UFC 110: I got them down under winnas!

It’s Ash Wednesday. For some people, that means it’s a time to pour the contents of an ashtray on their head. For me, it means that we are just a few days away from the most exciting UFC card (on paper) that I’ve seen in awhile. About time! Now, about those winners…

Cain Velasquez -125
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira +105

Are they still trying to sell off Minotauro as a 33-year old? Big Nog (35-5-1, 1 NC) might’ve been 33 back when Bush was in office. Bush Sr. After looking every bit of his suspected 50 years against Frank Mir, Nog bounced back quite nicely in his last fight against Randy Couture. The two old fellas put on a spirited show, which resulted in a decision victory for Nogueira. That’s great and all, but Velasquez (7-0-0) is a true up and coming star in this sport. The low odds actually have me feeling giddy.

Cain Velasquez is a legitimate championship threat in this division, and every fight sees a step up in competition for ‘Brown Pride.’ He is constantly improving his overall game, building on his wrestling background. Having taken out Cheick Kongo and Ben Rothwell recently, Big Nog will certainly be the most impressive notch in Velasquez’s belt. At this price, he’s a complete steal.


Wanderlei Silva -140
Michael Bisping +120

Oh man do I love/hate this fight. What to do what to do??? HEP ME!!

On one hand you have Wanderlei Silva (32-10-1, 1 NC). This legend of the sport has only been a shell of his former self since his return to the UFC (1-3-0). The problem is, I might be the only person who hasn’t figured out yet that the old Wanderlei is gone. This was exemplified for the world to see in his last fight back in June against Rich Franklin. I lost more than I’ve ever lost on a single fight backing Silva. Go ahead, laugh. That was eight months ago and I’m almost over it.

Then there is Bisping (19-2-0). He is the Brit that many love to hate, myself included. There was nothing greater for us than when Dan Henderson delivered the Epic Beard Man treatment to the cocky cockney’s face last year. Since then, Bisping has started a new winning streak against Dennis Kang.

Whatever. I’m going to do it again. I’m banking that the washed-up Silva still has enough in the tank to take out an overrated homer like Bisping. Isn’t there a psychiatric term for people who grab an object that delivers a shock, and then grab the same object again moments later, completely oblivious to consequence? If there is, that’s me. Go Silva?


Joe Stevenson -240
George Sotiropoulos +200

I’m going to go way out on a limb and predict that this fight ends in a submission. Of Stevenson (36-10-0) and Sotiropoulos’ (11-2-0) 47 combined victories, 22 have resulted in some varying form of a submission. At 5dimes, you can bet the fight to NOT go the distance at -160. I like this play a lot.

As for a winner, Joe “Daddy” Stevenson has been taking down anyone outside of that top tier of guys (BJ Penn, Kenny Florian, Diego Sanchez). I don’t see a reason that should change here. Sotiropoulos will be a home favorite, fighting in his native Australia. It should matter not. Look for Stevenson to get inside of his opponent’s guard and start looking for various joints and air passages to attack.

As an aside, anytime the announcers say “Joe Daddy” will I be the only one looking for Danica Patrick to show up with some blouse-shedding hotties? Yea, probably.

Ryan Bader -155
Keith Jardine +135

Keith Jardine’s (14-7-1) mystique is rapidly wearing off. Ever since his shocking upset (to most) of Chuck Liddell, Jardine has been a draw. But those losses are starting to pile up. Rampage Jackson and Houston Alexander took him out. Thiago Silva delivered a devastating 1st round knockout in his last fight. Hell, even Wanderlei was able to turn back the clock to record his first victory in his return to the UFC at Jardine’s expense.

The news will only get worse for Jardine when he faces Ryan Bader (11-0-0). I didn’t give Bader much thought when he was on The Ultimate Fighter, but he sure has caught my eye lately. He is a natural wrestler, but it is his striking that looks like it will put more than a few check marks in the W-column before it’s all said and done.

Bader has been unable to finish both of his last subpar opponents. That should come to an end at Jardine’s expense. Once again, I’m loving these odds. If you’re feeling frisky, Bader to win inside the distance is priced at +317 at 5dimes.




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