Picks for UFC On ESPN+11: Ray to Capitalize on Santos’ Hiatus
- UFC on ESPN +11 goes Saturday, June 1st at 1:00 PM ET (10 AM PT)
- Can Tonya Evinger reassert herself in the bantamweight hierarchy?
- Can Manuwa snap his recent losing skid against a streaking prospect?
UFC on ESPN +11, also known as UFC Fight Night 153, emanates from the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on Saturday afternoon (June 1st, 1:00 PM ET).
The card features a high-stakes light-heavyweight headliner between Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith. There are a few interesting showcases at 205 lbs and I’ll be breaking down one of those fights later on. See below for your best bets at Fight Night 153.
**All odds as of 05/27/2019**
Evinger Runs through Lansberg
This card features an intriguing women’s bantamweight bout. The former Invicta FC Champion Tonya Evinger will be locked in the cage with “The Elbow Queen,” Lina Lansberg. Evinger and Lansberg are ranked #12 and #13, respectively, per UFC’s ranking system, with both looking to rebound in a big way.
Evinger vs Lansberg Odds
| Fighter | Odds | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Tonya Evinger | -260 | -265 |
| Lina Lansberg | +200 | +225 |
Both women recently lost to Cris Cyborg and Aspen Ladd, but Evinger has the stronger strength of schedule overall. She has been in the game for 13 years with victories over Julie Kedzie, Cindy Dandois, Irene Aldana, and Yana Kunitskaya.
Tonya Evinger knocked out Brittany Pullen and Pullen was out for a few good minutes. She was so out of it she was still fighting while she was out. #UFC229 pic.twitter.com/s6bSGJgO5l
— LORD HONKY HUMUNGUS (@Mr_Honky) October 2, 2018
Lansberg is definitely a gamer and a durable fighter. That being said, I just don’t see her stepping up to Tonya’s level in this one.
Pick: Evinger (-260)
Manuwa Halts Rakic
A couple of light-heavyweight bruisers lock horns when Manuwa and Rakic get meet at UFC on ESPN +11. For Manuwa, it’s a chance to get back on track and re-establish himself as a threat at 205 lbs. For Rakic, it represents the first top-15 contender that the 27-year-old has faced in his career.
Manuwa vs Rakic Odds
| Fighter | Odds | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Jimi Manuwa | +180 | +175 |
| Aleksandar Rakic | -230 | -205 |
While Manuwa has lost his last three in the octagon, Rakic is currently 3-0 in the UFC with a highlight-reel spinning back fist finish in his last outing. It makes sense that the odds are the way they are when you consider that.
Yet I see Manuwa as a compelling underdog here. After all, this is the same guy who has emphatic finishes over well regarded guys like Corey Anderson (currently #8 in UFC rankings) and Ovince Saint Preux (former UFC Interim Title contender).
Good lord. Here's an alternative angle of Jimi Manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) putting OSP to sleep at UFC 204. (Via imgur https://t.co/MMhfyymL2g) pic.twitter.com/1R5aIJABsm
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) November 2, 2016
I see Manuwa getting back into the winning column in Sweden.
Pick: Manuwa (+180)
Stevie Ray Puts that Harlem Heat on Santos
A quality lightweight bout will take place during the prelims. Ray has the advantage of being active, having competed five times since Santos was last in the cage.
Statement wins over Kevin Lee and Anthony Rocco Martin have Santos positioned favorably among oddsmakers despite his leave of absence from the cage.
Ray vs Santos Odds
| Fighter | Odds | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Stevie Ray | +190 | +182 |
| Leonardo Santos | -240 | -212 |
Both men are accomplished jiu jitsu practitioners with Santos having nine submission wins and Ray notching eight subs. It will be interesting to see if we get a submission masterclass or if the grappling abilities create a stalemate of sorts creating mostly a stand-up battle.
I’m leaning towards Ray based on how active he has been. Hypothetically, if both had similar schedules in recent years, I might be inclined to pick Santos.
Based on the information we have available, though, I’ve got to go with Ray at UFC on ESPN +11. I see him picking up a decision and hopefully we can get a victory spin-a-roonie.
Pick: Ray (+190)
A part-time writer and full-time broadcaster, Dylan has hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, and covered some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage.
