Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva UFC 108 Preview

Though I believe Evans will win this fight I am not in favour of the sports betting odds for this match. Silva opened up at +160 but I think the lines should be a lot closer as the -195 UFC betting line given to Evans is a little off base. The Ultimate Fighter reality show gave Evans exposure to the general populous which makes him more recognizable outside the UFC octagon and betting for MMA has never been about trends nor ability but more about marketing. As Evans has gotten more general exposure as of late, Evans gets more favourable betting lines.

read full UFC fight preview

Best Mixed Martial Arts Websites

If you like this blog check out some other good quality MAM resourcs

MMA Squidoo Page - UFC and Mixed Martial Arts News and Updates http://www.squidoo.com/ufcbettinginformation

MMA Betting Blog - http://www.fighting-mma.com/ufc-betting-information/

Facebook MMA Discussion Group - http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=10339604545

MMA Tumblr Page - http://www.tumblr.com/dashboard

My Space MMA Blog - http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll

Free MMA Picks Yushin Okami vs Chael Sonnen

Free MMA Picks Yushin Okami vs Chael Sonnen: "Before this fight Okami has not beaten top level guys, but has beat the guys he should be beat. Going by this logic he should lose to Sonnen since he is a top level guy and not a mid range fighter."

Free MMA Picks Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell

Free MMA Picks Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell: "Is Cain Velasquez the next big thing in the mixed martial arts heavyweight division? I say he is but he is still not that experienced as he only has 6 professional MMA fights. I do think he will be a great heavyweight fighter but he has yet to fight a top level heavyweight."

Chuck Liddell prepares to go Dancing With The Stars

Chuck Liddell prepares to go Dancing With The Stars: "One again the athletes will be well represented. Not only will Chuck Liddell be the first mixed martial arts fighter to ever Dance on stage but Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer Natalie Coughlin 7/1, Professional Champion Snowboarder Louie Vito 12/1, Michael Irvin 7/2 win try to be the last dancer standing."

This year’s cast of Season 9 Dancing with the Stars along with the online betting props and entertainment bets provided by Bodog include:

Celebrity	Bodog Prop Betting Odds	Occupation	Professional partner
Aaron Carter	3/1	Singer & Reality Star	Karina Smirnoff
Natalie Coughlin	7/1	Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer	Alec Mazo
Mark Dacascos	7/2	Actor and Host of Iron Chef America	Lacey Schwimmer
Tom DeLay	25/1	Former U.S. House Majority Leader	Cheryl Burke
Macy Gray	11/2	Grammy Award Winning Singer	Jonathan Roberts
Ashley Hamilton	12/1	Comedian	Edyta Śliwińska
Melissa Joan Hart	12/1	Actress	Mark Ballas
Kathy Ireland	10/1	International Supermodel	Tony Dovolani
Michael Irvin	7/1	NFL Hall of Famer	Anna Demidova
Joanna Krupa	15/2	Supermodel	Derek Hough
Chuck Liddell	12/1	MMA Fighter & Former UFC Champion	Anna Chmerkovskiy Trebunskaya
Debi Mazar	19/2	Actress	Maksim
Mýa	4/1	Grammy Award Winning Singer & Actress	Dmitry Chaplin
Kelly Osbourne	20/1	Reality TV Star of The Osbournes	Louis van Amstel
Donny Osmond	5/1	Singer, Actor, & Entertainer	Kym Johnson
Louie Vito	12/1	Professional Champion Snowboarder	Chelsie Hightower

To bet on Dancing with the Stars Seaons 9 go to Bodog

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-news/2009/chuck-liddell-dancing-with-the-stars.php

UFC Predictions Krzysztof Soszynski vs Stann

Stann has only been out of the first round once. If Soszynski can avoid Stann in the first round he will be able to break down his rigid fighting style with his unorthodox fighting style. Stann is a military man and his fight style is like strict and regiment like his background. Mixed martial arts is unpredictable and can change a moments notice and Stann will not be able to handle Soszynski.

