UFC 136 Fight Card: Early Betting Odds and Predictions For Every Fight

With UFC 136 fast approaching it's hard not to consider this one of the most exciting fight cards of the entire year. The main card is headlined by current lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, who will defend his title against Gray Maynard.

The two lightweight superstars will square off in a highly anticipated rematch, after their bout at UFC 125 ended in a draw.

Also featured on the card is featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who will defend his title against Kenny Florian, who recently dropped to the 145 weight class.

This stacked fight card takes place in Houston, in front of a sold out Toyota Center.

The following slides display the early betting odds and predictions for each fight at UFC 136.

Steve Cantwell vs. Mike Massenzio

Steve Cantwell and Mike Massenzio will square off at UFC 136, in what is a must win bout for both fighters. Cantwell has lost three straight fights, while Massenzio hasn't been much better, losing four of his last six.

Both of these fighters are extremely tough and don't go down easy. Both are also in jeopardy of losing their careers in the UFC without a win.

Cantwell will likely be the aggressor in the opening round, as he knows Massenzio can be finished early. Massenzio will attempt to set the pace for the fight, looking to slowly grind Cantwell down.

While Massenzio will become desperate as the fight nears an end, Cantwell will have done enough to come out on top.

Prediction: Cantwell by unanimous decision

Aaron Simpson vs. Nick Catone

Aaron Simpson and Nick Catone will enter the octagon in Houston with nearly identical records. Both fighters are on two-fight win streaks, and will look to build on their resumes with a possible title shot in the not too distant future.

This fight has the potential to be one of the best of the evening, especially if Simpson and Catone live up to expectations. Fans can expect these two to engage in takedown attempts throughout all three rounds.

While Catone is highly skilled in the takedown, Simpson has the slight edge. If Catone wants to stick around in this bout, he will have to defend being taken the ground.

Simpson will eventually take Catone down, and it will be interesting to see how he responds to the adversity.

Prediction: Simpson by R2 TKO

Tiequan Zhang vs. Darren Elkins

Tiequan Zhang and Darren Elkins will battle in one of the more unpredictable bouts of the evening.

Zhang is looking to establish himself as a legitimate contender, while Elkins will fight in only his second career bout as a featherweight.

Elkins, a well put together fighter, will attempt to figure out Zhang early in the bout. More than likely Zhang will look to close in on Elkins and eventually submit him.

When Zhang wins a fight, it's almost always by submission. Elkins needs to prove he can handle Zhang's attempts and keep the fight standing. While there are many possible outcomes to this bout, Zhang will leave Elkins tapping.

Prediction: Zhang by R1 submission

Darren Elkins:  +120

Tiequan Zhang:  -150

Joey Beltran vs. Stipe Miocic

Stipe Miocic will make his UFC debut against heavyweight opponent Joey Beltran.

There is no possibility of this bout going the distance, as each fighter specializes in knockouts. Of their combined 19 wins, 16 of them have come by way of knockout.

Look for history to repeat itself at UFC 136.

Miocic may appear uneasy as he steps foot in the octagon for the first time, and it's likely Beltran will try to overwhelm him and land an early blow.

If Miocic can protect himself, and stay on guard early, he will settle in and have no problem landing strike's on Beltran's questionable stand-up defense.

While Beltran may land a few shots early, Miocic will bounce back and earn his first UFC victory.

Prediction: Miocic by R2 TKO

Anthony Pettis vs. Jeremy Stephens

In what will be one of the most exciting bouts of the night, Anthony Pettis will face Jeremy Stephens in a lightweight showdown.

This fight has all the ingredients for Fight of the Night, and will certainly not go the distance.

Both of these fighters will come out swinging. Stephens may look to take Pettis down, but needs to protect himself from Pettis' submission attacks.

This fight is a knockout waiting to happen. The only question is, who is going to land that knockout blow? Pettis and Stephens both have a history of pushing the fight past the first round, so expect this one to go until at least the second, if not into the third.

Prediction: Anthony Pettis by R2 TKO

Jeremy Stephens:  +225

Anthony Pettis:  -285

Demian Maia vs. Jorge Santiago

Demian Maia will look to rebound after a depressing defeat to Mark Munoz at UFC 131. Maia's opponent, Jorge Santiago, will try and record his first career victory in the UFC.

