UFC 159 will begin Sunday evening in New Jersey, and here’s a preview of things to come.
Just at a first glance of the card, it looks like this will be an entertaining night in the Octagon. There will be good bouts all night, so be sure to follow the action.
Fans want to know who’s fighting who and how to watch. They also want to know who the favorite is going into the fight, so continue reading to find out more information on the card.
Betting lines via bovada.lv as of 4/26/2013.
Main Card
Jon Jones (-800) vs. Chael Sonnen (+500)
Michael Bisping (-175) vs. Alan Belcher (+145)
Roy Nelson (-250) vs. Cheick Kongo (+195)
Phil Davis (-335) vs. Vinny Magalhaes (+255)
Jim Miller (-325) vs. Pat Healy (+250)
The picks: Jones, Bisping, Nelson, Davis and Miller
It would be a shocker if Jones didn’t win. He is 17-1 because he is so versatile. He uses his length extremely well, and he is just an overall great fighter. Bisping is a solid fighter because he wears down his opponents.
Nelson versus Kongo has the chance to be the best fight. These two heavyweights can use power to win. Nelson wants to get the fight over as quickly as possible, but Kongo has the endurance to go for a while. Nelson is better, so he gets the nod.
Healy is making his UFC debut, and Miller is one of the best lightweights. Miller is 22-4, which is very impressive. Miller will cool off Healy, who is coming in on a six-fight winning streak.
FX Card
Bantamweight: Johnny Bedford (-160) vs. Bryan Caraway (+130)
Light Heavyweight: Gian Villante (+155) vs. Ovince St. Preux (-190)
Women’s Bantamweight: Sara McMann (-700) vs. Sheila Gaff (+450)
Lightweight: Rustam Khabilov (-310) vs. Yancy Medeiros (+240)
The picks: Bedford, St. Preux, McMann and Khabilov
The bantamweight matchup is the best of this group. Bedford is a great wrestler, so the advantage goes to him. It’s the opening fight of the night for this card, so it will be full of energy. Gaff is fighting up a weight class, so McMann is going to be the big favorite.
Facebook Card
Featherweight: Leonard Garcia (-185) vs. Cody McKenzie (+150)
Welterweight: Nick Catone (+120) vs. James Head (-150)
Featherweight: Steven Siler (-130) vs. Kurt Holobaugh (even)
The picks: Garcia, Head and Siler
This card could have the closest fights. These bouts all seem evenly matched, especially Garcia versus McKenzie. That fight is a toss-up, but Garcia gets the nod. He’s the better striker and wrestler. Head has good length and submissions, and Catone is struggling right now. Head is the pick in this one.
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