MMA Betting

UFC 91 betting - Lesnar vs Couture odds
Posted on 11/6/2008 9:22:25 AM By Jack "Hammer" Howard

UFC 91 betting: massive main event for Saturday

  • WHO: Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture
  • WHAT: UFC 91 betting
  • WHERE: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV
  • WHEN: Saturday, November 15
  • PICK: Brock Lesnar

UFC betting is quite literally the only game in town for MMA betting enthusiasts after EliteXC crumbled under its own financial weight last month. However, even if Kimbo Slice and Co. hadn’t fallen apart by themselves, the supercard planned for UFC 91 would have solidified Dana White as the premiere fight promoter on planet earth right now—it’s that good.

UFC 91 odds are headlined by perhaps the biggest fight in the company’s history—Brock Lesnar vs Randy Couture. Ironically, it is the collapse of EliteXC and its financial partner, Affliction, which allowed this fight to take place. Couture was scheduled to fight WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko for Affliction in 2009.

However, the veteran fighter rekindled his differences with UFC brass and decided to return to the organization he dominated for so many years and reclaim the UFC Heavyweight championship he left vacant upon departure.

Lesnar vs Couture odds will likely favor the latter, thanks to the 22-fight advantage he holds over Lesnar. Couture has fought the best of the best in the heavyweight division—Chuck Liddell, Tim Sylvia, Josh Barnett, Tito Ortiz—though he hasn’t always won.

The wily veteran has nine losses on his UFC record and has struggled with fighters willing to test his mat skills, including Ricco Rodriguez. It’s most likely the 44-year old Couture’s business savvy that has made his incredible longevity in the sport possible. UFC betting fans love Randy Couture and, deep down, so does Dana White.

While Lesnar vs Couture lines won’t give him any respect, it’s Brock Lesnar who enters the bout with momentum and determination on his side. The former NCAA wrestling champion smothered reputable heavyweight Heath Herring for three rounds en route to victory at UFC 88.

To paraphrase Frank Mir, Lesnar is a new and improved version of Randy Couture—bigger, stronger and faster. UFC odds may not favor him, but MMA experts such as Mir most certainly do.

HAMMER’S PICK: There are millions of questions surrounding Lesnar vs Couture betting; Is Couture too old? Can he still fight? Is Lesnar deserving of this fight? What are Lesnar’s striking skills?

All of these questions will be answered; however, the one thing we do know is that from an athletic standpoint, Brock Lesnar is the superior fighter. The UFC rookie has nearly 40 pounds on his opponent and, while he has less experience than Couture, Lesnar has fought more recently.

It will be a close fight and may very well go down to the final bell, but pencil Brock Lesnar in with your UFC 91 picks. Bet on Brock Lesnar.

Check the Betting Edge regularly for more analysis on UFC 91 betting and UFC odds.

Jack “Hammer” Howard is new to the MMA handicapping game, but his roots in the sport run deep. He enjoyed a brief amateur career in mixed martial arts and also has some boxing experience under his belt, making him an authority on the subject. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.