Tag: General MMA betting

UFC Light Heavyweight bout:   Ryan Bader vs. Jon Jones

Odds:  (-340 Jones /+260 Bader )

Betting Pick:  JONES 

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In what promises to be one of the most competitive Light Heavyweight matchups in recent memory, top young prospect Ryan Bader and Jon “Bones” Jones will clash in a fight that has definite future title shot implications. These are two of the most athletic and promising up and coming Light Heavyweights, so this could be a fight for the ages.

Bader, a recent Ultimate Fighter winner, is one of the most promising reality show winners since the very early seasons. He has extremely dominant wrestling and a heavy-handed and effective striking game to go along with it. Bader likes to let his hands go, both standing and in top position, and he packs a lot of power both ways. This is a great fight for him in that Jones, while also a top Light Heavyweight, won’t have a substantial experience advantage over him.

Jon Jones is a freakishly talented prospect whose only loss as a professional came via DQ in a fight where he was annihilating Matt Hamill. Jones is one of the most offensively devastating fighters in the sport, with insane physical strength that he uses to ragdoll his opponents and lights-out punching power. Jones has not only handled every step up in competition extremely well, he has completely dominated everyone he has ever faced.

I think this is going to be a tough fight for Bader. Both guys have similar styles in that they have effective striking and wrestling, but Jones has a substantial reach advantage, more dynamic and powerful striking, and is probably the stronger of the two. I think Bader is going to find it impossible to impose his will on Jones, and is going to get bloodied up trying to force takedowns and eventually put away. Jones by T/KO.

Prediction:  Jon “Bones” Jones via second round T/KO. 

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

Strikeforce Welterweight Championship bout:  Nick Diaz vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos

Odds:  (-550 Diaz /+350 Santos )

Betting Pick:  Diaz

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In the main event of the evening, Welterweight champion Nick Diaz will look to defend his title against formidable Brazilian striker Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos. Santos is an incredibly exciting fighter who always comes to brawl, and Diaz has proven more than willing to stand and trade with anyone he faces, so this one has all the makings of a classic brawl.

Santos, the husband of Strikeforce’s Women’s champion who uses the same nickname, is a proverbial glass cannon. His defense and chin are both extremely questionable, but he has great striking, a lot of power, and an intensely aggressive style. He will go at an opponent from the opening bell and will not stop moving forward until one of them is knocked out. His ground game is not even worth mentioning, because he is usually either getting his hand raised or lying unconscious before a fight makes it to the ground.

The champion, Diaz, is an extremely well-rounded and effective fighter. A black-belt in jiu-jitsu under Cesar Gracie, Diaz is a prolific grappler with great submissions. Recently, though, he has preferred to beat his opponents with his very unorthodox and effective striking. Diaz is tough as nails, can take a vicious beating, and is perfectly willing to take shots in order to land devastating counter punches. His striking is deceptive in that it doesn’t look overwhelmingly powerful, but he puts opponents in trouble with volume of punching and by refusing to give them an opening in which to recover.

I think this fight favors Diaz on every level. He is worlds better on the ground, has a much better chin, and his offensive striking is just as dangerous as Santos’. I expect Cyborg to come pushing forward out of the gate like he always does, but Diaz will quickly establish control with superior reach and technical boxing, bruising Cyborg up before finishing him. Diaz by T/KO.

Prediction:  Nick Diaz via third round T/KO.

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