MMA: LINE SHIFTS; LESNAR FAVORED IN UFC 91
Brock Lesnar and the legend Randy Couture opened up as even odds for UFC 91, but Lesnar has since moved to a solid -135 favorite.
This UFC 91 bout from Las Vegas is part of a great ‘fight night’ that also includes former boxing world champions, Jermain Taylor (-500 odds) and Jeff Lacy fighting in the super middleweight division from Nashville, Tennessee.
Lesnar is a 31 year-old former professional and amateur wrestler. His first MMA fight was in June, 2007 when he beat Min Soo Kim by submission. Lesnar moved over to the UFC and had his first fight for them this past February when he lost to Frank Mir in the first round.
Lesnar (+105 odds) redeemed himself in August during UFC 87 ‘Seek and Destroy’. He dominated Heath Herring in a unanimous three-round decision. Lesnar had a tremendous amount of growth from his first UFC fight to the next and his backers feel that similar improvement shown on Saturday will mean another win.
The critics of Lesnar claim he doesn’t deserve this title fight so soon in his career, but this is the fight the fans want to see so make sure you get your bets in early before the line moves again.
Couture, aka ‘the natural’, is a 45 year-old UFC legend who is also a former collegiate wrestler. He has been the UFC champion in both the heavyweight and the light heavyweight divisions, losing the latter title to Chuck Liddell back in February, 2006.
Couture took 13 months off after that fight but won the heavyweight belt for the third time in March 2007 when he won a decision over Tim Sylvia.
He then defended the title five months later against Gabriel Gonzaga, winning by a TKO before walking away from the UFC due to a contract dispute. However, the UFC never stripped him of his belt and now the winner of this fight will take on the winner of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Mir.
The handicappers for this fight are all in agreement that Lesnar is bigger, stronger, faster and obviously much younger. Where they disagree is whether Couture’s experience and tactician skills can overcome those advantages.
Most bettors are backing the youth in Lesnar which is why the line has moved so much, but don’t forget Couture is an incredible 9-1 as an underdog in his career, so that should at least give you pause before making your decision.
Rest of the UFC 91 card
Joe Stevenson (+155) vs. Kenny Florian (-185) – Lightweight
Aaron Riley (-105) vs. Jorge Gurgel (-125) Lightweight
Rafael Dos Anjos (+105) vs. Jeremy Stephens (-135) Lightweight
Alvin Robinson (+110) vs. Mark Bocek (-140) Lightweight
Tamdan McCrory (+160) vs. Dustin Hazelett (-200) Welterweight
Ryan Thomas (+190) vs. Matt Brown (-240) Welterweight
Nate Quarry (+190) vs. Demian Maia (-240) Middleweight
Josh Hendricks (+275) vs. Gabriel Gonzaga (-350) – Heavyweight
