UFC 98 Betting - All the Main Event Picks
by Robby Maddux
MMA Online Betting - UFC 98's Headliner Selections
If you bet on UFC, Saturday, May 23 delivers online MMA betting fans UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas. It includes a main card stacked with sports betting action, highlighted by a great main event between Rashad ''Sugar'' Evans and Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida, as light heavyweight champion Evans puts his title on the line. The co-main event is a long anticipated grudge match between Matt Hughes and Matt "The Terror" Serra that owns headliner status at any venue. It's two awesome Octagon showdowns amidst a stellar evening of online UFC betting action. Here is your fight previews, selections and current BetUS UFC odds.
By way of replacement, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton ''Rampage'', was to fight undefeated champion Evans but had to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn jaw ligament that occurred during training. Now, Evans will defend his title against unbeaten contender Machida. Jackson get's a shot at the championship versus the winner of the Evans-Machida bout.
It's the first time in UFC history that two undefeated fighters enter the Octagon to battle for the light heavyweight title. Evans comes to the cage at 18-0-1, coming off a championship victory over Forrest Griffin that earned him the belt at UFC 92. Machida is a perfect 14-0, including an unblemished 6-0 start in the UFC. Machida steps into the cage coming off his first UFC knockout which came against Thiago Silva at UFC 94, and it was the first time the Brazilian earned a first round UFC victory. Machida has had 4 of his 6 fights go the distance, but all were scored as unanimous decision.
Many MMA wagering fans find it surprising that Machida actually enters this five-round title bout the challenger but as the betting favorite at -200. His dominating Karate skills and overall well-rounded talent has forced oddsmakers to tag him the chalk. Evans brings the belt to the cage with underdog odds of +150. But after looking back at the champion's most recent outings, you have to wonder: Is Machida over priced and receiving too much respect from oddsmakers?
In addition to being unbeaten, Evans is coming off three impressive victories that includes a split decision win over much respected Michael Bisping, a knockout of one of the sport's all-time greats Chuck Liddell, and the title TKO victory over the gritty and always dangerous Griffin. Yet he's the underdog, and what's so surprising to me, is by how big. Though, sports betting online funds are going on Evans that's dropped the prices considerably. He's the unbeaten champion for a reason, and until proven otherwise, Evans is the man to beat.
Free UFC Picks: Rashad ''Sugar'' Evans +150
If you're looking for a fight that features two guys trying to beat the snot out of each other, look no further than this bout. This welterweight grudge match between TUF 6 coaches and former champions Hughes and Serra could get very ugly. Hughes has compiled a career MMA mark of 43-7-0 and enters the Octagon as loser of three of his last four fights. He's has made a living with stellar takedowns, wrestling ability, physical strength and isn't afraid to bang.
At 16-5-0 in his career, Serra relies on his superb ground game and submissions. He's won two of his last four fights, with his last to bouts being against Georges St-Pierre, going 1-1 with the most recent being a loss. Like Hughes, Serra isn't shy about standing and trading blows.
How well Hughes and Serra has trained for this match will go a long ways toward the outcome. Both fighters have only fought once in the last year, mostly because these two guys are no longer engaging in combat as young guns. It will be interesting to see if the 35-year-old Hughes can control this fight, or if Serra, 34, can land one of his demolishing bombs to take control of the fight or possibly end it.
Considering the legitimate hatred between these two, I'm expecting both guys to put aside masterful MMA tactics each own, and swing for the fences with every punch thrown delivered with very bad intent. BetUS MMA odds are giving its respect to Hughes, pricing the veteran at -275, installing Serra at +190. Modest money is being placed on Hughes.
Free MMA Picks: Matt "The Terror" Serra +190
UFC betting online will be at its finest when the cage door shuts for these two great fights on Saturday. Lightweight's Sean "Muscle Shark" Sherk and Frank "The Answer" Edgar will also be featured on the spectacular undercard. Oddsmakers favor Sherk at -300, pricing Edgar at +200, as even money coming in on both sides has kept odd steady. If you bet on MMA, UFC 98 is a must see event!
