Since the ancient days of gladiators, spectators have enjoyed the thrill of betting on combative sporting contests. Every moment of a fight seems much more exciting when there is money riding on the outcome. Today is no different, as a growing number of people are betting on modern-day gladiatorial contests - mixed martial arts events.

UFC 69 "ShootOut"

Georges St. Pierre Vs. Matt Serra

UFC betting Odds & Results

UFC 69-Shootout will be held April 7 at Toyota Center and feature one of mixed martial arts' most exciting stars in the main event. Canadian Georges St. Pierre will defend his UFC welterweight title for the first time, taking on veteran Matt Serra.

St. Pierre, 25, who claimed the welterweight crown with a convincing win over Matt Hughes at UFC 65 last November.

The two 170-pounders were originally scheduled to face off at UFC 67 on Saturday night, but an injury forced the champ out of the fight. St. Pierre sprained two ligaments in his knee during a wrestling drill in late December.

Serra, 32, who fights out of Long Island, N.Y., earned a title shot by winning the welterweight division of last year's comeback-themed edition of The Ultimate Fighter reality show.

The Lone Star State will be represented on the card, with Clear Lake native Mike Swick taking on Yushin Okami in a middleweight bout. Swick has been rehabbing a hand injury and hasn't fought since
beating David Loiseau at UFC 63 in September.

The New comer, Mike Swick had dreams of fighting in his hometown of Houston in front of thousandsof fans at the Astrodome. Now instead of the Dome, it will be the Toyota Center and that dream becomes reality at this UFC 69, when the Clear Lake native returns to Houston to fight on the under card of UFC 69.

In recent years, the UFC largely has been a Las Vegas-based promotion, staging most of its pay-per-view events at casino arenas on the Strip. As mixed martial arts has grown in popularity and more importantly, has gained acceptance by athletic commissions across the country, the brand has branched out to California, Ohio and Texas. MMA is sanctioned in 20 U.S. states. This will be the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event to be held in Texas.

UFC 69 is being planned for pay-per-view, but that could change, depending on the outcome of the UFC's negotiations with HBO. The long-rumored deal to land live UFC shows on the premium cable
network remains a work in progress.

The big event will take place from Manchester, England on April 21. That's when we witness Croatian superstar Mirko "Cro Cop" vs. Gabriel Gonzaga headline UFC 70 "Nations Collide" (the event will air free on SpikeTV).

UFC Fight Betting

Odds On Matt Serra +600 / St. Pierre -800

Matt Serra would pay out $600 on a $100 bet if he were to beat the big favorite Georges St. Pierre. A bet on St. Pierre is not worth it. One would have to lay $800 just to make a $100 profit.

Josh Koscheck vs. Diego Sanchez offers more value with Koscheck paying out $190 for every $100 bet and Sanchez would pay $100 on a $230 bet (plus you would win back the initial $230). Sanchez is only a small favorite.

MMA fans and UFC online bettors are looking forward to the matchup for the UFC Heavyweight title.

UFC 69 Fight Results

Luke Cummo def. Josh Haynes (TKO, 2:45 Round 2)

Marcus Davis def. Pete Spratt (Submission-Ankle Lock, 2:57 Round 2)

Thales Leites def. Pete Sell (Unanimous decision, 30-27 x 3)

Heath Herring def. Brad Imes (Unanimous decision, 30-27 x 3)

Kendall Grove def. Alan Belcher (Submission-Arm Triangle, 4:42 Round 2)

Yushin Okami def. Mike Swick (Unanimous decision, 29-28 29-28 30-27)

Roger Huerta def. Leonard Garcia (Unanimous decision, 30-27 x 3)

Josh Koscheck def. Diego Sanchez (Unanimous decision, 30-27 x 3)

Matt Serra def. Georges St. Pierre to become the new UFC Welterweight Champion (TKO, Round 1)