UFC 125 Resolution New Years Day: Las Vegas Odds & Picks

UFC 125 will take place New Years Day at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. The headline fight will be (13-1) Frankie Edgar taking on (11-0) Gray Maynard. Also on the card as the co-main event will be Brian Stann (9-3) versus Chris Leben (21-6).

UFC 125 may not have any huge names on the card but each of the fights that are featured on the five fight pay-per-view card are evenly matched fights that could go either way. The heaviest favorite in the five pay-per-view UFC 125 fights is Chris Lebin at -170 and this line is inflated due to his notoriety. Leben is an MMA veteran and a fan favorite.

UFC 125 Main Event: Frankie Edgar (13-1) +120 Vs Gray Maynard (11-0) -150

Frankie Edgar has defeated UFC legend BJ Penn twice and in both instances Edgar dominated the skilled Penn. Edgar's one loss has been at the hands of his opponent New Years Day Gray Maynard. The fight occurred in April 2008 and was a major setback at the time for Edgar.

Edgar won the UFC Lightweight belt from BJ Penn and this will be just his second defense of the title as he takes on a fighter that is actually favored over the current UFC belt holder. Edgar has become accustomed to being under estimated and this may be his advantage in this fight. Nine of Edgar's 14 fights have gone to decision, three have ended in submissions and two have been stopped by overwhelming opponents with punches.

Gray Maynard told Mitch Ciccarelli of the Bleacher Report that he does see holes in Frankie Edgar's game.

"Yeah, I mean even though we evolve and stuff you're still you. I think he's had a couple guys in [Sean] Sherk and [BJ] Penn that kind of matched up nice with him," Maynard said. "They aren't the type of guys that would take a step back, they go straight and [Edgar] did a great job moving around and picking them apart." See the full Bleacher Report story on Gray Maynard's website.

Take Gray Maynard -150 over Frankie Edgar. If there is a bet to go the distance also take that bet as well.

UFC 125 Co-Main Event Brian Stann (9-3) +140 Vs Chris Leben (21-6) -170

Brian Stann is quickly becoming a UFC fight fan favorite but he has worked his way through the ranks of the WEC and the UFC over the last two years to earn this co-main event bout. Stann is a former Marine and a certified war hero earning a silver star.

Stann's early career featured four knockouts. Three of Stann's last four UFC fights went the distance and he lost one of those fights to Phil Davis. Stann has a weak ground game but his camp insists that it is improving. If this fight goes to the ground the more experience Leben will have a decided advantage.

Chris Leben is a UFC fan favorite and a UFC President Dana White favorite as well. Leben is a tough opponent for Stann not only because he is a veteran that can take punishment but because if this fight does go to the ground Leben is very comfortable.

Leben has already said in numerous interviews that if Stann wants to stand in the middle of the Octagon and bang he is more than willing to oblige him. Leben may be saying this publicly but his best bet is to get this fight to the ground and keep it there. Leben can take punishment but he will not be able to withstand the deluge of punishing strikes Stann is capable of delivering. Take Stann +140 over Chris Leben.

Brandon Vera (11-5) +130 Vs Thiago Silva (14-2) -160

Brandon Vera is running out of opportunities to advance up the ladder in the UFC and this match up with Thiago Silva is a key fight for him to move back into position for a potential title shot down the line in the UFC Lightweight division. Vera's two shot losing streak came to two UFC stars in Randy Couture and Jon Jones.

Silva is also in a situation where he must look impressive. Silva has lost two of his last three fights but they have also been two strong UFC fighters, Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida. This will be Silva's first fight in a year and it will be critical for him to knock off the Octagon rust quickly in this fight. Take Brandon Vera +130 over Thiago Silva. This is a value play. These two fighters are very even.

Dong Hyun Kim (13-0-1) -130 Vs Nate Diaz Even

Dong Hyun Kim has gone the distance in his last four fights and won three of the four. One of those four fights was a no contest with Karo Parisyan. Kim aka the "Stun Gun" is not afraid to bang and only one his fights has ended in a submission win.

Nate Diaz has won three of his last four fights against some of the better fighters the UFC has to offer. His one loss came to the headliner on UFC 125, Gray Maynard. Diaz is a well rounded fighter that loves to submit his opponents but he is not afraid to trade blows. Kim will want to keep this fight standing up and Diaz will press for a ground battle. Take Nate Diaz straight up over Dong Hyun Kim.

Clay Guida (27-8) -160 Vs Takanori Gomi (32-6) +130

Clay Guida is a fun UFC fighter to watch but he is facing a fighter that has fought world class competition in Takanori Gomi. Gomi is coming off a win against Tyson Griffin that followed a loss to Kenny Florian. Guida is not much for technique and his wild style may give Gomi trouble but in the end Gomi should prevail. Take Takanori Gomi +130 over Clay Guida.

sources:

www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com

www.espn.go.com

www.yahoosports.com

The Palms Resort & Casino UFC 125 Odds Sheet