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UFC 157 Rousey vs. Carmouche Handicapping | Betting Preview | Free UFC Picks

UFC 157 Saturday

In the first ever women’s UFC fight, the poster girl of the sport Ronda Rousey will attempt to earn the belt that was given to her this summer. Her opponent – a very tough, strong and motivated Liz Carmouche.

UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche
Date: February 23, 2013
Time: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Location: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: PPV, FX & Facebook prelims
Odds from Bovada

Main Event

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

Ronda Rousey (6-0-0): -1400
Liz Carmouche (7-2-0): +700

We know what Rousey brings to the Octagon – unstoppable takedowns thanks to a judo background that saw her win Olympic Gold and an insane submission game (all 6 of her wins have come by 1st round arm bar). Rousey is as aggressive as they come, strong and extremely eager to prove on the biggest stage why the title was given to her.

Carmouche is a former Marine – now an employee of the gym she is trains at – she is there morning until night preparing for this fight. We know she’s tough – all Marines are! We know that her striking game is above average and we know that she can hold her own in the grappling department. The question is – can she hang with the best?

Rousey should win this fight but it is tempting to put a little down on Carmouche as well because of the insane odds. Nobody in the world has come close to stopping Rousey’s takedowns – once on the mat the fight will take a predictable turn!

Pick: I hate the price but you have to go with Ronda Rousey -1400

Main Card

Lyoto Machida (18-3-0): -230
Dan Henderson (29-8-0): +180

Two legends in the sport and former world champions duel in Light Heavyweight action with the winner likely getting the next title shot. Henderson last fought back in 2011 – a win against Shogun Rua in one of the best fights of that year. Machida is coming off a knockout of Ryan Bader in August.

Henderson is known as one of the toughest men in the sport – in 37 fights he has never been knocked out. His game is controlling opponents with elite level wrestling and finishing with a lightning quick lethal right hand. Machida’s game is judo – maintaining distance, staying out of harm’s way, timing his opponents and taking advantage of any little hole in his opponent’s game. Both have striking chops – Henderson is a power puncher, Machida is a vicious counter puncher.

Henderson has age and a little Octagon rust working against him ahead of this fight. Also wrestlers have traditionally had troubles with Machida’s unorthodox style – not many have been able to get close to the Dragon. I think the same happens here. Patience is the key when fighting Machida – I see Henderson getting frustrated into a mistake Saturday and Machida taking advantage.

Pick: Lyoto Machida -230

Ivan Menjivar (25-9-0): +300
Urijah Faber (26-6-0): -400

Two fighters looking to climb into the title picture at 135 pounds meet in a rematch of a 2006 fight – one that ended in a DQ loss for Menjivar. Menjivar is a tough guy but his experience against the absolute cream of the crop is nowhere near that of the California Kid. Faber’s athleticism, experience and desire to climb to the top of the ladder will be too much for Menjivar in this one – Faber is a notch or two above Menjivar in almost every aspect of this fight. Faber takes this one by decision.

Pick: Again, I hate the price but I have to go with Urijah Faber -400

Josh Neer (33-12-1): +220
Court McGee (14-3-0): -300

Saturday’s match between Josh Neer and Court McGee could reasonable be a “win or get cut” fight for the two struggling MMA practitioners. [ad-3573245]

It is a matchup of the veteran versus the youngster at 170 pounds – McGee drops a weight class for this fight. McGee will have the wrestling advantage in this one which could be the difference – his granite chin also helps against an opponent that will surely bring the pressure in this bout. He should be able to get the better of Neer in the clinch, take this fight to the ground and control the fight from there. I like McGee by submission in this one in what should be a very entertaining fight.

Pick: Once again, the price is not to my liking – Court McGee -300

Josh Koscheck (17-6-0): -500
Robbie Lawler (19-9-0): +350

In Welterweight action Josh Koschek returns to the Octagon to take on a very dangerous Robbie Lawlor. Koscheck must use his elite caliber wrestling in this fight against the powerful and accurate striking of Lawlor – and I think he does. Lawlor wants this fight to be a brawl while Koschek will be looking to get this fight to the mat. In the end it will be the athleticism of Koschek that dictates the pace as he grinds out a decision win.

Pick: Another poor payday – Josh Koschek -500

FX Preliminary Card (8pm ET)

Brendan Schaub (8-3-0): -140 vs. Lavar Johnson (17-6-0): +110
Pick: Brandon Schaub -140

Mike Chiesa (8-0-0): -230 vs. Anton Kuivanen (17-5-0): +180
Pick: Mike Chiesa -230

Sam Stout (18-8-1): +115 vs. Caros Fodor (7-2-0): -145
Pick: Caros Fodor -145

Dennis Bermudez (9-3-0): -450 vs. Matt Grice (15-4-0): +325
Pick: Dennis Bermudez -450

Kenny Robertson (11-2-0): +145 vs. Brock Jardine (9-2-0): -175
Pick: Brock Jardine -175

Neil Magny (7-1-0): -170 vs. Jon Manley (7-1-0): +140
Pick: Jon Manley +140

Nah-Shon Burrell (8-2-0): -120 vs. Yuri Villefort (6-1-0): -110
Pick: Nah-Shon Burrell -120

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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.