Posts tagged UFC Betting
Quinton Jackson V Matt Hamill
May 24th
In less than five days, sports betting fans will be looking towards the octagon as UFC 130 takes place at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. After a variety of adjustments, UFC betting enthusiasts will be treated to a Light Heavyweight bout between Quinton Rampage Jackson and Matt Hamill. Here is a preview of the new main event and another intriguing match on the card.
Originally set to be the third and final matchup between Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar and arch nemesis Gray Maynard, UFC officials were sent reeling a few weeks ago, when both champion and challenger pulled out of the fight. Rather than bring in a new champion and challenger, the UFC opted to make a double main event. The main event to close the show will see former Light Heavyweight and TUF Coach Quinton Rampage Jackson, taking on TUF season three cast off Matt the Hammer Hamill. On the other hand, the co main event will see former Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir taking on TUF Heavyweights winner Big Country Roy Nelson.
Both of these fights have the potential to lead to bigger and better things for the winners. For instance, it stands to reason, that the winner of Rampage v The Hammer, should be the next in line to challenge Jon Bones Jones for his Light Heavyweight Championship. Considering that Rampage said last week that he plans to retire at age 35, the possible title fight seems more likely for the Hammer. On paper, most online sportsbooks believe that Rampage will destroy Matt Hamill, as Rampage is six and two in the octagon, with all four of his six fights by way of knockout. Conversely, Hamill has yet to win a fight in his career by anything other than judge’s decision. Prediction: Rampage by way of knockout in round three.
UFC 127 Preview: BJ Penn Vs. Jon Fitch
Feb 4th
On February 27, 2011, Australia will welcome the return of the UFC for UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch. The card is replete with interesting matchups and local talent to please the Aussies, but what has most UFC fans abuzz is the main event, a fight that pits former lightweight champion BJ Penn against welterweight stalwart Jon Fitch.
For Penn, this fight will represent a very stiff test. The two wins that anchor his resume at welterweights are over Matt Hughes. While it would be foolish to discount those wins entirely, Penn does not hold an extensive resume as a welterweight fighter. Added to that his recent troubles with the wrestling and movement of lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, it’s hard not to like Fitch’s chances in this fight.
For Jon Fitch, a win over Penn at welterweight would give Fitch a strong case for another title shot. While few are keen on the idea of seeing the AKA stalwart clash swords again with GSP, the man simply does not lose (unless he’s fighting Georges St. Pierre, of course). When one considers the calibre of competition Fitch has been facing, his resume is impressive indeed.
Fitch is the smart bet here. Despite Penn’s apparent dominance last time out, UFC fans will do well to remember Frankie Edgar’s ability to stifle Penn with wrestling in their two fights last year. Fitch will be much larger, and UFC betting fans will remember Frankie Edgar’s ability to stifle Penn with wrestling in their two fights last year. Look for Fitch to take a commanding decision here, and continue his campaign to be awarded another title shot.
UFC 120: Dan Hardy vs. Carlos Condit Preview
Oct 18th
Fans of UFC betting are particularly interested in the Dan Hardy-Carlos Condit bout on Saturday’s UFC 120 card. Set to go down from London’s O2 Arena, the event features many of the UFC’s most exciting British stars, including Hardy, John Hathaway, and Michael Bisping.
In Condit, Hardy is presented with a difficult challenge, but one he is expected to overcome. Widely considered the favorite heading into the bout, Hardy is expected to outstrike Condit, and use his underrated grappling prowess to escape submissions. While Hardy’s last fight with GSP exposed many weaknesses in his game, Hardy was facing arguably the best wrestler in the sport and the best P4P fighter in the world.
For his part, Carlos Condit is looking to draw on experience, toughness, and strategy to win this fight. Condit showed tremendous heart in his last fight against Rory MacDonald, coming back from a two round deficit to finish the fight with just seconds remaining. In order to pull out the upset, Condit is going to have to get inside and punish Hardy on the ground. While betting fans know that Condit has legit submission skills, Hardy is more than capable at defense, and Condit would be wise to strike on the ground.
Despite coming off a lacklustre performance against Rory MacDonald at UFC 115, Condit is an elite fighter, and I think he’ll show it here against Hardy. Hardy’s power has been overrated by many, and while his striking is great and his ground game is underrated, I think Condit is still the better fighter. Expect a close fight, either way.
UFC 120 Bisping Akiyama
Sep 18th
UFC 120 sees Michael “The Count” Bisping take on the sexiest man in mixed martial arts, Yoshihiro Akiyama in the main event of UFC 120, which goes down October 16 from the O2 Arena in London, England.
