Usually, NCAA football betting starts getting the sportsbook spotlight at this time of year, but there’s a new game in town: women’s mixed martial arts. At Saturday’s Strikeforce card, Gina Carano and Christiane “Cyborg” Santos will become the first female fighters to headline a major MMA promotion. Who has the edge?

GINA CARANO (7-0)
Strikeforce odds: +145

STRENGTHS: Gina Carano is an intelligent, versatile, technical fighter in the mold of Georges St-Pierre and Kenny Florian. She has knockout power but is also an accurate, crisp puncher and isn’t afraid to take opponents to the ground. She can win in more than one way, as she showed when she submitted Tonya Evinger via rear naked choke in 2007.

WEAKNESSES: She’s shown no true weakness yet, but she’ll likely have a strength disadvantage on Saturday. Cyborg Santos is taller and walks around more than 20 pounds heavier, so Carano may not be able to control the pace of the fight in tight.

CHRISTIANE “CYBORG” SANTOS (7-1)
Strikeforce odds: -175

STRENGTHS: Her raw power is unparalleled in women’s MMA. She’s a bona fide killer, having knocked out five opponents in her seven wins. She’s a relentless attacker who can overwhelm opponents. If she corners Carano and unleashes a flurry of haymakers, the fight could end in a hurry.

WEAKNESSES: She’s nowhere near as versatile as Carano. She hasn’t been tested much on the ground and, when she was in her first career fight, she succumbed to a leg lock submission. If the smaller, faster Carano can evade her haymakers, she’s in trouble. As is the case with Forrest Griffin, Cyborg has a brawling style that leaves her open to lots of shots. She has a good chin but she could lose the fight on points if she gets caught too often.

OUTLOOK

Gina Carano isn’t getting enough credit among betting services. She’s a well-rounded fighter and a smart one too, so she should have a game plan to keep Santos off balance. Look for her to outclass the powerhouse Cyborg and pull off the upset.

Sports betting online pick: Gina Carano +145