When Mauricio “Shogun” Rua laid out Forrest Griffin with a series of punches at UFC 134, he not only answered sports betting question marks about where he stood going forward, but also raised major question marks about the future of his opponent. Shogun needed just under two minutes to put Griffin on his back and keep him there, and that knockout win will have major implications on both fighters going forward.

For Shogun, the win is proof that he still belongs at the top of the light heavyweight pyramid, as he waits his shot at the title belt he lost to new UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones. Rua lost his first title opportunity to Lyota Machida, then won the rematch, then conceded the title to Jones at UFC 128. There is little doubt a this point that he will eventually get another shot at the title, the only question mark now is when it will come. For Griffin, the picture is a lot more complicated after having his win streak halted following consecutive wins. Forrest was able to take down both Tito Ortiz and Rich Franklin in successive UFC betting victories, but the way in which he was knocked out by Rua is a clear indication that the 32-year old isn’t ready for anything bigger at this point in his career. There is no reason to think that he will be forced to go fishing for something more in another promotion just yet, but UFC 134 may have been the last stand of Forrest Griffin at an elite level.

While Saturday’s UFC betting 134 card is headlined by Brazilian star Anderson Silva taking on Yoshiro Okami, most fans both hardcore and casual to the MMA have forgotten about the semi main event. To co-headline the sports betting debut of the UFC in Brazil, UFC officials have set up a showdown of former Light Heavyweight Champions, when Mauricio Shogun Rua takes on The Ultimate Fighter Season One winner Forrest Griffin. Here is a preview of the fight everyone has forgotten about.

The last time Brazilian Light Heavyweight Shogun Rua was in the octagon, it was the end of March, and he was picking himself up off the canvas, after losing the Light Heavyweight title to current champion Jon Jones. Since that time, Rua has been on a soul-searching journey, in an attempt to determine if he still belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of UFC greats.

On the other side of the octagon on Saturday night, will be another man searching his soul, as Forrest Griffin tries to decide if the MMA all together is for him. After losing his Light Heavyweight title a couple of years ago, Griffin has found himself in purgatory. One day he will have a fight with a potential contender for the Light Heavyweight title, and the next day he will be fighting a washed up fighter trying to reinvent their image in the octagon.

For Griffin, his upcoming fight against Shogun Rua could be argued to fit into either category. Essentially, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility, that the winner of this fight receives the next Light Heavyweight title shot, after Rashad Evans in November. Conversely, if either fighter loses this fight Saturday, they will most likely be cut from the UFC. Meaning to say, Rua needs to reinvent himself fast if he wants to stay relevant in the world of MMA.

In the world of MMA, the 2011 sports betting season has appeared to be challenging of sorts. Essentially, fans and experts are finding that the monthly cards of both Strikeforce and the UFC have been rather hit or miss. With UFC 133 in the books, fans appetites for destruction are as fresh as ever. Today we wonder, is the UFC betting 134 card stacked or a bust in the making?

On paper, by all accounts, the only way that UFC 134 can be disappointing is if all of the fighters get sick and fight conservatively, away from their normal styles. The card is headlined by a Middleweight title fight, featuring champion Anderson Silva, taking on a man he absolutely hates, Yushin Okami. The back story of this fight is quite intriguing, as the duo met up in the first round of the Middleweight tournament Rumble On The Rock back in 2006. During that fight, Silva kicked Okami in the face, and despite possibly being able to continue, Okami was declared the winner, because the kick by Silva was illegal at the time. Now, literally five years later, Silva has a vested interest in decimating Okami, after he was robbed of a win.

The other spectacular fight on the UFC 134 card is the semi main event, which features two fighters in need of a title. Light Heavyweights, Mauricio Rua and Forrest Griffin meet in the octagon, to determine who should be the number one contender, to the winner of Rashad Evans and either Jon Jones or Rampage Jackson later this year. In theory, this fight will also have a lot riding on the line, as another loss to Rua, may have UFC President Dana White, quick to pulling the plug on any attempted comeback.

UFC on Versus 5 will feature two of the bigger sports betting names in the promotion’s welterweight division, as Dan Hardy clashes with Chris Lytle this August at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. The main event was recently confirmed by UFC president Dana White, who among a ton of injuries and inconsistent performances seems to have found a gem for this event on VERSUS.

This fight will be huge for Hardy, who has now lost three in a row dating back to his fight against UFC Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. Hardy was not intimidated by St. Pierre, but he was dominated in the octagon, and things didn’t look much better for him against Carlos Condit or Anthony Johnson. His style and personality are what make Hardy such an intriguing character, but the sportsbook promo fact remains that if he can’t find ways to win, whatever popularity he has garnered will fade away. In order for him to remain relevant he will need to find a way to break Lytle, who had his four-fight win streak ended this past February after taking down Kevin Burns, Brian Foster, Matt Brown, and Matt Serra in the past two years. Lytle lost to Brian Ebersole at UFC 127, and many feel that despite his consistency, he has never really been challenged by some of the top talent in the promotion.

In roughly nine days, sports betting MMA handicappers will be travelling to Philadelphia to watch UFC 133. The card is headlined by UFC betting legends Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz squaring off in a Light Heavyweight fight. While the main event has taken the spotlight away from the rest of the fighters on the card, fans wanting to wager on UFC 136 will find many other good fights on the card. Here are a few fights to keep your eyes on.

Middleweight Vitor Belfort v Yoshihiro Akiyama – UFC 133 will also mark the return of Vitor Belfort, who most fight fans last saw with his face kissing the canvas of the octagon at UFC 126 after being knocked out by Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. Akiyama on the other hand is a fighter that has taken all three of his fights in the UFC to decision, but hasn’t put in a stellar performance yet. With so much riding on this fight for each fighter, look for both to come out guns a blazing.

