SPORTS N STUFF

The UFC returns to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this weekend for UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes, with UFC Featherweight champion Jose Aldo defending his title against Chad Mendes in the main event at the HSBC Arena. While the main card promises to deliver in the first Pay Per View event of 2012, the preliminary card is stocked with talent, including six fighters that will be fighting in front of their friends and family in their native country.

Felipe Arantes vs. Antonio Carvalho

The latest victim of Yuri Alcantara will look to get back on track against the 32-year old Carvalho, and it wont be easy. Carvalho has won three straight fights in lesser promotions, and will be hungry to prove his worth in his UFC debut. The sports betting odds for this fight could favor the hometown fighter, but look for Carvalho to surprise in the fight that will be featured on facebook.

UFC Betting Pick: Antonio Carvalho

Ricardo Funch vs. Mike Pyle

After dropping consecutive fights in the UFC, Funch fought in the Premier FC 7 event where he beat Ryan Quinn by unanimous decision, and will take another shot in the UFC. Funch will make his return against the American Pyle, who after three straight wins suffered a first-round knockout at the hands of Rory MacDonald at UFC 133. Pyle is the more talented fighter, but he will also be in hostile territory and coming off of a tough knockout loss, so perhaps Funch will have the edge for this tilt.

UFC Betting Pick: Ricardo Funch

Yuri Alcantara vs. Michihiro Omigawa

A lightweight champion from Brazilian promotion Jungle Fight, Alcantara is looking to build on his reputation in his second UFC fight, after beating Felipe Arantes in his featherweight debut at UFC 134. Alcantara is a much better striker and all-around fighter than his next opponent Omigawa, who has lost two of his three fights in the UFC and will not be ready for the talented Brazilian as the obvious best sportsbook underdog.

UFC Betting Pick: Yuri Alcantara

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Ednaldo Oliveira

After retiring from the sport following a loss to Brendan Schaub at UFC 121, Gonzaga will make his return to replace the injured Rob Broughton against Oliveira at UFC 142, and will try to make the best of the opportunity. Regardless of wins over Mirko Filipovic and Josh Hendricks, Gonzaga was never able to put things together with consistency and the result was tough losses to names like Randy Couture and Junior Dos Santos. His experience and desire could be enough to end Oliveiras undefeated run, but that is assuming this fight means much more to him then another best best sportsbook pay day.

UFC Betting Pick: Gabriel Gonzaga

Thiago Tavares vs. Sam Stout

The 27-year old Tavares appears to be on the verge of finally breaking through in the UFC Lightweight division, but if he is going to take that next step and prove his self as a legitimate contender, he will need to find a way to shut down Stout, who is coming off of a first-round knockout win over Yves Edwards at UFC 131. Tavares dominated his fight against Shane Roller before being victimized by a quick knockout in the second round, but bounced back with a more controlled approach against Spencer Fisher and knocked him out to score the TKO victory. Focus and patience will be the key for Tavares in this fight, and if he does what he is supposed to he will win.

UFC Betting Pick: Thiago Tavares