Part of what makes UFC betting so fun is seeing the odd wild upset. We thus have to wonder if there's potential to win big on any shockers at UFC 100 this Saturday. Here are a few upset picks to explore.
Seriously consider...
Michael Bisping +200 to beat Dan Henderson
WHY: It's possible the entire MMA community underestimates Bisping. Here's a guy with an 18-1 record, and some people argue his one loss -- a controversial decision to Rashad Evans -- wasn't even a loss. He's never been stopped in a fight and he's a well-rounded fighter, mixing boxing with Jiu-Jitsu. He's a better technical striker than Henderson and can score points because of it. While Henderson is a phenomenal wrestler, Bisping once fought at 205 pounds, so he won't be ragdolled. He's also younger and quicker than Hendo.
If you're feeling lucky...
Paulo Thiago +400 to beat Jon Fitch
WHY: He's a total wildcard. No one gave him a chance against Josh Koscheck, and it's important to note that Koscheck has similar strengths to Fitch -- great wrestling, underrated striking, strong chin. Then Thiago, though he was losing the fight, turned our sportsbook predictions on their heads when he caught Koscheck with a huge uppercut to knock him out. The win came in his UFC debut, so we know very little about Thiago. Fitch will probably outclass him, but you just never know.
Thiago Alves +240 to beat Georges St-Pierre
WHY: He's the hardest hitter GSP has ever faced. Thiago Alves' Muay Thai strikes included vicious leg kicks, flying knees and true knockout power -- all things GSP hasn't had to worry about before. St-Pierre's chin was called into question during his first fight with Matt Serra when a relatively benign-looking punch wobbled him and led to a TKO for Serra. Since then, GSP has dominated, but all those wins came against ground-oriented fighters not known for their heavy hands. What if Thiago Alves catches GSP flush? I wouldn't count on it, even if my handicapping software suggests it, as GSP prepares for fights like no one else, but Alves has the skill set to do it. Arguably, Alves has a better chance to pull off an upset than GSP's last opponents, Jon Fitch and BJ Penn (sorry BJ -- you were just too small). Don't totally write Alves off for the UFC 100 fight card.
-Betonline.com
Seriously consider...
Michael Bisping +200 to beat Dan Henderson
WHY: It's possible the entire MMA community underestimates Bisping. Here's a guy with an 18-1 record, and some people argue his one loss -- a controversial decision to Rashad Evans -- wasn't even a loss. He's never been stopped in a fight and he's a well-rounded fighter, mixing boxing with Jiu-Jitsu. He's a better technical striker than Henderson and can score points because of it. While Henderson is a phenomenal wrestler, Bisping once fought at 205 pounds, so he won't be ragdolled. He's also younger and quicker than Hendo.
If you're feeling lucky...
Paulo Thiago +400 to beat Jon Fitch
WHY: He's a total wildcard. No one gave him a chance against Josh Koscheck, and it's important to note that Koscheck has similar strengths to Fitch -- great wrestling, underrated striking, strong chin. Then Thiago, though he was losing the fight, turned our sportsbook predictions on their heads when he caught Koscheck with a huge uppercut to knock him out. The win came in his UFC debut, so we know very little about Thiago. Fitch will probably outclass him, but you just never know.
Thiago Alves +240 to beat Georges St-Pierre
WHY: He's the hardest hitter GSP has ever faced. Thiago Alves' Muay Thai strikes included vicious leg kicks, flying knees and true knockout power -- all things GSP hasn't had to worry about before. St-Pierre's chin was called into question during his first fight with Matt Serra when a relatively benign-looking punch wobbled him and led to a TKO for Serra. Since then, GSP has dominated, but all those wins came against ground-oriented fighters not known for their heavy hands. What if Thiago Alves catches GSP flush? I wouldn't count on it, even if my handicapping software suggests it, as GSP prepares for fights like no one else, but Alves has the skill set to do it. Arguably, Alves has a better chance to pull off an upset than GSP's last opponents, Jon Fitch and BJ Penn (sorry BJ -- you were just too small). Don't totally write Alves off for the UFC 100 fight card.
-Betonline.com
