The Golden Goose – Cage Warriors 161 DUBLIN – BEST BETS

1st of all allow me to introduce myself. Remember Top Gun? Not the latest 1. The original 1986 classic. Well with my aviators on, my friends decided to give me the nickname “Goose”. Which was Mavericks Co pilot in the best Tom Cruise movie after Cocktail. Did I say Top Gun?

Each week I’ll be bringing you a regular section on the site, with my best betting picks and predictions for the weekends action. Of course if gambling, please gamble responsibly.

This weekend I’m coming to you LIVE from Dublin, Ireland. The home of this Saturdays Cage Warriors CW161 DUBLIN card. As I’ll be attending the event I’ve decided to focus on this card, along with a sprinkle of UFC Vegas 81.

Right, let’s get this show on the road.

GER HARRIS V RYAN HEWITT – Back Ger Harris to win @ 7/10 or -143 in the US of A.

I couldn’t believe the betting line on this one. No disrespect to Ryan Hewitt, he’s not a terrible fighter. But I really like Ger Harris. He’s certainly a prospect. Fights out of SBG Charlestown and is a local lad who will have the crowd well on his side. Ger has a slick submission game, finishing 2 out of his 3 pro fights via submission. Plus he has a ton of wins as an amateur, which only helps with the transition to the pro game. Ryan Hewitt is 1-1 as a pro, and whilst he has cage time as an amateur, his record wasn’t pretty. He’s durable, but 2-7 doesn’t make me think he’s got much to trouble Ger here. In comparison Ger has a 8-2 record before turning pro. For me, the bookies got the odds wrong in this one.

Next up…

IEUAN DAVIES V LEON HILL – Back Ieuan Davies to win @ 5/6 or -120 in the US of A.

Potential fight of the night this one. Which also just happens to open up the main card. I may faint cageside if this 1 goes the distance! Expect violence! Both can finish, both can bang, both enjoy giving a rear naked choke! Honestly it could go either way. But I’m just edging Davies. I’m high on the kid. He has that something about him that you need in MMA. A subtle confidence. Leon Hill lost his pro debut but has since knocked out 6 straight wins. So he’s riding high. Just like the unbeaten Welshman. I expect both to throw down and leave it all in the cage. But call it a hunch, Davies will thrive off been the away fighter, in the Irishman’s back yard, and silence the Dublin crowd to take the W. I’ve foreseen it.

Last but not least, my best bet for UFC Vegas 81 @ The Apex. After what’s been a mental week for Dana & the gang across the pond. Main events falling out, Co main soon followed and then the USADA scandal. Now we get back to the fighting….

EDSON BARBOZA v SODIQ YUSUFF – Take Barboza to win @ 13/10 or +130 in the US of A.

Now this might sound like I’m hating on Sodiq here, or I’m just a huge Barboza fan. You can apply either. But what does Sodiq Yusuff posses that Barboza hasn’t either seen before, or is elite at. NOTHING! It’s that simple. Yusuff is a good fighter. But for me he lines up great for Edson. Edson only really struggles against people who can out grapple him. Yusuff can’t do that. He’s a in your face boxer, with punch output. He doesn’t hit that hard. Plus here’s the kicker. Literally. His leg kick defence is terrible. He got pieced up on the DWCS with leg kicks, and whilst he won. He was struggling to walk after it! Dog money on someone of Barboza’s calibre!! At 145? TAKE MY MONEY.

Turn and burn baby. Goose out.