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Las Vegas - Starting the weekend a little early with a look at the UFC here in Vegas, and checking in on Aljamain (Funk Master) Sterling vs. Cory (The Sandman) Sandhagen. Funk Master, a name I LOVE, is -$115 or -$120 depending on where you shop, while The Sandman is basically even money.

Before we get to the geeky stats, I have a YUGE problem with Sandhagen calling himself The Sandman. As we ALL know, and anyone who follows baseball knows, there is ONLY one Sandman, and that's the GREAT, the FABULOUS, the HISTORIC Mariano Rivera. So, YO Cory, PLZ change the nickname IMMEDIATELY, or face the WRATH of Yankee fans around the globe.

Okay, now that I've calmed down, lets go to the Tale of the Tape. Aljamain is 30 years old from Uniondale, New York. He tips the scale at a buck 35, is 5'7" and has a 71.0" reach. His MMA record is serious at 18-3, with only 2 wins coming by KO, 9 by decision and 7 by submission. The Funk Master, I smile every time, rolls in on a 4-0 run, but hasn't fought in almost a year. But he grew up with seven full siblings and at least 12 half-siblings, so he knows how to rumble, and is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Sandhagen is 28 years old from Aurora, Colorado, tips the scale at a buck 35, is 5'11" and has a 71" reach. His MMA record is gorgeous at 12-1, with 4 wins coming by KO, 5 by decision and 3 by submission. The Sandman, actually, we're gonna call him Sandy, comes to the party with a 7-0 PERFECTO in his gym bag and hasn't lost in almost three years. Despite my problems with his nickname, can't really shoot any poison arrows his way, because he works part-time at a trauma center for children. But he's only a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

UFC picks coming on Saturday BAAABBEE!!!

Trust you were following my horse guy, Martin Calia, yesterday at Belmont. Marty banged home a handful of winners, and put HUNDREDS of bucks into the pockets of Ecks & Bacon readers. PLZ saddle up and jump on Marty's picks next time out.

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