Punting tips and bookie bonuses for UFC Fight Night 96

UFC Fight Night 96: Portland, Oregon on Saturday, October 1 from 11pm/8pm ETPT.

Lineker vs Dodson

This headline bantamweight match up of UFC Fight Night 96 sets number three-ranked John Lineker against John Dodson.

Lineker boasts a professional record of 28-7-0. As it stands that record isn’t too shabby at all, but it becomes even more impressive when you realise Lineker lost five of those in the infancy of his career and has only lost two pro fights since 2010. That gives him a record of 22-2-0 since 2010. That is impressive! In fact, Lineker hasn’t lost a fight since the beginning of 2014, which saw him lose a decision to Ali Bagautinov. Since then Lineker has won five straight.

Lineker might look as tall as a pygmy, but he is widely renowned for his power and striking ability. His recent career wins are littered with KO and TKO’s by punches.

Dodson, with a pro career of 19-7-0, may not have as many wins under his belt as Lineker, but in recent times, since 2010 in fact, he has only lost two fights and both of them were to Demetrious Johnson, the UFC flyweight champion.

Bovada.net has the fight as a close one with a money line of -105 on Lineker and -125 on Dodson. This is a five round fight but I think Lineker has the striking ability to snuff out the fight early. The sheer fighting experience has behind him leads me to believe Lineker get over Dodson.

Our tip: Lineker to win at -105 with Bovada.lv

Brooks vs Oliveira

This lightweight bout sets Will Brooks against Alex Oliveira.

Brooks has carved out his career up until this fight in the Bellator arena: he comes into the UFC with a professional record of 18-1-0. In five years of fighting Will Brooks has only lost one fight, so the guy is clearly tough and a smart fighter.

One thing Brooks’ career shows us though is that he can take his fights all the way. Nine of his 18 wins have come from decisions.

Alex Oliveira’s pro record of 14-3-1 and 1NC is a little less impressive than Brooks’. In stark contrast to Brooks, 64 per cent of Oliveira’s wins have come from KO or TKO.

Bovada.lv sees this as an extremely one-sided affair, giving Brooks a money line of -270 and Oliveira a money line of +210. Despite these odds though it may be easy to throw a bit of coin on Oliveira. With his ability to close out a fight by throwing knuckles might just catch Brooks off guard and cause an upset.

Obviously the smart money is on Brooks, but all it takes is one perfect punch from Oliveira to give Brooks his second pro loss. Oliveira’s extra four inch reach advantage may prove to be the difference.

Our tip: Oliveira provides value at +210 at Bovada.lv

Burkman vs Ottow

Another lightweight fight of the night pits Josh Burkman against Zak Ottow.

Burkman is a battle hardened journeyman, at 36 he is on the down swing of his career and with a pro record of 29-13-0 it is hard to argue. Recently Burkman has fallen on hard times. He has lost four of his last seven fights. A fifth loss during this time to Hector Lombard was overturned to a no contest when it was discovered Lombard was on anabolic steroids.

Ottow on the other hand holds a pro record 13-3-0. Ten of his 13 wins have come through submission. If Ottow can get Burkman to the ground this fight might be over, but getting Burkman on the canvas is a little harder than you might expect, he has a take down defence 73.33%.

Bovada.lv has this as an extremely one sided fight with Burkman the firm favourite on a money line of -230 and Ottow at +180. Again though, if Ottow can get this fight to the ground then I think he is in with a great chance of getting away with his maiden UFC win.

Our tip: Ottow at +180 at Bovada.lv