UFC 153: Anderson Silva Opens with Historic Odds as Favorite

According to oddsmaker Nick Kalikas of MMAoddsbreaker.com (h/t MMAFighting.com), Anderson Silva has opened as a -1350 favorite over light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar in the new main event of UFC 153.

Essentially, these odds signify that the longtime middleweight champion has a 93-percent chance of success in the short-notice fight.

These odds may come as a surprise to some Bonnar supporters, but they seem to be accurate. In Silva's two previous appearances as a light heavyweight, he collected a pair of first-round TKOs against James Irvin and Forrest Griffin. 

While Bonnar is a dangerous opponent with both a solid chin and an underrated ground game, it's hard to think he will fare better than Griffin, who twice bested him and also has career wins against Rich Franklin, Quinton Jackson and Shogun Rua.

The line is officially the biggest opening for Silva through his career. 

By comparison, Jon Jones opened over Vitor Belfort as one of the biggest favorites in MMA history, and his line came in at only -925.

Some of the biggest underdogs in history have somehow overcome the odds to shock the world. In 2007, Matt Serra knocked out Georges St-Pierre to win the UFC welterweight championship despite the champ coming in at -1000. Likewise, BJ Penn was a -850 favorite to defend his belt against Frankie Edgar in Abu Dhabi at UFC 112.

It's unlikely that Bonnar will defy the odds and dethrone the seemingly invincible Silva, but crazier things have happened.