Size matters and MMA bettors are figuring that out as they study the latest Strikeforce odds on the headlining event - Dan Henderson vs Fedor Emelianenko.
They are legends in mixed martial arts albeit in different weight classes and that is the main reason that Fedor – coming off a pair of lame losses – is favoured at -220 at online sportsbooks such as Sportsbook and Sportsbook this week.
Emelianenko, as most MMA fans know, has been an unbeatable heavyweight for the past decade. The Russian has struck fear in the hearts of all mixed martial arts big men, and at 232 pounds, he will come in much heavier than Hendo in this July 30 battle at Sears Centre. Even if they have agreed to a 220-pound catch weight.
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Henderson is the reigning Strikeforce light heavyweight champ (205 pounds) and has also held the middleweight belt by moving down to 185 pounds. In the battle of aging warriors, Fedor (31-3) is favoured while Henderson (27-8) is a tempting underdog at +175.
Emelianenko has lost to Strikeforce wannabes Fabricio Werdum, who submitted him with an armbar, and Antonio Silva, who beat up Fedor in February. Henderson, meanwhile, says he can handle the weight differential.
“I’m not backing down to anybody that weighs 230 pounds,” he wrote in a Yahoo! blog last week. “He’s not a giant heavyweight and is not a guy that is out of reach to a light heavyweight like myself. I know my right hand can land on his chin and, so long as I know that, I’m all good and ready to go.”
Henderson’s last three wins are all via KO or TKO. He lost a grappling battle to Jake Shields last year.
The Strikeforce odds card also has the Women's Welterweight title on the line between Marloes Coenen and Miesha Tate. Check out the latest MMA lines on the card below by visiting Sportsbook today before the cage door opens:
Tim Kennedy vs. Robbie Lawler
Paul Daley vs. Tyron Woodley
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Scott Smith
Gesias Cavalcante vs. Bobby Green
Alexis Davis vs. Julie Kedzie
Derek Brunson vs. Lumumba Sayers
Eduardo Pamplona vs. Tyler Stinson
