Monthly Archives: April 2017

Trump Administration Must Act To Address The Plight of Christians In The Middle East – Huffington Post

Posted: April 15, 2017 at 6:06 pm

This week, Christians around the world mark the holiest week in their religious calendar, observing the Passion, crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus in Jerusalem. This sober time of reflection and prayer comes in the midst of continued threats to Christians in the Middle East most recently in the PalmSunday bombings at two churches in Egypt claimed by ISIS.

Over the past decade, some of the oldest Christian communities have been disappearing from the lands where the faith was born and first took root. A combination of violence and discrimination has driven Christians to migrate abroad for physical security and better educational and economic opportunities. Christians have been targeted by terrorist groups like ISIS and devastated by the regions civil wars. In addition, deeply rooted discrimination against Christians and other non-Muslims institutionalized in the legal codes and official practices of most Middle Eastern countries is another factor leading to the declining Christian presence.

The United States alone cannot stop these trends but acknowledging them and taking modest steps to address the underlying problems will be important as the United States steps up its engagement in the Middle East. U.S. action on this front is more than a matter of altruistic goodwill; its an important part of a long-term stabilization strategy for the Middle East.

The challenges for Christians in the Middle East vary significantly across countries, but there is one common thread related to overall stability: poor governance. Islamist extremist groups have exploited weaknesses in the rule of law to target Christians and secular authoritarians have cultivated the marginalization and erasure of Christian communities.

The eradication of Christians and their religious sites amounts to memoricide erasing any living presence and memory footprint of Christians in their homelands. Turkeys president reported plans to hold Muslim prayers inside the Byzantine Orthodox Cathedral of Aghia Sophia this coming Good Fridayis one example of active efforts to erase Christian heritage and patrimony.

These actions by authoritarian leaders and terrorist groups have contributed to the problem of state failure and collapse in the Middle East, a global security threat. The 9/11 attacks and the spread of Islamist extremist ideologies, and the massive human flows across the Mediterranean in the worlds worst refugee crisis since the Second World War, is directly linked to the failure of states to protect the rights of all its citizens, particularly persecuted religious groups. Greater respect for religious pluralism and freedom is a key component to long-term stability.

The U.S. militarys current tactical and operational escalation in Syria, Iraq, and other parts of the Middle East will not stop state fragmentation without a long-term engagement strategy that takes seriously the fact that religious pluralism matters for state legitimacy and socio-economic stability. This doesnt mean direct nation-building by the United States but it does mean ending the tendency to see religious freedom as a boutique policy issue and integrating it in our diplomacy.

Of course, Christian communities are just one of many religious communities that need to be part of peace-building and post-conflict stabilization in Iraq and Syria. In Syria, many Christians cling to the Assad regime despite its brutality, out of fear for what might come next. Next door in Iraq, the Christian community was decimated by the ongoing war. To help these countries achieve long-term stability, the United States must engage other religious communities whose commitments to equality, freedom, and universal human rights can reinforce stability in the region. Legal frameworks and institutional arrangements that demand state accountability to all citizens can help resolve societal differences a key ingredient for peace processes.

A few days after entering office, President Trump told the Christian Broadcasting Network that Christians in the Middle East have been horribly treated, and Were going to help them. But President Trumps proposal to drastically cut funding for the State Department and other development assistance would undermine Americas ability to help on this front. Meanwhile, his broader refugee ban undermines Americas influence and moral authority, and reduces the overall number of people fleeing persecution and trying to come to the United States

Instead, Trump should take concrete steps to follow up on the U.S. State Departments designation made in March of last year that ISIS was committing genocide, including providing funding and support for tools necessary to investigate and prosecute war crimes and acts of genocide. Trump should also revisit the proposed State Department budget and develop practical mechanisms for helping post-conflict stabilization efforts that include religious pluralism and freedom as a priority.

Christians are organic to the fabric of religious diversity that made the Middle East a civilizational crucible of intellectual dynamism and economic innovation as far back as Roman and Byzantine times. This historical energy and diversity can be resurrected.

Brian Katulis is a senior fellow for national security at the Center for American Progress. Elizabeth Prodromou, a visiting associate professor of negotiation and conflict resolution at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, is also a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.

