UFC Fight Night 122 odds: Latest Vegas lines and betting guide for 'Bisping vs Gastelum'

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) hits your web browser of choice very bright and very early this Saturday morning (Sat., Nov. 25, 2017) as the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion touches down in Shanghai, China, for the first time.

In UFC Fight Night 122’s main event, Michael Bisping and Kelvin Gastelum attempt to rebound from recent submission losses at each others’ expense, while local boy Li Jingliang squares off with Zak Ottow in Fight Pass’ co-featured fight. In addition, Alex Caceres faces Wang Guan one fight prior and Alex Garcia opens the show against top prospect Muslim Salikhov.

If you’re going to get up this early for UFC action, you might as well get compensated for your time. Here’s how”

What Went Wrong at UFC Fight Night 121?

Just a bit of judging. The majority of media members scored Jake Matthews vs. Bojan Velickovic for “Serbian Steel” and, while I originally scored it for Matthews, Velickovic’s first-round strikes in the clinch outweigh Matthews’ top control in retrospect. Still a solid evening.

UFC Fight Night 122 Odds For The Under Card:

Zabit Magomedsharipov (-470) vs. Sheymon Moraes (+375)
Bobby Nash (-300) vs. Kenan Song (+250)
Yan Xiaonan (-135) vs. Kailin Curran (+115)
Yadong Song (-130) vs. Bharat Khandare (+110)
Shamil Abdurakhimov (-140) vs. Chase Sherman (+120)
Gina Mazany (-140) vs. Yanan Wu (+120)
Rolando Dy (-165) vs. Wuliji Buren (+145)
Cyril Asker (-250) vs. Hu Yaozong (+210)

Thoughts: Bharat Khandare strikes me as a solid underdog pick, although the rest of the field is too loaded with debutants and/or risky picks to warrant a play.

I referenced Karlos Vemola in my “Prelims” analysis of Khandare and I believe the comparison is apt. Khandare’s striking is rougher than sharkskin wrapped in barbed wire, which makes it easy for opponents to see his takedowns coming and prepare accordingly, but he’s legitimately devastating when he gets his hands on people. Song, meanwhile, has a recent loss to a winless (0-2) fighter and doesn’t appear to have terribly good takedown defense. SUPER FIGHT LEAGUE NEVER DIE!

UFC Fight Night 122 Odds For The Main Card:

Kelvin Gastelum (-330) vs. Michael Bisping (+270)
Li Jingliang (-175) vs. Zak Ottow (+155)
Alex Caceres (-150) vs. Wang Guan (+130)
Muslim Salikhov (-190) vs. Alex Garcia (+165)

Thoughts: Kelvin Gastelum and Li Jingliang are the favorites of choice.

I’m literally struggling to come up with a scenario wherein Bisping — who got his clock cleaned not a month ago by a mid-tier puncher in Georges St-Pierre — gets by Gastelum. Kelvin can match Bisping’s pace without tiring and packs quite a bit more power than “The Count.”

Gastelum crushes him, so bet accordingly.

“The Leech” may not have a terribly high ceiling, but raw power, durability and aggression are enough to carry him past the capable-but-unimpressive Ottow. His wrestling and striking technique have also improved considerably — he’s certainly a more rounded and dangerous threat than the likes of Josh Burkman and Kiichi Kunimoto.

UFC Fight Night 122 Best Bets:

• Single bet -- Bharat Khandare: Bet $70 to make $77
• Parlay -- Kelvin Gastelum and Li Jingliang: Bet $70 to make $73.50

Not to worry, Maniacs — I’ve got those of you not dedicated/insane enough to wake up at 4 a.m. ET covered. See you at some point on Saturday ... whenever you decided to wake up, I’ll be right here.

Initial Investment For 2017: $200 (+$400 infusion)
Current Total: $536.79