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A two-time Dana White’s Contender Series winner finally makes his UFC debut versus another alum of the show as Maki Pitolo faces Impa Kasanganay at middleweight on Saturday during UFC Fight Night on ESPN+ this Saturday.
Pitolo is 1-2 in the UFC, and 13-6 overall. “Coconut Bombz” might need a win on the last fight of the contract he earned via a TKO of Justin Michael Sumter at DWCS in July of 2019. His lone UFC win was at TKO of Charles Byrd on June 6th of this year, but a loss on August 8th to Darren Stewart by guillotine choke in the first round put his status in peril. His activity makes him an exciting fighter, landing 4.95 significant strikes per minute and has four takedowns in his 24:51 of cage time.
Kasanganay is 7-0 in MMA with a pair of Contender Series unanimous decision wins as his last two bouts. Fighting out of Charlotte, North Carolina, he has just two KO stoppages on the independent circuit, fighting in four different promotions since making his debut in January of 2019.
Here are the betting odds and bet splits at DraftKings Sportsbook for Maki Pitolo vs. Impa Kasanganay at UFC Fight Night from Las Vegas on August 29th.
Betting splits
Maki Pitolo: -118 (45% of action, 29% of bets)
Impa Kasanganay: -106 (55% of action, 71% of bets)
Here are the DraftKings DFS salaries for Maki Pitolo vs. Impa Kasanganay tonight:
DraftKings DFS Salaries
Maki Pitolo: $7,700
Impa Kasanganay: $8,500
Pitolo’s activity and UFC experience could provide plenty of value here. Lots of undefeated fighters on their way to the octagon haven’t really defeated anyone, and Kasanganay’s not fought anyone of note so far. This could be a spot for “Coconut Bombz” Pitolo to get back in the mix in the division.
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