The UFC’s first trip to China marks my first column in a long time for Sports Bet Listings. This is a very exciting card as the UFC continues to keep the free cards up to par with the pay-per-views. The main event features former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin taking on former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le.
Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le
Odds – according to www.bookmaker.eu
- Cung Le +225
- Rich Franklin -285
Background
Fight fans have waited a long time to see this fight happen. It was postponed once already but now will finally happen at the UFC’s first visit to China. Le has already dubbed this his biggest test yet, while Franklin has already fought the who’s who of the middleweight division, including two bouts with current champ Anderson “the Spider” Silva. This should be a very exciting fight due to Le’s unorthodox punches, elbows and kicks, and Franklins’ ability to finish fights.
Le is 1-1 so far in his UFC career, losing a barn-burner to Wanderlei Silva and edging out Canadian Patrick Cote by decision. Le’s #1 goal was to get a win in the UFC. Since he has accomplished that, he will now look to secure a win over a long time contender, and former champ, in order to get himself into contention in, possibly the tightest, division in the UFC.
Franklin, on the other hand, does not seem to have missed a step. The 38 year old is 2-1 in his last 3 fights, beating Chuck Liddell by an incredible knockout and Wanderlei Silva by decision, and losing a close decision to Forrest Griffin. Franklin will try, one last time, to make a title run in the division he was once the king of before he decides to hang up the gloves.
Prediction
Being the winner of 2 “fight of the night” awards and 1 “knockout of the night” award in his past 5 fights, look for Franklin to avoid Le’s strikes and earn himself a unanimous decision victory.
Play: Rich Franklin -285 (Bookmaker.eu)
Thiago Silva vs. Stanislav Nedkov
Odds – according to www.bookmaker.eu
- Stanislav Nedkov +270
- Thiago Silva -340
Background
Undefeated Nedkov made fairly easy work of Luiz Cane in his first bout in the UFC. While he has only had one fight in the UFC, he is 12-0 in his professional MMA career. Throwing wild haymaker after wild haymaker, Nedkov finally landed one, after spending most of the round feeling out his opponent, near the end of the first round to earn a TKO win over Cane.
His opponent Thiago Silva is coming off a loss to top light-heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson and will be sure to not give Nedkov any time to feel him out. After winning his first 13 professional fights, Silva has been on a whirlwind of sorts. Even though he has only lost to top contenders; Gustafsson, Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida, and received a no contest after he tested positive for a banned substance in his win over Brandon Vera, he will be looking to retain his spot among the divisions best.
Prediction
Look for Silva to make quick work of Nedkov, by using his UFC experience and his aggressiveness, on way to earning a first round TKO.
Play: Thiago Silva -340 (Bookmaker.eu)
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