UFC Betting Odds
The UFC returns to Los Angeles this weekend where the Women’s Bantamweight Title will be on the line. Arguably the most recognizable and dominant champion in the Organization will be in action when Rhonda Rousey looks to remain perfect against another undefeated fighter.
UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano
Date: February 28, 2015
Time: 10 PM ET
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Broadcast: Pay-per-view, Fox Sports 1, UFC Fight Pass
MAIN CARD Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET
The rest of the card is littered with quality bouts –let’s take a peek at all of the fights on the card and what should happen in each.
Ronda Rousey (10-0-0): -800
Cat Zingano (9-0-0): +575
Simply put Rhonda Rousey is the most dominant champion in mixed martial arts today – she is two tiers above everyone else. Not only does she have her nearly unstoppable armbar in her arsenal, but Rousey showed her power with her 66 second TKO of Sara McMann last time out and demonstrated an ability to absorb some punishment in her was with Miesha Tate.
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Zingano is undefeated and will have the added motivation of fighting with the memory of her late husband, who committed suicide. Her game is striking (5 of her 9 wins have come by way of KO or TKO) and she too beat Meisha Tate. Zingano may have a slight striking advantage in this one – you can’t say that about many of Rousey’s foes.
That said Rhonda Rousey looks as invincible a fighter as there is in the world right now. Although it may sound cliché, she can and will beat you anywhere the fight happens to go. Zingano may show some flashes on the feet but when this fight hits the mat it will be all Rousey.
MMA Betting Pick: Rhonda Rousey -800
Holly Holm (7-0-0): -900
Raquel Pennington (5-5-0): +600
Holly Holm makes her UFC debut Saturday against Raquel Pennington, a fighter that doesn’t have the best record but has been in there with some of the best in the world. Holm comes from a stellar boxing background (33-2-3 in her career) and has as much striking technique and power as any woman in the UFC.
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Raquel Pennington will have the grappling and experience edge in this fight – she has submitted opponents, finished them on her feet and has gone to decisions in the past.
Holm will be out to make a statement in this one in her UFC debut and I think she gets it done early and in violent fashion. There is a chance that Pennington gets this fight to the mat but it is more likely she gets beat up badly just trying for the takedown. Holm is a dangerous customer and has the most lethal hands in the UFC women’s division – Saturday will prove it!
MMA Betting Pick: Holly Holm -900
Jake Ellenberger (29-9-0): -193
Josh Koscheck (17-8-0): +168
UFC veteran Josh Koscheck, loser of three straight bouts will step into the Octagon for the first time in 15 months Saturday to take on Jake Ellenberger who also rides a three fight losing streak into the clash. To say this fight is crucial for both fighters is an understatement – their employment with the organization could be at stake on Saturday night!
Koscheck will have age and Octagon-rust working against him to go along with the memory of getting knocked out in his last fight. The striking advantage goes to Ellenberger in this one albeit a slight one. Ellenberger displays more power and should be able to expose Koscheck and his ever-weakening chin.
But Kos definitely has the grappling edge in this fight – he is still one of the better wrestlers in the division with tremendous takedowns. Ellenberger is an OK wrestler as well but not nearly as confident to use that part of his game inside the Octagon.
Simply put this is a pretty tough fight to call – Ellenberger is the younger guy but Koscheck has a motor that just doesn’t stop. There is only one way that Kos wins this fight – getting Ellenberger to the ground. I think Jake knows this and devises a fight plan around keeping this fight standing. In that case, Ellenberger should win easily.
MMA Betting Pick: Jake Ellenberger -193
Alan Jouban (10-3-0): -350
Richard Walsh (8-2-0): +285
In what is sure to be a striking battle, Alan Jouban takes on Richard Walsh. Neither man is really adept in their ground game and each relies heavily on strikes – for Jouban it is his varied striking game and for Walsh it is willingness to come forward not matter the circumstance.
With that in mind you have to think that Jouban has the huge advantage here. His technical striking should be too much for Walsh’s somewhat sloppy technique. This fight is likely headed to the judge’s scorecard with Jouban eking out a decision win.
MMA Betting Pick: Alan Jouban -350
Tony Ferguson (17-3-0): -200
Gleison Tibau (40-10-0): +170
A striker vs. grappler battle in the 155 pound division kicks off the Pay-Per-View portion of UFC 184. The striking advantage goes to Ferguson while Tibau is the better wrestler in this match. Both men have a ton to fight for here – each has a chance to maybe see a top 10 fighter in their next bout if they record a good win here.
This fight comes down to conditioning – Tibau is an enormous 155 pounder – his muscle mass is enormous and his ability to go deep into fights is seriously hindered because of it. Ferguson on the other hand has an endless tank – he should be able to keep this fight standing and to wear Tibau down as the fight drags on.
Tibau’s only chance is to get it done in the first round – Ferguson knows it! Expect Ferguson to drag Gleison into deep water and to make a statement Saturday night
MMA Betting Pick: Tony Ferguson -200
PRELIMINARY CARD FOX Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET
Roan Carneiro (19-9-0): +255
Mark Munoz (13-5-0): -350
MMA Betting Pick: Mark Munoz -350
Roman Salazar (9-3-0): +285
Norifumi Yamamoto (18-6-0): -350
MMA Betting Pick: Norifumi Yamamoto -350
Dhiego Lima (10-2-0): -120
Tim Means (22-6-1): +100
MMA Betting Pick: Tim Means +100
Derrick Lewis (11-3-0): -410
Ruan Potts (8-3-0): +340
MMA Betting Pick: Derrick Lewis -410
PRELIMINARY Under Card On Fight Pass, 7 p.m. ET
James Krause (21-6-0): -185
Valmir Lazaro (12-3-0): +160
MMA Betting Pick: Valmir Lazaro +160
Masio Fullen (9-4-0): -160
Alexander Torres (2-1-0): +140
MMA Betting Pick: Masio Fullen -160
Check out our Updated UFC Odds.
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