Betting UFC 173 offers huge underdogs in headliners Dillashaw, Henderson

Rarely do you see the top two fights on an UFC card feature two huge mismatches.

But that’s what oddsmakers seem to believe as they make Renan Barao and Daniel Cormier huge favorites for Saturday’s action.

Barao has been an unstoppable force in the bantamweight division for years. Since losing his first professional fight by decision back in 2005, Barao has won 32 straight fights including all seven of his fights in the UFC.

Barao is a -800 favorite at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday, May 24 going up against T.J. Dillashaw (+500).

Barao earned the UFC Bantamweight Title in 2012 over Urijah Faber and has successfully defended it against Michael McDonald, Eddie Wineland and Faber. He will look to add another successful defense against TJ Dillashaw, who has quickly climbed the MMA ranks with a 9-2 record.

Barao’s power and experience are expected to give him the edge in this one. Dillashaw may be getting this opportunity a bit too early in his career.

The undefeated Daniel Cormier (14-0) is heavily favored to stay undefeated at -850 going up against the 43-year-old veteran Dan Henderson (+525). This looks to be a good matchup for Cormier, who should be able to control the fight with his superior quickness and wrestling.

But after entering his last fight against Mauricio Rua on a three-fight losing streak and being outfought in the first two rounds, Henderson reminded everyone of what still makes him dangerous; his power.

Henderson turned the tides to win that fight by TKO. He still has the strength to pull off the upset, but Cormier should get the win if he is able to avoid any grave mistakes.

Unlike the two fights that follow it, the Welterweight fight between Robbie Lawler (-240) and Jake Ellenberger (+200) looks like a much closer matchup on paper. Both of these fighters are powerful punchers and both have something to prove coming in off a loss. With 18 KO’s to each fighter’s name, this should be a bruising fight.

Lawler has been sensational since his return to the UFC in 2013 and should have the upper hand if he can avoid a slow start or a bout that forces him to wrestle, neutralizing his power strikes.

Other fights on the card include Takeya Mizugaki (-175) vs. Francisco Rivera (+145), Jamie Varner (-185) vs. James Krause (+150) and Michael Chiesa (-140) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (+110).

See current UFC 173 odds as of Wednesday courtesy of BestUFCOdds.com

Sam Sicilia -150

Aaron Phillips +130

Li JingLiang +130

David Michaud -150

Anthony Njokuani -230

Vincent Pichel +195

Al Iaquinta -360

Mitch Clarke +295

Chico Camus +295

Chris Holdsworth -360

Tony Ferguson -275

Katsunori Kikuno +235

Mike Chiesa -135

Francisco Trinaldo +115

Francisco Rivera +145

Takeya Mizugaki -170

James Krause +150

Jamie Varner -175

Robbie Lawlor -215

Jake Ellenberger +185

Dan Henderson +650

Daniel Cormier -950

TJ Dillashaw +575

Renan Barao -800