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Trump Administration Must Act To Address The Plight of Christians In The Middle East - Huffington Post

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Charleston Gazette-Mail | Leonard Pitts Jr.: The War on Drugs is … – Charleston Gazette-Mail (subscription)

Posted: at 6:04 pm

Looks like the War on Drugs is back.

The Washington Post reported that the new attorney general, Jeff Sessions, is preparing a return to the same hardline strategies that have so spectacularly failed to reduce drug use since 1971. Indeed, the nation has spent more than a trillion dollars, made itself the biggest jailer on the planet and yet seen the use, availability and quality of drugs rise like a rocket from a launch pad while the cost dropped like a watermelon from a skyscraper.

Thats why it was welcome news when President Obama quietly dismantled much of the machinery of the drug war. His Department of Justice radically scaled back federal involvement in so-called civil asset forfeitures, a program wherein police confiscate your cash and require you to prove its not drug money before you can get it back. The Obama DOJ looked the other way as states liberalized marijuana laws. It also extended clemency to incarcerated nonviolent drug offenders and declined to seek harsh mandatory minimum sentences for the ones facing trial.

It made sense, so it couldnt last. Back in February, Donald Trump himself announced that there would be a new drug war and it would be ruthless. Leaving aside that the old drug war was hardly ice cream and roses, there is no reason to believe being more ruthless will help.

After all, you can be beheaded for drug-related offenses in Saudi Arabia. Yet the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that in 2008 -- the most recent year for which statistics seem to be available -- the Saudis seized 12.8 tons of amphetamines.

So much for ruthless.

There is a reason the 18th Amendment, the one outlawing liquor, was the only one ever repealed: Prohibition doesnt work. You cannot arrest people out of wanting what is bad for them. But, as weve seen with liquor and tobacco, you might be able to educate, legislate and persuade them into wanting it less.

Diane Goldstein, a retired lieutenant commander with the Redondo Beach Police Department, calls the new drug war a horrible idea. Goldstein is an executive board member of Law Enforcement Action Partnership, a group of law enforcement veterans who think that in asking police to solve a medical problem, weve made a costly mistake.

She cites a 1994 Rand Corporation study which said that using healthcare strategies to combat drugs returns seven times the value for every dollar spent on it to the taxpayer. Shouldnt we be looking at what is not just cost effective, but also returns better results for people who are impacted by chronic substance abuse?

Problem is, that wouldnt allow some of us to brag how ruthless they are.

African Americans, who have been locked up at obscene rates, even though whites are the nations biggest users and sellers of drugs, should regard this new war as a clear and present danger. Pot users of all colors in states where marijuana is now legal should feel the same; from now on, the feds will no longer be looking the other way.

They, and anyone else who is appalled by this, should tell that to the attorney general.

Youll find an online contact form at: https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice.

The DOJ comment line is: 202-353-1555. The main switchboard is: 202-514-2000.

And heres the street address: U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20530-0001.

However you register your opinion, please do. Weve already had a War on Drugs.

And one was more than enough.

Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for The Miami Herald.

James Haught: Suicide volunteers drive radical Islam

E.J. Dionne: So, now its Bannons fault (Gazette)

A new War on Drugs is also destined to fail – The Seattle Times

Posted: at 6:04 pm

African Americans should regard this new war as a clear and present danger. Pot users of all colors in states where marijuana is now legal should feel the same; from now on, the feds will no longer be looking the other way.

Looks like the War on Drugs is back.

The Washington Post reported Sunday that the new attorney general, Jeff Sessions, is preparing a return to the same hard-line strategies that have so spectacularly failed to reduce drug use since 1971. Indeed, the nation has spent more than a trillion dollars, made itself the biggest jailer on the planet and yet seen the use, availability and quality of drugs rise like a rocket from a launchpad while the cost dropped like a watermelon from a skyscraper.

After all, you can be beheaded for drug-related offenses in Saudi Arabia. Yet the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that in 2008 the most recent year for which statistics seem to be available the Saudis seized 12.8 tons of amphetamines.

So much for ruthless.

