UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber II
In a revenge fight four years in the making, Dominick Cruz will defend his belt against the only man that has ever defeated him.
Date: July 02, 2011
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Pay-per-view and Spike TV
Betting: Bet on UFC 132 at BetOnline.com
MAIN CARD:
[Bantamweight Title]
Dominick Cruz (17-1): -155
Urijah Faber (25-4): +125
Cruz has the edge on the feet while Faber appears to have the edge on the ground – the key will be for each man to keep the fight in their wheelhouse.
It has been a long time since anyone has been able to drag Cruz to the mat and I expect that trend to continue. Faber may be able to steal a couple of rounds but in a five round bout, Cruz should be able to inflict enough damage with his strikes to impress the judges. Pick: Dominick Cruz -155
Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1): -190
Chris Leben (25-7): +155
This should be fun! Both of these fighters are extreme heavy hitters and both display chins of granite. So who falls first? Silva is coming off a nearly 18 month layoff so ring-rust will certainly be an issue – the fact the legend has lost five of his last seven fights overall is another. Chris Leben had been on an ultra-impressive win streak before getting destroyed by Brian Stann in his last fight but there is no doubt that he fears nobody.
Although the Leben Odds are certainly tempting, the experience and the fact that Wanderlei actually called Leben out is enough for me to believe that the legend will prevail. Silva is as tough a man as there is on the planet and when he hates you like he does Leben, chances are that he brings his best. Pick: Wanderlei Silva -190
Carlos Condit (26-5): -105
Dong Hyun Kim (14-0-1): -125
This is a huge fight for both men – the winner could be next in line to get destroyed by George St. Pierre. Kim is a dangerous fighter – patient well rounded and most impressively undefeated. Condit has won three straight and 11 of his last 12 fights and should be able to impose his relentless will in this one. Kim is tough but has never faced anyone quite like the motivated Carlos Condit. Pick: Carlos Condit -105
Ryan Bader (12-1): -500
Tito Ortiz (15-8): +350
This is an easy one and the Odds speak for themselves. Ryan Bader is a “B level” fighter whose only defeat came at the hands of the Champ Jon Jones. Ortiz hasn’t tasted victory since 2006. Quite simply, one fighter is on the rise while the other is in steep decline. In a rebound fight take Bader to dominate. Pick: Ryan Bader -500
Matt Wiman (13-5): +100
Dennis Siver (18-7): -130
Rising Lightweight contenders do battle in a very important bout on Saturday having garnered four Fight of the Night, two Knockout of the Night and one Submission of the Night honours combined. Both have been impressive as of late but Siver has been the more impressive. Look for Siver`s standup to be the difference in this one – Wiman is just a notch below. Pick: Dennis Siver -130
SPIKE TV CARD:
Melvin Guillard (27-8): -280
Shane Roller (10-3): +210
Melvin Guillard was hoping to be in Title contention by now but for some reason UFC brass has matched him up with yet another OK fighter. Guillard continues to be one of the most athletic, gifted fighters in the world of MMA and his trainer Greg Jackson appears to have straightened out his head. But we have seen this all before from Guillard haven`t we? He is due for a patented let down. [ad-3573245]
Shane Roller is no joke – a terrific grappler with knockout power – just ask Thiago Tavares! I love the upset in this one – Roller can match Guillard anywhere this fight goes. Pick: Shane Roller +215
George Sotiropoulos (14-3): -260
Rafael dos Anjos (14-5): +200
George Sotiropoulos will be looking to start another impressive win streak on Saturday when he takes on fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu Black Belt Rafael dos Anjos. Dos Anjos is a tough customer but the height, reach and extra motivation of Sotiroploulos will be too much for the Brazilian in this one. George needs this fight and will show up for sure! Pick: George Sotiropoulos -260
Preliminary Card:
Brian Bowles (9-1): -350
Takeya Mizugaki (14-5-2): +250
In an important Bantamweight scrap, Brian Bowles will look to get another shot at the man who handed him his first loss and took his bantamweight Belt – Dominick Cruz. First he needs to beat a very tough Takeya Mizugaki. Mizugaki has been a master at controlling his opponents on the ground – something that will not happen against the well rounded Bowles. Bowles will do enough in the stand up and limit Mizugaki`s effectiveness on the ground to secure victory. Pick: Brian Bowles -350
Brad Tavares (7-0): +140
Aaron Simpson (8-2): -170
It wasn`t that long ago that Aaron Simpson was in Brad Tavares`s shoes – a young prospect with tons of hype. But Simpson has taken a step backward while Tavares has kept his undefeated roll going. Simpson, despite a good all around game has been exposed in recent fights – I think that Tavares takes advantage and keeps his undefeated record intact. Pick: Brad Tavares +140
Anthony Njokuani (13-5): -150
Andre Winner (11-5-1): +120
Two very good strikers battle in a fight that could determine their future with the UFC – the loser could get cut! Andre Winner, The Ultimate Fighter 9 finalist has just been OK since his arrival in the UFC as has Njokuani. Winner has decent technical strikes but I like the dangerous and aggressive Muay Thai of Njokuani to be the difference. Pick: Anthony Njokuani -150
Jeff Hoglund (9-4): +180
Donny Walker (14-6): -230
A grappling contest kicks off the evening on Saturday – Jeff Hoglund who is on an eight fight win streak takes on Donny Walker who has won seven straight fights himself. Hoglund is a tough guy and boasts wins against the likes of Strikeforce Lightweight Champ Gilbert Melendez – that’s enough for me! Pick: Jeff Hoglund +180
