ups

Picks for UFC on ESPN+12: The Violence Queen Appears Ready to Claim Her Throne

Dylan Bowker

by Dylan Bowker in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Mar 23, 2020 · 11:05 AM PDT

Ariane_Lipski
Ariane Lipski is heavily favored in her latest MMA bout. Photo by mmarocks (Wikimedia Commons).
  • UFC on ESPN+ 12 goes Saturday, June 22nd at 4:00 p.m. ET
  • Will “Handsome” Matt Wiman have a successful return from his hiatus?
  • Which Women’s Flyweight will impress the most?

UFC on ESPN+ 12 goes down at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Renato Moicano and Korean Zombie are in a high stakes featherweight fight at the top of the marquee. Bantamweight KO juggernaut John Lineker takes on surging contender Rob Font in the co-main event attraction. The TV card has some fun bouts interspersed throughout.

I’ve broken down the best bets for UFC on ESPN+ 12 in my predictions below.

Matt Wiman vs Luis Pena odds

Fighter Odds at Sportsbook A Odds at Sportsbook B
Matt Wiman +315 +285
Luis Pena -380 -375

All odds taken 06/18/2019

Violent Bob Ross Paints a Picture Against Wiman

This is an intriguing lightweight fight for multiple reasons. The return of Matt Wiman is something that has fired up hardcore fans on MMA forums as of late. “Handsome” Matt scored a UFC victory in late-2014 over Isaac Vallie-Flagg, dropped out of a 2015 tilt due to injury, and hasn’t been heard from up until this recent Pena fight announcement. Wiman returns to face a promising prospect a decade his junior in Luis Pena aka Violent Bob Ross.

Wiman is no slouch and has wins over names like Mac Danzig as well as Thiago Tavares. Still, I think Pena’s work with AKA, his youth, and his frequency of schedule will guide him to victory in is one.

I have Violent Bob Ross winning this and I can see Pena scoring a finish.

Pick: Pena (-375)

Molly McCann vs Ariane Lipski odds

Fighter Odds at Sportsbook A Odds at Sportsbook AB
Molly McCann +225 +215
Ariane Lipski -265 -275

The Violence Queen Puts it on McCann

This is an attention grabbing women’s flyweight fight between rising European martial artists. Molly McCann recently notched her first UFC win and is looking to improve beyond her .500 record. Lipski is looking for her first UFC win on the heels of losing her debut to elite flyweight Joanne Calderwood. “Meatball” Molly was the Cage Warriors Flyweight champion and Lipski was KSW’s 125 lb titlist.

Lipski is looking for her first UFC win on the heels of losing her debut to elite flyweight Joanne Calderwood.

A strong win from either here is key as the Women’s Flyweight class continues to flesh itself out in the UFC. Both are campaigning for a top 15 spot, have similar levels of experience (when considering amateur/pro runs), and the parity in the division makes it fun. That being said, I can see Lipski scoring a statement win here.

Lipski faced a top five opponent in her debut, I think she learned from that experience, and is ready to put out the most authentic representation of her skills that fans got a glimpse of in KSW.

Pick: Lipski (-265)

Montana De La Rosa vs Andrea Lee odds

Fighter Odds  at Sportsbook A Odds at Sportsbook B
Montana De La Rosa +170 +180
Andrea Lee -200 -230

KGB Lee Defeats De La Rosa

Andrea Lee and Montana De La Rosa are ranked #10 and #11 respectively per the UFC Women’s Flyweight rankings. This is another consequential fight for filling out the women’s 125 lb hierarchy.

Lee and De La Rosa are both riding win streaks and the aforementioned parity makes this evenly matched bout even more compelling. I think Lee has the edge in flyweight experience and has stronger wins at 125 lbs as well. KGB Lee held and defended the LFA Flyweight Championship while De La Rosa has fluctuated between 125 lbs and 115 lbs in her career.

I see Lee scoring a W and advancing further in the ever-growing UFC Women’s Flyweight class.

Pick: Lee (-200)

Author Image