She cites a 1994 Rand Corporation study which said that using health care strategies to combat drugs returns seven times the value for every dollar spent on it to the taxpayer. Shouldnt we be looking at what is not just cost effective, but also returns better results for people who are impacted by chronic substance abuse?

Problem is, that wouldnt allow some of us to brag about how ruthless they are.

They, and anyone else who is appalled by this, should tell that to the attorney general.

Youll find an online contact form at: https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice.

The DOJ comment line is: 202-353-1555. The main switchboard is: 202-514-2000.

And heres the street address: U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530-0001.

However you register your opinion, please do. Weve already had a War on Drugs.

And one was more than enough.

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A new War on Drugs is also destined to fail - The Seattle Times

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Leonard Pitts Jr.: The war on drugs is back | Columnists | journalstar … – Lincoln Journal Star

Posted: at 6:04 pm

Looks like the War on Drugs is back.

The Washington Post reported Sunday that the new attorney general, Jeff Sessions, is preparing a return to the same hardline strategies that have so spectacularly failed to reduce drug use since 1971. Indeed, the nation has spent more than a trillion dollars, made itself the biggest jailer on the planet and yet seen the use, availability and quality of drugs rise like a rocket from a launch pad while the cost dropped like a watermelon from a skyscraper.

Problem is, that wouldnt allow some of us to brag how ruthless they are.

They, and anyone else who is appalled by this, should tell that to the attorney general.

The DOJ comment line is: 202-353-1555. The main switchboard is: 202-514-2000.

And heres the street address: U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20530-0001.

However you register your opinion, please do. Weve already had a War on Drugs.

And one was more than enough.

Marino aligned with ‘war on drugs’ backers – Sunbury Daily Item

Posted: at 6:04 pm

Rep. Tom Marino, R-10 of Cogan Station, will be President Trump's drug czar, according to a report from CBS News. Marino's congressional voting record is that of a hard-liner on marijuana issues, and he recently said that he'd like to put nonviolent drug offenders in some sort of "hospital-slash-prison."

As drug czar, Marino would oversee the Office of National Drug Control Policy, a branch of the White House that advises the president on drug policy issues. More than anything else, the office sets the tone of an administration's drug policy. Under President Barack Obama, for instance, the office quite publicly retired the phrase "war on drugs," preferring rhetoric centered more on public health than criminal justice.

Whether that approach continues is something of an open question. Former drug czars from a more militant drug policy era have been publicly agitating to "bring back the war on drugs." Trump's attorney general, Jeff Sessions, is moving to put criminal justice back at the forefront of drug policy.

Marino appears to be in that camp as well, but his views are unlikely to influence the administration's policy in the same ways Sessions' views do. That's because the drug czar's office has traditionally played a limited role in setting policy --instead, it coordinates drug control strategy and funding across the federal government.

Still, with the selection of Marino, another piece of Trump's drug control strategy falls into place. In Congress, Marino voted multiple times against a bipartisan measure to prevent the Justice Department from going after state-legal medical marijuana businesses. (The measure ultimately passed.)

Similarly, he voted against a measure to allow Veterans Affairs doctors to recommend medical marijuana to their patients, as well as against a separate measure to loosen federal restrictions on hemp, a non-psychoactive variant of the cannabis plant with potential industrial applications.

Those votes place Marino well to the right of dozens of his Republican House colleagues who supported the measures. He also voted against a measure that would loosen some restrictions on CBD oil, a non-psychoactive derivative of the cannabis plant that holds promise for treating severe forms of childhood epilepsy.

Asked about marijuana legalization last fall, Marino told a reporter that "the only way I would agree to consider legalizing marijuana is if we had a really in depth-medical scientific study. If it does help people one way or another, then produce it in pill form." But, he added, "I think it's a states' rights issue."

As a congressman, Marino called for a national program of mandatory inpatient substance abuse treatment for nonviolent drug offenders. "One treatment option I have advocated for years would be placing non-dealer, nonviolent drug abusers in a secured hospital-type setting under the constant care of health professionals," he said at a hearing last year.

"Once the person agrees to plead guilty to possession, he or she will be placed in an intensive treatment program until experts determine that they should be released under intense supervision," Marino explained. "If this is accomplished, then the charges are dropped against that person. The charges are only filed to have an incentive for that person to enter the hospital-slash-prison, if you want to call it."

