Anderson Silva vs Demian Maia Betting in UFC 112 | IXGAMES

by Richard Gardner | Bodog Sportsbook Manager No matter what happens in the octagon on Saturday night, UFC 112: Invincible will make history as it visits the Middle East – Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates – for the first time and will be staged in an open-air arena – also for the first time. And of course, Bodog’s online sportsbook has all your MMA betting lines and odds. The double main event on the card is Anderson Silva (25-4) defending his middleweight title against Demian Maia (12-1) and B.J. Penn (15-5-1) putting up his lightweight belt against Frankie Edgar (11-1). Silva was originally set to face Vitor Belfort, but Belfort injured his shoulder during training. Then Chael Sonnen was supposed to be next in line, but he also suffered an injury. Silva is the monster -1100 favorite on Bodog’s MMA odds. Many consider him the greatest middleweight in MMA history, and he already holds the UFC record for consecutive wins (10, only one by decision) and hasn’t lost in four years. He also will set a record Saturday night with a sixth consecutive successful defense of his middleweight belt. However, it could be Silva’s final fight as middleweight as the 34-year-old said at a news conference this week that he is seriously considering a drop to welterweight. Frankly, the only chance Maia (+600) has is to get Silva on the ground. Penn (-850) is a legend in his own right as the most dominant lightweight champ ever. He hasn’t lost at 155 pounds since 2002. Penn has hinted at moving back up to 170 pounds should he win this fight. Edgar (+550) is considered a rising star whose only loss came in a unanimous decision to Gray Maynard back in 2008. Penn might be the best grappler in the history of this sport, so if he gets Edgar on the ground this fight should go his way. But Edgar, who is a good boxer by MMA standards, certainly would seem to have a better upset chance than Maia does against Silva. Bettors at Bodog currently love the underdogs in the two main event fights. But those that aren’t on Maia and Edgar have resorted to parlaying Silva and Penn for better value. And a four-man parlay of Silva, Penn, Phil Davis (-600 against Alexander Gustafsson) and Matt Hughes (-360 against Renzo Gracie) would pay out even money — that seems to be a popular choice. Also, bettors, remember that that this card starts at 1 p.m. EDT live on Saturday because of the time difference. But it will be replayed at 10 p.m. Get all your MMA news and props at Bodog Sportsbook.