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Fabricio Werdum's second tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship will start with Roy "Big Country" Nelson.

The heavyweights on Tuesday separately announced that they have agreed to face each other at UFC 143 on Feb. 4 in Las Vegas. It will be the start of a four-fight UFC contract that Werdum recently signed.

A perennial top-10 heavyweight, Werdum spent the last two years competing in Strikeforce because UFC released him after an October 2008 knockout loss to Junior Dos Santos. Including the Dos Santos bout, Werdum went 2-2 in UFC. He was 3-1 for Strikeforce but looked lackluster in his most recent fight, a June 18 affair won by Alistair Overeem via decision.

While Werdum wants to regain momentum, Nelson hopes to build on an Oct. 29 technical knockout win against Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic.

Werdum is the most accomplished pure grappler among MMA heavyweights. Werdum won his weight class' tournament in the 2007 and 2009 editions of the Abu Dhabi Combat Club's submission championships, the most prestigious event in no-gi grappling. He took second in this year's edition. In MMA, his most well-known accomplishment is a submission of Fedor Emelianenko last year that ended the Russian star's aura of invincibility

The biggest edge for Nelson might come in the stand-up game. Nelson has a redoubtable chin and one-punch knockout power from the right side.

He's also a very good heavweight grappler. Nelson uses his weight very well to help control opponents on the ground, and has never been submitted.
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The co-main event on the UFC 141 fight card features an interesting matchup between two fighters that are steadily improving in the Octagon. “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone and Nate Diaz will battle in what many expect to be the fight of the night at UFC 141.

Bet on the UFC with Bovada.

Donald Cerrone has been on a tear over his last six fights and is quickly getting himself into title contention in the UFC Lightweight division. Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook think that Cerrone is the more well-rounded fighter and have him handicapped as a -280 favorite on the MMA odds. His Muay Thai kickboxing skills are world class and his submission game should be enough to negate what Diaz will bring in a ground fight.

Nate Diaz has had a rough time of late fighting in the Welterweight division. After going 2-2 at 170 lbs, Diaz returned to Lightweight and looked very impressive against Takanori Gomi in his last fight. His boxing skills are greatly improved and it’s no secret that Nate is the real deal on the ground. Despite all that, oddsmakers have him handicapped as the +220 underdog against the Cowboy.

This fight will come down to the strength that Cerrone will bring into the Octagon on Friday. Diaz usually has success in a technical battle but has had difficulty against fighters that have the strength to overpower him. If Diaz can keep Cerrone at bay with his reach advantage he could wear down the Cowboy enough to gain a dominant position on the ground for a submission win.

The more likely outcome in Diaz vs. Cerrone will be a one-sided striking display by Cerrone that results in a unanimous decision or late-fight stoppage. Diaz is tough, but he’ll need to be at his best to have a chance at the upset victory.
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For years now MMA betting fans have been wondering how Alistair Overeem would stand up against the top UFC competition. That wait will be over on Friday when he steps into the Octagon against former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

Bet on UFC 141 with Bovada.

Overeem has won just about everything there is to win in the world of combat sports. The former Dream, Strikeforce, and K-1 champion is considered by many to be the best striker in the Heavyweight division, but until now he’s never faced a UFC-level opponent.

Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook initially had this fight handicapped at near-even odds with Overeem coming in as the slight -120 favorite. Over the last few weeks that line on Overeem has moved as high as -200 and currently sits at -145.

Lesnar will be returning to action after over a year off following another bout with diverticulitis. He didn’t look good in his last fight against Cain Velasquez, who exposed his inability to strike with the elite in the division, and now he has to get into the Octagon against one of the best strikers to ever compete in the MMA Heavyweight division.

The moneyline action on Lesnar began with the former champ as a slight -110 underdog. Action has driven that line up to as high as +165, which MMA bettors quickly jumped on and pushed back to its current +115 payout.

This fight will come down to whether or not Lesnar can take down Overeem. If he can, he will likely be able to get Overeem to quit from ground-and-pound punishment. But if Lesnar can’t get Overeem down and keep him there, he will likely get KOed in the first or second round and fail to pay out on the UFC betting lines at Bovada's online sportsbook.

Don't wait, get your UFC 141 odds today.
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Jon Fitch (Flickr Creative Commons)

UFC betting fans will get to see the long-awaited return of one of the most consistent winners in the history of the Welterweight division this week. Jon Fitch has finally been cleared to fight, and he will make his return to the Octagon against rising star Johny Hendricks.

