World Series odds will end for the year this week and some new exciting sports events will take center stage. One of them is the Strikeforce debut of Fedor Emelianenko, whom many fight fans regard as the greatest heavyweight fighter in the world today. Some say he’s also the best pound-for-pound fighter and others call him the greatest heavyweight of all time. That’s a lot of hype and it makes him a tough opponent for undefeated challenger Brett Rogers. Let’s break down the fight from an online betting perspective.

Fedor Emelianenko
Record: 30-1
Notable victories: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Coleman
Sportsbook odds: -528

There’s very little to criticize about Fedor unless you’re someone like Shane Carwin who feels he’s ducking elite competition by not signing with the UFC. Fedor is the complete fighter; he has extremely heavy hands capable of dropping virtually anyone but is also a wizard on the ground, able to escape dangerous positions and set up submissions. He alters his game plan depending on his opponent. For a big slugger like Tim Sylvia, he went to the ground to get a submission; he stayed standing with the glass-jawed Andrei Arlovski and waited for the right moment to catch him. Against Rogers, Fedor will likely go for the takedown.

Brett Rogers
Record: 10-0
Notable victories: Andrei Arlovski
Sportsbook odds: +378

Rogers is the epitome of a fighter with a “puncher’s chance,” as he’s a knockout machine. Nine of his 10 wins are knockouts and the other was a “submission” due to strikes. While still relatively raw, Rogers is a devastating striker who has one-punch knockout power but can also overwhelm opponents with combinations. Does he have a ground game? He claims to but really hasn’t been tested in that regard.

Outlook

Rogers is an exciting fighter but he’s simply not ready for Fedor. If this fight goes to the ground — and it will — thinks could get ugly very quickly for Rogers. Sports picks experts who feel Rogers could catch Fedor with a surprise KO punch should remember that Fedor also has a strong chin. Pick Emelianenko.

Pick: Fedor Emelianenko -528