UFC Fight Night 123 odds: Latest Vegas lines and betting guide for 'Swanson vs Ortega'

World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) never die!

Featherweight stalwart Cub Swanson will look to halt the next generation’s advance this Saturday evening (Dec. 9, 2017) when he faces submission machine Brian Ortega in UFC Fight Night 123’s main event inside Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. Meanwhile, another 145-pound up-and-comer, Jason Knight, will take on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): “Latin America” veteran Gabrial Benitez in FOX Sports 1’s co-main event. The rest of the main card features Marlon Moraes vs. Aljamain Sterling and Scott Holtzman vs. Darrell Horcher, among others.

So, have you been procrastinating on your holiday shopping? If so, here’s how to load those stockings:

What Went Wrong at UFC 218?

Giving Felice Herrig the decision over Cortney Casey was understandable. The media were perfectly split — I can’t complain. But, I’m going to anyway.

At no point in the fight did Casey impose her size and strength. She was content to sit back and wing the same stiff-armed flurry at Herrig ad nauseam. And, in the process, it turned what would have been a $200 gain into a $12 one.

Eh, so it goes.

UFC Fight Night 123 Odds For The Undercard:

Liz Carmouche (-180) vs. Alexis Davis (+160)
Luke Sanders (-230) vs. Andre Soukhamthath (+190)
Alex Perez (-370) vs. Carls John de Tomas (+310)
Merab Dvalishvili (-155) vs. Frankie Saenz (+135)
Iuri Alcantara (-210) vs. Alejandro Perez (+175)
Davi Ramos (-360) vs. Chris Gruetzemacher (+300)
Trevin Giles (-250) vs. Antonio Braga Neto (+210)

Thoughts: I’m surprised Alexis Davis is this big of an underdog. Yes, it’s been three years since she outclassed Liz Carmouche in their first fight, but Carmouche is coming off a sizable layoff and has yet to impress in a win since overpowering Jessica Andrade in 2013. In other words, “Ally-Gator” looks like a quality investment from here.

UFC Fight Night 123 Odds For The Main Card:

Brian Ortega (-120) vs. Cub Swanson (EVEN)
Jason Knight (-310) vs. Gabriel Benitez (+255)
Marlon Moraes (-150) vs. Aljamain Sterling (+130)
Scott Holtzman (-120) vs. Darrell Horcher (EVEN)
Eryk Anders (-280) vs. Markus Perez (+240)
Albert Morales (-110) vs. Benito Lopez (-110)

Thoughts: Y’all musta forgot about Cub Swanson.

Here’s the thing about Ortega: He was arguably losing in all of his last four fights before pulling off last-second comebacks. He’s tough as nails and absolutely lethal on the mat, but he’s a middling striker and nowhere near the wrestler former Swanson victims Hacran Dias and Tatsuya Kawajiri are/were. Further, Swanson has the cardio to stay active for all five rounds. I’m not expecting a guy whose only losses since 2011 were to Frankie Edgar and Max Holloway to lose to someone who dropped two rounds to Diego Brandao.

UFC Fight Night 123 Best Bets:

• Single bet -- Alexis Davis: Bet $100 to make $160
• Single bet -- Cub Swanson: Bet $120 to make $120

UFC Fight Night 123 features Top 10 showdowns at Bantamweight and Featherweight, as well as a heap of quality mixed martial arts (MMA) prospects. Not bad for a free card! See you Saturday, Maniacs.

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver live UFC Fight Night 123 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.

Initial Investment For 2017: $200 (+$400 infusion)
Current Total: $552.29