Affliction Betting - Fedor vs Barnett odds and Pick

Fedor odds may be the one special exception in MMA in terms of who or what can excite fans besides the UFC. Fedor Emelianenko is still considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and, while most of us want to see him fight Brock Lesnar, he still has an extremely tough opponent in world No. 2 Josh Barnett on August 1 at Affliction. Let's break down each fighter.

THE CHAMPION - FEDOR "THE LAST EMPEROR" EMELIANENKO
MMA odds: -500
Record: 30-1
Notable victories: Minotauro Nogueira, Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Coleman, Andrei Arlovsk

STRENGTHS: Too many to list. Fedor is a true mixed martial artist, excelling in multiple disciplines. He's a monster on the ground, using his sambo and judo not only to submit pretty much anyone he wants, but also to escape dangerous situations. When he wants to use them, his hands are extremely heavy, capable of dropping even the biggest of fighters. He's also very patient, not afraid to take some punishment if it helps him set up an advantageous position.

WEAKNESSES: Not many that we know of, but his strategy of "not preparing for an opponent and just feeling him out during a fight" could someday come back to bite him if he faces someone with a set game plan.

THE CHALLENGER - JOSH "THE BABYFACED ASSASSIN" BARNETT
MMA odds odds: +300
Record: 24-5
Notable victories: Randy Couture, Minotauro Nogueira, Dan Severn

STRENGTHS: He's a powerful wrestler who's very tough to stop once he gains the mount. He can finish opponents with a ground-and pound or submit them, which is his preferred method of victory. Though he's not a true striker, he has heavy hands and can knock guys out if he catches them flush.

WEAKNESSES: Barnett is not quite a one-dimensional fighter, but he's not nearly as versatile as Fedor. Emelianenko can match him on the ground and Barnett is nowhere near Fedor's ability standing up. Most of his losses have come against superior strikers—three of them to Cro Cop.

Daily sports pick: Fedor. He's the best in the world and, while the savvy Barnett should be his toughest test in a long time, it's just weak betting management to go against Fedor.