Alistair Overeem is the odds-on favourite to beat Brock Lesnar this Friday night, but there has been plenty of support for Brock ahead of their UFC 141 main event clash.
Lesnar fights have always been big business for bookmakers and Friday's heavyweight bout will be no different.
It had been thought prior to odds being released that the former WWE wrestler could open up as a narrow favourite, but his lengthy spell away from the Octagon has clearly played a part in him being available at longer odds than if he was coming off a fight.
Lesnar was last seen in action at UFC 121 some 14 months ago, where he lost to Cain Velasquez via first round TKO.
Both fighters believe the five-round fight will be over inside two rounds, while many pundits and fans are also predicting an early end to the fight.
At time of writing, Overeem remains the odds-on favourite, priced no better than 8/11 with bookmakers, while Lesnar on Wednesday evening was no better than 13/10 to win the pay-per-view fight.
Lesnar's price may well shorten further between now and Friday and several top heavyweights, including Frank Mir, believe the former champion will be victorious, although there are questions to be asked about how ready he will be after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to diverticulitis.
Lesnar is confident about making a winning return to the Octagon, however, and earlier this week said: "All I can say is that I’ve had a great camp and this is the best I've felt in a long time.
He also said of his opponent: "He’s in over his head. He doesn’t really understand the beast that he’s gonna enter the Octagon with. I’m gonna defeat Alistair Overeem. That’s the bottom line, and there’s nothing else to say.
"At the end of the day, he’s gonna get his ass beat. It’s gonna come down to will and who wants this fight more, and Brock Lesnar wants this fight more than Alistair Overeem."
Overeem is also confident, however, and earlier this month insisted: "I’m gonna tear this guy apart, piece by piece I’m gonna beat up Brock Lesnar, and it’s gonna take me no more than two rounds to do that.
"Brock definitely doesn’t like to get hit. I’m gonna hit him, and I’m gonna hit him as hard as I can. And I’m pretty good at it.
"I would put my money on a knockout in the first round, but personally I can guarantee a knockout in the second.
"If you guys think Cain Velasquez hits hard, wait ’til you see what I’m gonna do to him."
