UFC Edmonton predictions: Full fight card picks, best bets for Buckley vs. Malott

Another week in the UFC as the promotion continues to pump out cards. The UFC hasn’t been off since Fourth of July weekend, a wild stretch that included Conor McGregor’s return plus four title fights.Saturday’s return to Edmonton, Alberta, is the 15th straight week of UFC, with no breaks until after Thanksgiving. Though we had a horrid time betting last week, buckle up for 13 fights, with the card starting at its normal 5 p.m.ET. If I thought Buckley was going to wrestle in this welterweight bout, I’d be interested in wagering on the underdog.

But that’s just not what we’ve seen from him in his UFC career. Buckley (+114) hasn’t landed a takedown in three fights, the last one he had coming against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, a former kickboxing world champion who is a notoriously bad grappler. Malott has looked excellent recently, winning four straight and is 8-1 in his UFC career. Buckley’s floor is too low for me, and Malott has knocked out two of his last three opponents. I’m targeting Malott to win by knockout in this fight at home in Canada. Prediction: Malott by KO/TKO (+380, FanDuel)Here’s a rarity: a consequential fight in the women’s division that doesn’t feel like an obvious decision. Blanchfield, who for my money should have been fighting for the women’s flyweight title, comes in as a big -300 favorite against Jasudavicius.She is a submission threat and decent wrestler with some volume striking to make things interesting on the feet. Jasudavicius likes to wrestle as well and doesn’t really get taken down much, defending attempts at a 75 percent rate.She’s an even-level striker, absorbing 3.46 significant strikes per minute against 3.47 landed. Blanchfield is more efficient as a striker, averaging 5.24 significant strikes per minute landed against 4.25 absorbed. I think Blanchfield wins the striking and is the better grappler. I’m on this fight to go the distance since it’s three rounds, and Blanchfield...