Forced inpatient treatment in a hospital-slash-prison would presumably include drug users who are not necessarily drug abusers. Only about 21 percent of current marijuana users meet diagnostic criteria for abuse or dependence, for instance. The other 79 percent do not need treatment for their drug use.

Marino acknowledged that implementing such a policy nationwide would "take a lot of money."

Whether he'll push for such a strategy as drug czar remains an open question. Beyond that, the office's track record on meeting its drug policy goals is not the greatest. In 2010, the office set a series of ambitious goals to reduce overall drug use, overdoses and drugged-driving incidents. A 2015 Government Accountability Office report concluded that it failed to meet any of them.

Christopher Ingraham writes about politics, drug policy and all things data. He previously worked at the Brookings Institution and the Pew Research Center.

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Marino aligned with 'war on drugs' backers - Sunbury Daily Item

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War on drugs brings Indo-Pak border village in BSF crosshairs – The Indian Express

Posted: at 6:04 pm

The Indian Express

War on drugs brings Indo-Pak border village in BSF crosshairs
The Indian Express
He manages to convey in two sentences of rustic Punjabi what he thinks of the recent crackdown on drugs by the Punjab government and the Border Security Force (BSF). The village is uniquely situated along the Indo-Pak border. It is surrounded by ...

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War on drugs brings Indo-Pak border village in BSF crosshairs - The Indian Express

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Gaming law – Wikipedia

Posted: at 6:04 pm

Gaming law is the set of rules and regulations that apply to the gaming or gambling industry. Gaming law is not a branch of law in the traditional sense but rather is a collection of several areas of law that include criminal law, regulatory law, constitutional law, administrative law, company law, contract law, and in some jurisdictions, competition law.

Gaming law is enormously complex. In the United States, it involves federal and state law considerations and in Canada, it involves federal and provincial law considerations, in a variety of legal disciplines. For example, all gambling requires consideration, chance and prize, legal terms that must be analyzed by gaming lawyers.[1] In the United States, illegal gambling is a federal crime if done as a business.[2][3] However, each of its states has its own laws regarding the regulation or prohibition of gambling.[4] States that permit such gaming usually have a commission established to oversee the regulation of the industry, such as licensing of those employed in the gaming industry. States that permit casinos and similar forms of gaming often have strict zoning regulations to keep such establishments away from schools and residential areas.

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Gaming law - Wikipedia

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Problem gambling ‘takes a 30bn toll on nation’s happiness’, says study – The Guardian

Posted: at 6:03 pm

About a third of a million people in the UK are now classified as problem gamblers. Photograph: Alamy

Can you put a price on misery? When it comes to problem gambling the answer, apparently, is yes.

A team of economists has calculated that if the UKs hundreds of thousands of problem gamblers were to be cured of their addictions, the boost to the nations collective happiness would be equivalent to a 30bn windfall.

The work, based on an analysis of 10,000 adult gamblers presented at last weeks Royal Economic Societys annual conference, suggests that around 0.7% of adults, about a third of a million people, are now classified as problem gamblers.

The research found that problem gamblers reported much lower levels of wellbeing. This loss in wellbeing is only partly the large financial losses that spending disproportionately on such products implies, said Ian Walker, professor of economics at Lancaster University, who led the research. One can feel bad about losing money accidentally, but one can feel a lot worse from having wasted money deliberately money that could have been spent on having fun, on the kids, or on the essentials of life.

When respondents were asked to give their happiness levels out of 10, the results were striking. Those who werent problem gamblers said, on average, a pretty happy 7.95, Walker said. Those who were said a miserable 6.25. This difference of 1.7 is huge.

Walker and his colleagues calculate that doubling income would only raise happiness by about half a point. From this, they estimate that a problem gambler would need around an extra 90,000 a year about three times the average household income to become as happy as someone who was not a problem gambler.

Previous research into gambling has tended to focus on the impact it has on other people. But no one has bothered to ask this question about the costs that the problem gamblers themselves suffer until now, Walker said. If we could eliminate problem gambling, happiness would rise by as much as it would if we were collectively financially better off by about 30bn a year. This is around 2% of GNP, a huge number on a par with the harms due to alcohol, which receive a lot of policy action. Yet spending on dealing with problem gambling is a tiny fraction of spending that deals with alcohol issues.

