When the UFC heavyweight title and the moniker of “The Baddest Man of the Planet” is on the line, the betting odds come out early. With champion Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez now set to meet during Super Bowl weekend, it’s time to hit the sportsbook and start betting. Let’s take a look at the early money lines.
UFC 196 odds at BookMaker.eu
Cain Velasquez -165
Fabricio Werdum +140
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -135, under +115
Please note, the odds listed here may have changed, as BookMaker updates on a daily basis. You can also view a full range of prop bets when you sign into your account.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Yes, Velasquez is the favorite despite getting thoroughly dominated by Werdum at UFC 188. By now, we all know that former champion was completely caught off guard by the altitude of Mexico City. It seems that oddsmakers are thinking that Velasquez at a low altitude is the favorite, as he was the first time around.
ARE WE UNDERESTIMATING WERDUM?
For whatever reason, we tend to overlook the fact that Werdum is on a six-fight win streak in the heavyweight division. This is a run that includes victories over some quality opponents like Roy Nelson, Travis Browne and Mark Hunt. His entire body of work includes wins over Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio Silva and Alistair Overeem.
Werdum’s unexpected career resurgence has been undoubtedly unexpected, but it’s his transformation into a top-notch striker that has been the most surprising. The Brazilian started his career as an elite jiu-jitsu player and little more. He is arguably the most decorated heavyweight BJJ specialist in UFC history, so for his standup to even come close to his ground skills is nothing short of amazing - and terrifying for opponents.
It takes a special type of striker to come out on the winning end of firefights with fighters like Travis Browne and Mark Hunt. It takes an elite fighter to give Cain Velasquez the worst beating of his life. Prior to the fight, Cain was tabbed as the greatest UFC heavyweight champion of all time.
Still, the altitude in Mexico City was an undeniable factor in Cain’s loss. Velasquez’ gas tank is one of his greatest weapons, and he was noticeably gassed after the first round. That won’t be the case the second time around. That alone is the reason why he’s favored again.
THE EARLY PLAYS
It’s hard to bet against a generational talent like Cain. At -165, he’s a solid value that I only expect to become more expensive as we move closer to fight night. As good as Werdum has looked lately, it’d be lunacy to think that we’ll see the same results in Las Vegas as we saw in Mexico City. Of course, if Werdum can beat Cain a second time on even ground, there are no other arguments left against him as the baddest man on the planet.
HOW TO BET
Access live betting lines at BookMaker Sportsbook and start wagering now. With our live betting options, you can also wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. UFC 196 takes place on Saturday, February 6, 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Nevada. The main card will be televised on pay-per-view following the prelims on FOX Sports 1.
