(Will "Rumble" Johnson crumple another opponent into a carry-on sized hunk of meat?  Magic eight ball says, "All signs point to yes.")

Between greasing controversies and the Strikeforce purchase of Pro Elite, we certainly hope you haven’t forgotten about UFC Fight Night 17 on Spike this Saturday.  Ah, who are we kidding, you’re not going to forget.  It’s a night of free fights, and we’ll be liveblogging it!  What more could you want?  

Well, for starters, how about the opportunity to parlay that cash you won’t be spending on a pay-per-view (for a change) into big winnings with our helpful betting guide?  Yeah, that sounds nice, doesn’t it?  Odds come courtesy of BestFightOdds.com, as usual.

Joe Lauzon (-175) vs. Jeremy Stephens (+166)
Cain Velasquez (-550) vs. Denis Stojnic (+501)
Mac Danzig (-120) vs. Josh Neer (+120)
Luigi Fioravanti (+276) vs. Anthony Johnson (-285)
Kurt Pellegrino (-200) vs. Rob Emerson (+191)
Dan Miller (-165) vs. Jake Rosholt (+186)
Matt Grice (-145) vs. Matt Veach (+141)
Gleison Tibau (-115) vs. Rich Clementi (+105)
Nick Catone (-220) vs. Derek Downey (+206)
Steve Bruno (+105) vs. Matt Riddle (-115)

Thoughts…

- First things first, you want to know who the good underdogs are.  The way I see it, the two best choices are Rich Clementi and Matt Veach.  Now, Clementi’s not a huge dog, so just for fun I’ll also throw Jeremy Stephens in there.  He’s got a puncher’s chance at least, but Veach has a better shot at outwrestling Matt Grice in his Octagon debut.  Then again, betting on a guy fighting in the UFC for the first time is always dicey, so you’d do well to keep the action small.  

- Other good bets where the odds aren’t so ridiculous they eliminate any hint of a decent profit include Dan Miller, who should exploit Jake Rosholt’s lack of striking and submissions prowess, as well as Mac Danzig, who should be able to pick apart the troubled Josh Neer.  Anthony Johnson should also be able to put away Luigi Fioravanti, but those damn oddsmakers know it.

- Absolutely Don’t Bet Against: Cain Velasquez.  I know, I said the same thing about Chris Wilson at UFC 94 and he lost.  But this time, this time I’m really sure.  Velasquez is going to walk through this guy and it won’t take him more than one round.  If he loses, I’ll either discontinue this part of the Gambling Addiction Enabler series, or else use it as the kiss of death to purposely bring fighters down.  Don’t think I won’t do it, either.  I’m just petty enough.