Bellator 55 Picks & Prognostications

Bellator 55 Bantamweight Tournament Semi-Finals
October 22, 2011

Cocopah Resort and Casino
Yuma, Arizona

Main Bouts:

Bantamweight Tournament Semi-Finals
Marcos Galvao vs. Alexis Vila The "Exorcist" exorcised Bellator Featherweight Champion Joe Warren in brutal fashion giving the cocky wrestler his 1st KO loss leaving him stiff as a board and silenced in the ring in his last outing. Now Vila is on everyone's radar and the solid 40 year old wrestler is the favorite to win it all. "Louro" squeaked by the now lackluster Chase Beebe but his 4 losses have come to top tier talent while looking for the judges nod. Galvao may train alongside Jose Aldo with Nova Uniao but he's no "Scarface." Alexis will own Marcos on the mat if he doesn't knock him out 1st as I presume he will. "I'm a man! I'm 40!" And going to school his junior.

WINNER-Alexis Vila by Rd.2 TKO

Eduardo Dantas vs. Ed West Now "Dudo" is a Nova Uniao fighter worth watching. The slick submission fighter added a nice flying knee KO win to his record last out and really has serious potential. Ed doesn't seem that impressive but seems to play the role of the spoiler well, going 9-1 in his last 10 bouts. West is one of those cats who doesn't amaze you anywhere but is solid everywhere. I expect this will be a nice test for Dantas but one he passes staying free of any real trouble and taking the night on points.

WINNER-Eduardo Dantas by Decision

Christian M’Pumbu vs Travis Wiuff The newly minted Light Heavyweight Champion gets his 1st non-title fight against the guy I always confuse with Justin Eilers (R.I.P.). The awfully inked Wiuff has garnered 78 professional fights which have occurred in every imaginable promotion. No one will mistake Travvy for a title contender any time soon but he does sport some wrestling and posesses one punch KO power. M'Pumbu was my guy back in 2007 though it took him a little longer to get noticed than I expected. The undersized Champion rolled through Bellator and now meets an oversized opponent. "Tonton" (great nickname) has far better hands and submissions than Wiuff and if he avoids that fateful KO punch, should have little trouble bashing around the journey man. I'm ready for "Tonton" to get his due and it begins here.

WINNER-Christian M'Pumbu by Decision

Steve Gable vs. Ricardo Tirloni Dan is one of the most celebrated amateur wrestlers of all time...wait wait wait, wrong guy (only educated fans will get that joke). Steven is a solid if not inexperienced Lightweight meeting Tirloni who has been straight jacking since 2009. Ricardo is the man here as Gable has been off for a year and has not faced the likes of Ben Henderson or anyone close to that ilk. Tirloni has been tested a bit more and should have the edge and he continues to build steam.

WINNER-Ricardo Tirloni by Rd.3 Submission

Prelims:
Rich Hale vs. Carlos Flores Hale set the world afire early this year with his inverted triangle choke which may yet win "Submission Of The Year" honors. M'Pumbu bested him but Rich opened a lot of eyes as well. Carlos or Chubbles McFatfat has barely cut his MMA teeth but has some power behind his tits.

WINNER-Rich Hale by Decision

Efrain Escudero vs. Cesar Avila I don't know what has happend to the game of Escudero in the last few years but if he can't win here he might think about retirement.

WINNER-Efrain Escudero by Decision

Jacob Ortiz vs. Edgar Garcia Ed had a quick cup of tea with the UFC but has won 3 since that failed venture. Jacob is a Kobe fan so fuck him.

WINNER-Edgar Garcia by Decision

Erin Beach vs. Roscoe Jackson Things just got Sarah Jessica Parker ugly for this card as far as "talent" goes.

WINNER-Erin Beach?

Nick Piedmont vs. Jade Porter WINNER-Jade Porter

Steve Steinbeiss vs. Dano Moore UFC Castaway sighting! WINNER-Steve Steinbeiss