UFC 108 takes place Sat, Jan 02, 2010
Rashad Evans vs Thiago Silva
It seems to me that the skillset of Evans is slightly better than Silva’s. This is a really even matchup, but like I said, slight edge to Evans.
Bodog has Evans @ -215 and Thiago Silva @ +175
Joe Lauzon vs Sam Stout
Sam Stout has shown very much improved ground game in his fight against Matt Wiman and Rich Clementi two guys who like to smother their opponents and submit them. However, both fights Stout was able to take the fight to a decision. In this fight you have another smotherer in Joe Lauzon against a good striker Stout. You can look to the Jeremy Stephens vs Lauzon fight in Tampa earlier this year as a possible outcome to this fight.
Jeremy had alot of shots on Lauzon that put him in danger, but Joe weathered the storm in a smart fashion avoiding every bomb and eventually secured a great armbar. Same game plan here for Lauzon. Avoid the strikes on the feet and when the fight gets to the ground pancake the guy and control the fight. Lauzon will control the fight on the ground he has excellent skills there and are underrated. Stout is probably a better striker in terms of boxer, but less lethal than Stephens. So if Stout keeps this thing in a boxing match style fight, Stout can win this one.
I like Lauzon here to control the fight on the ground. Who knows if he finds the submission or not.
Bodog has Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon @ -295 and Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout @ +235
Junior “Cigano” dos Santos vs Gilbert “The Hurricane” Yvel
Both of these guys are great stand up strikers. dos Santos is the boxer and Yvel is the kickboxer. Yvel has loads of fight experience and has had suspect cardio and ground game against Josh Barnett semi-recently.
dos Santos train with Nogueira’s, but we have never seen his ground game in the cage.
It seems likely that Junior dos Santos should win based on his previous fights, but dos Santo’s strengths are Yvel’s. When you have two equals here in one area, and possibly Yvel gets the edge in the striking department to begin with, the dog bet seems logical. Therefore, Yvel.
Bodog has Junior “Cigano” dos Santos @ -285 and Gilbert “The Hurricane” Yvel +225
Martin Kampmann vs Jacob “Christmas” Volkmann
Kampmann is coming off a loss to Paul Daley and Volkmann is coming off a loss to Paulo Thiago. I was impressed with Volkmann’s submission defense and Volkmann kept that fight interesting and put Thiago in danger a few times. Volkmann is likely to be a punching bag in this fight, but on the ground, Volkmann I think has a strong edge.
If the odds get really skewed here, I would take Volkmann, but they are not, so Kampmann is where I’d be.
Bodog has Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann @ -225 and Jacob “Christmas” Volkmann @ +180
Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko vs Steve “The Robot” Cantwell
Vladimir has looked boring, imo, in most of his fights. He has great top control and can pummel fighters into submission. His standup is not great and he is going up against a really good striker in Cantwell.
I think this is a very interesting play with Cantwell the much younger fighter as the underdog.
Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko @ -200 and Steve “The Robot” Cantwell @ +160
Mike “Quicksand” Pyle vs Jake Ellenberger
This fight is set at even and I like Jake Ellenberger to win.
Bodog has Ellenberger @ -115 and Pyle @ -115
Cole “Magrino” Miller vs Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon
Both Lauzon brothers are fighting on the same card here. Cole Miller’s strengths are his length and reach as well as the ground game. Lauzon probably wants to be on top of Miller dishing out GnP which is where he as at home winning several fights via TKO. Lauzon is a jiu-jitsu specialist as well as Miller. So I’m not looking for any submissions here. Miller actually likes fighting off his back, and Lauzon is the better finisher on top that Miller is.
Seems simple to me. Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon giving both brothers a victory, “making history,” and something Mike Goldberg will able to get excited about all night. This might be my favorite play on the card.
Bodog has Miller @ -165 and Lauzon @ +135
Mark Munoz vs Ryan Jensen
Munoz simple.