If you look at our past articles on the upcoming fights you’ll find our own UFC predictions.

Kimbo Vs Shamrock Predictions

Carano Vs. Kobald Predicitions

Daley Vs. Shelds Predictions

Kimbo Vs. Shamrock EliteXC Heat Odds (American)

Below we have the Elite XC Odds from various sportsbooks on this fight. We try to update these odds as regularly as possible, although sometimes they may be slightly off as they change frequently.

BODOG : -325 Kimbo Slice +250 Shamrock

BETUS : -350 Kimbo Slice +250 Shamrock

BOOKMAKER : -380 Kimbo Slice + 310 Shamrock

Kimbo Vs. Shamrock EliteXC Heat Odds (Fraction)

BODOG : 4/13 Kimbo Slice 5/2 Shamrock

Jake Shields Vs. Paul Daley Odds (American)

BODOG : -550 Jake Shields + 350 Paul Daley

BETUS : -600 Jake Shields + 450 Paul Daley

Gina Corano Vs. Kelly Kobald Odds (American)

BODOG : -625 Gina Corano + 425 Kelly Kobald

BETUS : -600 Gina Corano + 450 Kelly Kobald

Last Updated 04/10/08

His opponent: Britain’s Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley, widely considered to be the best welterweight in the UK - if not the best fighter in any weight class.

Styles Make the Fight

This fight is a classic matchup of striker versus grappler, with whoever manages to implement their gameplan coming out the winner.

Jake Shields is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Cesar Gracie, while Paul Daley is a Muay Thai kickboxing fighter who’s known for spectacular knockouts.

The Weakest Link

While both fighters share equally dangerous strengths, one point to look out for is the difference in their areas of weakness.

Paul Daley’s history shows he’s had a very hard time with submissions … of his six losses, 4 of them came via submission chokes. Jake Shields, on the other hand, has shown that while he’s not a knock out artist, he knows how to hang on the feet.

So while Daley should be greatly concerned at the prospect of ending up on the ground, Shields is good enough with his stand up that trading with Daley won’t be a death sentence.

The Last Word

In the end, I have to give this fight to Jake Shields on account of his experience and having gravity on his side.

Most fights just end up on the ground sooner or later, and it’s foolish to think this fight will be any different.

While a surprise knockout from Daley wouldn’t surprise me all that much, I’m expecting Jake Shields to make quick work of Paul with a first round submission, probably a rear naked choke.

For a few months of the year she slaps on the spandex and does the Gladiator thing. But when she’s not on a filming lot in Hollywood, she’s at Randy Couture’s XTreme Couture gym preparing for a much more brutal kind of competition.

The Face of Women’s MMA

Gina Carano is widely considered to be the face of women’s mixed martial arts, and for that honor she has an endless line-up of would-be opponents who want to smash that face in and take over her mantle.

Sporting a 6-0 record, she is less experienced than many of the women who have been toiling in relative obscurity. No one will deny the fact that she has a great amount of talent … they just want a chance to put that talent to the test.

The Challenger to the Throne

And so comes Kelly Kobald, a tough fighter from Minnesota with a 16-2-1 record including 10 wins via strikes.

With a win over another EliteXC standout, Shayna Baszler, and experience against top female fighters such as Tara LaRosa, Kelly is the most experienced fighter Carano has had to face up to this point in her career.

This fight should be very interesting. Both Gina and Kelly are known for their striking, which sets this up to be a slugfest. But this isn’t a situation where there are any giant holes in either woman’s game … they both train with excellent camps and are well-versed on the ground as well.

A Weighty Issue

Typically, Gina Carano is used to coming into fights with a decent size advantage. In fact, there has been a certain amount of controversy in the past where Carano has failed to make weight for her fights.

In this case, she will not come in with a significant strength advantage. Kelly Kobald is known for being freakishly strong and may not be as easy to push around as Carano’s past opponents.

