UFC 99 ‘The Comeback’ Staff Preview, Picks & Betting Odds

ufcUFC 99 “The Comeback” will take place tomorrow, June 13, at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany and will air live on pay-per-view at 3PM ET/12PM PT. The weigh-ins will be held this morning at 10PM ET/7AM PT at the Lanxess Arena, and will stream live on UFC.com.

If you’re the gambling type, we recommend visiting BetUS and Bodog to place your bets. BetUS is currently offering a $75 bonus for depositing $200.

Odds below are from BetUS and are subject to change. Feel free to check out the live lines on our UFC Betting Odds page for the most up-to-date betting odds.

The Fights

Minus (-) = favorite | Plus (+) = underdog

With a line of -150 & +150, you would have to wager $150 to win $100 if you’re picking the favorite. You would win $150 for every $100 if you bet on the underdog assuming he won.

Good luck!

Preview and picks after the jump.

Rich Franklin (-145) vs Wanderlei Silva (+105)

Image courtesy of CombatLifestyle.com

Mike Moffatt: Wanderlei has made it quite clear that he will be going out there to throw bombs on Saturday afternoon and that one of these two men will be knocked out. That, in my opinion, is never a good game plan as it allows your opponent to sit back, use proper footwork and head movement, and counter punch their way to victory. ‘Ace’ is a very talented striker and though Silva might possess heavier hands, I think Rich will be able to use precision striking with him punches and kicks in order to dispose of Silva. A loss for Silva here won’t derail him too much, even coming off of a loss, as he will still remain undefeated in his new weight class of 185 pounds and eyeing ‘The Spider’s’ belt. Franklin by TKO in Round 2

Zak Woods: Rich Franklin made his living by being a big middleweight who could bully fighters in the clinch. That all came crashing down when Franklin fought Anderson Silva. Franklin showed no ability to counter an effective Thai clinch and that is exactly what he is facing against Wanderlei Silva. Silva has had some recent troubles. He is 1-4 in his past five fights, including three knockouts. But there is hope. Silva was not knocked out by Chuck Liddell, a harder puncher than Rich Franklin. I believe that Silva will be able to use the Thai clinch to devastating effect against Rich Franklin, something we’ve seen before. Silva by TKO in Round 2

Mark Dorsey: I don’t want to see either one of these guys lose. Both of them are talking about standing up and banging so one of them is going down by KO. I think Franklin’s got superior technical kickboxing so as long as Wanderlei doesn’t catch him in the clinch Franklin by KO in Round 2

Gregory Monskie: There is very little about this fight to get me excited. As I see it, the guy who has to move up in weight because he got crushed by Anderson Silva is going to fight the guy who wants to move down in weight so that he too can get crushed by Anderson Silva. That this fight is taking place a catchweight makes it even more strange. If Silva goes into this fight to brawl Franklin, he’s going to have his lights put out. On the other hand, if Silva goes back to his Muay Thai roots, he has a shot. I just think that, at this point in their careers, Franklin is the more complete fighter, and gets the W. Franklin by Decision

Steve Barry: As a huge Wanderlei Silva fan, this fight worries me. For one, Rich knows exactly what to expect from Wanderlei, and even if he didn’t before, Anderson Silva likely filled him in on any of Wandy’s nuances he wasn’t aware of. And two, I worry Wanderlei’s been so focused on getting a fight with Anderson that’s he’s been overlooking this one. Not to mention the fact that Wanderlei seems to have prioritized putting on a great show over winning. There’s no doubt Rich is the more technically sound striker, but that doesn’t mean Wanderlei can’t bulldoze him either. And let’s not forget one of Rich’s biggest weaknesses is defending the Muay Thai clinch. I’m not very confident about it, but I can’t pick against him either. Silva by KO in Round 2

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Cain Velasquez (-180) vs Cheick Kongo (+140)

Image courtesy of CombatLifestyle.com

Mike Moffatt: After Herring was forced out of his fight against Velasquez, Kongo quickly stepped up resulting in a further step up in competition for Velasquez. Though Cain has looked more than solid in his UFC career, this is his biggest test to date. Kongo has been on the verge of a title shot before and with a win on Saturday he should be close again. I think this is the time that Kongo gets over the hump and earns his title shot in a fight that I believe goes the distance, even with these two heavy-handed fighters. Kongo by Unanimous Decision

