MMA-NEWS.NET TOP TEN HEAVYWEIGHTS
By John Gagne
JOHN’S PICKS AND BETTING ADVICE AFFLICTION JANUARY 24th
FIGHT WINNING METHOD BET OR NOT REASON
Fedor Vs Andrei FEDOR BY TKO 2nd DO NOT BET BAD ODDS
Yvel Vs Josh Barnett JOSH BY SUBMISSION 2nd DO NOT BET BAD ODDS
Matt Linland Vs Vitor Belfort VITOR BY DECISION BET GREAT ODDS
Renato Sobral Vs Sokoujou SOKOUJOU BY TKO 2nd BET GREAT ODDS
Paul Buentello Vs Kiril Sidelnikov KIRIL BY TKO 2nd BET GREAT ODDS
Dan Lauzon Vs. Chris Horedecki CANCELED CANCELED CANCELED CANCELED CANCELED
Rogerio Nogiera Vs Matyushenko ROGERIO BY SUB 2nd BET GREAT ODDS
Jay Hieron Vs Jason High JAY BY TKO 1st DO NOT BET BAD ODDS
L.C. Davis Vs Bao Quach L.C. BY TKO 2nd BET GOOD ODDS
Antonio Duarte Vs Alber Rios ANTONIO BY SUB 1st DO NOT BET BAD ODDS
Brett Cooper Vs Patrick Speight BRETT BY KO 2nd BET GOOD ODDS
AFFLICTION “DAY OF RECKONING” WEIGH-IN RESULTS
MAIN CARD
Fedor Emelianenko (230) vs. Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (237)
Josh “ The Baby Faced Assassin” Barnett (248) vs. Gilbert Yvel (240)
Matt “The Law” Lindland (186) vs. Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (184)
Renato “Babalu” Sobral (204) vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (205.25)
Paul “Headhunter” Buentello (244) vs. Kiril “Baby Fedor” Sidelnikov (229.5)
Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon (155.5) vs. Bobby Green (155.5)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (204.75) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (204.5)
Jay Hieron (169.25) vs. Jason High (170)
L.C. Davis (143.75) vs. Bao Quach (145.5)
Antonio Duarte (145) vs. Albert Rios (145)
Brett Cooper (169) vs. Patrick Speight (169)
Fedor Vs. Arlovski
By John Gagne
This fight is one that many MMA fans have desired over the last 3 years. Ever since Fedor was the King of Pride (Well all of MMA) and Arlovski was the champ of the UFC. We have hoped and dreamed of this marquis match up.
We all know both men come from a Sambo background. Both men also have extensive striking training and experience. Two main factors will play key rolls in this fight. The first and most important being striking, followed by takedowns and takedown defense.
The striking factor would have been clear-cut 3 years ago, but today it is a little fuzzier. Fedor has amazing power and a chin that rivals many anvils. He does however loop his punches and has been known to drop his hands while throwing those big punches. This has never been exposed due to the fact that the first punch knocks his opponent loopy. If Arlovski’s boxing training is going the way the videos show and his trainer says. He should have great head, foot and body movement, slipping Fedor’s punches and countering. All this boxing training may also be Andrei’s Achilles heal. If he is over confident and believes he can out box Fedor, going toe to toe in a slugfest, he will be KO”D. If he uses it to be smart, elusive and evasive, he has one of the best chances of any other contenders against Fedor.
Takedowns and takedown defense in my opinion, will win this fight. If Fedor gets Andrei down he may be in for a world of hurt. Andrei does have good submissions, but against Fedor they will be meaningless for him. Now if Andrei can prevent the takedown, and stay on his feet picking Fedor apart we may be in for a long fight. On the other hand if for some reason Andrei takes Fedor down. This could be very bad for Andrei, Fedor has amazing submissions off his back. Guard is not a place Andrei likes to punch from. If he does take Fedor down I doubt he will hold the position. If this point of the fight ever comes and Andrei is getting the best of the striking I am sure he will let Fedor up.
Bottom line here is that Fedor is just the man. Someone may beat Fedor some day, but it will not be Andrei Arlovski. Fedor is better version of Arlovski and way more dominant. This fight has the potential to be exciting and live up to everyone’s expectations. It also has the potential for a quick finish as well as a drawn out boring fight. I am taking Fedor by TKO in the late second or third round. If I were to bet on this fight it would have to be big money, or the return would not be worth the risk. However if you decided to parley this fight with a few other lopsided fights you may get a decent pay out.