Belfort vs. Bisping: Preview, Odds and Predictions for UFC on FX 7

Michael Bisping has fought under the UFC banner for many years without getting his shot at a championship. At UFC on FX 7, the Englishman will have the opportunity to earn the title shot he has long been seeking.

While Vitor Belfort will need a couple more wins to earn his spot in a championship bout, as he has already lost to the light heavyweight and middleweight champions, it has been guaranteed that a win over the Brazilian would score Bisping a fight with Anderson Silva (via MMAFighting.com).

With the first UFC event of 2013 approaching, let's take a look at previews, odds and predictions for every UFC on FX 7 fight.

Francisco Trinaldo vs. C.J. Keith

Preview

Francisco Trinaldo is coming off of his first UFC loss, but that competitive decision defeat to Gleison Tibau was nothing to be discouraged about. 

A massive lightweight with tons of punching power, Trinaldo is a dangerous opponent for C.J. Keith, who was knocked out by Ramsey Nijem in his Octagon debut.

Odds

Trinaldo -345

Keith +265

Prediction

Trinaldo defeats Keith by knockout (punches) at 3:29 of the first round.

Wagner Prado vs. Ildemar Alcantara

Preview

Though Wagner Prado was not able to pick up a win in two shots at Phil Davis, the young Brazilian gained some valuable experience against his highly-ranked opponent.

That experience will be valuable when he welcomes UFC newcomer Ildemar Alcantara to the Octagon at UFC on FX 7.

Odds

Prado -260

Alcantara -450

Prediction

Prado defeats Alcantara by technical knockout (punches) at 4:23 of the first round.

Yuri Alcantara vs. Pedro Nobre

Preview

After an upset loss to Hacran Dias in his most recent outing, Yuri Alcantara opted to move from featherweight to bantamweight.

It appears Alcantara will be eased into the 135-pound division, as he will face off against an unproven UFC debutante in Pedro Nobre. 

Odds

Alcantara -450

Nobre +300

Prediction

Alcantara defeats Nobre by technical knockout (punches) at 4:16 of the first round.

Edson Barboza vs. Lucas Martins

Preview

Considered one of the brightest young competitors in the lightweight division, Edson Barboza suffered a setback in his most recent appearance against Jamie Varner.

Now, he will have to bounce back quickly against a promising undefeated newcomer, Lucas Martins.

Odds

Barboza -305

Martins +235

Prediction

Barboza defeats Martins by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Diego Nunes vs. Nik Lentz

Preview

Nik Lentz made a successful move to the featherweight division in 2012, beating Eiji Mitsuoka in his debut at 145 pounds.

However, Lentz will face a much tougher task against Diego Nunes, who has been on the verge of earning a title shot for a couple years now.

Odds

Nunes -160

Lentz +130

Prediction

Nunes defeats Lentz by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Ronny Markes vs. Andrew Craig

Preview

Ronny Markes and Andrew Craig have gotten off to strong starts inside the Octagon, each winning their first two fights under the UFC banner.

With this fight, one fighter will likely earn a shot at a highly-ranked middleweight, while the other will have to build himself back up. 

Odds

Markes -250

Craig +190

Prediction

Markes defeats Craig by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Godofredo Castro vs. Milton Vieira

Preview

Godofredo Castro came up short against Rony Jason in the finals of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, but he has rightly received another opportunity to prove he's a UFC-level featherweight.

In order to do so, Castro will need to find a way to win against Milton Vieira, who fought to a draw with Felipe Arantes in his UFC debut.

Odds

Vieira -215

Castro +165

Prediction

Vieira defeats Castro by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Thiago Tavares vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov

Preview

Khabib Nurmagomedov has quickly emerged as a potential contender in the lightweight division, beating Kamal Shalorus and Gleison Tibau in his first two Octagon appearances.

Thiago Tavares, who is on a two-fight UFC winning streak of his own, will attempt to slow the Russian's momentum at UFC on FX 7.

Odds

Tavares +150

Nurmagomedov -185 

Prediction

Nurmagomedov defeats Tavares by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Ben Rothwell

Preview

After a temporary retirement, Gabriel Gonzaga returned to the UFC in January 2012 to submit Ednaldo Oliveira.

Gonzaga has not been able to compete since then, while opponent Ben Rothwell remained more active and picked up a knockout win over Brendan Schaub, the fighter who initially sent Gonzaga into retirement.

Odds

Gonzaga -120

Rothwell -110

Prediction

Rothwell defeats Gonzaga by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Daniel Sarafian vs. C.B. Dollaway

Preview

Daniel Sarafian was one of the favorites to win The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil and reached the finals of the middleweight tournament. However, an injury forced Sarafian out of that bout and has kept him from making his UFC debut in the months since.

Finally able to make his first Octagon appearance, Sarafian will have his takedown defense tested by C.B. Dollaway.

Odds

Sarafian -185

Dollaway +150

Prediction

Dollaway defeats Sarafian by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping

Preview

Michael Bisping is one fight away from earning his first title shot in his many years as a UFC middleweight.

Standing in his way is Vitor Belfort, who will need a couple more wins before finding himself in another championship bout, having already lost to middleweight champion Anderson Silva and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Odds

Belfort -115

Bisping -115

Prediction

Belfort defeats Bisping by knockout at 3:16 of the second round.

Betting odds via Bovada.com.