UFC 77 anyone ? and 3 ncaa's

[MR Pain]

hey guys UfC anyone? looks like a good evenly matched fight card to me. some really interesting matchups.

please post thoughts, opinions, info on these fights.........

Kalib Starnes vs Alan Belcher -130/+100 ( I like Starnes)

Alvin Robinson vs Jorge Gurgel +100/-130 (I like robinson but could go either way)

Stephan Bonnar vs Eric schafer? -350/+250 (I'll take bonnar)

Tim Sylvia vs Brandon Vera +120/-150(this should be a gooooood one, I think it's the best fight of the night, I'll take Sylvia)

and finally...............this is the one I am putting 5 units on

Anderson Silva vs Rich Franklin -200/+160 (Silva all day and night)

OK guys TTT, and taikarate I know your out there.......opinions and thoughts please everyone..... (I just like to see what people are thinking)

only taking 3 games straight on the football field (I will probably throw in a couple teasers, anyway.......

Nebraska -2 (hard to believe they don't win this one at home)
Mia +6 (bought a .5 point, can anyone tell me the last time florida state beat miami by more than 6, I can't)
Fla -6 (I love Tebow to rip through Kentucky all night)

Good Luck to all let's have a great day

[TwoTonTony]

hey guys UfC anyone? looks like a good evenly matched fight card to me. some really interesting matchups.

please post thoughts, opinions, info on these fights.........

Kalib Starnes vs Alan Belcher -130/+100 ( I like Starnes)

Alvin Robinson vs Jorge Gurgel +100/-130 (I like robinson but could go either way)

Stephan Bonnar vs Eric schafer? -350/+250 (I'll take bonnar)

Tim Sylvia vs Brandon Vera +120/-150(this should be a gooooood one, I think it's the best fight of the night, I'll take Sylvia)

and finally...............this is the one I am putting 5 units on

Anderson Silva vs Rich Franklin -200/+160 (Silva all day and night)

OK guys TTT, and taikarate I know your out there.......opinions and thoughts please everyone..... (I just like to see what people are thinking)

only taking 3 games straight on the football field (I will probably throw in a couple teasers, anyway.......

Nebraska -2 (hard to believe they don't win this one at home)
Mia +6 (bought a .5 point, can anyone tell me the last time florida state beat miami by more than 6, I can't)
Fla -6 (I love Tebow to rip through Kentucky all night)

Good Luck to all let's have a great day

belcher, gurgel, bonnar, vera and silva...JMHO

[rcmcd]

I like Kalib, but he is still young and raw and has alot to learn. I dont know much about Belcher, so I'd lay off this one. Bonner's line is too much juice for me to touch since this is the UFC and anything could happen. Silva should dominate Franklin again, but with the home crowd on his side maybe he can pull out an upset. Also Silva is -200 and no matter what sport I wouldnt lay the juice. I agree with you on Sylvia, and thats the only play I see here. He has faced much tougher opponents than Vera, and is in a must win situation if he wants to keep a run for another title alive. SYLVIA +120

[Dat Boi E]

good luck this weekend, Mr. Pain! i love Silva! i like Mia and Fla.!

[Kaptain]

gl to ya today

[jt4545]

Good Luck Pain In The Just Kidding Kick Ass

[insidethe8thpol]

Dont you think the line is just a little low here on Silva??

After whooping Franklins ass the 1st time, this line should be up there with Bonnar's.

JMO

[TwoTonTony]

I do not see any way Frankling can combat the destruction of Silva.....The only was is his superior wrestling and cardio

but when someone beats you that bad

#1 - it is difficult to get your confidence
#2 - his muay thai clinches are unbelieveable.....his elbos deadly.....his striking awesome....and his ju-jitzu amazing

i think this is a bargain on silva....will not bet it but imho it should be like -300

[MR Pain]

Dont you think the line is just a little low here on Silva??

After whooping Franklins ass the 1st time, this line should be up there with Bonnar's.

JMO

I agree which is why I am making it a big play.

[MR Pain]

I do not see any way Frankling can combat the destruction of Silva.....The only was is his superior wrestling and cardio

but when someone beats you that bad

#1 - it is difficult to get your confidence
#2 - his muay thai clinches are unbelieveable.....his elbos deadly.....his striking awesome....and his ju-jitzu amazing

i think this is a bargain on silva....will not bet it but imho it should be like -300

we completeley agree about silva, big time bargain, that is why I am making it a big play for myself. People talk about not wanting to lay juice but like you said he should be more like -300, -350. I understand not wanting to lay juice, but -200 for silva.........I almost have to take it.

[Chado1]

BOL with the UFC picks today Pain!!!

[MR Pain]

belcher, gurgel, bonnar, vera and silva...JMHO

hey TTT I have been hearing all kinds of things about vera but do not know about him at all, looks like you really think he can take sylvia. Any info or background on vera would be great............the more I look at it I think your changing my mind to Gurgel also.