Zak Woods: Velasquez was suppose to be fighting Heath Herring in this bout. Now that Herring is out with an illness the UFC has put Cheick Kongo in Cain’s path. While some view this as an upgrade in talent, I personally don’t. Kongo lost to Herring who simply out-wrestled the Frenchman. Now Kongo is going against an All-American wrestler. This match is a tailored made victory for Velasquez as long as he doesn’t get cute and stay on his feet. Velasquez by Unanimous Decision

Mark Dorsey: This is an interesting fight because it’ll tell us a lot about each guy at this stage in his career. Hopefully Kongo has been working on his takedown defense and getting back to his feet. We haven’t seen the k-1 level striking yet that Velasquez supposedly has, so I’m gonna pick Kongo by 3rd round TKO, garnering him a title shot. Kongo by TKO in Round 3

Gregory Monskie: This is probably the most intriguing match-up, because it has the most title implications of any fight on the card. Honestly, I’m happy this card kind of fell apart because I would not have been excited for Velasquez to fight Heath Herring, as was originally planned. Kongo is vicious striker, with only a wee bit of ground game. His key to victory is to keep the fight standing. While Velasquez certainly has the skills to find Kongo’s chin on the feet, his path to victory is to get the takedown. Cain is the real deal. Velasquez by G’n’P in Round 1

Steve Barry: I’m not sold that Kongo is actually a tougher opponent for Velasquez compared to Herring. While Kongo’s ground game may be improving, it’s still not all that great. In fact, Herring out wrestled him for a win just last year. If Herring can, I really don’t see why Velasquez can’t. I don’t know that he’ll finish him, but he should be able to pull out the decision. Velasquez by Decision

Mike Swick (-240) vs Ben Saunders (+180)

Mike Moffatt: This is a very interesting match-up as Saunders is coming off a brutal destruction of his last opponent thanks to a great Muay Thai clinch, and Swick is seen as many as the only next option for a shot at GSP’s belt if he is able to fend off Saunders. If Saunders is able to defeat Swick on Saturday it would throw a huge wrench into the welterweight division leaving no true number one contender to face the French Canadian, as long as he is able to get past Alves at UFC 100 that is. I don’t think Saunders will have an answer for Swick on the feet, however, and Swick should get the next title shot, though I’m not completely convinced he has earned it. Maybe Saturday’s performance will help cement his place amongst the 170 pounders. Swick by Unanimous Decision

Zak Woods: I truly believe Ben Saunders is overrated. His opponents in the UFC have a 0-5 record and Saunders lost to Tommy Speer in TUF season six. While Saunders has commented that he can negate Swick’s size and reach advantage, an advantage Swick held in all of his welterweight bouts, that same reasoning applies to Saunders who also fought small welterweights. Mike Swick has proved to be one of the most consistent fighters in the UFC and I see no reason to believe that Saunders, who has questionable heart, can preserve in a three round fight. Mike Swick proves his worth with an unanimous decision victory. Swick by Unanimous Decision

Mark Dorsey: Another interesting bout. Saunders was devastating last time around but Swick is a serious contender. If Swick avoids the clinch, I think he’s too fast for Saunders and makes a big statement with a 1st round KO. Swick by KO in Round 1

Gregory Monskie: Ben Saunders looked great when put his machine gun knees into Brandon Wolff’s dome last time out. However, he lost to Tommy Spears, and it’s hard to forgive that. Mike Swick gets it done . . . uh . . . fast. Swick by KO in Round 1

Steve Barry: This should be a fun one. both love to stand and bang which should produce fireworks. Saunders had an impressive win over Brandon Wolff but Swick is definitely a step up in competition. I want to pick Saunders here for the upset, but I’m afraid I’m just getting caught up in the hype from the Wolff beatdown. Swick by TKO in Round 2

Marcus Davis (-200) vs Dan Hardy (+150)

Mike Moffatt: The war of words has helped make this fight a ‘can’t miss’. Both men will be looking to take the other’s head off and I believe the victory will go to the man who is able to keep his emotions in check and fight a patient fight. Though I believe that Hardy is the better fighter overall, I think that Davis will be able to implement a better game plan on Saturday night and will be able to catch Hardy with a shot on the feet and finish him off on the ground. Davis by TKO in Round 3

