Gambling Addiction Enabler: ‘UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson’ Edition

As the dust settles from UFC 135, some of us out there must be itching to bet on fights that will not make us look like fools if we are wrong. Lucky for us, redemption lies around the corner, because this Saturday UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson goes down, and the odds are a hell of a lot closer than what we’re used to. Check out the fight odds below, then see if you can stomach our suggestions.

Main Card (courtesy of Best Fight Odds)
Dominick Cruz (-440) vs. Demetrious Johnson (+350)
Anthony Johnson (-180) vs. Charlie Brenneman (+158)
Matt Wiman (-210) vs. Mac Danzig (+175)
Pat Barry (-185) vs. Stefan Struve (+160)

Undercard (Courtesy of MMAValor)
Yves Edwards (-120) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (-120)
Michael Johnson (-240) vs. Paul Sass (+180)
Mike Easton (-130) vs. Jeff Hougland (even)
Shane Roller (-130) vs. T.J. Grant (even)
Josh Neer (-120) vs. Keith Wisniewski (-120)
Joseph Sandoval (-150) vs. Walel Watson (+120)

The Main Event: There is no denying the speed and agility of Dominick Cruz’s striking game, but look, judges love takedowns, and if there’s one thing “Mighty Mouse” can do, it’s take the fight to the ground. The champ has a penchant for letting his fights go the distance, and that only increases the likelihood that we will see an upset here, whether deserved or not. I wasn’t convinced; however, by Johnson’s victory over Miguel Torres. He showed excellent submission defense against Torres’ onslaught of attempts, but not much else that proves he can handle someone of “The Dominator’s” caliber. That said, a small bet with those odds won’t bankrupt you if there’s no return.

The Good ‘Dog: Considering most of the undercard fights are a pick ‘em at this point, I’d say your best bet is Charlie Brenneman, who’s recent routing of Rick Story showed that once he gets you down, you stay down. There’s no denying he can’t handle Johnson on the feet, but wrestling based fighters like Josh Koscheck and even the much smaller Rich Clementi were able to take “Rumble” down, so a bet on Brenneman seems pretty solid.

Some of you may be picking Struve for the upset due to Barry’s complete lack of ground game, but the real question here is whether or not Struve will be smart enough to take the fight to the ground. You’d think after his devastating knockout loss to Travis Browne he’d be in a hurry to do so, but if Junior Dos Santos and Roy Nelson haven’t taught him that lesson already, I don’t know if it can be taught.

Steer Clear: Both Matt Wiman and Mac Danzig have been struggling with consistency as of late. Danzig’s only win of relevance since winning the Ultimate Fighter 6 was his most recent knockout of recent UFC castaway Joe Stevenson. Wiman, on the other hand, has notched a couple impressive victories over Cole Miller and Thiago Tavares but is coming off a close decision loss to Dennis Siver back at UFC 132. Their first fight doesn’t add a ton to the mix, as it was Yves Lavigne’s screw up that ended it in the first place. I’d expect Wiman to take it, but I’m just gunna stay outta this one.

Official CagePotato Parlay: Barry + Brenneman + Edwards + Johnson.
20 bucks will get you a return of $186.46.

-Danga

UFC Live 6: Cruz vs. Johnson Preview

This Saturday, October 1st, the UFC will run their sixth “UFC Live” event at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The bantamweight title will be on the line in the main event where Dominick Cruz will take on challenger Demetrious Johnson. T…

This Saturday, October 1st, the UFC will run their sixth “UFC Live” event at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

The bantamweight title will be on the line in the main event where Dominick Cruz will take on challenger Demetrious Johnson.

The card will also be carrying Pat Barry vs. Stefan Struve and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson vs. Charlie Brenneman.

Even though it is a free UFC event, it is looking like the matchups could bring some serious excitement.

Here is a quick breakdown of some of Saturday’s fights at UFC Live 6.

Begin Slideshow

Pat Barry Downplays Stefan Struve’s Reach Advantage

Filed under: UFCPat Barry is the shortest heavyweight in the UFC, and on Saturday night he’s preparing to step into the Octagon with the UFC’s tallest fighter, Stefan Struve.

But the 5-foot-11 Barry says he has no reason to fear the reach advantage o…

Filed under: UFC

Pat Barry is the shortest heavyweight in the UFC, and on Saturday night he’s preparing to step into the Octagon with the UFC’s tallest fighter, Stefan Struve.

