The UFC 167 card continues to fill out with the addition of a high-profile welterweight matchup between Tyron Woodley and Josh Koscheck. This is a fight that will determine which welterweight still belongs in the top 15 of the division. This is a wrestler vs. wrestler matchup and although initially I lean Koscheck slightly due to his better standup skills, he is definitely on the downside of his career and this may be a good opportunity to fade him if Woodley is available at decent plus money. I cap Koscheck as a -130 favorite here with the comeback on Woodley at even money but this is definitely a close fight and I will likely pass completely unless, like I said, Woodley is available as a decent dog. Ronson Signs With UFC, Replaces Bocek At UFC 165 Veteran lightweight Mark Bocek was forced to pull out of his upcoming UFC 165 matchup against Michel Prazeres and in his place will be UFC newcomer Jesse Ronson, who will be making his Octagon debut in his home province of Ontario. I have seen Ronson fight in person three times and he’s impressed me so much each time out that I will be betting on him against Prazeres even though I typically don’t bet on short notice fighters. I cap Ronson at -250 for this fight but I expect we’ll get him at a Pick ’em price and if that’s the case I will be recommending a big bet on the young Canadian, who is nicknamed “The Body Snatcher” because of his brutal body shots. Fight For The Troops Grows By Three Fights The UFC Fight For The Troops 3 card has grown by three fights, the first of which is a welterweight fight between Neil Magny and Seth Baczynski. This is a tough fight to call from a betting perspective because both fighters are a fade, but my initial lean is Baczynski, who I cap at -140 in this fight to +110 on Magny. Next is a middleweight bout between Chris Camozzi and Lorenz Larkin. This fight should mainly take place on the feet and since I think Larkin has the advantage there I will likely consider betting him if I can get him at under -170. And finally it’s another middleweight bout as Ronny Markes takes on Yoel Romero. This is a a matchup between two of the strongest middleweights in the UFC but with Romero’s dynamic striking game combined with Markes’ questionable chin, I strongly lean Ronero here and I cap him at -200 with the comeback on Markes at +150.
