UFC 82: Picks and Predictions

Now that we’ve gone over the main card, here are my picks and predictions for the preliminaries. Don’t snooze on these fights – there’s some good stuff in there.

Heavyweight: Andrei Arlovski (-350) vs. Jake O’Brien (+250)
O’Brien isn’t being given much of a chance against the former Heavyweight champion, and for good reason. First-round knockout.

Welterweight: Luke Cummo (-160) vs. Luigi Fioravanti (+130)
This could be the weakest bout on the card. Cummo went to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 2 and has enough striking power to win this one.

Welterweight: Diego Sanchez (-450) vs. David Bielkheden (+300)
Sanchez has just two losses on his record, but those were in his last two fights, to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch. Sanchez should be able to get back in the win column, but has no betting value here.

Welterweight: Josh Koscheck (-450) vs. Dustin Hazelett (+300)
Hazelett is THE value pick on the card. It isn’t so much Koscheck’s loss to Georges St. Pierre at UFC 74, but Hazelett’s 3-1 record in the octagon and his submission skills.

Lightweight: Jorge Gurgel (-200) vs. John Halverson (+160)
Gurgel has failed to cash in on his TUF experience. I’ll take Halverson and the healthy payout.