1/19/08, Metro Radio Arena, England
The featured match at UFC 80 is a lightweight championship (155 pounds) with legendary BJ "The Prodigy" PENN (12-4-1) against Joe "Daddy" STEVENSON (33-7). On the surface it may look like Stevenson is the more experienced fighter with twice as many MMA fights. Forget it. BJ has fought and beaten the sport's best. His often soft-looking body disguises his rubber-band like flexibility that allows him to sustain himself on the ground while working to submit his opponent. In fact, NOBODY has ever submitted BJ. And, it isn't going to be Joe Stevenson either! Stevenson has a deadly guillotine choke hold and prefers the ground game. But, that's not where you want to be with BJ. And from the training clips I've been watching, BJ is adding power to his punches, and looks as fit as I've ever seen him! Lay the big number with BJ (-285). BJ PENN wins with second round rear-naked choke submission.
Gabriel GONZAGA (8-2) made a name for himself in the UFC when he unloaded a devastating, high leg kick that crumpled Mirko Cro-Cop into a folded heap on the mat.
But, his invincibility was soon destroyed by underdog Randy Couture, who has since vacated the heavyweight belt and refuses to fight anybody but the world-renown Fedor.
The winner of this fight will be in line to fight the winner of next month's Tim Silvia/Antonio Nogeira fight for that heavyweight belt. Fabricio WERDUM (9-3-1) has already beaten Gonzaga once, five years ago, but now finds himself as the posted underdog! Strangely, Werdum beat Gonzaga by TKO, which is Gonzaga's game, while Werdum is really more of a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter. In an upset, history repeats, but WERDUM (+210) wins on his terms this time, by second round submission by rear-naked choke.
Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" DAVIS (18-4) is a welterweight with strong ground skills that are complimented with some lethal punching power. His opponent, Jess "The Joker" LAUDIN (12-8) has won 8 of his 12 wins by submission. Both fighters have two common opponents, Shonie Carter, and Paul Taylor, who's on this card. Davis beat them both, while Laudin lost to both! Enough said. Take DAVIS �345 to beat Laudin by unanimous decision.
In a very interesting match-up, we have ground-and-pound specialist, Jason "The Punisher" LAMBERT (23-6) taking on the submission skills of Wilson GOUVEIA (9-4). Almost 3/4 of UFC website voters think Lambert will win, yet the oddsmakers makes him the underdog! Why? Gouveia is the last man to have beaten Jon Fitch, five years ago! But, Lambert is short and stock, very muscular, and willing to go toe-to-toe, yet not afraid of ground contact, as well. Gouveia will most likely try to stand up and not be forced to defend himself on the ground against the relentless strikes of Lambert. Once there, his only hope will be a submission. The last one there with Lambert was Babalu Sobral, who ended up a bloody mess. Take LAMBERT +120 to beat Gouveia with a referee's stoppage of the brutal ground-and-pound late in the second round.
Kendall "Da Spyder" GROVE (10-4) is a long and lanky (6'6") middleweight with superb punching power and deceptive submission techniques. His unique style will be put to the test, however, by seasoned veteran, Jorge "El Conquistador" RIVERA (14-6), who every once in awhile pulls a stunning upset. The Big Dog is a +300 underdog in this one! I see too much value there to take a pass. Rivera hasn't fought since he was knocked out by Terry Martin in 14 seconds at UFC 67, a fight I was in attendance. But 9 of his 14 wins have been by knockout and Kendall Grove has been KO'd three times. I'll take my underdog odds on RIVERA +300 with a third round KO.
The UFC Monster at Xtreme CoutureAntonio HARDONK (5-4) @ �335, gets back in the win column with a major decision over Colin ROBINSON (9-3).
Englishman Paul "Relentless" TAYLOR (8-2-1) @ -220, pleases his hometown crown with a stunning third round KO by kick over Paul KELLY (7-0).
Alessio "Legionarius" SAKARA (15-6-1) @ -160 wins by 2nd round KO over James LEE (25-2).
… and Sam "Hands of Stone" STOUT (13-3-1) @ -320 ends the hopes of Per EKLUND (14-2-1), the first Swede to fight in the UFC, with a vicious TKO barrage of flying fists in the very first round.
So now let's put the UFC Monster's hard-earned $1000 bankroll to the test.
Let's lay: $285 to win $100 on BJ Penn.
$ 50 to win $105 on Fabricio Werdum
$138 to win $ 40 on Marcus Davis.
$ 60 to win $ 72 on Jason Lambert.
$ 50 to win $150 on Jorge Rivera.
$ 67 to win $ 20 on Antoni Hardonk.
$110 to win $ 50 on Paul Taylor.
$ 80 to win $ 50 on Alessio Sakara.
$160 to win $ 50 on Sam Stout.
In summary, the UFC Monster is risking $1000 to win $637. More on how that turns out later …
Good luck and enjoy the fights!
The UFC Monster
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