Former UFC welterweight number once contender Thiago Alves (18-7) will try to continue his climb back up the 170-pound mountain when he takes on surging division prospect Ricky Story (12-3) at UFC 130: "Rampage vs. Hamill" at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As expected, the "Pitbull" is leashed to a -210 betting line and has likely come into his Memorial Day Weekend scrap as the odds-on favorite based on his Octagon experience and level of competition.

And putting an end to "Doomsday" back at UFC 124 certainly didn't hurt.

The Story book has a +175 underdog as its lead character in spite of the "Horror" he's caused the 170-pound division over the past 18 months. His level of competition isn't comparable to the Brazilian's, but he's secured the win in each of his past five fights.

Are the oddsmakers calling it like they see it? Or playing it safe? Take a look at how these two welterweights stack up and decide for yourself.

170 lbs.: Thiago Alves (18-7) vs. Ricky "Horror" Story (12-3)

Backgrounds (last five fights):

Alves:

Record: 3-2
Notable wins: Reinvented himself with a dominant performance against John Howard at UFC 124.
Notable losses: Manhandled by the wrestling of Georges St. Pierre (UFC 100) and Jon Fitch (UFC 117).
Strengths: Devastating Muay Thai, strong and accurate striker, seems to have his weight under control.
Weaknesses: Can get flustered in the face of good wrestling.

Story:

Record: 5-0
Notable wins: Outlasted Johny Hendricks at the TUF 12 Finale, creamed Dustin Hazelett at UFC 117.
Notable losses: Hasn't tasted defeat since dropping a unanimous decision to John Hathaway at UFC 99.
Strengths: Well rounded, never been finished, good cardio.
Weaknesses: Hasn't faced (or defeated) an elite fighter.

Thiago Alves (-210) vs. Ricky Story (+175) at UFC 130. Who ya' got and why?

For more MMA odds and betting lines from UFC 130 or to see how the numbers stack up for different events check out odds aggregate OddsShark by clicking here.