It has taken them almost 20 years but the UFC has finally reached its 150th PPV event. The card is being held in the Pepsi Centre, Denver and will be headlined by a Lightweight Title rematch between Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar. With five fights there is plenty of mixed martial arts betting action to be enjoyed by sports bettors and you can bet on all the action at Bovada. Yushin Okami vs Buddy Roberts
Yushin Okami will be out to end a two-fight losing streak by defeating American fighter Buddy Roberts. Okami received a UFC Middleweight Title shot against Anderson Silva; after defeating Lucio Linhares, Mark Munoz and Nate Marquardt in 2011. Silva easily accounted for Okami knocking him out in the 2nd round. Okami then suffered the same fate in an upset defeat to Tim Boetsch at UFC 144.
Buddy Roberts will be having just his second UFC fight and faces the biggest test of his MMA career. Roberts defeated Caio Magalhaes at UFC on FX: Johnson vs McCall by unanimous decision but faces a big step up in class against Okami.
Okami is -600 ($1.17) to win this fight at Bovada and it is easy to see why. Okami should have no problem outwrestling and out striking Roberts (+400) to end his losing streak. Justin Lawrence vs Max Holloway
This should be a very close fight between two young fighters in the UFC featherweight division. Justin Lawrence was a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter: Live losing in the quarter finals of the tournament. He defeated John Cofer with a brutal head kick at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale earning knockout of the night as well fight of the night honors.
Max Holloway is the youngest fighter on the UFC roster. He made his official UFC debut losing to Dustin Poirier in a fight he took on short notice. He also competed at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale earning his first UFC win with victory over Pat Schilling. Holloway has been compared to Anthony Pettis because of versatile striking.
This is a very tough fight to pick with both fighters young and inexperienced. Bovada can’t split them either with both fighters at -115 ($1.87). This is a big fight for both youngsters as they attempt to climb the featherweight division ladder. Donald Cerrone vs Melvin Guillard
These two will fight at lightweight with both fighters looking to get back in the title picture. After defeating Denis Silver Cerrone was one victory away from a UFC Lightweight Title shot. However, at UFC 141 he was out-struck by Nate Diaz, in the fight of the night, losing a unanimous decision. He bounced back to defeat Jeremy Stephens in May and the former WEC champion will be desperate to make it two in a row against Guillard.
The flashy Melvin Guillard is a veteran of 17 UFC fights. Like Cerrone he was one fight away from a UFC Lightweight Title shot before losing back-to-back fights against Joe Lauzon and Jim Miller. He returned to the winners circle with a unanimous decision victory over Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Fabrício Camões.
Melvin Guillard must do all he can to keep this fight off from the ground. Guillard’s weakness is submission defense with 9 of his 10 career losses coming by submission. Cerrone knows this and should try and get this fight on the ground. Cerrone is -300 at Bovada while Guillard is +230. Jake Shields vs Ed Herman
Jake Shields returns to middleweight after four fights at welterweight. Shields UFC run would have to be considered a disappointment thus far. He came into the UFC on the back of a win over Dan Henderson but looked sluggish in his UFC debut (a spilt decision victory over Martin Kampmann) and was dominated by Georges St Pierre in his next fight. Shields looked in better shape when he defeated Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 144 but will have to improve if he is to defeat Herman.
Ed Herman is on a 3 fight winning streak since returning from injury in 2011. He has moved his way up the middleweight rankings and deserves this co-main event slot. He has finished his last three opponents in impressive fashion and looks to be in the best shape of his career. He is a dangerous submission artist which could worry the wrestling oriented Shields.
This will be a very interesting fight. Shields is the favorite at Bovada -200 ($1.50) while Herman is at +160 ($2.60). Shields will have to be at the top of his game to beat Herman. Shield will probably attempt to control the fight with his wrestling while Herman will be aggressive with his striking. Herman is a big chance to pull off an upset in this fight.
Benson Henderson vs Frankie Edgar
This is a rematch of their bout at UFC 144 which Henderson won by unanimous decision. Henderson used his superior size and striking ability to control the fight from the opening round. Henderson is an excellent striker but has struggled finishing fights, in recent times, with his last five victories coming by unanimous decision. He will be looking to end this streak and knock Edgar out tonight.
Edgar is taking part in his 6th lightweight title match. He stunned the MMA community by defeating BJ Penn to claim the UFC Lightweight title and then proved it wasn’t a fluke in the rematch. He drew with Grey Maynard before once again prevailing in a rematch. Edgar obviously has a fantastic record in rematches but it is difficult to see what he can change from the last fight to be successful against Henderson.
Henderson is the favorite at Bovada at -200 ($1.5) while Edgar is at +160 ($2.60). It will be another close fight but Henderson should be able to defend his title and end the era of immediate rematches in the lightweight division. He is simply too big, strong and fast for Edgar. Edgar is a brave fighter, so the fighter will probably go the distance.
