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By Matt Pelkey, MMATorch Columnist Well that didn't last long. Rich Boles, after winning both the betting and prediction titles at UFC 96, lost both belts in his very first defense to #1 contender Kubi. It wasn't the shortest title reign in contest history. That distinction belongs to your's truly, who, after winning the prediction title (sadly my one and only reign) at an Ultimate Fight Night on a Wednesday, lost the title three days later at a pay-per-view. Beat that!
Anyways, Kubi was able to best Boles in the prediction contest 8-4 to 7-5, and while Boles did hit on a $300 bet on underdog T.J. Grant, it was his only successful bet. Kubi, on the other hand, bet $400 on Grant, not to mention successful bets of $300 and $100 on Nate Quarry and Anderson Silva, respectively. Congrats to Kubi on becoming our second double champ in a row!
There was some fierce competition in the prediction pool, but in the end, newcomer David Shortbull was able to best Scott "The Fountain of Youth" Hart. Both men posted impressive 10-2 records on the night, but when it came down to the tie-breakers, Shortbull came out ahead 5-4. He'll battle Kubi at UFC 98.
Despite a strong performance by Adam Fabbro in the betting pool, Scott Hart was dominant in becoming the new #1 contender. Not a dollar was wasted as he hit on every bet. The Fountain will also take on Kubi at UFC 98. Results follow:
BETTING TITLE RESULTS:
Kubi- $400 on Grant for $1040
$300 on Quarry for $615
$100 on Silva for $116.67
Total Payout: $1771.67
Rich Boles(c)- $300 on Grant for $780
Total Payout: $780
PREDICTION POOL:
David Shortbull 10-2 (5)
Scott Hart 10-2 (4)
Nick Underwood 9-3
Adam Fabbro 9-3
Chris Gawn 8-4
Nut 8-4
Gavin Byrne 7-5
Mule 7-5
Jamie Penick 7-5
Matt Pelkey 7-5
Frank Hyden 6-6
Stephen Legaree 5-7
Overkill 5-7
BETTING POOL:
Scott Hart- $500 on Rua for $1300
$300 on Stout for $540
$200 on Herman for $390.48
Total Payout: $2230.48
Adam Fabbro- $500 on Quarry for $1050
$400 on Kongo for $537.93
$100 on Silva for $116.67
Total Payout: $1704.60
Chris Gawn- $500 on Rua for $1300
Total Payout: $1300
Jamie Penick- $400 on Grant for $1040
Total Payout: $1040
Overkill- $500 on Silva for $583.33
$200 on Kongo for $268.97
Total Payout: $852.30
Stephen Legaree- $400 on Soszynski for $635.29
Total Payout: $635.29
Mule- $500 on Silva for $583.33
Total Payout: $583.33
Matt Pelkey- $200 on Soszynski for $317.65
Total Payout: $317.65
Nut- $100 on Quarry for $205
Total Payout: $205
Brian Murphy- $100 on Silva for $116.67
Total Payout: $116.67
Nick Underwood- $0
Gavin Byrne- $0
PERFORMER OF THE NIGHT: Scott Hart. Honorable mention goes to Kubi for claiming both titles in one night, but he was out-performed in both contests by The Fountain of Youth.
GOAT OF THE NIGHT: Gavin Byrne. The Melbourne Mauler (the former "Juggernaut" reverts to his previous nickname since his reign of terror is over) posted a pedestrian 7-5 record in predictions and lost all $1000 on his bets. That makes back to back Goat awards for Byrne, and a third would likely see the award renamed after him.
DON'T GO YET... WE SUGGEST THESE MMATORCH ARTICLES, TOO!
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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