Get all your UFC 141 odds at Bovada.

Fitch was money in the bank at one time for MMA bettors at Bovada's online sportsbook. He once compiled a 16-fight win streak that was stopped only by Georges St-Pierre. His style of controlling opponents with elite wrestling skills has kept him at the top of the Welterweight rankings for years, and now he returns from a nine-month layoff due to shoulder surgery.

Oddsmakers initially offered a -200 moneyline on Fitch, but MMA bettors have since pushed it up to -230. Traditionally that would be a good price on Fitch, but there is the question of ring rust and the condition of his shoulder.

Hendricks has six wins in the Octagon and would be undefeated if Rick Story hadn’t been too strong for his wrestling skills. This is a big opportunity for Hendricks to get himself in the contender picture, and his fighting style may be just right for the upset.

Oddsmakers have Hendricks as a +180 underdog for this week. His key to victory will be to somehow outwork Fitch and negate what his opponent will try to do in the clinch. Hendricks will need to use his wrestling to control where the fight goes, a feat that only St-Pierre has been able to accomplish against Fitch in 28 fights.

A healthy Fitch should have no problem with a fighter like Hendricks. However, if Fitch is not 100% Hendricks could shock UFC fans with an upset win and pay off on the MMA betting lines
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It took a little doing, but Chad Mendes will finally get his title shot against Jose Aldo at UFC 142. Whether he comes to regret a shot at the Nova Uniao product will remain to be seen, but our ability to make money on this event is never in question! Below is my comparison betting odds for the fights, as well as some valid props. I’ve also included a confidence rating that gives you an idea of how much wiggle room we have with the line. High confidence indicates few surprises and plenty of footage to watch of both men, while a low rating means there are multiple variables or a lack of information present on new fighters.


Now, onto the fights!

Jose Aldo -200

Chad Mendes +160

Props: Fight Starts 3rd Round

Confidence: Moderate

While Mendes was passed up for a title shot last time around, he finally gets his chance to win the strap at UFC 142. Mendes has beaten all comers in his career thus far, using a fast and simple striking style along with his lightning shot. On paper, this could be a recipe for beating Aldo, and you have to give that potential outcome the respect it deserves. Overall I think Aldo has the speed to catch Mendes coming in on the shot with a fast knee and work his crippling leg kicks, but this fight is more than likely going into late rounds. Between Aldo’s somewhat passive style of late and Mendes being a gritty young fighter, lay down your units on this fight starting the 3rd round.

Vitor Belfort -140

Anthony Johnson +110

Props: Belfort KOTN, Johnson KOTN

Confidence: Moderate

In what could be an instant classic, old school striker Vitor Belfort welcomes Anthony Johnson to the MW division. This is a tough fight to call, as Johnson has shown he’s not afraid to play the blanket to get a win over superior strikers. The real question is, can the former WW Johnson take down the former LHW Belfort, or will he be forced to use his kickboxing against a lethal striker? While Belfort has been worked over on the mat before, the list of men who have pulled off the task make Johnson’s wrestling skills pale considerably. I think this fight ends up fairly close, as either can land KO blows, but I slightly favor Belfort’s hand speed and accurate power punches for the win. Betting wise, this will be one to avoid for the most part, although I recommend a play on both men winning the KOTN award, as either one can pull it off.

Erick Silva -260

Carlo Prater +200

Props: Fight Ends Inside Distance/Under

Confidence: High

Hot prospect Erick Silva will take on journeyman and late replacement Carlo Prater in what could end up as a serious war. For those unfamiliar, Prater is an old school Luta Livre and BJJ fighter who has spent most of his career on the mat, picking up a few impressive wins along the way. While his overall skill set has been lacking at this level, he makes for a dangerous match for green fighters that won’t have the submission defense to avoid his entanglements. Silva isn’t green though, and with his natural speed and killer instinct, this is a fighter he can easily take from Prater early and never give back. I suspect the line on Silva will start out of reach, so I recommend a bet on ITD. Both men are fast starters and Prater tends to wilt under pressure, setting up a stoppage win for Silva in his home country.

Rousimar Palhares -240

Mike Massenzio +190

Props: Palhares by Submission

Confidence: High

Leglock specialist Rousimar Palhares takes on unlikely opponent Mike Massenzio in what should be a worrisome fight for Massenzio. Palhares is coming into this bout off a dominant win over Dan Miller and one would expect he’d draw a tougher opponent here, but Massenzio could have some surprises for the Brazilian. Massenzio is a solid wrestler with submission skills, but has always had trouble breaking into even the middle of the division, and this fight isn’t going to be an easy one for him at all. Aside from a stall and brawl attack by Massenzio, I can’t see him pulling this off if this fight touches the mat. Hit the Palhares by Sub prop, as Masssenzio’s legs will be in peril here at some point.

