UFC 133 Tito Ortiz Vs. Rashad Evans: Las Vegas Odds and Picks to Win

UFC 133 in Philadelphia is not the greatest card ever put together by Dana White but there could be some betting opportunities for the savvy gambler August 6. There are just three fights available to bet until the final days leading up to UFC 133. The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook is one of the best sportsbooks for UFC handicapping but they have slowed down on posting large fight cards because of the multiple cancellations on every UFC card.

As if to prove the point, Phil Davis canceled for this card just weeks before the event. Replacing Davis is a shocking surprise: Tito Ortiz. Ortiz had not won a fight in five years time until he pulled the surprise upset over up and coming light heavyweight star Ryan Bader just a few weeks ago.

Rashad Evans will finally fight on this card, taking on Ortiz and Rich Franklin is an underdog to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and oft-injured Vitor Belfort is a very heavy favorite. Ortiz and Evans fought to a draw in 2007 at the beginning of the slide Ortiz began in 2006. A gambler always looks at a fight card and looks to find the best plus money fighter on the card and this card is no different.

Rich Franklin +145 vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira -165

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is on his last legs with Dana White and if he does not produce in spectacular fashion on this card he will be jobless. Nogueiro needs to get to Franklin early and force the issue but one problem for " Minotoro " is Franklin's chin and his courage. Nogueiro needs to land bombs and land them early if wants to win.

Rich Franklin has been on a long break since his Super Bowl weekend loss to Forrest Griffin February 5. Now that Franklin has experienced a devaluation in the UFC Rankings in the light heavyweight division he will be fighting for his future in the UFC. As a +145 in this fight, Franklin is a great underdog play against Nogueira who lacks takedown defense. Take Franklin +145.

Yoshihiro Akiyama +250 vs. Vitor Belfort -300

Vitor Belfort is a heavy favorite in this fight but his health issues make him a tough bet. Belfort is known for his striking but 45 percent of his wins have come from submissions. If Belfort does make it into the Octagon for this fight he is susceptible to an upset against a tough competitor like Akiyama

Yoshihiro Akiyama lost to Chris Leben in what many described as the fight of the year in 2010. Akiyama is not afraid to stand and bang with big hitters but he does have superior takedown skills. At +250, Akiyama is the perfect long shot bet to take down the biggest upset of the night on August 6. Take Yoshihiro +250.

Tito Ortiz +300 vs. Rashad Evans -450

Tito Ortiz looked like a man on his way out of UFC before his last fight and the unlikely win over Ryan Bader. Now Ortiz is fighting Rashad Evans in a main event and many believe this is an easy fight for Evans. Ortiz overwhelmed a less experienced Bader but he is on short rest and his body is not built to make such a quick turnaround.

Rashad Evans will be rusty heading in to the August 6 bout but he can easily handle a weak and sore Tito Ortiz. If Ortiz pulls off this miracle there will be an investigation. Ortiz will be fighting in less than two months and his normal six months off between fights will be an issue for his conditioning. Pass on this bout, never bet on a -450 favorite.

Sources:

Las Vegas Hilton Superbook UFC 133 Betting Sheet

UFC.com fighter profiles