This past weekend, we took our fictitious bank of about $1500 and nearly emptied it, putting three bets down on two UFC fights and one boxing match.
In the world of boxing, the money was on the Lucas Martin Matthysse versus Ruslan Provodnikov super lightweight showdown. The match did not have a title on the line, but was considered a must win battle for both fighters, as they both are trying to emerge from a pack of talent in their weight class. Provodnikov had the added pressure of having absorbed a recent loss to Chris Algieri that set back his career plans already. Provodnikov threw everything he could at the Argentinian Matthysse but could not take him out, losing on the judges card yet again after leaving it all in the ring. Matthysse hopes the gritty performance gets him the attention he feels has been lacking.
In the UFC, the money went out on two bouts – the main event where middleweight contender Luke Rockhold destroyed long-time contender and former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, choking him out in the second round. The second UFC bet focused on the women’s straw weight division and the much anticipated match between Paige Van Zant and Felice Herrig. The 21-year-old Van Zant fought a nearly perfect fight as she dominated the veteran Herrig for the full 15 minutes to emerge a star.