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Problem gambling 'takes a 30bn toll on nation's happiness', says study - The Guardian

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Brains of gambling addicts: High stakes, high risk, and a bad bet – Science Daily

Posted: at 6:03 pm

Science Daily

Brains of gambling addicts: High stakes, high risk, and a bad bet
Science Daily
Gambling addiction is a mental disorder characterized by excessive risk-taking despite negative results. Scientific studies using functional MRI -- fMRI, a method of looking at active areas of the brain -- have previously shown that addicts have ...
Gambling addicts may have trouble adapting to risk: studyDeccan Chronicle
Gamblers have a poor ability to adapt to risky situations | Daily Mail ...Daily Mail
Problem gamblers' brains bad at assessing, adapting to risk ...CalvinAyre.com
India.com
all 5 news articles »

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Brains of gambling addicts: High stakes, high risk, and a bad bet - Science Daily

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UFC on FOX 24: Johnson vs. Reis odds, gambling guide – MMA Fighting

Posted: at 6:03 pm

Welcome MMA bettors, speculators, and gambling lurkers! Were back at it again for another week of comprehensive gambling analysis from your friends at MMA Fighting. This weekends fight card breaks a long drought of non-PPV UFC cards and its headlined by one of the best title fights possible, so it should be a good weekend.

For those of you who are new here (or for those who have forgotten), this aims to be an exhaustive preview of the fights and the odds, with my own personal breakdown of where you can find betting value. The number after the odds on each fighter is the probability of victory that those odds imply (so Johnson at -800 means he should win the fight 89 percent of the time). If you think he wins more often than the odds say, you should bet it because there's value in the line.

All stats come from FightMetric and all the odds are from Odds Shark. Net Value means how much money you would have made if you bet $100 on that fighter in every one of his/her fights that odds could be found for. As always, I'm trying to provide the most thorough guide I can for those who want to legally bet or those who just enjoy following along. If youre a person who chooses to gamble, only do so legally, responsibly, and at your own risk.

Now with all that out of the way, lets do the damn thing.

Breakdown

Demetrious Johnson is attempting to tie Anderson Silvas record for most consecutive UFC title defenses at 10, and standing in his way is veteran fighter Wilson Reis. If Reis wins, it would be a remarkable accomplishment for a fighter mostly viewed as a gatekeeper to the best of the best.

Johnson is one of the best fighters in the history of MMA and, at this point, he has a credible argument for being the best ever. In a macro sense, Johnson has no weaknesses at flyweight. On the feet, he employs a pressuring game plan with phenomenal footwork and elite speed and athleticism. He can work combinations to pile up points and he has sneaky power as well; but really, his striking serves to set up his clinch and grappling games.

Johnson is the best clinch fighter in MMA not named Jon Jones. His ability to control opponents and attack with knees, punches, and elbows all while constantly moving and shifting the angle of attack is something to marvel at. Henry Cejudo is an Olympic gold medalist and Mighty Mouse absolutely undressed him in the clinch in under three minutes.

As good as Johnson is in the clinch, hes only slight less accomplished as a grappler. Mighty Mouse has unrivaled talent at reactive shots and he has a diverse array of finishes for his take-down attempts. Once on top, he is ferocious with his blend of control, punishment, passing, and submissions.

Though the merit of Reis title shot has come under scrutiny (Reis has one win over a ranked opponent and he essentially got this title shot because Johnson has beaten everyone else), that should in no way undermine the talent the Brazilian brings to the table. Reis is a capable fighter with skills in every phase of the game. On the feet, hes a powerful southpaw with solid defense who works in combinations. He also has an underrated kicking game and footwork. That being said, Reis comes from a BJJ background and that remains the linchpin of his offense.

Reis is an excellent wrestler with clean entries and authoritative finishes. Hes also a dogged wrestler, willing to shoot frequently and continue working until he finishes the takedown. On top he has exceptional control and passing. He looks to punish opponents with big power strikes, opening up opportunities for submissions.

