UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Barnett betting preview

A couple of heavy-handed heavyweights headline the Fight Night 72 card in Saitama, Japan this Saturday. Roy Nelson faces former title holder Josh Barnett in what could be a slugfest. We take a look at that fight and some other weekend MMA betting odds:

Roy Nelson (+195) vs. Josh Barnett (-275)
The fact that Nelson has won just one fight in his last five trips to the cage and still comes back as a small underdog is a perfect example of giving a guy a "puncher’s chance". Nelson packs a wallop but his straight-forward style is getting worn out and his chin weaker with every bout. He isn’t going to submit Barnett, nor will he go the distance and win on points. Betting on Nelson is a bet on the knockout.

Barnett is much slicker than his opponent, but also enters Fight Night with some damage. He suffered a KO loss to Travis Browne in December, making him 2-2 in his last four bouts. He won’t just stand and trade with Nelson but he won’t shy away either, using his 78-inch reach (six inches more than Nelson) to keep his dangerous opponent at a distance. Taking Nelson down can also be a challenge, and while Barnett is better on the mat he may not be able to exploit this advantage.

Gegard Mousasi (-433) vs. Uriah Hall (+308)
Mousasi is looking to get over the hump in the middleweight division with a big win Saturday. He KO’d legend Dan Henderson and scored a decision victory against Costas Philippou in his last two fights, putting himself sixth in the 185-pound division. He’s a tremendous striker with fast hands and feet but he may be reluctant to stick his chin out against Hall in this matchup.

Hall has won four of his last five bouts – three of those coming via stoppage and is lone loss a split decision against Rafael Natal. He’s been very busy this year, with his being his fourth fight of 2015, so there could be some wear and tear on him. Hall has excellent striking, picking up 11 of his 16 wins by way of knockout but he hasn’t fought the caliber of opponents that Mousasi has.

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