Zak Woods: Despite Davis’ 8-2 record in the UFC he will forever be a gatekeeper to the top-ten of the welterweight division. Davis’ fight with Mike Swick proved that fact. Hardy has a similar body type to Swick and with his heavy hands, and Davis’ abundant scar tissue, I think Hardy will be able to win the grudge match. Hardy by TKO (cut) in Round 2

Mark Dorsey: These guys hate each other. Everyone loves bad blood. I used to have high hopes for Davis but lately he has looked less than spectacular. Hardy, on the other hand, is young, fast and heavy-handed. Hardy by Submission in Round 2

Gregory Monskie: Probably the best piece of semi-manufactured bad blood on the card. I’m not going to say that these guys are making it up, but it does seem kind of forced. That Hardy accuses of Davis of being a fake-Irishman is funny coming, not only from a guy who’s not Irish, but a guy from a country full of people of who don’t usually get along with the little green folks anyway. I guess it’s better than making this one about The Troubles. And for everyone’s sake, I’m glad this fight isn’t happening in Belfast. For those who like their fights bloody, tune in. The doctor stops this one late. Hardy by TKO in Round 3

Steve Barry: Another fight that can’t possibly be boring. In case you haven’t heard, Marcus Davis hates Dan Hardy and Marcus Davis doesn’t hate anyone. I’m expecting a war here. They’re going to go throwdown in the middle of the Octagon until one of them falls. It’s just a question of who? I’ll take the “fake Irishman” Davis by TKO in Round 2

Spencer Fisher (-225) vs Caol Uno (+175)

Mike Moffatt: Uno will step into the cage Saturday against a worthy opponent in Spencer Fisher and will surely be looking for a submission. Though Fisher has looked fairly impressive in his last couple of fights, he has been out of action since UFC 90 and will need to be on his game if he hopes to take out Uno. I think that Fisher will be able to frustrate Uno and fight a smart fight en route to a decision victory. Fisher by Unanimous Decision

Zak Woods: Caol is making his return to the UFC and is also coming off of a ten-month layoff. There may be a little cage rust for Uno. Fisher has made a critical choice that, in my opinion, should give him the advantage. Fisher has left Miletich Fighting Systems. Their fighters are clearly behind the times so now that Fisher has left, I expect him to be the crisper and more consistent fighter. Fisher by Unanimous Decision

Mark Dorsey: This is going to be a good brawl. I think Fisher is too seasoned to get caught in a sub by Uno. I also don’t see Uno standing a chance on the feet or controlling the action on the mat. However, Uno is hard to finish. Fisher by Unanimous Decision

Gregory Monskie: Saturday we all welcome Uno back to the UFC, as he hasn’t fought for Zuffa since he got KO’d by Hermes Franca in September of 2003. Unfortunately, I don’t think it will be a long stay, as his chin is suspect, and I don’t think he has enough left to get back a hard-hitting Fisher. A little ring rust may also get in his way. Fisher by TKO in Round 2

Steve Barry: It’s been quite awhile since we’ve seen Caol Uno step inside the Octagon. He’s been fighting in Japan since 2004, and I’m a little concerned he’ll struggle in his UFC return much like many of the other fighters from Japan have. Fisher is tough and can give Uno problems, but I do think Uno will find a way to catch him in a submission for the win. Uno by Submission in Round 2

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (-400) vs Mostapha Al-Turk (+250)

Mike Moffatt: Cro Cop is making his much anticipated UFC return on Saturday with a lot to prove against a fighter in Al Turk who should be over-matched. Cro Cop will need to make sure that he is patient early and doesn’t get caught making a stupid mistake. As long as Mirko is able to pick his shots and utilize his striking game that we used to see, he should be able to get a victory on Saturday without too much difficulty. Cro Cop by TKO in Round 1

Zak Woods: If Cheick Kongo can finish Al Turk in the first round than surely Cro Cop should be able to duplicate those results. Cro Cop by TKO in Round 1

Mark Dorsey: This should be an easy win for Cro Cop…at least if he is anywhere close to the form he had in his prime. I hope if Al-Turk losses, the UFC will throw him a freakin’ bone and give him an easy opponent. He deserves it. Cro Cop by KO in Round 3