Featherweight Mike Brown v Nam Phan – This fight features two top tier Featherweight fighters on the planet, as former Bantamweight Champion Mike Brown takes on Nam Phan of TUF St. Pierre v Koscheck fame. Both fighters bring an exciting striking style to the table, and could steal fight of the night honors. Comparable to Belfort and Akiyama, both Brown and Phan are coming off losses in their last fights. However, this time at least one will be walking out with the victory.

Welterweight Rory MacDonald v Mike Pyle – UFC 133 has some Canadian content on the card, as Rory MacDonald a 22 year old from British Columbia takes on Mike Pyle. Macdonald at 11 and one in 12 fights has to be considered the favorite in this fight. However, the 35 year old Pyle is riding a three fight win streak, and should not be underestimated.

Sports betting fans of MMA action are counting down the weeks until the next UFC PPV event. On August 6, 2011 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rashad Evans will be making his triumphant UFC betting return to the octagon, as he faces last minute replacement opponent Tito Ortiz. This main event Light Heavyweight fight will be for the number one contenders spot to the Light Heavyweight Championship. Here is a preview of the fight.

Last week fans handicapping UFC 133 in advance were left scrambling, when it was revealed, that the main event featuring Rashad Evans taking on Phil Davis was to be readjusted. Phil Davis, an up and comer in the Light Heavyweight division, apparently injured his knee while training and was forced to withdraw from the bout. The original replacement opponent was going to be Lyoto Machida; however his camp felt that they did not have enough time to prepare for Evans. Instead, former Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz, whom had fought at UFC 132 earlier this month, offered to step in and take the fight.

This will be the second time that Rashad Evans (15 – one – one) takes on Tito Ortiz (16-eight-one). The last time these two fought each other, it ended in the only draw in either fighter’s career. However, this time around, with a Light Heavyweight title fight on the horizon, a winner will have to be determined.

On paper this fight is about as even as it gets, as both Evans and Ortiz are known for their grappling and submission strengths. Yet, this fight isn’t really that appealing to either fighter, so the winner will be the one who is more mentally engaged. Evans went from potential title fight with Jon Jones to a fight against Ortiz. Meanwhile, Ortiz is fighting on short rest to show the rest of the UFC, that he still has plenty left in the tank. Prediction: Evans by submission.

UFC betting enthusiasts are counting down the weeks until the next event; UFC 133 takes place in Philadelphia the first weekend of August. While the card is headlined by Light Heavyweights Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz, most MMA purists, we included, will be focusing all our attention on the Middleweight bout between Vitor Belfort and Yoshihiro Akiyama. Here is a sports betting preview of the Middleweight bout that has flown under the radar in the UFC 133 buildup.

Both Vitor Belfort and Yoshihiro Akiyama will be fighting the most important fight of their careers on August 6, 2011 in Philadelphia for UFC 133. Belfort has gone from one of the top fighters in the world, to the latest victim of Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. Conversely, despite putting on thrilling fights, Akiyama has been on the losing end of his last two decisions. As a result, this fight could be make or break for both fighters careers inside the UFC octagon.

On paper, this fight appears to favor Belfort, as he has literally destroyed the majority of his opponents.  The former Light Heavyweight Champion, has also won the UFC 12 tournament, and has been inside the octagon for nearly 15 years. On the other side of things, Yoshihiro Akiyama has fought some tough competitors, but no one as brand name recognizable as Belfort has.

As we mentioned earlier, both Vitor Belfort and Akiyama have put on absolutely thrilling fights in the past. Meaning to say, expect both fighters cardio and stamina to be of little issue during the fight. Each fighter has gone to a decision before, so taking the fight to the third and final round shouldn’t be a problem for either guy.

However, if both fighters decide to stand up, look for Belfort to walk away with the victory, as he has incredible striking ability. Akiyama is known more as a wrestler, and would have difficulty with facing Belfort head on.

On August 6, 2011 Rashad Evans will return to the octagon for the first time in nearly 15 months as he takes on Phil Davis in a Light Heavyweight bout at UFC betting 133. Despite not fighting for over a year, this fight couldn’t be bigger for Evans or his opponent Phil Davis, as the winner will take on the winner of Jon Jones and Quinton Jackson at UFC 135 for the sports betting UFC Light Heavyweight title currently owned by Jon Jones. Here is a preview of the card.

For fight fans, the upcoming UFC 133 card featuring the main event of Rashad Evans taking on Phil Davis has a giant back story. Essentially, Rashad Evans was supposed to take on Mauricio Shogun Rua for Rua’s Light Heavyweight title back in March; however Evans pulled out of the fight due to an injury. As a result, Evans training teammate Jon Jones stepped in and took not only Evans title shot, but Shogun’s title as well. In theory, once Evans got healthy he was supposed to take on Jones at this event for Jones’s newly won title. However, after defeating Shogun, Jones revealed that he had injured his hand. Phil Davis in turn stepped in to take Jones place in this Light Heavyweight bout which will determine the new number one contender.

Hardcore fight fans want to see Rashad Evans win this bout and move on to face Jon Jones perhaps in November at UFC 137. But do not count out Phil Davis, as the man known as “Mr. Wonderful” is undefeated in nine career professional fights. Davis most recent victory came at the end of March, when he defeated Antonio Nogueira by decision. What’s more, having fought more recently than Evans, Phil Davis should hold an advantage Rashad Evans, since he isn’t as rusty.