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Free Picks: UFC 179 Aldo vs. Mendes 2 Betting Odds & Preview

Free Picks: Aldo vs. Mendez 2 Betting Odds & Preview

UFC 179 comes our way this weekend from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A number of elite Brazilian fighters are on the card including seemingly untouchable Featherweight Champ Jose Aldo and Light Heavyweight Glover Teixeira. On paper, this looks to be a very solid card – let’s take a look.

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Free Picks: UFC 178 Johnson vs. Cariaso Betting Odds & Preview

UFC Betting Odds

UFC 178 comes our way from Las Vegas this Saturday night. As Always Capper Picks provides free picks for all of the action. Cappers Picks provides free UFC handicapping tips for every event on the UFC fight calender. Our man Dave B has your back.

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UFC 165 Handicapping | Betting Preview | Free UFC Picks

UFC 165 Jones vs. Gustafsson Handicapping

The UFC returns to Canada Saturday for UFC 165 – a card that features one of the most dominant champions in the organization. Jon Jones will defend his Light Heavyweight title for the sixth time against Alexander Gustafsson.

The odds are certainly stacked against the Swedish challenger but it wasn’t that long ago that another of the UFCs untouchables fell at the hands of an upstart challenger (cough, cough – Anderson Silva). It’s a pretty explosive card with excitement promised as always.

Let’s break it down.

UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson
Date: September 21, 2013
Time: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Location: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
UFC Odds From Bovada

MAIN CARD

Jon Jones (18-1): -900
Alexander Gustafsson (15-1): +550

Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson each have one loss in their careers but in Jones’ case it was a DQ loss in a fight he was totally dominating. In other word, he hasn’t “lost” so far in his career. The reason? Athleticism, size, length and an imagination unlike any other in the UFC.

Jones is perhaps the most athletic fighter in the UFC. He is long, he is lanky, he is quick, he is unorthodox and he is simply top notch anywhere a fight happens to go. Taking a look at whom he’s defeated is a who’s who of MMA legendry – Shogun Rua, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Rampage Jackson and Vitor Belfort to name a few.

Alexander Gustafsson is one of the few in the world that will actually have a size advantage over Jones – he may surprisingly have the striking advantages as well! At 6’5”, Gustafsson has been able to use his insane boxing skills to inflict damage and to stay out of the way of potential danger zones. He is an ideal “stick and move” fighter with devastating kicks and surprisingly good defense. Beyond that, there isn’t a whole lot that stands out.

Gustafsson has been working on his wrestling ahead of this fight and it is a good thing – his only real chance however is if this fight remains upright. The Swede has a good gas tank, a good striking pedigree and seemingly a good knowledge of what his opponents wants to do in the Octagon.

The problem is that Jones himself enters with a multitude of ways he can beat you.

This fight is only happening because there is nobody left! Jones is on his way to history – Gustafsson is just another speed bump.

Pick: Jon Jones -900

Renan Barao (30-1): -650
Eddie Wineland (20-8-1): +425

The interim bantamweight title is on the line Saturday when Renan Barao takes on Eddie Wineland. Wineland has been knocking on the door recently but every time he steps up he is knocked down again. Recent losses to Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez seem to prove that he is not quite ready for prime time just yet.

Renan Barao has won 31 fights in a row for a reason – he is a beast that could be the best all-around fighter in the game right now. His strikes are superb and his submission game is second to none in the bantamweight division.

Wineland is a tough guy and a decent all-around fighter but Barao is on a different level along with Dominick Cruz in the bantamweight division. The Brazilian has the advantage anywhere this fight happens to end up. It should be exciting but it will be predictable.

Pick: Renan Barao -650

Matt Mitrione (6-2): -120
Brendan Schaub (9-3): -110

Two former UFC prospects and TUF alums in the midst of mini-slumps look to right their ships in Toronto Saturday. Matt Mitrione and Brendan Schaub will look to change their fortunes around after losing two of their last three fights. A loss Saturday for either fighter may be their last with the organization.

Mitrione brings terrific athleticism to the Octagon. He is a former NFLer with terrific power – five of his six wins have come by KO while Schaub has a similar stat-line – 7 of nine wins by KO.
In a matchup of evenly-skilled fighters with similar experience, I will take the more athletic of the two.