The Final Word

All that said and done, I still expect Gina Carano to win this fight. While Kobald has a long record, it is littered with inexperienced fighters.

Her losses include a decision to Julie Kedzie, an opponent Carano handled under a year ago herself. While some EliteXC stars thrive on company hype, Gina Carano is the real deal.

She may not be the best female fighter in the world, but she is certainly up near the top. I see her stopping Kobald in the third with strikes.

“Our estimates project that UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar will be the highest grossing UFC pay-per-view event in history,” said Dana White, UFC President.

Tickets will be available from the UFC website at the following prices; $1000, $750, $500, $300, $150 and $75 depending on location.

Couture has been away from the ring for over a year and fans accross the globe are eagerly awaiting his comeback against the games rising star, Brock Lesnar. UFC 91 takes place on the 15th November live from the MGM Grand Arena Las Vegas.

More information about UFC 91 coming soon!

To find out the background information on Elite XC Heat look at our previous article here.

Billed as the biggest mixed martial arts event ever to hit Florida, will this fight live up to the hype being spouted by its headliners?

A Long and Troubled History

Kimbo Slice versus Ken Shamrock is a fight that EliteXC has been trying to set up for a while now. Unfortunately for them, reality kept messing things up.

Ken Shamrock, fresh off his release from the UFC after back to back losses to Tito Ortiz, was brought into the EliteXC family with loving arms and given a softball warm-up fight against an unknown journeyman fighter named Robert ‘Buzz’ Berry.

Unfortunately, Ken lost. And in embarrassing fashion to boot.

After much deliberation, EliteXC decided that they couldn’t effectively sell Kimbo Slice against Ken Shamrock after Ken’s performance, so they replaced Ken with the much more economically reasonable James Thompson and that was Slice’s opponent for EliteXC’s first CBS show on May 31st.

That resulted in a hard fought win for Slice - hard fought enough in fact that once again Ken Shamrock became a reasonable option as Kimbo’s next opponent.

And that’s how this fight came about … not quite the fairy tale story you might expect from the headlining bout in a major CBS sporting event, but there it is.

A Battle of Achilles’ Heels

The strengths and weaknesses of these two fighters are quite plain: Kimbo Slice hits like a ton of bricks, and Ken Shamrock is adept at submissions.

Kimbo Slice is still new to the sport and therefore bad at defending submissions, while Ken Shamrock has been hit so many times over 15 years that a light breeze has the potential to render him unconscious.

As for how to predict who will win the fight, you have to ask yourself - who will be able to impose their will on the other?

One strike against Ken Shamrock is that the fight starts on the feet, which is Kimbo’s realm. Another is that Kimbo is a true heavyweight fighter while Ken spent a good deal of his career fighting one class down at light heavyweight.

Getting the fight to the ground will take size and strength - again, something Kimbo will have an advantage in.

The Final Word

While I maintain a small glimmer of hope that David will find a way to beat Goliath, the pessimist in me (or realist, as he likes to be called) sees this fight ending early in the first, with Kimbo Slice earning another knockout for his slowly growing record.

Looking to place a bet on ufc? Try Bodog or BetUS which both offer fantastic odds!

Ultimate Veteran against Internet Sensation

Headlining the event is UFC hall of famer Ken Shamrock against internet brawler Kimbo Slice.

Those of you familiar with old-school mixed martial arts or pro wrestling already know who Shamrock is: a veteran of the sport who fought in the first UFC events and went on to fame in the WWE.

Despite being a relative newcomer, Kimbo Slice’s history is no less interesting. He rose to fame via streetfights posted up on YouTube, and when the opportunity came to turn legit he took it and has been the crown jewel in EliteXC’s promotion dynasty for the past year.

Women’s’ MMA in the Spotlight

Also on the card is American Gladiator’s Crush, aka Gina Carano.

