UFC on FOX 13 is turning into quite a “big” event, as the promotion added two more gigantic heavyweight fights to the card. And for Monday’s MMA Odds and Ends, I’ll give my quick thoughts on them. Junior dos Santos vs. Stipe Miocic, UFC on FOX 13 The main event of UFC on FOX 13 is set and it’s a five-round heavyweight bout between former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos and rising contender Stipe Miocic. The bout will headline the last big FOX show of the year, which is set for December 13 at U.S. Airways Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Dos Santos will obviously be a huge favorite here in the -400 range, but after all the damage he took against Cain Velasquez at UFC 166, one has to wonder if this is the fight where his chin finally goes. Miocic definitely has the tools to win this fight, although the fact he hasn’t been five rounds before is worrisome. I lean towards JDS, like most, but I won’t be laying the steep juice on him in this matchup as I think Miocic has a better chance to win than most will think. Matt Mitrione vs. Gabriel Gonzaga, UFC on FOX 13 As well, a heavyweight bout between Matt Mitrione and Gabriel Gonzaga was also added to UFC on FOX 13. This is a good test for Mitrione, as Gonzaga is one of the top gatekeepers in the division and if Mitrione can beat him he’ll deserve a top-10 opponent his next time out. And I think that’s what the UFC hope happens here, and I think it’s what’s going to happen. Although Gonzaga has a huge edge if this fight hits the ground, and although he does have underrated striking, his chin is very questionable and I think if it stays standing Mitrione will KO him. Mitrione should be at least a 2-to-1 favorite here based on the matchup, although I could see his line getting steamed a bit higher as the betting public generally does not respect Gonzaga. Mark Eddiva vs. Mike De La Torre, UFC Fight Night 55 In addition to the two heavyweight bouts for UFC on FOX 13, UFC Fight Night 55 also had one fight added to its card as a featherweight bout between Mark Eddiva and Mike de la Torre was booked for the event, which takes place Nov. 8 at Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia. This is a pretty competitive fight and I could really it going either way, but call me crazy, I’ve been more impressed by the unheralded Eddiva so far in his UFC career, and I think he has what it takes to edge it out. Either way, it’s going to be a close fight and I bet the betting odds reflect that, although de la Torre is likely going to be a slight favorite because he has a bit more hype behind him.
