Wimbledon Final Betting Serena Williams vs. Vera Zvonareva

London, England – Serena Williams charges into yet another major final this week on the back of a very solid run. She is set to meet Vera Zvonareva of Russia in the final. BetOnline Sportsbook has released a whole slew of tennis betting markets on this eye-catching clash, most of which overwhelmingly favour Serena.

Serena, the defending champion, is making her third consecutive final appearance at the All England Club, where she will bid for a second consecutive Wimby title and 13th overall Grand Slam title.

In 2008, she finished runner-up to sister Venus Williams; in 2009, she beat Venus in the final. This year Serena, one of the most decorated players in the women’s game, finds a first-timer standing in her way of the 2010 Wimbledon title and because of this fact, understandably, she is the massive favourite to win.

Zvonareva, 25, is making her first-ever major final appearance. Her previous best result at a Grand Slam was the semi-final round, which she first accomplished in 2008 at the Australian Open.

Zvonareva has been largely overshadowed by her more illustrious compatriots – Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva and Svetlana Kuznetsova. But not anymore. Win or lose, everybody will remember Zvonareva for her appearance in the final movement of the most presitigious Grand Slam event.  as she is potentially on the verge of winning her first ever major on the most coveted lawns in the world.

Tennis Betting Line:
Serena Williams  -5  -105   -1000   19½  O -140   U Ev    12½  O +110   U -150  
Vera Zvonareva  +5  -135   +500  19½  O -140   U Ev    7½  O -105   U -135  

Match Time: 08:00 AM Eastern Time (14:00 Local Time) Saturday July , 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Serena Williams has proven repeatedly why she is the better bet in the market. Few would consider betting against her as such and if they do it is with the expressed understanding it is a long shot bet.

More often than not, when Serena is in the final she is the player to win – evinced nowhere more so than by her trophy collection that boasts 13 major titles amongst many others.

Besides, bookies are confident she is the hot favourite to win outright. At 1000, the expectation she will win is quite strong.

Does Zvonareva have no chance at all? Theoretically, she does; realistically, it is another matter entirely. Should she pull a Sharapova, and beat Serena as her famous Russian compatriot did in 2004, it will be a seismic upset, make no mistake.

The chances of that happening are listed conspicuously large. At +500, she is a considerable puppy and a definite long shot bet.

Zvonareva has no experience at this level and the idea is that nerves and the occasion alone will get to her. If not, surely Serena will.

Zvonareva is notoriously unstable and temperamental on court. The smallest thing sets her off or distracts her. If she loses focus in this match, it will be over in the blink of an eye. Totals for this match are set quite low at 19 ½ with Over at -140 and Under at Evens. Quite telling.

Tennis Free Picks: Smart money is on Serena no question about it. For those risk takers, looking to take a chance on the slimmest possibility it will be a 2004-déjà vu for Serena, a small wager on Vera might be an option.
Think about it. Such opps come only once in a lifetime for some players. This might be Vera’s best shot at a major title. She might not be so wasteful of the opportunity and surprise Serena. Or even better yet (for her) Serena just might have an off day at the office.

Prairie Meadows Hosts Iowa Festival of Racing

The two day Iowa Festival of Racing at Prairie Meadows wraps up on Saturday night with a trio of graded stakes races which attracted some of the top jockeys in the country including the winners of the three Triple Crown races this year, Calvin Borel, Martin Garcia, and Mike Smith.

The nine race card on Saturday evening gets underway at 6:30 CT, with the first of the graded stakes the sixth race, with a post time of 8:46 CT.

Here is a look at the featured races on the card:

Race 6 $200,000 Iowa Oaks (G3)

There are seven three year old fillies entered for this 1 1/16 mile race, but Tap Tap Tapping will be a scratch, leaving six fillies to go after the $120,000 first place check.

The Dale Romans trained Quiet Temper is the likely betting favorite. The filly had a tough trip last out in a fourth place finish in the Acorn (G1) at Belmont Park.

She had to steady when caught in traffic near the half mile pole, raced in traffic on the far turn, and finished with some interest late after splitting rivals, beaten 3 ¾ lengths for the top spot.

The daughter of Quiet American has landed in the exacta in seven of her ten starts, and won the Delta Princess (G3) to cap off her two year old campaign, and won the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in March.

The filly reunites with Robby Albarado, who was aboard her for all three of her career wins.

The up and coming Remit is the lone runner in the field with a race over the surface. She won The Panthers in the slop on June 5 in her stakes debut.

A winner of three of her four starts, trainer Steve Asmussen will give a leg up to Sean Bridgemohan, who rode her in her first two career wins.

Seeking the Title is looking to get back on track after dumping jockey Kent Desormeaux two back in the Back Eyed Susan (G2) at Pimlico, then she had a wide trip in a sixth place finish in the Acorn.

Trainer Dallas Stewart turns to Calvin Borel, who should be able to work out a better trip for her in this spot.

Race 7 $250,000 Iowa Derby (G3)

Winslow Homer has been working swiftly in the mornings for his return off a five month layoff.

The colt looked as if he would be a major player in the Triple Crown races this year, but a stress fracture sent him to the sidelines shortly after winning the Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park in January.

The colt popped a bullet work at Delaware Park on June 20, and the Tony Dutrow barn excels at bringing horses back off the bench, hitting at a 27% clip with horses returning off a 61-180 day layoff.

His biggest threat may be from the Bob Baffert trained Concord Point, who will be making his first start over conventional dirt as well as his first trip around two turns.

The colt won the Laz Barrera at Hollywood Park in his stakes debut going seven furlongs. Jockey Martin Garcia, who has been in the saddle for all four of his career starts is in to ride for the hall of fame trainer.

Forestry Type won the sloppy Prairie Mile in gate to wire fashion in his last start and will be part of the early pace along with Concord Point.

That should set things up nicely for a late run from Winslow Homer.

Race 8 $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap (G2)

The marquee event of the Iowa Festival of Racing drew a competitive field of nine runners, and they come from all corners of the country.

Runners who raced last at Lone Star, Hollywood Park, Louisiana Downs, Hawthorne, and Churchill Downs face a trio of runners that made their last start at the host track.

Brass Hat, a nine year old trained by Buff Bradley, has not raced on conventional dirt since 2008, but the grizzled veteran has earned $1.7 million of his $2.1 million in career earnings on dirt.

The gelding appears to have lost a step or two as he gets up there in years, but is still capable of winning at this level.

Jockey Calvin Borel has the call, and was aboard the gelding for his last win, which came in the Louisville Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs last May.

Chris Hartman, one of the top local trainers, sends out recent Rasmussen Memorial winner Red Load. The four year old gelding has won five of his last eight starts and gets a class test here facing Grade 2 company.

Baffert will be looking for Mythical Power to rebound off a poor outing in the Lone Star Derby (G3) where the colt was beaten 23 ¾ lengths.

The colt earned a career top speed figure two back in winning the Texas Mile (G3) by a neck, which came off a 2 ½ month break.

Shadowdancing was the pacesetter in the Rasmussen but no match for Red Load in the stretch, finishing 2 ½ lengths behind the winner.

The five year old was the pacesetter in the Cornhusker last year, holding on for second behind Jonesboro at nearly 11/1.

He has won three of seven starts over the main track here and his two career top speed figures have come over the surface.

There appears to be plenty of early speed in here, but if he is able to shake loose early he could prove tough to catch, and figures to be a decent price.

Grade 1 Action Will Offer Plenty of Fireworks

The holiday weekend is here, and there are a couple of Grade 1 races on Saturday that are worth watching and wagering on before lighting the grill.

At Belmont Park, a field of seven runners will face off in the $300,000 Suburban Handicap (G2). Just seven minutes later, a field of nine will be loaded into the gate for the $750,000 Betfair / TVG United Nations (G1) at Monmouth Park.