Stann has not fought real high level fighters and this will be his first time fighting in the UFC and he will not use to the atmosphere while Soszynski has fought before and has been accustomed to the high pace of the UFC from his coaches and being on the Ultimate Fighter show.

Soszynski has more experience and better prepared from his MMA camp at Team Quest while Stann does not have the training partners and high level of training that Soszynski has. Also Soszynski is Canadian and will be fighting for the home town country so he will be well prepared and egged on from the crowd.

read full preview

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-97-gambling-krzysztof-soszynski-brian-stann.php

“Handsome” Matt Wiman (+115) vs Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout (-145)

“Handsome” Matt Wiman (+115) vs Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout (-145)

Out of all the UFC 97 fights, this fight is the best underdog fight to wager on. There is no way Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout (13-5-1) should be a -145 at most online sportsbooks. If there is a definition of a one-dimensional fighter in mixed martial arts, it would be Sam Stout. Let’s face it: he is on the UFC card to appease the Canadian fans. Sam Stout really has no business in the UFC octagon and most of his UFC fights have shown that he cannot fight on the ground.

An even better sports bet is to do a UFC prop bet for this fight to go all three rounds. First Stout has not shown he can KO guys and 5 out of his last 6 UFC fight have all went to the decision. Take the underdog bet on the money line and take the prop bet and if your online sportsbook allows it, take both bets with a UFC parlay bet.

read full preview

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-97-betting-matt-wiman-sam-stout.php

UFC 97 Preview, Denis Kang vs Professor X

Denis Kang (-325) vs Xavier Foupa-Pokam (+250)

Professor X Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-8) is a French Kick Boxer who will have a very tough time against Denis Kang (31-11) who is seeking redemption. Showing the first 2 rounds of Kang’s fight versus Alan Belcher to a young mixed martial arts student is the best way for him to learn to fight the perfect MMA fight. I t was pure text book.

Kang will wait for the perfect moment and once he shoots in for takedown and gets Professor X to the ground, he will be able to use his dominating top control game to hold Professor X with his good posture and base. Professor X is good at fighting from his back but he is loose, and if Kang can pass the guard and gain side control he will be able to submit him.

read full preview

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-97-wagering-denis-kang-xavier-pokam.php

Nate Quarry vs Jason MacDonald Preview

Jason “The Athlete” MacDonald (21-11) will have the support of his home country and he will be fighting a very overrated fighting in Nate “The Rock” Quarry (10-3). Nate “The Rock” Quarry is a product of the Ultimate Fighting reality show and he is definitely getting the soft betting lines as a result of this. The TUF betting bump as it will

Bottom Line: The biggest advantage MacDonald will have is that he has now moved over to train at Jackson's Submission Fighting, under the guidance Greg Jackson who will formulate a game plan that MacDonaldwill follow. Just look at all the Greg Jackson fighters and how they have listened to him and they way they fight in the octagon.

If MacDonald follows Jackson’s game plan, he will have no problem with Quarry who basically trains at a club with not very many fighters to help him prepare. MacDonald has Georges St Pierre, Rashad Evans, Keith Jardine, David Loiseau, Nate Marquardt, Joey Villasenor, Karo Parisyan and Denis Kang to help him prepare while Quarry trains at Next Level MMA who has no one to push him

read full preview

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-97-betting-nate-quarry-jason-macdonald.php

UFC 97 Fight Prediction Chuck Liddell vs Shogun

UFC Light Heavyweight Fight: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (+165) vs Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell (-205)

This is the perfect fight for Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (17-3). His UFC fights have all been disappointing . . .very very disappointing. He got beaten badly by Forrest Griffin at UFC 76: Knockout and it took 3 rounds before he was able to beat an aging Mark Coleman at UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson. He ran out of gas and Coleman was someone he should have beaten in earlier rounds. Shogun was the best light heavyweight in the world and was a top 3 pound for pound fighter just 4 years ago.