Sam Stout -130

Thiago Tavares EV

Props: Fight Goes Distance/Over

Confidence: Moderate

Two fixtures of the Lightweight division will face off, as kickboxer Sam Stout faces BJJ ace Thiago Tavares. Stout hasn’t changed much in the last several years, but his style of crisp kickboxing, takedown defense and token takedowns has seen him through some tough bouts. Tavares comes into this with his own fast and accurate hands, but has moved towards using his underrated submission skills more in his last several fights. The test here will be if Tavares can mix up his attack and score takedowns, and avoid being outpointed by Stout throughout this fight. While Tavares has a decent bag of tricks, Stout’s ability to work from the outside and force long shots should give him a comfortable amount of space here. The Over will be the safest play for this fight, but considering Stout’s history of long bouts, I don’t think we’ll be finding much value here anywhere.

Mike Pyle -160

Ricardo Funch +130

Props: Funch by KO

Confidence: High

Cagey veteran Mike Pyle will step into the cage for his eighth appearance, taking on returning fighter Ricardo Funch. Pyle is one of the most underrated grapplers in the division with is quick bottom submissions and surprising strength in the clinch. Using newfound boxing skills, Pyle has set himself up with a solid game of range control with opportunistic takedowns that saw him put a few wins together before his previous fight. Funch is a cookie-cutter Brazilian fighter with more muscle than necessary, not enough of a bottom game, and not enough wrestling to compete with UFC-caliber wrestlers. I think Pyle can control this fight and either work takedowns or submit off his back if Funch can get a hold of him. I’d recommend the straight bet if odds are favorable, but keep an eye out for a F
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Two of MMA’s best strikers will face off this weekend at UFC 142 when former Light Heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort steps into the Octagon against the explosive Anthony Johnson. Both fighters are looking to climb up the Middleweight contender ladder and get themselves back into a title contender situation.

Bet on UFC 142 with Bovada. :thumbsup

Belfort will be coming off a first-round knockout of the night performance over Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133. He has looked very good since returning to the UFC (with the exception of the KO loss to Anderson Silva) and will come in against Johnson as a moderate favorite. Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook have Belfort handicapped at -135, mainly due to his elite striking skills.

Johnson will finally take a step up in weight class and leave the Welterweight division behind to fight at 185 pounds. The talented mixed martial artist has solid striking and good wrestling skills, but the big question in this matchup is whether or not he’s ready for a Middleweight as highly ranked as Belfort. That uncertainty has MMA odds makers at Bovada's online sportsbook handicapping Johnson as a slight +105 underdog.

This fight could go either way and will likely come down to which fighter lands the first big shot. Belfort is expected to hold an advantage in the striking area, but that still remains to be seen. Johnson does have the ability to out-wrestle Belfort and control the fight enough to win a decision, but one would only expect to see that if Belfort gets the best of him in a striking contest.

Johnson could be a good underdog pick when one considers that he could possibly win a striking battle and could dominate with wrestling control. Belfort’s key to victory is the same as it always is - to swarm his opponent and overwhelm him with strikes.
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Manne wrote: Two of MMA’s best strikers will face off this weekend at UFC 142 when former Light Heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort steps into the Octagon against the explosive Anthony Johnson. Both fighters are looking to climb up the Middleweight contender ladder and get themselves back into a title contender situation.

Bet on UFC 142 with Bovada. :thumbsup

Belfort will be coming off a first-round knockout of the night performance over Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133. He has looked very good since returning to the UFC (with the exception of the KO loss to Anderson Silva) and will come in against Johnson as a moderate favorite. Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook have Belfort handicapped at -135, mainly due to his elite striking skills.

Johnson will finally take a step up in weight class and leave the Welterweight division behind to fight at 185 pounds. The talented mixed martial artist has solid striking and good wrestling skills, but the big question in this matchup is whether or not he’s ready for a Middleweight as highly ranked as Belfort. That uncertainty has MMA odds makers at Bovada's online sportsbook handicapping Johnson as a slight +105 underdog.