Pick: Matt Mitrione -120

Francis Carmont (21-7): +155
Costa Philippou (12-2): -190

A battle of the five fight win streaks takes place when striking machine Costa Philippou takes on French MMA star Francis Carmont in Middleweight action. Both fighters, on paper have been tremendous lately and both have six KOs on their résumés. Philippou will definitely have the stand-up and power edge while Carmont will look to stifle his opponent in typical style.

Carmont has a knack of dumbing down a fight like nobody in the Middleweight Division. He will look to smother Philippou and will have success doing so. I see a justified frustrated Philippou being dragged the full three rounds and be outpointed in typical boring, grinding Carmont style. [ad-3573245]

Pick: Francis Carmont +155

Pat Healy (29-16): +200
Khabib Nurmagomedov (20-0): -260

Pat Healy will look to build on an impressive win over Jim Miller (before his positive drug test!!!) when he takes on undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov – one of the most impressive emerging grapplers in the Lightweight division. With a possible title shot on the line, this fight has potential to be best of the night.

Khabib Nurmagomedov has had his way with the lower tiers of the Lightweight division but gets his biggest test Saturday. Healy is a tough guy – well rounded with a terrific chin and a ton of experience. Healy also has a stellar wrestling background that should be able to somewhat minimize what Nurmagomedov hopes to do – Healy is a takedown machine that may have met his grappling match!

That said Nurmagomedov looks to be that guy being groomed for bigger things in the UFC.

Healy is a stepping stone (a tough one at that) along the way to bigger things for Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Pick: Khabib Nurmagomedov -260

UFC PRELIMS LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 1

Myles Jury (12-0): -400 vs. Mike Ricci (8-3): +300
Pick: Myles Jury -400

Ivan Menjivar (25-10): -190 vs. Wilson Reis (16-4): +155
Pick: Ivan Menjivar -190

Chris Clements (11-4): +220 vs. Stephen Thompson (7-1): -300
Pick: Chris Clements +220

Mitch Gagnon (9-2): +175 vs. Dustin Kimura (10-0): -220
Pick: Mitch Gagnon +175

UFC PRELIMS LIVE STREAM ON FACEBOOK

Renee Forte (8-2): +165 vs. John Makdessi (11-2): -210
Pick: -210

Michel Prazeres (16-1): +140 vs. Jesse Ronson (13-2): -170
Pick: Michel Prazeres +140

‘Bruce Leeroy’ Alex Caceres (8-5): -155 vs. Roland Delorme (9-1): +125
Pick: Roland Delorme +125

Nandor Guelmino (11-4-1): +220 vs. Daniel Omielanczuk (15-3-1): -300
Pick: Daniel Omielanczuk -300

CLICK HERE NOW to place a bet on UFC 164 At Bovada!

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UFC 164 Handicapping | Betting Preview | Free UFC Picks

UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis Handicapping

One of the most dominant champions in the UFC today, Ben Henderson returns to the Octagon Saturday night to defend his Lightweight strap against the very dangerous Anthony Pettis. Both men are extremely well rounded making this a fight NOT to be missed.

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UFC 163 Handicapping | Betting Preview | Free UFC Picks

UFC 163: Aldo vs. Zombie

Arguably the most dominant champion in the UFC returns to the Octagon in his home country of Brazil this weekend to headline UFC 163. Aldo was supposed to fight Anthony Pettis before injury forced him out of action.

Date: August 3, 2013
Time: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Location: HSBC Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Broadcast: Pay-per-view

UFC Odds From Bovada

Main Card (PPV)

Jose Aldo (22-1-0): -750
Chan Sung Jung (12-3-0): +475

Enter Chan Sung Jung – the Korean Zombie whose penchant for creating a good fight may have won him this title shot rather than his recent results.

Jung has been good since making his way from the WEC to the UFC, make no mistake about it – beating Mark Hominick and Dustin Poirier. But Aldo is in a completely different league. The Zombie likely won’t abandon his style in this fight – he will move straight ahead and into the danger zones of the Champ. Jung’s aggressiveness has been his friend in the past but it will likely be the enemy here.

Aldo’s striking ability is legendary – his ability to keep his opposition at bay with lethal leg kicks has been nothing short of remarkable and his ability to counterstrike effectively against an over-zealous opponent has been insanely successful. Jung will have to take some chances and that plays right into Aldo’s hands.

