UFC 115 Preview and Odds
UFC 115 goes Saturday night in Vancouver and features 11 fights. Although not one of the most stacked cards in recent UFC memory, the event features a host of intriguing battles.
UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin
Date: June 12, 2010
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Venue: GM Place
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
MAIN CARD
Rich Franklin (27-5-0):-145 vs. Chuck Liddell (21-7-0): +115
There is always a chance that Franklin could get caught with one of those patented Liddell bombs but Franklin is too smart and too experienced to get in Liddell’s wheel house. This will be a standup war, but from a distance. It should be a good fight but may fall short on the excitement factor. Expect this fight to go all three rounds.
Pick: Rich Franklin
Pat Barry (5-1): -150 vs. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (26-7-2): +120
This fight signifies the last fight in a four fight UFC contract for Cro-Cop. He hasn’t had that much success in the UFC and might be looking to put an end to the North American portion of his legendary career. Barry is a one dimensional fighter whose dimension matches up very well with Filipovich. Expect another standup war with youth and desire winning out.
Pick: Pat Barry
Paulo Thiago (13-1): -200 vs. Martin Kampmann (16-2): +160
Possible Fight of the Night between two possible future contenders in the Welterweight division. Both of these fighters are adept at submissions and both possess knockout power. I like Thiago in this one mostly because of the training camp he belongs to. The Noguiera brothers, Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida will have Thiago ready for this fight.
Pick: Paulo Thiago
Ben Rothwell (30-7): -150 vs. Gilbert Yvel (30-14-1, 1 NC): +120
Two journeyman fighters coming off a loss and still looking for their first win in the UFC. This is a matchup of Heavyweight strikers and either could easily provide Knockout of the Night. However, I see the fight more on the tentative side believe it or not. I think some good shots will be landed but a decision victory is on the horizon.
Pick: Ben Rothwell
Carlos Condit (24-5): +105 vs. Rory MacDonald (10-0): -135
Matchup of an up and comer vs. a seasoned, dangerous veteran. This fight will serve notice to the rest of the Welterweight division that there may be some competition for George St. Pierre’s belt. Both fighters are good strikers and good on the ground – this fight will end in a submission and the prospect will be a prospect no longer.
Pick: Rory MacDonald
PRELIMINARY CARD – Spike TV will broadcast the next two fights:
Tyson Griffin (14-2): -260 vs. Evan Dunham (10-0): +200
This is a battle of former training partners with the winner taking a step closer to a Lightweight title shot. 5 of Griffin’s 9 UFC fights have ended up with Fight of the Night honors, and he has a Submission of the Night in there too. Dunham is a tough kid with a lot to prove – unfortunately he’s in there against a cerebral, seasoned and hungry Tyson Griffin.
Pick: Tyson Griffin
Mac Danzig (20-7-1): -130 vs. Matt Wiman (11-5-0): +100
In a “win or get fired” Lightweight fight, two former underachieving The Ultimate Fighter alums tangle for their UFC futures. Wiman is good value and should be able to pick his spots against Mac Danzig who has proven extremely easy to take to the mat. Wiman will look to smother Danzig on the way to a unanimous decision win.
Preliminary Fights will not be broadcast:
Pick: Matt Wiman
David Loiseau (18-9): +155 vs. Mario Miranda (11-1): -195
Once one of the most feared fighters in the UFC, David Loiseau will try to resurrect his career against a pretty good all around fighter, Mario Miranda. Miranda has proven dangerous on his feet (5 KO victories) and on the ground (4 Submission victories) and should dominate a washed up David Loiseau.
Pick: Mario Miranda
James Wilks (7-3): -355 vs. Peter Sobotta (8-2): +275
James Wilks will look to prove his doubters wrong when he takes on somewhat offensively challenged Peter Sobotta. Sabotta is younger and faster but will have no answer for Wilks’ take downs and ground game.
Pick: James Wilks
Ricardo Funch (7-1): +250 vs. Claude Patrick (11-1): -325
Highly touted Canadian Claude Patrick will make his UFC debut in front of a home crowd. From all accounts, Patrick is the total package – punches, kicks and ground game are all good. Funch is a “go for broke” type fighter whose discipline in the Octagon is certainly lacking. If Patrick can overcome nerves, he should win this fight easily.
Pick: Claude Patrick
Mike Pyle (18-7-1): +150 vs. Jesse Lennox (15-2): -135
11 year MMA veteran Mike Pyle takes on another fairly seasoned fighter as the first fight at UFC 115. This is a “win or go home” battle that should see a pretty big contrast in styles. Lennox has definite technique issues but is a striker for the most part. Pyle is a smart fighter who will take what’s given him. Pyle should out-grapple Lennox on the way to a much needed win.
Pick: Mike “Quicksand” Pyle
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