Posted on
4/5/2007 3:27:29 PM
UFC Betting Odds - Free Picks for UFC Fight Night 9
By BetUS Staff
UFN 9 has some competitive fights on the card. There are a lot of lesser known fighters mixing it up and true MMA geeks surely have the opportunity to make some money. All these fights have playable numbers. I’m going to stick to the headliners on this UFC event:
Joe Stevenson (-170) vs. Melvin Guillard (+140):
It’s the classic matchup of the striker vs. the wrestler, and the “showboat” against the “blue-collar” guy. Any half-assed MMA fan/bettor can make a case for either fighter to win this bout.
UFC fighting styles are important, sure, but this fight will be determined by which fighter can impose his style on the other. Guillard is the faster, quicker fighter, without doubt. I don’t like Joe at 155 lbs, and I think that he will be surprised to find Guillard holding the strength advantage too.
Melvin will dominate the fight standing and, when/if Stevenson gets the takedown, Guillard will be able to gain control of the ground game, too. Guillard’s powerful combination of strength and quickness will be too much for Joe.
Note: I am aware of the “Melvin’s not training hard” rumors, I don’t buy it.
UFC Fight Prediction: Melvin Guillard
Dokonjonosuke Mishima (+175) vs. Kenny Florian (-225)
Kenny Florian steps back into the ring for the first time since his loss to Sherk. Florian is a dedicated professional and he will be a better fighter when he takes on Doko Mishima tonight.
Mishima is not one of the physically stronger fighters that present problems to Florian. He does not have enough power earn Kenny’s respect, however. Florian should be able to control the stand-up and overwhelm Mishima with his striking, softening him up enough to set up a submission.
UFC Fight Prediction: Kenny Florian
Drew Fickett (-150) vs. Keita Nakamura (+120)
This will be a wrestling war.
Both fighters prefer the submission game; Fickett has a slight edge in striking. Fickett has faced much better competition, with several solid wins. K-Taro struggled against Larson, another wrestler, last time out, and this could very well be deja-vu all over again for him.
Take it easy on this one; it definitely could go either way. I like Fickett to earn a decision.
UFC Fight Prediction: Drew Fickett
BetUS is your source for UFC betting, odds, lines and articles. Join BetUS today to bet onUFC and MMA fighting.