Posted on 5/26/2007 1:14:09 AM

UFC 71 Betting - Jardine Vs. Alexander

By John A. Edwards

UFC 71: Keith Jardine (12-3-1) Vs. Houston Alexander (6-1-0)

Saturday's UFC 71 card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas not only has the highly anticipated rematch between Chuck Liddell and Quinton Jackson, with Liddell's belt on the line, but a card full of exciting match-ups.

One fight I'm looking forward to is "The Dean of Mean" - Keith Jardine Vs. Houston Alexander. Alexander is making his UFC debut, against an in-form Jardine. Jardine pummeled Forrest Griffin in round 1 at UFC 66.

I admit I don't know anything about Houston Alexander, but I read that he was fighting in obscurity in small clubs in Iowa. His record, according to UFC.com, is 6-1-0 (W-L-D). His strenghts are listed as "punching power, athleticism, overall strength". He also he raises his six children as a single parent. Six children! If that doesn't make a guy tough, then I don't know what will.

 

This fight will be a slugfest. We've seen what Jardine can do. He's mostly a stand-up brawler but can mix it up with a good ground game; he's a black belt in Greg Jackson's art of Gaidojutsu. Alexander fancies himself as a boxer-not a striker. He just might not get a chance to "box". Jardine is favorite to win the fight - current UFC odds at -550 (subject to change).

Let's hope this fight goes past round 1, and that Alexander can go home to see his six kids again. Despite all the recent upsets in the UFC, there will be no upsets here.

Here is a round up of the rest of the fight card:

Terry Martin Vs. Ivan Salaverry

Josh Burkman Vs. Karo Parisyan

Kalib Starnes Vs. Chris Leben

Thiago Silva Vs. James Irvin

Sean Salmon Vs. Eric Schafer

Jeremy Stephens Vs. Din Thomas

Carmelo Marrero Vs. Wilson Gouveia

UFC 71 starts at 7pm PT/10pm ET, Saturday May 26. Live on PPV.

John A. Edwards is a freelance writer for BetUS.com and features regularly on Fight News.

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