Author: Nate Lawson

UFC 166 Predictions: Interesting Prop Bets for Saturday Night

Think Cain Velasquez earning a unanimous decision win is a lock? Certain the Daniel Cormier vs. Roy Nelson contest will end in the first round? 
There are plenty of interesting prop bets out there for UFC 166 Saturday evening, allowing the mo…

Think Cain Velasquez earning a unanimous decision win is a lock? Certain the Daniel Cormier vs. Roy Nelson contest will end in the first round? 

There are plenty of interesting prop bets out there for UFC 166 Saturday evening, allowing the more adventurous gambler to get his or her fix. 

From picking certain fighters to win certain ways or calling which round a fight will end, we’ve got the most interesting prop bets for UFC 166 right here.

 

Cain Velasquez wins via UD (+205)

First off, I do believe Velasquez wins this fight via unanimous decision. He threw everything at dos Santos last time out, yet Cigano continued to fight back. Velasquez is a monster in the cage and could very well finish this one (or even get finished himself), but picking him to win a UD is a pretty safe play. 

 

Daniel Cormier vs. Roy Nelson goes to decision (-155)

Is it crazy to suggest that if this fight gets stopped, Nelson will be the one doing it? Cormier packs a mean punch, but “Big Country” has taken a beating from the best of them and kept coming. That said, few are picking Nelson to win, pushing the odds in favor of a unanimous decision. 

This is interesting mostly due to the fact that it’s a heavyweight fight. This contest could be over in the first round and no one would be all that shocked. Still, considering the two heavyweights in the cage, it makes sense placing the odds for a decision in the -150 range. 

 

Nelson wins via KO, TKO or DQ (+685)

Again, Nelson has his work cut out for him, but if he’s going to win this fight, it’s going to be via knockout. So, you feeling lucky? Do you think Nelson can do it? If so, the payout will be big. But those odds are that high because a Nelson finish is a real long shot. 

 

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Shawn Jordan ends in the first round (-115)

While Nelson and Cormier‘s bout is not expected to end in the first, second or third round, odds point to Gonzaga vs. Jordan finishing early. It’s hard to argue with them, considering each fighter is a pretty quick starter with fierce power. That said, if either elects for a more cautious approach, this fight could last longer than five minutes. 

 

Shawn Jordan wins via decision (+465)

If you’re looking to hedge that first-round finish bet, taking Jordan via decision is a good play with a high payout. Of course, if you’re certain Gonzaga would take a decision, then feel free to go with him at +726. Just keep in mind he hasn’t won a decision since…wait, he’s never won via decision. 

 

Gilbert Melendez def. Diego Sanchez via decision (-160)

If I had to give you a lock, it’d be that Sanchez vs. Melendez goes to decision. If I had to pick a bit beyond just that prediction, I’d say Melendez wins it. Sanchez can take a beating and has a good motor, but Melendez is a top-five lightweight who is simply better. 

 

John Dodson def. Darrell Montague via submission (+926)

I’m fully aware that Dodson does not win by submission all too often, but that’s the beauty of a prop bet. The last time Darrell Montague was defeated, Ian McCall submitted him in the third round of their contest. Dodson is better than McCall, and he could damage Montague with that nasty power. It’s a long shot, but don’t be stunned if Dodson manages to lock on a choke after dazing his opponent. 

 

Note: This is not a gambler’s guide; it’s merely a look into some of the more intriguing prop bets, along with the safer ones. We’re analyzing the logic behind the odds, not suggesting an individual should make a wager. 

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Hector Lombard vs. Nate Marquardt: 3 Reasons to Be Excited for This Fight

For Hector Lombard and Nate Marquardt, the move to welterweight may have felt a like a way to start over. 
Neither Lombard nor Marquardt found much success in the middleweight division over the past few years, and each has since made the big chang…

For Hector Lombard and Nate Marquardt, the move to welterweight may have felt a like a way to start over. 

Neither Lombard nor Marquardt found much success in the middleweight division over the past few years, and each has since made the big change to drop down 15 pounds. Thus far, Marquardt is 1-2 at 170, while Lombard has yet to compete in his new division. 

Tonight, each fighter looks to ignite a run up the welterweight ladder in what should be an entertaining contest. Here are the three biggest reasons we’re excited about the fight. 

 

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Velasquez vs. Dos Santos Fight Card: Power Ranking the 7 Most Compelling Fights

UFC 166 goes live tonight from the Toyota Center in Houston, featuring a main event between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos. 
While the heavyweight championship is the most highly anticipated fight on the card, there are plenty of other conte…

UFC 166 goes live tonight from the Toyota Center in Houston, featuring a main event between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos. 

While the heavyweight championship is the most highly anticipated fight on the card, there are plenty of other contests that have caught our eyes. These fights make up our most compelling fights on the card, based on fighter status/rank, pre-fight hype and potential to excite.

