Damn Dawg: Cro Cop, Nogueira, Sherk and Serra still the underdogs for UFC 119 on Sept. 25

Tough week for the veterans.

Despite being a combined 89-20, Mirko Filipovic, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Sean Sherk and Matt Serra are all currently underdogs heading into the UFC 119 pay-per-view on Sept. 25 in Indianapolis.

Maybe there's just too many miles on those tires?

"Cro Cop" is a late replacement for the injured "Big Nog," and is saddled with a +180 line against fellow storied veteran Frank Mir, who stands above him at -230.

Perhaps the bookies weren't impressed with Rogerio Nogueira's razor thin decision win over Jason Brilz back in May -- or maybe they just don't believe he's got anything left as he ages faster than Walter Donovan during Indy's "Last Crusade."

Either way, he's wearing +130 to Ryan Bader's -160.

Sean Sherk hasn't fought in well over a year, and when he last appeared, he was outstruck by Frankie Edgar in Las Vegas. Seemed like a pretty big upset at the time, until "The Answer" stymied BJ Penn on back-to-back occasions.

Still, "The Muscle Shark" has only three losses in the past seven years: Edgar, Penn and Georges St. Pierre. Nothing to be ashamed of, but it hasn't kept him from rising above +185 while opponent Evan Dunham enjoys his -235.

Last but never least is Matt Serra. Fellow veteran Chris Lytle is the favorite in their rematch at -140. Could his performance in their 2006 fight, coupled with his recent winning streak, explain "The Terror's" +110 line?

There's a lot of money to be made on Sept. 25 if you can put your money where your mouth is. Of course it helps to win, which you can't do if you haven't taken advantage of those numbers by heading over to BetUS.com.

Well, what are you waiting for? Don't just show up the day after the event and proudly declare "Dude, I called that one like three weeks ago." Man up and make some bread.

Remember to bet smart and only risk what you can afford to lose!