Strikeforce: Columbus Fight Card: Betting Odds and Predictions

A week packed with fights from the UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce, culminates on Saturday in Columbus.

This card from Strikeforce presents not one, but two title bouts in the promotion. One for the light heavyweight title in the men's division and then a battle for the women's welterweight title.

This could turn out to be a great card and a great night for the Strikeforce promotion.

Now, here are odds and predictions for the main card of this weekend's Strikeforce: Columbus card.

Odds courtesy of mma-hive.com. 

Jorge Masvidal vs. Billy Evangelista

Jorge Masvidal (-160, 20-6-0)

• 10 wins by knockout, nine by decision, one by submission.
• Three losses by decision, two by submission, one by knockout.

Billy Evangelista (+130, 11-0-0, 1 NC)

• Seven wins by decision, four by knockout.
• No losses.

Breakdown

Alright, here is the thing. Masvidal is coming in off a super close loss to Strikeforce welterweight contender, Paul Daley. I mean a razor-thin decision loss to one of the best fighters in that division.

If this fight stays standing, Masvidal has a huge chance to win this fight and will give Evangelista way too many problems he can't handle. If Evangelista shoots for the takedowns and works Masvidal on the ground, he could ride to a decision victory.

Evangelista has tremendous skill and needs to put some power in his punches to win this one.

Prediction: Evangelista by unanimous decision.

Tim Kennedy vs. Melvin Manhoef

Tim Kennedy (-400, 12-3-0)

• Six wins by submission, five by knockout, one by decision.
• Two wins by decision, one by knockout.

Melvin Manhoef (+300, 24-8-1)

• 23 wins by knockout, one by decision.
• Five losses by submission, three by knockout.

Breakdown

I don't know what surprised me more. The fact that Manhoef is from Suriname (which is really cool and in part makes me root for him so his country has a top-tier fighter) or the fact that out of 24 bouts, he has 23 knockouts.

It's obvious what the breakdown here is. Manhoef keeps this fighting, the heavily favored Kennedy is going down quick. Kennedy should shoot for the takedown and take Manhoef out of his comfort zone and lay him flat on his back. 

Prediction: Kennedy via first-round submission.

Marloes Coenen vs. Liz Carmouche

Women's Welterweight Title Bout

Marloes Coenen (-400, 18-4-0)

• 13 wins by submission, three by knockout, two by decision.
• Two losses by knockout, two by decision.

Liz Carmouche (+300, 5-0-0)

• Three wins by knockout, one by decision, one by submission.
• No losses.

Breakdown

Again, yet another obvious game plan here. Thirteen of Coenen's 18 wins have come via a submission. Shooting for the takedown is key here versus the Girl-rilla, Liz Carmouche (I just wanted to say that, it's a pretty cool nickname).

Carmouche will stand and trade with Coenen, most likely trying to stay away from the submission power of Coenen. One thing about Coenen, she can take a punch better than anyone. That alone will help her in this fight and she will make sure Carmouche has to execute a perfect game plan to beat her.

Prediction: Coenen via second-round submission.

Rafael Calvacante vs. Dan Henderson

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - JULY 11: (R-L) Dan Henderson connects with a right to Mike Bisping during their middleweight bout during UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

Light Heavyweight Title Bout

Dan Henderson (-200, 26-8-0)

• 13 wins by decision, 11 by knockout, two by submission.
• Five losses by decision, three by submission.

Rafael Cavalcante (+160, 10-2-0)

• Nine wins by knockout, one by submission.
• One loss by knockout, one by disqualification.

Breakdown

Henderson could surely try and close the distance on Cavalcante in this one. If Cavalcante does try to shoot for the takedown, Henderson's wrestling should make him pretty prepared and capable of handling Cavalcante on the ground.

Henderson lost his last title shot in Strikeforce when he faced off against Jake Shields, whom everyone counted out. It's kind of the same situation here with Cavalcante, the defending light heavyweight champion, as the underdog. Henderson's injury-plagued body and age shouldn't get him here.

Prediction: Henderson via third-round TKO.