UFC 73: Stacked Game
Mike Nickels vs. Stephan Bonnar
Saturday July 7, 2007 10:00 PM
Nickels +350
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Well once again Dana White is imposing poor MMA undercards with The Ultimate Fighter reality TV show contestants (TUF) and subjecting us to sub-standard fighters. Great marketing angle to incorporate the Spike TV reality series and the fighters but come on, give us some great fighters. If you read my article Open Letter to Dana White: Give your Head a Shake you will realize why I am so disappointed in these types of mixed martial arts match ups.

Anyways back to my UFC betting handicapper pick:

Mike Nickels and Stephan Bonnar are not the greatest fighters but Mike Nickels is very good on the ground and he does have a 5 and 1 record in MMA and he has more potential and upside than Bonnar does. He demonstrated on TUF that he was one of the best fighters on the ground but was poorly coached by Ken Shamrock. I personally think Mike Nickels was the most talented Jujitsu fighter on the TV show. He just needs to work on his stand up and he will be a great fighter one day. He lost to Matt Hamill in the TV show, due to the constant pressure by Hamill’s stand up and pressing attack. Bonnar fights in the same manner but he is less aggressive and does not have the tenacity or power to hurt Nickels. Mike Nickels has faced strong punchers as he beat heavy puncher Wes Combs in UFC - Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale. 4 out of his 5 of Nickels wins have come by submission which proves that although he is not a heavy puncher he is a smart fighter and has the skill set to submit opponents.
As a UFC bettor you have to go past Stephan Bonnar as being a fan favorite and realize he is honestly not a very good fighter. Bonnar likes to stand up and trade punches but he does not have the power for being such a big man. He is supposed to be a gold glove winner and a expert in Jujitsu but his fight stance resembles more like someone in a Kung Fu movie. Bonnar has a very wide-open fighting stance (more than the usually 45 degree angle), which limits his mobility and his opponents can time Bonnar’s kicks and counter punch or check Bonnar’s kicks. Having such a wide stance makes you open to lower leg kicks because Bonnar cannot react in time because he is so wide. He is also easier to be taken down because he cannot sprawl effectively and defend shoot attempts.

When it comes to MMA when two fighters are equal, always go for the more talented person on the ground and that is Mike Nickels.

Bottom Line: Bonnar is supposed to be a Jujitsu expert but I don't see it. He does these fancy tae kwon do kicks that are not effective, like his wheel kick that everyone sees from a mile away because his stance is way too open. Mike Nickels is a +350 underdog by most online sports books. Make this bet and lay your money on Nickels for a nice profit.

Mike Nickels with a second round triangle choke. Isn't it about time Bonner finished off his UFC contract.

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