Saturday's UFC 102 odds aren't just focused on the main events, as this card has much more depth than the previous two. Here's a look at the fights leading up to the main events, Randy Couture vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Thiago Silva vs Keith Jardine.
UFC 102 Odds - Saturday, August 29
Chris Leben (18-5) vs Jake Rosholt (5-1)
Leben has lost four of his seven fights, and if his loss to Michael Bisbing at UFC 89 wasn't bad enough, he's had a positive drug test and a DUI since then. Rosholt dropped his UFC debut, losing in the first round to Dan Miller by submission, and a win over Leben would vault him up the middleweight ranks. Leben's experience has made him a -150 favorite in this contest, and he'll have to prove all of the outside stuff hasn't been a distraction because when he's focused, Leben is well-rounded and can go with anyone in the division (except Anderson Silva, of course). Make Leben your online betting pick.
Nate Marquardt (28-8-2) vs Demian Maia (10-0)
Marquardt is favored at -165, but your handicapping software could have some problems with this bout. Marquardt is a submission specialist (15 of 28 wins have come via submission), but he'll be taking on a guy who has four "Submission of the Night" awards in his last five fights, and is considered to be the best grappler in the UFC. Marquardt may have an edge when the two stand up, but he could be in trouble if they hit the mat. Maia is another fighter who is moving up the ranks, and a definitive win will put him in the running for a title shot. Take Maia for the upset.
Brandon Vera (10-3) vs Krzystof Soszynski (18-8-1)
Vera has lost three of his last five, but he's 2-1 since moving down to light heavyweight, where he has all the tools to dominate when he's motivated and not being arrogant. He better be ready, because Soszynski is no slouch and has won his last six fights. He has two straight "Submission of the Night" awards, and his last two fights have ended in the first round. Something tells me Vera isn't taking this seriously enough, especially since he was supposed to fight Matt Hammil, who hurt his knee. At +155, put Krzystof Soszynski in your Saturday sports picks.
UFC 102 Odds - Saturday, August 29
Chris Leben (18-5) vs Jake Rosholt (5-1)
Leben has lost four of his seven fights, and if his loss to Michael Bisbing at UFC 89 wasn't bad enough, he's had a positive drug test and a DUI since then. Rosholt dropped his UFC debut, losing in the first round to Dan Miller by submission, and a win over Leben would vault him up the middleweight ranks. Leben's experience has made him a -150 favorite in this contest, and he'll have to prove all of the outside stuff hasn't been a distraction because when he's focused, Leben is well-rounded and can go with anyone in the division (except Anderson Silva, of course). Make Leben your online betting pick.
Nate Marquardt (28-8-2) vs Demian Maia (10-0)
Marquardt is favored at -165, but your handicapping software could have some problems with this bout. Marquardt is a submission specialist (15 of 28 wins have come via submission), but he'll be taking on a guy who has four "Submission of the Night" awards in his last five fights, and is considered to be the best grappler in the UFC. Marquardt may have an edge when the two stand up, but he could be in trouble if they hit the mat. Maia is another fighter who is moving up the ranks, and a definitive win will put him in the running for a title shot. Take Maia for the upset.
Brandon Vera (10-3) vs Krzystof Soszynski (18-8-1)
Vera has lost three of his last five, but he's 2-1 since moving down to light heavyweight, where he has all the tools to dominate when he's motivated and not being arrogant. He better be ready, because Soszynski is no slouch and has won his last six fights. He has two straight "Submission of the Night" awards, and his last two fights have ended in the first round. Something tells me Vera isn't taking this seriously enough, especially since he was supposed to fight Matt Hammil, who hurt his knee. At +155, put Krzystof Soszynski in your Saturday sports picks.
