Preseason NFL odds not exciting enough for you? Don’t worry. UFC 102 is just over a week away and promises to give us some exciting fights. Time to make some quick picks for the event, which starts at 10:00 p.m. ET in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, August 29. Randy Couture (16-9) vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-5-1) – Heavyweight bout
UFC 102 betting lines: Couture -180, Nogueira +150
THE STORYLINE: Finally, two of the greatest heavyweights ever meet in a fight fans have awaited for years. The winner could get another shot at Brock Lesnar; the loser could retire.
THE PICK: Nogueira. He’s 33 years old and, while he’s an old 33, he’s still 13 years younger than Couture. He should be a step quicker standing up and he’s a Jiu-Jitsu wizard on the ground, so he can beat Randy.
Keith Jardine (14-5-1) vs Thiago Silva (13-1) – Light heavyweight bout
UFC 102 betting lines: Jardine -160, Silva +130
THE STORYLINE: Two highly ranked light heavyweights coming off disappointed losses are out to prove they’re still top contenders.
THE PICK: Silva. He’s precisely the type of fighter who historically destroys Jardine – a vicious striker who walks forward and tries to finish opponents quickly. Wanderlei Silva and Houston Alexander are similar – and they both KO’d Jardine in under a minute. Sports picks like this one are like taking candy from a baby.
Nate Marquardt (28-8-1) vs Demian Maia (10-0) – Middleweight bout
UFC 102 betting lines: Marquardt -160, Maia +130
THE STORYLINE: Each of these guys is long overdue for a title shot and the winner of this bout may get one down the road.
THE PICK: Marquardt. Maia is perhaps the best Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in the world, but he has nothing else to his game. Marquardt is extremely versatile and should be the first fighter to bully – and beat – Maia.
Krzysztof Soszynski (18-8-1) vs Brandon Vera (10-3) – Light heavyweight bout
UFC betting lines: Soszynski +150, Vera -180
THE STORYLINE: Both fighters have a long way to go, but the winner would likely vault into the top 10 and earn the right to face some big names.
THE PICK: Soszynski. With six straight wins, he’s on the rise. His ground game rocks and his striking is improving. He’ll outhustle Vera, whose desire sometimes seems iffy.
There you have it – some typical picks and a couple that probably go against your sportsbook software. Do what you wish with them and enjoy the fights.
