Sorry Xpy, the fight has been rescheduled.
Here's my write-up for Bellator tonight, I still like Rogers at current odds even though I got +140.
Also clashing on the maincard will be Brian Rogers raw strength and knockout power vs. Vitor Viannas grappling fineness and dirty clinch attack.
Perhaps above any other betting line on this card, Rogers vs. Vianna has seen some of the more drastic, two-way betting action. Bookmaker opened Roger at +155 from which he quickly dropped 10 cents. He fell as low as +125 at 5dimes before the eventual buyback pushed the line back over -170 in Viannas favor.
The overall movement in Rogers favor stems from their respective performances against Alexander Shlemenko. You can actually make the case that Rogers was winning his fight as a +350 underdog, whereas Vitor was thoroughly outclassed for three rounds en route to a decision loss. Seeing Alexander effortlessly shrug off the majority of Viannas clinch attempts in their fight leaves many of us questioning just how effective his takedowns will be against Rogers.
With sparring partners Forrest Petz and Stipe Miocic, Rogers has been looking to refine more of his technique for this training camp, rather than his usually focus on power and strength.
Rogers has a clear edge in both handspeed and counter ability over Vitor. Hes great at picking up on a fighters rhythm and timing while capitalizing on any telegraphed movement leading to an exchange. He was perfectly timing Alexander on the way in and even dropped him with an ambush straight-right in the first round.
A lack of conditioning and a full time job as a school teacher creates definite reservations when backing Rogers here. At +140 though, I like his chances at an early KO or a close 29-28 decision.