UFC 98 Preview

UFC 98 features an undefeated champ and an undefeated challenger, someone is going home with a loss.  The UFC originally wanted the light-weight championship match to headline UFC 100 but after Frank Mir had to delay his bout with Brock Lesnar, Evans and Machida was pushed up to the May 23^rd show.

The Show also features a fantastic grudge match, Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra, as well as a couple of UFC 97 fighters jumping back in the cage and lots of replacements. This card has been rearranged several times because of fighters dropping out with injuries.

Let’s have a look at the odds and how each match should play out. 

The Odds are courtesy of our good friends at 5Dimes.com 

Rashad Evans (c) vs. Lyoto Machida
Rashad Evans                     +160
Lyoto Machida                  -200

The bookmakers are favoring the undefeated challenger over the undefeated champion. No one figured Rashad would get by Chuck Liddell and he knocked him cold, ditto for his title fight with Forrest Griffin so in his first title defense why should the odds stack up any differently.  Lyoto Machida’s unorthodox style has caused problems for his opponents and calls of boring early on from his critics but his KO victory over Thiago Silva has silenced a few.

Rory Gold says “UFC bettors should take Rashad and the plus money, the difference in this fight will be Greg Jackson, who is easily the best trainer in the business right now.  Jackson will give Rashad Evans the game plan he needs to beat Machida.”

5Dimes.com is offering odds on how the fight will finish. 

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Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
Matt Serra          +240
Matt Hughes      -300

Matt Hughes has been loser in 3 of his last 4 fights and Serra hasn’t fought since being dominated in his 2^nd fight with Georges St. Pierre.  Both fighters are coming to the ends of their career but this fight will give one of them a chance at another big payday.    

Honestly I dislike both fighters but I wouldn’t be surprised if this one turns out to be the fight of the night.

Rory Gold says, “UFC Bettors should take Hughes, while he’s lost 3 of 4, two were to champion GSP and the other was to GSP’s UFC 100 Challenger Thiago ‘Pitbull’ Alves”

5Drimes.com is offering odds on how the fight will finish 

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Sean Sherk vs. Frank Edgar

Frank Edgar        +220
Sean Sherk         -280

The Answer will be in tough against the Muscle Shark, Sean Sherk has shown some great striking of late to go along with his excellent wrestling ability. This could be another fight of the night contender.

Rory says, “UFC Bettors should look for Sherk to finish this early.”

Drew Mcfedries vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam

Sorry there are no odds at this time

Both fighters are fighting to keep their UFC Jobs; there is a little more urgency for McFedries who has lost the past two. The Professor XFP is showing he’s a gamer, stepping in a month after losing a decision to former Pride star Dennis Kang.

Rory says, “UFC Bettors should take Xavier Foupa-Pokam, if you can find a line.”

Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen

Middle weight prospect Dan Miller only learned of his opponent 2 weeks ago. Originally slated to fight Ed Herman and then Yushin Okami, Miller will now step into the cage against UFC, WEC and BodogFight veteran Chael Sonnen. Sonnen tapped in his last match to undefeated title contender Demian Maia.

Rory Gold says “Bettors should take Dan Miller in this one, if you can find a line.”

PAT BARRY vs. TIM HAGUE

TIM HAGUE        +240
PAT BARRY          -300

PHILLIPE NOVER vs. KYLE BRADLEY

KYLE BRADLEY                    +265
PHILLIPE NOVER               -340

Other fights on the Card

Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Andre Gusmao

Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff

Dave Kaplan vs. George Roop