UFC on Fox 13: Main Card Betting Odds and Predictions

On Saturday, Stipe Miocic will run into his biggest challenge since beginning his MMA career. That is a bout with former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos.

In seven UFC appearances, Miocic has posted a 6-1 record. With three straight wins since a deflating loss to Stefan Struve, Miocic has earned a big step up in competition and could have a chance to earn a title shot with a victory against dos Santos at UFC on Fox 13.

Meanwhile, dos Santos has been inactive since a loss to Cain Velasquez in an October 2013 rubber match. Now with two losses to the champion, dos Santos will likely need some help in order to get another shot at UFC gold. Before then, the Brazilian will look to get back on track against Miocic this weekend.

Miocic and dos Santos are hardly the only contenders gearing up to enter the Octagon on Saturday. Here are predictions and, via OddsShark.com, the current odds for all the UFC on Fox 13 main card bouts.

Gabriel Gonzaga (+110) vs. Matt Mitrione (-130)

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Prior to his loss against Stipe Miocic, which happened as a result of his conditioning more than anything, Gabriel Gonzaga recorded two straight knockouts. Already one of the better grapplers in the heavyweight division, Gonzaga has developed into a capable striker late in his career.

Heading into this matchup with two consecutive knockout victories of his own, the athletic Matt Mitrione has always been at his best when standing. Mitrione's speed can cause problems for a lot of heavyweights, but Gonzaga might be the best grappler he's seen in MMA.

With his experience and ground game, Gonzaga should be a favorite in this matchup. Sprawl-and-brawl fighters with really strong wrestling give him the most problems, but Mitrione's takedown defense isn't at that level.

Prediction: Gonzaga

Play: One percent bankroll on Gonzaga

Alistair Overeem (-300) vs. Stefan Struve (+250)

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With losses in three of his past four outings, Alistair Overeem needs a win on Saturday to remain a relevant heavyweight contender. Luckily for Overeem, he's been matched up with Stefan Struve, a fighter who has been inactive for 21 months due to a heart condition.

At 26 years old, Struve is a young heavyweight with a lot of potential—should he remain healthy. However, Struve's recent hiatus has really hindered his development. It's hard to envision him entering the Octagon without some serious rust and nerves this weekend.

Besides his inactivity, Struve has also been knocked out by less talented strikers than Overeem. It seems The Reem should be able to get back on track at UFC on Fox 13, but his equally questionable chin makes him hard to bet on at these odds.

Prediction: Overeem

Play: Pass

Rafael Dos Anjos (-240) vs. Nate Diaz (+200)

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With wins in seven of his past eight appearances, Rafael dos Anjos has turned into one of the best fighters in the lightweight division. It's been an impressive transformation by the Brazilian, who was not even considered a 155-pound contender through his first eight UFC outings.

In his most recent bout, Nate Diaz knocked out Gray Maynard in one of his most impressive performances inside the Octagon. However, Diaz killed his own momentum by entering a contract dispute and going an entire year without competing.

Diaz returns to a very tough stylistic matchup with dos Anjos. The Brazilian has a much better chin than the fading Maynard and still has strong enough wrestling to put Diaz on the ground. While Diaz usually wouldn't have an issue with fighting off of his back, dos Anjos' only submission loss inside the Octagon came via an injured jaw against Clay Guida. 

Prediction: Rafael dos Anjos

Play: Two percent bankroll on dos Anjos

Junior Dos Santos (-400) vs. Stipe Miocic (+325)

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After a second loss to Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos spent 14 months on the sidelines. He'll finally return and look to start another run at the title on Saturday.

With three straight wins, Stipe Miocic has plans to delay dos Santos' reemergence as a threat to the heavyweight champion. Should Miocic beat the former titleholder this weekend, he may earn his own shot at the heavyweight championship.

A wrestler with solid boxing, Miocic has the right mix of skills to upset dos Santos. However, nobody except Velasquez has found a way to take dos Santos down with regularity.

Miocic might be able to survive a boxing match with dos Santos, but he's unlikely to win one at UFC on Fox 13. Cigano should win on Saturday, but the difficult stylistic matchup with Miocic makes risking money on dos Santos not worth the return on investment.

Prediction: Junior dos Santos 

Play: Pass