Finishing Fedor – Champion Henderson Looks to Topple Once ‘Unbeatable’ Fedor

Not very long ago, MMA legend Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko was viewed as ‘unbeatable’ and the unequivocal best heavyweight fighter on the planet. Of course, winning 6 times in 7 fights, will make even the most cynical MMA critic a believer.

However, nothing stays the same forever in life or sports and now, fast forward from two years ago and Fedor’s career is teetering on the brink of an unexpected – and embarrassing retirement.

That’s right BetUS MMA fight fanatics, when Emelianenko and Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson step in the cage on Saturday July 30th at the Sears Center Arena in Chicago for their Strikeforce and M- Global: Fedor vs. Henderson showdown, the hard-hitting Russian former champ will be will be in the fight of his life to avoid a third consecutive loss – and one that could very well end what his Hall of Fame caliber MMA career.

What: Strikeforce and M- Global Present: Fedor vs. Henderson When: Saturday, July 30, Live from Sears Centre Arena in Chicago, IL TV: Live on Showtime at 0:00 PM ET, Live in the UK on Primetime, Live in Canada on Super Channel

Strikeforce Betting Odds Dan Henderson +75 Fedor Emelianenko -0

Thanks to my expert MMA betting analysis and prediction, BetUS MMA gamblers everywhere will get an excellent chance to cash in with a winning wager on what looks like one of the most intriguing fights of the year, even if it doesn’t quite have the ‘star power’ that Fedor and Henderson once routinely commanded.

Fedor Emelianenko Record: 3-3- Age: 34 Height: 6 ft 0 in Weight: 30 lb Fighting out of: Stary Oskol, Belgorod, Russia Style: Sambo, Judo, Boxing

The Breakdown: Fedor has dropped two straight fights and was stopped by Antonio ‘Big Foot’ Silva at 5:00 of the second round on Feb. in his last fight. The respected Sambo, Judo and Boxing specialist also fell in his previous fight when he was submitted by Fabricio Werdum at :09 of the first round. Prior to his last two bouts, Fedor easily handled hard-punching Brett Rogers on November, 7, 009 by knocking out the heavy hitter in the second round.

Dan Henderson Record: 7-8 Age: 40 Height: 6′” Weight: 05 lbs Fighting out of: Temecula, California Style: Mixed Martial Arts/Greco-Roman Wrestling

The Breakdown: Dan Henderson hasn’t slowed down at all despite turning 4-years-old less than a month after facing Fedor in this headline bout. Henderson stopped Rafael Cavalcante on March 5, in Columbus, Ohio via strikes at 50 seconds of the third round to win the Strikeforce light heavyweight championship. 

Prior to his last fight, Henderson knocked out Renato Sobral at :53 of the first round in the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title eliminator on Dec, 4, 00. Henderson also lost a five-round unanimous decision middleweight title bout against Jake Shields in Nashville on April 7, 00.

The Scoop: With an identical 35 fights in their respective MMA careers, both fighters in this matchup have a plethora of experience, though the edge here in ‘prime time’ fights undoubtedly has to go to Fedor Emelianenko who won his first heavyweight title way back in 003.

Nevertheless, Dan Henderson is no slouch and certainly won’t go down easily in this bout. Henderson has looked really good in winning two straight fights and five of his last six overall.

While Fedor is generally recognized for his power punching ability, it is Dan Henderson that has recorded more career KOs , not to mention the fact that he has knocked out two consecutive quality opponents and three of his last four overall. Fedor clearly has the upper hand in submission skills in this bout and holds a 6- career edge in submissions.

One telling fact that BetUS mixed martial arts gamblers need to know about is the fact that Fedor has not gone more than two rounds since beating Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic via unanimous decision in August 005.

Dan Henderson has been stopped just once in the first round in his career, so the longer this fight goes, the more I believe the edge goes to Henderson.

MMA Prediction: At this point of their respective careers, I have to believe that Dan Henderson is a better fighter than Fedor Emelianenko and I see a variety of ways in which he can win this fight.

‘Hendo’ could land a big ‘H-Bomb’ and floor Fedor and his diminishing skills early or he could possibly get the big Russian on his back with a takedown. One has to wonder how much gas Fedor has left in his tank after his two losses – or if he still has the desire to remain one of the elite heavyweights on the planet.

Fedor is the naturally bigger and stronger fighter in this bout and I suspect the fact that he’s in all-out ‘desperation mode’ will spur him on to a very solid performance against Henderson in this matchup.

I am going to back Fedor Emelianenko to remain a relevant figure in the Strikeforce heavyweight division by securing the submission win in the second round.

However, I also want to advise BetUS MMA betting enthusiasts that if this fight goes past the second third round at most, I think Dan Henderson gets a big advantage because of his ability to hang around in fights.

MMA Pick: Fedor Emelianenko via Second Round Submission

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