UFC on FOX 21: Latest Vegas odds, lines and betting guide for 'Condit vs Maia'

It’s helter-skelter up at welter ...

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 170-pound standouts Carlos Condit and Demian Maia will take center stage this Saturday evening (Aug. 27, 2016) as the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) league returns to FOX, looking to take advantage of the chaos Tyron Woodley’s right hand inflicted upon the Welterweight division at the expense of former champion, Robbie Lawler.

Rogers Center in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, will also see former Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis make his Featherweight debut against Charles Oliveira, as well as Paige VanZant return to action opposite Bec Rawlings, and much more. UFC on FOX 21's main card and most of the "Prelims" undercard bouts are free, leaving you free to squander your purchasing money by gambling instead.

Here’s how to do just that:

Undercard:

Sam Alvey (-225) vs. Kevin Casey (+185)
Kyle Bochniak (-170) vs. Enrique Barzola (+150)
Alessio Di Chirico (-225) vs. Garreth McLellan (+185)
Shane Campbell (-125) vs. Felipe Silva (+105)
Chad Laprise (-300) vs. Thibault Gouti (+250)
Adam Hunter (-160) vs. Ryan Janes (+140)
Jeremy Kennedy (-155) vs. Alex Ricci (+135)

Thoughts: Five of these fighters are making their Octagon debuts and three others have only fought for the promotion once. You’re killing me, Joe Silva and/or Sean Shelby.

In any case, Kevin Casey is a favorable enough style match up that I’m comfortable recommending a bet on Sam Alvey. That's because "King" doesn’t have the cardio or striking acumen to play keep-away with the heavy-handed Wisconsinite, while four career knockout losses suggest he won’t last many exchanges before getting blown away, anyway.

Still, Alvey’s underperformed before. Be careful.

Elsewhere, Alessio Di Chirico impressed me against Bojan Velickovic and has the wrestling savvy to dominate McLellan’s anemic takedown defense. McLellan’s win over Bubba Bush was due in large part to a blatant fence grab and his other two UFC performances were quite underwhelming. The Italian’s got this.

UFC On FOX 21 Odds For The Main Card:

Carlos Condit (-120) vs. Demian Maia (EVEN)
Anthony Pettis (-175) vs. Charles Oliveira (+155)
Paige VanZant (-210) vs. Bec Rawlings (+175)
Joe Lauzon (-145) vs. Jim Miller (+125)

Thoughts: Pettis really ought to be a larger favorite against Oliveira. As nasty as the Brazilian is on the mat, his striking defense ranges from adequate to appalling depending on his conditioning and his repeated struggles to make 145-pound cast doubt on his resilience. Further, he doesn’t have anywhere near the physicality that Pettis’ recent conquerors used to topple him. Pettis ought to punish his upright style to great effect, so bet accordingly.

Joe Lauzon could be worth a look as well -- Miller has faded late in almost every one of his recent fights and Lauzon is incredibly difficult to put away early. Sure, Miller won the first fight, but his decline has been far more pronounced.

UFC on FOX 21 Best Bets:

• Parlay -- Alessio Di Chirico and Anthony Pettis: Bet $70 to make $88.90
• Parlay -- Sam Alvey and Joe Lauzon: Bet $50 to make $72

No Olympics? No problem. See you Saturday, Maniacs!

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver live UFC on FOX 21 results on fight night, which is as good a place as any to talk about all the action inside the Octagon, as well as what you've got riding on the sportsbook.

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