MMA betting – Affliction 2 features the world’s top heavyweight
Online betting: Fedor Emelianenko is still the best heavyweight on the planet
- Fedor will knock out the glass-jawed Arlovski
- Matt Lindland is a nightmare matchup for Vitor Belfort
- More experienced “Babalu” will take down Sokodjou
Affliction: Day of Reckoning may not have the prestige of a UFC event, but it features some of the best fighters in MMA betting – including Fedor Emelianenko, viewed by many as the best heavyweight in the world.
Fedor vs Arlovski odds
Fedor Emelianenko (29-1), arguably the most dominant heavyweight of the last decade, seems to be running out of challenges. Mark Coleman, Minotauro Nogueira, Tim Sylvia (in 36 seconds!) – you name the superstar heavyweight, and Fedor has defeated him. A devastating submission specialist, he has won 16 fights by that method, including six straight. He’s a heavy Affliction betting favorite at -400, which is reasonable considering Fedor hasn’t lost a fight in over eight years. That’s not a misprint.
Fedor’s opponent is the accomplished Andrei Arlovski (15-5), a former UFC heavyweight champion. Those who bet on MMA know Arlovski (+300) is a powerful striker; he trains with legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach, who worked with Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins, among many others. Eleven of his 15 victories have come via knockout, meaning Fedor will have to keep his hands high in the Fedor vs Arlovski line.
Fedor odds remain huge despite an awkward matchup for the submission master Fedor; Arlovski has never been submitted. However, Fedor is still the best bet in the Affliction odds. When he wants to, he still displays formidable power. Arlovksi odds suffer because Arlovski has a glass jaw, as he’s been knocked out four times in his career on strikes.
JACK’S PICK: Bet on Fedor to beat Arlovski in the Affliction lines, even if it’s not via his usual submission.
Other sportsbook odds
Matt Lindland (21-5) vs Vitor Belfort (17-8): Bet on Lindland at -160 in this MMA betting matchup. He’s an experienced Greco-Roman wrestler and Olympic silver medalist who has tangled with the likes of Rampage Jackson and Fedor. He’ll overpower Belfort (+130), who struggled against wrestlers like Randy Couture, Dan Henderson and Tito Ortiz in the past.
Renato “Babalu” Sobral (31-7) vs Rameau Thierry Sokodjou (5-3): in a matchup featuring two former UFC fighters who were booted by Dana White, bet on Sobral (-175) on the Sobral vs Sokodjou line. He’s far more experienced and well-rounded than Sokodjou (+145), who has lost two of his last three fights.
For more Affliction betting and Fedor odds, bookmark 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?
