UFC 71

About two weeks until UFC 71 and I can't wait. The funny thing is that if you look at the card is has far less star power than UFC 70 that came just after the thunderous UFC 69. This card is all about Iceman vs. Rampage. Nobody cares for anything else than that one bout so everything in the undercard is simply guys fighting for a chance to get into a big match. However the UFC was smart about it as always providing us with some guys who are going to really go far it. With guys like Leben, Parisyan and Burkman on the card you can expect some great warm up fights for the main event.

I'm going to try something different here using typical betting odds to predict the fights. My numbers will be on the by any means basis.

Liddell vs. Jackson

Kind of boring given that Jackson isn't much on defense since he gets himself knocked out by any decent fighter he gets in the ring with. Rampage is a fun guy though and is likely to at least try to give us a decent bout. I have to believe that Liddell is a monster favorite here but i'd only take him at -200.

Parisyan vs. Burkman

I'm looking forward to this fight. Parisyan and Burkman have a long history of putting on good fights. They're both tough and both come fit to fight. However they both go to decisions alot. I'd look for both of them to switch it up some for this fight. Personally I give Parisyan the edge to win this fight but not by enough to bet on it. I'd at bet do Parisyan at -125 just for fun. I'd probably bank on this fight going to decision.

Leben vs. Starnes

I like this fight alot as someone is likely getting knocked out in the first round. Leben will be coming to swing since he's been on the wrong side of the whipping lately. Starnes has never really impressed me mostly due to attitude and more or less giving up in TUF. Leben at -175

Martin vs. Salaverry

An interesting match up with a guy that likes to knock people out vs a guy who wins by decision alot. Both seem to be middle pack fighters who've lost to quality opponents. I'd personally give Martin the edge since he knocks people out while Salaverry tends to submit or fight to decision. I'd take him at -150.

Jardine vs. Alexander

Keith Jardine coming off of his big whipping of Forrest Griffin. Hopefully he brings that big game back for this fight. His only loss since being in the UFC is to Steroids Bonnar and it was a very questionable decision. I think this guy is going to get alot better as well. He's fighting Houston Alexander who's essentially completely new. I'd take jardine at -250 just because of the role he's been on along with Alexander being completely new.

Sliva vs. Irvin

I'll go with Irvin at -125 because of experience. Narrow margin because I don't know a thing about Sliva.

Salmon vs. Schaffer

I'll take Salmon on this one. -125

Stevens vs. Thomas

I like Dim Thomas at -175

Marrero vs. Gouveia

Don't care much about this one but am giving it to Marrero at -125. Gouveia never comes in fit.