UFC Fight Night 55 and 56 Main Card Betting Odds and Predictions
Another busy UFC weekend is approaching.
On Friday, the world's top MMA promotion will head to Australia with a card headlined by middleweight contenders Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping. The UFC Fight Night 55 headliners could put themselves near a 185-pound title shot with an impressive win.
Then, on Saturday, Mauricio Rua and Ovince Saint Preux will headline UFC Fight Night 56 in Brazil. With both suffering losses in their most recent outings, Shogun and OSP will be looking to get back on track this weekend.
With multiple events coming up, here is a look at the current betting odds for all UFC Fight Night 55 and UFC Fight Night 56 main card matchups as well as predictions for each bout.
Soa Palelei (-150) vs. Walt Harris (+130)
1 of 9
Walt Harris is a physical specimen, but that alone doesn't lead to success in high-level MMA.
The Big Ticket went 0-2 in his initial UFC run and doesn't figure to become a contender in the heavyweight division this time around either. He can overpower low-level competition, but Harris struggles against well-rounded adversaries.
Soa Palelei might not be a serious title threat, but he's a borderline contender in the shallow heavyweight class. The Hulk has the ground-and-pound to cause serious problems for any non-wrestler, which includes Harris.
Prediction: Palelei
Play: Two percent bankroll on Palelei
Robert Whittaker (+160) vs. Clint Hester (-185)
2 of 9
Robert Whittaker has been successful against mediocre grapplers who couldn't stand with him. The Australian has a decent sprawl-and-brawl style, but that won't prove useful in this matchup.
With four straight wins, Clint Hester has shown excellent striking, while his ground game has also come along quickly. A former professional boxer, he won't hesitate to stand with anybody in the middleweight division, including Whittaker.
Unless Whittaker unveils some very good wrestling that he's been hiding, he could be in trouble on Friday. Hester has the striking to beat most non-contenders and is now good enough on the ground to avoid being shut down by an adversary like Whittaker.
Prediction: Hester
Play: One percent bankroll on Hester
Ross Pearson (-150) vs. Al Iaquinta (+130)
3 of 9
Considering Al Iaquinta hasn't defeated any top-notch competition early in his UFC career, it makes sense that Ross Pearson is the favorite heading into this matchup.
That said, Iaquinta matches up really well against the British veteran. Should Iaquinta choose to use it, he has the wrestling to give Pearson headaches. The Serra-Longo Fight Team member has also made some noticeable strides with his striking, as he scored his first UFC knockout win in September.
Iaquinta might not be able to best Pearson in a stand-up bout, but he's shown that he has the potential to hold his own. Should he mix in some takedowns, Iaquinta might be able to steal a round or two and pull off the upset on Friday.
Prediction: Iaquinta
Play: One percent bankroll on Iaquinta
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Luke Rockhold (-450) vs. Michael Bisping (+360)
4 of 9
Following a setback against Vitor Belfort in Brazil, Rockhold has been a man on a mission.
Whether it's a rematch with Belfort or a shot at the 185-pound championship, Rockhold looks like a fighter who is going to get where he wants to go by any means necessary. Having knocked out Costas Philippou and submitted Tim Boetsch in his past two bouts, Rockhold looks unstoppable in all areas.
Over the past five years, Bisping has only been stopped one time, so Rockhold could have trouble keeping his finishing streak going. However, the former Strikeforce champion should edge out Bisping no matter where this fight goes.
That said, the odds are a bit out of control in this matchup. Rockhold looks to be the better fighter in all aspects, but it's never out of the question that Bisping shuts down takedowns and overwhelms an opponent with volume striking.
Prediction: Rockhold
Play: Pass
Juliana Lima (+135) vs. Nina Ansaroff (-165)
5 of 9
With her first trip to the Octagon in the past, Juliana Lima has an advantage over UFC newcomer Nina Ansaroff. However, that experience only goes so far in MMA.
Having competed against Invicta FC champions Carla Esparza and Barb Honchak, Ansaroff has actually met tougher opposition than Lima. Ansaroff took both those opponents to close decisions as well, so she's already proved she can compete with the best in the world.
Ansaroff has rare finishing ability for a female strawweight, having stopped five opponents in a row before the third round. As long as she can overcome the early Octagon jitters, she should run away with this one and possibly make a big statement.
Prediction: Ansaroff
Play: One percent bankroll on Ansaroff
Claudio Silva (+160) vs. Leon Edwards (-195)
6 of 9
In his UFC debut, Claudio Silva used some stifling grappling to best Bradley Scott on the scorecards. On Saturday, the Brazilian will look to put together a similar performance in his home country.
Facing Silva will be UFC newcomer Leon Edwards. While Edwards brings a solid 8-1 record into the Octagon, he hasn't been tested by high-level competition.
Between UFC experience and competing at home, Silva has a lot going for him in this matchup. That's why, although this bout could be closely contested, it's surprising to see him as an underdog against an unproven adversary.
Prediction: Silva
Play: One percent bankroll on Silva
Warlley Alves (-240) vs. Alan Jouban (+180)
7 of 9
At 23 years old, Warlley Alves may have more potential than Alan Jouban. However, the Brazilian has not accomplished as much up to now.
In his most recent showing, Jouban knocked Seth Baczynski out. Baczynski has several UFC wins, including a victory over Matt Brown, so beating him like Jouban did is no small feat.
Alves looked good on his way to winning The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, but he's hardly proved his worth in the welterweight class. As a significant underdog, Jouban provides an opportunity for a solid return on investment.
Prediction: Jouban
Play: One percent bankroll on Jouban
Ian McCall (-175) vs. John Lineker (+145)
8 of 9
John Lineker may be the heaviest hitter in the flyweight division, but he has hands full with Ian McCall.
Not only has Uncle Creepy never been knocked out, but he has the wrestling to completely eliminate Lineker's striking.
At 24 years old, Lineker is bound to break through eventually. However, this matchup could look a lot like the Brazilian's bout with Ali Bagautinov, which ended in a decision loss.
Prediction: McCall
Play: Two percent bankroll on McCall
Mauricio Rua (-195) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (+160)
9 of 9
Mauricio Rua has a way of rebounding in matchups like this, but he's clearly fading and is eventually going to falter against a non-elite light heavyweight.
The more skilled striker, Shogun should be able to take advantage of the openings Ovince Saint Preux leaves. Another highlight-reel knockout is even a possibility.
However, at these odds, Rua is hard to trust. Saint Preux has just enough skill and athleticism to make this a matchup to avoid.
Prediction: Rua
Play: Pass
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
