posted July 18, 2008 at 17:24 in UFC / MMA Betting Trends

Variety is the spice of the life, and it will certainly be distributed in heavy doses on the MMA betting menu on Saturday. BetUS customers will have the option of wagering on Affliction, UFC, or both. The latter doesn’t pack the super-deep lineup that the former does—it is certainly not a Pay Per-View worthy card. However, opting to enjoy the free event that Dana White is presenting does mean one thing: You’ll have $39.99 more in your pocket to throw down on UFC bouts!

Let’s take a look at the three marquee sports betting matchups that UFC wagering fans will get to enjoy free-of-charge on Spike!

Anderson Silva (-500) vs. James Irvin (+350)

While Fight Night 14 doesn’t offer up the quantity of sexy names and contests for the MMA wagering community that Donald Tr…err, Affliction has put together, they do boast arguably the top pound-for-pound fighter this side of Neptune at the top of the bill—Anderson “The Spider” Silva. The UFC Middleweight champ is gaining a few pounds in order to battle James “The Sandman” Irvin in the light heavyweight division, after barreling through the 185 lb. weight class with relative ease.

“The Sandman” isn’t exactly a household name, but he has been on a bit of a roll as of late in UFC contests. He certainly gained a boatload of buzz after his his thrilling eight- second knockout of Houston Alexander, utilizing a Superman Punch that would have made Soulja Boy proud. Irvin has only ended a bout with something other than strikes once in his career, and if pre-fight interviews hold any water, he has absolutely no intention of taking it to the mat with Silva.

Unfortunately, trying to ground “The Spider”—while no easy task—may be Irvin’s best shot of squashing him. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist is widely regarded as the quickest, most dangerous striker in the UFC. Moving up a weight class may inhibit his stamina and lightning quickness to some extent—or it may not. Either way, it’s unlikely that 20 pounds will slow down Silva’s hands or feet much, which will likely put Irvin in a world of trouble. However, the champ has never really been in much trouble since coming to the UFC (save for his war with Travis Lutter) and certainly hasn’t had his jaw tested, so to speak. Irvin has shown that he can trade punches with heavyweights in the past, and a 205-pound strike is much more difficult to survive than the ones Silva has been enduring (but mostly dodging) in the middleweight division.

The Edge: Something tells me that Dana White wouldn’t throw his golden boy in the cage with someone on free TV unless he thought there was no way he could lose. The safe bet is Silva, but considering the odds, online sports bettors may want to sprinkle on Irvin and hope he can land a lucky punch. Or learn how to grapple.

Brandon “The Truth” Vera (-550) vs. Reese Andy (+400)

Well, Dana still believes in Brandon Vera. And that’s the truth (ha!), because the former Air Force member is now being pushed in the light-heavyweight division after losses to heavyweights Tim Sylvia and Fabricio Werdum in consecutive fights. His versatile technique probably makes him a better fit at 205, and he’ll be out to prove it on Saturday night.

This will be a battle of two accomplished wrestlers, however, Vera has the striking advantage with a knowledge of Muay Thai. Andy has put together a successful run in the IFL, although he has not proven that he can finish opponents off. The Tiger Sharks mainstay has seen all but one of his IFL fights go to a third round. With an elite combatant like Vera, it’s unlikely that he’ll have that long to make his move.

The Edge: Those wagering on MMA should see this as the lock of the night. Vera via TKO.

Frank Edgar (-140) vs. Hermes Franca (+110)

Based on the fighting styles exhibited by these two in the past, this is a potential show-stealer. Edgar and Franca are two warriors who love to grapple, and both have something to prove.

Hermes is fresh off a highly-publicized steroid scandal just last year. Put that in the past. The bottom line is that the Brazilian lightweight went five rounds with the best-conditioned athlete in MMA, Sean Sherk, and lost via decision. Similarly, Edgar’s record shows that if he doesn’t win in the opening round, that it’s going the distance. In this case, Hermes’ power and reach advantage should keep the less-experienced Edgar at bay, which means he will have to shoot and out wrestle a heavier opponent, who, with a knowledge of Jiu Jitsu, is a master of the guard.

The Edge: The line is a reflection of Hermes’ inactivity, not his skill. Despite the totals, he’s the best value play on the card.