DraftKings Network - Everything you need to know for Louis Smolka vs. Casey Kenney at UFC on ESPN 9Another great SB Nation bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52893/DKN_Favicon_32x32..png2020-05-30T16:15:05-07:00http://dknetwork.draftkings.com/rss/stream/210359092020-05-30T16:15:05-07:002020-05-30T16:15:05-07:00How the public is betting Louis Smolka vs. Casey Kenney
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<img alt="Opponents Louis Smolka and Casey Kenney face off during the UFC weigh-in at UFC APEX on May 29, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EtkAHbXXUgu1-berlnmrxeaPgBQ=/0x0:4330x2887/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66875541/1232666609.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC</figcaption>
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<p>Louis Smolka and Casey Kenney square off in a bantamweight bout at UFC on ESPN 9 in Las Vegas on May 30th. We break down how the betting public is picking the fight.</p> <p id="16qZSS"><strong>UPDATE 6:56 pm</strong>: Casey Kenney wins by submission at 3:03 of the first round. It’s his first stoppage in the UFC.</p>
<p id="ths4i1">Two bantamweights with very different career paths face off at UFC on ESPN 9 tonight as Louis Smolka takes on Casey Kenney live from UFC Apex in Las Vegas.</p>
<p id="W0vyJ3">While Kenney enters as a strong favorite, the money has moved slightly towards Smolka in trading this week. Kenney was the last fighter to make weight yesterday, maybe leading to so trepidation from bettors, but he was a half-pound clear of the limit.</p>
<p id="7QReBb">Smolka returned to the UFC in November 2018, having been dropped in December 2017 after losing four straight fights. The 28-year-old is 2-1 since coming back, with all fights being a stoppage. His 16-6 career record has seven knockouts and seven submissions, so he’s not afraid to mix it up.</p>
<p id="sYQD4a">The 29-year-old Kenney is from Tucson, Arizona, and has seven decision wins on his 13-2-1 career record, with all fights going to the scorecards in his 2-1 UFC career. He took a unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili in February his last time in the octagon.</p>
<p id="3S34rS">Here are the betting splits at <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/gateway?s=972217323&bTag=a_6417b_713c_">DraftKings Sportsbook</a> for Louis Smolka vs. Casey Kenney at UFC on ESPN on May 30th:</p>
<h2 id="ClMAbV">Betting splits</h2>
<p id="ccamTE">Louis Smolka: Opened at +225, now at +215 — 23% handle, 25% bets<br>Casey Kenney: Opened at -305, now at -278 — 77% handle, 75% bets</p>
<p id="9ApZzo"><em>Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN) or 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO). NH/NJ/WV/IN/PA/CO only. 21+ (18+ NH). Eligibility Restrictions Apply. See website for details.</em></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/5/30/21274863/louis-smolka-vs-casey-kenney-picks-ufc-espn-9-odds-predictions-ko-tko-decision-submissionCollin Sherwin2020-05-30T13:10:40-07:002020-05-30T13:10:40-07:00Tale of the tape for Louis Smolka vs. Casey Kenney
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<img alt="Louis Smolka celebrates after his knockout victory over Ryan MacDonald in their bantamweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Rogers Arena on September 14, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/L0MWaw9BPj_JZhra2Kygz0uMxYM=/0x0:4642x3095/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66858520/1174698503.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC</figcaption>
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<p>Louis Smolka and Casey Kenney square off in a bantamweight bout at UFC on ESPN on May 30th. We break down the odds.</p> <h2 id="16qZSS">UPDATE: <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2020/5/30/21274863/louis-smolka-vs-casey-kenney-picks-ufc-espn-9-odds-predictions-ko-tko-decision-submission">How the public is betting Smolka-Kenney</a>
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<p id="bUd4rj">Two bantamweights with very different career paths face off at UFC Fight Night on Saturday May 30th when Louis Smolka takes on Casey Kenney live from UFC Apex in Las Vegas as part of the undercard.</p>
<p id="7QReBb">Smolka only returned to the UFC in November 2018, having been dropped in December 2017 after losing four straight fights. The 28-year-old is 2-1 since coming back, with all fights being a stoppage. His 16-6 career record has seven knockouts and seven submissions, so he’s not afraid to mix it up.</p>
<p id="sYQD4a">The 29-year-old Kenney is from Tucson, Arizona, but he’s certainly not afraid to see fights go the distance. He has seven decisions on his 13-2-1 career record, and during his 2-1 UFC career all fights have gone to the scorecards. He lost to Merab Dvalishvili unanimously in February in his last bout.</p>