Those wondering about the legitimacy of an American Gladiator fighting for real need not worry - Gina started out as a Muay Thai fighter and was approached for a gladiator position specifically because of her cagefighting skills.

She will be facing off against Kelly Kobald, a hard hitting striker who trains out of the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy with UFC contenders Brock Lesnar and Sean Sherk.

It’s USA vs. UK for the Welterweight Title

Rounding out the main events is a welterweight title fight between American Jake Shields and British fighter Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley.

This is a classic striker-versus-grappler bout, with Shields holding the advantage on the ground and Daley living up to his explosive nickname on the feet.

Seeds of the Future

Also on the card: Murilo ‘Ninja’ Rua against Benji Radach and (if time permits) Cris ‘Cyborg’ Santos against Yoko Takahashi.

These are bouts for contendership, with Rua and Radach competing for the right to challenge current middleweight champ Robbie Lawler, and Cyborg/Takahashi facing the winner of Carano/Kobald for the EliteXC women’s belt.

EliteXC’s Future Hangs in the Balance

A lot is riding on the success of this show. EliteXC has been struggling to compete effectively against the Ultimate Fighting Championships, spending large amounts of money to expose and build their stars up on network television.
This third primetime event represents a real test for the company: can they keep people interested in the product, or has the novelty of their product worn off after two events?

Regardless of the results behind the curtains, this show promises to be another entertaining night of fights. Unlike the UFC, who has their events down to a dry science, EliteXC events often have more than their fair share of unexpected surprises.

While the experts (this one included) might mutter that many of the fights are rather predictable, we’ll all be tuned in come October 4th - because we know that with EliteXC, anything can happen … and it often does!

The Championship fight sees the two Ultimate Fighter coaches squaring up with Jackson putting his Light Heavyweight title on the line against former police officer and all round nice guy Forest Griffin. The bookies are right behind “Rampage” with Bodog offering odds of -260. Griffin is unbeaten in his last two outings, after a superb rear naked choke put Mauricio Rua to bed at UFC 76 and will be looking for more of the same this time out but even with the crowd behind him this could prove to be one step too far. It’s hard to look beyond Jackson, the man who has twice knocked out Chuck Liddell and more recently put away Pride champion Dan Henderson. My heart says Griffin but my head says Jackson is going to retain his title.

Patrick Cote Vs. Ricardo Almeida- Prediction

This Middleweight matchup is a very tough one to call. Patrick “Predator” Cote has demonstrated his undoubted knockout power and hasn’t lost since the Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale against Travis Lutter. Bookies have him down as favourite with Bookmaker.com offering odds of -140. “Big Dog” Almeida has had three years off to concentrate on his Jiu-Jitsu school before returning at UFC 81 and choking out Rob Yundt. I fancy him to spring a surprise and take this and with odds of +110 I think he’s worth a punt.

Joe Stevenson Vs. Gleison Tibau - Prediction

A submission by BJ Penn at UFC 80 ended an impressive run of 4 straight wins for takedown and wrestling specialist Stevenson. He’s back at UFC 86 to put things straight taking on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Tibau who himself is coming off a loss to Tyson Griffin at UFC 81. I think Stevenson will be too strong for Tibau and the bookmakers seem to share the same opinion with Stevenson priced favourite at -215 with Tibau and outside bet at +175 at Bodog.

Josh Koscheck Vs. Chris Lytle- Prediction

Koscheck is a massive favourite in this one with Betus.com pricing him at -350. If you fancy a little flutter on outsider “Lights Out” Lytle then you are looking at odds of +250. Koscheck is three years younger, an outstanding athlete and top class wrestler and it’s no surprise he’s odds on favourite in this one. He recovered well from his loss to Georges St. Pierre to beat Dustin Hazelett at UFC 82 and I have no doubts he’ll come out on top here.

