One of the biggest online betting events this year is UFC 148, which features a highly anticipated rematch between pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, who still thinks that he won the first meeting with the middleweight champion and has since continued to call out Silva in the media over various things. The normally soft-spoken Silva has fired back and made some threats towards Sonnen, which he is looking to make good on.
In the co-main event, a UFC legend will end his career against another rival in their third fight which could shock everyone to win the “Fight of the Night”. Get ready for a night of fireworks in Las Vegas on Saturday.
What: UFC Betting
When: Saturday, July 7th, main card starts at 9:00 PM ET
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Anderson Silva (31-4) vs. Chael Sonnen (27-11-1) – Middleweight Championship
Silva is favored at -300, which is lower than the first fight between the two at UFC 117 where Sonnen handled the champ like we’ve never seen, although he tested positive for increased testosterone and Silva had a rib injury. “The Spider” has finally lashed out at Sonnen’s remarks in the media and was ready to fight at the press conference. Sonnen may have given Silva more motivation, which isn’t going to be good for him.
UFC Betting Pick: Anderson Silva -300
Tito Ortiz (16-10-1) vs. Forrest Griffin (18-7) – Light Heavyweight
Ortiz comes into his last fight as a +270 underdog in his third fight with Griffin, who is favored at -325, and the first two matches between the two ended in split decisions. Ortiz has won just once in the last six years, but Griffin hasn’t looked great either and five of his seven losses have come by knockout. Ortiz has suffered some big body shots in his career, but he’ll step up and go into the UFC Hall of Fame with a victory in an upset.
UFC Betting Pick: Tito Ortiz +270
Cung Le (7-2) vs. Patrick Cote (17-7) – Middleweight
Cote is back in the UFC for the third time and he is favored at -250 against Le at +210, and the former Strikeforce champion seemed to tire in his debut against Wanderlei Silva, but he does possess a versatile striking skill set. Cote has won four in a row after losing three straight to fall out of the UFC, but he is as tough as they come and if he can make it past the first round, Cote should take over the fight.
UFC Betting Pick: Patrick Cote -250
Dong Hyun Kim (15-1-1, 1 NC) vs. Demian Maia (15-4) – Welterweight
Maia is fighting at 170 pounds for the first time after moving from middleweight, and the jiu-jitsu artist has decided to show that he is more than a grappler, using more of his striking, but it hasn’t worked out for him. Kim will engage him standing up if that’s what he wants to do, because he isn’t even close to being able to hang with Maia on the ground. This match is all about what Maia wants to do, and if he takes it to the mat, he’ll come away with the win at +125.
UFC Betting Pick: Demian Maia +125
Chad Mendes (11-1) vs. Cody McKenzie (13-2) – Featherweight
Mendes is the biggest favorite of the night at -570, and he is trying to bounce back from a knockout loss to champion Jose Aldo back in January in Brazil, but you will hear some say that Aldo grabbed the fence to stop Mendes’ takedowns. Mendes’ wrestling is what has fueled his success because he wasn’t going to be able to strike with Also, and he’ll go back to that against McKenzie, who stopped a two-fight skid against Marcus LeVesseur. McKenzie can grapple, but he’ll be overpowered by Mendes, who will get back on track.
UFC Betting Pick: Chad Mendes -570
Ivan Menjivar (24-8) vs. Mike Easton (12-1) – Bantamweight
Easton is a -125 favorite against Menjivar, who replaced Renan Barao, who was drafted to face Urijah Faber for the interim bantamweight crown. Menjivar has won all three of his UFC fights, which isn’t bad for a security guard for Montreal’s main airport, but it’s tough to back a part-time fighter against a full-time one, especially a fighter that has only lost once through injury. Easton is ready to move up the ranks at 135 pounds and he’ll pull out the win in your sports betting book.
UFC Betting Pick: Mike Easton -125