MMA Betting Picks: UFC 82 Pride of a Champion at 10PM EST
Bobby Griffin - February 29th, 2008 .UFC 82 takes place on Saturday March 1st in Columbus, Ohio featuring main bout for the night between middle weight title holder Anderson “the Spider” Silva versus former pride champion Dan Henderson. Anderson Silva has gone on one of the most impressive runs in UFC history over his past five fights as he has dispatched every opponent he has faced in violent fashion. Silva is going to have to stay outside of Hendersons dirty boxing in this fight and he should be able to do that if he fires kicks and maintains a solid distance. Dan Hendersons best bet for the fight will be to get inside and dirty box on his way to a takedown. Henderson matches up well in certain spots with Silva but I worry about his lack of cardio he has shown in past performances. Henderson better be on top of his game or he will be ran out of the gym like Silvas past five foes.
I have not made a play here yet but if Silva comes down a bit more then I would consider playing him for a small amount. I think he is to crafty standing to be caught by a Henderson bomb and when taken down he has looked great due to excellent elbows he has thrown from his back.
Prediction: Anderson Silva by KO RD 2
On to the nights other bouts as always check out Bodog for the latest UFC 82 odds.
Heath Herring (+135) vs. Cheick Kongo (-165)
Both of these guys are an embarrassment to the UFC Heavyweight division but somebody has to end up a winner and on this night it will be the fighter who sticks to his gameplan. That being said I like Heath Herring to push the pace and get a quick takedown on Kongo as he grinds out a decision victory. If Herring tries to stand with Kongo this may end quickly but Herring should be smarter than that with his back against the wall.
Prediction: Heath Herring by 3 RD Decision
Evan Tanner (+195) vs. Yushin Okami (-225)
I see quite a few people backing Tanner but I just don’t see the wisdom in playing a guy who is a self admitted alcoholic who has trouble being motivated to train. Tanner has shocked us all a few times with some great performances but his personal life has really pushed his career off track. Okami on the other hand has really taken strides in the UFC as he has put on dominating performances over almost every opponent he has faced. A win here would be big for Okami as it would most likely line him up for a rematch against Anderson Silva whom he defeated by DQ a few years ago. I haven’t played either side of this fight as I learned a long time ago that it is never safe betting on or against Evan Tanner. Best bet here is to stay on the sideline and see what kind of shape Tanner shows up in.
Prediction: Okami by 3 RD Dec.
Chris Leben (-145) vs. Alession Sakara (+115)
Leben has the advantage in the fight both standing and on the ground. I look for Leben to tire Sakara early and grab the eventual stoppage.
Prediction: Chris Leben by stoppage RD 1
Josh Koscheck (-440) vs. Dustin Hazelett (+340)
I feel very bad for Hazelett in this position. Facing Koscheck off of an embarrassing loss is not a good idea as a fire has been lite under his butt. Koscheck will come out and put on a wrestling clinic here on his way to a ground and pound victory.
Prediction: Josh Koscheck by Stoppage RD 2
Other Predictions For The Night:
Jon Fitch (-700) vs. Chris Wilson (+500)
Prediction: Fitch wil grab the win here as he takes Wilson down and holds him there for the majority of the fight.
Andrei Arlovski (-320) vs. Jake O’Brien (+260)
Prediction: Arlovski by KO. This fight should not be happening. O’Brien is lucky to be fighting from what I heard and the UFC is giving Arlovski a feeder opponent on his way out the door.
Luke Cummo (-165) vs. Luigi Fiorvanti (+135)
Prediction: Cummo is a great fighter to back. Kid always shows up in shape and has an excellent mix of stand up and grappling. I think Cummo gets the KO here and this fight looks a lot like the Josh Haynes massacre.
Diego Sanchez (-550) vs. David Bielkheden (+450)
Prediction: Sanchez is not going to lose three fights in a row. I don’t think there is a hungrier fighter in the world and he will push the fight to Bielkheden on his way to a late stoppage. Sanchez gets back on track this show.
My Official Plays:
Heath Herring +160 *** over Cheick Kongo
Andrei Arlovski -350 ***** over Jake O’Brien
3 Fight Parlay: Andrei Arlovski-Josh Koscheck-Diego Sanchez *****
Chris Leben (-135) *** over Alession Sakara
Best of luck to everyone who plays the show!
If you have any questions or comments contact me at WrongSideWarrior@hotmail.com
Check out Bodog for all the latest UFC 82 odds.
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6 comments | Add One
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1 BIGKEV - 03/1/2008 at 7:07 pm
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2 BETWWX - 03/2/2008 at 9:51 am
Bobby goes 4-0 on his plays tonight. Congratulations.
Offical Results
* Anderson Silva def. Dan Henderson via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 2, 4:52
* Heath Herring def. Cheick Kongo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
* Chris Leben def. Alessio Sakara via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 3:36
* Yushin Okami def. Evan Tanner via KO (knee) — Round 2, 3:00
* Jon Fitch def. Chris Wilson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
* Andrei Arlovski def. Jake O’Brien via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:17
* Luigi Fioravanti def. Luke Cummo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
* Josh Koscheck def. Dustin Hazelett via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 1:24
* Diego Sanchez def. David Bielkheden via submission (strikes) — Round 1, 4:42
* Jorge Gurgel def. John Halverson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) -
3 Badman - 03/2/2008 at 10:28 am
Dude all your predictions were spot on. Amazing writeup and picks. $$$$$$$$$$$$
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4 Edo@BeWWX - 03/2/2008 at 10:48 am
Those were some great picks and your predictions were also 100% on the mark.
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5 Edo@Betwwx - 03/4/2008 at 9:58 am
Standing/Records have been updated at betwwx.com/records/
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6 Bobby Griffin - 03/4/2008 at 7:17 pm
Hope you guys were able to get some of these plays in. Best of luck to everyone.
I’m with you on herring, i cant believe how much credit kongo is getting for the crocop win.