The UFC will commence with its second Pay-per-view card this Saturday from Las Vegas. The main event promises to be a classic with two Champions vying for the Featherweight strap. The card is littered with former champs, established contenders and a few names to keep your eyes on in the coming years. <\/p>\n
Here is a Betting breakdown of all the fights on the packed card and what should play out in an exciting night of MMA action.<\/p>\n
UFC 156: Aldo vs. Edgar<\/strong> Former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar tries for another title in a different weight class when he takes on one of the most dominant UFC champions in the organization Jose Aldo for the featherweight strap in what is being billed as the first \u201cSuperfight\u201d since BJ Penn\/GSP II. Edgar\u2019s boxing is terrific, his wrestling is world class and his toughness and grit are legendary. Aldo has some of the best Muay Thai in the sport, his low kicks are lethal and he also possesses a Black Belt in jiu jitsu.<\/p>\n Edgar\u2019s advantages in the past have been his speed, his footwork and his striking \u2013 all aspects of the fight game that his opponent this week also credits with keeping him a notch above. Aldo will also be the most accurate striker that Edgar has ever faced.<\/p>\n Edgar will need to close the distance, hope for a takedown and hope to stay out of the way of Aldo\u2019s lethal kicks \u2013 nobody has been able to do that so far. Aldo is just too dangerous to get near and all of Edgar\u2019s quickness advantage will be neutralized by Aldo and his accurate, devastating kicks. Edgar is a game competitor but Aldo is simply on a different level.<\/p>\n Pick:<\/strong> Jose Aldo -210<\/p>\n Rashad Evans will look to keep atop the Light Heavyweight contenders list when he takes on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Evans, if not for Jon Jones may be the Champ right now \u2013 he has been that good minus his bout against Jones. Evans has the striking and wrestling to give Nogueira fits in this one \u2013 Nogueira has had his issues recently with top not wrestlers. Just look at Nog\u2019s last three fights against takedown artists Jason Brillz, Ryan Bader and Phil Davis.<\/p>\n Antonio Rogerio Nogueira may have the boxing and grappling advantage in this fight but when it comes down to the will to win, Evans gets the nod. While I am not expecting Evans to dominate, I am expecting him to come out with a decision win Saturday.<\/p>\n Pick:<\/strong> Rashad Evans -500<\/p>\n Alistair Overeem returns to the Octagon after serving a suspension for elevated testosterone levels \u2013 there\u2019s a shock! He takes on another man that seems to have escaped the wrath of the Performance Enhancing Drug tests, Antonio Silva in Heavyweight action. Both men are huge, both are powerful and both have decent all around skills. But Overeem holds a distinct edge in two aspects of this fight \u2013 likely the determining factors \u2013 athleticism and POWER. [ad-3573245]<\/p>\n Overeem proved against Brock Lesnar that he can handle powerful men, that he can stuff takedowns and that he can dictate the pace of a fight. His takedown defense is good and his cardio is improving. Octagon rust may be a factor but I still like Overeem to use his aforementioned athleticism to KO Bigfoot Saturday.<\/p>\n Pick:<\/strong> Alistair Overeem -400<\/p>\n If the UFC gave bonuses for \u201cBoring Fight of the Night\u201d, this would be an early candidate for the cash! Two fighters that rely on smothering their opponents will do battle when wrestler Jon Fitch takes on submission ace Demian Maia in Welterweight action.<\/p>\n Maia will have a slight striking advantage but this fight will almost certainly hit the mat where Fitch can use his top notch wrestling skills and immense top control to dictate the pace of this fight. Maia is one of the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners on the planet but Fitch\u2019s ability to dirty box, drag his opponent to the ground and grind will be the difference in this one.<\/p>\n Pick:<\/strong> Jon Fitch -190<\/p>\n Flyweight contenders take to the Octagon in the first fight on the main card Saturday as former champion Joseph Benavidez takes on the very tough Ian McCall. Both of these fighters took on and lost to current Champ Demetrious Johnson in close, typically exciting Flyweight affairs. Benavidez will definitely have the wrestling advantage in this one but this fight figures stay on the feet. Who\u2019s standup do I like better? It\u2019s the underdog McCall who arguably has a better striking game than that of Mighty Mouse who gave Benavidez fits. McCall has better combinations and he is far more active in the kicking game.<\/p>\n It all adds up to a big upset here \u2013 McCall will outstrike Benavidez and earn a razor close decision victory.<\/p>\n Pick:<\/strong> Ian McCall +200<\/p>\n Evan Dunham (13-3): -110 vs. Gleison Tibau (26-8): -120<\/strong> Jay Hieron (23-6): +115 vs. Tyron Woodley (10-1): -145<\/strong> Bobby Green (19-5): +285 vs. Jacob Volkmann (15-3): -375<\/strong> Yves Edwards (42-18): -280 vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (13-3): +220<\/strong> UFC PRELIMS LIVE STREAM ON FACEBOOK<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\nDate: February 2, 2013
\nTime: 10pm ET\/7pm PT
\nLocation: Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
\nBroadcast:<\/strong> Pay-per-view, FX & Facebook Prelims<\/p>\nMAIN CARD<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Jose Aldo (21-1): -210<\/strong>
\n Frankie Edgar (14-3): +170<\/strong><\/h3>\nRashad Evans (17-2): -500<\/strong>
\n Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5): +350<\/strong><\/h3>\nAlistair Overeem (36-11): -400<\/strong>
\n Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva (17-4): +300<\/strong><\/h3>\nJon Fitch (24-4): -190<\/strong>
\n Demian Maia (17-4): +155<\/strong><\/h3>\nJoseph Benavidez (16-3): -260<\/strong>
\n Ian McCall (11-3): +200<\/strong><\/h3>\nUFC PRELIMS LIVE ON FX<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nPick:<\/strong> Evan Dunham -110<\/p>\n
\nPick:<\/strong> Tyron Woodley -145<\/p>\n
\nPick:<\/strong> Jacob Volkmann -375<\/p>\n
\nPick:<\/strong> Yves Edwards -280<\/p>\n