Live from Sydney, Australia – Saturday Feb 20th on PPV
Main Card
Antonio Nogueira (32-5-1) vs. Cain Velasquez (7-0-0
Is Cain’s top game big trouble for any fighter yes, but if there is any heavyweight where his strength’s put him in trouble, is against a heavy like Big Nog. Take downs? Sure he can get them. Submission defense? Might be a problem against a guy as slick as Nogueira. Plus, Nogueira’s boxing right now is at its best, and imo, its better than Cain’s.
Bodog has Cain Velasquez favored @ -125, but I like Nogueira to win w/ -105 odds
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Wanderlei Silva (32-10-1) vs. Michael Bisping (18-2-0)
Bisping is going to try to get his licks and get out, but his best shot at winning is a ground game.
Bisping has fought one other fighter that is as zombieish as Silva and is as devastating puncher as Silva, that is Dan Henderson. They both have similar toughness and similar KO power. Bisping hasn’t been know as a KO puncher, but more of a finesse/overwhelming type fighter.
This fight has the odds favoring “The Axe Murderer” Silva @ -155. I think it could be a closer fight though as Bisping’s technical skills, speed, and smarts will have Silva chasing him all over the octagon.
Bisping is +125 @ Bodog, and I think he will take a decision victory
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Joe Stevenson (31-10-0) vs. George Sotiropoulos ( 11-2-0)
George’s top game imo is too strong. You have two good jiu-jitsu players, but Sotiropoulus will have height and reach. He is good on his feet. Stevenson, although not a 1 trick pony with a sick guillotine, but he is on the easier side to shut down.
If Stevenson can hurt Sotiropoulos early (by some miracle), then George is going to have a very hard time, as Stevenson is a good finisher and is very difficult to stop once he gets top control. Like I said though, at the upper echelon of MMA, Stevenson’s strengths, can be stopped rather easily.
Bodog has the Australian, Sotiropoulos @ +240 and I like him to win.
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Keith Jardine (15-6-1) vs. Ryan Bader (10-0-0)
Jardine is the underdog in this one and I like Jardine here. His ability to crush legs and takeaway the takedown ability will be key.
Bader is trouble for most fighter’s due to his size, takedown defense, and takedown capabilities. Jardine though is equally trouble for most fighters due to his unpredictable style.
The way Bader’s standup is, allows Jardine to utilize his short hooks really well. I think it will be a problem for Bader.
Jardine is +125 and I like it.
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Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovi? (25-7-2) vs.
Cro Cop is taking on an unknown who is taking the fight on two days notice. Not sure if this will carry odds or not. If they aren’t crazy, I’d take Cro Cop.
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Preliminary Card
Elvis Sinosic (8-11-2) vs. Chris Haseman (20-16-0)
The battle of journeymen? Wow Elvis Sinosic is back. Very good on the UFC to get him in this fight as Elvis is from Australia. Elvis has been in the UFC for nearly 10 years now, but on and off. He has only one one fight out of his 7 in the UFC. However, he did sub Jeremy Horn in his prime. That was enough clout to have him come back despite losing so many fights in the Octagon.
Two of Australia’s local fighter’s who frankly haven’t fought in awhile with any reasonable consistency.
I’ll go with Elvis Sinosic here based on familiarity.
Stephan Bonnar (11-6-0) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (18-9-1)
Bonnar is not a good finisher, but Soszynski does have a few finishing goto moves. If this fight goes to a decision, I do like Bonnar to take the victory.
Chris Lytle (27-17-5) vs. Brian Foster (15-4-0)
Foster is pretty good and shows promise. The UFC wants to put an exciting fight down under, they call up Chris Lytle, who puts on a show in every outing.
Foster has the youth, but Lytle has the ground game and the chin. Foster will stay in that pocket and trade with Lytle. That strategy favors Lytle imo.
C.B. Dollaway (9-2-0) vs. Goran Reljic (8-0-0)
Goran Reljic is such a great fighter. I like Reljic by submission.
James Te-Huna (11-4-0) vs. Igor Pokrajac (21-6-0)
Not familiar with, so I will pass.