FIFA World Cup betting information overload is up. But the NBA Finals and South Africa World Cup won't overshadow MMA.
Arguably, UFC 115 in Vancouver doesn't feature a top-notch fight card. But the funny thing about the UFC is that the "lesser" cards often produce the best fights, as the combatants have more to prove. UFC betting fans shouldn't miss Saturday's event. It doesn't have a title fight but it's loaded with guys who love to stand and bang. Here's some betting advice.
Chuck Liddell (21-7) vs Rich Franklin (26-5, 1 NC)
Sportsbook odds: Liddell +120, Franklin -150
Two of the most popular fighters in MMA history square off in Saturday's main event. The big question everyone's asking is whether or not both of these guys are washed up.
That certainly seems to be the case with Chuck "the Iceman" Liddell. It's true that he never gets a break – he always faces elite competition – but he's lost four of his last five fights and been brutally knocked out in three of those losses. Rich "Ace" Franklin is in a similar boat in that he's slumping of late and constantly faces fellow superstar fighters.
Reportedly, Liddell has had the best training camp of his career, meaning his fitness could be better than ever. He'll need that against the always-fit Franklin. The problem is that Liddell can't make his jaw fitter. He's taken too many big shots over the last few years and I think he'll go down like a sack of potatoes once Franklin catches him with a flush shot. Franklin doesn't have the jaw he used to either, but Liddell's decline is more advanced right now. Expect a slugfest and a short fight.
Today's free pick: Franklin -150
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (26-7-2, 1 NC) vs Pat Barry (5-1)
Sportsbook odds: Cro Cop +130, Barry -160
Now this should be fun. The kickboxing legend Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic is anxious to prove he isn't finished and that he can still factor into the UFC's heavyweight title picture. His opponent, Pat Barry, is an eccentric kickboxing superfan who grew up idolizing guys like Cro Cop.
As much history as Cro Cp has behind him, I do think he's finished. He won some lollipop matchups recently but, the last time he faced a real killer, he crumbled. He looked genuinely frightened when he lost to Junior Dos Santos. Barry, whose leg kicks are so powerful that he's "submitted" multiple fighters with them, won't back down. He's out for blood and his aggression may overwhelm Cro Cop, who hasn't been the same since Gabriel Gonzaga kicked his head off.
Today's free pick: Barry -160
Paulo Thiago (13-1) vs Martin Kampmann (16-3)
Sportsbook odds: Thiago -225, Kampmann +185
This is an extremely even matchup between welterweight contenders, as both fighters can beat opponents standing or on the ground. Kampmann was close to a title shot but a loss to Paul Daley last September derailed that chance. He was far too casual in that fight, dropping his hands and getting tagged again and again. Even in his last bout – a win over Jacob Volkmann – Kampmann did the same thing and almost got himself knocked out before pulling out a submission.
Paulo Thiago showed Josh Koscheck and Mike Swick that he has underrated punching power. He'll punish Kampmann's mistakes one way or another.
Today's free pick: Thiago -225
