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 85: Matt Hughes vs. Thiago Alves

UFC 85 Vegas Fight Odds

The UFC 85 fight card has been the most shuffled fight card i have ever seen, with James Irvin replacing the injured Chuck Liddell (torn hamstring). Now James Irvin has sufferd a broken foot. Originally the main event was supposed to be Chuck Liddell Vs Mauricio Rua until Rua suffered a knee injury that forced Rashad Evans into a replacement role. Evans was in a great position to get a shot at the former champion and really step up to the elite level of competition in the Light Heavyweight division. until Chuck Liddell injured a hamstring that will keep him off the fight scene for a few months at least.

James Irving, fresh off his recent KO victory over Houston Alexander stepped up to take Liddell’s place and although the fight lost main event status and now, replaced by Matt Hughes Vs. Thiago Alves.

Look for UFC 85 to be marketed heavily with a 10 p.m. ET PPV start time, which will be on tape delay, and the LIVE broadcast to be available earlier on Saturday afternoon.

That’s how the last few UFC shows abroad have worked, anyway.

UFC 85 Main Event:

Matt Hughes (43-6) vs. Thiago Alves (20-4)

Main card (televised):

Michael Bisping (16-1) vs. Jason Day (17-5)
Mike Swick (11-2) vs. Marcus Davis (14-3)
Thales Leites (12-1) vs. Nate Marquardt (29-7-1)
Brandon Vera (8-1) vs. Fabricio Werdum (10-3-1)

Preliminary card (may not be broadcated):

Martin Kampmann (15-2) vs. Jorge Rivera (15-6)
Thiago Tavares (13-1) vs. Matt Wiman (9-3)
Roan Carneiro (12-6) vs. Ryo Chonan (14-8)
Jason Lambert (23-7) vs. Luis Cane (7-1)
Jess Liaudin (12-9) vs. Paul Taylor (8-3-1)
Antoni Hardonk (6-4) vs. Neil Wain (5-0)

Well as UFC 85 draws near sports betting services are starting to release their preliminary UFC 85, betting lines. Early UFC 85 odds at GamblersPalace.com

UFC 85 “BEDLAM” OFFICIAL RESULTS

Alves beats Hughes in UFC 85

Thiago Alves proved that he's ready for a title shot by defeating nine-time UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes in a catch weight bout at UFC 85.

After an evenly matched first round, Alves took over in the second, slamming a flying knee in Matt Hughes' grill, forcing referee Herb Dean to stop the fight 62 seconds into the second round.

• Thiago Alves def. Matt Hughes via TKO - Round 2, 1:02
• Michael Bisping def. Jason Day via TKO - Round 1, 3:42
• Mike Swick def. Marcus Davis via unanimous decision
• Thales Leites def. Nate Marquardt via split decision
• Fabricio Werdum def. Brandon Vera via TKO - Round 1, 4:40
• Martin Kampmann def. Jorge Rivera via submission - Round 1, 2:44
• Matt Wiman def. Thiago Tavares via KO - Round 2, 1:57
• Kevin Burns def. Roan Carneiro via submission - Round 2, 2:53
• Luiz Cane def. Jason Lambert via TKO - Round 1, 2:07
• Paul Taylor def. Jess Liaudin via split decision
• Antoni Hardonk def. Eddie Sanchez via TKO - Round 2, 4:15