MMA betting - Anderson Silva defending title against James Irvin
Posted on 7/18/2008 12:04:17 AM
By Jack "The Hammer" Howard
UFC betting odds: Anderson Silva (-550) vs. James Irvin (+375)
MMA betting will be as exciting as ever this weekend when UFC middleweight champion Anderson “Spider” Silva moves up a weight class against James Irvin-or will it?
Silva is a heavy favorite in Saturday's fight, and he's bound to get a lot of action in the online betting community. With -550 UFC odds to win, it's clear most experts believe Silva is going to dominate the fight, and I have to agree with them.
The lanky Brazilian has been absolutely dominant for some time now, winning his last seven fights, including victories over quality fighters like Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin and Travis Lutter. He's never lost in UFC, and never had a UFC fight last more than two rounds.
It's reach the point where Silva has almost nowhere to go, and possible fights against Georges St. Pierre and even boxer Roy Jones Jr. have been rumored. That's why he's trying something new in the 205-lb lightweight division.
Even then, he's expected to manhandle his opponent. The 29-year-old Irvin is a former World Extreme Cagefighting heavyweight champ, and he has some impressive feats on his resume (including a record eight-second knockout of Houston Alexander at UFC Fight Night 13 in April).
The “Sandman” has won four of his last five fights, but it's tough to believe he can hang with Silva; it seems there's few people in the entire world right now who can. That makes the middleweight champion a safe and smart pick.
Don't miss out on some amazing fight action on Saturday night. Visit the BetOnline.com Sportsbook for the best lines, props and UFC betting odds. Be sure to regularly check out the Bettor's Edge for hot tips on MMA betting.
WHAT: Ultimate Fighting Championship
WHO: Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin
WHEN: July 19 at 9:00 p.m. ET @ The Pearl in Las Vegas, Nevada
KEY STATS:
Anderson Silva
Height: 6'2”
Weight: 205 lbs
Record: 22-4-0
James Irvin
Height: 6'2”
Weight: 205 lbs
Record: 14-4-1
Other fights on the card:
-Brandon Vera (-500) vs. Reese Andy (+350)
-Frank Edgar (-150) vs. Hermes Franca (+120)
Jack “the 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.