<p id="JJWt84">Here are the betting odds at <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/gateway?s=972217323&bTag=a_6417b_713c_">DraftKings Sportsbook</a> for Louis Smolka vs. Casey Kenney at UFC on ESPN on May 30th:</p>
<h2 id="CIATLL">Money line odds</h2>
<p id="ccamTE">Louis Smolka: +225<br>Casey Kenney: -305</p>
<p id="9ApZzo"><em>Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN) or 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO). NH/NJ/WV/IN/PA/CO only. 21+ (18+ NH). Eligibility Restrictions Apply. See website for details.</em></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/5/28/21269947/louis-smolka-vs-casey-kenney-odds-total-rounds-win-by-ko-tko-submission-decision-ufc-on-espnCollin Sherwin2020-05-27T06:49:44-07:002020-05-27T06:49:44-07:00Full list of odds for UFC on ESPN 9 as of Wednesday morning
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<img alt="Tyron Woodley standing before his fight against Kamaru Usman during UFC 235 at T-Mobile Arena." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0qBLfKDRWZ2z767LifUNESEI07s=/0x0:4707x3138/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66849118/usa_today_12275285.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We run through where the odds stand midway through the week for UFC on ESPN 9. Quarantillo vs. Carlyle has seen some movement.</p> <p id="V29CRz">UFC on ESPN 8 gets underway at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 30th, and we already have one change in the card. Kevin Holland had to <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/ufc-mma-mixed-martial-arts-cards-ppv/2020/5/26/21269940/kevin-holland-vs-daniel-rodriguez-injury-withdrawal-ufc-on-espn-replacement-fighter">drop out of his scheduled bout</a> with Daniel Rodriguez due to an injury suffered in training. He has since been <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/5/26/21270978/daniel-rodriguez-now-welcomes-newcomer-gabriel-green-at-ufc-on-espn-9">replaced by Gabriel Green</a>, who is making his UFC debut coming off a six-fight win streak in Bellator and Combate Americas.</p>
<p id="sbwSOp"><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/gateway?s=972217323&bTag=a_6417b_713c_">DraftKings Sportsbook</a> has not yet posted odds on Rodriguez vs. Green, but they have lines for the other ten fights on the card. Most have not seen movement yet since opening earlier in the week, but underdog Spike Carlyle has closed the gap for his bout with Billy Quarantillo. Carlyle opened at +132 to Quarantillo’s -167. As of Wednesday morning, Carlyle is sitting at +120, while Quarantillo is at -155. This is the second UFC fight for each in what appears to be a lightweight fight (but is not described on the UFC website).</p>
<p id="5vGt9k">Below is a full list of odds, as of 9:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday.</p>
<p id="56Uiw8">Chris Gutierrez: -125<br>Vince Morales: -103</p>
<p id="XP4GDd">Louis Smolka: +225<br>Casey Kenney: -305</p>
<p id="nSv4Vb">Tim Elliott: -190<br>Brandon Royval: +150</p>
<p id="vLO4u2">Jamahal Hill: -143<br>Klidson Abreu: +115</p>
<p id="eVafGj">Katlyn Chookagian: +120<br>Antonina Shevchenko: -150</p>
<p id="fglqTc">Mackenzie Dern: -400<br>Hannah Cifers: +295</p>
<p id="LGElUu">Roosevelt Roberts: -305<br>Brok Weaver: +225</p>
<p id="f8dBUm">Billy Quarantillo: -167 to -155<br>Spike Carlyle: +132 to +120</p>
<p id="oMu2dP">Blagoy Ivanov: -106<br>Augusto Sakai: -121</p>
<p id="r1WQlf">Tyrone Woodley: -182<br>Gilbert Burns: +150</p>
<p id="nfAjCc"><em>Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN) or 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO). NH/NJ/WV/IN/PA/CO only. 21+ (18+ NH). Eligibility Restrictions Apply. See website for details.</em></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/5/27/21271766/ufc-on-espn-9-odds-fights-card-roosevelt-roberts-vs-brok-weaver-mackenzie-dern-hannah-cifersDavid Fucillo2020-05-20T08:23:06-07:002020-05-20T08:23:06-07:00Dana White says UFC will return to Las Vegas on May 30th, while athletic commission has yet to comment
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<img alt="UFC president Dana White talks with Brian Kelleher of the United States after winning his Men’s Bantamweight bout during UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Vz7TL1I5e5NhlJeL-2YYqq4dPAM=/0x0:4637x3091/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66821330/1224713597.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>According to the UFC President, the fights will return to the UFC’s own facility in Las Vegas in 10 days.</p> <p id="Vzc6zV">We knew two of the fights the UFC planned on having on May 30th, but we didn’t know where. Now according to <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/mma-ufc/ufcs-dana-white-says-may-30-woodley-burns-fight-a-go-in-las-vegas-2032060/">Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal</a>, the card for the last Saturday in May will take place at the UFC’s Apex facility in Las Vegas.</p>