Bottom Line: The million dollar question is if Shogun has the cardio back. Though never known for cardio, he is younger and not in shape from his long time away from fighting. He has had a long lay off from various injuries so it is hard to gauge his return but at +165 by most online sportsbooks, this bet is hard to pass up on a fighter that was once considered one the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He came from the same camp as Anderson Silva and his skills striking-wise are on par with the middleweight champion. Shogun will win this fight on speed and being the younger fighter.

read full preview

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-97-betting-mauricio-shogun-rua-chuck-liddell.php

Tim Sylvia to Face Ray Mercer Under Unified MMA Rules

MMA betting at BetCRIS

It will be former MMA heavyweight champion versus former boxing heavyweight champion.

Monte Cox of Adrenaline is in talks to put former two time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia against former World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight champion Ray Mercer. This is tipped to be the main event of an Adrenaline MMA fight card set for May 30 in Atlantic City, NJ.

This fight would be 46 year old retired boxer Mercer's second MMA fight, although he's also been in two kickboxing matches: in 2004, he took part in a K-1 fight against Musashi. Mercer was knocked down in the first round, but went on to last the distance. He lost via unanimous decision.

read full news story

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-news/2009/tim-sylvia-to-face-ray-mercer.php

MMA betting at BetCRIS

DREAM 7 opening round matchups and handicapping analysis brought to you by fighting-mma.com

Bet on DREAM 7 at Bookmaker

The DREAM.7: Feather Weight Grandprix 2009 1st Round mixed martial arts event is set for March 8, 2009. This event will feature the opening round fights. The Grand Prix is scheduled to be competed at the 63 kilograms (139 lb) weight limit. Some of the best featherweight fighters in the world are competing to be crown the DREAM featherweight champion.

To see all handicapping report as to who will win go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/articles/2009/dream-7-featherweight-grand-prix.php

Fight Card
Featherweight Grandprix 1st Round Matches

Masakazu Imanari vs. Atsushi Yamamoto
Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Jong Won Kim
Yoshiro Maeda vs. Micah Miller
Chase Beebe vs. Joe Warren
Takafumi Otsuka vs. Bibiano Fernandes
Akiyo Nishiura vs. Abel Cullum

Welterweight Match

Shinya Aoki vs. David Gardner

Lightweight Matches

Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Daisuke Nakamura
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Ross Ebanez

Bet on DREAM 7 at Bookmaker

UFC 96 Why is Matt Brown Fighting

Brown has no business fighting in the UFC. He has no grappling and is basically a bar room brawler that has a heart when he fights. He really have no skills other than his heart but when he fights better opponent he will be exposed for his lack of talent. He is only fighting in this UFC card because he was the TUF reality series and he has a name.

How can a guy that barley has a .500 record still be fighting in the UFC. Drago is stronger, more powerful, has better grappling, has better technical striking and comes from a better training camp. This fight is a no brainer. I would lay a lot of money on a Pete Sell victory. At the end of the day Matt brown does not have the power to knock out Sell but Sell does and in the TUF realtiy show he got subbed by Amir Sadollah by triangle choke in Round 2 and he was a fighter with no MMA experince.

Bet on this fight at 5 Dimes

UFC 96 Fight Anaylsis Matt Hamill vs Munoz

Mark “The Philippine Wrecking Machine´ Munoz (5-0) is a better wrestler than Hamill is. We constantly hear that Hamill is great wrestler but he is not as good as the UFC markets him to be. Matt has a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling and a gold medal in freestyle wrestling from the 2001 Summer Deaflympics.. Sure he was great among deaf competitors but he never fought able bodied fighters.

In essence he was big fish in a small pond. Don’t get me wrong he also fought and was a three-time NCAA Division III National Champion in wrestling at Rochester Institute of Technology. But to my recollection, I don’t remember Rochester Institute of Technolog being a real big power house school in wreslting. Also Division III is not as good as Div 1 or Div 2.

