MMA ODDS AND ENDS FOR THURSDAY: INITIAL REACTIONS TO NEW BELLATOR BOUTS
Bellator has announced a couple of big fights for upcoming fight cards, and I will give my thoughts on those new matchups in the current MMA odds and ends.
Juan Archuleta vs. Ricky Bandejas, Bellator 214
Featherweight competition Juan Archuleta has decided to drop down to bantamweight and he will take on top potential Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 214, which takes place January 26 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Archuleta (21-1) is on a 16-fight win series and is 3-0 thus far in Bellator with his most recent success being a choice win over Jeremy Spoon back in November. Bandejas (11-1) started off his Bellator career with a bang when he brutally knocked out Bellator’s golden boy James Gallagher this past summer. He’s only lost once in his career, to UFC vet Nick Pace, and he retains a remarkable triumph over present UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili. That is such a fantastic fight between two fighters on the upswing, and it’s not an easy one to select considering both guys are incredibly talented and both are riding a great deal of momentum into this fight. I believe Archuleta is somewhat more strong and recognized, but Bandejas is a special prospect himself. Start looking for a close line with a slight lean towards Archuleta.
Roy Nelson vs. Mirko Cro Cop 2, Bellator 217
Heavyweights Roy Nelson and Mirko Cro Cop are place to rematch in Bellator 217, taking place February 16 at Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. Neslon (23-16) is 1-2 so far in Bellator and most recently was knocked out by Sergei Kharitonov within an upset. Nelson formerly defeated Cro Cop through TKO back at UFC 137 at 2011. Cro Cop (37-11-2, 1 NC) will soon be making his long-awaited Bellator introduction on the heels of a nine-fight win streak, wiht lots of the wins coming in RIZIN. Nelson might have defeated Cro Cop the very first time, but based on Cro Cop’s long win streak and Nelson’s declining chin I would have to prefer Cro Cop to win the rematch.
Lorenz Larkin vs. Andrey Koreshkov, Bellator 220
An exciting welterweight bout between strikers Lorenz Larkin and Andrey Koreshkov is set to headline Bellator 200, taking place March 29 at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. Larkin (20-7, 1 NC) is just 2-2 so much in Bellator, but he’s coming off of consecutive wins over Fernando Gonzalez and Ion Pascu. The Pascu fight was likely to become a welterweight tournament alternative bout, bout Bellator should figure they do not require a repacement fighter therefore that they gave Larkin this fight against Koreshkov. Despite Larkin becoming a small disappointment so far since signing a big free-agent contract with Bellator, he possesses knockout power which will consistently make him a threat to beat anyone in the division. Koreshkov (21-3) is 12-3 overall in Bellator and many recently lost by submission to Douglas Lima in the opening round of this welterweight tournament. His ground game and chin have looked shaky occasionally at Bellator, but such as Larkin he’s always a threat to win by knockout. This should be quite a competitive fight but Koreshkov always gets enormous respect from bettors and I guess that he wil be a tiny favorite here.
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