World Series of Fighting 2 Revel Resort & Casino, Atlantic City, NJ, USA Saturday, March 23, 2013 Heavyweight Fight: Anthony Johnson (-125) vs. Andrei Arlovski (-105) Fight Breakdown: The main event of World Series of Fighting 2 is a heavyweight clash between former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski and former UFC welterweight Anthony Johnson, who has moved all the way up to heavyweight in what is both literally and figuratively the biggest fight of his career to date. Johnson is currently a -125 favorite (bet $125 to win $100) at Several Bookmakers, while Arlovski is a slight -105 underdog (bet $105 to win $100). Johnson (14-4) has won all four of his fights since being released by the UFC following his loss against Vitor Belfort at UFC 142, a fight in which Johnson missed weight for the third time in his UFC career. While once a welterweight, Johnson can no longer make the 170 pound limit, and he can’t even make the 185 pound middleweight limit, either, so he’s been fighting at 195 pound catchweights, 205, and now heavyweight. All jokes aside, expect Johnson to show up under the 266-pound heavyweight limit for this fight with Arlovski, and it’s possible being smaller may even help him, as he’ll likely be the faster fighter. An athletic freak, the 29-year-old member of the Blackzilians camp has 10 career knockout victories to his credit, and going against a guy with a suspect chin like Arlovksi’s, expect “Rumble” to keep this fight standing and look for that gigantic, highlight-reel knockout blow. Arlovski (19-9, 1 No Contest) is the former UFC heavyweight champion and he seems to be on a career resurgence as of late, having gone undefeated in his last five outings since his release from Strikeforce. A devastating striker with unreal knockout power, “The Pitbull” has 14 career knockout victories and has notable T/KO wins over guys with iron chins like Roy Nelson, Ben Rothwell, and Wesley “Cabbage” Correira. Basically, if he lands on your chin, he’ll finish you. But the problem with the 34-year-old is his own chin, as he’s been knocked out seven times in his 29 fight career, a disturbingly high number. Many have called for the Team Jackson – Winkeljohn member to retire from the sport and save his brain, but Arlovski is determined to make another run at the UFC and so he looks to take out “Rumble” and move onto the next phase of his career. Fight Prediction: This fight isn’t going three rounds, that’s for sure, and it’s likely going to end in round one with the amount of power these guys pack into their strikes. However, I do feel that Johnson is the faster fighter here, so I see him moving around Arlovski and landing a highlight-reel head kick that knocks “The Pitbull” out cold, a win that gets him back in the UFC. Adam’s Pick: Johnson via KO (click for latest MMA odds) Adam’s Recommended Play: Ever since this fight was announced I thought Johnson was going to win it, and at a Pick ’em price, I have to recommend a straight play on him. I wouldn’t go too crazy since he is fighting a heavy-handed striker like Arlovski and “The Pitbull’s” power needs to be respected, too, but all things considered this is a very winnable fight for “Rumble” and if you can get him at anything under -130, go ahead and make a straight play.
