UFC Tampa Punching Parlay: The Last Winning Wager of 2024!
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David Manyun
- December 11, 2024
UFC Tampa Punching Parlay
- Vitor Petrino ML (-275)
- Josefine Knutsson ML (-230)
UFC Pick: Two-Legged Parlay (+106) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Florida for an action-packed evening of octagon violence. Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley will be the final UFC fight and main event of 2024. Of course, I’m back again to supplement your UFC parlay betting needs at the top-rated sportsbooks.
Below are two of my favorite moneyline selections from the UFC Tampa fight card. After thoroughly analyzing these UFC odds and betting markets, the following picks and analysis present the perfect pairing for this week’s edition of the ‘Punching Parlay.’
UFC Tampa Information
- Date & Time: Saturday, December. 14, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET
- Location: Amalie Arena
- Scheduled Fights: 13
- Main Event: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley (UFC Welterweight Bout)
Dustin Jacoby vs. Vitor Petrino Betting Preview
UFC Tampa Light Heavyweight Bout
Jacoby: The Story So Far
He isn’t the flashiest fighter, nor does he present a skillset capable of championship aspirations. However, Dustin Jacoby is somewhat of a household name at this point, and although a 7-6-1 UFC record isn’t pretty on paper, he’s going to scrap it out in that octagon until his heart’s content and often provide fight fans with what they tuned in for.
Unfortunately, the previous two years of Jacoby’s UFC tenure took a cataphoric downfall. He went from a seven-fight unbeaten streak since debuting to losing four of his five most recent bouts. We must give credit where credit is due; the level of competition hasn’t been a walk in the park, but aged 36, it isn’t easy to envision him tangling with the up-and-coming 205ers to much success.
- Jacoby Pro MMA Record: 19-9-1
- Jacoby Knockout Wins: 12
- Jacoby Submission Wins: 1
Petrino: The Story So Far
Five fights under the UFC banner, two performance-of-the-night bonuses, and a professional MMA career that’s seen him finish 8 of his 11 winning bouts, yet everyone wants to focus on Vitor Petrino’s one defeat versus Anthony Smith and proclaim he was fraud-checked.
I’m all for using the term fraud check, but Petrino is 27 years old and has only been competing as a pro for five years. Can we cut him some slack? Losing to Smith, a 23-fight UFC veteran, shouldn’t cast undeniable doubt on our minds, and we needn’t throw him to the wolves just yet, particularly after he was unstoppable until that point.
- Petrino Pro MMA Record: 11-1-0
- Petrino Knockout Wins: 7
- Petrino Submission Wins: 1
UFC Tampa Jacoby vs. Petrino: Skillset Breakdown
For Jacoby, he’s presented high-level kickboxing throughout the majority of his MMA career. It’s been his bread and butter, and rightfully so, as his power, in combination with his clear, striking knowledge, has seen him finish 12 of his 19 wins by knockout. He isn’t an excellent grappler by any means, but he’s capable of stuffing takedowns via counter-wrestling, and this is where he’s succeeded against lower-ranked light heavyweights in the past.
Last time out, we watched Domnick Reyes flatline Jacoby in the first round. Is this a red flag we should be concerned about? This was his first KO defeat since 2014, so his durability was never questioned. That said, Petrino is somewhat of a freak athlete, and while I wouldn’t suggest his technical striking abilities are a notch higher, his power inside the pocket can shut the lights out.
Petrino has also recently displayed his newfound wrestling abilities. He’ll undoubtedly own the advantage in the grappling area, and he’s so strong and athletically gifted that he does present a threat to Jacoby should he opt to take this path.
Petrino Moneyline Reasoning
Ultimately, I believe Petrino is a more well-rounded fighter with options regarding his path to victory. Leaving his hands low following combinations concerns me with Jacoby’s knockout power. Still, the Brazilian’s durability has been solid to date, and he’ll be the younger, faster and more dynamic of the two, which should give him the overall upside.
The available odds favor Petrino, and I agree. It’s time to jump back on the hype train as the UFC has lowered his level of competition, and if you saw any of his fights before the Smith bout, you’ll know he can defeat opponents just with his athleticism alone.
I’m not jumping from the rooftops at the current Petrino moneyline price by any means, but I do expect him to walk out of Tampa victorious, so as a parlay piece, that’s something I can get behind.
Parlay Leg 1: Petrino ML (-275) at Heritage Sports
Piera Rodriguez vs. Josefine Knutsson
UFC Tampa Women’s Strawweight Bout
Rodriguez: The Story So Far
Venezuelan representative Piera Rodriguez began her mixed martial arts journey in the boxing ring; this soon transitioned to full-time MMA, but when you watch ‘The Beast’ let her hands go, her roots soon become evident as a love for punching people in the face is exactly what assisted her in winning the LFA strawweight championship back in 2021.
Post-LFA career, Rodriguez punched her ticked into the UFC via Contender’s Series, and all was seemingly well. She collected a two-fight win streak to kickstart her position on the roster, but then she met Gillian Robertson and was schooled. Most recently, she was disqualified for headbutting her opponent, and it would seem the promotion is punishing her for said actions by placing her against a serious talent!
- Rodriguez Pro MMA Record: 9-2
- Rodriguez Knockout Wins: 5
- Rodriguez Submission Wins: 0
Knutsson: The Story So Far
As a former gold medallist in the world championship muay thai and a former K-1 kickboxing tournament winner, it was a delight to see Sweden’s Josefine Knutsson transition to MMA in 2021. While she continued to compete as a professional kickboxer, by 2021, she moved to MMA full-time, and it was evidently a smart move, as she’s remained undefeated ever since.
As far as elite strikers go, Knutsson has flown under the radar thus far. I don’t believe the casual MMA fan base has realized what a special talent she is. At 28, with two dominant UFC wins already on her resume, don’t be surprised if this striking ace eventually climbs into the top 15 rankings.
- Knutsson Pro MMA Record: 8-0
- Knutsson Knockout Wins: 1
- Knutsson Submission Wins: 0
UFC Tampa Rodriguez vs. Knutsson: Skillset Breakdown
Why did Rodriguez need to start unleashing headbutts on Ariane Carnelossi when she was doing well? We don’t know, but at least we received a glimpse of her grappling game, and this will undoubtedly be the biggest concern for Knutsson, who’s obviously looking to keep this fight standing.
From a striking standpoint, Rodriguez is aggressive, and her boxing combinations are crisp. She does, however, constantly drop her hands, which isn’t going to fare well against the skilled muay thai specialist she’s facing. Therefore, I expect a grappling game plan; the only problem is that her top control hasn’t been great outside of the Carnelossi bout, and I wouldn’t anticipate her holding Knutsson down for 15 straight minutes.
Knutsson has the clearest path to victory, the same game plan that assisted her in establishing an undefeated pro record to date… a kickboxing battle! With a tight guard, forward pressure, and a knack for always ending her standing offense with combinations rather than single shots, she’s fundamentally sound and obviously confident in the stand-up due to her longtime experience in muay thai/kickboxing.
Despite having the kickboxing prowess as her primary weapon, Knutsson’s grappling shouldn’t be frowned upon either. She’s got the athleticism to out-muscle opponents by cage pushing, mixes up knees and elbows and has the cardio to grind for three consecutive rounds.
Knutsson Moneyline Reasoning
As I don’t believe Rodriguez can wrestle and control Knutsson in grounded positions, it’s a no-brainer pick here. The fighter with lifelong kickboxing experience, a higher strike output and commendable grappling is primed to take the dub.
The available odds are in agreement, and unfortunately, we have to pay some juice to the Swedish up-and-comer. That’s okay, though. It’s a fine addition to our final punching parlay of 2024 and one I believe can help supplement our losses from that Christmas expenditure.
Parlay Leg 2: Knutsson ML (-230) at Heritage Sports
UFC Tampa Punching Parlay
- Vitor Petrino ML (-275)
- Josefine Knutsson ML (-230)
UFC Pick: Two-Legged Parlay (+106) at Heritage Sports
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
