UFC 115 Picks and Odds

Mixed martial arts betting enthusiasts that are looking to ‘break the bank’ on this weekend’s UFC 115 card, will have three excellent chances to do just that thanks to this in-depth look at a trio of UFC 115 matchups that will take place on Saturday, June 12, beginning live on pay-per-view at 10 PM ET.

With fight night quickly approaching, let me get started.

MMA Betting Odds
Paulo Thiago -215
Martin Kampmann

First up is the welterweight showdown between Paulo Thiago and Martin Kampmann. Thiago brings a two-fight winning streak into this bout that includes a second round submission win over Mike Swick at UFC 109 in February. Kampmann won his last fight by stopping Jacob Volkmann at UFC 108 in January.

Paulo Thiago
Fighting out of: Brasilia, Brazil
Age: 29
Height: 5' 11" (180 cm)
Weight: 170 lbs. (77 kg)
Overall MMA Record: (W-L-D), 13-1-0
Strengths: Very focused, strong chin

Martin Kampmann
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, Nevada
Age: 28
Height: 6' 0" (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lbs. (77 kg)
Overall MMA Record: (W-L-D), 16-3-0
Strengths: Knockout power, underrated ground game

Analysis: Thiago specializes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Judo and boxing while Kampmann is also a well-rounded fighter that specializes in Muay Thai and submission wrestling.

Both of these fighters are very talented and have huge upsides, but it is Paulo Thiago that is a bit more explosive in my estimation.

Despite having a slight lack in experience, I like Thiago to win this fight by knocking Kampmann out with a flurry of strikes much like Paul Daley did to Kampmann at UFC 103 in September of 2009.

Kampmann also fought at 185 pounds for five years before dropping to 170 pounds in 2009 and I believe his loss in weight has affected his power more than most people suspect.

Either way, I like Paulo Thiago by second round TKO in this one.

MMA Pick: Paulo Thiago by Second Round TKO

MMA Betting Odds
Gilbert Yvel +120
Ben Rothwell -150

Gilbert Yvel
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, NV
Age: 33
Height: 6' 2" (188 cm)
Weight: 225 lbs. (102 kg)
Overall MMA Record: (W-L-D), 36-14-1, 1 NC
Strengths: Kicks, knees, world-class experience

Ben Rothwell
Born: Kenosha, WI, USA
Fighting out of: Kenosha, WI
Age: 28
Height: 6' 4" (193 cm)
Weight: 265 lbs. (120 kg)
Overall MMA Record: (W-L-D), 30-7-0
Strengths: Well-rounded, size, speed, strength

Analysis: I’m going to be very brief with my pick on this heavyweight showdown between Gilbert Yvel and Ben Rothwell by simply saying that I will be genuinely shocked if Ben Rothwell doesn’t knock Gilbert Yvel out cold in this matchup despite the fact that both fighters have lost two of their last three fights and possess nearly equal abilities in the ring.

Yvel took a dismal first round TKO (punches) loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC 108 in January while Rothwell was handed a second round TKO (punches) loss by Cain Velasquez at UFC 104 last October.

Still, I think the younger Rothwell, who is 8-2 in his last 10 fights, is an excellent selection at -150 to get back in the win column and push Gilbert Yvel one step closer to retirement.

MMA Expert Pick: Ben Rothwell by second round TKO (punches)

MMA Betting Odds
Tyson Griffin -240
Evan Dunham +190

Tyson Griffin
Born: Sacramento, CA, USA
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, NV
Age: 26
Height: 5' 6" (168 cm)
Weight: 155 lbs. (70 kg)
Overall MMA Record: (W-L-D), 14-2-0
Strengths: Aggressive ground and pound

Evan Dunham
Born: Eugene, OR, USA
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, NV
Age: 28
Height: 5' 10" (178 cm)
Weight: 155 lbs. (70 kg)
Overall MMA Record: (W-L-D), 10-0-0
Strengths: BJJ, Good striking, big heart

Analysis: Last but not least, is the lightweight bout between Tyson Griffin and the undefeated Evan Dunham.

The 26-year-old Griffin brings a two-fight win streak into this bout that includes a convincing KO (punches) win over Hermes Franca at UFC 103 last September.

Griffin however, will face a fighter in Dunham that has yet to lose a fight in 10 career MMA fights. The 28-year-old may be a bit less experienced than Griffin, but he has shown far more ability to finish off his opponents than Griffin.

Dunham recorded a third round submission (armbar) win over Efrain Escudero in his last fight at UFC Fight Night 20 in January and has recorded six of his wins by submission, and two by KO.

The black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is the clear-cut underdog here, but I believe he will not only record the upset win here, but will do it in emphatic fashion by either knocking Griffin out or likely, recording the submission win. Griffin was involved in seven straight decision fights prior to his last bout, which tells me Griffin doesn’t have the ability to finish nearly as well as Dunham.

MMA expert Pick: Evan Dunham by third round Submission