The Suburban marks the return of I Want Revenge, who would have been the favorite in last year’s Kentucky Derby, but an ankle injury was discovered on the morning of the race, and trainer Jeff Mullins was forced to scratch the colt.

The colt won two of his three starts as a three-year-old before hitting the bench, including taking the Wood Memorial (G1).

Joe Talamo is in to ride the colt from Southern California, and trainer Rick Dutrow takes over from Mullins.

The main threat to the colt will be another runner coming back off a layoff. Regal Ransom makes his first start since setting the pace and fading to finish eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita last November.

On the Jersey Shore, Presious Passion was supposed to go for his third consecutive win in the United Nations, but trainer Mary Hartmann decided the seven year old needed a break after a couple of sub par efforts in his last two outings.

The race still drew a deep field that includes four Grade 1 winners and one Group 1 winner.

Favoritism will likely be between Manhattan Handicap (G1) upset winner Winchester and Acclamation, who ships in from Southern California off a victory in the Charlie Whittingham (G1) at Hollywood Park.

Here is a look at the two Grade 1 races:

 Belmont Park Race 9 The Suburban Handicap (G2) Post time 5:16 ET

#5 Regal Ransom 2/1

#6 Haynesfield 5/1

#1 Pictural / #1a I Want Revenge 7/5

#3 Convocation

 We don’t see too many Grade 1 races where the likely top two betting choices are each coming back off long layoffs. The edge in the race goes to #5 Regal Ransom, who makes his first start since the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) where the colt set the early fractions and faded to finish eighth over the synthetic surface. His two worst career starts have both come over the fake stuff. Two back he won the Super Derby (G2) at Louisiana Downs coming back off nearly a five month layoff. The runner up in that race was Blame, who has come back to win his next four starts, last out taking the Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs. The colt popped a couple of bullet works on the morning tab and looks ready to fire.

#6 Haynesfield looked as if he would be a major Kentucky Derby threat last year after reeling off three stakes wins, but failed to fire in the Gotham (G3) in his first graded stakes try. He capped off his three-year-old campaign by beating up on state breds in the Empire Classic and then won the Discovery Handicap (G3) for his first graded stakes win. His return last out against state bred optional claimers was solid, he has what the two horse racing betting favorites don’t have, and that is a recent race.

#1a I Want Revenge makes his first start since winning the Wood Memorial (G1) last April, a late scratch on Derby Day as the morning line favorite with an ankle injury. The colt makes his first start for trainer Rick Dutrow, who takes over from Jeff Mullins. Dutrow is 25% winners with newcomers to the barn and 13% winners with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff. This colt could end up a major player in the handicap division this year, but it is tough to back him at 7/5 for the top spot.

Wagering

WIN: #5 to win at 9/5 or better.

EX: 5,6 / 1,5,6

TRI: no play

Monmouth Park Race 10 The Betfair/TVG United Nations (G1) Post time 5:23 ET

#8 Chinchon 5/1

#2 Get Serious 8/1

#5 Winchester 7/2

#7 Take the Points 3/1

 #8 Chinchon returns to the U.S., last seen on this side of the pond checking in fourth in last year’s Man ‘O War (G1) where he was beaten three lengths for the top spot by Gio Ponti. He had to steady in traffic on the turn and did not get much pace to run at in that outing. He had a tough trip last out in the Grand Prix de Chantilly (G2) where he was blocked in traffic twice in a fourth place finish, beaten just 1 ¾ lengths for the top spot. He should get a good pace set up in here as this race is top heavy with early speed types. Gomez takes the call and the 5/1 ML looks fair enough.

#2 Get Serious won the Monmouth (G3) last out for his eighth win over the turf at the Jersey Shore in ten trips. The gelding earned a career top in that outing and gets a true class test here as he steps into Grade 1 company and won’t find things easy up front. The gelding is making his third start of his current form cycle and the firmer the ground the better for this guy, His 8/1 ML looks more than fair.

#5 Winchester upset Gio Ponti last out, taking the Manhattan Handicap (G1) at 21/1. It was his best effort since taking the Secretariat (G1) at Arlington Park as a three-year-old. The Clement barn seems to have this guy at the top of his game right now, and he should get a perfect pace set up here for his late running style.

Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 7/2 or better.

EX: 2,8 / 2,.5,7,8

TRI: 2,8 / 2,5,7,8 / 2,3,5,7,8

Horse Bet of the Day – Can Long Shot Danzon Upset Acoma on Saturday?

Danzon has won close to $485,000 dollars yet she’s a big 8 to 1 long shot to win the Locust Grove at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

The main reason for Danzon’s long shot status is the fact that she’s picked up most of her paychecks in restricted stakes and high-level optional claimers.

The 7-year-old mare hardly runs in graded races. That changes on Saturday when she takes on the terrific Acoma in the Grade III Locust Grove.

Horse Bet of the Day – Saturday

• Where: Churchill Downs – Race 9
• When: July 3rd, 2010 at 4:54 pm EST
• TV: HRTV

$100,000 Grade III Locust Grove

For Fillies and Mares Three-Years-Old and Upward

1 mile over turf

6-Danzon – - 8/1 morning line horse betting odds

Danzon has a record of 9-4-6 out of 28 lifetime races. There’s a ton of speed in this.

That means that the pace should set it up for her closing style. She has 2 victories and 2 seconds in her last 4 starts. She has a record of 4-2-1 out of 10 lifetime races at this distance. If jockey Alex Solis saves ground early, then Danzon has every right to squeeze through an opening and grab the winner’s share of the purse in this race.

Trainer James Baker wins at 29% first time after the claim. He must really believe in this gal to put her in a Grade III against Acoma. Based on what I see in her past performances, I believe in her as well.

4-Acoma – - 2/1 morning line horse betting odds

She’s the class of this field with 8 victories out of 15 lifetime races and almost $700,000 in the bank.

She’s a former Grade II and Grade III winner and owns the Churchill Downs’ turf course with 3 victories and 1 second out of 4 lifetime races on the course. She will also be a much shorter price in this than 2 to 1. If she isn’t, jump on the odds because she should win but if she is, she’s not worth a bet.

There are just too many things that can happen in a horse race to take low odds on Acoma.

3-Sweetest Song – - 15/1 morning line horse betting odds

It makes no sense why this Unbridled’s Song 4-year-old filly is at 15 to 1 on the morning line.

She’s better than that and actually has a good chance of finishing in the Top 3 in this race because although she looks like a presser or front-runner, new jockey Calvin Borel will make sure she doesn’t get into a speed duel.

Borel might even take her off of the pace. She closed brilliantly in her last to finish 2nd going 1 1/6th miles over the turf. She might be coming into her own as a racehorse.

That makes her a legitimate long shot to win the Locust Grove on Saturday.

Horse Wagering Strategy

Danzon looks like a great wager at her expected odds. I will bet Danzon to win, place and show. I will also bet an exacxta box with Sweetest Song, Danzon, and Acoma.

I will place a saver win bet on Sweetest Song.

Good luck!

Log onto the top horse racing sportsbook on the Internet and bet the ponies!

Saturday MLB Wagering Action –Wade, Liriano Take Mound As Twins Host Rays

The Minnesota Twins are perennially one of the scrappiest teams in all of baseball, generally overachieving more often than not while battling the financial restraints of being a small market ballclub.

The feisty Twins surpassed all expectations last season and reached the ALCS before eventually falling to the vaunted New York Yankees.

Minnesota entered this season with even higher expectations and will enter tonight’s contest against the Tampa Bay Rays with a winning SU record, but the Twins have struggled to cash in for pro baseball bettors in a big way recently.

