The UFC returns to Canada tonight with a star studded UFC 97: Redemption fight card. The Bell Centre in Montreal will play host to the event, which is being headlined by a middleweight title fight between current champion, Anderson "The Spider" Silva, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Thales Leites. The live television segment of the Pay-Per-View card is set to begin at 10:00pm ET.
UFC 97: Anderson Silva vs Thales Leites Fight Odds at Bodoglife.com like Silva to retain his belt as he is favored -675 on the moneyline.
Anderson Silva has been the class of the UFC since joining it back in June of 2006. Silva took out an overmatched Chris Leben 49 seconds into the first round of his debut fight, setting the tone for a remarkable run through the organizations middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. "The Spider" has never had a UFC fight go to a decision, and should he win this evening, he will have successfully defending his championship a record six times.
Silva last fought in October of 2008 at UFC 90, beating the heavy handed Patrick Cote. Despite looking a little un-Silva like in portions of the fight, he still recorded a third round TKO. The victory improved the Brazilian's mixed martial arts record to 23-4 and his UFC mark to an umblemished 8-0. Anderson's last defeat came in January of 2006 when he was disqualified for an illegal kick to Yushin Okami at the Rumble on the Rock 8.
Facing Silva in tonight's five round championship match is Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace, Thales Leites. Leites enters the fight with a 14-1 professional MMA record, his only defeat coming at the hands of Martin Kampmann in the Ultimate Fighter 4 finale back in November of 2006. Leites has since won five consecutive fights, including a controversial split decision victory over Nate Marquardt at UFC 85: BEDLAM.
Leites last fought Drew McFedries, beating him via choke submission at UFC 90. The 27 year old, whose favorite technique is the armbar, has earned 10 of his 14 career wins by submission.
There is no better striker in mixed martial arts than Anderson Silva, so it is no secret that Leites will want to get this fight to the ground in quick fashion. However, Silva is also an accomphlished jiu-jitsu fighter and has submitted a number of quality opponents, including Travis Lutter and Dan Henderson.
Odds makers obviously feel that "The Spider" has the advantage in either area given the heavy odds in his favor, but Leites could be a good value play considering his extreme talent on the mat. Two of Silva's four career losses have come by submission, so it is not beyond the realm of possibility that a fighter of Leites ability could surprise Anderson.
UFC 97: Anderson Silva vs Thales Leites Fight Odds at Bodoglife.com
Anderson Silva (-675) vs Thales Leites (+475)
Chuck Liddell (-175) vs Mauricio Rua (+145)
Krzysztof Soszynski (-160) vs Brian Stann (+120)
Nate Quarry (-105) vs Jason MacDonald (-125)
Sam Stout (-125) vs Matt Wiman (+105)
Cheick Kongo (-300) vs Antoni Hardonk (+240)