Bet on this fight at 5 Dimes

UFC Preview - Carwin vs Gonzaga

Shane Carwin is a legitimate fighter but he is still a one dimensional fighter. He has power and wrestling but when he faces a top level well rounded fighter he will get picked apart and exposed. UFC sports betting wise, the odds are still good at -175 to be worth laying on Gonzaga.

Even though Carwin is a better wrestler he will not try to shoot in and take this fight to the ground since he knows Gonzaga is a world class grappler. Instead he will try to stand and trade punches with Gonzaga and that will be his mistake.

At the end of the day do we even know that Carwin is a legitimate fighter? He has not fought a top level fighter in his career and he has not been past the first round. If Gonzaga can take him past the first round he will be out of his comfort zone. Carwin has a lot of muscle and is very big fighter and once gets past a certain point his body type will tire much faster than Gonzaga. At 264 pounds his muscles need a lot of air to recuperate and all Gonzaga has to do is stay on the outside and lay kicks to push him back.

Bet on this fight at 5 Dimes

UFC 96 Jackson vs Jardine Fight Prediction

Sports betting wise I highly recommend betting a lot on the UFC underdog. Greg Jackson is the best MMA strategist in the world and just look at his past records with fighters. All of his fighters train hard and most importantly listen to his game plan. Another great bet to make is to make a UFC prop bet for Jardine to win by 3 round decision.


At 5 Dimes this UFC prop bet pays out +610. The reason why? Greg Jacksons knows Rampages has a lot of power but he has bad conditioning and if Jardine stays on the outside and use lower legs kicks he can score points and eventually get the take down. Just like in the fight between Rashad Evans and Chuck Liddell, Jardine will move laterally and stay out of Rampage's range. Only at the right moment will Jardine engage. Bet the prop and bet the money line and take the parlay bets on both for these 3 bets for very good pay out.

Bet on this fight at 5 Dimes

MMA Explosion in 2009 Part I

by Wayne Squibbs MMA Staff Writer

Many people think fight fans who were disillusioned with the lame bouts, plethora of 'world' champions, and corrupt internal politics associated with boxing, have noticed something else going on - a new sport which produces fierce, watchable, hand-to-hand combat.

'They' are talking, as they always do, and they're saying that MMA has seduced those fans, and in so doing, raised the last nail for the coffin of boxing, ready to give the final hammering.

Maybe. But maybe not. In the sports section of regional and national newspapers, world class boxing still commands full-page features, whereas MMA generally doesn't feature at all. Televised news broadcasts retain a similar format.

Of course, MMA and boxing are not mutually exclusive, and a good number of fight fans are happy to watch either. Indeed, part of the reason for the surge in popularity of MMA could well be because boxing fans were already disillusioned even before the first Ultimate Fighting Championship back in November 1993

read rest of part 1 of this article at

http://www.fighting-mma.com/articles/2009/mma-explosion-affliction-part-1.php

Wheres Kimbo Slice Been?

By MMA Writer Brian Church

My feeling is that Kimbo came in, made his millions, got embarrassed, came back to reality and then got smart and disappeared. I would like to think he has gone back to his birth name, crawled in a cave and is eating a big slice of humble pie. But that doesn’t fit his personality. I’ll give him credit as a business man. He made a lot of money in a short time by doing very little. Some of it was a bit uncalled for, but when there is a demand you may as well supply the merchandise. As a fighter…..he was pathetic. SO, may questions still remains….where is Kimbo?

read full article

http://www.fighting-mma.com/articles/2009/wheres-kimbo.php

To bet on UFC 95 go to BetUS.com

The Sustainable Olympics 2010 Games

The Sustainable Olympics

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Games (VANOC) has set out six corporate-wide sustainability performance objectives based on its winning bid commitments, the best management practices of other Organizing Committees and leading sustainability firms, and from input from sustainability experts, key partners and stakeholders. The six objectives relate to:

1. Accountability
2. Environmental Stewardship and Impact Reduction
3. Social Inclusion and Responsibility
4. Aboriginal Participation and Collaboration
5. Economic Benefits
6. Sport for Sustainable Living

A notable feature of the Environmental Stewardship and Impact Reduction goal involves designing and building the physical venues where the games will unfold. Through smart site selection, venue design and sustainable procurement, VANOC is raising the bar on "eco-efficiency" operations. By minimizing consumption of energy, water and construction materials and minimizing waste and emissions, the games organizers are seeking to eliminate negative environmental impacts. Those that cannot be avoided will be rehabilitated or offset.

read full article

http://www.globe-net.com/other_news/listing.cfm?type=2&newsID=4011

Josh Koscheck vs Paulo Thiago UFC 95 Fight

Josh Koscheck (-410) vs Paulo Thiago (+330)

Josh Koscheck has been on a tear in the UFC and this will be his fourth fight in the 10 months. So even if he wanted to take time off he can’t because he fights so soon after one another. He hasn’t even the time to take Thiago lightly.

Most UFC bettors would think of laying a small amount on the underdog in this fight but there are better dog picks to wager on for this UFC fight card. Koscheck is always in shape and because he fights so frequently he has stayed at a high level for a while. There is not much that can hurt Koscheck and his wrestling game nullifies a lot good grapplers.


The best bet to make for this fight is a UFC prop bet for this fight to go the distance. Five of Koscheck’s last seven fights have come by decision. He is a great fighter but will try to avoid the clinch and stay on the outside against Thiago to score points because Koscheck does not want to get into a grappling fight with Thiago because he has very good leg locks. The best bet would be to find a UFC sportsbook that will take UFC props and Parlay bets.

Bet on UFC 96 at BetCRIS.com

To read full matchup report go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-95-betting-josh-koscheck-paulo-thiago.php

UFC 95 Fight Prediciton Marquardt vs Gouveia

Nate “The Great” Marquardt (-260) vs. Wilson Gouveia (+210)

The problem is that Marquardt has never fought someone as big and strong as Gouveia. His ground game is very finesse and but both guys are BJJ Black Belts so they cancel each other out on the ground. If Marquardt tries to a fancy sweep or tries to pull guard Gouveia will either posture or post out and get out. He will also have a big strength advantage. Is Marquardt’s ground game better? Yes but Gouveia has enough to neutralize whatever Greg Jackson has in store for him.

Wilson Gouveia is now in shape from all reports and he has upped his fighting at American Top Team. This was a question in the past but not from all scouting reports. Gouveia has been training hard for almost 4 months now and he will surprise many. The odds are too good and as a UFC sports bettor this underdos fight is too good to pass up. At +210 this is great UFC underdog bet to make. Bettors are getting good value for a powerful striker.

Bet on UFC 96 at BetCRIS.com

To read full matchup report go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-95-betting-demian-maia-chael-sonnen.php

UFC 95 Demian Maia vs Chael Sonnen Anaylsis

Josh Koscheck (-410) vs Paulo Thiago (+330)

Striking wise Chael Sonnen is a very good striker and he will be able to keep his distance by backing up Maia who is not a very good striker at all. Up against the cage is where Sonnen fights the best. He will be able to use his size and power to hold Maia on the cage and land punches. Chael Sonnen has superior wrestling power but he will not use his wrestling for takedowns, He will instead use his power to keep the fight standing

Bottom Line: I see Sonnen being able to stuff Maia’s shot attempts and being able to land punches on Maia. Sonnen is a fighter that can test Maia and he can pressure him to making him make a mistake in the standup. We have yet to see Maia’s chin tested and Sonnen is a person that can KO the smaller less powerful fighter. Maia is not a strong or big fighter, he relies mostly on technique.