Saturday, July 3, 4:10 PM ET

MLB Odds

Tampa Bay Rays – Wade Davis -R

Minnesota Twins – Francisco Liriano -L

TV: Fox
Radio: Sirius 177 XM

Tampa Bay (46-32 SU, 36-38-4 O/U, 36-42 RL)

Minnesota (43-36 SU, 33-41-5 O/U, 37-42 RL)

Minnesota has lost six of its last 10 games while going 8-12 in their last 20 games overall. The Twins last won consecutive games nearly two weeks ago when they host a Tampa Bay Rays team that is looking for some momentum of its own.

Here is a look at tonight’s key head-to-head MLB Trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert MLB Picks.

• Over is 5-2-1 in the last 8 meetings in Minnesota.
• Rays are 17-36 in the last 53 meetings.
• Rays are 8-22 in the last 30 meetings in Minnesota.

Tampa Bay 411

• Rays are 0-5 in Davis’ last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Rays are 0-5 in Davis’ last 5 starts.
• Over is 5-1 in Rays last 6 road games.

Right-hander Wade Davis (5-9, 4.68 ERA) tossed a season-high 7.1 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday and allowed just two runs on four hits, but was handed a loss as Tampa Bay could manage just one earned run of support. Despite losing his fifth straight start, Davis threw 73 of his 104 pitches for strikes and has not allowed more than three earned runs in four consecutive starts.

Minnesota 411

• Twins are 3-7 in Liriano’s last 10 starts.
• Twins are 1-4 in Liriano’s last 5 home starts.
• Over is 5-2 in Twins last 7 home games vs. a right-handed starter.

Francisco Liriano’s (6-6, 3.47 ERA) struggles continued in his last start as the southpaw was smacked around for six earned runs on nine hits in six innings of a 7-5 loss to Detroit on Wednesday.

The outing was Liriano’s third consecutive loss, but the veteran hurler had not allowed more than three earned runs in six consecutive starts prior to his most recent outing.

Analysis: While the Minnesota Twins may have a shot at winning this contest against a Tampa Bay ballclub that is still trying to get back on track after some recent struggles, I don’t see that happening with Tampa Bay being the better all-around team in this contest and Wade being a bit better than Francisco Liriano.

Heading into Friday night, Tampa Bay had won two straight games while the Twins were looking to were looking to snap out of a dismal 3-7 stretch over its last 10 games.

In addition to playing the Rays for the SU road win and MLB Moneyline cover, I also like the Over to play out for MLB gamblers as it has gone 5-1 in Tampa Bay’s last six road games and 5-2 in Minnesota’s last seven home games against a right-handed starter.

MLB Expert Picks: Tampa Bay Rays SU Win/Over Set O/U Total

UFC 116 Betting Odds – Leben vs Akiyama

This Saturday night at UFC 116 in Las Vegas Nevada, Chris Leben and Yoshihiro Akiyama will step into the octagon in a UFC middleweight division fight. It’s been a long layoff for one fighter, while the other was in the cage only two weeks ago.

The UFC Odds makers have Yoshihiro Akiyama as the -210 favorite. Akiyama hasn’t fought since UFC 100, when he won a split decision, fight of the night over Alan Belcher.

Chris Leben is fighting only two weeks after earning a KO victory over Aaron Simpson at the Ultimate Fight Night 11.

If Leben can get the win, UFC bettors can win +165 on the underdog.

UFC 116 Betting Odds

July 3, 2010

Yoshihiro Akiyama -210

Chris Leben +165

Round Total 2½ U-145

• Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena – Las Vegas, Nevada
• Game Time: 10:00pm
• TV: PPV

Akiyama had a great UFC debut at UFC 100, his fight against Belcher was the fight of the night on a tremendous card.

He hasn’t lost since his second career fight five years ago but he’s had a couple of fight results overturned.

One he was knocked unconscious with an illegal kick and the other he beat the Gracie Killer Sakuraba but later admitted that he used lotion on his back, which created an unfair advantage so the fight was a no contest.

Akiyama will fight Chris Leben as a late replacement despite his earlier protests.

