Oh look, UFC 104 odds have arrived! Wherefore were thou, UFC? It was a whole two weeks without any Fight Nights, Fight For The Troops, Ultimate Fighter Super Battle Showdowns… I was getting worried. You know I worry about you, UFC. I almost had to get into betting on boxing…who knows how THAT would turn out. Even though I know just to always put money on Pacquiao, all the time.

Anyway, here we are with UFC 104 action, so I figure it’s worth taking a look at the main two fights on the card. Although I’m thinking we’ve still got a few more events to go before the UFC stable of fighters recharges completely - and then we’ll get back quality fighters like GSP and Brock Lesnar - the main matchup of Machida vs Rua is a quality one in itself. Lyoto Machida is one mean, mean defender, and that’ll definitely be put to the test against Shogun Rua.

Shogun’s a brutal fighter himself, but his main tactic is to wait for an opening - or to take advantage of a slower, older opponent - and he’ll have none of that in Machida. Machida’s got the talent and the skills, and most impotantly, the patience. He’ll be like a cobra, just waiting to strike. (Cheesy, I know. Sorry.)

Now, it’s not really marquee, but I also want to take a look at Joe Stevenson vs Spencer Fisher for a sec. I’ve always thought Daddy was a solid fighter, even though he’s had a few ups and downs lately. He’s strong, but he might have some problems going up against the technical prowess of Fisher. Daddy’s best bet will be to take him to the mat, but good luck with that. I’m thinking Fisher may outstrike him this time around.

Now, go forth and bet on UFC! You know it’ll be a good one.

Ah, my favorite part of the summer (which is just about over now, boooo) - the continuous, mostly-awesome UFC action! (I’m taking a few points off for the severely lacking UFC 101. Disappointing what?) And although the next one up may seem unassuming on the surface, there’s actually a heckuva lot more depth to this card than you may realize offhand…

If you take a good look the UFC 102 fight card, you’ll be able to look past the main event - has-been vs geezer, uh I mean Couture vs Nogueira - and get a load of the Jardine vs Silva action that’ll be happening. It’s gonna be a nasty one, boys and girls. Silva will be chomping at the bit to prove that his huge knockout loss to Lyoto Machida in UFC 94 was a fluke, but the Dean of Mean Jardine has held his own more than enough times. Sure, Jardine’s had some troubling losses as of late, but I’ve got the feeling that he’s ready to be a full competitor again. Don’t call it a comeback, as Ice Cube would say.

So as far as UFC 102 odds go, I’m putting my wager on Jardine (with a side wager on Maia over Marquardt, despite my better instincts — sorry, female intuition). He’s got the experience and the edge over Silva, and I’m willing to also put money on the notion that he’s definitely got a game plan. But Silva ain’t gonna go down easily, so either way, this’ll be the fight to watch on Saturday night…

Give me a shout and let me know your picks, people!

I think I’ve found the perfect cure for the winter blahs, and it’s copious amounts of MMA every few weeks. Really, if you’re going to suffer through cabin fever at the brutal hands of old man winter, why not spend it watching a pair of UFC monsters suffer at each others’ brutal hands? It just makes everything better, somehow. Way to take out our vicarious anger at the dark, cold winter on each other, guys!

This is, of course, a leadup to a brief chat about the UFC 95 lines this Saturday. Aside from the excellent news that the event’s being shown for free on Spike - no shelling out ridiculous “cover” fees at a pub just to watch PPV! - the toplining matchup on this one is yet another big event: Daddy vs Nightmare, otherwise known as Joe Stevenson vs Diego Sanchez.

Of course, given that both fighters are wrestling specialists (minus the spandex tights and flying clotheslines), you could understandably figure that this match might be more snoozy than doozy. Yet I’m willing to give Sanchez an edge here, and not just because he’s got the cooler nickname — Stevenson hasn’t been able to measure up as well on the big stage, whereas Sanchez is just starting to find his true potential. He’s on his way up, and I’ve got the feeling he’ll be using Daddy as his next stepping stone.

As far as deeper UFC 95 picks go, my other focus is going to be on the Koscheck vs Thiago match. The savvy sportsbook guru knows that Koscheck’s odds have been looking pretty hot lately, and I’m willing to bet they’re just going to keep rising. Plus come on, how can you argue with a guy who looks like this?

Needs a fresh dye job to get rid of those roots, but somehow I doubt one’s hair color matters when you’re busy pounding a dude’s face into the mat. Saturday!

So the Pacquiao vs De La Hoya line is now pretty much skyrocketing, as I could’ve predicted for you in my last post. Really, this is shaping up to be the PPV event of the decade, not to mention guaranteed rioting in the Phillipines either way (anybody got an over/under on that?). So tomorrow’s all well and good for the old-fashioned boxing-match fans, but what about us gals who want something a little more, well…physical?

That’s an easy one: more UFC odds!

We’re a lucky lot of MMA-lovin’ women this time around, as there’s not one but two events to be looking forward to. First up is some UFC Fight Night betting on December 10, and although this event isn’t as high-profile as some others - it’s the annual “Fight for the Troops” show, though the extra dose of patriotism certainly doesn’t hurt the WWE when they do it - it’s got a great bout upcoming between Josh Koscheck and Yoshiyuki Yoshida. Although Koscheck lost his last fight at UFC 90, Yoshida hasn’t even fought since UFC 89 (though he put in a stunning performance then), so it’s pretty easy to see who might have the advantage here. Sure enough, MMA lines put Koscheck as the better pick. Go for it.

Also, if you’re not big on the Emerald Bowl betting on December 27, then try some UFC 92 odds on for size. It’s the Griffin vs Evans show here, and although I have my doubts about any contestant culled from a reality show, you can’t argue that it’s not an interesting matchup for a headlining fight. Griffin is simple stylistically, but quite literally packs a punch. Evans is the more flashy fighter, but he can’t be underestimated either. Sure enough, the Griffin vs Evans line may favor Griffin for his hard-hitting style, but I’m going to have to go with Evans here. More stamina. More fun to watch. Perfect when you want to have fisticuff entertainment during the holidays that doesn’t involve drunken in-laws.

Happy holidays!

Although it’d be more appropriate to open up this new womens’ betting blog with an offshore sportsbook’s entertainment prop odds, I’d rather stay true to my tomboy heritage and, in the spirit of UFC 91 this Saturday, give a quick post about our unexpected love for, well, bloodsport. Reading this article this morning about Diana Ocampo - the brains (and beauty to boot) behind Total Combat MMA promotions - was inspiring, to say the least. That there is a role model, fightin’ ladies. Take notes.

Anyway, turns out UFC is something of a phenomenon among women, including female sports bettors. I dunno if it’s because there’s a bunch of us left over from the heyday of the WWE (if that’s the case, then I’d wager that the majority of female UFC fans will be rooting for Brock Lesnar), but there’s just something about two muscle-y shirtless dudes pummelling each other that gets a girl’s blood going.

I’m not a girl who goes for the `roids, but seriously! Look at that guy! That’s just stupid and amazing. And according to MMA lines for UFC 91 betting, Lesnar’s got the edge in this bout, what with the youth and the talent and the current experience and- yeah, just look at that picture again. Couture will put up a good fight but ultimately not stand a chance.

So, take off your press-on nails and get your ass into a seat at the nearest pub this Saturday to cheer on the big boys along with, uh, the boys. The more women that get into MMA and UFC, the possible less ridiculous Jell-O wrestling and diva catfights we’ll have to suffer through on the small screen. Well, a girl can hope, anyway.