UFC 104 Betting - Velasquez vs. Rothwell in the Co-Main Event

UFC 104 – Velasquez Puts His Streak on the Line Against Rothwell

It should be a hint to the betting universe that Velasquez’s original opponent, Shane Carwin, was chosen to be the one to take on Brock Lesnar at UFC 105 instead of the Mexican mauler. Velasquez, though undefeated, lacks the experience and pedigree to keep up with at the championship level. And while this match will serve as a number-one contender’s match, the heavyweight division is brutally shallow.

The fact that Ben Rothwell is making his UFC debut in a fight to face the champion of Lesnar-Carwin, should speak volumes about the depth of the division, and Rothwell’s track record. To put this in perspective, he has 5x as many wins as Velasquez, and his only loss in four years was against Andrei Arlovski this summer.

So how will this pan out for the 6-foot-5, 265 pound American fighter? This fight is a lot closer than the fight lines would tell you. Rothwell is only 28-years old, and has the edge as a grappler. His experience will be a necessary asset at UFC 104, because Cain’s motor is the x-factor in this match.

Cain Velasquez (6-0) vs. Ben Rothwell (30-6)

UFC Betting Line: Velasquez -300 / Rothwell +220

Rothwell has to find a way to wear down the beast that is Velasquez, who has been noted to out perform smaller opponents in cross-training routines. Simply put, he’s a beast whose tank has never even dipped. He comes out you relentlessly and his punches have rearranged the faces of many opponents.

Experience counts for a lot in the UFC, and Rothwell isn’t one of the older junkies roaming the circuit. Sure, he’s a fill in for Carwin just to give this card some depth, but I think Rothwell’s world of experience pays off and frustrates Velasquez. This is the biggest fight in Velasquez’s young career, and he’ll make a mistake by being too aggressive against Rothwell and put himself in a position to be submitted.

Would Velasquez be the best opponent to face Lesnar? Absolutely. But that fight will have to as Rothwell gets the upset of the night and takes down the inexperienced monster from Arizona.

Furious Free Pick: Rothwell +220 (Submission 2nd Round)