The world of combat sports betting is a hidden gem in terms of both excitement and making yourself a bit of cash-moola.
Each week from now on, we're going to be coming at you with The Hookmaker - a calculated 'fight bet of the week' gamble which will test the whiskers of bookies everywhere.
This week's bet involves boxing both in the UK and the US, as well as UFC Fight Night 75 in Japan. To ease you into it, we're only going to bet on five fights. Let's see if we can get rich together, lads. Here we go...
Boxing
1) Fedor Chudinov to beat Frank Buglioni, (2/9)
The undefeated Russian WBA super-middleweight champion Chudinov enters the contest after edging German boxing icon Felix Sturm. 'Wise Guy' Buglioni hails from Enfield, London but resides in Dublin where he trains in Paschal Collins' Celtic Warrior Gym.
Buglioni (17-1-1, 13 KOs) is one of the nicest guys in boxing, and loves a tear-up, but there remains a sense that this out-of-the-blue crack at the title has arrived to soon for the adopted Irishman; just two fights ago he drew with domestic rival Lee Markham in a fight of the year contender. Heart says Frankie, but head says Chudinov. As do the bookies.
Deontay Wilder to beat Johann Duhaupas, Rounds 4-6 (23/10)
WBC World heavyweight champion Wilder is 34-0 with 33 victories coming by way of stoppage. His record is padded, but the 6-foot-7 'Bronze Bomber' can still knock you out from across the street.
That being said, having upped his level in competition when he decisioned Bermane Stiverne for the title back in January, Wilder went beyond 4 rounds for just the second time in his 34-fight career with a TKO of Eric Molina in Alabama.
His French opponent (32-2, 20KOs) is no mug either, having narrowly outpointed fringe contender Manuel Charr in his last outing. Still, Wilder will undoubtedly stop him, it's just a matter of when. Allowing for the much maligned 'feeling out process,' an early-to-mid rounds stoppage looks most likely in Alabama on Saturday night.
UFC
Diego Brandao to beat Katsonuri Kikuno (4/9)
Remember Diego Brandao? The Brazilian was blasted out of what was then the O2 Arena, Dublin, by Conor McGregor last July, before rebounding with a TKO of Jimy Hettes on the undercard of Machida vs Rockhold this April.
He takes on Japan's Katsonuri Kikuno at UFC Fight Night 75 on Saturday night - with the Jap judo blackbelt looking to bounce back from a first round KO defeat at the hands of Kevin Souza in March.
At 28 and entering the octagon brimful of confidence following his April victory, Brandao should have too much firepower for his tamely-fisted opponent, who is five year's the Brazilian's senior.
Nick Hein to beat Yusuke Kasuya (2/5)
Hein got back in the win column in June when he took a unanimous decision from Lukasz Sajewski at UFC Fight Night 69 in front of his home fans in Berlin. That got him back on track after a decision loss to James Vick at UFC Fight Night 57. Prior to that setback, he had a 7-fight unbeaten streak, including 5 straight victories.
His Japanese opponent Kasuya has home advantage, but making his UFC debut will struggle against the more experienced, steelier German.
Kajan Johnson to beat Naoyuki Kotani (2/5)
Again, Kotani has a partisan home crowd on his side against 'Ragin' Kajan Johnson, but at 33 years of age and on a 2-fight losing streak, the Japanese lightweight looks finished. Indeed, he was released by the UFC following defeat to Denis Siver in 2007, before re-signing last year and losing to Norman Parke in Dublin under McGregor vs Brandao.
Johnson decisioned Lipeng Zhang on the Edgar vs Faber card back in May, and looks the fresher fighter ahead of Saturday night's clash.
This Week's Hookmaker
A 5-fight accumulator with all of the above picks works out at just over 11/1. 10 bob will return you close to €115. Just don't go lights out on the tiles!
