UFC 82 Picks
Anderson Silva Vs. Dan Henderson
Anderson Silva: Silva is a very well rounded fighter with a great record and a series of wins. He trains Muay Thai, Wrestling, Jui Jitsu, and loves the stand up.
Dan Henderson: Hendo is a phenomenal wrestler, has intense knockout power, and is tough to knock out.
Fight Analysis: Silva will look to keep this fight standing, using his very accurate punches to work over Henderson. Hendo, however, has one hell of a jaw. He is not going to get knocked out by Silva, but may have the ability to rock Silva in standup if he gets the lucky punch through. Hederson will, however, take Silva to the ground where it will be relatively easy for him to overpower Anderson Silva and end it in a submission.
Prediction: Dan Henderson by submission. Best guess - round 2.
Heath Herring Vs. Cheick Kongo
Heath Herring: Herring has a great ground game more than anything else. It is a testament to his ground game that Nogueira couldn't finish Herring off in July.
Cheick Kongo: Kongo is an accurate striker and kickboxer. He has fought and beat Mirko Cro Cop in September and always has the ability to put on a great show.
Fight Analysis: This will be a very interesting fight. The fighting styles are drastically different with Herring's amazing ground game and Kongo's tough stand up. Kongo HAS to keep this fight standing to win, but has very little take-down defense. I see Herring taking this one to the ground easily and winning by submission in quick fashion.
Prediction: Herring by Submission. Best guess - round 1.
Alessio Sakara Vs. Chris Leben
Alessio Sakara: Sakara is a striker. Plain and simple. He is a former boxer and just loves to strike. He is very accurate and deadly with the jabs and works well to setup the knockout punch.
Chris Leben: Leben is also mostly a striker, though he does have some submission skills. His has a great chin and more heart than brains.
Fight Analysis: Sakara is going to lay some punches on Leben. The fight will be a war from beginning to end and I see Leben catching Sakara with a great punch and ending it shortly thereafter. This will be another testament to Leben's heart as I believe he will take another beating before landing the punch that will hurt and eventually stop Sakara.
Prediction: Leben by TKO. Our best guess - Round 3.
Yushin Okami Vs. Evan Tanner
Yushin Okami: Okami is a ground and pound specialist, but has been working hard to improve his striking. Okami is very strong and a sizeable guy to boot.
Evan Tanner: Tanner is powerful on the ground with excellent skills whether he is on his back or riding his opponent. He has better stand up game and the ability to take punnishment. He also has had a years break.
Fight Analysis: This is a very tough call on this fight as it could really go either way. Tanner has a much better stand up game, isn't quite as strong as Okami for the ground game, but has impressive submissions and technique. Tanner needs to win this fight and Okami wants to fight Silva. Who has the better heart is the question? I think Tanner will impose his will in this bout and end up with a submission victory over Okami. Just a gut feeling, we are still leary of betting on this fight.
Prediction: Tanner by submission victory. No guess for round.
Jake O'Brien Vs. Andrei Arlovski
Jake O'Brien: O'brien is an excellent wrestler with superb ground and pound. He is very aggressive in his takedowns and showed the world, in his last fight against a tough Herring, that he has the skills to take down a fighter with an awesome ground game.
Andrei Arlovski: Arlovski is an agressive fighter with very good hands and fairly good wrestling ability / grappling. His training involves both boxing and wrestling.
Fight Analysis: Arlovski will try to keep this fight standing. While he has good ground skills, they are not quite a match for a very strong Jake O'Brien. Look for O'Brien to take the fight to the ground and Arlovski to hold on each time until the bell rings. Arlovski will come out each round aggresively and lay out some punches until he finally comes out on top.
Prediction: Arlovski by TKO. Our guess - Round 3.
UFC 82 Betting Odds
The BetUS Lines (Odds) Available:
UFC 82 PRIDE OF A CHAMPION
Anderson Silva -140 Dan Henderson +110
Heath Herring +125 Cheick Kongo -155
Alessio Sakara EV Chris Leben -130
Yushin Okami -200 Evan Tanner +160
Chris Wilson +400 Jon Fitch -600
Jake OBrien +280 Andrei Arlovski -360
Luigi Fioravanti +130 Luke Cummo -160
Dustin Hazelett +350 Josh Koscheck -500
David Bielkheden +350 Diego Sanchez -550
John Halverson +190 Jorge Gurgel -250
Anderson Silva -160 Dan Henderson +130
Heath Herring +145 Cheick Kongo -175
Alessio Sakara +135 Chris Leben -165
Yushin Okami -220 Evan Tanner +170
Chris Wilson +350 Jon Fitch -550
Jake OBrien +250 Andrei Arlovski -350
Luigi Fioravanti +130 Luke Cummo -160
Dustin Hazelett +300 Josh Koscheck -450
David Bielkheden +300 Diego Sanchez -450
John Halverson +160 Jorge Gurgel -200
Anderson Silva -145 Dan Henderson +115
Heath Herring +135 Cheick Kongo -165
Alessio Sakara +115 Chris Leben -145
Yushin Okami -245 Evan Tanner +195
Chris Wilson +500 Jon Fitch -700
Jake OBrien +260 Andrei Arlovski -320
Luigi Fioravanti +135 Luke Cummo -165
Dustin Hazelett +340 Josh Koscheck -440
David Bielkheden +400 Diego Sanchez -550
John Halverson +165 Jorge Gurgel -205
