What a great few days of fights! Bellator 20 was amazing, and netted me +3.35 units! Dream 14 wasn’t so kind as “Hellboy” Hansen got knocked out with the quickness. As soon as the announcer said Hansen had “NO CHANCE TO LOSE”, I knew I was in trouble. Anyways, here we are, about to conclude the fight weekend with some great fights at UFC 114, and when the smoke clears, I will be a winner! Let’s break down some of the fights that I like, and feel we have an edge in...
Rashad Evans vs. Rampage Jackson
This is probably the fight of the summer, and the one that everyone has wanted to see for a while now. Been getting emails about this one for the past 3 weeks now. When I initially saw this fight, my first thought was that Rampage had this fight rather easily. As the week went on, I sortof leaned the Rashad way like everyone else, but I just can’t back him.
I really feel Jackson’s wrestling is underrated. Not to mention, a little known fact is that his camp in England brought in World Champion Iranian wrestlers for him to train with for this fight. Guys that are better than Rashad, IMO. The power in Rampage’s hands should be the deciding factor here, however. While Rashad is quicker, Rampage has a great chin, and if he was able to take 12 knees to the head from Wanderlei, I don’t see Rashad rocking him. Rashad’s chin, is suspect to me.
Rampage (-110) for 2 Units
Dan Miller vs. Michael Bisping
Bisping should win this one rather easily. Lots of hype regarding Miller’s wrestling, and takedown ability, but Bisping has been training with Iranian World Champion wrestlers along with Rampage in prep for this fight. I think he’s the better all around fighter, has an underrated sprawl, and ground game. Also, Miller has had his mind on his son, who has been very sick in the hospital during prep for this fight. Miller had to drive from Whippany, NJ to Philly daily. Have to question his readiness for someone like Bisping who’s had 4 fights in 10 months, and has really committed his life to the fight game.
Bisping (-180) for 2 Units
Diego Sanchez vs. John Hathaway
Hathaway showed up to the weigh-in’s in amazing shape, and is a very good wrestler with solid hands. Unfortunately for him, Diego Sanchez is better at everything he’s good at. The only thing about Diego, is that he’s a little mentally unstable. From what I’ve heard, he was in a good mood last night, and very ready for this fight. Let's hope everything is the same today, and Sanchez fights the fight he is capable of.
Sanchez (-188) for 1 Unit
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Amir Sadollah
“Maybe I don’t have that much respect for Sadollah because of all the holes in his game still…” Was a sentence that came out of my mouth this week, in response to why I felt Sadollah had a weak striking skill set, even though he is primarily a striker and should be improving since TUF 7. I just don’t Amir he has the power to KO anyone, which should allow DH Kim to be able to take chances inside. I also feel Kim will have way more gas in the tank should this go to the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> round, if he’s able to take this fight to the ground a few times with his Judo throws. Kim has the superior ground game by far.
Kim (+100) risking 1 Unit
Dan Lauzon vs. Efran Escudero
Escudero probably wins this fight 7/10 times under normal conditions. However, I really think Lauzon comes into this fight with a chip on his shoulder. His camp pretty much turned their back on him, including his own brother 3 weeks ago. If he was really ready for this fight, I don’t think the weeks will make THAT much of a difference, and his brother’s actions will do nothing but motivate Dan to secure a decision over his friend Escudero.
Lauzon (+390) risking 1 Unit
Aaron Riley vs. Joe Brammer
Brammer’s coming into this fight with only 2 years of training under his belt, and fighting a veteran in Riley. I don’t see Riley being able to get the finish in the fight, but feel he will have all the tools, and patience, to be able to overcome his younger opponent. Brammer will have to fight a perfect fight, and really mix things up against Riley to be able to win this fight, and I just don’t see that happening here.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Jason Brillz
Brillz is a part time fighter, and a full time fireman. He also has only had 3 weeks to train for this fight. I really see no way for him to win other than a lucky punch.
Value Parlay (-127) for 2 Units
Nogueira (-520)
Riley (-200)
Rashad Evans vs. Rampage Jackson
This is probably the fight of the summer, and the one that everyone has wanted to see for a while now. Been getting emails about this one for the past 3 weeks now. When I initially saw this fight, my first thought was that Rampage had this fight rather easily. As the week went on, I sortof leaned the Rashad way like everyone else, but I just can’t back him.
I really feel Jackson’s wrestling is underrated. Not to mention, a little known fact is that his camp in England brought in World Champion Iranian wrestlers for him to train with for this fight. Guys that are better than Rashad, IMO. The power in Rampage’s hands should be the deciding factor here, however. While Rashad is quicker, Rampage has a great chin, and if he was able to take 12 knees to the head from Wanderlei, I don’t see Rashad rocking him. Rashad’s chin, is suspect to me.
Rampage (-110) for 2 Units
Dan Miller vs. Michael Bisping
Bisping should win this one rather easily. Lots of hype regarding Miller’s wrestling, and takedown ability, but Bisping has been training with Iranian World Champion wrestlers along with Rampage in prep for this fight. I think he’s the better all around fighter, has an underrated sprawl, and ground game. Also, Miller has had his mind on his son, who has been very sick in the hospital during prep for this fight. Miller had to drive from Whippany, NJ to Philly daily. Have to question his readiness for someone like Bisping who’s had 4 fights in 10 months, and has really committed his life to the fight game.
Bisping (-180) for 2 Units
Diego Sanchez vs. John Hathaway
Hathaway showed up to the weigh-in’s in amazing shape, and is a very good wrestler with solid hands. Unfortunately for him, Diego Sanchez is better at everything he’s good at. The only thing about Diego, is that he’s a little mentally unstable. From what I’ve heard, he was in a good mood last night, and very ready for this fight. Let's hope everything is the same today, and Sanchez fights the fight he is capable of.
Sanchez (-188) for 1 Unit
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Amir Sadollah
“Maybe I don’t have that much respect for Sadollah because of all the holes in his game still…” Was a sentence that came out of my mouth this week, in response to why I felt Sadollah had a weak striking skill set, even though he is primarily a striker and should be improving since TUF 7. I just don’t Amir he has the power to KO anyone, which should allow DH Kim to be able to take chances inside. I also feel Kim will have way more gas in the tank should this go to the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> round, if he’s able to take this fight to the ground a few times with his Judo throws. Kim has the superior ground game by far.
Kim (+100) risking 1 Unit
Dan Lauzon vs. Efran Escudero
Escudero probably wins this fight 7/10 times under normal conditions. However, I really think Lauzon comes into this fight with a chip on his shoulder. His camp pretty much turned their back on him, including his own brother 3 weeks ago. If he was really ready for this fight, I don’t think the weeks will make THAT much of a difference, and his brother’s actions will do nothing but motivate Dan to secure a decision over his friend Escudero.
Lauzon (+390) risking 1 Unit
Aaron Riley vs. Joe Brammer
Brammer’s coming into this fight with only 2 years of training under his belt, and fighting a veteran in Riley. I don’t see Riley being able to get the finish in the fight, but feel he will have all the tools, and patience, to be able to overcome his younger opponent. Brammer will have to fight a perfect fight, and really mix things up against Riley to be able to win this fight, and I just don’t see that happening here.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Jason Brillz
Brillz is a part time fighter, and a full time fireman. He also has only had 3 weeks to train for this fight. I really see no way for him to win other than a lucky punch.
Value Parlay (-127) for 2 Units
Nogueira (-520)
Riley (-200)