With UFC Welterweight championGeorges St-Pierre on the sidelines, top contenders Carlos Condit and Nick Diazwill battle at UFC 143 this weekend for the interim belt. The winner will either face St-Pierre upon his return, or end up having to defend the title at least once before the UFC Welterweight champion recovers.

Get your MMA odds for all of this weekend’s UFC 143 card right now at Bovada.

Oddsmakers at Bovada initially handicapped Diaz as a -150 favorite over Condit but that line has grown in price to its current -225. Diaz is on an 11-fight win streak that includes a three-round pounding of B.J. Penn his last time out. He’s very tough and can compete regardless of where the fight may go, but his greatest asset is his evolved MMA style of boxing that consists of constant pressure with long straight punches.

Condit has proven that he’s one of the best at 170 pounds with impressive wins over some of the best in the division. He has aggressive striking and submission skills that could give Diaz a great deal of difficulty if he’s able to land a big shot in the early rounds. Condit could also secure a submission if he’s able to gain a favorable position on the ground.

The initial price at Bovada on Condit was set at +120, but that has grown to +170 and could be more by Saturday night. That could prove profitable if Condit can close the distance and find the chin of Diaz before the fight gets to the third round. If it goes beyond the third round Diaz will have an edge based on his cardio levels and ability to conserve his energy during a fight and use it in advantageous situations.

Find UFC odds for this weekend’s bouts today at Bovada.

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