UFC Azerbaijan, PFL San Diego Prime Picks: Why A.J. McKee could be the weekend's best MMA bet
UFC Azerbaijan, PFL San Diego Prime Picks: Why A.J. McKee could be the weekend's best MMA bet
Jay Pettry Jun 26, 2026 We at Sherdog remain constantly active for major events, such as the regular in-depth “Shillan & Duffy” preview show and the “Sheehan Show” for all sorts of related matters including betting. With those official sources for picks handled, we would like to take the edge off here and get a bit lighter with our breakdowns.The industry of sports betting is exploding before our very eyes, with billions of dollars pumping in since legalization stateside. Oftentimes, those driving the lines are right on the money with their openings, valuations and analyses. Occasionally, they are way off, or otherwise merit some additional conversation. That is where we come in with this reinvigorated series of Prime Picks, where we dive into the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship show in Azerbaijan and take a brief Professional Fighters League stop off on San Diego. Try it out.
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One UFC trend bettors shouldn't ignore this weekend
Typically, when the UFC goes on the road, it fills the billing with local athletes to boost ticket sales and otherwise give the home city or country fans something else to cheer for on fight night. This year, it has been quite obvious the level of matchmaking granted to said local athletes against foreign adversaries, and the betting lines have matched. What will we gain from Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev at -675 should he posterize Julius Walker? Other than to pad his paycheck and scoop potential bonus money for a stoppage, what does Daniil Donchenko stand to add to his life by facing late replacement and huge underdog Theodor Berggren (+385)?
Sherdog editor Ben Duffy often analyzes fight shows and how he rates them based on what he gleans from the six-plus hour engagement. Did he learn something about the athletes? Did someone show a new arrow in their quiver, or have they actively diminished in their skills? There many be plenty to gather from individual pairings, but when they appear on paper situationally created to give those brought in advantages for this fight card, it takes away from those takeaways. While the city of Baku may be nearly 100 feet below sea level, how would we know if an unsuccessful athlete only failed due to the travel and acclimation conditions?
When the UFC made its first splash in Azerbaijan last year, it did so with three local competitors in tow, and two of those prevailed. Previous debut shows in new nations France, Denmark and Uruguay all had UFC fighters from those respective countries all prevail. The UFC may not need to have a clean sweep of homers getting their hand raised in order to come back to big site fees next year, but it certainly would help with ticket sales while the costs to attending events has skyrocketed. It almost seems like an eventuality that when the UFC takes to a new market or returns to an underserved one, it matches the event accordingly for red meat and thrilling expected results. Is that right?
Why A.J. McKee offers value against Salamat Isbulaev (+100)
It may come as a bit of a surprise that established Bellator MMA crossover talent A.J. McKee is not getting respect from the books. Currently in the midst of his athletic prime coming off of good wins over talented opposition, this PFL San Diego headliner is showing the good stuff. We wish McKee vs. the unbeaten Salamat Isbulaev was a five-round engagement, for all the extra knowledge we could have gathered from two potential championship rounds, but that does not take away from the bout itself.
Top notch featherweights headline PFL San Diego: Tune in Saturday, June 27 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN 2.
There are ample questions to be answered about the incoming featherweight from Kazakhstan. With 10 wins, all 10 inside the distance and no pro outing lasting longer than 7:16, what happens when brick not hit back? Jesus Pinedo is an excellent scalp to collect on his mantle, and unquestionably established Isbulaev as one to watch. He is not taking the easy road to top contender status, as by diving right after elite opposition he seems to want to get through foes before the increased pressure of fighting for gold. What happens when McKee does not go down after Isbulaev’s first full-throated surge of offense, or when he survives the first submission attempt. How will the Kazakh’s morale fare when he hits “The Mercenary” with everything he has and McKee does not go down?
We have seen McKee fully capable of servicing as a frontrunner but also as someone who can outlast what comes his way. Sometimes, letting a flying Adam Borics soar past with a knee is better than trying to tank it and fire back. Perhaps hitting a quick armbar on Clay Collard is thinking smarter and not fighting harder by wading directly into the fire. McKee has stood up against more battle-tested opposition, has substantially greater experience and a fully functional gas tank. All of these lean to his favor, which makes McKee at even money a good get.
« Previous BEST BETS for UFC Baku & PFL San Diego | The Sheehan Show Next Opinion: Who should fight Sean Strickland next? Breaking down the UFC middleweight title picture » More
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- Opinion: Who should fight Sean Strickland next? Breaking down the UFC middleweight title picture
- BEST BETS for UFC Baku & PFL San Diego | The Sheehan Show
- Preview: UFC Baku ‘Fiziev vs. Torres’
- Coach: 'More unpredictable' Brunno Ferreira will neutralize Ikram Aliskerov
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
