Betting on UFC 82: Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson

MMA connoisseurs have circled Mar. 1 on the calendar in red pen. That’s when two of the more highly regarded fighters in the sport will meet in Columbus, Ohio for the main event of  UFC 82.  Adding to the intrigue, this is billed as a “unification” bout between UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva (–150) and PRIDE Welterweight champion Dan Henderson.

Silva is ranked as the top middleweight in the world and the best pound-for-pound fighter in world, according to Sherdog. Henderson is No. 5 in the latter category and an accomplished name in his own right. Both fighters have outstanding grappling skills; Henderson is a two-time Olympian in Greco-Roman wrestling, while Silva adds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to his considerable Muay Thai arsenal.

But can Henderson handle the drop in weight from 205 to 185 pounds? At +120, “Hollywood” provides a pretty small return on investment coming off his loss in September to Quinton Jackson.