This fight could go either way and will likely come down to which fighter lands the first big shot. Belfort is expected to hold an advantage in the striking area, but that still remains to be seen. Johnson does have the ability to out-wrestle Belfort and control the fight enough to win a decision, but one would only expect to see that if Belfort gets the best of him in a striking contest.

Johnson could be a good underdog pick when one considers that he could possibly win a striking battle and could dominate with wrestling control. Belfort’s key to victory is the same as it always is - to swarm his opponent and overwhelm him with strikes.
I hate blood :helpme
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Jose Aldo is one of the most dominant fighters in the UFC with a record of 20-1 and a current 13-fight win streak. He’s one of the top five pound-for-pound best in the world, and at the age of 25 we may not have seen the best of his fighting skills yet.

Bet on UFC 142 with Bovada's MMA odds.

The UFC Featherweight champ will get a big test this weekend, though, when he faces undefeated top contender Chad Mendes, but as far as the sportsbooks are concerned it will be business as usual at UFC 142 for the Brazilian champion. Aldo will bring world-class kickboxing skills and a black belt in jiu-jitsu as well as an athleticism that is unmatched in the Featherweight division.

Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook have the champion handicapped as a heavy -265 favorite to retain his title against Mendes. That price was as low as -210, but MMA betting over the past week has driven the UFC odds up as more bettors opt for action on the champ. It’s no surprise, considering the invincibility Aldo has displayed since coming over to the UFC.

Mendes is one of the brightest rising stars in the UFC Featherweight division, and with 11 straight wins it’s his turn to take a shot at the title. The former NCAA wrestler will look to control where the fight is fought and dominate the champ with his grappling skills for a potential decision win.

Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook don’t seem to think he will do that and have handicapped Mendes as the +205 underdog. That payout has grown from +170 as MMA bettors don’t think that Mendes will be able to get past the lethal Muay Thai skills Aldo uses to keep wrestlers at bay - and to keep his fights standing.
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Manne wrote: Jose Aldo is one of the most dominant fighters in the UFC with a record of 20-1 and a current 13-fight win streak. He’s one of the top five pound-for-pound best in the world, and at the age of 25 we may not have seen the best of his fighting skills yet.

Bet on UFC 142 with Bovada's MMA odds.

The UFC Featherweight champ will get a big test this weekend, though, when he faces undefeated top contender Chad Mendes, but as far as the sportsbooks are concerned it will be business as usual at UFC 142 for the Brazilian champion. Aldo will bring world-class kickboxing skills and a black belt in jiu-jitsu as well as an athleticism that is unmatched in the Featherweight division.

Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook have the champion handicapped as a heavy -265 favorite to retain his title against Mendes. That price was as low as -210, but MMA betting over the past week has driven the UFC odds up as more bettors opt for action on the champ. It’s no surprise, considering the invincibility Aldo has displayed since coming over to the UFC.

Mendes is one of the brightest rising stars in the UFC Featherweight division, and with 11 straight wins it’s his turn to take a shot at the title. The former NCAA wrestler will look to control where the fight is fought and dominate the champ with his grappling skills for a potential decision win.

Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook don’t seem to think he will do that and have handicapped Mendes as the +205 underdog. That payout has grown from +170 as MMA bettors don’t think that Mendes will be able to get past the lethal Muay Thai skills Aldo uses to keep wrestlers at bay - and to keep his fights standing.
I want to see a god fight (I bet already)
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Manne wrote: Jose Aldo is one of the most dominant fighters in the UFC with a record of 20-1 and a current 13-fight win streak. He’s one of the top five pound-for-pound best in the world, and at the age of 25 we may not have seen the best of his fighting skills yet.

Bet on UFC 142 with Bovada's MMA odds.

The UFC Featherweight champ will get a big test this weekend, though, when he faces undefeated top contender Chad Mendes, but as far as the sportsbooks are concerned it will be business as usual at UFC 142 for the Brazilian champion. Aldo will bring world-class kickboxing skills and a black belt in jiu-jitsu as well as an athleticism that is unmatched in the Featherweight division.

Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook have the champion handicapped as a heavy -265 favorite to retain his title against Mendes. That price was as low as -210, but MMA betting over the past week has driven the UFC odds up as more bettors opt for action on the champ. It’s no surprise, considering the invincibility Aldo has displayed since coming over to the UFC.

Mendes is one of the brightest rising stars in the UFC Featherweight division, and with 11 straight wins it’s his turn to take a shot at the title. The former NCAA wrestler will look to control where the fight is fought and dominate the champ with his grappling skills for a potential decision win.

Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook don’t seem to think he will do that and have handicapped Mendes as the +205 underdog. That payout has grown from +170 as MMA bettors don’t think that Mendes will be able to get past the lethal Muay Thai skills Aldo uses to keep wrestlers at bay - and to keep his fights standing.
I want to see some blood :dirol
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Manne wrote: It took a little doing, but Chad Mendes will finally get his title shot against Jose Aldo at UFC 142. Whether he comes to regret a shot at the Nova Uniao product will remain to be seen, but our ability to make money on this event is never in question! Below is my comparison betting odds for the fights, as well as some valid props. I’ve also included a confidence rating that gives you an idea of how much wiggle room we have with the line. High confidence indicates few surprises and plenty of footage to watch of both men, while a low rating means there are multiple variables or a lack of information present on new fighters.


Now, onto the fights!

Jose Aldo -200

Chad Mendes +160

Props: Fight Starts 3rd Round

Confidence: Moderate

While Mendes was passed up for a title shot last time around, he finally gets his chance to win the strap at UFC 142. Mendes has beaten all comers in his career thus far, using a fast and simple striking style along with his lightning shot. On paper, this could be a recipe for beating Aldo, and you have to give that potential outcome the respect it deserves. Overall I think Aldo has the speed to catch Mendes coming in on the shot with a fast knee and work his crippling leg kicks, but this fight is more than likely going into late rounds. Between Aldo’s somewhat passive style of late and Mendes being a gritty young fighter, lay down your units on this fight starting the 3rd round.

Vitor Belfort -140

Anthony Johnson +110

Props: Belfort KOTN, Johnson KOTN

Confidence: Moderate

In what could be an instant classic, old school striker Vitor Belfort welcomes Anthony Johnson to the MW division. This is a tough fight to call, as Johnson has shown he’s not afraid to play the blanket to get a win over superior strikers. The real question is, can the former WW Johnson take down the former LHW Belfort, or will he be forced to use his kickboxing against a lethal striker? While Belfort has been worked over on the mat before, the list of men who have pulled off the task make Johnson’s wrestling skills pale considerably. I think this fight ends up fairly close, as either can land KO blows, but I slightly favor Belfort’s hand speed and accurate power punches for the win. Betting wise, this will be one to avoid for the most part, although I recommend a play on both men winning the KOTN award, as either one can pull it off.

Erick Silva -260

Carlo Prater +200

Props: Fight Ends Inside Distance/Under

Confidence: High

Hot prospect Erick Silva will take on journeyman and late replacement Carlo Prater in what could end up as a serious war. For those unfamiliar, Prater is an old school Luta Livre and BJJ fighter who has spent most of his career on the mat, picking up a few impressive wins along the way. While his overall skill set has been lacking at this level, he makes for a dangerous match for green fighters that won’t have the submission defense to avoid his entanglements. Silva isn’t green though, and with his natural speed and killer instinct, this is a fighter he can easily take from Prater early and never give back. I suspect the line on Silva will start out of reach, so I recommend a bet on ITD. Both men are fast starters and Prater tends to wilt under pressure, setting up a stoppage win for Silva in his home country.

Rousimar Palhares -240

Mike Massenzio +190

Props: Palhares by Submission

Confidence: High

Leglock specialist Rousimar Palhares takes on unlikely opponent Mike Massenzio in what should be a worrisome fight for Massenzio. Palhares is coming into this bout off a dominant win over Dan Miller and one would expect he’d draw a tougher opponent here, but Massenzio could have some surprises for the Brazilian. Massenzio is a solid wrestler with submission skills, but has always had trouble breaking into even the middle of the division, and this fight isn’t going to be an easy one for him at all. Aside from a stall and brawl attack by Massenzio, I can’t see him pulling this off if this fight touches the mat. Hit the Palhares by Sub prop, as Masssenzio’s legs will be in peril here at some point.

Sam Stout -130

Thiago Tavares EV

Props: Fight Goes Distance/Over

Confidence: Moderate

Two fixtures of the Lightweight division will face off, as kickboxer Sam Stout faces BJJ ace Thiago Tavares. Stout hasn’t changed much in the last several years, but his style of crisp kickboxing, takedown defense and token takedowns has seen him through some tough bouts. Tavares comes into this with his own fast and accurate hands, but has moved towards using his underrated submission skills more in his last several fights. The test here will be if Tavares can mix up his attack and score takedowns, and avoid being outpointed by Stout throughout this fight. While Tavares has a decent bag of tricks, Stout’s ability to work from the outside and force long shots should give him a comfortable amount of space here. The Over will be the safest play for this fight, but considering Stout’s history of long bouts, I don’t think we’ll be finding much value here anywhere.

