UFC 161: June 15, 2013 MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada UFC Women’s Bantamweight Contender Alexis Davis (-380) Profile: Alexis Davis (13-5) works with some of the best in the game out of Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, so she knows what it takes to hang with some of the best. The 28-year-old Canadian is one of the many trailblazers for women’s MMA, and she is coming off a submission win against rival Shayna Baszler in Invicta after previously losing to her via unanimous decision. Davis has decent stand-up, but she works best on the mat, where she is trouble for anyone outside the best wrestlers in the division. UFC Women’s Bantamweight Contender Rosi Sexton (+260) Profile: Rosi Sexton (13-2) has been fighting as long as women’s MMA has existed. The 35-year-old Brit made her debut more than a decade ago in 2002, and since then she has fought in Bodog, Bellator and Cage Warriors, with only Zoila Frausto Gurgel and Gina Carano defeating her (both by knockout). Sexton is a great fighter with powerful hands and an equally strong will that combined with solid submission skills make her a dangerous opponent. Opening UFC 161 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Davis a large -380 favorite (bet $380 to win $100) while Sexton opened as a +260 underdog (bet $100 to win $260) at Several Bookmakers sportsbook. While both women have the same number of wins, the competition Davis has faced is vastly superior to that of Sexton, giving her a significant edge. Davis had three fights in Strikeforce, going 2-1 with her lone setback coming against Sarah Kaufman, who lost to Ronda Rousey for the women’s bantamweight title. She also went 2-0 in Invicta with a pair of submission wins. Sexton’s last three wins all came in Cage Warriors, and her two toughest opponents (Gurgel and Carano) overall knocked her out. Despite being eight years older and more experienced, Sexton definitely has her work cut out for her if she is going to avoid another loss here.