[MR Pain]

good luck this weekend, Mr. Pain! i love Silva! i like Mia and Fla.!

you gotta like miami with the points, and if Tim Tebow doesn't flatout rip a whole right through that kentucky defensive line, I will be shocked.

[MR Pain]

1 more for today

hey guys want to add 1 more pick for the day this pick is in the NHL

N.Y Rangers -120

the boston bruins have not beat the rangers since 2004, since then they have been outscored 31-12. To top it off the rangers are 0-3 on the road to start this season, the last time they went 0-4 to start the season was 98-99 season.

[TwoTonTony]

below is a write up on both fighters.....but here is how i see it.....I think it can go either way.....it all depends on Sylvia....He has crazy power and feet.....

Vera has gone thru his opponents like butter and vicious.....this should be a dandy....

I will not be betting it...





Who is Brandon Vera?

Brandon "The Truth" Vera is an undefeated mixed martial artist with an 8-0 overall MMA record. Cutting to the chase, Vera has gone through UFC opponents like Fabiano Scherner ( TKO ), Justin Eilers ( KO ), Assuerio Silva ( guillotine choke ), and Frank Mir ( TKO ) as if they weren't even there.

Certainly those victories have helped his confidence, but in reality it appears that he's never been lacking in self esteem. After all, it took a whopping minute or two after his first UFC victory to call out the organization's most popular champion, Chuck Liddell. In fact, he seems to have his sights set on two UFC titles - both heavyweight and light heavyweight.

Perhaps setting the bar a tad too high. Or maybe not.

Vera has a strong jiu-jitsu and submission pedigree, as he trains with one of the sport's greats in Lloyd Irvin. Further, his training with Dutch kickboxer Rob Kaman has brought his striking to a very high level ( as his eight (T)KO's will attest to ). Along with this, in recent bouts he has demonstrated the ability to deliver devastating low kicks and punching combinations. Further, he's quite athletic.

In other words, with the exception of his size ( Vera is only 225 pounds, relatively small for a heavyweight ) it is truly hard to find any weaknesses in his game.


So what about UFC Heavyweight Champion, Tim Sylvia?

First thing's first. Tim Sylvia is HUGE! Along with this, he's listed at 6'8 and tips the scales at 260 pounds. On top of his sheer size is the fact that he trains with one of the best teams in the business, Miletich Fighting Systems.

In other words, he works with fighters like Matt Hughes, Pat Miletich, and Jeremy Horn regularly. The best of the best.

Sylvia has excellent technical striking skills. His hands always seem to be in the right place; his plan always seems formidable. In addition, he's got underrated takedown skills ( remember the way he took down Frank Mir in their first encounter? ) as well as more than solid takedown defense.

Tim Sylvia also hits very hard and demonstrates excellent cardio.

In terms of submission skills, what might have once been labeled as a significant weakness seems to have improved substantially. In fact, an argument can be made that Sylvia actually outdid Monson on the ground in their recent encounter ( a former Abu Dhabi champion ). After all, the champion was able to escape multiple guillotine chokes in the match and nearly sank in a triangle of his own ( as well as a north-south choke ). After his win against "The Snowman," Sylvia seemed to say it best.

"My cornermen just told me that I just went the distance ( with and ) out jiu-jitsu'd the best jiu-jitsu guy in the heavyweight division."

So then we come to the champ's main weakness - his athleticism. The man from Maine is not very explosive, nor quick. In fact, he looks rather plodding, which is likely why so many people wrongfully question his martial arts skills. Another weakness could be his intense yearning to keep the belt. You would think that would be a good thing, but word is that there isn't anyone in the game that needs the belt as much as he ( some say he actually sleeps with it ).

This leads one to wonder if the reason for the slow pace of his last two fights is tied to this. Perhaps the belt is too important to Sylvia, to the point that since he regained it he's fighting not to lose rather than to win.

There may be some truth to that; of course, it may also be as false as an 80 year old's teeth. Regardless, a match against Vera is exactly what the doctor ordered for a guy like Tim Sylvia.


Why a Match Up Between Brandon Vera and Tim Sylvia Would be Exciting

Simply put, Vera would force the action. He's a free spirit in the ring and that will almost certainly translate to more action than in Sylvia's two most recent defenses. Yes, Arlovski is a free spirit of sorts as well, but once he tasted Sylvia's power in their second fight, he was much more cautious in the third.

Luckily, Vera hasn't felt Sylvia's power yet. Thus, he'll be the same confident fighter we've been seeing all along.

In addition, Vera is solid in all areas of fighting. Along with this, he's likely willing to explore things on his feet. In other words, Sylvia won't have to be on his heels worrying about the takedown like he was against Monson.

Last, people who truly understand the game know how good Brandon Vera really is. Though he is a little small for the division, his talent cannot be denied. If Sylvia were to beat him, it would mean something in the eyes of MMA fans everywhere. It might start to bring the big man some of the credibility that has eluded him.

But most important, the fight would serve to bring excitement to the UFC Heavyweight Division. That's why the organization should make it happen, pronto.