Nobody has gotten close to Aldo the last couple of years and that likely won’t change Saturday. Jung can take a beating and keep on ticking and that may be the only thing that keeps him in this fight past the first round. Aldo gets it done in front of his home town fans in highlight reel fashion while Jung leaves Brazil battered and bruised.

Pick: Jose Aldo -750

Lyoto Machida (19-3-0): -350 vs. Phil Davis (11-1-1): +265

Another of Brazil’s favorite sons takes to the Octagon Saturday night when Lyoto Machida meets Phil Davis with a possible Light Heavyweight title shot on the line. Machida will be dependent on his patience, his stellar counterstriking game and his unorthodox Judo stance while Davis will attempt to turn this fight into a wrestling match.

Davis is an elite wrestler with an emerging striking game. He has been close to challenging for the title in the past but lost to Rashad Evans in a match in which he appeared totally outclassed. More mature and developed inside the Octagon, Davis will try to take that step again – this time as an emerging superstar instead of intriguing prospect.

Machida has reached the pinnacle of the Light Heavyweight Division – he has fought the best there is in the world with mixed reactions but one thing has been consistent – his style has been an absolute nightmare for his opposition to deal with. He can stop the takedown and make you pay for trying, he can outwait even the best in the business and he has a superb ground game to counteract what Davis will inevitably attempt to do.

Simply put – there isn’t a whole lot that Davis will be bringing to the Octagon that Machida hasn’t already seen. Davis’s only shot is to drag this fight to the mat quickly and Machida knowing that will most certainly have an answer. Machida is too patient, too good and too motivated to get back to the top of the ladder to be denied in this one. Davis still has some things to learn and Machida is a great teacher!

Pick: Lyoto Machida -350

Cezar Ferreira (5-2-0): -450 vs. Thiago Santos (11-3-0): +325

The winner of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil Cezar Ferreira will attempt to prove his legion of doubters wrong on Saturday night when he takes on late injury replacement Thiago Santos. Ferreira won his contract after the favorite to win it all Daniel Sarafian was forced out of the competition with an injury and he defeated Sergio Moraes whom he already defeated.

Santos has some OK striking skills but her certainly but his all around game is not quite the caliber we expect on the main card of a UFC event. Ferreira has altered his training regiment since the show – he is now a member of the Blackzilians and has to be given credibility based upon that.

Not a ton is known about these two fighters but what is know is that Ferreira appears to be the better all around talent. [ad-3573245]

Pick: Cezar Ferreira -450

Thales Leites (20-4-0): -130 vs. Tom Watson (16-5-0): EVEN

Thales Leites returns from nearly a year away from the Octagon and four years away from the UFC to take on Brit Tom Watson who is fresh off a Knockout of the Night and Fight of the Night effort against Stanislav Nedkov. This after an unflattering UFC debut loss to Brad Tavares.

There is no denying that Leites will bring a high level grappling game to the Octagon as well as experience against high level competition – he fought Anderson Silva and Alessio Sakara during his last stint in the UFC.

But Watson has been by far the busier of the two fighters and enters on a high and with a ton to prove. The crowd loves Leites Saturday – I love Watson!

Pick: Tom Watson EVEN

John Lineker (21-6-0): -450 vs. Jose Maria Tome (33-3-0): +325

Flyweights open the Pay-per-view portion of Saturday night’s card when the #7 ranked John Lineker takes on late injury replacement Brazilian and UFC virgin Jose Maria Tome. Tome is no slouch – he has won 33 times in his career and he hasn’t tasted defeat in his last 16 bouts.

But Lineker has a ton to prove and he last won two months ago in another fight in Brazil. Lineker is a good fighter and has faced some decent competition while Tome although his record is impressive has faced basically nobody of note.

Lineker takes this one by decision – he is the better fighter and has proven himself against the higher level of competition.

