UFC 90 Preview: Silva vs. Cote

Event: UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote
Venue: All State Arena (Rosemount, Illinois)
Date: October 25, 2008

There may not be a more overused term in sports than, "Best pound-for-pound fighter in the world!" But, not in the UFC.

Middleweight Anderson "Spider" SILVA is da Man. He has been destroying his opponents with a vicious Muay-Thai striking style. His last fight was a one-minute exodus for James Irvin in a light-heavyweight fight. Twice Silva (22-4) has made the dominant Rich Franklin look hopeless in the Octagon. Tonight's victim will be Canadian Patrick "The Predator" COTE (14-4), a slugger with a slugger's chance. He has never been KO'd (until tonight…). Who will be next for the Spider? There aren't many flies wanting to get entangled in the Spider's web right now. Take SILVA @ -650 to KO Cote in the very first round.

Lightweight Sean "The Muscle Shark" SHERK (36-3-1) has a tough assignment in trying to derail Tyson GRIFFIN (12-1), whose only loss is to Frankie Edgar. Griffin is also the only man on the planet to have a victory over WEC's Uriah Faber. I think Sherk will attack with his relentless takedowns and Griffin will tumble from position-to-position with his strong ground skills. But, that may not be enough to slow down the cardio machine known as Sherk. Too much muscle, too little takedown defense, leads to a bloody ground-and-pound second round TKO win for SHERK @ -240.

Welterweight Josh KOSCHECK (13-2) is a late substitute for Diego Sanchez. He is ready to go, and favored to put Thiago "The Pit Bull" ALVES (21-4) away on the mat. But, not so fast, The Pit Bull looked great in over-powering legendary Matt Hughes. He is a giant of a man at 170 pounds, too. And most of his fights end with a KO. I see an overzealous Koscheck bull-charging and getting caught with a staggering punch that leads to a crowd-pleasing abrupt end to what we all knew would be an interesting fight. Take ALVES @ +130 to pull the upset.

Stocky lightweight Gray MAYNARD (6-0-1) is quickly making a name for himself in the UFC at 6-0-1. He is good enough to beat previously undefeated Frankie Edgar. No small task. But does he have the experience to hang with a veteran like Rich CLEMENTI (40-12-1)? The oddsmakers think so. They've made Maynard big favorite. Too big. I'm saying that Clementi @ +210 has enough tools in his arsenal to gain a second round submission over a startled Maynard.

Fabricio WERDUM (11-3-1) is a powerful puncher, but also that rare heavyweight who has solid ground skills. He is a strong jiu-jitsu expert. But, the oddsmakers have made him a prohibitive --850 favorite, which makes him unbettable. Shifting the value to his opponent, Junior DOS SANTOS (6-1), I will take a flier on this warrior's KO punching power. Perhaps an over-confident Werdum will see his lights go out from this up-and-comer? Take DOS SANTOS @ +650. Every dog has his day.

On the strong undercard:

Take Hermes FRANCA @ -190 to beat Marcus Aurelio by third round KO.
Take Spencer FISHER @ -350 to pummel Shannon Gugerty with a second round TKO.
Take Thales LEITES @ -470 to submit Drew McFedries in the very first round.
Take Dan MILLER @ -350 to beat Matt Horwich with a third round submission.
Take Josh BURKMAN @ -240 to defeat Pete Sell by decision.

A really great fight card, folks!

Now let's turn this night of fun into a bank deposit slip. Using our "fictitious" $1000 bankroll, the UFC Monster is going to the mat with the following wagers:

Lay $65 to win $10 on the Spiderman.
Lay $132 to win $55 on Sherk.
Lay $110 to win $143 on Alves.
Lay $100 to win $210 on Clementi.
Lay $15 to win $ 90 on Dos Santos.
Lay $142 to win $75 on Franca.
Lay $140 to win $40 on Fisher.
Lay $94 to win $20 on Leites.
Lay $70 to win $20 on Miller.
Lay $132 to win $55 on Burkman.

In total we are laying $1000 to win $718.

GOOD LUCK and enjoy the fights!

More later.

The UFC Monster