A popular topic of discussion regarding the UFC's new television deal with FOX is the positive impact it will bring to the fighters, the promotion and the sport of mixed martial arts.

Sportsbooks aren't left out of the party either. With the UFC slated to run its second FOX event on Saturday at a sold-out United Center in Chicago, bookmakers are expecting to attract more bettors than usual.

"If fans can watch it on TV," notable MMA oddsmaker Joey Oddessa told Covers.com, "they are more inclined to wager on it."

Oddessa said the new model the UFC has installed over the past year is similar to the approach made by a league like the NFL. And everyone knows about the gigantic handle the NFL commands in sports books.

UFC pay-per-view cards are now essentially, according to Oddessa, on par with games that air on NFL Sunday Ticket. The FOX cards are more like Sunday Night Football. Casual fans are going to gravitate towards betting on high-profile events that they can watch for free.

"The biggest challenge for sportsbooks is keeping up with all the events and the wagering market," Oddessa said. "It was only about 10 years ago that casinos started offering UFC wagering and it was limited to the main card. In 2012, if you don't offer most bouts on a UFC card, a sportsbook and casino can find itself less competitive."

Sportsbooks have already printed a higher number of tickets for UFC on FOX 2 than a normal card, and most of the action is still bound to come in over the next 24 hours.

It helps, of course, when the main event is somewhere near a pick 'em fight. Rashad Evans is a -175 favorite with Phil Davis coming back at +145.

It's the kind of fight that even has experts like Oddessa torn. While Evans is the more experienced fighter, he's never faced anyone who has better wrestling credentials than himself.

Davis certainly does, as the undefeated 27 year old won a national championship while in college at Penn State.

"(Evans) has transitioned into more than your typical one-dimensional fighter," Oddessa said. "The jury is still out on Davis."

The co-main event is the type of fight that could prevent sportsbooks from a monumental handle on Saturday night. Chael Sonnen comes in as a -450 favorite against Michael Bisping, who's posted at +350.

The public has shied away from the high price, but also doesn't see enough value to take a shot with Bisping. Oddessa reported that some sharps are confident enough in Sonnen to lay the chalky price and that the fighter will likely be included on 80 percent of parlays.

UFC on FOX 2 Picks

Rashad Evans (-175) vs. Phil Davis (+145)

It's risky to back Evans, in part because of the recent struggles out of his camp and in part because of Davis' wrestling. But Evans should be faster and able to stay on his feet enough to win a decision.

Pick: Evans

Chael Sonnen (-450) vs. Michael Bisping (+350)

It's a terrible matchup for Bisping, made worse by the fact that he only had 10 days notice. Sonnen will put Bisping on his back and keep him there.

Pick: Sonnen

Demian Maia (+120) vs. Chris Weidman (-150)

Weidman, the middleweight division's top prospect, opened as high as 2.5-to-1 last week as a late replacement before getting bet down drastically. The value on Weidman is now too good to pass up.

Pick: Weidman

Mike Russow (-160) vs. John-Olav Einemo (+130)

For the first time in his career, the once-beaten Russow took an entire month off of his job as a Chicago police officer to prepare for a fight. The local heavyweight is in shape and more motivated than ever.

Pick: Russow

Shane Roller (-220) vs. Michael Johnson (+180)

A live dog here, as Johnson should have a terrific chance to knock Roller out, as long as he can stay on his feet.

Pick: Johnson