Johnsons struggles have come when hes been physically outmatched by bigger men, a la Tim Elliott and Dominick Cruz. That aint Reis. The weakest part of Johnsons game is his defensive wrestling, and Reis has the offensive chops there to make him work for it some, but realistically, Reis is just outmatched here. Aside from all the glowing praised heaped upon Mighty Mouse, he also happens to have most of the intangible advantages here; his mental toughness and will are off the charts and he may well have the best fight IQ in the history of the sport. I struggle to see Reis having even more than a modicum of success here. The pick is Johnson by fourth-round TKO and honestly, hes mathematically a fine bet here. Im not suggesting you bet the house on him by any means, but Johnson wins this fight 95 times out of 100. Given the width of the line though, maybe just add him in a small parlay bet to boost the value a smidge.

Breakdown

The next strawweight title shot is likely on the line when former title challenger Rose Namajunas takes on former Invicta atomweight champion Michelle Waterson.

Waterson is a striker by trade as the "Karate Hottie" moniker would infer but shes also a more than serviceable grappler. On the feet, Waterson has a good understanding of range and angles to go along with her diverse striking game. She fights long, using a variety of kicks and a steady jab to maintain distance, which also makes her difficult to hit.

On the mat, Waterson is a very solid grappler with extremely underrated wrestling and a controlling top game guided by good positional awareness. Watersons biggest weakness is her size. A former atomweight, Waterson is definitely small for the division, though her plus athleticism helps to close this gap against most fighters.

At only 24, Thug Rose is still developing as a fighter despite being one of the best 115 pounders in the world. Namajunas has transformed herself from a kamikaze action grappler into a more measured out fighter. She has good pop in her hands and has developed a nice jab and good straight right to throw off of it. She also has an array of kicks to keep range or attack with. Still though, Namajunas does her best work as a grappler where she is a phenomenal scrambler with excellent striking from top and a good passing game. Namajunas biggest issues appear to be mental, as she has a tendency to get overwhelmed by a relentless offensive attack, getting stuck on the receiving end instead of changing the terms of engagement.

The UFCs new ownership very clearly would prefer a Waterson victory here (WME-IMG now represent her) and I think they will actually get their wish. On the feet, I favor Namajunas size, but Watersons craft will keep her competitive and her pressuring style will bring her into the ranges at which she will be most effective. Karolina Kowalkiewicz ran roughshod over Namajunas in the clinch, and though Waterson isnt as good there, I still think she can win those exchanges. Moreover, Namajunas is a better defensive wrestler, but Waterson is actually an extremely crafty takedown artist. I think she can ground Namajunas and control from top position without getting swept or submitted. The pick is Waterson in a really fun fight and I like her for a bet at plus money.

Breakdown

Ronaldo Souza is arguably the best middleweight on the planet right now, but with Michael Bisping tying up the 185-pound belt fighting guys outside of the top of the division, hes left to take fights like these against underrated, highly-ranked middleweights. Conversely, Robert Whittaker is the dark horse of the middleweight division and a win here would be the biggest one of his career and earn him a title eliminator bout next.

Jacare is a probably the best grappler to ever crossover into MMA (though Demian Maia may argue the point). Hes a multiple time BJJ world champion and the strongest part of his game remains his takedowns, top control, and submissions. Souza is still an elite athlete despite his advancing age, able to cover distance quickly and finish takedowns with authority. Hes not a one dimensional fighter though. On the feet, Jacare pressures behind good footwork and he has power in his strikes.

Whittaker is predominantly a counterstriker. Though hes small for the division, Whittaker uses this to his advantage, darting around with light feet and quick hands. He maintains distance well, works at an excellent pace, and he has surprising power in his hands when he commits to it. Also, as the numbers indicate, Whittaker is nearly impossible to takedown, with excellent defensive wrestling backed up by his mobility and footwork.

Bobby Knuckles is about to do the UFC a favor and clean up some of the backlog of contenders awaiting Michael Bisping should he ever choose to actually face one because this fight is just a bad matchup for Souza. Jacares pressuring style plays right into the very effective stick and move countering game plan of Whittaker and Whittakers elite takedown defense mean Souza will be stuck on the feet with him. The volume, speed, and movement of Whittaker will be too much for Jacare (who I think is fading physically) and Whittaker will pile up points in route to landing a late knockout blow. Whittaker by KO in the third round and I love him for a bet.

