UFC 105 Odds - Wily Couture will take Vera to school
UFC 105 ODDS
RANDY COUTURE -120BRANDON VERA -110 MIKE SWICK -240
DAN HARDY +190 MICHAEL BISPING -115
DENIS KANG -115 MATT BROWN -145
JAMES WILKS +115 AARON RILEY -210
ROSS PEARSON +170
UFC 105 odds are up and, thanks to a bizarre slew of injuries to big-name fighters of late, the card is a bit underwhelming in some fans’ eyes. However, sometimes the less-hyped UFC events turn out to be the best. UFC 105 takes place in England and, if previous Britain cards are any indication, UFC betting fans will see fireworks. In the main event, legendary Randy Couture returns to the light heavyweight division and hopes to climb the contender ladder.
UFC 105 odds: Randy Couture will outsmart and overpower enigmatic Brandon Vera
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Online betting fans shouldn’t let Randy “The Natural” Couture’s mediocre 16-10 record deceive them. In Couture’s last 15 fights, he fought for a title 13 times. In other words, when you constantly fight the best of the best, you won’t win ’em all. At 46 years old, Couture’s best days are obviously behind him. However, dropping to light heavyweight is an extremely smart move at this point in his career. One of his weaknesses was a lack of size at heavyweight; he fought around 220 pounds and constantly faced giants who pushed the 265-pound weight limit. At light heavyweight, Couture’s only obstacle is his chin; he’s taken some big shots over the years and can definitely buckle if caught flush. He’ll have to be careful against a good technical striker like Brandon Vera. However, Couture still has plenty going for him. He’s an intelligent fighter who is still in better shape than most fighters 20 years his junior and always has a game plan designed to neutralize his opponent’s strengths. Against Vera, he’ll likely try and use his still-superb Greco-Roman wrestling to get inside Vera’s striking range and smother him against the cage. Brandon Vera (11-3)
“The Truth” sure talks a big game; he recently prophesized that he’d win the UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight titles before his career was over. In terms of physical skill set, Vera has the tools to back up his big mouth. He’s a great technical Muay Thai striker, sporting an arsenal that includes big leg kicks, powerful knees and solid boxing. His hands are very quick and he’s not too bad on the ground either thanks to a wrestling background Vera’s key to beating Couture is to keep the fight standing and keep his distance; he can use his reach advantage to outbox the Natural and pick him apart with his speed. If Couture gets close, however, he may overpower Vera with his superior girth and takedown skills. What will happen: As talented as Brandon Vera is, he doesn’t come across as the smartest fighter out there. He’s lost bouts that he could’ve won if he’d arrived in better shape or was more aggressive. Couture will know exactly what to do against Vera: pin him against the cage, weaken him with dirty boxing and throw him to the ground. Expect the Vera to play student to Couture’s teacher. Go with Randy’s UFC 105 odds. UFC betting pick: Couture
Mike “Quick” Swick – who has three UFC knockouts in 33 seconds or less – feels he gets no respect in the welterweight division. The UFC 105 odds could finally change that feeling, as the winner of his bout with Dan Hardy reportedly earns a title shot at Georges St-Pierre in early 2010. One of the more versatile fighters in his division, Swick combines speedy, powerful kickboxing with strong Jiu-Jitsu on the ground. He can win in multiple ways; he’ll outstrike you if he feels he has an advantage there or go for the submission if he battles a dangerous striker. While his kickboxing makes him at least on par with Dan Hardy as a striker, Swick is well aware of Hardy’s power and could thus take the fight to the ground to suppress any possible advantage for hardy. Dan Hardy (22-6)
Dan Hardy is known more for his outlandish persona than anything else; he sports a bright red Mohawk, trash talks his opponents endlessly and approaches the octagon wearing a bandit’s mask. That shouldn’t fool anyone into thinking he isn’t a legitimate fighter, however. He’s an excellent boxer with serious one-punch knockout power, as he showed two fights ago when he floored Rory Markham. Though he’ll never voluntarily take a fight to the ground he’s shown an ability to survive and get back to his feet. Hardy has to hope he can catch Swick and score a knockout – not an easy task since the lanky Swick has a solid reach advantage. What will happen: Hardy has more than a puncher’s chance and the home crowd should energize the Englishman. However, Swick can hang with him on the feet and can use his long limbs to gain an advantageous position on the ground. Swick has also faced tougher competition in his career – including Marcus Davis, Chris Leben and Yushin Okami. He’s simply readier than Hardy is for a title shot at this stage of his career. Bet on Quick Swick. UFC betting pick: Swick
For up-to-date UFC 105 odds all week, keep checking the betonline.com sportsbook. Bookmark the MMA section of the Betting Edge for full sports betting analysis on every major fight card from Jack Howard. Jack "The Hammer" Howard is betonline.com's mixed martial arts expert.
