The Ultimate Fighting Championship will make its return to Mexico City for its UFC Fight Night event this week. Also referred to as UFC Fight Night 159 and the UFC on ESPN+ 17, this card won\u2019t feature many big names outside of the co-main event bouts. However, what it will feature is three excellent opportunities to cash in with three tilts in particular. Here is a look at the three best bets on the board for UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Stephens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stephens might be the bigger name but he is coming off back-to-back losses to Jose Aldo and Zabit Magomedsharipov, so it feels like he should be the dog in this main event bout. While he is a solid defensive wrestler, he was absolutely picked apart in both of those losses including a TKO at the hands of Aldo. Now Stephens will step inside the Octagon against another solid striker in Rodriguez, who is coming off a knockout win over Chan Sung Jung. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rodriguez has lost just once since 2012 and that was via doctor stoppage after going toe-to-toe with Frankie Edgar at UFC 211. He should be able to dictate the pace of this fight with his striking, keeping him at a distance and attacking his biggest weakness. With the crowd behind him, I\u2019m expecting him to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grasso enters this fight as the slight favorite but there is reason to believe that the smart bet is on the underdog Esparza. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Esparza, who is coming off a unanimous decision win over Virna Jandiroba, is a very versatile fighter that knows how to mix it up and attack her opponents with a unique blend of striking and wrestling. Grasso is very technically sound, which is a big part of the reason why she has secured each of her last five wins via decision. However, Esparza\u2019s unique approach could draw her out of her comfort zone a little bit. Grasso will want to stand up and engage in a striking exchange. She might not get that opportunity if Esparza has her way and focuses on her wrestling ability to wear her down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the slight underdog this matchup, it makes sense to take Esparza to win this bout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The younger brother of UFC Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis decided to move back to the flyweight division following a couple of tough losses at bantamweight where his lack of size really hurt him. However, the transition might not go as smooth as expected based on the fact that he has to worry about making weight just to have a shot against a very talented opponent in Nam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nam is coming off back-to-back wins in the X-1 World Events. A relative unknown, there is a very good chance that Nam is being severely underestimated heading in to this fight. The fact that Pettis has to make the weight cut heading in to a tilt against an opponent he doesn\u2019t really know well after struggling in his last couple of fights should sound the alarm bells. At +285, it feels like he\u2019s worth a flier here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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