One of MMA betting’s biggest studs will be back in action this weekend as Georges St-Pierre defends his UFC Welterweight title at UFC 154 against current interim champion Carlos Condit.
As expected St-Pierre is handicapped as a heavy favorite to retain his title and continue to be the man at 170 pounds. Currently you can get UFC odds action on the champ at Sportsbook for -330, but there are many factors that make this title defense a lot tougher than he has had over his five-year reign as UFC Welterweight champion.
When one factors in ring rust, his first fight back from a major injury, and the fact that Condit is a lethal striker who can scramble and fight off his back, St-Pierre will be facing his toughest test in years.
There may be some value in the Sportsbook UFC odds +270 upset option on the challenger. ( See dozens of UFC 154 prop bets here)
UFC 154 Odds - St Pierre vs Condit (see round by round props and odds to win by KO or submission at Sportsbook:
Matthew Riddle -180
John Maguire 140
Rodrigo Damm 215
Antonio Carvalho -295
Darren Elkins -115
Steven Siler -115
Ivan Menjivar -335
Azamat Gashimov 240
Mark Hominick -380
Pablo Garza 265
Patrick Cote -300
Alessio Sakara 220
Nick Ring 210
Constantinos Philippou -290
Sam Stout -220
John Makdessi 165
Mark Bocek 120
Rafael dos Anjos -150
Cyrille Diabate -135
Chad Griggs 105
Tom Lawlor 225
Francis Carmont -310
Johny Hendricks -150
Martin Kampmann 120
Carlos Condit 260
Georges St-Pierre -370
Welterweights continue to be the theme of UFC 154 with the co-main event staged as the No. 1 Welterweight contender match between Martin Kampmann and Johny Hendricks. Both are riding win streaks against the best names in the division and will provide a classic matchup of striker vs. wrestler with power.
Hendricks gets the nod at Sportsbook as the UFC odds -145 favorite based on his ability to win the fight on the ground or with a hammer left hand. What's not being hyped is that he’s never faced a striker even close to the level of Kampmann, and that he may run into a technical nightmare if he can’t close the distance.
Lots of value in the Sportsbook +125 Kampmann upset option for this weekend.
Two Featherweights will be fighting to stay in the UFC when Canadian former title contender Mark Hominick faces TUF alum Pablo Garza. Hominick has lost three straight fights since losing his title shot but still gets respect as the Sportsbook -320 favorite.
Garza will pay +260 for the upset and will likely have to get the fight to the ground in order to win.
