Strikeforce Odds - Carano, Cyborg battle in first-ever women's main event
CHRISTIANE SANTOS -190
GINA CARANO +150
GEGARD MOUSASI -260
RENATO SOBRAL +200
NICK DIAZ -225
JAY HIERON +185
GILERT MELENDEZ -269
MITSUHIRO ISHIDA +210
FABRICIO WERDUM -550
MIKE KYLE +400
What a banner year for Strikeforce odds. Not only did it secure a handful of new fighters, most notably Fedor Emelianenko, after Affliction collapsed, but it also features the first major MMA fight card to have an all-female main event. Superstar Gina Carano meets deadly Cyborg Santos for the world championship. Who has the MMA betting edge?
Strikeforce odds: Undefeated Carano faces biggest challenge of her career by far
- WHO: Gina “Conviction” Carano (7-0) vs Christiane “Cyborg” Santos (7-1)
- WHAT: Strikeforce betting
- WHEN: Saturday, August 15, 7:30 p.m. ET
- WHERE: HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA
- KEY STAT: Santos’ only career loss came via submission
- PICK: Carano +150
Carano vs Cyborg odds
The Strikeforce odds main event is about technique versus power. An ideal comparison would be George St-Pierre vs Thiago Alves, with Carano filling the GSP role and Cyborg playing Alves’ part.
Gina Carano is the face of women’s MMA, having competed on the cast of “American Gladiators” and graced many a magazine cover. However, she’s far more than just a pretty face; she’s an outstanding technical fighter, skilled in Muay Thai and capable of picking opponents apart. She can also dominate opponents on the ground, as she showed when she choked out Tonya Evinger in 2007.
Christiane Santos, or “Chris Cyborg” as she’s more commonly known, is like a female Mike Tyson. She’s big and powerful, a brawler who bludgeons opponents with devastating punches. Five of her seven wins have come via knockout; her hands are heavy enough to drop any opponent.
Because of her prodigious power, Cyborg is the sportsbook favorite. However, she could be in for a surprise. Watching her highlight films, I noticed that she eats a lot of punches while she brawls. Her chin is good but she’ll open the door for the technically smooth Carano to score points. Carano also may have the ground advantage. Cyborg has never submitted an opponent and her sole loss came via leg lock.
THE HAMMER'S PICK: Carano will have to rely on speed and technique; chances are, she won’t knock Santos out and she could lose if she takes a single clean shot from Cyborg. However, as GSP says, technique beats strength, and Carano will prove herself a worthy champion. Bet on Gina Carano to win, probably via submission or decision.
OTHER STRIKEFORCE ODDS
Gegard Mousasi (28-2) vs Renato Sobral (35-8): Sobral is over the hill and has a questionable chin; Mousasi is a knockout machine. Bet on Mousasi.
Gilbert Melendez (15-2) vs Mitsuhiro Ishida (18-5): Melendez is the better finisher and will be hungry to avenge his defeat. Bet on Melendez.
Nick Diaz (20-7) vs Jay Hieron (17-4): Go with the experienced Diaz, who has faced much tougher competition and can beat opponents in many different ways.
Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) vs Mike Kyle (12-6-1): One thing’s for sure – this fight won’t go to a decision. I’d bet on Werdum, but stranger things than a Mike Kyle win have happened.
For full Strikeforce odds and other sports betting tips, keep reading the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
Jack “the Hammer” Howard is new to the MMA handicapping game, but his roots in the sport run deep. He enjoyed a brief amateur career in mixed martial arts and also has some boxing experience under his belt, making him an authority on the subject. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
