Just when you thought that UFC 131 was going down the tubes, Dana White saved the day once again. Former UFC heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar, was set to battle Junior Dos Santos in a number-one contenders bout after the two coached opposite one another in season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter reality show, but Lesnar was forced to pull out due to his ongoing battle with diverticulitis. Taking his place in the night’s main event is former top contender Shane Carwin, who will make his first appearance in the octagon since July of last year.
All of the hard-hitting UFC betting action on Saturday, June 11th, is set to go live at 9:00 ET on Pay-Per-View from Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Heavyweight Bout: Junior Dos Santos (12-1) vs. Shane Carwin (12-1) (UFC 131 Odds)
The winner will get a shot at UFC champion Cain Velasquez, so expect an all out war featuring the most dangerous strikers in the heavyweight division. Dos Santos and Carwin have 26 MMA gambling fights between them; only three of those fights have gone outside of the first round and neither fighter has been knocked out (each fighter’s loss has come by submission) and both pack heavy hands. The biggest question will be if Carwin’s motor has improved since his loss to Brock Lesnar last July. Carwin’s durability will also be in question as the American striker underwent neck surgery last November. Regardless, with Lesnar out of commission, you could not have asked for a better replacement.
Prediction: Dos Santos by TKO (1st Round)
Featherweight Bout: Kenny “KenFlo” Florian (15-5) vs. Diego “The Gun” Nunes (16-1) (UFC 131 Odds)
Though Diego Nunes has just one loss to his name, he has never fought anyone as talented and versatile as Kenny Florian. Florian’s combination of power, striking efficiency and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu make him extremely unpredictable, and his cardio is amongst the best in the world. Nunes, who has gone the distance in his last six fights, has never been knocked out or submitted, but that could very well change on Saturday.
Prediction: Florian via Decision
Heavyweight Bout: Jon Olav Einemo “The Viking” (7-1-0) vs. Dave “Pee Wee” Herman (20-2-0) (UFC 131 Odds)
Originally slated to face Carwin on this card, “The Viking,” Jon Olav Einemo now gets fellow UFC newcomer, Dave “Pee Wee” Herman, who has collected 14 of his 20 MMA gambling wins via knockout. Herman’s fight style drastically differs from that of The Viking, who has six submission victories to his credit, along with the 2003 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship; Einemo is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that should continue his streak of tap-outs.
Prediction: Einemo via Submission (2nd Round – Arm Bar).
Middleweight Bout: Demian Maia (14-2-0) vs. Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Munoz (10-2-0) (UFC 131 Odds)
Demian Maia has captured a UFC record, four, Submission of the Night honors in his career; despite losing unanimously, the fourth-degree BJJ black belt has also gone the distance with champion, Anderson Silva. Mark Munoz is a former Division I National Champion wrestler who packs heavy hands; half of his wins have come via knockout. Expect this fight to go to the mat, and perhaps, stay there through all three rounds.
Prediction: Maia via Submission (3rd Round – Rear Naked Choke).
Lightweight Bout: Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (14-3-0, 1 NC) vs. Vagner Rocha (6-1-0) (UFC 131 Odds)
17 MMA gambling matches between the two and only a single knockout. Donald Cerrone, who was originally slated to face Mac Danzig, is Muy Thai kickboxer that has wicked submission skills; his new opponent, however, promotional newcomer, Vagner Rocha, is a BJJ black belt. The Cowboy still has more experience; look for him to ride out a victory on the mat.
Prediction: Cerrone via Decision
