UFC 117 Preview & Picks
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The UFC went to sleep for a month but wetted our appetites last Sunday with the Jon Jones fight and will kick things into high gear at UFC 117 this Saturday. The fight card includes some of the sport’s most colorful personalities, including Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen and Roy Nelson.
Event: UFC 117: Silva vs Sonnen
Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010
Time: 10PM ET/7PM PT
Location: Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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UFC 117 is probably 2010’s most stacked event thus far, so you don’t want to miss it – or miss betting on it. 
Time to make some picks.
UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Anderson Silva (26-4) vs Chael Sonnen (24-10)
UFC 117 odds: Silva -420, Sonnen +320
When the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world meets the top trash talker in mixed martial arts, fireworks should ensue. Anderson Silva has been the UFC’s most untouchable fighter for the last four years, breezing through the competition and setting the UFC record for consecutive title defenses with six in the middleweight division.
Despite his amazing speed, Muay Thai striking ability and grappling skills, Silva has lost plenty of fans lately. He practically refused to engage Demian Maia in his last bout, doing the bare minimum to score a decision and irking the fans. He also pissed off his UFC 117 challenger: Chael Sonnen. The outspoken, Olympic-level wrestler can’t stand Silva and has spent the last few months telling the whole world that.
Sonnen believes Silva doesn’t even want to fight and that he can use his wrestling to take him down and pound him out. But I’m not convinced that will happen. Anderson Silva only mails it in against weak opponents. His most lackluster efforts came against Maia, Thales Leites and Patrick Cote – all of whom were considered cupcake matchups and almost undeserving of their title shots.
Silva saves his spectacular efforts for the top-notch opponents. Look at what he did to Dan Henderson, Forrest Griffin, and Rich Franklin (twice). Sonnen, who has won five of his last six fights, is an elite opponent. He’ll bring out the best in Silva, who should win in eye-popping fashion. Expect a big knockout.
Pick: Silva -420
Roy Nelson (16-4) vs Junior Dos Santos (11-1)
UFC 117 odds: Nelson +260, Dos Santos -320
Hard to believe the perpetual underdog Roy Nelson is one win away from a title shot. The portly heavyweight, known for rubbing his belly and demanding cheeseburgers, was a laughing stock just a year ago. But he’s been on a tear since then, winning The Ultimate Fighter and viciously knocking out Brendan Schaub and Stefan Struve. 
Nelson’s looks are deceiving; he has good cardio for his size, sort of like an offensive lineman, his Jiu-Jitsu is great and he has heavy hands. But I’m still not sure he can overcome the mountain that is Junior Dos Santos. The big Brazilian is a devastating knockout machine and he hasn’t rolled though powder puffs either. He made short work of legit fighters like Fabricio Werdum, Mirko Cro Cop, Gilbert Yvel and Gabriel Gonzaga.
Nelson is on a nice run but he’s struggled against athletic heavyweights in the past. Andrei Arlovski knocked him out and Dos Santos is almost like a young Arlovski with a better chin.
Pick: Dos Santos -320
Jon Fitch (22-3, 1 NC) vs Thiago Alves (16-6)
UFC 117 odds: Fitch -110, Alves -120
This fight deserves more attention. Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves are champion-caliber fighters at 170 pounds. Combined, they’re 27-2 in their last 29 fights, with each guy each losing once – to Georges St-Pierre.
This is a rematch; Fitch knocked out Alves four years ago. The big question is whether or not either fighter has changed much since the last meeting. Fitch still relies on his dominant wrestling; Alves still wins via powerful Muay Thai striking. I think Fitch will do what GSP did to Alves (and him for that matter); he’ll grab onto Alves, bully him and take him down. He can handle Alves’ attacks, as he has a fantastic chin. Fitch by decision.
Pick: Fitch -110
Official fight card
Main card
Middleweight Championship bout: Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
Welterweight bout: Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves
Lightweight bout: Clay Guida vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida
Heavyweight bout: Roy Nelson vs. Junior dos Santos
Preliminary card
Welterweight bout: Dustin Hazelett vs. Rick Story
Light Heavyweight bout: Phil Davis vs. Rodney Wallace
Light Heavyweight bout: Tim Boetsch vs. Todd Brown
Welterweight bout: Johny Hendricks vs. Charlie Brenneman
Heavyweight bout: Stefan Struve vs. Christian Morecraft
Welterweight bout: Ben Saunders vs. Dennis Hallman
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