Pick: John Lineker -450

Preliminary Card (FX)

Vinny Magalhaes (10-6-0): -400 vs. Anthony Perosh (13-3-0): +300
Pick: Vinny Magalhaes -400

Amanda Nunes (7-3-0): -400 vs. Sheila Gaff (10-5-1): +300
Pick: Amanda Nunes -400

Sergio Moraes (7-2-0): -135 vs. Neil Magny (8-1-0): +105
Pick: Neil Magny +105

Ian McCall (11-4-1): -400 vs. Iliarde Santos (27-7-1): +300
Pick: Ian McCall -400

Preliminary Card (Facebook)

Rani Yahya (18-7-0): -900 vs. Josh Clopton (6-1-1): +550
Pick: Rani Yahya -900

Viscardi Andrade (13-5-0): -170 vs. Bristol Marunde (12-8-0): +140
Pick: Viscardi Andrade -170

Ednaldo Oliveira (13-1-1): -150 vs. Francimar Barroso (15-3-0): +120
Pick: Francimar Barroso +120

CLICK HERE NOW to place a bet on UFC 163 At Bovada!

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UFC 162 Handicapping | Betting Preview | Free UFC Picks

UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman

Arguably the greatest mixed martial arts practitioner in history returns to the Octagon Saturday against an opponent that most feel will be his toughest test to date – the undefeated Chris Weidman.

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UFC 160 Handicapping | Betting Preview | Free UFC Picks

UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Silva 2

The Heavyweight Title will be on the line this Saturday when Antonio Silva tries to avenge a devastating loss to Cain Velasquez and in turn take his belt. Silva has emerged as maybe the best of the “B fighters” in the UFC after knocking out Alistair Overeem last time out.

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UFC 159 Jones vs. Sonnen Handicapping | Betting Preview | Free UFC Picks

UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen

The fight that almost nobody called for finally goes down on Saturday when Jon Jones, one of the most dominant Light Heavyweight fighters ever seen takes on a Middleweight mouthpiece that seemed to somehow talk his way into this fight – and we all know that Chael Sonnen can talk!

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UFC 158 St. Pierre vs. Diaz Handicapping | Betting Preview | Free UFC Picks

UFC 158: St. Pierre vs. Diaz

Georges St. Pierre finally gets the fight he’s been seeking for a couple of years when he takes on the brash, obnoxious Nick Diaz at UFC 158 – assuming that Diaz doesn’t do something stupid between now and fight time.

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UFC 133 Fight Card Odds | Gambling Preview

UFC 133: Evans vs. Ortiz II

Rashad Evans needs to fight – he has been out of action since May 29, 2010. First he was supposed to battle former teammate Jon Jones for the Light Heavyweight strap.

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UFC 132 Fight Card Odds | Gambling Preview

UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber II

In a revenge fight four years in the making, Dominick Cruz will defend his belt against the only man that has ever defeated him.

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UFC 131 Fight Card Odds | Gambling Preview

UFC 131: Dos Santos vs. Carwin

UFC 131 goes down in beautiful Vancouver British Columbia on Saturday night and although injuries have watered down the card a little bit, the night should still provide us with plenty of entertainment. There are contenders, prospects and respected veterans fighting for their UFC lives – it should be fun!

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UFC 130 Fight Card Odds | Gambling Preview

UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill from Las Vegas, Nevada

Unfortunately, due to injuries to both Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar, Jackson vs. Hamill is the Main Event of UFC 130. Most think it should be an easy win for the crafty veteran Jackson but keep in mind, this is a three round fight, one in which a couple of well timed takedowns could be the difference between winning and losing. Check out the latest UFC fight lines in our betting sportsbooks…

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UFC 129 Fight Card Odds | Gambling Preview

UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields from Toronto Ontario Canada

In what is being touted as Georges St. Pierre’s biggest test to date, Jake Shield will be looking to take the belt away from one of the most dominating figures in the sport. St. Pierre is on an eight fight win streak – Shields has won 15 straight! Check out the latest UFC fight lines in our betting sportsbooks…

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UFC 128 Fight Card Odds | Gambling Preview

UFC 128: Rua vs. Jones from Newark New Jersey

The UFC presents their March card from New Jersey on Saturday night. The Main Event of the evening features the most hyped up and comer in the UFC against a fighter who is building a legendary MMA resume. Rua vs. Jones. Check out the latest UFC fight lines in our betting sportsbooks…

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UFC 127 Fight Card Odds | Gambling Preview

UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch from Australia

The UFC presents their end of February 2011 card live from Sydney Australia. The main event for UFC 127 features Penn vs. Fitch. Two UFC veterans square off to determine who is next in line to challenge for the Welterweight Belt. Check out the latest UFC fight lines in our betting sportsbooks…