Saturday June 27th UFC Fight Night Austin Prelims Betting Preview

UFC Fight Night Austin prelims betting is down to 4 bouts after Miranda Maverick had to bow out of her fight with Mara Romero Borella due to injury. There’s still plenty of wagering opportunities for Saturday’s even from the APEX in Las Vegas, originally scheduled to be held in Austin, TX.

Half of the eight fighters on this prelim card have 3 losses or less in their MMA career. Is it time to go chalk or ‘dogs for UFC Fight Night Austin prelims betting?

Jordan Griffin (+105) vs. Youssef Zalai (-135)
Featherweight

Jordan Griffin (18-7) scored his first UFC win back in February after catching TJ Brown in the guillotine in the 2nd round for a submission. Griffin had lost his first two in the promotion by unanimous decision. Youssef Zalal (8-2) will be making just his 2nd appearance for the UFC after winning by decision back at UFC 247 in February.

Both fighters are 5’10” and with just a 1″ reach advantage going to Griffin. Zalal landed 6 of his 12 takedown attempts in his UFC debut but also had a 56% striking accuracy. Griffin doesn’t even average one successful takedown attempt per 15 mins (0.35) so Zalal is definitely the more versatile fighter here. 5 of Zalal’s 8 wins have come early, but the more experienced Griffin should be able to avoid trouble.
Pick: Zalal -135

Kay Hansen (-180) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (+145)
Women’s Strawweight

Kay Hansen (6-3) is quite a significant favorite over Jinh Yu Frey (9-4) heading into their women’s strawweight bout for UFC fight night Austin prelims betting. It will be the UFC debut for both fighters.

The main thing to look at in this fight is the age difference, as Jinh Yu Frey has 15 years on the 20-year-old Hansen. Frey is the former Invicta champion who was stripped of her belt for failing to make weight in a unanimous decision title bout. Frey moves up from atomweight in this matchup but Hansen is still very raw as the youngest woman in the UFC. This fight is -275 to go the distance but it’s also an example of where either experience or youth could lead to an early ending.
Pick: NO, fight does not go the distance +210

Takashi Sato (-280) vs. Jason Witt (+220)
Welterweight

A positive coronavirus test to one of Ramiz Brahimaj’s cornerman has forced Jason Witt (17-5) into the bout with Takashi Sato (15-3). It will be the UFC debut for Witt who only found out about the fight on Thursday. While the late notice does pose some challenges for Witt, it also changes Sato’s approach as he was training for the submission specialist Brahimaj.

Sato has two UFC fights under his belt, both ending early. His debut in the promotion was a TKO of Ben Saunders but Sato fell via submission in the 2nd round to Belal Muhammad last September. It’s been a long layoff, but Sato has a huge edge in this matchup.
Pick: No, fight does not complete 2 full rounds -135

Luis Pena (-250) vs. Khama Worthy (+195)
Lightweight

“Violent Bob Ross” Luis Pena (8-2) has gone 4-2 in the UFC, winning 3 of his last 4. Pena has a 4″ height advantage over 5’11” Khama Worthy (15-6) but that equals out to just a 1″ reach advantage.Worthy was impressive in his first and only UFC fight last September, finishing close friend Devonte Smith in the 1st round with a TKO. Worthy is still a huge underdog Saturday though.

Both of Pena’s losses have come via a split decision and he also has two early finishes among his 4 career UFC wins. Worthy is on a 6-fight winning streak and has shown the ability to end things early even against his friend Smith. Worthy didn’t attempt one takedown in his UFC debut and will want to end this one on the feet.
Pick: Fight Under 2.5 rounds -130