Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko in Strikeforce this Saturday - Hansen, Hyden, Park, Perez, Hobaugh, Williams and Pelkey
Jul 28, 2011 - 4:00:16 PM ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko in Strikeforce this Saturday - Hansen, Hyden, Park, Perez, Hobaugh, Williams and Pelkey

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Who will win the fight between Dan Henderson and Fedor Emelianenko on Showtime and how will the fight play out?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Part of the reason I am so stoked for Emelianenko vs. Henderson is because I have no clue how it's going to play out.  I mean, we can rule out certain specific finishes.  But for the fight as a whole, no idea.  Is Fedor going to let Henderson circle and find range to land a devastating right?  Is Henderson going to let Fedor get him to the ground and find a vulnerability on the mat?  No idea.  I think the betting lines on this fight are way out of whack, though.  Henderson going off at +195 or so is truly insane.  This is as close to a pick 'em fight as it gets.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Fedor beats Henderson by TKO. That's kind of going out on a limb there, but I just have this feeling that Fedor is going to comeback and silence his critics for at least a while longer. I think it'll be a stand-up only fight, but not too exciting until Fedor catches Henderson with a thunderous counter that drops him in the second round.

CHRIS PARK, MMATORCH UK SPECIALIST

My gut feeling on this one is that the curtain will come down on Fedor in this fight. Although he is far younger than Henderson, I feel Fedor is a shadow of the Pride legend and I don't just put this down to his recent losses.

Fedor had not faced anyone even close to the top of the Heavyweight ladder for many years and once he started to he was submitted, and then stopped. I am not saying Henderson is going to knock Fedor out cold, but i do see a stoppage in this fight.

ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

If Fedor Emelianenko is focused, I see him taking this fight via submission, but if not, I see Dan Henderson taking it with his standard ground and pound style of wrestling.  I don't think he'll be able to knock Fedor out, but out-wrestling him to a decision is most likely what is going to happen.

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I am picking Henderson. In reading some of the pre fight picks on the Internet, I am surprised by how many are picking Fedor. He has lost two in a row and I think his best days are behind him. Hendo has won five of his last six and is as much if a threat as ever. I'm picking him to TKO Fedor in the third round.

ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Fedor Emelianenko, though I pick with low confidence.  I think he has enough left to ground and pound Dan Henderson to victory, but I would not put any money on my pick.

MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Emelianenko is bigger, is the better overall striker (including from top position), and is the far better grappler and submission artist. And yet, give me Hendo. He has a hard head and nearly impenetrable chin, while Fedor has crumbly hands. Henderson is also the better wrestler, so in a fight likely to feature a lot of even striking exchanges, a timely takedown or two could make the difference. Couple that with the fact that Dan Henderson will probably be landing the heavier, more damaging punches in those striking exchanges, and it adds up to a return to form for Decision Dan.