Breakdown

Jeremy Stephens is looking to get back on track in the featherweight division after coming up short against Frankie Edgar in his last outing. He faces the up-and-coming Renato Moicano, who is looking to announce himself as a real threat in one of the UFCs hottest divisions.

Stephens is a power puncher, pure and simple. Over the years he has evolved from a hard-hitting brawler into a more refined fighter, but the general gist of his game remains the same: land big shots until the opponent drops. He accomplishes this by using sharp footwork and a pressuring style dictated by a thudding jab. Stephens biggest weakness are his low volume on the feet and his mediocre wrestling and grappling skills.

Moicano is a big, athletic featherweight with an aggressive style who pushes a high pace behind a pressuring counter game. Hes a good clinch fighter and offensive wrestler and once on top, hes dangerous striker and pass-and-sub guy. Moicanos biggest weakness is his aggression and defense, which can get him hit a fair bit.

This is a pretty close fight. Moicano looks like he might be a real talent in the division and his pressuring style and volume can win him rounds against Stephens, but also create openings for Stephens to counter him with power punches. Ultimately, this might be a little too much too soon for Moicano, but his potential for growth and his avenues to succeed make me lean towards him slightly. The pick is Moicano by decision and I like him for a bet.

Alexander Volkov (-150/60%) vs. Roy Nelson (+130/43%)

Volkov is a tall heavyweight at 6 7 and he uses that height to stick on the outside with kicks and long punches. Hes also got pretty good footwork for the heavyweight division and is a solid defender of takedowns. Nelson is a longtime UFC veteran who, at this point, is almost nothing beyond an enormous overhand right and a historically brilliant chin. Nelson also is a respected BJJ black belt, but those skills have been almost forgotten by him in favor of huge KOs.

I dont think Nelson can effectively take Volkov down, and, more to the point, Im not even sure he will try to. That means the arithmetic in this fight boils down to: does Nelson land the big right hand? Because if he doesnt, Volkov almost certainly wins on volume. Volkovs head is pretty hittable but hes proven himself fairly durable and his outside game eight-inch reach advantage (plus seven-inch height advantage) make it more likely that Nelson comes up empty here. The pick is Volkov by decision, and at these odds he might be worth a bet or a parlay inclusion.

Patrick Williams (+550/15%) vs. Tom Duquesnoy (-800/89%)

Williams is a good athlete with solid wrestling and decent top control, but hes facing the best pure prospect in all of MMA. Duquesnoy is an elite level athlete and an aggressive striker with a diverse set of weapons and a preternatural sense of timing and distance. On the floor, things get no easier, as Duquesnoy is a strong wrestler with great scrambling ability.

Duquesnoy is already a top-15 bantamweight and hes fighting a guy who hasnt competed in almost two years. Williams wrestling maybe keeps him afloat for a while, but hes bring a knife to a gun fight here. Duquesnoy knocks him out in under eight minutes. That being said, no one should ever in their life bet on a young kid making his UFC debut at damn near -800 odds.

Bobby Green (+300/25%) vs. Rashid Magomedov (-360/78%)

Green is a striking technician with good defense and solid wrestling, both offensive and defensively. His biggest problem comes from inconsistency and a tendency to showboat without backing it up with offense. Magomedov is a technical counterstriker who builds momentum as the fight goes on. He has fantastic defensive wrestling and will occasionally mix things up with surprisingly effective takedowns.

I doubt either man will be able to wrestle effectively here, and in a striking battle, Magomedov is a touch more technical. Greens inconsistency and lack of cage time recently also aids the Dagestani. Magomedov wins a lackluster decision, but the odds are far too long here and a bet on Green is justifiable from a value perspective, though I dont personally feel confident entrusting my betting money on him.

Louis Smolka (+220/31%) vs. Tim Elliott (-260/72%)

Smolka is a rangy flyweight who prefers to stick on the outside and kick opponents or engage in scramble-based grappling affairs. Elliott is a good sized flyweight with a funky, scramble based game on the mat and a pressuring style on the feet.

