Bovada<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nThis has all the makings of Fight of the Year with Anderson Silva trying to avenge his only loss in his last 17 tries inside the Octagon. Both fighters are extremely well rounded, both have an abundance of confidence and both will be out to prove that they are without a doubt the top Middleweight on the planet.<\/p>\n
For those of you that thought the first fight between the tow was a fluke. Consider that Weidman is a former Division 1 All-American wrestler, Ring of Combat Middleweight champ, he won the U.S. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion as a purple belt and he has enviable striking chops to go along with his grappling \u2013 he is used to competing at the highest level and dominating.<\/p>\n
What more need to be said about Anderson Silva? He is the best striker MMA has ever seen. His mix of speed, power, footwork, accuracy, technique, and creativity is legendary as is his ability to hurt you with both legs and both hands anytime anywhere. What is often lost is Anderson\u2019s ability to get it done on the mat as well \u2013 remember what he did to Chael Sonnen? What may make Silva more dangerous this time around is the realization that he may have finally learned his lesson about clowning around – he shouldn\u2019t take anything for granted against Weidman like has had done in so many fights before.<\/p>\n
The one hole in Anderson\u2019s Silva\u2019s game may cost him in this fight \u2013 I can\u2019t see him getting caught again in a standup war. But I can see Weidman hitting a few takedowns and controlling Silva from the top. Anderson has traditionally had all sorts of troubles with wrestlers and Saturday night will likely be no different.<\/p>\n
Pick:<\/strong> Chris Weidman +135<\/p>\nRonda Rousey (7-0-0): -900<\/strong>
\n Miesha Tate (13-4-0): +600<\/strong><\/p>\nRonda Rousey and Miesha Tate get to finally put all the talk behind them and fight. This one, on paper is one of the easier fights to call in some time. Tate got this fight when Cat Zigano who beat Tate was injured, opening the door. Rousey has already faced Tate and beat her by armbar in the first round \u2013 just like every one of Rousey\u2019s victims to date.<\/p>\n
Rousey is too strong, too athletic and her 4th level black belt judo is just too much to handle. Meisha Tate may hang around but she will be beaten the whole way along. I like Rousey by armbar (what else?) in the second round.<\/p>\n
Pick:<\/strong> Ronda Rousey -900 \u2013 It\u2019s not a big payday but it is a payday nonetheless<\/p>\nJosh Barnett (33-6-0): -200<\/strong>
\n Travis Browne (15-1-1): +160<\/strong><\/p>\nAn up and coming star in the Heavyweight division Travis Browne will try to take the next step in his career Saturday when he takes on the experienced and very dangerous Josh Barnett \u2013 the winner will likely get a title shot in the near future. Both men love to stand and bang and neither is afraid to take a shot.<\/p>\n
Barnett is better on the ground \u2013 Browne may be better in the standup and I think that\u2019s where this fight stays. Barnett needs to close the gap, get in tight and take this fight to the ground but Browne\u2019s Muay Thai background and his ability to keep opponents on the outside with kicks will serve him well here.<\/p>\n
In an entertaining bout, I like the underdog to prevail. Browne would be undefeated if not for a torn knee ligament against Antonio Silva and he already beat Alistair Overeem – he takes an enormous step toward a Title shot with a win Saturday.<\/p>\n
Pick:<\/strong> Travis Browne +160
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\nJim Miller (22-4-0): -365<\/strong>
\n Fabricio Camoes (14-7-1): +290<\/strong><\/p>\nFabricio Camoes climbs into the octagon with Jim Miller on Saturday night sporting a 1-2-1 record in his second stint in the UFC. Camoes is best described at a \u201cC+\u201d fighter while Miller, although he has had some blemishes the last year is still in the \u201cB+\/A-\u201c zone.<\/p>\n
Jim Miller has a ton to prove and should outclass Camoes in this one in relatively easy fashion.<\/p>\n
Pick:<\/strong> Jim Miller -365<\/p>\nDustin Poirier (14-3-0): -220<\/strong>
\n Diego Brandao (18-8-0): +180<\/strong><\/p>\nFeatherweights kick off the PPV portion of UFC 168 when Dustin Poirier takes on Diego Brandao. Brandao will try to extend his win streak to four while Poirier will be looking to throw his hat right back in the mix of the Featherweight division.<\/p>\n
Both men will come to put on a show \u2013 both are exciting as they come and both will be motivated for a big showing here. The difference to me is cardio and how Brandao will be able to keep Poirier\u2019s pace. I see Poirier doing damage early and significantly slowing Brandao down.<\/p>\n
From there Poirier picks Brandao apart.<\/p>\n
Pick:<\/strong> Dustin Poirier -220<\/p>\nPreliminary Card (FS1, 8 PM ET\/5 PM PT)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nUriah Hall (7-4-0): -300 vs. Chris Leben (22-10-0): +240
\nPick:<\/strong> Chris Leben +240<\/p>\nGleison Tibau (28-9-0): -150 vs. Michael Johnson (13-8-0): +120
\nPick:<\/strong> Gleison Tibau -150<\/p>\nManny Gamburyan (13-7-0): +195 vs. Dennis Siver (21-9-0): -245
\nPick<\/strong>: Dennis Siver -245<\/p>\nJohn Howard (21-8-0): +110 vs. Siyar Bahadurzada (21-5-1): -140
\nPick:<\/strong> John Howard +110<\/p>\nPreliminary Card (Facebook, 7 PM ET\/4 PM PT<\/strong><\/em>)<\/p>\nBobby Voelker (24-10-0): -170 vs. William Macario (6-1-0): +140
\nPick:<\/strong> Bobby Voelker -170<\/p>\nRobbie Peralta (16-4-0): -185 vs. Estevan Payan (14-4-0): +155
\nPick:<\/strong> Robbie Peralta -185<\/p>\n