Chael Sonnen will finally get the chance to back up all the smack talk.
UFC 117 goes down Saturday, August 8, and is headlined by a bout between champion Anderson Silva and vocal challenger, Chael Sonnen. For fans of UFC betting, lets break down the action on the card, one fight at a time.
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
UFC 117 Betting Odds: Silva -400
The main event will see potentially five rounds of action to determine the middleweight champion of the UFC. Anderson Silva has looked positively disturbed in recent title defenses. He looked disinterested against Thales Leites; he looked positively looney against Damien Maia. Silva will be a solid betting favorite heading into the fight, but many have asserted Sonnen has the wrestling ability to negate the Spiders dangerous strikes, and dominate the champion.
UFC 117 Pick: Silva
Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves
UFC 117 Betting Odds: Fitch -121
Finally. After this rematch was made and re-made umpteen times, we finally get to see Fitch-Alves II. That is, of course, assuming that no injuries and/or medical surprises put the kibosh on this thing in the coming weeks. Alves is a completely different fighter than he was in the first match. Sports betting fans would be smart to pick Alves in this match, who has been on a tear and getting better, whereas Fitch appears to have lost some steam.
UFC 117 Pick: Alves
Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida
Hughes continues his retirement tour, now facing his previous opponents top student. After Hughes defeat of Renzo Gracie at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi, Almeida challenged the aging country boy to a fight. Honour has little to do with this one, as Almeida is the better all-around fighter at this point. Almeida wins this – the only question is, is it a decision, or will the “Big Dog” be able to catch Hughes in a sub?
UFC 117 Pick: Almeida
Clay Guida vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Online sports betting fans know this could be the fight of the night. Guida is a ball of energy that just doesnt stop – dos Anjos is a fierce and gritty grappler with the skills to finish. This one figures to be a very exciting scramble-fest, until its eventual submission finish. Look for Dos Anjos to put Guida away in the second or third frame via choke.
UFC 117 Pick: Anjos
Junior dos Santos vs. Roy Nelson
UFC 117 will kick off the PPV portion of the card with this dynamic and relevant heavyweight tilt. Dos Santos has looked like a destroyer, most recently taking out Gabriel Gonzaga, Gilbert Yvel, and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, in his quest to the top of the division. Dos Santos also flattened Fabricio Werdum, the man who just tapped the greatest heavyweight the sport has ever seen, Fedor Emelianenko. In Nelson Dos Santos faces a particularly tough test. Without having seen “Cigano” on his back, there is no way to know how he will fare against Nelson, who is the superior grappler. I like Nelson to surprise lots of people in this bout and get a win here. Look for “Big Country” to get the fight to the floor, get on top, and either grab a submission or force a TKO stoppage due to strikes.
UFC 117 Betting Pick: Nelson