This fight should be ridiculously fun, but Elliott appears to have all the edges. Hes throws close to the same volume as Smolka on the feet but hes a better defensive fighter, and on the mat, Elliott should be the better scrambler to go along with having a superior offensive wrestling game. Elliott controls the tempo and exchanges, winning a fun decision. At these odds, theres a credible bet on Smolka here, but ultimately, I would pass.

Aljamain Sterling (-400/80%) vs. Augusto Mendes (+330/23%)

Sterling is one of the brighter prospects at 135 pounds who has had a rough go of it lately. Hes a former two-time NCAA D-III All-American who is best served as a grappler, but is using his striking more and more, lately to his detriment. Mendes is a former world champion BJJ black belt with solid, consistent takedowns to back up his elite ground game.

This is a really dangerous fight for Sterling. Sterling got out-grappled by Bryan Caraway, so Mendes could really put to the wood to him there, and Sterlings stand-up is still so nascent, its not clear he will have a huge advantage there despite Mendes own striking deficiencies. Still, Sterlings six-inch reach advantage plus his tendency to kick from range probably lets him eke out at least two rounds to win a tedious decision. That being said, the odds here are wildly out of whack and I highly recommend a bet on Mendes for value.

Devin Clark (-150/60%) vs. Jake Collier (+130/43%)

Clark is a former Juco national champion wrestler. Hes a phenomenal athlete with good timing on his takedowns and clean, powerful finishes. Collier was a big middleweight and now hes jumping up to 205. He uses his size and high-output kickboxing game to win blood-and-guts fights because hes not a defensive minded fighter.

Collier can wrestle and scramble well enough to make this interesting, but in the end, Clark is just a far superior athlete. Clark wins a back-and-forth decision, but if youre gonna bet on this one, Collier has the value. Id pass though since there is plenty of other action elsewhere on this card.

Anthony Smith (+270/27%) vs. Andrew Sanchez (-330/77%)

Smith is a big middleweight and hell have a sizable size and reach advantage here. Hes a striker by trade but he has terrible takedown defense, and though hes active off his back, hes not super threatening. Sanchez isnt shy about engaging in a striking battle and hes a pretty good counterpuncher. He also has a solid wrestling game to fall back on.

Smith is the bigger man but Sanchez has more tools. I expect hell be competitive on the feet and able to take Smith down with relative ease. Sanchez wins an easy decision, but these odds are far too long to put money down on it.

Zak Cummings (-450/82%) vs. Nathan Coy (+375/21%)

Coy is a former NCAA D-1 All-American wrestler with a pressuring, grinding style. Hes a serviceable striker as well with an active jab. Cummings also has a wrestling background but on the JUCO level. He likes to pressure forward and hes an adept counterpuncher with big power in his hands.

Cummings has a six-inch reach advantage here as well as being the better, more powerful striker, and probably the better submission grappler as well. Cummings defensive wrestling has also proved stalwart and I expect Coy will get stuck on the feet with Cummings, who will eventually land the knockout blow midway through the fight. Again, though, dont put your money on lower tier fights with odds this long.

Ashlee Evans-Smith (-190/66%) vs. Ketlen Vieira (+170/37%)

Evans-Smith is a big bantamweight with a wrestling background. Shes a decent top control artist but mostly she prefers a high volume kickboxing attack on the feet. Vieira is also a big bantamweight, but she has a judo background and does her best work controlling on the mat. Shes a willing striker but shes defensively porous.

Evans-Smith relies a lot on her size and athleticism and Vieira can compete there, but her tendency to get hit often is a big problem. Evans-Smith takes a decision, but pass on a bet here.

Suggested bets.

Fine bets but not suggested.

Thats all folks. We had a good week last week, ending up +210 total on our suggested bets and +215 on our possible bets. Hopefully well keep that momentum going this week.

I hope everyone enjoys the fights this weekend (especially those adventurous souls who intend to stay up for RIZIN). Good luck to those who need it, and if you've got any questions, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew.

(Editor's note: All of this advice is for entertainment purposes only.)

The rest is here:

UFC on FOX 24: Johnson vs. Reis odds, gambling guide - MMA Fighting

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