UFC 130 Fight Card: Early Main Card Betting Odds and Predictions

Without Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, UFC 130 now has a completely different look.

The Quinton "Rampage" Jackson versus Matt Hamill bout has become the main event and the battle between Frank Mir and Roy Nelson has become the co-main event.

Will UFC 130 surprise and become a great card without the lightweight championship bout? Or will UFC 130 flounder and become one of the least-viewed cards in recent memory?

Here are picks for UFC 130 with betting odds courtesy of Betus.com.

Thiago Alves vs. Rick Story

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

CHICAGO- OCTOBER 25: Thiago Alves (R) fights Josh Koscheck in a Welterweight bout at UFC's Ultimate Fight Night at Allstate Arena on October 25, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Welterweight Bout

Thiago Alves (-360, 18-7 MMA, 10-4 UFC)

11 wins by knockout, six by decision, one by submission

Three losses by submission, three by decision, one by knockout

Rick Story (+340, 12-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC)

Six wins by decision, three by submission, three by knockout

Three losses by decision

Breakdown: Story called out Alves, and boy, does he have his hands full in this fight. Alves is a very strong overpowering opponent and Story is playing the underdog in this fight. Alves is a great striker and no matter where this fight goes, Alves should have the advantage. After a two-fight losing streak, Alves is starting to get back on track and Story is just another step on his way back to title contender status.

Prediction: Alves by second-round TKO

Brian Stann vs. Jorge Santiago

Middleweight Bout

Brian Stann (-100, 10-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC)

Seven wins by knockout, two by decision, one by submission

One loss by decision, one by submission, one by knockout

Jorge Santiago (-130, 23-8 MMA, 1-2 UFC)

12 wins by submission, nine by knockout, two by decision

Five losses by knockout, three by decision

Breakdown: Again, Santiago has a fantastic ground game and should be able to get Stann to the ground. Since his first stint in the UFC, Santiago has fought really well, all be it not against top competition. Stann's a really good first test for the new improved Santiago and should be able to give Santiago a run for his money.

Prediction: Santiago by second-round submission

Stefan Struve vs. Travis Browne

Heavyweight Bout

Stefan Struve (-250, 21-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC)

14 wins by submission, five by knockout, one by disqualification, one by decision

Three losses by knockout, one by submission

Travis Browne (+225, 10-0-1 MMA, 1-0-1 UFC)

Eight wins by knockout, one by submission, one by decision

No losses

Breakdown: Struve's solid stand-up and good ground game will be the story here. Struve has excellent size and every now and then he knows how to actually utilize it to its full potential. Come the night of UFC 130 we will see that Struve against another solid stand-up fight in Browne. Both fighters will show they belonged on the main card.

Prediction: Struve by third-round submission 

Roy Nelson vs. Frank Mir

Heavyweight Bout

Frank Mir (-110, 14-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC)

Eight wins by submission, three by knockout, two by decision, one by disqualification

Five losses by knockout

Roy Nelson (-120, 15-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC)

Eight wins by knockout, four by submission, three by decision

Four losses by decision, one by knockout

Breakdown: This is now the co-main event after injuries sidelined both Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. Nelson and Mir both have very respectable ground games and will be jockeying back and forth on the ground. This fight should be able to go the distance. The fight, to me, is a battle to see who will be the gatekeeper at the heavyweight division. Both fighters bring solid skills all over.

Prediction: Nelson by unanimous decision

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Matt Hamill

Light Heavyweight Bout

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (-410, 31-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC)

14 wins by knockout, 10 by decision, seven by submission

Three losses by knockout, three by decision, one by submission, one by disqualification

Matt Hamill (+370, 10-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC)

Six wins by knockout, three by decision, one by disqualification

One loss by knockout, one by decision

Breakdown: If Rampage can channel his old self and break out in this battle, then there is no way Hamill stands a chance. Unfortunately, we haven't seen that Rampage in a while. Hamill is a huge underdog and this could be a trap fight for Rampage. Rampage is so close to a title shot, his old striking skills should come out and overcome the wrestling of Hamill.

Prediction: Rampage by third-round TKO