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Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos: 3 Reasons to Be Excited for This Fight

The trilogy is one of the more compelling aspects of mixed martial arts, and tonight’s match up between heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos—the third meeting between the two—should catapult this rivalry well up the lis…

The trilogy is one of the more compelling aspects of mixed martial arts, and tonight’s match up between heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos—the third meeting between the two—should catapult this rivalry well up the list of greatest trilogies in UFC history. 

The heavyweight clash headlines UFC 166 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, as Velasquez looks to defend his belt against the man who took it from him in their first meeting back at UFC on FOX 1. 

Before you sit down in your UFC man cave or head out to the bars to catch the fights, check out the three reasons to be excited for the third meeting between Velasquez and dos Santos.

 

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UFC Fight Night 29: Twitter Reacts to Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields

Jake Shields and Demian Maia required all 25 minutes of the UFC Fight Night 29 main event to determine a winner. While the former, Shields, walked away with the decision win, the judges were not unanimous, and the Brazil crowd disagreed. 
It turns…

Jake Shields and Demian Maia required all 25 minutes of the UFC Fight Night 29 main event to determine a winner. While the former, Shields, walked away with the decision win, the judges were not unanimous, and the Brazil crowd disagreed. 

It turns out plenty of people on Twitter also disagreed, while others were eager to defend the decision. But, mostly, people just wanted to talk about the actual grappling between two of the better ground-fighters in MMA. 

Take a look at how Twitter reacted to the evening’s main event:

Some thought it was the worst of fights, others were enthralled (or at least claimed to be). What’d you think of the contest?

Mr. Shoman did not approve.

He earned the decision, but just barely. 

After dominating Jon Fitch in his last fight, Maia appeared to be on the brink of a title run at 170. Big step back after tonight. 

Those two fights also went 25 minutes, though Shields didn’t pick up a win against GSP.

Seems just about everyone knew this fight was going the distance. The Shields pick was a little tougher.

Regardless of his struggling takedown offense, Shields still managed to gain top position on the ground early and often against Maia. 

Shields, never the most gifted athlete to step foot in the cage, can grind with the best of them. 

 

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UFC Fight Night 29: What We Learned from Dong Hyun Kim vs. Erick Silva

Following an otherwise lackluster start to the main card of UFC Fight Night 29, welterweight contenders Erick Silva and Dong Hyun Kim put on an incredible fight with an ending that was as dramatic as they come. 
Silva landed at will early, while K…

Following an otherwise lackluster start to the main card of UFC Fight Night 29, welterweight contenders Erick Silva and Dong Hyun Kim put on an incredible fight with an ending that was as dramatic as they come. 

Silva landed at will early, while Kim missed badly on several ill-advised spinning back elbows. But the Brazilian was taken down, and Kim managed to keep him there the rest of the first round. 

The second round, however, was all Silva. That is, until the moment when the fight ended. 

Silva battered Kim early, and a knockout seemed imminent. As he moved in for the kill, though, Kim slipped a strike and landed a brutal shot. Silva crumbled to the mat, and the fight was over in dramatic fashion.

Here’s what we learned from the contest:

 

What We’ll Remember About This Fight:

That comeback knockout. Kim was on the brink of getting stopped and was fading fast. That very well could’ve been the last chance for Kim to salvage the contest, and that’s exactly what he did. Sign the Knockout of the Night check, Dana. Might as well sign the Fight of the Night checks as well. 

 

What We Learned About Dong Hyun Kim

This fight appeared all but over for Kim. Silva was landing with ease, and the Brazilian appeared heavily fatigued. But Kim, who was tiring fast himself, displayed just how much of a threat he is at all times. Unfortunately, the larger sample size displays that his striking needs work. His only striking offense on the feet came with that crushing blow, and he’ll need to improve in the stand-up if he wants to continue his climb.

 

What We Learned About Erick Silva

Silva could be a champion one day, or he could be the next Josh Grispi. Every time he seems to break through into contention, Silva gets smothered by a wrestler or—even worse—knocked out by one. The Brazilian has huge potential, and he is a very dangerous striker. We’ve known that for some time. But we’ve learned he has further adjustments to make before we can consider him a legitimate title threat. 

 

What’s Next For Dong Hyun Kim

The main event of UFC Fight Night 29 features Jake Shields and Demian Maia, and the winner of this fight could be the next top contender. But the winner would also be perfect for Kim. Maia defeated Kim via TKO (injury) a year ago, leaving them with some unfinished business. But if the UFC looks to go a different route, the winner of Nate Marquardt vs. Hector Lombard at UFC 166 would be a nice matchup. 

 

What’s Next For Erick Silva

Silva is a tough fighter to place, considering that fight against Kim very well could’ve gone his way if that single punch hadn’t landed. Tarec Saffiedine would be an interesting matchup if the former Strikeforce champ could ever get healthy, while Silva could also face the loser of Josh Koscheck vs. Tyron Woodley, assuming that fighter isn’t released following UFC 167. 

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