Don\u2019t get caught missing out on UFC 115. At first glance, it\u2019s a weak card. The main events read like a who\u2019s who of five years ago. Chuck Liddell? Rich Franklin? Mirko Cro Cop? We could call it \u201cUFC 115: Washed Up.\u201d But the truth is that these guys have something to prove and most of the fights on the card involve sluggers.<\/p>\n
Event<\/strong>: UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin We could actually get treated so some real wars. Should be a fun one.<\/p>\n Try out these picks at your sportsbook.<\/p>\n Chuck \u201cThe Iceman\u201d Liddell (21-7) vs Rich \u201cAce\u201d Franklin (26-5, 1 NC)<\/p>\n UFC 115 odds: Liddell +100, Franklin -130<\/p>\n The most nervous man in the building Saturday night may be Dana White. The UFC commissioner urged Chuck Liddell to call it a career two Aprils ago after he was brutally and quickly knocked out by Mauricio Rua. The defeat was Chuck\u2019s fourth in his last five fights and his third by way of knockout. But Chuck managed to squeeze his way into another fight 14 months later and wants to prove he can still do it at age 40.<\/p>\n While he may be in the best shape of his career, Liddell\u2019s chin is gone. That\u2019s bad news against freestyle fighter Rich Franklin, who packs plenty of punch. Franklin is in a similar boat to Liddell \u2013 he\u2019s past his prime and his jaw has been weakened in recent losses too \u2013 but Liddell is closer to the end than Franklin is. Go with the younger Franklin; the fight can end if Chuck gets caught with even one good shot.<\/p>\n Pick: Franklin -130<\/p>\n Mirko \u201cCro Cop\u201d Filipovic (26-7-2, 1 NC) vs Pat Barry (5-1)<\/p>\n UFC 115 odds: Cro Cop +140, Barry -170<\/p>\n Whether he\u2019s been getting knocked out, beating on weak opponents or fighting timidly, Mirko Cro Cop has been a huge disappointment since joining the UFC. But the legendary kickboxer may repair his reputation Saturday, win or lose, as his battle with fellow kickboxer Pat Barry should be an all-standup affair that thrills the fans. Cro Cop is determined to show the world that he still has some fight left in him, but he may not succeed at UFC 115. Pat Barry is brash, young, aggressive and extremely powerful \u2013 just the type of fighter who will push Crop Cop to really show what he has left in the tank. The last guy to do that was Junior Dos Santos \u2013 and, with all due respect, he made Cro Cop look like a scared old man. Barry won\u2019t back down and should overwhelm Cro Cop, who has lost his killer instinct.<\/p>\n Pick: Barry -170<\/p>\n Paulo Thiago (13-1) vs Martin Kampmann (16-3)<\/p>\n UFC 115 odds: Thiago -230, Kampmann +190<\/p>\n This is an extremely even matchup, so bettors will be tempted to pounce on Kampmann\u2019s surprisingly good value. But maybe we should stop underestimating Paulo Thiago. The Brazilian keeps beating guys no one expects him to beat. Everyone knows he\u2019s a Jiu-Jitsu whizz but He\u2019s flashed surprisingly good one-punch knockout power.<\/p>\n That should make the toolsy Martin Kampmann worry. Kampmann a skilled kickboxer who can handle himself on the ground, but he\u2019s been really careless with his hands over his last few fights. I think Thiago will catch him with a big shot and maybe put him to sleep.<\/p>\n Pick: Thiago -230<\/p>\n Main card<\/strong> Preliminary card (Spike TV)<\/strong>
\nDate<\/strong>: June 12, 2010
\nTime<\/strong>: 10PM ET\/7PM PT
\nLocation<\/strong>: GM Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada
\nBroadcast<\/strong>: Pay-per-view
\nBet On UFC 115<\/strong>: CLICK HERE<\/a><\/p>\nLIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT<\/strong><\/h3>\n
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.partners.betus.com\/BANNERS\/ufc\/sportsbook_ufc_300x600_mybanner.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWELTERWEIGHT BOUT<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Official Fight card<\/h3>\n
\nLight Heavyweight bout: Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin
\nHeavyweight bout: Mirko Filipovi\u0107 vs. Pat Barry
\nWelterweight bout: Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann
\nHeavyweight bout: Ben Rothwell vs. Gilbert Yvel
\nWelterweight bout: Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald<\/p>\n
\nLightweight bout: Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham
\nLightweight bout: Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman<\/p>\n