UFC on Fox 7 will be held on April 20th, 2013 at the HP Pavilion Centre in San Jose and is looking like it just mightbe the best Fox card yet. The main card will start with 2 very exciting welterweights, with Matt Brown putting his 4-fight winning streak on the line against the 23 year old soon to be superstar Jordan Mein. We will see 4 of the best lightweights square off on this card. Josh Thompson will take on Nate Diaz, while Gilbert Melendez will battle Benson Henderson for the Lightweight title. Daniel Cormier will continue his move up the heavyweight latter as he takes on Frank Mir, his toughest challenge to date. All 8 of these fighters come to fight each and every time they enter the octagon, and this is why UFC fans have been anticipating this event for a long time now.
MEIN VS BROWN
Jordan Mein will have his toughest fight to date as he takes on the streaking Matt Brown. Mein is just 23 years old and is starting to get some hype behind him, and for good reason. Of his 27 wins, 15 have come by TKO/KO. He goes for the finish, and does it with a calm demeanour. Mein stalks his opponents and will utilize fakes and feints and it leaves them guessing. He picks them apart and often does so with ease. This is why some see him as the future champion, and I don’t know if I can quite say that until he faces some more challenging opponents.
Matt Brown is a very big welterweight, and may have the strength advantage in this one. He will probably try to strike with Mein, but won’t have luck doing that in my opinion. This is where his clinching and takedown abilities will come into play. Even with his strength, I can’t see him smothering Mein enough to get the W. I don’t expect a knockout in this fight, between the 2 of them they have only been knocked out once.
I see Mein picking apart Brown, tiring him out and taking the decision. Mein by decision is +137(5Dimes). Brown is powerful, and right now a TKO/KO is +1250, which is quite high. If you’re taking Brown take him by TKO – it is a good payout.
DIAZ VS THOMPSON
The next fight is a lightweight bout between Josh Thompson and former contender Nate Diaz. This will be similar to Nick Diaz vs GSP, with a different result. Thompson is well rounded, but once he realizes he can’t strike with Nate, he will try taking it to the ground. I just don’t think he has the strength to hold Diaz down to get the victory. Both
guys have iron chins so I am also confident this one won’t end in a KO.
Diaz should be able to outpace Thompson to a decision victory. At -165(5Dimes), go for it. A decent prop of Diaz by sub at +570 is available, if he does finish Thompson that will likely be by sub
CORMIER VS MIR
Cormier vs Mir is a lopsided heavyweight bout that will be the co-main event. While Mir is always capable of submitting, or even knocking out anyone, don’t bet on it. Cormier has superior wrestling and power – this will allow him to dictate where he wants the fight to go. Even though myself along with many others think this could end in a TKO for Cormier, the odds aren’t amazing. At +500 for a decision victory, that is what I would put my money on. Cormier could bring the fight to the ground and not get the finish.
At +500(5Dimes), put your money on Cormier winning this by decision.
HENDERSON VS MELENDEZ
The main event featuring Gilbert Melendez vs Benson Henderson will be an interesting one. Gil has been considered one of the best lightweights for a long time now, and he finally gets to test his skills inside the octagon. Both fighters are incredibly well-rounded with good cardio. Expect this to be a high paced fight, with each man looking to wear down the other.
Keeping in mind that I do believe Benson should be the favourite, based on what he has accomplished, Gil should not be counted out. His boxing is going to give Benson some problems. He also has good speed and will be ready for the leg kicks, arguably Benson’s biggest asset. Gil will put a pace on Henderson like Frankie Edgar did. The difference is, Gil has much more power than Frankie.
At +437 (5Dimes), I think it’s an excellent bet to take Gil by decision. He very much has a chance in this fight, and from watching him over the year I think he will give Bendo a run for his money.
Benson Henderson • Bet on MMA • Daniel Cormier vs Frank Mir • Gilbert Melendez • Jordan Mein vs Matt Brown • Nate Diaz vs Josh Thompson • ufc betting • UFC Lightweight Championship • UFC on Fox 7