UFC 115 Odds & Picks – Pat Barry vs. Mirko Cro Cop
In the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 115, two heavyweights collide as Pat Barry takes on Mirko Cro Cop.
Barry enters the fight as the favorite with a betting line of -155 with Cro Cop given a line of +125 according to online sports book BroburySports.com. Here is a closer look at both fighters heading into this main event bout, which will take place from General Motors Palace in Vancouver, British Columbia at 10PM ET on pay-per-view.
Pat Berry (5-1)
Strengths: Barry is a tremendous kicker as three of his six fights have ended due to leg kicks in the first round. Barry has also shown ability to land head kicks and he also has very quick hands. Barry has never had a fight get past the second round as he likes to come out quickly. Barry is a definite up-and-comer in the UFC heavyweight division.
Weaknesses: Barry is great on his feet, but has obvious troubles on the ground. His lone loss should have never happened as he was destroying Tim Hague on his feet, but then the fight got to the ground and Barry was quickly choked out. Since then Barry has had a new commitment to grappling, but that likely won’t come into play in this fight.
Last Five Fights:
Second round TKO win over Antoni Hardonk at UFC 104 on Oct. 24, 2009
First round submission loss to Tim Hague at UFC 98 on May 23, 2009
First round TKO win over Dan Evensen at UFC 92 on Dec. 27, 2008
First round TKO win over Simon Diouf at Combat USA on Aug. 22, 2008
First round TKO win over John George at Combat USA on June 28, 2008
Mirko Cro Cop (26-7-2)
Strengths: Like Barry, Cro Cop has some of the best kicks in all of MMA. His head-kick knockouts are legendary and have allowed him to rise to elite status in MMA lore. Cro Cop also has some solid punching ability, but he usually sets up his punches to work his kicks, which focus mostly on the body and the head. Cro Cop also has some submission and grappling skill, but it isn’t his greatest strength.
Weaknesses: Cro Cop has seemed to have something missing since he went from Pride to the UFC. He hasn’t seemed comfortable in the octagon and has been tentative to throw his infamous kicks. His wins in the UFC have come over mediocre talent and his losses have all been against predominantly strong strikers that have pressed forward against Cro Cop. In this fight, Berry will definitely pursue Cro Cop, so he will have to be ready to exchange early and often.
Last Five Fights:
Second round TKO win over Anthony Perosh at UFC 110 on Feb. 20, 2010
Third round submission loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC 103 on Sept. 19, 2009
First round TKO win over Mustapha al Turk at UFC 99 on June 13, 2009
First round TKO win over Hong Man Choi at K-1 Dynamite on Dec. 31, 2008
No contest against Alistair Overeem at Dream 6 on Sept. 23, 2008
Who will win: Since Cro Cop has struggled against strikers in the UFC, Barry seems likes a good pick for this fight. Barry hasn’t lost a striking match yet and this fight will certainly not be heading to the ground. Barry may actually have stronger kicks than Cro Cop, as his leg kicks have quickly disposed of opponents. Look for Barry to take out Cro Cop’s leg, which is Cro Cop greatest strength. Look for Barry to win by TKO in round two.
Additional Line: Over/Under 6.5 minutes for fight length. Over (-125) and Under (-115).