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