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2009 UFC Fight Night Picks

After being treated to one of the best Super Bowls ever, Tampa is about to be rocked by Fight Night 17 as UFC betting action invades the city for the first time on Saturday evening…

UFC Fight Night – Early Preview and Picks

Fight Night 17 Selections

After being treated to one of the best Super Bowls ever, Tampa is about to be rocked by Fight Night 17 as UFC betting action invades the city for the first time on Saturday evening. The USF Sun Dome (University of South Florida campus) is the venue for the spectacular lineup that can be seen free on Spike TV, starting at 9:00pm EST.

So get ready Tampa, and online UFC betting fanatics abroad, because this weekend you’re getting smacked square in the mouth by Octagon excitement. But don’t tap out because lurking is MMA wagering selections and money-making BetUS UFC odds for the main event and co-main event.

Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon (-200) vs. Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens (+160)

Saturday’s main event pits oddsmakers choice Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon against Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens in a three-round lightweight bout. Lauzon owns a 4-1 mark in UFC competition and an overall MMA record of 16-4. In Lauzon’s most recent trip to the Octagon, he earned an impressive second-round TKO win over Kyle Bradley at UFC Fight Night 15 in September. It was a successful rebound outing for “The Ultimate Fighter 5” veteran after his first UFC defeat at the hands of Kenny Florian in April of 2008. Prior to that loss, Lauzon had won six straight bouts, making him a profitable 7-1 in his last eight.

Though at 16-3 overall in MMA action, Stephens poses a threat to Lauzon and is a lively sports betting underdog. Following a submission defeat to Din Thomas in his Octagon debut at UFC 71 in 2007, Stephens bounced back with three consecutive victories before losing an unanimous-decision to Spencer Fisher in June of 2008. However, in his most recent fight that came in November at UFC 91, Stephens atoned the defeat with a devastating third-round TKO of Rafael dos Anjos.

Analysis: This one is simple in terms of handicapping due to the contrast in fighting styles. Lauzon will be looking for a win by submission, meanwhile, heavy-handed Stephens will gun for a fight ending bomb. Lauzon is a savvy fighter who’ll gain a major edge if he can take Stephens to the ground.

The favorite should cash via submission, but if he can’t slap one on, Lauzon could also end the fight with strikes as two of his four UFC wins were earned by TKO. Overall, Lauzon is a slightly stronger fighter that better matches up against Stephens because of a larger arsenal of weapons.

Free UFC Picks: Joe Lauzon (-200)

Mac Danzig (-130) vs. Josh “The Dentist ” Neer (Ev)

Josh “The Dentist ” Neer will enter the Octagon despite an arrest just over a month ago for his second-offense of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and attempting to elude law enforcement. After allegedly hitting a police car in the early-morning hours of Jan. 1, Neer fled from the scene in a subsequent 15-minute police chase that reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.

So it’s game on as Neer faces slightly favored TUF season six winner Mac Danzig in a three-round lightweight event. These are two exciting fighters and both are hungry to rebound from their last outing which resulted in defeat. Neer is coming off a split-decision loss to Nate Diaz at UFC Fight Night 15 in September of 2008. On the same evening, Danzig loss to Clay Guida by way of unanimous-decision.

Neer has earned a respectable career overall MMA record of 24-7-1, but has a mark of just 3-4 since joining the UFC in 2005. If you bet on UFC, it would be fair to say Neer has struggled against stiffer opponents towing role of or near favoritism to the Octagon. His four losses have come versus Drew Fickett in his UFC debut, Josh Burkman and Nate Diaz (twice) – all solid fighters.

promo/ufc

Neer’s three wins were over lesser names in the likes Melvin Guillard, Joe Stevenson and Din Thomas with two of the three being decided by judges. That’s not to say the trio are cupcakes as they’re worthy fighters, too. But it’s clear, Neer has a tougher time with quality opponents, solidified by his last four fights in which he lost three.

Danzig perfectly fits the description of the type of fighters Neer tends to struggle against—quality. Danzig will bring to the Octagon an overall MMA record of 19-5-1 and is 2-1 in the UFC. Before his defeat to Guida, the Season 6 TUF winner started his UFC career posting back-to-back victories with both coming by submission chokes.

Analysis: This fight very much has the same sports wagering flavor as the main event, in way of the favored Danzig will try to cash with a submission victory and the underdog Neer will attempt land the knockout punch. Until Neer proves he can compete and beat solid fighters, it’s hard to invest him as loser in three of his last four bouts. Danzig is the wise selection in this one.

Free MMA Picks: Mac Danzig (-130)

If you wager on UFC action, tune in to this free dazzling four-fight main card event on SPIKE TV. And four those who like to see the big boys bang, don’t walk away to get a beer when heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Denis “The Menace” Stojnic step into the Octagon, because this one may not last long.

The highly touted Velasquez is 4-0 overall in his young MMA career and 2-0 in UFC competition. All four of his fights have been won by TKO in the first round. Saturday will be the 6’2” 245-pounder’s stiffest challenge to date when he takes on Stojnic, who’s a stout 12-1. Stojnic is making his UFC debut having competed in Europe, where he has won five of his last six bouts.

This contest will most likely leave one man on his back starring up at the lights. According to BetUS MMA odds, that man will be the hefty underdog Stojnic (+450), as Velasquez is a colossal favorite priced at -600.

Good luck and don’t blink!

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.