2011 Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Odds & MMA Betting Matchups
By Drew Sharper
Bet on Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (TheSpread) – In an attempt to get main stream attention in the MMA world, Strikeforce is putting on a Heavyweight Grand Prix, which starts on Saturday.
The Grand Prix is a tournament featuring eight fighters that will play out over a period of time with the winner being the fighter that wins three-straight bouts. Two of the four first round fights will take place this Saturday from the IZOD Center as Fedor Emelianenko takes on Antonio Silva and Sergei Kharitonov faces Andrei Arlovski.
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook Sportsbook.com Emelianenko is a large favorite against Silva, as Fedor has betting odds of -550 while Silva has odds of +350. In Saturday’s second Grand Prix bout, Kharitonov (-130) is a slight favorite to defeat Arlovski (+100).
Emelianenko was one of the most dominant fighters for the new millennium, as he went 10 years without a loss, but is coming off a first round submission defeat to Fabricio Werdum. Still, Fedor is expected to win this Grand Prix due to his dominance. Silva (15-2) has won his last two bouts, including a decision win over Arlovski. He will be the bigger fighter in this contest, but doesn’t have the experience or technique that his opponent has.
The second bout features Arlovski (15-8) who has lost three-straight fights. As former UFC heavyweight champion, Arlovski relies on his striking to win fights, but he has suffered two knockouts in his three losses. Kharitonov (17-4) is a big of a wild card as he has not fought in America, yes holds wins over Alistair Overeem and Werdum. His striking is his biggest asset, and if his hands are faster, he can likely get past Arlovski.
For complete betting odds on Saturday’s fights and the first round of the of Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, see below.
Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix First Round Odds
Saturday, Feb. 12
2014 Fedor Emelianenko -550
2015 Antonio Silva +350
2016 Sergei Kharitonov -130
2017 Andrei Arlovski +100
Date TBA
2018 Alistair Overeem -325
2019 Fabricio Werdum +250
2020 Josh Barnett -300
2021 Brett Rogers +240