Most online sports betting fans have been divided since this fight was announced. While “The Count” is coming off a solid win against Dan Miller at UFC 114, Akiyama had trouble in his last fight, eventually losing via triangle choke to Chris Leben at UFC 116. For the most part, Akiyama looked decent, up until the point he began to gas. Akiyama routinely has this problem with his cardio, and if Bisping can keep this fight on their feet, he can really begin to use his striking advantage once Akiyama’s gas tank runs out.
This is a fight Michael Bisping needs to win. Sporting just a 2-2 record in his last four fights, Bisping has been shown to be inconsistent at best against solid competition, and he will underestimate Akiyama at his peril. Fans of UFC betting know that Akiyama really gave the Chris Leben fight away. The judoka was looking solid through two rounds, but the wheels came off in the third, and he ended up getting caught in a triangle choke and losing via submission.
Akiyama doesn’t possess the power in his hands that often gives Bisping fits, so expect “The Count” to do work and put in a business like performance in this fight. That should be plenty to come away with the win, and while I don’t see a stoppage here, I think Bisping will clearly come out on top.
UFC 118 Fight Card Recap
Sep 2nd
Fans of UFC betting are almost nearly recovered from last Saturday’s night of mixed martial arts, and looking forward to the next event. With some appropriate time to reflect, let us examine the events that went down at UFC 118 – what they mean for the fighters involved and their divisions going forward, and how it all fits in the bigger picture.
A new king is crowned
Frankie Edgar was already the champion heading into this title fight, but you wouldn’t have thought it. Frankly, Edgar shouldn’t have been the champion coming into this fight. He did not win the first fight against BJ, frankly, it wasn’t even close. The decision at UFC 112 was one of the worst in recent memories – and that decision, along with an internet tirade, resulted in the removal of a longtime judge for the NSAC. Simply put, it was a debacle.
That’s probably one of the reasons most betting fans picked Penn in this rematch. Frankie Edgar had other ideas, however. Edgar silenced all of his critics by delivering a five-round beatdown on Penn, the likes of which have not been seen in a fight outside of his second meeting with Georges St. Pierre. Simply put, Edgar put it on him.
Gray Maynard cemented his status as number one contender, and in the process, Kenny Florian cemented his status as a gatekeeper in the lightweight division. Maynard showed once again that his wrestling is simply too much for anyone in his division. With a win already over current champ Edgar, Maynard will not only fight for the title next, he’ll do it with a great deal of confidence.
Randy Couture showed how ridiculous the James Toney fight was. In the end, Toney couldn’t even throw a punch before being put on his back. Next up for Couture will be more big money fights with little risk.
UFC 118: BJ Penn V. Frankie Edgar II Preview
Aug 21st
Over the last two months, UFC 116 and 117 have set the bar quite high for UFC 118. However, with two marquee matchups as co-main events UFC betting fans are getting very excited for UFC 118. Here is a preview of the best card for new UFC betting handicappers to wager on.
UFC 118 takes place on Saturday August 28 at the TD Garden Center in Boston, MA. The card is highlighted by the semi main event of Randy Couture v. James Toney and the main event of BJ Penn v. Frankie Edgar II. Here is a breakdown of each fight as well as a few undercard matches to keep your eye on.
Penn v. Edgar II
When BJ Penn returned to the UFC Octagon in 2008, his sights were instantly set on the Lightweight Championship and then champion Sean Shrek. By May of 2008, Penn would become Lightweight Champion and hold the title for 23 months before dropping the title in April 2010 to current champion Frankie Edgar.
The first encounter did not end in Penn’s favor as Edgar was able to swiftly defeat him in a five round unanimous decision. Going into that fight, Penn was an overwhelming favorite to dismantle the lesser known Edgar. However, when Edgar defeated Penn, it was speculated by many that Penn’s less than stellar performance was due to a sinus infection. In the rematch, look for Penn to come out flying as he looks to regain his title and make Edgar’s reign one of the shortest in UFC history.
Randy Couture v. James Toney
In this semi main event battle, UFC and Boxing fans will clash as legendary octagon fighter Randy Couture takes on legendary boxer James Toney. Toney has one of the most impressive records in boxing history, and now will look to add Couture to his list of victims. Couture on the other hand is coming off promoting his new movie the Expendables and many wonder how he will fare with the “Too Tough” Toney.
Matches To Keep Your Eyes On: Lightweight Bout Kenny Florian v. Gray Maynard (Pick: Florian) and Welterweight Bout Nate Diaz v. Marcus Davis (Pick: Diaz).
