We’re just a few short hours from the start of UFC 166, which will see UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez defend his belt against former champ Junior Dos Santos in the pair’s much anticipated rubber match. The first time these two met, Dos Santos knocked Cain out in just over minute, the only loss on Cain’s record to this day. In the rematch, Cain beat Dos Santos stupid for 25 minutes, coming away with the victory and the belt. Like a wobblin’ Weeble, Dos Santos just would not got down, and that toughness is what makes me hesitant to call this one for Velasquez in advance. Junior has had time to make adjustments, he’s already shown he has the power to knock out Cain Velasquez, and he’s coming into this fight with something serious to prove. All that said, Velasquez should still be able to come away with the win.
No bet is a smart bet on this one. Cain isn’t safe enough for 2-1, and Dos Santos does not pay enough to be a good value. Maybe take the over 3.5 rounds, if you must. As for me, I'm planning on making my money on the card table and on Kountermove tonight.
While I’m looking forward to a truly high-level heavyweight bout tonight, I’m a little dismayed at the state of the division. After Velasquez and Dos Santos, the division drops off in a serious way. No matter who wins tonight, I really don’t see who else could realistically challenge for the title next. And once you get to the bottom of the “top ten,” it’s hardly really deserving of the term.
So why can’t the UFC add some depth at heavyweight? Is everyone over 205 playing football or something? I don’t know, but I do know that if we have to see Soa Palelei wheeze his way through another 3 rounds, people are never going to take the division seriously.
Tonight, however, should showcase some of the best that the division has to offer, with 3 of the 5 main card fights taking place at heavyweight. Gabe Gonzaga, Shawn Jordan, Roy Nelson, and Daniel Cormier are all in action tonight, (although Danny plans to jump ship after tonight and drop down to light heavyweight).
Whether you’ve bought the main card, are watching the preliminaries on FS1, or can only catch the facebook/youtube prelims, it should be a great night of fights. So keep those hands up, protect yourself at all times, and check back later for the Rabbit Punch recap after the event!
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