UFC 137 Betting Preview: BJ Penn vs. Nick Diaz Fight Odds

Carrie Stroup here with your UFC 137 betting preview courtesy of our friends at Sportsbook.com.  These are the BJ Penn vs. Nick Diaz fight odds. 

BJ Penn (16-7-2) vs. Nick Diaz (26-7-1)

Sportsbook.com Line: Penn -125, Diaz -105

Now headlining the UFC 137 card after a knee injury has prevented Georges St-Pierre from defending his belt, BJ Penn takes on Nick Diaz in a welterweight bout. Penn is the more accomplished fighter, a former holder of the UFC light and welterweight belts, but Diaz is a feisty competitor who poses a difficult challenge.

This is a very even fight as the lines indicate. Penn has the experience, but Diaz has the more recent success as the winner of 10 consecutive bouts. Penn, on the other hand, has won only one of his past four fights (1-2-1).

Penn (16-7-2) has proven to be one of the most successful UFC fighters in his career as one of two fighters who has held a belt in more than one weight class. Trained in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu and boxing, his striking is his bread and butter, but he’s also an expert with submissions. But, at 32 years old, he is no longer the fighter he once was, and his 60% strike defense rate will be exploited by Diaz.

Diaz (26-7-1) is also trained in Jiu-Jitsu and boxing, and relies even more heavily on striking than Penn does – 51% of his skill breakdown comes in that category. The 6-foot-0 fighter has three inches on his opponent, and considerable momentum riding the winning streak into this bout. He is in the prime of his career and should pull this battle out.

- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter