posted June 5, 2008 at 15:07 in UFC / MMA Articles
UFC Betting Online - UFC 85 - BEDLAM Puppy Cashers
UFC online betting action crosses the pond to invade the O2 Arena in London, England for a star-studded lineup in UFC 85 - BEDLAM, including a main event between the most dominant former Welterweight Champion in UFC history, Matt Hughes vs. Brazilian superstar Thaigo "Pit bull" Alves, and I have your UFC wagering online money-making selections.
If you bet on UFC, you're well aware the sportsbook betting favorites in the four big fights at UFC 84 cashed. But as we've seen repeatedly, action inside the Octagon produces a large majority of underdog winners and that means betting value.
The odds of chalk turning another profit on Saturday at UFC 85 has the same chances of Big Brown running last in the Belmont. So for the online sports betting fans who like to invest on the puppies listed in the BetUS UFC odds, this one's for you.
Matt Hughes (-220) vs. Thaigo "Pit bull" Alves (+170)
OK folks, a country boy can survive but at 34-years of age, Hughes (42-6-0) may need to be carried out of the cage after facing a hungry 170-pound "Pit bull" in the likes of Alves (24-4-0). Hughes is one of the best former Welterweight Champions in UFC history, key word: former. His run at an unprecedented third title ends on Saturday.
Hughes is coming off a submission loss to Georges ''Rush'' St-Pierre at UFC 79 in the second round, which is nothing to be ashamed of, but what is concerning is he was also beaten by St-Pierre at UFC 65 by way of TKO. Between the losses versus St-Pierre, Hughes did manage to beat Chris ''Lights Out'' Lytle, whose 35-15-4 in MMA and loser in three of his last five fights. But Hughes had to go the distance against Lytle for a three-round unanimous decision at UFC 68.
Now, Hughes steps into the Octagon as loser of two of his last three fights to take on Alves, who's on a five fight winning streak with his most impressive win coming against Karo Parisyan, who was winner in his previous three fights via KO and had never been KO'd until he faced Alves.
Analysis: Alves has won seven of his last eight bouts with six of those wins by KO or TKO. This will be Alves' first time fighting in a main event but nerves will be a non-factor against Hughes that's 10 years older than Alves. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter is a superior striker to Hughes, especially when he’s standing. Alves is on a four fight KO streak and our UFC online wagering fans in the UK will see him score his sixth consecutive KO on Saturday.
Brandon "The Truth" Vera (-200) vs. Fabricio "Vai Cavalo" Werdum (+160)
Werdum (10-3-1) owns two TKO victories over Gabriel Gonzaga one at UFC 80 and the other in a PRIDE fight. The 30-year-old is the reigning Abu Dhabi Submission Grappling Champion at the heavyweight level and a Jiu Jitsu World Champion (black belt, two times). He's one of the best grapplers in the business and has never been stopped, losing his only three fights via unanimous decision. Werdum's striking skills are underrated as is his cardio, training out of Chute Boxe in Brazil.
Vera (8-1) is coming off a decision loss to Tim Syvia at UFC 77. Vera, also 30-years-old, was 8-0 with 7 stoppages prior to his loss to Silva. He is the superior striker in this fight and will look to keep it standing. Vera's grappling game isn’t bad but it’s no where near the same level of Werdum’s.
Analysis: Six of Werdum's wins have come via submission including victories over Tom Erikson, Alistair Overeem, and Aleksander Emelianenko. He has a strong ground game and is a superior grappler to Vera.
Michael "The Count" Bisping (-350) vs. Jason "Dooms" Day (+250)
I'm not going to make many ''mates'' among the online UFC gambling fans in the UK with my final upset special. But isn't this business about finding betting value and making cash? Hometown boy Bisping (15-1) is coming off a first-round TKO of Charles McCarthy at UFC 83 in his first fight as a 185-pounder. This will be the 29-year-old’s first true test as a middleweight.
Bisping is skilled in all areas of MMA loves to brawl so don't expect this one to last long.
Day (17-5) also loves to bang and is coming off a first-round TKO of Alan Belcher, also at UFC 83. The 29-year-old Canadian's only weakness appears to wrestling abilities. But the crowd at the O2 Arena in London, England will urge its native to stand and throw which may be a big mistake by Bisping, because Day can throw bombs with some of the best.
Analysis: Day has won five bouts in a row, and ten of his last eleven fights. Eight of his MMA wins have been by submission. He's entered the Octagon against worthy competition and has beaten UFC veterans Jonathan Goulet, Ron Faircloth, and David Loiseau before earning a role as a regular in the MMA's top-series.
UFC 85 Free Picks: Thaigo "Pit bull" Alves (+170), Fabricio "Vai Cavalo" Werdum (+160) and Jason "Dooms" Day (+250)
