UFC 98 Odds, Picks & UFC Predictions: Just hours away from the most important fight of Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida’s careers, UFC 98 odds makers continue to side with the Brazilian to become the next UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. At SBGglobal.com, UFC 98 odds makers have listed Lyoto Machida [-220 ML] as the Sports Odds favorite to defeat the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans [+170 ML].

And if you think the fighters don’t pay attention to the odds, think again. Going in as the UFC 98 underdog, Evans is not only aware of the odds, but according to him he doesn’t take it personal.

"I don't take it personal," said Evans who is  only one of few undefeated fighters in the UFC. "Whether they believe I can win or don't believe I can win, it doesn't really matter because it's not the first time I've been the underdog going into a fight. And, I haven't lost yet."

It’s hard to believe that someone can be considered an underdog being the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight champion and despite coming off victories over: Forrest Griffin (TKO at UFC 92), Chuck Liddell (KO at UFC 88), and Michael Bisping (Split Decision at UFC 78).

"I always felt like I was on that level," said Evans. "It's just a matter of performing. It's just a matter of putting it together, and hopefully, I can continue to put it together, but you never know what kind of fight you're going to have. I've been fortunate in my last two fights to come out there and have a great performance and getting the right mindset before I go out and perform."

Here’s the tale-of-the-tape for tonight’s UFC 98 UFC Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event Bout:

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida

Belem, Brazil

Age: 30

Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 205 lbs.

MMA Record: 14-0-0

Strengths: Karate

"It's part of my job to entertain the fans," Machida said. "In the end, it's a sport, but it's also entertainment. I'm being paid to entertain the fans, but I believe that all of the criticism goes on to a good side of my training because I can hear what the people are saying and kind of adapt my training and kind of get better in whatever way I can… There's always a little bit of pressure, especially in this fight coming out in the main event, but one of my main priorities is to put on a great performance and to really satisfy my fans."

“Suga” Rashad Evans

Niagara Falls, New York, USA

Age: 29

Height: 5' 11"

Weight: 205 lbs.

MMA Record: 18-0-1

Strengths: Takedowns, Takedown Defense

"It doesn't present any problems," Evans said about coming up with a winning game plan against Machida. "Watching somebody fight, breaking them down, sometimes the best evidence you get is when there's not really a weakness that somebody else hasn't been exploited … and watching Machida's tapes, I've definitely seen enough that I can do myself in areas that fit into what I do well. So, I'm not worried about it."

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