UFC 103 Preview - Main Card Breakdown

Mixed martial arts betting is buzzing with this weekend's UFC 103. Fight fans are expecting some explosive action with many heavy-handed strikers and slick submission artists on this Saturday's card. The main event pits two of the sport’s most well-rounded talents against each other at a 195-pound catch weight.

Rich Franklin (-150) vs. Vitor Belfort (+120)

Belfort makes his long-awaited return to the octagon after spending the last four years with rival promotions. The former heavyweight is now making a move to the middleweight division but will first face one of the UFC's most popular talents Saturday night.

Franklin is perhaps the UFC's smartest fighter and is competing in his second bout at 195 pounds. In his most recent appearance Franklin outlasted veteran Wanderlei Silva for a three-round decision. That win improved his record to 30-4, with those four defeats coming at the hands of three of the sport’s top fighters (Dan Henderson, Anderson Silva, and Lyoto Machida). Franklin isn't as aggressive as Belfort, and has only taken 13 of his victories by way of knockout.

Belfort, on the other hand, is an explosive striker who has finished 12 of his 18 wins in knockout fashion. The Brazilian is riding a four-bout winning streak into UFC 103. His most recent fight ended with a vicious first-round knockout of Matt Lindland at an Affliction event this January. Belfort will press Franklin early in the fight but could fade if it goes deep into the second and third rounds.

Mirko Filipovic (+105) vs. Junior Dos Santos (-135)

One of MMA's most feared strikers is hoping some time away will spark his competitive juices. Mirco “Cro Cop” Filipovic made a name for himself in the sport with his deadly knockout power and swift head kicks. But since making the jump to the UFC, the former PRIDE champion has struggled inside the cage. He has a 2-2 record in the promotion (25-6 career) and is coming off a knockout win over Mostapha Al-turk at UFC 99 this June.

Dos Santos is building momentum in the UFC's heavyweight division. He's scored two impressive knockout wins in his first two fights with the promotion, improving his professional record to 9-1. While he is establishing himself as a dangerous striker, Dos Santos is proficient in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has two submission wins on his record. Dos Santos runs the risk of becoming another one of the UFC's one-hit wonders - much like light heavyweight Houston Alexander, who scored impressive KO wins early in his career but couldn't match up against elite opponents.

Tyson Griffin (-280) vs. Hermes Franca (+210)

In the lightweight division, two of the UFC's most popular fighters collide. Griffin is back after a six-month hiatus from the sport and ready to keep up his standard of thrilling bouts. He rebounded from a loss to Sean Sherk (who was later suspended for steroids) with a victory over Rafael dos Anjos. Griffin, who is 15-2, is known best for going the distance in his fights. He has gone the full three rounds in seven straight fights.