Mike Pyle -160

Ricardo Funch +130

Props: Funch by KO

Confidence: High

Cagey veteran Mike Pyle will step into the cage for his eighth appearance, taking on returning fighter Ricardo Funch. Pyle is one of the most underrated grapplers in the division with is quick bottom submissions and surprising strength in the clinch. Using newfound boxing skills, Pyle has set himself up with a solid game of range control with opportunistic takedowns that saw him put a few wins together before his previous fight. Funch is a cookie-cutter Brazilian fighter with more muscle than necessary, not enough of a bottom game, and not enough wrestling to compete with UFC-caliber wrestlers. I think Pyle can control this fight and either work takedowns or submit off his back if Funch can get a hold of him. I’d recommend the straight bet if odds are favorable, but keep an eye out for a F
UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes will be a great fight. See you on Justin.tv, ustream, Greenfeedz.com after this fight
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MMA bettors will get their next fix on Friday night with UFC on FX. Headlining the event will be a Lightweight contender matchup between two of the division's best; hard-hitting Melvin Guillard will face tough-as-nails Jim Miller, with the winner putting themselves in position to potentially challenge for the Lightweight title later in the year.

Bet on UFC with Bovada.

Guillard has shown on numerous occasions that he can KO anyone in the Lightweight division if given the opportunity. He brings lethal striking and a much-improved take-down defense, but he will be coming off a surprise upset loss to Joe Lauzon. Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook currently have Guillard listed as the +150 underdog, which is a fair price considering the trouble he has had against good wrestlers in the past.

Miller is a tough wrestler with strong ground skills, and oddsmakers think he will be able to take the fight to the ground where he can dominate a somewhat one-dimensional Guillard. Miller currently has a UFC odds price of -170 for Friday's event, which would normally be a bargain on one of the best Lightweights in the division.

In other action on the UFC on FX card Heavyweights Christian Morecraft and Pat Barry will slug it out to likely hold onto their UFC paycheck. Both fighters have lost two of their last three bouts and need a victory to remain relevant. Oddsmakers at Bovada's online sportsbook are leaning towards Barry as the favorite and currently have a price of -170 on him to win. The Morecraft upset is currently worth +140 on those MMA betting lines.
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Chael Sonnen (Flickr Creative Commons)

MMA betting action is back this weekend with UFC on Fox 2. The televised fight card will feature four matchups including a No. 1 contender bout between Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping. Mark Munoz was originally slotted to face Sonnen, but an injury has forced him out and moved Bisping up on the card.

Get your UFC odds for this weekend's big fights today at Bovada.

Since Bisping is a replacement he would normally not get an opportunity to fight an opponent as highly-ranked as Sonnen. However, no fighter in the UFC is going to turn down an opportunity to put themselves in a position to potentially fight for the belt, and MMA betting fans can be sure that Bisping will be game come Saturday night.

Despite being a game opponent Bisping will be a huge underdog against Sonnen, who looks better every time we see him in the Octagon. Oddsmakers at Bovada are currently offering an underdog +325 line on the Bisping upset, while the favored price on Sonnen sits at -450.

As far as style matchups are concerned Bisping will be giving up a lot of edges including a lopsided skill level on the ground. Sonnen will also be superior in the clinch as well as in the take-down attempt department. If Bisping holds any edge it will be in the standing portion of the fight, but if you’re ever watched a Chael Sonnen fight you know that stand-up portions of his fights only continue as long as he wants them to last.

So that leaves Bisping with a puncher’s chance, and at +325 it’s a high-paying chance. There are some MMA bettors that are taking the chance on Bisping and have lowered the Bovada -450 Sonnen line down from -500.
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The long-awaited matchup between former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and undefeated rising star Phil Davis will finally go down this weekend when the two step into the Octagon at UFC on Fox 2.

Head over to Bovada for all the MMA betting lines for this week's event.

With a potential title shot against Jon Jones on the line, oddsmakers at Bovada have Evans as the odds-on favorite to get past Phil Davis, who is most likely not ready to face a fighter the caliber of Evans.

At last glance Evans was a Bovada -210 favorite to win, while the Davis upset bet would be worth +170. Those lines were initially much closer, but action thus far has been mainly wagered on Evans, so those lines have steadily grown apart in favor of the former champ. That trend will likely continue as the bout draws closer.

