Bellator has declared a couple of big fights for upcoming battle cards, and I’ll present my thoughts on those new matchups in the current MMA odds and ends.
Juan Archuleta vs. Ricky Bandejas, Bellator 214
Featherweight contender Juan Archuleta has opted to drop down to bantamweight and he will take on top prospect Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 214, which takes place January 26 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Archuleta (21-1) is really on a 16-fight win series and is 3-0 thus far in Bellator with his most recent victory being a choice win over Jeremy Spoon back in November. Bandejas (11-1) started off his Bellator career with a bang when he pumped out Bellator’s gold boy James Gallagher last summer. He has only lost once in his career, to UFC vet Nick Pace, and he retains a notable win over current UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili. This is such a fantastic battle between two fighters on the rise, and it is not an easy one to pick considering both men are extremely gifted and both are riding tons of momentum into this fight. I think Archuleta is somewhat more solid and recognized, but Bandejas is a exceptional potential himself. Start looking for a close line with a little lean towards Archuleta.
Roy Nelson vs. Mirko Cro Cop 2, Bellator 217
Heavyweights Roy Nelson and Mirko Cro Cop are place to rematch at Bellator 217, taking place February 16 in Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. Neslon (23-16) is 1-2 so far in Bellator and most recently was pumped out by Sergei Kharitonov in an upset. Nelson formerly defeated Cro Cop via TKO back at UFC 137 in 2011. Cro Cop (37-11-2, 1 NC) will soon be making his long-awaited Bellator debut on the heels of a nine-fight win streak, wiht lots of the wins coming from RIZIN. Nelson might have defeated Cro Cop the first time, but according to Cro Cop’s long win streak and Nelson’s diminishing chin I’d have to favor 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, occurring March 29 at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. Larkin (20-7, 1 NC) is just 2-2 so far in Bellator, but he is coming off of successive 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 need a repacement fighter therefore they gave Larkin this battle against Koreshkov. Despite Larkin being a bit of a disappointment so much since registering a big free-agent contract with Bellator, he still possesses knockout power that will always make him a threat to beat anybody in the branch. Koreshkov (21-3) is 12-3 overall in Bellator and many recently lost by submission to Douglas Lima in the opening round of the welterweight tournament. His ground game and chin have appeared shaky at times at Bellator, but like Larkin he’s always a threat to win by knockout. This ought to be quite a competitive fight but Koreshkov constantly gets enormous respect from bettors and I guess he wil be a tiny favorite here.
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