But the 5-foot-11 Barry says he has no reason to fear the reach advantage of the 6-foot-11 Struve, saying that he has long since grown accustomed to fighting taller fighters, and noting that shorter men have found a way to beat Struve in the past.

“I don’t think it’ll be that big of a deal in this fight,” Barry said of the reach difference. “Everybody Stefan comes across, fights and trains with is shorter than he is. Everybody that I come across, fight and train with is taller than I am. So this fight is going to be everything normal. How often does Stefan Struve come across someone taller than him? Not very often. And I haven’t come across many heavyweights shorter than I am. So I think this is going to be pretty normal. I’m accustomed to guys being taller than I am and Stefan is accustomed to guys shorter than he is.”

Still, Barry said he made a point of finding a tall sparring partner who could help him out in preparation for the Struve fight.

“I found a guy I call the black Struve,” Barry said. “Maurice Green, who’s 6-foot-9, he’s a guy who came in for three weeks, a wrestler turned kickboxer out of Chicago. He was a guy I brought in in order to find my range and work my distance. And then we’d have Marty Morgan, who’s 6-foot-3, stand on a stool while I threw punches and kicks at him.”

Struve said he hopes he can prove Barry wrong and demonstrate that reach is a big deal in MMA. But he also acknowledged that he has made tactical mistakes in the past and allowed short fighters to get in close to him, most notably in Struve’s most recent fight, a knockout loss to Travis Browne.

“I’m a lot taller than he is and I plan on using the reach, stand on the outside and pick him apart,” Struve said. “The last fight I made a stupid mistake, I was coming in and he was coming in with his punch. I should have used my reach better, but I’ve been working with that with new coaches and I’ve improved a lot with that. I’m always working on getting better on the outside and trying to use my reach as I should. “

At 5-foot-8, Dominick Cruz, the UFC bantamweight champion who will fight in Saturday’s main event, is also accustomed to having a reach advantage in his fights. Cruz noted that Struve has a major reach advantage over Barry, and that Cruz himself will have a significant reach advantage against his opponent Saturday, the 5-foot-3 Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.

“Reach is a big deal as long as you know how to use it,” Cruz said. “A short fighter has to know how to fight like a short fighter, a tall fighter has to know how to fight like a tall fighter. It’s very easy for a tall fighter to get sucked into the inside game. The only reason reach is worth anything is if you know how to use it and stay on the outside, force the other guy to telegraph kicks, telegraph punches, telegraph shots. I definitely think reach is a big advantage and something that can be used very effectively.”

For Struve, the question is whether he can take that reach advantage he always has, and use it effectively — as he too often hasn’t. Barry is hoping the reach advantage turns out to be a non-factor.

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Matt Mitrione Says He Would Definitely Fight Good Friend Pat Barry for the Right Price

By CagePotato guest contributor Mike Schmitz

(Meathead says he and HD will throw down if it makes dollars and cents.)

Matt Mitrione and Pat Barry are a one-of-a-kind duo. The former training partners turned close friends are two of UFC’s most likable fighters, as goofy as can be while still possessing lethal knockout power.

They enjoy their jobs, carry a demeanor unlike most into the Octagon and definitely have fun outside of the UFC (maybe Barry more than Meathead, see Barry underwear pic).

“Pat and I really sincerely enjoy our positions,” Mitrione pointed out in an exclusive interview he did with TapouT’s Virtual Training Center on behalf of CagePotato.com recently. “We understand that it’s a job, it’s a very, very tough boat. You get in, you earn your money or you get your ass cut and we understand that so we both respect the grind, we respect the sport, but I feel that as a result of that we enjoy it.”

By CagePotato guest contributor Mike Schmitz

They enjoy their jobs, carry a demeanor unlike most into the Octagon and definitely have fun outside of the UFC (maybe Barry more than Meathead, see Barry underwear pic).

Mitrione and Barry developed a close bond training at Roufusport where the two heavyweights became “very, very good friends,” according to Meathead.

They help each other game-plan for their opponents, but would they ever dare to come to blows in a UFC bout?

The answer is a unanimous, “yes.”

“Yeah, sure I would absolutely fight Pat. Pat and I have talked about it before, but the money needs to be right. I’m not going to fight Pat — who’s a very, very good friend of mine — I’m not going to fight him for normal money,” Mitrione, who next faces Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 explains. “If they want that fight to happen then they’re going to have to pay that fight out. Pat knows that, Pat agrees the exact same way.”