Keys to victory for Evans would include using his speed and footwork to out-box Davis and to stay off his back as much as possible. If Evans can maintain a safe distance it will be a long painful night for Davis filled with frustration and hard combinations.

For Davis to pull off the upset and remain undefeated he will need to utilize his wrestling skills to control Evans and dictate where the fight is fought. He’ll somehow have to wear down Evans and utilize ground-and-pound to either earn a decision or a late-fight submission victory.

It’s no secret that Davis has the skills to be a top contender in the UFC Light Heavyweight division - the question is whether or not he’s ready to make this big of a step up in competition at this point in his career. If he is ready we could all be surprised Saturday night; if he’s not Evans will likely knock him out and teach him a few lessons along the way.

Get in on UFC betting action today with the lines at Bovada.
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With UFC Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre on the sidelines, top contenders Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz will battle at UFC 143 this weekend for the interim belt. The winner will either face St-Pierre upon his return, or end up having to defend the title at least once before the UFC Welterweight champion recovers.

Get your MMA odds for all of this weekend's UFC 143 card right now at Bovada.

Oddsmakers at Bovada initially handicapped Diaz as a -150 favorite over Condit but that line has grown in price to its current -225. Diaz is on an 11-fight win streak that includes a three-round pounding of B.J. Penn his last time out. He’s very tough and can compete regardless of where the fight may go, but his greatest asset is his evolved MMA style of boxing that consists of constant pressure with long straight punches.

Condit has proven that he’s one of the best at 170 pounds with impressive wins over some of the best in the division. He has aggressive striking and submission skills that could give Diaz a great deal of difficulty if he’s able to land a big shot in the early rounds. Condit could also secure a submission if he’s able to gain a favorable position on the ground.

The initial price at Bovada on Condit was set at +120, but that has grown to +170 and could be more by Saturday night. That could prove profitable if Condit can close the distance and find the chin of Diaz before the fight gets to the third round. If it goes beyond the third round Diaz will have an edge based on his cardio levels and ability to conserve his energy during a fight and use it in advantageous situations.

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A little over a year ago Josh Koscheck was the No. 1 Welterweight contender fighting Georges St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight title. He came up short in that fight and was shoved to the back-burner of the division while he healed from an injury. Since returning he’s retired Matt Hughes and has been waiting for the next challenge to come his way.

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Mike Pierce (+205) has been looking for a way to recharge his MMA career since suffering a split decision loss to Johny Hendricks last summer. He has decided that the best way to climb up the Welterweight ladder is to try and take out one of the best in the division, so he requested the Koscheck fight for the UFC 143 card.

On paper this fight shapes up like a dream bout for Koscheck as his skills match up well against what Pierce usually brings to the Octagon. Koscheck (-265) is the heavy favorite in this one mainly because he has so many ways to win the fight, while Pierce’s chances to win will be limited.

Koscheck will have a big edge in the stand-up game and should be able to negate any wrestling edge that Pierce may be used to having. That leaves Pierce with few options to win, and barring a lucky shot it looks like he has fed himself to the wolves in an attempt to get to the next level of the fighter rankings.

However, this is MMA and anything can happen in the Octagon. Koscheck has shown vulnerability to a big shot in the past, and if he gets over-confident we could see a Pierce upset that would provide a big payday. If Koscheck is focused and fights his fight, Pierce will likely be asking himself why he decided to call out an opponent the level of Koscheck.

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The UFC 143 fight card will not be all about the Welterweight division as all the hype has made it seem; there will also be a relevant Heavyweight matchup between Fabricio Werdum and Roy Nelson. Both fighters need a win to remain a factor within the division, which should translate to a fight where both men will be looking to finish in impressive fashion.

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Werdum (-150) will make his return to the UFC following a semi-impressive time with Strikeforce. Despite great wins against Antonio Silva and Fedor Emelianenko, Werdum didn't look good against the current UFC No.1 contender Alistair Overeem. Now he gets a chance as the odds-on favorite to redeem himself with the UFC brass, but that’s only if he can put together an impressive win against Nelson.

Nelson (+120) may be popular with the fans but he will need a win over Werdum to remain in the contender picture in the UFC Heavyweight division. Nelson is a complete fighter but he’s not been able to get a win over a ranked contender. A win against Werdum gets him right back in the mix and likely another fight against a high-ranked contender.

