(Oh man, when Frank Mir hears Rashad launch into that joke about the two old nuns who stumble into the nudist colony, he simply can’t help himself.  No matter how many times he hears it, Evans’ delivery cracks him up every time.)

Sup, MMA fans.  It’s been a while since the old Gambling Addiction Enabler rapped at you, so you might be wondering what he’s been up to.  You know, the usual crap.  Hanging out at the dog tracks, selling plasma and/or sperm, pawning stuff, getting into arguments with the old lady, driving her to the pawn shop so she can buy back her stuff.  Nothing special, in other words.  But now UFC 98 is nearly upon us, which means it’s time to take a look at the lines and compulsively wager money over the internet.  God, it’s good to be alive some days.

Odds come to us from BestFightOdds.com:

Rashad Evans (+190) vs. Lyoto Machida (-185)
Matt Hughes (-250) vs. Matt Serra (+260)
Frankie Edgar (+300) vs. Sean Sherk (-270)
Dave Kaplan (+135) vs. George Roop (-135)
Kyle Bradley (+300) vs. Phillipe Nover (-330)
Brandon Wolff (+400) vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (-436)
Pat Barry (-274) vs. Tim Hague (+255)
Chris Wilson (-167) vs. Brock Larson (+120)
Drew McFedries (-227) vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam (+157)
Krzysztof Soszynski (-118) vs. Andre Gusmao (-118)

Place your bets…

– I’m not going to pretend that I don’t know why Rashad Evans, the champ, is the underdog in his first title defense.  It’s because Lyoto Machida has a way of frustrating the hell out of his opponents and winning without ever assuming much bodily risk – something of a rarity in pro fighting.  That said, Evans has a better chance than the nearly 2-1 odds he’s getting here.  He’s improved steadily in every fight and isn’t the type to get impatient.  Over five rounds, he may be just the guy to figure Machida out.  At these odds, I’ll take the champ.  The Bet: $20 on Evans.

- The culture war between Hughes and Serra has lost a lot of its original heat, and the line on this fight tells you, at least in part, why interest has flagged.  Despite all the trash talk, it doesn’t seem like too competitive of a fight.  Serra is a tough guy but lacks the full toolbox.  Hughes may not be as explosive with the takedowns as he was a few years ago, but he’s still probably big and strong enough to bully Serra for three rounds.  What say we just enjoy this one for the pure hatred involved, and leave money out of it for a change?

- So what underdog, however slight, do I like?  There are two: Brock Larson and Xavier Foupa-Pokam.  Larson is the kind of bulldog of a fighter that Wilson often struggles with, and I think even his desire to win enough money to buy back his stolen goods won’t overcome the wrestling-shaped hole in Wilson’s game.  Drew McFedries has been pretty awful lately, and with two straight losses he’s about to get bounced from the UFC if he can’t beat Professor X, which he won’t.  The Bet(s): $20 on Larson and $20 on Foupa-Pokam.

- Absolutely Don’t Bet Against: Pat Barry.  Vicious is the only word that comes to mind when describing his striking game.  Hague is going to get leg kicked until he develops one of those neato pimp walks.  Mark my words.

- The Official Cage Potato Parlay: Hughes + Sherk + Barry + Larson.  Nuff said.  If you need me I’ll be down at the electronics store trying to return this broken clock radio I found.  Thing hardly smells of garbage at all, so I like my chances.