Clark Kent
<B>News Bot</B>
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2006
- Messages
- 7,128
- Reaction score
- 6
03-21-2010 01:46 PM:The UFC definitely put together a fight fans' card tonight on Versus. In the three big fights there shouldn't be any stalling or attempts to grind out a victory. There always a chance, in spite of what he says before the fight, that Brandon Vera will take a methodical approach. That probably won't be allowed now that it appears Jon Jones has some extra motivation. Jones lost his cool a bit during yesterday's weigh-in, saying he doesn't like Vera. There's little chance the two big heavyweights are grinders. If the Gabriel Gonzaga fight does hit the deck, "Napao" has been a guy who works for nasty submissions.
UFC on Versus 1 betting odds (Courtesy Venetian Resort Hotel Casino):
Brandon Vera (+210) v. Jon Jones (-270) - Light heavyweight
Every one respect Jones and his upside but this number is ridiculous. Vera has the complete package and has never been dominated in the cage. Randy Couture couldn't throw him around so there's little chance Jones will. On the feet, the more composed Vera should have the advantage. Based on how dominant he's been, Jones should be the favorite, but there's too much value on the side of Vera to pass up. Las Vegas bettors agree. The line has come down 70 cents.
PICK: VERA +210
Gabriel Gonzaga (+220) v. Junior Dos Santos (-300) - Heavyweight
Here's another case where the price is too rich. Dos Santos is the pick because of his power. Gonzaga was KO'd by Shane Carwin so his chin can be had. He's also had cases in the past of bailing on a fight once he got into trouble. If Gonzaga fights with a smart approach he can pull the upset but when have we seen Gonzaga do anything but slug in the past?
PICK: DOS SANTOS -300
Paul Buentello (+325) v. Cheick Kongo (-450) - Heavyweight
Don't judge the books by their covers. Kongo always looks like a beast but he's coming off a bad loss against Frank Mir. And the problem wasn't on the ground. It started on the feet where Mir launched Kongo across the cage with a big left. I get the feeling Kongo will avoid banging it out with Buentello and get it to the ground. That would be the wise approach since Buentello best chance is to land a huge bomb. With the four-ounce gloves I'll take my chance with the big price on Buentello.
PICK: BUENTELLO +325
Alessio Sakara (+125) v. James Irvin (-155) - Middleweight
Someone is getting knocked out here. Irvin has never had a UFC match go to a decision and its only happened twice in 20 career fights. Sakara is 4-4 with the promotion with only two fights going the distance. Sakara is the side for a couple of reasons. Irvin hasn't fought in nearly two years, more importantly where will his stamina be? Irvin is dropping to 185 for the first time and looked very gaunt during yesterday's weigh-in.
PICK: SAKARA +125
Shannon Gugerty (+210) v. Clay Guida (-270) - Lightweight
Gugerty's UFC streak should be snapped here. The San Diegan has had all four of his UFC fights end via submission. Guida really isn't a submission guy so that means Gugerty will have to pull the big upset to keep the streak alive. Unless you're talking about a top five lightweight it's tough to pick against Guida. His pace is too high and his ability to get the fight to the ground scores with judges.
PICK: GUIDA -270
Eliot Marshall (+130) v. Vladimir Matyushenko (-160) - Light Heavyweight
Can someone pull Eliot Marshall out of his shell? The kid has a well-rounded game capped by a nasty submission game but he always seems concerned about pacing himself. We're not sure "The Janitor" is the guy to do it. Matyushenko can be pretty calculating as well. We'll roll with the upset hoping that Marshall pushes the pace and gets it to the ground.
PICK: MARSHALL +130
Daniel Roberts (+220) v. John Howard (-300) - Welterweight
Chase Gormley (Even) v. Brendan Schaub (-130) - Heavyweight
Julio Paulino (+280) v. Mike Pierce (-360) - Welterweight
Eric Schafer (+130) v. Jason Brilz (-160) - Light heavyweight
Duane Ludwig (-115) v. Darren Elkins (-115) -Welterweight
Check out Bloody Elbow and MMaJunkie for selections on all the fights.
More...
Yahoo! Sports.
Cagewriter is an MMA blog edited by Steve Cofield.
UFC on Versus 1 betting odds (Courtesy Venetian Resort Hotel Casino):
Brandon Vera (+210) v. Jon Jones (-270) - Light heavyweight
Every one respect Jones and his upside but this number is ridiculous. Vera has the complete package and has never been dominated in the cage. Randy Couture couldn't throw him around so there's little chance Jones will. On the feet, the more composed Vera should have the advantage. Based on how dominant he's been, Jones should be the favorite, but there's too much value on the side of Vera to pass up. Las Vegas bettors agree. The line has come down 70 cents.
PICK: VERA +210
Gabriel Gonzaga (+220) v. Junior Dos Santos (-300) - Heavyweight
Here's another case where the price is too rich. Dos Santos is the pick because of his power. Gonzaga was KO'd by Shane Carwin so his chin can be had. He's also had cases in the past of bailing on a fight once he got into trouble. If Gonzaga fights with a smart approach he can pull the upset but when have we seen Gonzaga do anything but slug in the past?
PICK: DOS SANTOS -300
Paul Buentello (+325) v. Cheick Kongo (-450) - Heavyweight
Don't judge the books by their covers. Kongo always looks like a beast but he's coming off a bad loss against Frank Mir. And the problem wasn't on the ground. It started on the feet where Mir launched Kongo across the cage with a big left. I get the feeling Kongo will avoid banging it out with Buentello and get it to the ground. That would be the wise approach since Buentello best chance is to land a huge bomb. With the four-ounce gloves I'll take my chance with the big price on Buentello.
PICK: BUENTELLO +325
Alessio Sakara (+125) v. James Irvin (-155) - Middleweight
Someone is getting knocked out here. Irvin has never had a UFC match go to a decision and its only happened twice in 20 career fights. Sakara is 4-4 with the promotion with only two fights going the distance. Sakara is the side for a couple of reasons. Irvin hasn't fought in nearly two years, more importantly where will his stamina be? Irvin is dropping to 185 for the first time and looked very gaunt during yesterday's weigh-in.
PICK: SAKARA +125
Shannon Gugerty (+210) v. Clay Guida (-270) - Lightweight
Gugerty's UFC streak should be snapped here. The San Diegan has had all four of his UFC fights end via submission. Guida really isn't a submission guy so that means Gugerty will have to pull the big upset to keep the streak alive. Unless you're talking about a top five lightweight it's tough to pick against Guida. His pace is too high and his ability to get the fight to the ground scores with judges.
PICK: GUIDA -270
Eliot Marshall (+130) v. Vladimir Matyushenko (-160) - Light Heavyweight
Can someone pull Eliot Marshall out of his shell? The kid has a well-rounded game capped by a nasty submission game but he always seems concerned about pacing himself. We're not sure "The Janitor" is the guy to do it. Matyushenko can be pretty calculating as well. We'll roll with the upset hoping that Marshall pushes the pace and gets it to the ground.
PICK: MARSHALL +130
Daniel Roberts (+220) v. John Howard (-300) - Welterweight
Chase Gormley (Even) v. Brendan Schaub (-130) - Heavyweight
Julio Paulino (+280) v. Mike Pierce (-360) - Welterweight
Eric Schafer (+130) v. Jason Brilz (-160) - Light heavyweight
Duane Ludwig (-115) v. Darren Elkins (-115) -Welterweight
Check out Bloody Elbow and MMaJunkie for selections on all the fights.
More...
Yahoo! Sports.
Cagewriter is an MMA blog edited by Steve Cofield.