This fight is shaping up to be a basic ground vs. stand-up battle. Nelson will want to keep the fight standing where his power will give him an advantage while Werdum will want to put his elite jiu-jitsu skills to work on the ground for a submission victory. The question comes down to whether Nelson can stuff the Werdum takedown attempts.

Conditioning could play into the results of this fight as Nelson has gassed-out in his last couple of matchups. If this one goes deep Werdum could have an advantage in the late stages if Nelson’s cardio is not there.

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Jake Ellenberger has been quietly racking up wins in the Welterweight division over the last three years and now gets a chance to headline a televised UFC fight card against a big name in Diego Sanchez. The UFC on Fuel TV main event winner will likely get the next shot at either Carlos Condit’s Interim title or the winner of the potential Georges St-Pierre vs. Condit title unification fight.


Get your UFC betting lines for the Sanchez vs. Ellenberger bout right now at Bovada.

Ellenberger has only one loss in his last 10 fights, suffering a split-decision defeat to current interim champ Condit. Now he gets a chance to put himself into a potential title shot with an impressive win over Sanchez. Oddsmakers at Bovada have the same opinion and currently have him handicapped as the -350 favorite. MMA betting action has driven that price up from its initial line of -265.

Sanchez has been out of action with a hand injury since his win over Martin Kampmann last March. Octagon rust could come into play, so oddsmakers at Bovada are willing to pay +250 on a Sanchez upset. They were only offering +205 when the lines were first posted, but more MMA bettors have been opting for Ellenberger and driving the payout up.

Sanchez has made big changes in his life outside the Octagon and is more focused on his fighting career than he’s been for years. Ellenberger could be in for a surprise if Sanchez is able to take his best shots and keep coming. For that reason any prop action on this one going the distance will be tempting if the price is decent. This fight will likely come down to how well Sanchez can stand up to the power that a big

Welterweight like Ellenberger will bring.
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When Jake Shields first went to the UFC many MMA betting fans were licking their chops at his 14-fight win streak and elite wrestling skills. However, a 1-2 record since joining the organization has all but disintegrated fans' hopes that he would be another UFC betting stud.

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Shields has slowly dropped down in the Welterweight rankings and will now need a win against Yoshihiro Akiyama this weekend at UFC 144 to remain relevant in the division.

Akiyama is another fighter that was a big name in other organizations but has had a tough time since coming over to the UFC. The Japanese judo specialist won his first UFC fight but has since dropped three straight. Now he will drop down to Welterweight to face Shields, and will also need to win if he hopes to have any type of future within the organization.

Since both fighters are primarily grapplers Shields will have an edge as one of the top wrestlers in the division. The stand-up battle, if there is one at all, should be closely matched with a slight power edge going to Akiyama. However, if one fighter starts to get the best of it in a stand-up bout neither fighter will be able to take the matchup to the mat.

Keys to victory for Shields are simple: He needs to get the fight to the ground where he should dominate for either a unanimous decision or a submission victory. All he has to do is stay away from Akiyama’s power and wear him down with ground-and-pound. Akiyama will need to use his boxing skills to keep Shields at bay and out-strike the former Strikeforce Middleweight champion the way Georges St- Pierre was able to do last summer.
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Former WEC Lightweight champion Ben Henderson has had a long road back to title contention following his loss to Anthony Pettis two years ago. However, this weekend at UFC 144 he finds himself on the biggest MMA stage fighting for the UFC Lightweight title. Get your UFC odds for the bout today.

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Henderson has gone 3-0 since coming into the UFC and all his victories are over top names in the division. Those results are enough for oddsmakers at Bovada to handicap the challenger as a very small underdog at +100.

Over the last two years has become one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in MMA. Now MMA bettors at Bovada have an opportunity to take advantage of a very inexpensive price on one of the best in the sport.

Edgar is currently handicapped as the -130 favorite to retain his title, and if he’s victorious we likely won’t see a price on him that cheap for a long time.

Henderson will face the same problems that all Edgar’s opponents have faced - trying to take him down and keep him on the mat long enough to do some damage. Edgar will bring his usual boxing and footwork skills, and let’s not forget that undeniable heart of a champion.

Keys to victory for Henderson would have to consist of getting his hands on Edgar and using his wrestling and jiu-jitsu skills to dominate the smaller man. He’ll have to find a way to cut off the Octagon and take away Edgar’s room to move.

For Edgar to retain his title the champ will need to do what he does best: Bring a torrid pace and be elusive, all the while landing counter strikes with the odd surprise takedown thrown in for good measure.
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