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.

With the UFC 103 odds coming up fast - I know, I know, 102 just ended, but it’s Dana White’s world and we’re just living in it, okay? - I’m already starting to get psyched for the title fight. Why? Because it’s Rich Franklin fighting, and I gotta say, I harbor a tiny crush on the guy. I mean, come on — he’s a former math teacher. How cool is that? Bet nobody refused to do their arithmatic homework in HIS class.

Ace’s sportsbook odds to win his bout against Vitor Belfort are looking mighty good, too. Given that his all-time record so far is 25-4, it’s hard not to see that Franklin’s got Belfort’s number here. Although Belfort’s got a pretty solid history - he’s beaten Liddell, Ortiz and Couture - he’s been away from the octagon for four years, so I’m betting he’ll be rusty when he steps back into the arena. On the other hand, Franklin’s toned up and well-conditioned — firing on all cylinders, pretty much. I know I’ve got my wager ready.

Now, if you’re gonna have snacks at your UFC viewing party, I must insist on something that pairs well with the mood and atmosphere: ass-kicking, that is. For your eating enjoyment, here is a salsa recipe I threw together for a BBQ last weekend, which pretty much nobody touched but me because it was so hot and spicy. But that’s the way salsa SHOULD be, my friends — delivering a beatdown to your tastebuds like Franklin will do to Belfort. You heard me.

Anyway, for sure, I co-opted this recipe from the most excellent “(Not Exactly) My Uncle’s Salsa” recipe at Serious Eats - credit where it’s due, etc. - so here’s my version with a few additions/variations:

1 x 28 oz. can organic tomatoes (I like Eden’s whole roma tomatoes)
2 x jalapeño peppers, chopped (seeds, membranes and all!)
1 cup cilantro leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup diced onion
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Salt & pepper to taste
Dash of sugar

Put all ingredients in the blender and blend it all up. Be warned though — this salsa ain’t for sissies. Tossing the jalapeños in without seeding ‘em makes it incredibly intense, much like Rich Franklin staring at you disapprovingly.

If you need a towel girl, Mr. Franklin, please give me a call. I’ll bring salsa.

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!

Tomorrow: April Fool’s Day. Possibly the end of the world (the birth of SkyNet?) because of the Conficker virus. The continuation of March Madness odds (Final Four coming soon!). But also - what’s this? - a free UFC event on cable TV?? Yes, it’s time once again for UFC Fight Night odds, and though it’s not as high a marquee event as UFC 97 betting will be, it’s still something to mark on your must-view TV list for the week. After all, it sure beats having to fork over “cover fees” to watch PPV at a bar, right?

Headlining this prime UFC betting event is Carlos “Natural Born Killer” Condit versus Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann. Kampmann’s got the more in-depth storyline here: he had to drop to welterweight after being destroyed by Marquardt at UFC 88; he returned to beat Barros at UFC 93; he’s got a lot to prove with his muay thai style and versatility. But now his opponent is a newcomer — Condit. Logically, given that Condit’s last three losses were due to submission, this is what Kampmann should go for — however, due to Condit’s superiority as a ground fighter, this could be a risky move. MMA lines give the edge to Kampmann in this bout, as he is the more experienced of the two, but don’t count Condit out of this one. If he can neutralize Kampmann’s strengths, it’ll be all over for the Hitman.

And that definitely won’t be an April Fool’s Day joke.

(Conficker, on the other hand…well, I guess we’ll just have to wait until tomorrow and see, huh?)

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!

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.