UFC 121 Betting Picks and Tips

This Saturday, you can bet on UFC 121 – Lesnar vs. Velasquez from the Oracle Area in Oakland California. The card is impressive from top to bottom. The main event is a UFC Heavyweight Title tilt between current champion Brock Lesnar and his undefeated challenger Cain Velasquez.

The co-main event features the UFC debut of the best welterweight on the planet not named Georges St. Pierre, Jake Shields. Shields takes on Martin Kampmann. The Huntington Beach Bad Tito Ortiz is back from yet another injury to take on Matt “The Hammer” Hamill. Diego Sanchez faces Paulo Thiago and Brendan Schaub battles Gabriel Gonzaga to open the PPV card.

This UFC betting opportunity will also feature two preliminary fights free on SpikeTV with the Predator Patrick Cote taking on Filthy Tom Lawler and Ultimate Fighter winner Court McGee taking on Ryan Jensen.

Cain Velasquez +105
Brock Lesnar -135

Cain Velasquez has a chance to be the first Mexican heavyweight champion in fighting history. Velasquez has heavy hands and a motor that doesn’t stop. Lesnar took a pounding from Shane Carwin in his last title defense but his opponent gassed out. He quickly tapped out Carwin in the second. Lesnar won’t have that luxury against Cain. It looks like a fantastic matchup on paper but Lesnar will enter the ring about 30lbs heavier and he’s faced and beat tougher opponents in his career than Velasquez. Take Lesnar to finish Cain in the third.

Martin Kampmann +175
Jake Shields -220

Jake Shields is on a 14-fight winning streak, of course he hasn’t earned the respect he would have had he been fighting in the UFC. During his streak, he’s had six decision wins, six submissions and two TKOs. Kampmann was climbing the welterweight ladder before being KO’d by Paul Daily. Kampmann is an excellent striker and while he won’t beat Shields, he’ll force Shields into an exciting fight.

Tito Ortiz +125
Matt Hamill -155

The last time we saw Tito Ortiz he was being ousted as the coach of the Ultimate Fighter because of a back injury. The back is healthier and Ortiz will test it against Hamill. Hamill has just two losses on his record, one a controversial loss to Michael Bisping, and one loss to former champion Rich Franklin. He got away with a win after Jon Jones threw an illegal elbow and was DQ’d; Hamill was on the verge of tapping out. Hamill is a tough wrestler and his striking has improved immensely since he first joined the UFC. Ortiz is too old and Hamill will earn a nice victory here.

Diego Sanchez +100
Paulo Thiago -130

Paulo Thiago is a tough BJJ fighter, but he’s coming off a rough loss to Martin Kampmann. He’ll face Diego Sanchez. Sanchez has lost his last two fights, first to BJ Penn at lightweight and then to John Hathaway. The problem with Sanchez is his head hasn’t been in the game lately and while he is a very skilled fighter, I doubt he can put it together against Thiago.

Brendan Schaub +145
Gabriel Gonzaga -175

This is a heck of a fight to get the PPV rolling. Gonzaga’s last fight was a loss to heavyweight title contender Junior Dos Santos. He’s fought some big names at the top of the division, but he’s lost to them all. Brendan Schaub was in the finale of the Ultimate Fighter Heavyweight but lost to Roy Nelson. Despite the loss, he came back with two first round KO victories. Brendan Schaub isn’t a big name in the heavyweight division yet, but after he beats Gonzaga at UFC 121, he will be.