Edmonton Oilers fans can see their team play in San Jose a couple of times per season, but on Saturday, the UFC moves in with a major card at HP Pavilion, highlighted by a few former legends in Pride.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (20-5) vs. Dan Henderson (28-8)– Light Heavyweight
“Shogun” is a -145 favorite in this contest of former Pride champions, and he is also looking to climb the ladder back up the 205-pound division in order to get the belt he lost to Jon Jones back. Henderson vacated the Strikeforce belt to return to the UFC for the second time, and he would like to keep his record of never being knocked out intact. In a close contest, take Rua to edge out a per head victory with his Muay Thai striking.
Wanderlei Silva (33-11-1, 1 NC) vs. Chun Le (7-1) – Middleweight
It’s not a BetOnline scam to see Silva as a +115 underdog in San Jose, as the “Axe Murderer” has lost six of his last eight and he doesn’t seem to have the chin that he used to. Le is known as the “Human Highlight Reel” held the Strikeforce belt and is looking to further his American movie career, but he had better be careful, because Silva still does heavy hands. We’re taking Silva for one last victory.
Urijah Faber (25-5) vs. Brian Bowles (10-1) – Bantamweight
Faber is a sizable -220 favorite in your bookie software over Bowles in a solid candidate for “Fight of the Night”; this is going to be a technical contest all over the octagon. Both can strike, are excellent on the mat and are tough as nails. Both have also lost to current champ Dominick Cruz and would love another crack at him. Lean towards Faber here.
Martin Kampmann (17-5) vs. Rick Story (13-4) – Welterweight
Story is a -140 favorite here, and he is looking for a better performance than his last one, a lost to Charlie Brenneman, but he did take the fight on one day’s notice after Nate Marquardt was pulled. But Kampmann at +120 is the play here as he has the takedown defense to stuff Story’s wrestling, and he is a more diverse striker. Also, he has lost two in a row and he knows his contract may be on the line.
Stephan Bonnar (13-7) vs. Kyle Kingsbury (11-2, 1 NC) – Light Heavyweight
Bonnar is listed at +100 and he’ll always have a place in the UFC for his fight against Forrest Griffin in April 2005, but Kingsbury is rated at -125 and is riding a four-match streak. Bonnar has other interests now while Kingsbury is ready to move through the 205-poudn division, so go with “Kingsbu” at your favorite sports betting sites.
