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Bellator 269 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview – Fedor vs Johnson

Cole Shelton

by Cole Shelton in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Oct 20, 2021 · 7:01 AM PDT

Bellator 269
Can Fedor take down Tim Johnson in his last fight in Russia at Bellator 269?
  • Fedor Emelianenko is fighting back home in Russia for the final time in the main event
  • Can Tim Johnson silence the crowd or will Fedor get the win?
  • See the full betting odds and preview for Bellator 269 below

Bellator is in Moscow, Russia on Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 for Bellator 269. In the main event, one of, if not the best heavyweight of all time in Fedor Emelianenko is set to fight in Russia for the final time and could be his final fight ever, as he takes on Tim Johnson. The betting odds for the main event are even, with both fighters listed at -110 in the Bellator 269 odds. The co-main event sees Vitaly Minakov make his return against Said Sowma as a heavy betting favorite.

Bellator 269 airs live on Showtime in the States, and on YouTube in Canada on October 23 at 3 PM EST. The table below shows odds for the main card followed by best bets.

Make sure to check out the latest online sportsbook promos before locking in your bets for Bellator 269.

Bellator 269 Odds

Fighter Odds
Fedor Emelianenko -110
Tim Johnson -110
Fighter Odds
Vitaly Minakov -300
Said Sowma +240
Fighter Odds
Usman Nurmagomedov -2500
Patrik Pietila +1200
Fighter Odds
Anatoly Tokov -450
Sharaf Davlatmurdov +350

All odds as of Oct. 20 at FanDuel

Does Fedor Get The Homecoming Win at Bellator 269?

Fedor Emelianenko’s legacy is already secured as one of the all-time greats. However, there is no question, if he can get the farewell win at home in Russia over Tim Johnson, it would be massive and would be quite the scene.

Emelianenko & Johnson Recent Fights

Emelianenko
VS
Johnson
Quinton Jackson, win by KO Fight 1 Valentin Moldavsky, loss by decision (interim title fight)
Ryan Bader, loss by TKO (title fight) Fight 2 Cheick Kongo, win by split decision
Chael Sonnen, win by TKO Fight 3 Matt Mitrione, win by TKO
Frank Mir, win by KO Fight 4 Tyrell Fortune, win by KO

When it was announced Fedor Emelianenko would be having a fight in Russia, which would be his last at home, many expected it to be against another legend. The likes of Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, and Josh Barnett put their hand up to get the fight, but the Russian decided to fight Johnson who is coming off a loss to Emelianenko’s teammate and protege, in Valentin Moldavsky.

Although it’s not the fight many people wanted, it is still a really intriguing matchup as both men have quietly gone on some impressive runs. For Johnson, this is a chance to cement his legacy in Bellator in what he told me is the biggest fight of his career.

Emelianenko vs Johnson Stats

Emelianenko
VS
Johnson
45 Age 36
6’0″ Height 6’3″
74.5″ Reach 78″
3 Bellator Finishes 2

Johnson is well aware he is going to hostile territory and before the fight, he expressed he needed to get a finish as he doubts the judges would give him a decision win in Emelianenko’s final fight in Russia. That certainly is the mindset to have, however, something many fighters have said is they feel the aura of Emelianenko and they struggle to pull the trigger in the octagon, which might happen to Johnson here.

Johnson has been known for his grinding wrestling style, but I don’t think that will work against Emelianenko, who is great at sambo. Ultimately, I expect this fight to remain standing for the most part, and both men will have moments in the fight. Yet, in the second round, I think the Russian will land a clean shot that drops Johnson. Emelianenko will finish him off via ground and pound to get the TKO win and have his fairytale moment of winning his final fight at home. Take Emelianenko on the moneyline in the Bellator 269 odds

Pick: Fedor Emelianenko (-110)

Can Sowma Win as the +240 Betting Underdog at Bellator 269?

The former Bellator heavyweight champion, Vitaly Minakov will finally make his return to the promotion as he is set for his first fight since he actually knocked out Tim Johnson back in August of 2019. In his return, he gets a favorable matchup in Said Sowma.

Minakov & Sowma Recent Fights

Minakov
VS
Sowma
Tim Johnson, win by KO Fight 1 Ronny Markes, win by KO
Cheick Kongo, loss by decision Fight 2 Tyrell Fortune, loss by decision
Tony Johnson Jr., win by KO Fight 3 Bobby Brents, win by TKO
Antonio Silva, win by KO Fight 4 Dustin Clements, win by submission

Minakov is better everywhere in this fight, but I do expect him to keep it standing and just piece up Sowma.

Early on, I do think the Russian will take the first round to find his range and just knock off any ring rust he may have. In the second and third, he will begin to start taking over and will eventually find the knockout punch in the third to show he deserves a crack at the belt. Look for a Minakov KO/TKO prop in the Bellator 269 odds, because -300 is a pretty hefty price to pay.

Pick: Vitaly Minakov (-300)

Other Bellator 269 Picks:

  1. Usman Nurmagomedov (-2500): Nurmagomedov is related to Khabib, but he is more of a striker, and I like him to get the KO here. The inside the distance prop in the Bellator 269 odds is the only way to bet him at this point.
  2. Anatoly Tokov (-450): Tokov is very well-rounded, but I expect him to keep it standing and hurt Davlatmurdov along the cage and get the standing TKO win.
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