UFC 147 Odds & Picks

UFC is back on pay-per-view this weekend for UFC 147 and the main card doesn’t look that promising to be honest. The fights on the main card are mostly between unknowns and that’s definitely going to hurt ratings this weekend. UFC 147 is in Brazil and will be hosted at the Mineirinho Arena. Since the event is in Brazil most of the fighters on the fight card are Brazilian, but there are also some Americans on the card including Rich Franklin in the main event.

UFC 147 Odds & Predictions

• Rich Franklin -165 vs. Wanderlei Silva +145

Wanderlei Silva (34-11-1) still hasn’t retired despite his very inconsistent form in the cage. Silva I’m sure is excited about fighting in Brazil and I expect him to have a good performance. Wanderlei is fresh off his win over Cung Le by TKO and he needs all of the confidence he can get because he has already lost to Franklin back in 2009 by decision. Franklin should be able to pick up his 2nd career win over Wanderlei even with the fight being in Brazil. Franklin simply has more in the gas tank than Wanderlei.

• Fabricio Werdum -500 vs. Mike Russow +400

Fabricio Werdum (15-5-1) is a beast and he should have no problem defeating Mike Russow (15-1) and that’s no disrespect meant to Russow, as he is a talented fighter. Russow hasn’t lost since 2007 and is on an 11-fight win streak with his last 4 wins coming in the UFC. Russow hasn’t lost in the UFC, but this is a huge step up in class for him. Russow is a great wrestler and typically he can take his opponent down and win. Werdum though is one of the best BJJ heavyweights and should be able to control Russow.

• Cezar Ferreira -260 vs. Sergio Moraes +200

Cezar Ferreira (4-2) will be making his UFC debut in Brazil this weekend against Sergio Moraes (6-1) who will also be making his debut in the UFC at UFC 147. Both fighters will have plenty of nerves I’m sure in their 1st UFC fight and I’m giving the edge to the underdog in this fight because he’ll be fighting in front of his home crowd and at +200 Sergio is the best bet in this fight.

• Iuri Alcantara -270 vs. Hacran Dias +200

Iuri Alcantara (28-3) is dangerous standing up or on the ground. Alcantara has 12 career TKO/KO wins and 12 submission wins, so he can get the job done anywhere in the cage. Alcantara is 2-0 in the UFC, but both of those wins were by decision only. He’ll be fighting UFC newcomer Hacran Dias (20-1-1) who last lost a fight back in 2009. I’ll take experience in this fight and bet on Iuri, but I also think this fight could be a FOTN candidate this Saturday.

• Rony Mariano Bezerra -305 vs. Godofredo Castro +235

Two more Brazilians will get to make their UFC debut on a PPV main card. Rony Bezerra (10-3) has won his past 5 fights in a few different MMA promotions while Godofredo Castro is a perfect 8-0 in his career. Both fighters are excellent on the ground and the majority of these guys’ wins have come by submission. I don’t know too much about either of these fighters yet, but based on my research I like the favourite Bezerra to win by submission.