With the NBA Finals odds to worry about, not to mention Game 7 Stanley Cup betting, it’s understandable if you’re a bit distracted by the huge sports betting events this week. However, if you like exciting MMA action, you shouldn’t forget about UFC 99 this weekend. It may not have a title fight but it features a handful of exciting matchups.The event starts at 3:00 p.m. ET Saturday, June 13. With so many good fights to choose from, let’s profile the top five fights to watch in rapid-fire format.
Rich Franklin (26-4) vs Wanderlei Silva (32-9-1) – Catchweight bout (195 lbs)
UFC 99 betting lines: Franklin -140, Silva +110
THE STORYLINE: Two exciting strikers coming off tough losses both seek revenge in what should be a bloody war featuring lots of standup.
THE PICK: Franklin. He has less mileage on his body and is a bit better defensively. He’ll catch Silva, who seems to have lost a step.
Cheick Kongo (24-4-1) vs Cain Velasquez (5-0) – Heavyweight bout
UFC 99 betting lines: Kongo +160, Velasquez -200
THE STORYLINE: Velasquez is the next big thing in the heavyweight division and he has a chance to prove he’s ready to contend against the big, strong kickboxer Kongo.
THE PICK: Kongo. Velasquez will be a force in UFC betting soon enough, but he’s not ready to face a seasoned vet like Kongo after just five pro fights.
Marcus Davis (21-5) vs Dan Hardy (21-6) – Welterweight bout
UFC 99 betting lines: Davis -220, Hardy +180
THE STORYLINE: Two rough, tough boxers who don’t like each other finally get to slug it out in the octagon.
THE PICK: Davis. He’s a more experienced fighter, having fought some of the best welterweights out there, and his ground game is better. He’ll knock Hardy out in what may be the fight of the night.
Mike Swick (13-2) vs Ben Saunders (7-0-2) – Welterweight bout
UFC 99 betting lines: Swick -225, Saunders +185
THE STORYLINE: Two solid but relatively obscure fighters meet, with the winner possibly climbing high on the welterweight ladder.
THE PICK: Saunders. Those who bet on sports don’t know much about him yet, but he could be a future star in UFC betting. He has a nice combination of ground skills and striking (watch out for those knees!). Swick has power but he’ll be in trouble if Saunders can get close to him.
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (24-6-1) vs Mostapha Al Turk (6-4) – Heavyweight bout
UFC 99 betting lines: Cro Cop -400, Al Turk +300
THE STORYLINE: The popular, powerful Cro Cop hopes to make a comeback at age 34 and Dana White has been kind to him, offering up punching bag Mostapha Al Turk.
THE PICK: Cro Cop. Al Turk is a stepping stone at best and will probably catch one of Cro Cop’s monster kicks in the head – possibly in round one.
Good luck with UFC 99 if you wager online this weekend.
