The online betting universe is alive with MMA this week, as the Ultimate Fighter season premiere follows Fight Night 19 on Wednesday and UFC 103 arrives Saturday. Here are some picks for a pair of key UFC 103 secondary fights that could impact the contender picture in two weight classes.
Welterweight bout: Josh Koscheck (12-4) vs Frank Trigg (19-6)
UFC 103 betting lines: Koscheck -355, Trigg +310
Josh Koscheck, one of MMA's best wrestlers, is eager to prove he can still contend at welterweight after suffering some disappointing losses this season. There's no denying his takedown ability and athleticism. His striking is improved and he has knockout power but he looked overmatched on his feet against Thiago Alves and Paulo Thiago.
Frank Trigg is a former No. 1 contender at welterweight and returns to the Octagon after a four-year absence. Though it's tough to know what to expect from him now, in his heyday he was a well-rounded fighter who combined boxing with solid wrestling and submission ability.
PICK: Koscheck. Against wrestlers of Koscheck's calibre -- Georges St-Pierre and Matt Hughes -- the strong but stocky Trigg got ragdolled on the ground. He'll also be rusty and it would be a shock to see him finish Koscheck, as Koschecked survived a brutal beating from mighty Thiago Alves and never lost consciousness when Paulo Thiago dropped him. Koscheck should ground and pound his way to a win and is among the safest sports picks of the night.
Lightweight bout: Tyson Griffin (13-2) vs Hermes Franca (19-7)
UFC 103 betting lines: Griffin -270, Franca +239
The athletic, well-rounded Tyson Griffin hopes to inch closer to a title shot with a win against longtime UFC vet Hermes Franca in an exciting lightweight battle. Griffin combines great wrestling skills with a strong jaw, good punching power and superb cardio. He should have a strength advantage against Franca.
Hermes Franca is a Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who makes his living submitting fighters but also has knockout power. Like Griffin, he can beat opponents in many different ways.
PICK: Griffin. He's younger, probably faster, and Franca has fought just once in the last 14 months. Griffin is a true up-and-comer who could hold the lightweight belt some day soon and betting software projects that he'll prove his worth with a win over Franca.
--BetOnline.com
Welterweight bout: Josh Koscheck (12-4) vs Frank Trigg (19-6)
UFC 103 betting lines: Koscheck -355, Trigg +310
Josh Koscheck, one of MMA's best wrestlers, is eager to prove he can still contend at welterweight after suffering some disappointing losses this season. There's no denying his takedown ability and athleticism. His striking is improved and he has knockout power but he looked overmatched on his feet against Thiago Alves and Paulo Thiago.
Frank Trigg is a former No. 1 contender at welterweight and returns to the Octagon after a four-year absence. Though it's tough to know what to expect from him now, in his heyday he was a well-rounded fighter who combined boxing with solid wrestling and submission ability.
PICK: Koscheck. Against wrestlers of Koscheck's calibre -- Georges St-Pierre and Matt Hughes -- the strong but stocky Trigg got ragdolled on the ground. He'll also be rusty and it would be a shock to see him finish Koscheck, as Koschecked survived a brutal beating from mighty Thiago Alves and never lost consciousness when Paulo Thiago dropped him. Koscheck should ground and pound his way to a win and is among the safest sports picks of the night.
Lightweight bout: Tyson Griffin (13-2) vs Hermes Franca (19-7)
UFC 103 betting lines: Griffin -270, Franca +239
The athletic, well-rounded Tyson Griffin hopes to inch closer to a title shot with a win against longtime UFC vet Hermes Franca in an exciting lightweight battle. Griffin combines great wrestling skills with a strong jaw, good punching power and superb cardio. He should have a strength advantage against Franca.
Hermes Franca is a Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who makes his living submitting fighters but also has knockout power. Like Griffin, he can beat opponents in many different ways.
PICK: Griffin. He's younger, probably faster, and Franca has fought just once in the last 14 months. Griffin is a true up-and-comer who could hold the lightweight belt some day soon and betting software projects that he'll prove his worth with a win over Franca.
--BetOnline.com
