Picks for UFC on ESPN 2: Barboza vs Gaethje – Josh Emmett’s Odds Are Too Good to Pass Up

• UFC on ESPN 2: Barboza vs Gaethje takes place on Saturday, March 30th
• Look out for the underdogs David Branch and Josh Emmett to do big things
• Best bets and predictions can be found below 

UFC on ESPN 2: Barboza vs Gaethje emanates from Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday, March 30th. I doubt much brotherly love will be shown, despite the city’s moniker, as these combatants are ready for war.

There’s a good mix of consequential fights for divisional importance mixed in with attention-grabbing prospects that bolster the undercard. The best bets for UFC on ESPN 2: Barboza vs Gaethje can be found below.

Green Defeats the Veteran Pearson

This is a strong crossroads fight in the Lightweight division. Pearson has been a stalwart in the UFC’s 155 lb division since 2009 and Desmond is a highly touted prospect who has been in the promotion for just short of a couple years.

Ross Pearson vs Desmond Green Odds

Both have struggled a bit to maintain consistency as of late within the shark tank of 155. Pearson is 2-6 in his last eight and Desmond is 2-3 since debuting in the Octagon. With Desmond being the younger and more athletic guy, I think he can get one over on the tenured Pearson.

Ross Pearson vs. Desmond Green set for UFC on ESPN 2 https://t.co/O2x0QHh8pF pic.twitter.com/VBSy3W4rD2

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 31, 2019

I have Desmond securing a decision win in this outing and achieving a .500 Octagon record at UFC on ESPN 2: Barboza vs Gaethje.

Pick: Green (-335)

Emmett Edges Past Johnson

I found the odds to be a bit strange for this one. Johnson is certainly a talented fighter and is unheralded to a degree. I just think the odds are a bit of a reflection of public perception that solely rest on Emmett’s last bout.

Josh Emmett vs Michael Johnson Odds

Josh took a tough loss to Jeremy Stephens and had a litany of injuries after that knockout that kept Josh shelved for a meaningful period of time. Josh is coming back after a year of inactivity and it feels like many are forgetting this is the same guy who knocked out perennial contender/former Featherweight title challenger Ricardo Lamas in round one.

Josh Emmett Ready To Shine At UFC Philadelphia After A “Tough Year” • MMA News https://t.co/yJpPqxV8Ks pic.twitter.com/GvSjvEfW5Q

— mmHighlights (@HighlightsMm) March 22, 2019

Johnson is a veteran with a resume that reads like a who’s-who of MMA (Khabib, Poirier, Ferguson, Diaz, the GOAT Artem Lobov, etc) and seems to have a new lease on life at Featherweight (riding a two-fight win streak since dropping down from 155).  All that being said though, I still see Emmett as a good solid underdog bet at UFC on ESPN 2: Barboza vs Gaethje.

Pick: Emmett (+105)

Branch Beats Hermansson

Branch is #11 on UFC’s Middleweight rankings and the surging Hermansson is gunning for that spot. Hermansson is 5-2 in his UFC run with significant wins over Thales Leites and Gerald Meerschaert in his last two.

David Branch vs Jack Hermansson Odds

David Branch is coming off a rough KO loss to Jared Cannonier last time out, but these odds still kind of perplex me. Branch came into UFC as a multi-division titlist from WSOF who actively defend both belts and had significance in two divisions concurrently. Branch also finished Light-Heavyweight juggernaut Thiago Santos via first round knockout just last year.

Quick work for David Branch tonight pic.twitter.com/vDEuImMoc1

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) April 22, 2018

This is a fun fight at 185 lbs, on paper, and both are capable high level martial arts practitioners. I just see a good underdog chance here especially with a seasoned guy like Branch who has W’s over fighters like Yushin Okami, Paulo Filho, and Vinny Magalhaes, to name  a few. I have David Branch winning this bout.

Pick: Branch (+105)