MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas recently released the full preliminary card betting odds for UFC on FOX 13 at Several Bookmakers. Here’s a betting preview of the evening’s nine-fight preliminary card. John Moraga vs. Willie Gates In a flyweight matchup, John Moraga meets UFC newcomer Willie Gates. Moraga opened at -400, Gates +280. Now Moraga is -420 while Gates is +335. Moraga should steamroll Gates and I like him for a bet here, as I think he’s one of the more likely winners of the entire weekend. Claudia Gadelha vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk In a women’s strawweight bout, Claudia Gadelha faces off against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Gadelha opened at -210, Jedrzejczyk at +160, and now Gadelha is -260 with the comeback on Jedrzejczyk at +220. Gadelha should win this fight, and while the line is pretty steep, I do think she is worth playing this weekend. Ben Saunders vs. Joe Riggs In a welterweight bout that should have been in Bellator back in the day, Ben Saunders takes on Joe Riggs. Saunders opened at -275 with Riggs at +195. Now Saunders is -235 while Riggs is +195. I like Saunders here but I can’t bet it because I think the line is a bit overinflated. He’s the better fighter than Riggs, but Riggs could choose to wrestle him and win. It’s a closer fight than what the odds are indicating, I think. Drew Dober vs. Jamie Varner In a lightweight matchup, Drew Dober looks to earn his first UFC win when he takes on Jamie Varner. Varner opened at -350, Dober +250, and now Varner is -330 with Dober at +270. Varner is the better fighter but he’s always hurt and I can’t trust him. Dober isn’t a great fighter but he can makes things interesting. It’s dog or pass, in my opinion. Derek Brunson vs. Ed Herman Derek Brunson looks to continue his hot streak when he faces off with TUF 3 veteran Ed Herman. Brunson opened at -265, Herman +185. Now Brunson is -330 and Herman is +270. I like Brunson here and am willing to lay the juice on him in this spot. I just think it’s a bad matchup for Herman and I see Brunson winning all the rounds in dominant fashion. Bryan Barberena vs. Joe Ellenberger Bryan Barberena makes his UFC debut when he takes on Joe Ellenberger. Ellenberger opened at -290 with Barberena at +210, and now Ellenberger is -270 with Barberena at +230. I do like Ellenberger here, and while he’s a bit risky of a bet because of his chin, I can’t blame anyone who wants to play him in their parlays. David Michaud vs. Garett Whiteley In a lightweight match, David Michaud takes on Garret Whiteley. Michaud opened at -185 with Whiteley at +145. Now Michaud is -220 while Whiteley is +180. Both these guys are poor fighters and neither should be in the UFC. I lean towards Michaud ever so slightly, but I wouldn’t bet it. Dustin Kimura vs. Henry Cejudo In a bantamweight bout, Henry Cejudo makes his UFC debut against Dustin Kimura. Cejudo opened at -215, Kimura +165. Now Cejudo is -270 and Kimura is +230. Cejudo should outwrestle Kimura here and I really like him at these odds. I know he’s a head case, but this fight really plays into his wheelhouse, and I like him for parlays. Ian Entwistle vs. Anthony Birchak Anthony Birchak finally makes his UFC debut when he takes on Ian Entwistle in a bantamweight bout. Birchak opened at -315, Entwistle +235. Now Birchak is -240 and Entwistle is +200. I really like Birchak in this fight and the line movement is shocking to me. I think Birchak is better everywhere except for in the realm of heel hooks. At -240, I think Birchak presents some of the best betting value on the entire card.
