posted September 1, 2008 at 14:00 in UFC / MMA Betting Trends
Liddell-Evans – Can they see the “Forrest” through each other?
BetUS Sportsbook bettors who bet on mixed martial arts will enjoy the UFC's September 6 show, which is highlighted by a bout in the light heavyweight division, when Chuck Liddell, the former UFC champion in that weight class, takes on Rashad Evans, with the winner quite possibly in line for a title shot. The fight will take place at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta.
BetUS MMA Betting Odds
UFC - Light heavyweights
September 6 -- Atlanta
CHUCK LIDDELL -260
RASHAD EVANS +200
For UFC betting purposes, let's look at the contestants:
LIDDELL (21-5, 14 KO's), the -260 favorite in the BetUS UFC betting odds, has grown to almost iconic status because of his appearance and demeanor in the Octagon. He ran off a bunch of impressive wins in the UFC over Kevin Randleman, Guy Mezger, Murilo Bustamante and Vitor Belfort before challenging Randy Couture for the light heavyweight title in June of 2003, which he lost on TKO in the third round. But after beating Tito Ortiz, Liddell got another shot, and this time knocked out Couture to capture the crown, which he held for over two years, during which time he defeated Couture and Ortiz again.
Liddell finally lost his title to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and then in September 2007, suffered through perhaps his most disappointing defeat when he was beaten by Keith Jardine. What Liddell needed was to bounce back with a win that was going to help him regain prestige, and he did just that, emerging victorious in an all-out brawl against Wanderlei Silva that helped spring him back into the picture.
EVANS (13-0-1, 3 KO's), nicknamed "Sugar," who is the +200 underdog at BetUS, won The Ultimate Fighter 2 when he defeated Brad Imes in the heavyweight finale. His menu of top competition has not been extensive, but when he was put in with former light heavyweight champ Tito Ortiz in July of last year, he came out with a three-round draw that opened some eyes. Four months later, he won a split decision over previously undefeated Michael Bisping
This fight was supposed to happen at UFC 85 in London, but Liddell had to pull out with an injury. This particular fight is especially critical for him, because with a victory, he will almost assuredly get a shot at Forrest Griffin and the UFC light heavyweight belt. He's got enough box office power, in fact, to make that almost automatic. And the storyline would be a natural, since Liddell was Griffin's coach when they had the first season of The Ultimate Fighter.
There is a certain clash of styles in this one, where Liddell is the guy who would like to keep things in stand-up mode as much as possible, since he is as skilled as just about anyone in that regard, while Evans, who wrestled collegiately at Michigan State, is a guy who is regarded as one of the best in the business at executing a takedown. Is it conceivable to believe that Liddell, a wrestler as well, who is known for being able to defend against being taken down, will be able to do this for the duration of the fight, however long that lasts?
Maybe not. And Evans has to be respected in his ground and pound technique; some might argue that Tito Ortiz was on the other side of the hill when Evans held him to a draw, but Ortiz had lost the title to Liddell in his previous bout.
Look, there is no question that when it comes to pure experience, Liddell has the edge, having fought just about everyone possible. and when you score a couple of wins against Ortiz, as well as taking two out of three from Couture, you are as credentialed as anybody. But there is always a point where the torch gets passed, so to speak. Is this one of those cases? Well, what I'm starting to hear about the UFC is the same thing I used to hear about boxing - that the verdicts are going where the money is. In other words, you ask yourself, where is the most money going to be made? In this case, it's with a Liddell-Griffin match.
So we'll side with Liddell, the -260 favorite in the BetUS UFC betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: LIDDELL TO WIN (-260) **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)
(Charles Jay of www.ebookies.com is a former manager, matchmaker and color commentator in professional boxing. He currently pulls no punches in the BetUS Locker Room)
