UFC Fight Night 17 is poised to storm into Tampa, as the world's MMA top-series visits the city for the first time on Saturday evening. The USF Sun Dome (University of South Florida campus) is the venue for the spectacular lineup that can be seen free on Spike TV, starting at 9:00pm EST. So get ready Tampa, and online UFC betting fans, because this weekend BetPhoenix has your ticket to all the Octagon action and money-making odds.

Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon (-175) vs. Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens (+145).

Saturday's main event pits Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon against Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens in a three-round lightweight bout. Lauzon owns a 4-1 mark in UFC competition and an overall MMA record of 16-4. In Lauzon's most recent bout, he earned an impressive second-round TKO win over Kyle Bradley at UFC Fight Night 15 in September. It was a successful rebound outing for "The Ultimate Fighter 5" veteran after his first UFC defeat at the hands of Kenny Florian in April of 2008. Prior to that loss, Lauzon had won six straight bouts, making him a 7-1 in his last eight.

At 16-3 overall in MMA action, Stephens is no cupcake and Lauzon better bring his A-Game, because Stephens is a lively sports betting underdog. Following a submission defeat to Din Thomas in his Octagon debut at UFC 71 in 2007, Stephens bounced back with three consecutive victories before losing an unanimous-decision to Spencer Fisher in June of 2008. However, in his most recent fight that came in November at UFC 91, Stephens atoned the defeat with a devastating third-round TKO of Rafael dos Anjos.

Mac Danzig (-120) vs. Josh "The Dentist " Neer (-110).

Josh "The Dentist " Neer will compete at UFC Fight Night 17 despite an arrest just over a month ago for his second-offense of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and attempting to elude law enforcement. After allegedly hitting a police car in the early-morning hours of Jan. 1, Neer fled from the scene in a subsequent 15-minute police chase that reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.

Neer faces slightly favored TUF season six winner Mac Danzig in a three-round lightweight event. These are two exciting fighters and both look to atone their last outing which resulted in defeat. Neer is coming off a split-decision loss to Nate Diaz at UFC Fight Night 15 in September of 2008. At the same venue, Danzig loss to Clay Guida by way of unanimous-decision.

Neer has earned a respectable career overall MMA record of 24-7-1, but has a mark of just 3-4 since joining the UFC in 2005. If you bet on UFC, it would be fair to say Neer has struggled against stiffer opponents towing role of or near favoritism to the Octagon. His four losses have come versus Drew Fickett in his UFC debut, Josh Burkman and Nate Diaz (twice) - all solid fighters.

Neer's three wins were over lesser names in the likes Melvin Guillard, Joe Stevenson and Din Thomas with two of the three being decided by judges. That's not to say the trio are cupcakes as they're worthy fighters, too. But it's clear, Neer has a tougher time with quality opponents, solidified by his last four fights in which he lost three.

Danzig will bring to the Octagon an overall MMA record of 19-5-1 and is 2-1 in the UFC. Before his defeat to Guida, the Season 6 TUF winner started his UFC career posting back-to-back victories with both coming by submission chokes.

This is only a preview of the main event and co-main event. If you wager on UFC action, don't miss this great free MMA wagering event on SPIKE TV. And for those who like to see the big boys throw down, don't look away when heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Denis "The Menace" Stojnic step into the Octagon, because this one may not last long.

The highly touted Velasquez is 4-0 overall in his young MMA career and 2-0 in UFC competition. All four of his fights have been won by TKO in the first round. Saturday will be the 6'2'' 245-pounder's stiffest challenge to date when he takes on Stojnic, who's a stout 12-1. Stojnic is making his UFC debut having competed in Europe, where he has won five of his last six bouts. According to BetPhoenix MMA odds, underdog Stojnic (+450) doesn't stand much of a chance, as Velasquez is a huge favorite priced at -600.