If Sonnen can take him off his game plan I can see an upset. He is no joke as he is the current WEC middleweight champion. To me, at +215 it is worth the risk to bet on the underdog in this fight. I love Maia as a fighter but to me he is still unproven and I see a big upset.

Bet on UFC 96 at BetCRIS.com

To read full matchup report go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-95-betting-demian-maia-chael-sonnen.php

UFC 95 Sanchez vs. Stevenson Fight Preivew

UFC 96 main event fight preview

I like Stevenson as a fighter but he will be outmatched in this fight by a bigger stronger fighter. I see this fight being dominated by Sanchez from the start of the bell to the very end. My best bet is for this fight to go to a three round decision.

I would be all over this UFC prop bet. I would also do a UFC parlay bet for the fight to go all three rounds and for Sanchez to win the fight by a three round decision. UFC sports betting wise Sanchez at -300 is not worth the price but he will win this fight. If you have money to bet I would be all over this bet. I really don’t see Stevenson beating Sanchez at all.

Bet on UFC 96 at BetCRIS.com

To read full matchup report go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-95-betting-diego-sanchez-joe-stevenson.php

Affliction Betting Preview Analysis

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Bet on Affliction at BetCRIS.com

Fedor Emelianenko(-390) vs. Andrei Arlovski (+350)

The main event at Affliction 2 will pit former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavy weight champion Andrei “Pitbull" Arlovski against the man many consider to be the greatest ever to compete in the sport of mixed martial arts, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko...read more

Josh “The Baby Face Assassin” (-550) Barnett vs. Gilbert Yvel (+400)

Josh “The Baby Face Assassin” Barnett is a large betting favorite over Gilbert “The Hurricane” Yvel and it’s not hard to see why considering the strengths and weaknesses of both Affliction fighters...read more

Matt "The Law" Lindland (-165) vs. Vitor " The Phenom" Belfort (+135)

In one of the hardest to call fights at “Affliction 2: Day Of Reckoning”, Matt “The Law” Lindland comes in as a small betting favorite over Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort but we at fighting-mma.com will be happy to steer your bet...read more

Paul "The Head Hunter" Buentello (-145) vs. Kirill Sidelnikov (+115)

The best action-packed standup battle of the night will be between Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello and Russian Affliction newcomer Kirill Sidelnikov...read more

Renato “Babalu” Sobral (-160) vs. Rameau Thierry “The African Assassin”Sokoudjou (+130)

The best underdog bet of the night is going to be in the fight between Renato “Babalu” Sobral and Rameau Thierry “The African Assassin” Sokoudjou in what should be a fun fight that likely won’t make it to the judge’s scorecards...read more

Vladimir Matyushenko (Even) vs. Antônio Rogério Nogueira (-130)

According to the betting odds at BetCRIS.com, the hardest fight to pick a winner on the entire “Affliction 2: Day of Reckoning” card will be between Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko in a rematch...read more

UFC 93Mark Coleman vs Shogun Fight Preview

Bet UFC 93 at BetCRIS

Mark Coleman (+300) vs Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (-370)

UFC bettors might take the betting underdog in this fight because the octagon favors wrestlers but don’t waste your money, as Shogun has the stand up advantage and the grappling advantage by a large margin. Remember you can’t win a fight by wrestling. Out of his 8 loses he has lost to good submission fighters and to very good strikers and Shogun is both. Coleman is just too old, injured and is still just a one dimensional fighter in a mixed martial arts world. He will not able to leverage his wrestling skills to score enough points in this fight.

UFC betting wise Shogun is a huge betting favorite at -370 at most online sportsbooks and the price might not be worth the bet but Coleman is an old fighter and I don’t give him much of a chance in this fight. So if you have the funds to spare this is a very safe bet to wager on.

read preview at

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-93-betting-mark-coleman-mauricio-shogun-rua.php