There’s no doubt that Barry and Mitrione would sell the fight and ultimately deliver. Four out of “Meathead’s” five fights have ended by stoppage, and six of “HD’s” nine bouts resulted in a knockout.

The moral of the story: Mitrione and Barry are willing to fight for the right price, and there’s no question that they’d put on a damn good show.

“If Pat and I ever scrap it’s going to be worth our time. It’s going to be worth everybody else’s time because we’re going to get in there and try to hurt each other. We’re going to do it,” Mitrione says. “We’re going to stand up, earn our money. I’m going to try to submit Pat or put my chin across his forehead and he’s going to do the exact same thing to me.”

Train with Barry and Mitrione at TapouT VTC

(Video courtesy of YouTube/TapouTVTC)

Barry and Mitirone brought their friendship to TapouT VTC, where they teach two modules each like the sample lesson in the video above. Mitrione teaches stand-up and grappling while Barry focuses on punching and kicking.

TapouT VTC offers over 400 “on demand” MMA training videos from the top coaches and fighters in the game. Learn from over 30 fighters and trainers with content updated on a weekly basis.

“With TapouT VTC you can watch the best MMA fighters and trainers teach the best techniques, which is pretty damn good for your development,” Mitrione said. “It’s much better than watching YouTube or DVDs because it’s explicit and very direct. You can also take it to the gym and say ‘I just saw this, I want to try this piece out.’ Or even put it on at the gym and say ‘hey guys let’s try this because it looks pretty crafty. I saw Bob get stuck in this the other day.’”

Members also get MMA workout videos, nutritional tips and exclusive interviews.

Train with Mitrione and Barry at TapouT VTC today.

UFC on Versus 6: Stefan Struve Training Hard to Take on Pat Barry

On October 1, the UFC goes to Washington DC for the first time!The card is set to be headlined by a bantamweight title fight, featuring Dominick Cruz (18-1) defending the title against Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (10-1).The co-main event features…

On October 1, the UFC goes to Washington DC for the first time!

The card is set to be headlined by a bantamweight title fight, featuring Dominick Cruz (18-1) defending the title against Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (10-1).

The co-main event features 6’11”, Stefan “The Skyscraper” Struve taking on 5’11”, Pat “HD” Barry.

This fight pits the tallest heavyweight against the shortest, in what is sure to be an explosive fight, between two outstanding kickboxers.

Struve comes in off a devastating knockout loss to Travis Browne at UFC 130, while Barry comes in off an even more devastating loss to Cheick Kongo, in what many call the greatest comeback in MMA history.

Both of these two are going to be looking for a win, and looking for a big statement at that. Expect a knockout one way or the other.

I wonder how easy it would be for Struve to knee Barry in the head…

The main card was just finalized today, and it looks like this.

Bantamweight Title Fight: Dominick Cruz (c) vs. Demetrious Johnson
Heavyweight Fight: Pat Barry vs. Stefan Struve
Welterweight Fight: Anthony Johnson vs. Charlie Brennemen
Lightweight Fight: Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman

Check out Pat Barry training here!

For the latest news on everything MMA, follow me on twitter @tmt2393. It’s more tubular than Kenny Powers.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on Versus 6: Pat Barry Training Hard to Take on Stefan Struve

On October 1st, the UFC goes to Washington, DC for the first time!The card is set to be headlined by a bantamweight title fight, featuring Dominick Cruz (18-1) defending the title against Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (10-1).The co-main event featu…

On October 1st, the UFC goes to Washington, DC for the first time!

The card is set to be headlined by a bantamweight title fight, featuring Dominick Cruz (18-1) defending the title against Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (10-1).

The co-main event features 6’11”, Stefan “The Skyscraper” Struve, taking on 5’11”, Pat “HD” Barry.

This fight pits the tallest heavyweight against the shortest, in what is sure to be an explosive fight between two outstanding kickboxers.

Both of these two are going to be looking for a win, and looking for a big statement at that. Expect a knockout one way or the other.

Maybe Barry will try to pull out the flying clothesline.

The main card was just finalized today and it looks like this:

Bantamweight Title Fight: Dominick Cruz (c) vs. Demetrious Johnson
Heavyweight Fight: Pat Barry vs. Stefan Struve
Welterweight Fight: Anthony Johnson vs. Charlie Brennemen
Lightweight Fight: Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman

Check out Stefan Struve training here!

For the latest news on everything MMA, follow me on twitter @tmt2393. It’s more tubular than Kenny Powers.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com