UFC Early Betting Line

January 5, 2010 - Lots of fights to choose from already this year with most of the betting sites offering early odds on UFC events.

The Diaz brothers get more betting support than anyone else in MMA, so its usually wise to bet on them early before the line moves. But that's not the case this time. Gray Maynard (-335) is highly regarded among the MMA betting community who view this fight as a mismatch. Any significant action towards Nate (which makes Maynard's odds fall) will be met with more money coming in on Maynard. I doubt we see Maynard below -300, he's more likely to move closer to 4-1. If you want to bet Maynard, do it now.

Aaron Simpson (-250) has shown he's a notch or two above Tom Lawlor. I expect Simpson will be -300 or more by Fight Night. He should be about the same price as Maynard so... now is a good time to get some value on one of the night's most likely winners. If you like Lawlor (+200) to pull off the upset, wait until the weigh-in and get a much better price.

Mark Coleman or Randy Couture, do you really want to bet either guy? I don't see Randy going much higher than -415, which is already scary. But is anyone out there dying to bet on Coleman? Probably not. This line should stay put. You might see Randy drop a little as the fight nears, but it won't be much.

Big Nog, Wandy, and Cro Cop are priced about the same against talented young fighters at UFC 110. Of those three... Cro Cop has lost the most luster. Rothwell is a full fledged heavyweight who'll dwarf Mirko at weigh-ins. This line drops to near pickem. Take Ben +140 now, wait for a better price if you still believe in Cro Cop.