Santiago will look to test Maia's defense as soon as action goes under way. Look for Santiago to sneak in on Maia and try to submit him.

Maia, who's never lost by submission, should have no problem defending Santiago's attack. Maia's experience will come into play at UFC 136, as he will ground and pound Santiago.

When round three ends, Maia's hand will be raised and he will once again establish himself as a legitimate middleweight contender.

Prediction: Maia by R3 unanimous decision

Mike Russow vs. Dave Herman

Dave "Pee Wee" Herman earned a spot on UFC 136's main card after the biggest victory of his career at UFC 131, defeating Jon Olav Einemo by a second round TKO.

His opponent will be Mike Russow, who is on an absolute tear—winning his last 10 fights.

Herman will try and win the hearts of the Houston crowd early by throwing heavy strikes. Russow will try to do just the opposite, and look to take the fight to the ground.

Whoever wins the battle for position will come out on top at the end of the night. Russow will see his win streak hit 11, and move closer to a heavyweight title shot.

Prediction: Russow by R3 unanimous decision

Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon

While Melvin Guillard still feels he has already earned the right to a lightweight title shot, he will have another chance to prove his case at UFC 136, when he takes on Joe Lauzon.

This fight differs from any other, in the sense that it has serious potential to be Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night or even Submission of the Night.

There are a few things that are certain to happen as this fight unwinds. Guillard will look for the knockout blow, while Lauzon will attempt various submissions.

Don't be surprised if Lauzon rocks Guillard early, but Guillard won't go down easy. When it's all said and done, Guillard will make Dana White seriously consider giving him the next title shot.

Prediction: Melvin Guillard by R1 TKO

Joe Lauzon:  +215

Melvin Guillard:  -275

Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann

UFC 136 will mark the biggest fight of both Chael Sonnen and Brian Stann's lives. The reason? The winner will more than likely earn a middleweight title shot against the world's greatest fighter, Anderson Silva.

This fight is as predictable as you can get. Sonnen is going to make every last effort to take Stann to the ground and pummel him, much like he did to Silva at UFC 117.

Stann's takedown defense is not good, and Sonnen knows it. On the flip side of things, Stann will certainly want to keep this fight standing up and attempt to knock Sonnen out.

The only problem, Sonnen isn't too shabby in his stand-up game either. Sonnen's weak point is his submission defense, but Stann doesn't display much of a threat.

Prediction: Sonnen by R3 unanimous decision

Brian Stann:  +205

Chael Sonnen:  -255

Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian

Jose Aldo will defend his featherweight title against Kenny Florian.

This is the first of two title fights, as powerhouse Aldo looks to win his 13th straight bout. Florian is much larger than Aldo, but is fighting in only his second career bout at the 145 pound weight class.

This will be Aldo's toughest test yet, as Florian is the most well-rounded fighter he has faced. Florian also holds a three inch height advantage, and a four inch reach advantage, over Aldo.

Aldo will come out as his usual self, looking to knock his opponent out. Florian will be pushed back early, but when the time is right, he will look to take the fight to the ground.

Aldo also hasn't seen a better submission artist than Florian, which poses a huge threat. If Florian can connect on one of his attempts, he could shock the world at UFC 136. The key word here is "if".

When it comes down to it, Florian will give Aldo his greatest challenge to date, but will come up just short.

Prediction: Aldo by R4 TKO

Kenny Florian:  +215

Jose Aldo:  -275

Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard

Frankie Edgar will once again defend his lightweight championship against Gray Maynard.

This will be the third time these fighters have squared off in their careers. The first time they met, Maynard handed Edgar his only loss, at a UFC Fight Night in 2008.

We all remember their last bout, arguably the greatest fight of the year at UFC 125. The bout ended in a draw, with Edgar remaining the UFC champion.

Both fighters will enter the octagon in the greatest condition of their lives. It will be an absolute slug fest, and the most electrifying match that you could ever dream of.

Edgar's stand-up game has improved immensely, so he'll want to exchange on the feet for the majority of the five rounds. Maynard will sink in on Edgar eventually, and look to start a ground battle.

What many fail to remember is that Edgar was just as good at takedowns the last time these two met, giving him a slight advantage overall.

However, those watching UFC 136 will likely see a new lightweight champion, as Maynard will be just a little too much for Edgar.

Prediction: Maynard by R5 unanimous decision

Gray Maynard:  +125

Frankie Edgar:  -155