UFC 99 Predictions/Picks
Most bettors are focused on NBA odds picks and French Open betting this week but another MMA betting spectacular isn’t far away. UFC 99 may not have a title fight, but anyone who dismisses the card will miss a night jam-packed with great fights.
Let’s break down two matchups from a card that should have real fireworks.
Rich Franklin (26-4) vs Wanderlei Silva (32-9-1)
Don’t expect much defense in this main event. UFC odds should be fairly close for this bout, with both fighters coming off losses to top opponents. Once a dominant force at middleweight, Franklin really faded after Anderson Silva pummeled him twice. His move back to light heavyweight has been so-so – a dominant knockout win over Matt Hamill followed by a controversial decision against Dan Henderson. Franklin is known for his toughness and power but he’s a better technical fighter than he gets credit for; He doesn’t submit fighters but his ground defense is strong. He’s arguably a more complete fighter than his opponent, the “Axe Murderer.”
Wanderlei Silva remains an intimidating fighter with brutal knockout power and unparalleled aggression, but he’s an extremely old 32 years old. He’s taken the as many shots as someone five or even 10 years his senior and is arguably past his prime. While he certainly has the ability to drop Franklin, he’s lost a step, as he showed in his last fight when Rampage Jackson viciously knocked him out. I say Franklin beats him Silva to the punch, pun intended.
Online sports book pick: Franklin
Cheick Kongo (24-4-1) vs Cain Velasquez (5-0)
For someone with just five UFC odds matchups under his belt, Velasquez sure gets a lot of hype. After Heath Herring pulled out win an injury, Velasquez must now overcome a greater challenge in the hulking Kongo. No one can argue that Velasquez has a very intriguing skill set; his kickboxing blesses him with knockout power and has helped him KO all five of his opponents so far, including four in the first round. His collegiate wrestling background makes him strong on the canvas too.
However, has Velasquez ever faced someone as tough as Kongo? He has his detractors, but Kongo is blazing a trail through the heavyweight division right now, coming off vicious ground-and-pound knockouts of Mostapha Al Turk and Antoni Hardonk. He has a strong chin, having only been knocked out once, so he has a good chance to withstand whatever Velazquez throws at him. Kong reportedly may earn a heavyweight title shot if he wins this fight, so he’ll be hungrier than ever. While Velasquez has a bright future and a higher upside than Kongo, I like the more mature fighter to teach the youngster a lesson here. Go with Kongo.
Online sports book pick: Kongo