Tyson Griffin Vs. Marcus Aurelio - Prediction

This lightweight belt sees the ferocious ground and pound of Griffin up against the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Aurelio. Although 3rd degree black belt Aurelio has won his last two outings in the very first round the bookies don’t fancy him here and make him as a big outsider with bookmaker.com offering odds of +275. Three wins in a row for Griffin coming into this fight and the bookies have him as favourite at -375. I’d be inclined to agree, if Griffin lands some punches this one could be over early.

Jorge Gurgel Vs. Cole Miller- Prediction

This fight is going to be tight and looking at the odds the bookies don’t seem to have a clear idea who is going to emerge the victor. On Bookmaker.com and Betus.com Miller is the favourite by a whisker whilst Bodog have Gurgel the short price at -120. Gurgel is the more aggressive fighter of the two with superb stand up kickboxing but I think Miller will get this one to the ground quickly as he can and when he does his submission skills could well see him come out on top.

If the fight you’d like to bet on isn’t listed here please go through to the bookmaker listed and you are sure to find more UFC 85 odds.

UFC 85 Odds can also be found in fractional, or decimal format at BodogLife.

UFC 85 Matt Hughes vs Thiago Alves

BODOG : -200 Huges + 160 Thiago Alves

BETUS : -210 Huges + 160 Thiago Alves

BOOKMAKER : -220 Huges + 180 Thiago Alves

UFC 85 Brandon Vera vs Fabricio Werdum

BODOG : +130 Vera -170 Werdum

BETUS : +130 Vera EV Werdum

BOOKMAKER : +135 Vera -165 Werdum

UFC 85 Marcus Davis vs Mike Swick

BODOG : -115 Davis -115 Swick

BETUS : -115 Davis -115 Swick

BOOKMAKER : +105 Davis -135 Swick

UFC 85 Michael Bisping VS Jason Day

BODOG : -340 Bisping +260 Day

BETUS : -350 Bisping +250 Day

BOOKMAKER : -370 Bisping +300 Day

Last Updated 20/5/08

BJ Penn v Sean Sherk

BODOG : -250 Penn +200 Sherk

BETUS : -230 Penn + 180 Sherk

BOOKMAKER : -225 Penn + 185 Sherk

Wanderlei Silva v Keith Jardine

BODOG : -170 Silva +140 Jardine

BETUS : -185 Silva +145 Jardine

BOOKMAKER : -185 Silva + 155 Jardine

Lyoto Machida V Tito Ortiz

BODOG : -200 Machilda +160 Ortiz

BETUS : -220 Machilda +175 Ortiz

BOOKMAKER : -240 Machila +190 Ortiz

Penn VS Sherk

Well, I really can not see past BJ Penn for the Championship fight and with BetUs offering odds of -230, neither can the bookies. Though you need to know that the fight game is a funny business, one good punch and the odds mean nothing.

Silva VS Jardine

The experience and sheer power of the man has seen Silva�s odds turn in at -185 points at BetUs. Whist I can see the appeal of a Silva win, I have a feeling that yet again, Jardine is going to surprise the MMA world and pull out a victory here. And with odds running at +155 points, it may well be worth a flutter. Odds of +155 are offered at bookmaker.com

Machida VS Ortiz

Betting is a funny business and people tend to bet with hearts and not their heads. For this reason alone, and putting my heart firmly in check, I predict a win for the undefeated Machida in this fixture. Seems like the Bodog bookies agree too, he is coming in with odds at -200 points whilst Tito is an outside bet at +190 at BookMaker.Com.

Gouveia VS Reljic

Gouveia versus Reljic is an interesting match, whilst the similar fighting styles could cancel each other out; I still feel Gouveia has the stand up to beat Reljic and the ground attack and defense to back this up.

Finally we have the potential slugfest that is Silva against Mendes and to be totally honest I haven�t any idea on who will win this one. Both are equally matched in style and experience, so I am just hoping the fight will be what it promises to be. No bets here from me, just enjoy it.

Find the Complete UFC 84 “Ill Will” Odds Here