UFC 108 Recap and a Look Ahead

It was billed as a night of knockouts, and UFC 108 delivered in that respect on Saturday night as the hits came hard and fast during the first MMA event of the New Year.

British sensation Paul Daley did the most damage on the night with a devastating knockout of welterweight up-and-comer Dustin Hazelett, landing his signature hook in the first round and knocking Hazelett to the mat before finishing with a few more big shots on the ground for good measure.

The BetOnline Sportsbook prop bets listed a Daley knockout or a Hazelett submission as two of the most likely outcomes, and the former won out as Daley kept the fight standing and used his superior striking to take home a big win that should vault him up the ladder in the UFC’s welterweight division.

The main event of the evening wasn’t quite as explosive, but Thiago Silva almost scored a knockout win over former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans in the third round. But Silva was already weary from multiple Evans takedowns in the first two rounds and struggled to finish Evans. Rashad recovered and worked his way back up to his feet, holding on for a big victory that should set him up for an epic grudge match sometime around May with nemesis and opposing Ultimate Fighter Season 10 coach Rampage Jackson.

Also winning big on the night was big favorite Junior dos Santos, who took care of underdog and former PRIDE Fighting standout Gilbert Yvel in the first round.

Dos Santos used a vicious counter-hook in the first round to drop Yvel before pouncing on him and finishing the dangerous heavyweight brawler.

Dos Santos could now move on to face his originally scheduled opponent, fellow heavyweight contender Gabriel Gonzaga, in a fight that could be feature a close betting line when it’s all said and done.

The UFC 108 main card also featured a lightweight fight between Sam Stout and Joe Lauzon, with Stout surprising many and taking home a unanimous decision win by virtue of his superior striking game on the night.

Jim Miller showed off his versatile skills on the ground by slapping an armbar on Duane Ludwig in the first round of their lightweight bout. Miller isn’t the flashiest guy around but he’s proven to be a reliable guy to bet on who usually takes care of business against lesser opponents.

Next up for UFC fans and bettors is a UFC Fight Night on January 11 featuring what should be an exciting match up of lightweight contenders in Nate Diaz and Gray Maynard. The undefeated Maynard should enter their main event as the favorite but Diaz’s jiu-jitsu skills could prove to be a tough puzzle for the wrestling stalwart to handle.

Be sure to check back for BetOnline UFC odds on Fight Night: Diaz vs Maynard as we get closer to what should be another exciting night in the Octagon.

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