UFC 85 - Full Fight Card and Bodog Odds

Tonight, the UFC will be holding their 85th pay-per-view event. Coming from The O2 Arena in London, this card will be known as UFC 85: Bedlam. The original main even was supposed to have been Chuck Liddell against Mauricio Rua, but Rua was forced to withdraw following knee surgery. Liddell was then paired up with Rashad Evans, but a hamstring injury caused Liddell to pull out of the event. James Irvin was then brought in, but a foot injury forced the UFC to drop the idea of a heavyweight main event entirely. Instead, Matt Hughes vs. Thiago Alves was moved to the top spot.

But these weren’t the only problems with the card. Paul Kelly and Jonathan Goulet were scheduled to fight, but Goulet withdrew due to lack of training time. Not long after, Kelly suffered an injury and was also forced out of the competition.

And finally, hometown favorite Michael Bisping had to find a new opponent after Chris Leben was faced with legal problems which kept him from training properly. Instead, Jason Day was brought in to challenge the hard-hitting Brit.

Despite the card’s numerous problems, it’s still shaping up to be an exciting night of MMA action. Just take a look at the full card.

UFC 85 - FULL CARD AND BODOG ODDS

Odds are courtesy of Bodog’s online sportsbook, which offers some of the best betting options around. They also provide quick and easy payouts, so you’ll never find yourself wondering where your money is.

(Lightweights) Thiago Tavares -500 vs. Matt Wiman +300

(Welterweights) Ryo Chonan -130 vs. Roan Carneiro EVEN

(Middleweights) Martin Kampmann -260 vs. Jorge Rivera +200

(Light Heavyweights) Jason Lambert -155 vs. Luiz Cane +125

(Heavyweights) Antoni Hardonk -350 vs. Neil Wain +275

(Welterweights) Paul Taylor -260 vs. Jess Liaudin +200

(Welterweights) Marcus Davis -110 vs. Mike Swick -120

(Heavyweights) Fabricio Werdum +130 vs. Brandon Vera -170

(Middleweights) Nate Marquardt -205 vs. Thales Leites +165

(Middleweights) Michael Bisping -340 vs. Jason Day +260

(174 lb. Catch Weight) Matt Hughes -200 vs. Thiago Alves +160

MATT HUGHES VS. THIAGO ALVES

Tonight’s main event is an intriguing one, and bettors might especially want to take a look. Hughes is a -200 favorite to Alves’ +160, but Hughes is 34-years-old and has lost two of his last three fights (both to Georges St. Pierre). While there’s no shame in losing to St. Pierre, one has to wonder what kind of psychological effect this might have had on Hughes?

Alves, on the other hand, is on a five-fight win streak. In his last two bouts, he’s achieved TKO wins over Chris Lytle and Karo Parisyan (although Lytle’s was a stoppage from a cut). Hughes fought Lytle two fights ago, but he couldn’t finish him off and had to settle for a unanimous decision.

Hughes has a vast advantage in experience, with a career MMA record of 43-6. But Alves will also come in a few pounds heavier. The weight limit for the bout was supposed to be 170, but Alves couldn‘t make it. Hughes agreed to fight him at the catch weight of 174. Those few pounds difference could end up being a factor. This isn’t the first time that Alves has had problems with weight. He’s even tested positive for a diuretic used to lose water weight.

If Hughes loses tonight, it might very well be his last fight. If Alves comes out on top, he might very well find himself catapulted into title contention. Whatever happens, this fight has very important implications for the UFC’s welterweight division.

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UFC 84 - Full Results

UFC 85 - Full Fight Card and Bodog Odds