Akiyama wasn’t impressed with the late opponent chance after his original opponent Wanderlei Silva was forced to pull out. Akiyama has been quoted as saying "There are just 10 days left until the contest for me to determine (Leben’s) threats and the time is insufficient to establish a tailored game plan.

Leben is also not as high-profile as (Wanderlei) Silva and that does not help me.”

It’s a legitimate concern but Chris Leben isn’t fooling anyone with his style. Leben will come at you and swing for the fences.

Leben was a big underdog against Aaron Simpson but he stalked Simpson around the cage for two rounds and finally finishing him with a flurry with less than a minute left in the second.

I like Leben, he’s a tough guy but Akiyama is clearly one of Japan’s best fighters.

While it’s true he won’t have the time to prepare for Leben, Leben didn’t have much time to heal from his fight against Simpson.

Leben will put up a great fight, this one will likely go the distance but Akiyama wins at UFC 116.

Wimbledon WTA Betting Picks – Cash in As Serena, Zvonareva Battle For Wimbledon Crown

The big, bad, queen of tennis, world No. 1 and reigning Wimbledon champ Serena Williams, will be looking to retain her title and take down a red-hot Vera Zvonareva when the two rivals take to the court for their 2010 Wimbledon women’s singles final which gets underway on Saturday morning at 8 AM ET.

Saturday, July 3, 8:00 AM ET

Wimbledon WTA Finals

This look at both finalists, along with my expert WTA picks, will help devoted tennis gamblers everywhere make three potentially-profitable wagers on what promises to be a thrilling showdown.

WTA Betting Odds

Serena Williams -5 -115

Vera Zvonareva +5 -125

Moneyline

Serena -900

Zvonareva +450

O/U

Over 19½ -125

Under 19½ -115

The Breakdown: Love her or loather her, there is absolutely no denying that Serena Williams (18-4) is the best female tennis player on the planet today and undoubtedly one of the greatest female tennis players of any era for that matter.

Williams has been dominant throughout the fortnight, never dropping a single set in winning six consecutive matches to reach the finals. Williams beat back a feisty Petra Kvitova 7-6 (5), 6- 2 in the semifinal round, simply by keeping pace with the streaking youngster – until it was ‘winning’ time as former L.A. Lakers legend Magic Johnson used to say.

World No. 21 Vera Zvonareva has looked better than ever in this tournament and showed the mental fortitude in her last two matches that had always escaped the former top-five player.

After losing the first set 6-3, Zvonareva came roaring back to beat Kim Clijsters in three sets in the quarterfinal round before accomplishing the same feat against the blossoming Tsvetana Pironkova in the semis, finishing with a blistering 6-3, 6-2 finish after losing the first set 6-3.

Analysis: Serena Williams owns a 5-1 career mark against Zvonareva, but I’m going on record right now to say that I don’t see anything short of a three-set showdown here – just like the last two matches these two have played and half of the six career matches overall.

I really believe Zvonareva has an excellent chance to pull off an upset for the ages and will extend Williams to the very maximum in this match, particularly after watching her effortlessly handle the same big-time power from Kim Clijsters in the quarters.

In the end though, I’ve got to back the unflappable Serena Williams to win and cover the WTA Moneyline as a -900 favorite.

Now, when it comes to covering the 5-game spread, I’m backing Zvonareva as I fully believe she’s going to keep it close throughout the match.

The best bet on the board however, is to play the Over 19½ games as a -125 selection. I like this to turn out to be a three-setter, but even if it doesn’t, I can still see these two playing Over the total.

WTA Pick: Serena Williams SU Win/Zvonareva +5 Game/Over 19½ Total Games

MMA Betting – Spike TV Card Hopes to Put TUF Alums on the Map

The UFC is once again allowing the MMA betting public to view a couple of fights for free on Saturday night. A couple of Ultimate Fighter alums hope to make names for themselves during the Spike TV broadcast portion of the event. Brendan Schaub takes on a very tough Chris Tuchscherer and Seth Petruzelli battles UFC newcomer Ricardo Romero.

UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin

Date: Jul 03, 2010

Location: Las Vegas

Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena

Broadcast: Spike TV

Brendan Schaub (6-1-0): -350

Chris Tuchscherer (18-2-0, 1 NC): +250

A Heavyweight battle closes out the free Spike TV portion of UFC 116 on Saturday night. Former NFL player Brendan Schaub takes on MMA veteran Chris Tuchscherer in what should be a very good battle. Schaub will be looking to put himself on the UFC radar while Tuchscherer hopes to set the tone for his training camp that he shares with Brock Lesnar.

Brendan Schaub is a pure athlete who possesses good hands and a decent ground game. He is a former Golden Gloves winner whose conditioning and jiu-jitsu game is no joke. Schaub trains with Shane Carwin and is still considered a Work in Progress.

Chris Tuchscherer is an MMA veteran of 21 fights who relies heavily on his strong wrestling and a strong charge out of the gate to overwhelm his opponents. Tuchscherer is a big dude who needs to lean on his opponents and grind out victories on the ground.

MMA Betting Outlook:

Schaub will look to keep this fight standing while Tuchscherer will try to take this fight to the ground. Schaub should be able to use his quickness, stuff the takedowns and prolong this fight to Tuchscherer’s chagrin. Schaub’s cardio will be the difference as Tuchscherer tends to tire quickly.

MMA betting Pick: Brendan Schaub -350

Seth Petruzelli (14-5-0): +115

Ricardo Romero: (10-1) -145

A Light Heavyweight bout kicks off the Spike TV card of Saturday night’s UFC 116 event. TUF alum Seth Petruzelli will try to ruin Ricardo Romero’s UFC debut and improve upon his personal four fight win streak.

Seth Petruzelli is a well rounded MMA veteran whose best chance in this fight is to keep the fight standing, stuff any take down attempt and generally outwork his opponent. Petruzelli has proven that his hands are dangerous (he knocked out Kimbo Slice a few years back) and his ground game is solid, but not spectacular.

Ricardo Romero has a five fight win streak of his own on the line. Romero is a slick ground fighter whose wrestling pedigree cannot be dismissed. He will use an above average striking game to set up inevitable take down attempts and try for a submission win similar to the one he got over James McSweeney.

MMA Betting Outlook:

Romero, if he can shake his UFC debut nerves has a good chance to win this fight. He is better on the ground and can hold his own standing. I don’t have a whole lot of faith in Petruzelli’s take down defense in this fight, paving the way for a win for the newcomer.

MMA Betting Pick: Ricardo Romero -145

MMA Betting Picks – Cash in As Reljic, Grove, Square Off in UFC 116 Middleweight Showdown

While Saturday night’s middleweight bout between Goran Reljic and Kendall Grove has been demoted to UFC’s un-aired preliminary card, MMA betting enthusiasts can still increase their annual betting bankroll on what I believe is one of the best ‘lock’ selections on the entire UFC 116 card.

UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin takes place on Saturday, July 3rd, live on pay-per-view beginning at 7 PM ET from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Saturday, July 3, 7:00 PM ET

MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

MMA Betting Odds

Goran Reljic -165

Kendall Grove +135

Over 2½ -105

Under 2½ -125

UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin

This look at both fighters, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert MMA betting pick will help devoted MMA gamblers everywhere make a wise, potentially-profitable wager on this pairing.

First, let’s take a look at the tale of the tape on each fighter.

Name: Goran Reljic

Age: 26

Record: 8 – 1 – 0

Association: Ultra Fight Club

Height: 6’3" (191cm)

Weight: 185lbs (84kg)

Style: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Birth Date: 1984-03-20

Country: Zadar, Dalmatia, Croatia

The Breakdown: Reljic has looked like one of the UFC’s up-and-coming stars in nine career fights, but will be looking to get back in the win column after having his eight-fight winning streak snapped in his unanimous decision loss to C.B. Dollaway at UFC 110 in February. The BJJ and kickboxing specialist has recorded five of his eight career wins by way of submission and two by KO.

