UFC 89, being broadcast for free on Spike TV on October 18 from Birmingham England, is not exactly a stacked card. Headlined by hometown favorite Michael “The Count” Bisping taking on infamous TUF also-ran Chris “The Crippler” Leben, the card is loaded with relatively unknown British fighters in order to appeal to the local market. Unfortunately for betters, the lines posted so far don’t bode well for huge upset payfalls. In the Main Event, Bisping is understandably a favorite over Leben. Bisping is definitely the better technical striker and wrestler, and should be able to control the pace of the fight, securing takedowns and doling out some ground and pound. Of course, Leben has proven over and over again that he has the power to win a fight with one shot. Even so, at around +150, the odds aren’t long enough to justify putting a bet down on him in hopes of his puncher’s chance coming to fruition.
The other big headlining bout is also fairly unattractive for wagering. Brandon Vera, now fighting at Light Heavyweight after a loss to Tim Sylvia and a string of underwhelming performances, is set to face “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine, who will be trying to regain some of the momentum he lost when Wanderlei Silva demolished him in their recent bout. Vera, the favorite at around -150, is definitely the better rounded of the two fighters. A versatile and powerful Muay Thai fighter, Vera also trains under world-renowned grappling coach Lloyd Irvin, so he is a threat from any position. Jardine is also a competent, versatile striker, but his chin is somewhat suspect, as was evidenced by his fights with Silva and Houston Alexander. I think Vera should easily be able to control this fight, and if anyone is going to suffer a flash knockout it’s likely to be Jardine, so even a small bet on the underdog is probably unwarranted.
Visit our Bisping vs. Leben and Vera vs. Jardine predictions page for more help.
