Hard to complain about that.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s make picks for the co-main events.<\/p>\n
Event<\/strong>: UFC 112: Invincible UFC 112 odds<\/strong>: Silva -900, Maia +600<\/p>\n If the odds suggest an extremely lopsided matchup \u2013 more so than Silva\u2019s match with Thales Leites a year ago \u2013 that\u2019s because it is one. <\/p>\n Let\u2019s face it: Demian Maia was the\u00a0third <\/em>choice to fight Anderson Silva for the middleweight belt. Top challenger Vitor Belfort is injured and other major contender Chael Sonnen has facial lacerations and a political campaign in Oregon tying him up (seriously). That leaves Maia, an extremely talented but one-dimensional fighter, with a shot at glory.<\/p>\n Maia is widely known as\u00a0the <\/em>best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner alive today. Eight of his 12 victories have come via submission and he\u2019s lethal if he gets an arm or leg in his hands on the ground. The problem is that Anderson Silva is also a BJJ black belt, meaning Maia won\u2019t have much of an advantage on the canvas.<\/p>\n Standing up, this fight is a joke. Maia\u2019s striking is remedial at best and Anderson Silva\u2019s Muay Thai is among the deadliest and fastest we\u2019ve ever seen in MMA. If Nate Marquardt \u2013 a man Silva beat \u2013 could drop Demian Maia with a punch in a matter of seconds like he did last August, what will Silva do to Maia?<\/p>\n I\u2019ll be shocked if this fight goes past round one, simply because Maia can\u2019t hurt Silva on the feet and the Spider can thus be as aggressive as he wants.<\/p>\n Pick: Anderson Silva -900<\/strong><\/p>\n UFC 112 odds<\/strong>: Penn -700, Edgar +500<\/p>\n The second title fight is another mismatch on paper but should be a much more intriguing fight. It\u2019s safe to say we can stop talking about the old BJ Penn: the talented but out-of-shape guy who lacked dedication and preferred to fight at a heavier weight.<\/p>\n The new BJ looks like he\u2019s here to stay. Penn has been absolutely dominant as a lightweight, arriving for fights in great shape, dominating opponents on the ground and showcasing his outstanding boxing skills.<\/p>\n His challenger, Frankie Edgar, is one of the UFC\u2019s most underrated fighters. \u201cThe Answer\u201d has wins over Spencer Fisher, Sean Sherk, Tyson Griffin and Jim Miller. He\u2019s somewhat of a poor man\u2019s Penn in that he\u2019s well-rounded, capable of submitting opponents on the ground with his wrestling and BJJ, while also a superb technical boxer. I like to think the Edgar will defy the odds as he has so many times in his career but the problem is that Penn does everything Edgar does \u2013 and better. Size will matter in this fight. Edgar is a tiny lightweight; he could easily fight in the WEC as a featherweight. Penn,, on the other hand, is a big, lanky lightweight who even fought Lyoto Machida at 191 pounds once.<\/p>\n Given Penn\u2019s size advantage and the fact that he\u2019s been so untouchable, I like him to defend his belt again. But the crafty Edgar will make him work for the win.<\/p>\n Pick: Penn -700<\/strong><\/p>\n Welterweight Bout<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Matt Hughes -450<\/p>\n Renzo Gracie +325<\/p>\n
\nDate<\/strong>: April 10, 2010
\nTime<\/strong>: 1PM ET\/10AM PT
\nLocation<\/strong>: Concert Arena, Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
\nBroadcast<\/strong>: Pay-per-view (replay at 10PM ET\/7PM PT)<\/p>\nUFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Anderson Silva (25-4) vs Demian Maia (12-1)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: BJ Penn (15-5-1) vs Frankie Edgar (11-1)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nOther Matchups on tap for UFC 112. Plus UFC 112 Betting Odds<\/strong><\/h3>\n