Bellator 231, 232, & UFC Fight Night 162: Fight Cards & Nose Picks

Bellator 231

Frank Mir +170 vs Roy Nelson -200 [Rematch]

The rematch nobody wanted but nothing else is going on in Bellator so here we go. MMAFO cannot understand why Bellator splits their already weak roster into two shows per weekend instead of one good card? It makes no sense but Bellator seems content to stay static so who are we to judge. 

Jesus Frank what are we doing at this point fella? We loves us some Frank Mir but he should be using his talents to train students or showcase that gift of bag on the mic. Mir has gone through a helluva career and at 40 he is on a 4-fight losing streak. Now Frank has never been the most durable of fighters but 3 of those 4 losses were by (T)KO finish and being knocked unconscious 10 fucking times in a career is a concern. Mir was a grappler at one time but now he’s just a robotic striker taking opportunities if presented.

Nelson doesn’t give a shit about any of this. “Big Country” stopped trying a long time ago and just goes out there whiffing his overhand right and if it doesn’t land, he’ll just eat punches until the bell rings and he doesn’t care about the result. Cash that check.

This is going to be painful and slow but Mir beat Nelson before and he should be able to do it again in what promises to be a fight few care about.

Upset Pick WiNNER- Frank Mir by Decision

Phil Davis -460 vs Karl Albrektsson +365

“King” Karl has been getting a bit of shine as of late and it comes to a stop here. “Mr. Wonderful” has this all day and this is the type of guy Davis feasts upon. Phil is going to grapple when necessary but likely just use his long kicks and distance fighting to get a relatively easy win.

WiNNER-Phil Davis by Decision

Ed Ruth -300 vs Jason Jackson +250

“Easy” Ed has stumbled but once and is coming into his prime. It’s time to make another statement and get this dude into the top tier of competitors to see what we really have here.

WiNNER-Ed Ruth by Rd.2 TKO

https://www.instagram.com/ilarajoanne/?hl=en

Bec Rawlings -210 vs Ilara Joanne +175

Whatever “wrestling” skills Bec had in her game, left a long, long time ago. Rawlings is just brawling(s) these days and this isn’t bare knuckle.

Joanne is a Pitbull Brothers student and fresh as a daisy at 25. MMAFO thinks she is ready to steal one here from an opponent who is just going through the motions.

Upset Pick WiNNER-Ilara Joanne by Decision

UFC Fight Night 162

This is in Singapore so get up early to be uninspired! This is a pretty weak ass card but the Main Event is a pleasure so here we go!

#7 Ben Askren -160 vs Demian Maia +140

“Funky” Ben had about the worst possible showing last out as he was demolished by a flying knee in seconds for the 1st professional loss of his career! It was a nasty loss for sure but Askren is back to re-assert himself in the Welterweight division. In his way the the tester of all testers, gatekeeper to the stars, Demian Maia. 

The Brazilian has won two in a row after going through the muderers row at 170 (Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, & Tyron Woodley) which is rather unfair booking for the 41 year old. Demian is always a tough out for everyone and very hard to finish.

If Ben is to get back on track in the UFC and stay relevant, here’s his change. Askren doesn’t have to fear the striking but the grappling is going to be elite and fun to watch even if the fans don’t “get it.” We expect slow going with Ben coming on strong in the later rounds to win on points in what we expect to be “low key” exciting.

WiNNER-Ben Askren by Decision

Steven Ray +235 vs Michael Johnson -275

Pick a division already fellas! Both of these cats are desperate in their need for a big win coming off finish losses and on bad runs. 

We like Mike’s ability to push the pace more and strike at distance against the more robotic Ray. Should be a fun scrap.

WiNNER-Michael Johnson by Decision

Beneil Dariush -185 vs Frank Camacho +160

Dariush is picking up steam again in the 155s and has earned back to back wins for the 1st time since ’16. MMAFO has long been high on this King’s MMA fighter and we stuck with him through the hard times as well. Beneil is looking healthy and is just so talented everywhere that we believe he’ll have his way with Frank who has one foot out the door.

WiNNER-Beneil Dariush by Rd.2 Submission

Ciryl Gane -325 vs Don’Tale Mayes +265

A disaster of names here as two big Heavy’s bang it out in loud fashion. It’s Ciryl “Bon Gamin” versus Don’Tale “Kong” Mayes (WTF!).

“Bon Gamin” (?) is a massive Frenchman who doesn’t retreat and trains with Francis Ngannou. There seems to be a lot of upside and future for Gane but we have to take this slowly. Mayes, is the perfect way to get experience and still showcase Ciryl.

WiNNER-Ciryl Gane by Rd.1 TKO

https://www.instagram.com/spidermonkeyyoda/?hl=en

Randa Markos -150 vs Ashley Yoder +130

MMAFO are fans of both of these scrappers but this seems like a bout that is made for Markos. Randa is just too strong and brings a “Quiet Storm” against Yoder who will put up a fight but be unable to score offensively.

WiNNER-Randa Markos by Decision

Bellator 232 

2019 Welterweight Grand Prix Finals 

Welterweight Champion #5 Rory MacDonald +145 vs #8 Douglas Lima -175 [Rematch]

The best two 170ers in Bellator do the damn thing again for the belt after their paths diverged for a short time.

Rory got that inflated ego after attaining gold and went up to face Gegard Mousasi at 185, and was summarily sat down as "Sweet Sassy" spanked some humility home. Then, Mac decided to defend his belt and went to a head scratching "Draw" with Jon Fitch in a lackluster affair. After the bout, Rory claimed he was having trouble finding his killer instinct after finding God. MMAFO knows this to be a big red flag for fighters and with the "Red King" chatting about retirement, we see a quick end coming for the Canadian. Rory does not wear punishment well but he has absorbed a lot of it in recent years. His nose is a continual sore spot that seems to pour blood in every outing and a lack of motivation in this sport spells disaster. 

For his part, Lima went back to work after the close loss to MacDonald. Doug took out staunch contender Andrey Koreshkov to avenge a loss in '15, before halting the hype train around Michael Page with silencing knockout victory in May. The Brazilian is still durable and his leg kicks murdered Mac's legs last time and will likely do more this time around. 

Rory's ego deflated after the loss to Gegard and he just ain't about this life anymore. MacDonald will put up effort but he will lose and maybe even step away to find his smile of hang em up for good. Rory hands the crown to Douglas may he reign supreme!

WiNNER-Douglas Lima by Decision

Paul Daley -400 vs Saad Awad +300

Paul likes to throw bombs and Saad likes to eat them. Yeesh, this is made for Daley since Awad won't do the smart thing and take down his one-trick opponent and so he will get a unique view of the lights.

WiNNER-Paul Daley by Rd.1 TKO

Nick Newell -900 vs Luis Muro +550

The "Armless" wonder should've gotten a 2nd look by the UFC but their loss is Bellator's gain. Newell is a really exciting fighter who comes forward at all costs and has really nasty submissions. Nick's been dealt a tough hand by life but he really is a talented fighter and you should tune in.

WiNNER-Nick Newell by Rd.2 Submission

Kevin Ferguson Jr. vs Craig Campbell

"Baby Slice" got TKO'd last out in Bellator and company President Scott Coker looks to remedy things with this matchmaking. We get it. Ferguson isn't very good but his daddy "Kimbo Slice" was a name for some reason so cash that check. We've seen the ceiling already for this kid and it isn't very high.

WiNNER-Kevin Ferguson Jr. by Rd.2 TKO