Tag: General MMA betting

Strikeforce Heavyweight GP Reserve bout:  Shane del Rosario vs. Lavar Johnson

Odds:  (-215 Del Rosario /+175 Johnson )

Betting Pick:  Del Rosario

Bet on this fight at Sportsbook.com

In another Grand Prix reserve bout, undefeated slugger Shane del Rosario will look to position himself for a spot in the tournament against experienced knockout artist Lavar Johnson. What makes this fight so interesting is that both guys have knockout power in their hands and both guys represent a big step up in competition for each other. Neither guy has faced anyone as dangerous as the other, so this is a really interesting bout that could shine a light on both guys’ futures.

Lavar Johnson, making his first appearance in Strikeforce after 3 dominant knockout wins on the Strikeforce Challengers Series, is a very seasoned veteran who has been competing since 2004. After losing his first bout by TKO, Johnson came into his own, dropping only two bouts since, both by submission and one because of an injury sustained during the fight. There is no question that Johnson’s best tool is his punching, which is hugely powerful. If Johnson lands a power punch, whoever he hits is in trouble, no matter who they are or how good their chin is. His ground game isn’t very good at all, but he is a big guy with a lot of strength and his punching can make guys pay for trying to force takedown attempts.

Shane del Rosario, undefeated in 10 bouts as a professional, has never even gone the distance in one of his fights. Only once has he seen the other side of the first round. The majority of his wins are by T/KO, but he also brings a very slick and technical ground game to the table, which could well be the deciding factor in this fight. del Rosario is not as gritty and powerful as Johnson is, but he is a far superior fighter from a technical standpoint.

I think this is going to be a tough fight for Johnson as long as del Rosario works a smart game plan. Clearly del Rosario is a force to be reckoned with on the feet, but engaging in a standup fight with Johnson would be putting himself at risk of eating a huge power punch and taking a quick nap. It is entirely likely del Rosario could hold his own in the striking exchanges with his superior quickness, technique, and footwork, but he has the tools to put Johnson on his back where he is far less comfortable. I think del Rosario will work a takedown and top control game, taking Johnson out of his element, softening him up with ground and pound, and eventually securing a choke for the submission victory.

Prediction:  Shane Del Rosario via second round rear naked choke.

To add  some excitement on fight night, you can bet on this fight at Sportsbook.com Odds.   Check out my review of Sportsbook here…

Current UFC 128 Betting Odds– Live on Saturday, March 19, 2011 The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey will host UFC 128.  The Main Event of the evening has changed as UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (19-4) will now face Jon “Bones” Jones (12-1) with Rashad Evans out due to an injury.  We all learned of the news just after Jones defeated Ryan Bader via second round guillotine choke. This will be Shogun’s first title defense and is coming off knee surgery.  Shogun hasn’t fought since dethroning Lyoto Machida at UFC 113 about 9 months ago. The odds have started out in favor of the challenger Jones and I’m sure Shogun wasn’t all to happy about that.  Jones has looked unstoppable in his young career, but will the veteran Rua the Underdog come in even more motivated to stop him.  This may be a good time to take these odds if your planning on Rua to win as they may go down closer to the fight.

Main Card:

Mauricio Rua vs. Jon Jones

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Rua       (+160)
• Jones   (-200)

 Bodog.com Odds

• Rua       (+160)
• Jones    (-200)

Betus.com Odds

• Rua       (+180)
• Jones   (-230)

Urijah Faber vs. Eddie Wineland

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Faber
• Wineland

Jim Miller vs. Kamal Shalorus

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Miller
• Shalorus

Nate Marquardt vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Marquardt   (-290)
• Akiyama       (+230)

Bodog.com Odds

• Marquardt    (-290)
• Akiyama        (+230)

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Brendan Schaub

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Cro Cop
• Schaub

Preliminary Card:

Luis Cane vs. Karlos Vemola

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Cane
• Vemola

Edson Barboza vs. Anthony Njokuani

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Barboza
• Nkokuani

Ricardo Almeida vs. Mike Pyle

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Almeida
• Pyle

Kurt Pellegrino vs. Gleison Tibau

 Sportsbook.com Odds

• Pellegrino
• Tibau

Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian Loveland

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Benavidez
• Loveland

Manny Gamburyan vs. Rapahel Assuncao

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Gamburyan
• Assunacao

Dan Miller vs. Nick Catone

Sportsbook.com Odds

• Miller
• Catone

More UFC 128 Odds will be added soon.

The Co-Main event brings us former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber (24-4) taking on Eddie Winleand (18-6-1).  Also Mirko Cro Cop (27-8-2-1) will look to get back in the win column when he takes on heavy handed Brendan Schaub (7-1).  Nate Marquardt (30-10-2) will need a win over Japanese star Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-3-2) if he’s to get back into the mix of the Middleweight division.

Check back with us closer to the fight night as I will have updated UFC 128 Odds plus UFC 128 Fight Predictions.  And if you want to add a little excitement to your fight night, you can bet on this fight at Sportsbook.com.