{"id":39239,"date":"2011-06-15T13:59:33","date_gmt":"2011-06-15T20:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.capperspicks.com\/blog\/?p=39239"},"modified":"2011-06-15T13:59:33","modified_gmt":"2011-06-15T20:59:33","slug":"strikeforce-betting-overeem-vs-werdumn-odds-free-picks-15611","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capperspicks.com\/blog\/fight-club\/strikeforce-betting-overeem-vs-werdumn-odds-free-picks-15611\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Strikeforce Picks \u2013 Overeem vs Werdumn Lines"},"content":{"rendered":"

Strikeforce Overeem vs Werdum Preview & Pick<\/h2>\n

The Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix was a great idea from the start. The eight top big men in the promotion battling it out in an eight-man tournament? Yes, please. Now that the UFC bought the Strikeforce, the tourney is even more exciting, as the winner will likely get a unification bout with the UFC heavyweight champ down the road. <\/p>\n

READY TO BET on THIS WEEK’S STRIKEFORCE Odds at BODOG?? GRAB YOUR 10% SIGNUP BONUS TODAY!<\/a><\/h3>\n

Promotion – Strikeforce Overeem vs Werdum
\nEvent – Strikeforce
\nDate\t– June 18, 2011
\nTime – 10pm ET\/PT
\nVenue – American Airlines Arena, Dallas, Texas
\nBroadcast – Showtime, HDNet (Prelims 8pm ET)<\/strong>
\nBet on Strikeforce<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Grand Prix continues with two more heavyweight matchups this Saturday night. <\/p>\n

Here are my picks.<\/p>\n

Alistair Overeem (34-11, 1 NC) vs Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1)<\/h3>\n

Strikeforce HWGP Quarterfinal Bout
\nStrikeforce odds: Overeem -330, Werdum +270<\/strong><\/p>\n

This should be fun. Fabricio Werdum is riding a high after becoming the first man to truly defeat Fedor Emelianenko last summer. Alistair Overeem, the current Strikeforce champ, has obliterated everyone in his path over the last few years, but he lost to Werdum via submission five years ago. This is a grudge match.<\/p>\n

If Werdum taught us anything with his victory over Fedor, it\u2019s that he has to be respected. He\u2019s an elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guy with great submission skills. Unfortunately for Werdum, his win over Fedor also put a target on his back. Overeem won\u2019t underestimate him. \u201cThe Demolition Man\u201d is also a powerhouse kickboxer. Guys who (a) have big knockout power and (b) take Werdum seriously have fared well against him in the past. Junior Dos Santos crushed him; Andrei Arlovski and Sergei Kharitonov also handled him. Overeem fits the profile.<\/p>\n

Also, Overeem isn\u2019t the same fighter he was five years ago. Whether or not he\u2019s, er, artificially enhanced himself, he\u2019s undeniably grown into more of a beast. In his last 10 fights, he\u2019s had nine mostly easy victories and one no-decision. He\u2019s been borderline untouchable. <\/p>\n

I expect Overeem to avenge his loss and advance to the semifinal. Pick<\/strong>: Overeem -330<\/p>\n

Josh Barnett (29-5) vs Brett Rogers (11-2)<\/h3>\n

Strikeforce HWGP Quarterfinal Bout
\nStrikeforce odds: Barnett -300, Rogers +250<\/strong><\/p>\n

Josh Barnett hasn\u2019t been in the spotlight over the last few years, but the former UFC heavyweight champ has a great chance to make himself relevant again this Saturday. Barnett is a strong grappler with great submissions; his hands are also heavier than he gets credit for.<\/p>\n

In Brett Rogers, he faces one of the hardest punchers in the sport. However, in Brett Rogers, Barnett also faces a somewhat overrated and inexperienced fighter. Rogers\u2019 career path reminds me a lot of Shane Carwin\u2019s. He started 11-0, finishing nine guys in the first round; Carwin started 12-0, finishing everyone in the first round. Then, he climbed the ladder perhaps too quickly and found himself overmatched. Carwin\u00a0 couldn\u2019t beat Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos; Rogers couldn\u2019t handle Fedor or Alistair Overeem.