UFC Betting Odds
The UFC returns to Las Vegas this week for one of the better cards that we have seen in a while. The headline fight is a rematch for the Welterweight Championship between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler while three of the other four fights on the Main Card could reasonably be Fight of the Night!
UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler ll
Date: December 6, 2014
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Location: Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas
Broadcast: Pay-per-view, Fox Sports 1, UFC Fight Pass
UFC 181 PPV Fights (10pm ET. / 7pm PT.)
Free Picks: UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler II Odds & Preview
Johny Hendricks (16-2): -225
Robbie Lawler (24-10-1): +175
It should be an interesting night to say the least. Here is a breakdown of every fight on the card and a prediction of what should go down.
A rematch of one of the more highly contested Welterweight title fights in some time comes our way as the Main Event on the UFC 181 card. Champion Johny Hendricks got the better of Robbie Lawler in the first fight in a battle that some felt Lawler won. Each man will be looking to leave zero doubt on Saturday in one of the most anticipated fights of the year.
Hendricks returns from an injury that has sidelined him since the first time these two met – Lawler in the meantime has dispatched Jake Ellenberger and Matt Brown. Both men can and likely will stand and bang in this one. Lawler has the slight striking advantage while Hendricks’ strong wrestling pedigree gives him the edge on the ground.
CLICK to GRAB OUR BEST Expert Sports & Football Picks for 2014 GAMBLING!
This fight will likely come down to heart and desire. While I love Hendricks’ skills I have to take the motivation in this one. Lawler feels he got robbed in the first fight and will be out to prove that point – there’s no way he wants this fight to go to the judge’s score cards again!
This matchup has trilogy written all over it – Lawler gets the win and sets up Hendricks/Lawler III.
MMA Betting Pick: Robbie Lawler +175
Anthony Pettis (17-2): -225
Gilbert Melendez (22-3): +175
The Lightweight Title will be on the line when Anthony Pettis defends the strap for the first time. Pettis is one of the more dynamic strikers in the UFC today – his kicks are absolutely lethal (ask Donald Cerrone!) and his ability to change levels makes him one of the most difficult to stand and trade with. Pettis’ wrestling and submission ability his no joke either!
The Challengers Saturday is equally athletic, equally tough and equally hungry. Gilbert Melendez will bring incredible conditioning and a tremendous all around game into the fight. Melendez is a talent for sure but has one tiny hole in his game – technical striking.
Look for Pettis to get the better of the standup in this one – Melendez is good, not great on his feet. To beat Pettis at this point in his career, a fighter has to be absolutely top notch in every aspect of the game. Simply put it is hard to imagine anyone stopping Pettis right now – he seems to be a notch above everyone in the division.
MMA Betting Pick: Anthony Pettis -225
Travis Browne (16-2-1): -300
Brendan Schaub (10-4): +230
Heavyweights Travis Browne and Brendan Schaub will attempt to give the fans what they want Saturday – violence! Travis Browne is coming off a loss to Fabricio Werdum in a fight that could have seen him gain #1 contender status if he had won. Schaub meanwhile had been riding a two fight win streak before delivering a bit of a dud in a controversial decision loss to Andrei Arlovsky.
[dfads params=’groups=1436&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
This looks like a matchup nightmare for Schaub – Browne will have an enormous size advantage and will have a serious edge in the power department. Browne will also have the motivational edge as he tries to get back to title contention.
Schaub’s questionable chin will rear its ugly head again in this one as Browne is afforded the opportunity to pound Schaub early and often. Schaub’s night could end early in this one!
MMA Betting Pick: Travis Browne -300
Todd Duffee (8-2): -285
Anthony Hamilton (13-3): +225
All of Todd Duffee’s career wins have come by KO – he will be looking for the same on Saturday. In his way is a solid wrestler Anthony Hamilton who should be able to neutralize the one-dimensional Duffee. Duffee has a lot to prove in his second go-around with the organization but Hamilton’s wrestling will be the determining factor in this one.
Take Anthony Hamilton to get this fight to the ground, to wear Todd Duffee out and to gain the decision victory!
MMA Betting Pick: Anthony Hamilton +225
Tony Ferguson (16-3): -260
Abel Trujillo (12-5): +200
Lightweight fireworks kick off the Pay-per-view card when Tony Ferguson takes on Abel Trujillo. Both these fighters have seriously violent intentions. Ferguson will be the bigger guy but Trujillo will have the power advantage here.
[dfads params=’groups=63753&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Expect the aggressiveness of the challenger to be the difference in this one – the Brazilian doesn’t know the meaning of the term – “pace yourself”. In a Fight of the Night candidate take the underdog’s aggressiveness to win out over the favorite’s height and reach advantage.
MMA Betting Pick: Abel Trujillo +200
UFC 181 FOX Sports 1 Fights (8pm ET.) / 5pm PT.)
Urijah Faber (31-7): -410 vs. Francisco Rivera (10-3, 1 NC): +340
MMA Betting Pick: -410
Eddie Gordon (7-1): -175 vs. Josh Samman (10-2): +145
MMA Betting Pick: Eddie Gordon -175
Corey Anderson (4-0): -325 vs. Justin Jones (3-0): +250
MMA Betting Pick: Corey Anderson -325
Raquel Pennington (4-4): +160 vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith (3-0): -200
MMA Betting Pick: Raquel Pennington +160
UFC 181 UFC Fight Pass Fights (7pm ET. / 4pm PT.)
Sergio Pettis (11-1): -325 vs. Matt Hobar (9-2): +250
MMA Betting Pick: Sergio Pettis -325
Clay Collard (13-5): vs. Alex White (10-1): -155
MMA Betting Pick: Alex White -155
Check out our Updated UFC Odds.
[dfads params=’groups=63706&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]