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<p id="S8UWEZ">UFC president Dana White told the Review-Journal early Wednesday the organization will hold a May 30 event at its Apex Facility in southwest Las Vegas.</p>
<p id="WQ0Y1i">“We are a go on the 30th,” White said in a text message around 12:30 a.m.</p>
<p id="34o0Dr">Former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is set to headline the card in his first fight since losing the belt in March 2019 fight to Kamaru Usman. Woodley will face Gilbert Burns.</p>
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<p id="lSfNRY">White had said previously that <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2020/5/18/21262975/ufc-may-30-event-location-arizona-las-vegas-woodley-vs-burns-dern-cifers-sakai-ivanov-abreu-hill">the fights might be moved to Arizona</a>, but according to the UFC President that won’t happen as he appears to have been cleared to fight in the arena right next door to the UFC’s headquarters just south of the Las Vegas Strip. There has been no comment from state of Nevada or the Nevada Athletic Commission, with the state beginning to reopen <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/states-reopen-map-coronavirus.html">but still encouraging residents to stay home</a>. Dana White is known to often speak out of turn, so we’ll see if the commission says otherwise.</p>
<p id="1swZfi">There are two fights planned for this card already, with light heavyweights <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2020/5/19/21263897/tyron-woodley-vs-gilbert-burns-main-event-ufc-may-30-preview-records-ko-tko-submission">Tyron Woodley facing Gilbert Burns</a> facing off, as well as welterweights <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2020/5/20/21264749/klidson-abreu-vs-jamahal-hill-ufc-may-30-preview-records-ko-tko-submission">Klidson Abreu and Jamahal Hill</a>.</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/5/20/21264957/ufc-may-30th-event-dana-white-location-las-vegas-ufc-apex-tyron-woodley-vs-gilbert-burnsCollin Sherwin2020-05-18T15:09:04-07:002020-05-18T15:09:04-07:00UFC May 30th event may be moved to Arizona
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<img alt="Tyron Woodley standing before his fight against Kamaru Usman during UFC 235 at T-Mobile Arena." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9sF664UBFUAfCUhdL90jaHvUuXs=/0x0:4707x3138/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66813461/usa_today_12275285.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>UFC has a card scheduled for May 30th. We break down the latest news on where it might take place.</p> <p id="Wk8E5A">The UFC has its next event scheduled for May 30th, but for the moment the location is not entirely settled. The organization was planning on holding the event at their APEX facility in Las Vegas, but Nevada currently has a ban on all combat sports.</p>
<p id="xPzGHh">Following Saturday’s UFC event in Jacksonville, organization president Dana White said Arizona was the likely destination. Arizona’s governor announced last week that the state would invite sports to operate there while their own states are shut down, and <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/5/17/21261400/dana-white-confirms-the-ufc-will-move-shows-to-arizona-if-las-vegas-doesnt-re-open">White is enthusiastic about the opportunity</a>.</p>
<p id="lr7rGp">The event was originally scheduled for May 23rd, but was moved to the 30th earlier this month. The card has not been announced, but expectations are that <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/5/14/21258354/dana-white-confirms-may-23-ufc-card-moving-to-may-30-hopes-for-las-vegas">Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns will fight</a> in a welterweight main event. Other rumored fights include <a href="https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/4/28/21239182/mackenzie-dern-vs-hannah-cifers-planned-ufc-may-23rd-event-mma-news">Mackenzie Dern vs. Hannah Cifers</a>, <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/5/7/21251053/ufc-reschedules-blagoy-ivanov-augusto-sakai-june-6-coronavirus">Augusto Sakai vs. Blagoy Ivanov</a>, and <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/5/2/21245287/klidson-abreu-jamahal-hill-ufc-event-may-23">Klidson Abreu vs. Jamahal Hill</a>.</p>
<p id="WyATz0">UFC has completed three events over the past two weeks, including its UFC 249 PPV. The next PPV event is UFC 250, currently scheduled for June 6th and headlined by Amanda Nues vs. Felicia Spencer.</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2020/5/18/21262975/ufc-may-30-event-location-arizona-las-vegas-woodley-vs-burns-dern-cifers-sakai-ivanov-abreu-hillDavid Fucillo