By Zach Arnold

This weekend’s two-headed MMA monster party featuring both UFC & Affliction has provided our dear degenerate gamblers with plenty of chances to cherry-pick some great fights to bet on and get in on the heavy action.

UFC has a special Spike TV presentation from Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring Anderson Silva in the main event. Consider it Affliction-counterprogramming, if you must. Despite a lackluster effort in promoting this Saturday’s fight card, there are some intriguing fights that lovable degenerates will be placing some money on at both the brick-and-mortar and online sportsbooks.

Let’s take a look at the main fights on this Saturday’s card and whether or not there are any solid plays to be had.

Light Heavyweights: Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin

Bodoglife: Silva (-500) vs. Irvin (+350)
BetUS: Silva (-550) vs. Irvin (+400)

Thoughts: We’ve been told that this is the only time Silva will fight at 205 pounds. Allegedly.

We know that Silva has beaten the very best competition in the world. Ask Dan Henderson, who tried to outwrestle him. Ask Rich Franklin, who got bloodied and battered two times. Ask Nathan Marquardt, former King of Pancrase, what it feels like to get punched in the face by this guy.

If you can’t outwrestle Silva and can’t beat him at the submission game like James Irvin likely will not be able to this Saturday, how do you beat Silva?

Irvin has publicly admitted his game plan - stand-up, take it to Silva, and hope for the best. There’s just one problem — Anderson’s never lost by KO in his entire career.

James Irvin is a respectable fighter who is very tough, but is also coming off of injury. He’s only facing one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, too.

Now, if Yushin Okami somehow manages to get a fight against Anderson Silva and ends up a dog at the same level as Irvin, then come back to me and let’s talk.

Otherwise, stay away from this line!

Lightweights: Frankie Edgar vs. Hermes Franca

Bodoglife: Edgar (-165) vs. Franca (+135)
BetUS: Edgar (-140) vs. Franca (+110)

Thoughts: Hermes Franca is making his return to fighting, coming off of a year-long suspension for steroids. Franca, of course, lost to Sean Sherk in Sacramento. Go back two years ago and take a look at some of the top fighters Franca has faced and beaten — Spencer Fisher, Nate Diaz, and WEC champion Jamie Varner. Not bad!

Then take a look at Frankie Edgar’s fight record. He lost to Gray Maynard by decision, but has beaten a lot of tough opponents (including Spencer Fisher & Tyson Griffin, who is riding a tidal wave of UFC success right now).

On paper, Edgar should have a slight edge. However, we know Franca brings a few things to the table: a) he has a weird striking style and catches opponents off-guard with looping punches and b) he’s an excellent BJJ player.

Usually, you take the strong wrestler over the strong BJJ player (meaning Edgar over Franca). However, that +135 line for Franca is tempting. Is it a sucker bet? Perhaps not!

Light Heavyweights: Brandon Vera vs. Reese Andy

Bodoglife: Vera (-600) vs. Andy (+400)
BetUS: Vera (-550) vs. Andy (+400)

Thoughts: Brandon Vera can sure talk an A-level game, but can he back it up? He has a chance to redeem himself with his first win at 205 pounds by facing the 35-year old IFL fighter, Reese Andy.

The level of competition that Vera has faced is much tougher than what Andy has faced. Combine this with the fact that Vera is a good wrestler and on paper, everything stacks up nicely here for a win.

Again, on paper.

Welterweights: Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin Burns

Bodoglife: Johnson (-295) vs. Burns (+235)
BetUS: Johnson (-350) vs. Burns (+250)

Thoughts; Johnson is a monster who has a great, explosive crowd-pleasing style. He’s really fun to watch. His two UFC wins have come by violent KOs, while his one loss (to Rich Clementi) was by submission.

His opponent this Saturday, Kevin Burns, is a submission specialist and has a real shot of winning this fight if he can get the fight immediately to the ground.

Those are some strong lines in favor of Johnson, so the obvious question is this:

Is betting on Burns as an underdog a sucker bet?

Johnson’s only had six fights, so it’s not as if his track record is substantially bigger than Burns.

Welterweights: Rory Markham vs. Brodie Farber

Bodoglife: Markham (-270) vs. Farber (+210)
BetUS: Markham (-260) vs. Farber (+200)

Thoughts: Markham is a Miletich fighter who is 15-4, winning 10 of those fights by KO/TKO. He’s faced a lot of competition in the IFL and has an up-and-down track record. He’s gritty, he’s tough, and he loves to finish or be finished. Farber is 13-3, with 7 of those wins coming by submission. He’s fought for Western promotions like Total Combat, Rage in the Cage (Arizona), etc. In other words, he’s somewhat of an unknown quantity on a national stage.

Markham has never been submitted in his MMA career. His experience against higher-level competition should be the difference, although this fight is closer than it seems on paper.

Too many unknowns and x-factors to take into consideration here if you are seriously considering laying some money on the fight.