TUF 28 Finale Preview and Best Bets
Moments before Rafael Dos Anjos and Kamaru Usman square off in what is sure to be an exciting main event, we will witness many more fights from live from Las Vegas, Nevada, this weekend.
The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale wraps up yet another season of the reality television show and this time will see four finalists battle it out in two different weight divisions on this card.
For now, we’ll preview the confirmed matchups that include several fights between experienced fighters in the UFC as well a couple of newcomers.
If you haven’t already, make sure to read over our preview, prediction, and best bet for Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Kamaru Usman which also takes place on the same night.
And the next night, the UFC will host an event in Adelaide that features Junior Dos Santos vs. Tai Tuivasa as the headlining heavyweight clash. You can read our UFC Fight Night 142 betting guide for that fight here.
But for now, let’s move forward and uncover betting value for each of these fights at TUF 28 Finale.
Pedro Munhoz vs. Bryan Caraway
Friday, November 30– 11:00 pm (ET) / 3:00 am (GMT)
Pedro Munhoz vs. Bryan Caraway could be one of the most exciting matchups of the entire weekend, as these two battle it out to move up the bantamweight rankings in the UFC.
Pedro Munhoz will enter the cage as a moderate betting favorite against Bryan Caraway this weekend.
And that’s entirely expected considering how inconsistent Caraway can be. Will we get the same guy who defeated Aljamain Sterling (just) not all that long ago? Or will we encounter the same Caraway that fell short against Cody Stamann?
Add to this the fact that Caraway will likely be playing into some of Munhoz’s favorite traps – including the guillotine choke – and we’re certainly already leaning toward Munhoz.
“The Young Punisher” steps in after bouncing back against Brett Johns in his most recent contest. That win was soon after he was defeated by John Dodson in a narrow split decision earlier this year. Before then, Munhoz had managed an impressive four-fight winning streak to establish himself as a dangerous contender in the division.
But he’s always fallen short against the best out there, and so has Caraway.
We’re leaning Munhoz in this one by unanimous decision.
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Darren Stewart vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
Friday, November 30 – 10:30 pm (ET) / 2:30 am (GMT)
One of the hottest new prospects in the UFC will finally make his debut with the promotion this weekend.
Edmen Shahbazyan enters TUF Finale 28 on an outstanding streak of seven first-round victories to start his career. He’ll face the heavy-handed Darren Stewart in a middleweight fight.
This one is sure to be spectacular.
Edmen Shahbazyan is about as aggressive as it gets inside the cage and recently earned his UFC contract by storming past his opponent in the first round at Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. That win was enough to impress White and the matchmakers, and he’ll now be put to the test on the main card of The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale.
Darren Stewart has turned a disappointing start to his UFC career around and most recently scored two consecutive KO/TKO victories of his own. With heavy hands and excellent kickboxing technique, Stewart is a problem for many who choose to stand in front of him.
While there’s not much tape out there to help us review Edmen Shahbazyan – mostly because he has ruined his opponents inside the opening minute or two – he won’t look out of his league this weekend. With heavy hands, decent technique, and what seems to be a good chin, Shahbazyan storms forward and hopes to crush his opponent with devastating punches at close range.
Trading in the pocket with Darren Stewart isn’t a recommended strategy, however. Stewart is a dangerous knockout artist of his own and will make Shahbazyan pay for his mistakes on the inside.
We have a hard time agreeing with the line for this fight, and we consider Stewart to have a slight edge. For that reason, we’ll take the generous odds that are being offered for “The Dentist” to win.
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Ji Yeon Kim vs. Antonina Shevchenko
Friday, November 30– 10:00 pm (ET) / 2:00 am (GMT)
Another highly-touted newcomer will be tested at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale this weekend when Antonina Shevchenko meets Ji Yeon Kim.
Antonina Shevchenko, the sister of Valentina Shevchenko, has finally arrived in the UFC after impressing White and the crew during her fight on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series.
An extremely talented Muay Thai athlete, Shevchenko, just like her sister, competed as a striker for much of her fighting career. Now interested in taking mixed martial arts to the next level, Shevchenko has joined the same division that her sister is expected to become a champion of.
Shevchenko will meet tough South Korean opponent Ji Yeon Kim in her debut. The 29-year-old nicknamed “Fire Fist” is on a two-fight winning streak in the UFC after scoring consecutive split decision victories over Justine Kish and Melinda Fábián.
“Fire Fist” has only lost once in her career to date, and that was against Lucie Pudilová in her first time inside the UFC’s octagon.
We’re expecting this to be a stand-up battle and in that case, it’s almost impossible to back against Antonina Shevchenko, who is equally dangerous from long range and in the clinch.
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Best Bets for The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale
Here are all of the best bets for The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale main card:
- Bryan Caraway
- Pedro Munhoz
- TUF 28 Finale