Gregory Monskie: I’m extremely happy that Mirko is getting another shot in the UFC. Every time I think about the Gonzaga fight, I have to dig through my Pride DVD’s and remind myself how good Mirko really was. I don’t want to have to keep doing that. Maybe his age is getting in the way, but Mirko should put this can away eventually. Cro Cop by KO in Round 2

Steve Barry: Cro Cop says he’s back, 100% motivated, ready to knock heads off like he used to. If that’s the Cro Cop that shows up Saturday, Al-Turk is in for a world of hurt. Precision striking and solid takedown defense should win it for Cro Cop, and to be honest, even if Cro Cop isn’t back to old form, he should still win. Cro Cop by TKO in Round 1

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Terry Etim (-350) vs Justin Buchholz (+225)

Mike Moffatt: Etim by Submission in Round 1

Zak Woods: No pick

Mark Dorsey: Etim has looked sharp in his UFC fights and seems to be coming into his own in the Octagon. Buchholz may be rusty after a long layoff and although he dealt with the reach of Corey Hill, I see Etim’s range and movement being superior to Hill’s. Etim by TKO in Round 2

Gregory Monskie: I’m picking Etim so that we can understand nothing of what he says in his post-fight interview. Etim by TKO in Round 1

Steve Barry: Etim by TKO in Round 2

Denis Siver (-200) vs Dale Hartt (+150)

Mike Moffatt: Siver, by Unanimous Decision

Zak Woods: No pick

Mark Dorsey: Both of these guys are pretty untested against top talent so it’s a good fight to determine which guy gets a step up in competition. Hartt seems like a good guy so I hate to pick against him but I think Siver channels the hometown advantage for a 3rd round TKO Siver by TKO in Round 3

Gregory Monskie: Siver by Decision

Steve Barry: Siver by Decision

Paul Taylor (-400) vs Peter Sobotta (+250)

Mike Moffatt: Taylor by TKO in Round 2

Zak Woods: No pick

Mark Dorsey: Fight of the Night king, Paul Taylor is seemingly being given a completely untested local to build back up Taylor’s stock after a number of spirited clashes in the cage. Taylor could be on his way out of the UFC with a loss, but I don’t see that happening. Taylor by TKO in Round 3

Gregory Monskie: Taylor by TKO in Round 2

Steve Barry: Taylor by TKO in Round 1

Paul Kelly (-500) vs Ronaldo Delgado (+300)

Mike Moffatt: Kelly by TKO in Round 3

Zak Woods: No pick

Mark Dorsey: It would shock me if Roli could pull off the submission win. Paul Kelly’s a tough dude and I see him over-powering Roli to a 2nd round TKO. Kelly by TKO in Round 2

Gregory Monskie: Kelly by Decision

Steve Barry: Kelly by KO in Round 2

Stefan Struve (-130) vs Denis Stojnic (-110)

Mike Moffatt: Stojnic by Submission in Round 1

Zak Woods: No pick

Mark Dorsey: Interesting stylistic match up. Struve is extremely rangy and has shown excellent submission skills. Stojnic trains with some great fighters so I’m sure he stands a chance, but I think Struve will get the fight to the ground and get a 2nd round sub. Struve by Submission in Round 2

Gregory Monskie: Struve by Submission in Round 1

Steve Barry: Struve by Decision

John Hathaway () vs Rick Story ()

Mike Moffatt: Hathaway by Unanimous Decision

Zak Woods: No pick

Mark Dorsey: Who vs who? Story has a good wrestling background but I think the undefeated Hathaway gets a 2nd round TKO. Hathaway by TKO in Round 2

Gregory Monskie: Hathaway by Decision

Steve Barry: Hathaway by Decision

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3 Comments

  1. Zak

    Nice to see that there is absolutely no love for Ben Saunderss

  2. Greg

    I like Ben Saunders but, like Steve said, it may just be the hype from the Wolff fight. Swick is a proven commodity. If Ben Saunders really is what we saw last time, then he could definitely pull the upset. He is just too much of a question mark right now to lay it out for him.

  3. I almost pulled the trigger on Saunders, but couldn’t do it. I was never impressed with him before, so I took that into consideration as well. This may be a bad analogy, but Tank Abbott made Kimbo look like a world beater, and we all know what happened after that. More often than not, it’s all about who you’re fighting and Mike Swick is a different level of opponent than Wolff. Maybe he’ll pull it off though.

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