UFC 142 Fight Card: Betting Odds and Predictions

On Saturday, January 14, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will travel back to Brazil for the highly anticipated UFC 142.

UFC 142 will take place at the HSBC Arena in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET.

In the main event, Jose Aldo will look to successfully defend his featherweight title in front of his home country when he takes on number-one contender Chad Mendes.

Also featured on the main card is Vitor Belfort, who will be meeting newly-accustomed middleweight, Anthony "Rumble" Johnson.

In anticipation of the event, the following slides display betting odds and predictions for UFC 142.

Erick Silva vs. Carlo Prater

In the first main card bout of the evening, Erick Silva and Carlo Prater will meet in a bout that will hit the ground sooner than later.

Neither Silva nor Prater have demonstrated effective striking skills, leading fans to believe they will battle it out on the ground.

Both Silva and Prater are exceptional submission artists, as they finish the majority of their opponents via submission.

The advantage will be given to Silva, as he's lost just once in his career and has never been submitted.

Silva will be well aware of Prater's track record, as he's been beaten by submission on three occasions over the course of his career.

Prediction: Silva by R2 Submission

Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim

In one of the more exciting bouts of the evening at UFC 142, hometown hero Edson Barboza will meet the red-hot Terry Etim.

Barboza is believed by many to be the next best thing, despite coming off a semi-disappointing performance against Ross Pearson at UFC 134.

Etim will be challenged early and will have to survive a series of strikes from Barboza.

Eventually, Etim will attempt to put Barboza on his back and cast out a variety of submission attempts.

However, if Etim can't take-down Barboza, he could find himself awaiting bad news from the judges.

Prediction: Barboza by Unanimous Decision

Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio

Rousimar Palhares will look to stay hot when he meets Mike Massenzio in a middleweight showdown in front of the Rio De Janeiro crowd.

It's likely Massenzio will come out of the gate looking for a finish, as he's in danger of losing his job with another defeat.

Neither fighter is proven in the stand-up, as it's believed the bout will head to the ground soon after the opening bell rings.

Palhares will attempt to overwhelm Massenzio from the ground, as he is one of the stronger middleweights in the UFC today.

If Palhares can put Massenzio in a desperate situation, he'll have a great chance of capturing his third consecutive victory.

Prediction: Palhares by R2 Submission

Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson

Betting Odds: Vitor Belfort -135; Anthony Johnson +105

In the co-main event at UFC 142, Vitor Belfort will look to make another run towards UFC gold when he takes on Anthony "Rumble" Johnson.

It's likely that Belfort will try to overwhelm Johnson early into Round 1 by welcoming him to the middleweight division with strikes and kicks.

The chances of this bout going to the ground are slim-to-none, as both Belfort and Johnson are two of the hardest hitters in the UFC today.

Whoever lands the first blow will have the advantage.

More times than not, it's Belfort. So, Johnson will need to prove he's capable of hanging with the 185-pounders.

If he can't, he could be in for a world of trouble.

Prediction: Belfort by R2 TKO

Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes

Betting Odds: Jose Aldo -250; Chad Mendes +195

In the other main event at UFC 142 in Brazil, Jose Aldo will look to put on a show for his home country when he takes on Chad Mendes. 

However, Aldo could find himself in trouble from the get-go, as he'll be facing an opponent who's never lost.

Aldo will certainly out-strike Mendes in the stand-up, winning points from the judge's scorecards.

But, Mendes won't want to stand with the explosive Aldo, as he'll attempt to take the fight to the ground as it's where his strength lies.

Mendes is a take-down machine and it's rare he has ever had the problem of putting an opponent on their back.

The only question is—can Mendes finish Aldo from there?

Aldo has been finished just once in his career and will be well prepared for the take-down.

If Aldo can stuff Mendes and prove he can control the fight, he should leave Brazil with the title still wrapped around his waist.

Prediction: Aldo by Unanimous Decision

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