Before we’ve even had time to clear out the cobwebs from UFC 137, this Saturday already promises to bring us more bone crushing action with UFC 138, featuring a showdown between middleweight sluggers Chris Leben and Mark Munoz. And since we will be treated to a free card this weekend, why not turn that extra cash…into more extra cash? Check out the betting lines below, courtesy of BestFightOdds, along with our advice, which should have already netted you some extra dough this month.
Main Card
Mark Munoz (-265) vs. Chris Leben (+225)
Renan Barao (-135) vs. Brad Pickett (+115)
Thiago Alves (-345) vs. Papy Abedi (+285)
Terry Etim (-600) vs. Edward Faaloloto (+450)
Cyrille Diabate (-375) vs. Anthony Perosh (+285)
Undercard
Michihiro Omigawa (-340) vs. Jason Young (+250)
Philip De Fries (-135) vs. Rob Broughton (+100)
Che Mills (-225) vs. Chris Cope (+175)
Chris Cariaso (-175) vs. Vaughan Lee (+145)
Justin Edwards (-125) vs. John Macguire (-105)
The Main Event: Mark Munoz makes sense here as a pretty decent favorite; he has the kind of solid wrestling background that could easily grind out a decision over Leben, plus enough power in his hands to finish the fight, granted Leben shows up sick that night. Then again, it’s tough to bet against someone like “The Crippler,” who shows flashes of brilliance in each fight and absorbs punches like Turok absorbs power cores. And considering the fact that Demian Maia was able to rock Munoz on a couple of occasions, someone with Leben’s power could end this one quickly. But our gut says go with Munoz, who is too smart to try and stand with Leben for the entirety of the fight.
The Good Dogs: Though Renan Barao’s record is pretty immaculate, he hasn’t fought anyone near the caliber of Brad Pickett, who’s record includes wins over Ivan Menjivar and former bantamweight title challenger Demetrious Johnson. On the other hand, Pickett hasn’t fought in over a year, so your confidence in him really comes down to your belief in ring rust. But since Chael Sonnen recently proved that ring rust doesn’t exist, a bet on Pickett seems fair. Speaking of ring rust, isn’t it crazy that Terry Etim has been out for over a year with a broken rib? Good to see him back, because we had nearly forgotten how entertaining he is.
Another good dog on this card is that of Jason Young, who you may remember as the man who gave rising prospect Dustin Poirier all he could handle back at UFC 131. And although Michihiro Omigawa got completely screwed by the judges in his last fight with Darren Elkins, (at the same event, coincidentally) Young has the speed and boxing skills to put him in all kinds of trouble, and with those odds you stand to make a pretty penny when he does.
The Easy Bet: Thiago Alves. He’s fighting a UFC newbie in Papy Abedi, and for once it is an opponent who shouldn’t try, or be able to take him down for all three rounds. Expect fireworks in this one, with Alves getting the better of the exchanges en route to a second round stoppage.
Official CagePotato Parlay: Munoz + Alves + Young with a side of Philip De Fries.
A 50 dollar bet nets you $491.20. God Damn! That’ll get you those autographed Brock Lesnar DeathClutch shorts you’ve been ogling over since we all forgot your birthday.
-Danga