UFC 88: Breakthrough is set to take place at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA on September 6th. The live pay-per-view event will feature 10 fights and no shortage of big names. The main event is a light heavyweight bout between former champion Chuck Liddell and Ultimate Fighter season two winner Rashard Evans. Early UFC betting odds at BetUS.com have the "Iceman" has a -280 favorite against Evans.
Chuck Liddell's career appeared to be somewhat in jeopardy after losing back to back fights to Quinton Jackson and Keith Jardine. The Jardine loss was extremely shocking to many and it signaled some concern as to how Liddell's future might play out. However, the "Iceman" rebounded in a big way with a dominating win over former PRIDE champion Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79: Nemesis. The former light heavyweight champion battered Silva in the later rounds and scored a unanimous decision victory. If he can get a win over Evans, he puts himself in great position for another shot at the title he once held.
Rashard Evans will be putting his undefeated 16-0-1 record on the line for the first time since November of last year when he scored a split decision win over Michael Bisping. Evans is a former wrestler and his style will be an interesting match with Liddell's. He is known for his takedowns, but Liddell is a very good take down defender and an incredible striker from just about any angle.
Also on the card are Rich Franklin, Nate Marquardt, Dan Henderson, and Karo Parisyan. Franklin will be fighting his first light heavyweight fight since 2003. He his matched up against a tough up and comer in Ultimate Fighter Three champion Matt Hamill. Henderson, whose fight resume is too long to list, will be fighting for the first time since he was submitted back in March by Anderson Silva. His opponent will be Rousimar Palhares (17-1 MMA record).
Early UFC Betting odds for UFC 88: Breakthrough:
Chuck Liddell (-280) vs Rashard Evans (+280)
Rich Franklin (-240) vs Matt Hamill (+190)
Karo Parisyan (-280) vs Yoshiyuki Yoshida (+210)
Dan Henderson (-200) vs Rousimar Palhares (+160)
Nate Marquardt (-140) vs Martin Kampmann (Even)