Name: Kendall Grove

Age: 27

Nickname: Da Spyder

Record: 11 – 7 – 0

Association: Team Punishment

Height: 6’6" (199cm)

Weight: 185lbs (84kg)

Birth Date: 1982-12-11

Country: Maui, Hawaii, United States

The Breakdown: Grove is the far more experienced fighter in this match, but the BJJ and Muay Thai specialist has struggled mightily to maintain any sort of consistency recently, losing two of his last three fights, including an emphatic second round TKO (punches) loss to Mark Munoz at UFC 112 in April. Grove has recorded seven wins by submission and just two by way of knockout.

Analysis: Both fighters are coming off losses the last time out and will be desperate for a victory in this match so they can remain in contention for a shot at the title at some point in the near future. Nevertheless, it is Goran Reljic that is the better – and more explosive fighter in this bout.

I don’t think this bout is going to be much of a struggle for Reljic as Kendall Grove has posted a dismal 3-4 record over his last seven fights, though he has lost consecutive fights just once in his career.

Goran Reljic is just as good, if not better than Grove in the stand-up fight game while clearly being better than his opponent on the ground.

Unless Kendall Grove scores a lucky KO, which I just don’t see happening, I think Goran Reljic wins this fight fairly easily.

Now, while Grove has suffered five first round losses in his career, he has only been submitted once in his career, which leads me to believe this one may go the distance. Nevertheless, I love Goran Reljic’s submission game and believe he will get Grove in an armbar to finish him off in the third round.

Expert MMA Picks: Goran Reljic by Third Round Submission

UFC 116 Predictions – Pellegrino To Be Decimated By Sotiropoulos

Kurt Pellegrino has steadily earned his way in the lightweight ranks of the UFC, with losses to Nate Diaz and Joe “Daddy” Stevenson serving as the only blemishes on an otherwise sterling run. He will try to continue to prove his stealth submissions can carry him to glory as he fights the dangerous Australian George Sotiropoulos.

Since moving to lightweight, Sotiropoulos has won three straight fights, including a recent win by unanimous decision over Stevenson which won “Fight of the Night” at UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez. The majority of his fights come to a painful end via submission as he uses his snake-like talents on the ground to slither in to venomous positions.

The American born Pellegrino has let his ego inflate over the years as he’s risen in the ranks, dying his hair and adhering to the nickname “Batman”. It’s a handle that drives comic book nerds absolutely crazy, because he’s loud, obnoxious and often bone-headed in fights. One thing that is similar, however, is his ability to end fights with his fists.

That might not be an opportunity he gets this weekend in UFC 116 betting.

Kurt Pellegrino (15-4) vs. George Sotiropoulus (12-2)

Saturday, July 3rd — MGM Grand — 9:00pm EST

UFC Fight Lines: Pellegrino +160 / Sotiropoulos -200

Both fighters would love to keep this fight standing upright on their feet, but I’m sure that’s a trend that won’t last. Pellegrino is definitely the more powerful striker, but Sotiropoulos is not only more disciplined, he’s also technically superior with his hands.

One thing Pellegrino hasn’t really developed is a strong shoot. He explodes out powerfully towards the legs, but he often has trouble wrapping and securing the takedown.

This seems like a clash of styles on paper, but in true fact it’s a matchup that will lead to Sotiropoulus giving Pellegrino a clinic in how to properly wrestle. What the Australian will do when he secures top mount is neutralize the offense of his American opponent, while raining from justice from the heavens before finding an opening to secure a choke and win this fight.

If it’s “wrestler vs. wrestler” you always take the guy that has proven time and again that he is a dangerous guy on the ground. This has “Fight of the Night” potential written al over it, but I doubt that anything will compare to the Lesnar-Carwin bout that headlines UFC 116 betting.

Furious UFC 116 Prediction – Sotiropoulos

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