UFC Betting Odds
The UFC rings in the New Year on January 3 with a pretty good looking card from Las Vegas. The UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is on the line, a possible Lightweight Title shot is on the line for Donald Cerrone and a couple Middleweights will try to vault themselves into Title consideration.
It should be a terrific night of fights – let’s take a look.
UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier
Free Picks: UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier Odds & Preview
Date: Jan. 3, 2015
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Pay-per-view, Fox Sports 1, UFC Fight Pass
UFC 182 PPV Fights
Jon Jones (20-1): -167
Daniel Cormier (15-0): +147
There is plenty of bad blood between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier – it all culminates Saturday night in one of the most anticipated fights in some time. Jones brings his freakish size, athleticism and smarts into the Octagon against the undefeated, uber-determined former Olympic wrestler Cormier.
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Both men have incredible wrestling pedigrees – often times fights like this end up being more about the striking, not ground games. Because of that I have to go with the height and reach advantage of Jones who will be looking to keep Cormier on the outside. Jones is no dummy – his best attribute and weapon in this fight will be his immense length.
Jones’ ability to dictate exactly what type of fight that he wants will be the difference here. Expect Jones to stifle Cormier’s inevitable takedown attempts, to pepper his opponent from the outside and to frustrate Cormier into a mistake.
MMA Betting Pick: Jon Jones -167
Donald Cerrone (25-6, 1 NC): -210
Myles Jury (15-0): +180
Former The Ultimate Fighter contestant Miles Jury will attempt to maintain his meteoric rise in the Lightweight division but will have his hands full with #4 ranked Donald Cerrone. Cerrone caught fire in 2014 and his skills seem to be a matchup nightmare for the up-and-coming Jury.
Jury will bring a varied striking game and seemingly endless gas tank into the bout while Cerrone possesses incredible kick boxing and a willingness to go anywhere a fight happens to venture. It’s true that Jury can and will fight anywhere but his inexperience, particularly against top guys will be the difference in this one.
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Cerrone is too seasoned and too motivated to be denied – there is nothing that Jury will bring that Cerrone hasn’t already seen.
MMA Betting Pick: Donald Cerrone -210
Brad Tavares (12-3): +115
Nate Marquardt (33-13, 2 NC): -135
Veteran Nate Marquart will attempt to maintain his winning ways in his second go-around in the promotion when he takes on Brad Tavares in Middleweight action. Marquart was once a serious contender at 185 pounds but fell on hard times before his release from the organization. Marquart has been good since that time including winning the Strikeforce 185 punt Title.
Tavares enters on a two fight losing streak – a win is crucial for him this week. He is an above average striker, his wrestling is OK and his conditioning is very good – his chin may be his best attribute.
But against a seasoned and motivated Marquart, Tavares looks seriously overmatched. Marquart is by far the more well-rounded fighter – he will have an advantage anywhere this fight happens to go.
MMA Betting Pick: Nate Marquart -135
Kyoji Horiguchi (14-1): -700
Louis Gaudinot (6-3): +525
Former TUF contestant Louis Gaudinot will attempt to derail the momentum of former Shooto and Vale Tudo Japan standout Kyoji Horiguchi who has gone 3-0 in the organization. Gaudinot himself has a black belt in karate which makes this matchup that much more intriguing.
Horiguchi has the speed, the power and the technique to make life miserable for anyone inside the Octagon – Gaudinot looks like his next victim. It has been a while since Gaudinot stepped into the Octagon – his inactivity will be evident against the speedy and technically sound Horiguchi in this one.
MMA Betting Pick: Kyoji Horiguchi -700
Hector Lombard (34-4-1, 1 NC): -665
Josh Burkman (27-10): +490
The #6 ranked Welterweight in the UFC and former Bellator Champ Hector Lombard will try to build off impressive wins over Nate Marquart and Jake Shields when he takes on Josh Burkman who is back for a second go-around with the organization.
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Lombard looks to be on a Title path – the Brazilian’s striking and grappling edge in this fight are just too much for Burkman in this one. Despite a 6-1 record in his last seven fights, Burkman is too overmatched here.
Lombard is too powerful and too good anywhere this fight happens to go!
MMA Betting Pick: Hector Lombard -665
Preliminary Card (on FOX Sports 1)
Danny Castillo (17-7): -210 vs. Paul Felder (9-0): +180
MMA Betting Pick: Danny Castillo -210
Marcus Brimage (7-3): -225 vs. Cody Garbrandt (5-0): +190
MMA Betting Pick: Cody Garbrandt +190
Shawn Jordan (16-6): -225 vs. Jared Cannonier (7-0): +190
MMA Betting Pick: Shawn Jordan -225
Evan Dunham (14-6): -525 vs. Rodrigo Damm (12-8): +410
MMA Betting Pick: Evan Dunham -525
Preliminary Card (on UFC Fight Pass)
Omari Akhmedov (13-2): -155 vs. Mats Nilsson (11-3-1): +135
MMA Betting Pick: Omari Akhmedov -155
Alexis Dufresne (5-1): -175 vs. Marion Reneau (4-1): +150
MMA Betting Pick: Alexis Dufresne -175
Check out our Updated UFC Odds.
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