posted July 1, 2008 at 15:42 EST in UFC / MMA Articles

On Saturday, July 5, the online UFC betting community will watch undisputed light heavyweight champion Quinton ''Rampage'' Jackson defend his hotly contested title against Forrest Griffin at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. This 205-pound UFC online wagering main event features two of the most feared men on the planet who will come ready to bang.

Jackson and Griffin, who served as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 7, used the 13-week taping of the hit reality series to recover from injuries suffered in their prior fights. Rampage injured his hand training for his winning bout against PRIDE champion Dan Henderson, and Griffin underwent shoulder surgery after his jaw-dropping upset victory over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Rampage is riding a three-fight winning streak and has a career overall MMA record of 27-6-0. He'll look to improve on those marks and remain champion as the BetUS UFC odds favorite priced at -260. Rampage will try to cash for his online sports betting investors as chalk with power slams, striking ability and raw strength. Griffin, who's 15-4-0 and has won six of his last eight, will attempt to bark as the puppy as a well-rounded and aggressive fighter with a big heart fueled by passion to throw fists with bad intent.

In addition to this magnificent main event, UFC 86 features an under card with each fight having status worthy of being an online UFC wagering main attraction on any venue. Including a 185-pound matcup between Patrick "The Predator" Cote and Ricardo "Big Dog" Almeida. From an online UFC gambling standpoint, this may be the best fight of the night with both guys earning respect from oddsmakers.

Cote is listed the slight favorite at -130 with Almeida being priced at Even money. Cote enters the cage on a three-fight winning streak over Scott Smith, Kendall Grove, and Drew McFedries. However, prior to the current winning streak, Cote lost his first four fights consecutively when he began competing in the UFC, accounting for his 13-4 overall MMA record. Cote loves to bang and would like to keep this bout standing.

At the age of 27, Almeida entered early retirement as family duties called on a six fight winning streak that included wins over Ryo Chonan, Kazuo Misaki and Nate Marquardt. He returns to the Octagon now being 31-years old with a 9-2-0 MMA record in his second fight since returning in February, when the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt master posted an easy first-round guillotine choke win over Rob Yundt at UFC 81. Almeida has a rock-solid ground game and will undoubtedly look to take the action to the mat.

As well, Joe ''Daddy'' Stevenson (33-8-0) will take on Gleison Tibau. Stevenson is coming off a loss to BJ Penn in UFC 80, but prior to the defeat he had won four straight contests. Stevenson will try to impress as the favorite of -220 with good takedowns and submissions. But a win isn't going to come easy against Tibau, who's an impressive 27-4-0 with solid betting value at +175. Tibau is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter and will be looking to atone his loss versus Tyson Griffin at UFC 81 in his last fight. He's won three of his last four fights and will come ready to battle in this 155-pound contest.

Tyson Griffin will go to war with Marcus "Maximus" Aurelio. Griffin is favored at -350 due-in-part to having a sharp MMA record of 11-1-0. But at 14-5-0 don't count out Aurelio (+250), who's a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter that's won back-to-back bouts. This will be another great 155-pound bout.

And, Josh "Kos" Koscheck (13-2-0) and Chris "Lights Out" Lytle (35-15-4) will get it on with Koscheck being oddsmakers choice at -330, pricing Lytle at +220. Koscheck has won six of his last seven fights and will be a stiff challenge for Lytle, who's lost three of his last five trips to the Octagon. This will be an all out 170-pound war.

UFC 86 JACKSON vs. GRIFFIN promises to be an action packed night of bone-crushing betting excitement. If you bet UFC online, this is a must see money-making event. Good luck and enjoy the show!