Saturday, June 17, 2017

Bellator 180 NYC: Fight Card, Picks, Prognostications + Odds


Main Card on PPV:

Wanderlei Silva (35-12-1, 1) +125 vs. Chael Sonnen (29-15-1) -145

"The Axe Murderer" returns at the age of 40, after almost 4 years sidelined with controversy and woe. Wand has come back to face the man he hates more than any other, in hopes that he can land those furious bolo's one last time for an emphatic win for Brazil against the ugly American.

Chael Sonnen is an absolute piece of shit. Whether it's his continual lying,  plagiarism, blatant cheating with PED's, money laundering and real estate fraud, being unfunny, being sexist, just saying things to get attention even when he doesn't believe what he is saying like a teen girl, or the fact that the lame is one of the most overrated fighters of all time, MMAFO hates this fucker. How people can laugh at his schtick when he is such a vile disgusting human being is beyond us.

We don't want to watch this bout. Its just going to be Chael taking Wand down over and over for a tepid 15 minutes. Fuck that lying cheater.

WINNER-Fail Sonnen

Fedor Emelianenko (36-4, 1) -105 vs. Matt Mitrione (11-5) -115

"The Last Emperor" makes his long awaited debut for Bellator at the age of 40, 17 years into his storied professional career! Fedor has won 5 in a row if you include his survival against Fabio Maldonado last June, but we all know time is ticking and the G.O.A.T. looks for a proper final run in America. 

Mitrione has won by (T)KO in both of his Bellator bouts and though 38, there are many less miles on his body from MMA wars. Matt has always been agile on his feet with great leg kicks and quick twitch knockout power. Mitrione relies on his iron chin but he has tended to make glaring mistakes when he is taken into the grappling realms. 

Matt is going to hit 1st and far more often. Emelianenko's reckless style has only gotten wilder in his latter years and there is just so much more on the line for Mitrione. Matt horrifies the crowd landing a big bomb that renders the legend unconscious as MMAFO weeps in terror. 

WINNER-Matt Mitrione by Rd.1 KO

Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima (28-6) +165 vs. Lorenz Larkin (18-5, 1) -190

WINNER-Douglas Lima by Decision

Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler (16-3) -880 vs. Brent Primus (7-0) +590

There is a lot of upside to Brent's game and a nice life story of redemption and all, but he's going to need a bit of luck to contend with the "Mizzou Monster." Chandler has won 4 in a row and is on his 2nd run with the Lightweight gold. Mike is a talented grappler, a hard striker, and cuts a relentless pace. MMAFO fully expects Chandler to "break" Primus at some point to gain the finish and retain his title.

WINNER-Michael Chandler by Rd.3 TKO

Aaron Pico (0-0) vs. Zach Freeman (8-2)

People are putting a lot of hopes upon young Aaron Pico's shoulders as he makes his professional MMA debut. Pico is a former US National Champion in 3 styles, and finished 2nd at the 2016 Olympic Trials. Aaron has been boxing and honing his combat skills since he was a 9 and the 20 year old has been signed to Bellator since he was 18. Pico has trainedwith the monsters at AKA and now has been working at 10th Planet with Jiu-Jitsu specialist, Eddie Bravo. Basically, this kid is ready to make his debut and begin whipping ass. MMA pundits pegged this kid long ago to be "the best MMA prospect of all time," so no pressure there Aaron. 

Freeman, or "The Altar Boy" if'n you want to get uncomfortable with strange nicknames, is primarily a Jiu-Jitsu player who last lost 2 of his last 3 and is a measuring stick and not much more. Zach is 13 years older than his opponent.

Its hard to say how exactly Pico will win this 1st fight, but with all the skills accrued in his young life, he'll have plenty of options and at the least grapples to the judges nod. 

WINNER-Aaron Pico by Decision


Prelims on SpikeTV:

Light Heavyweight Champion Phil Davis (17-3, 1) -125 vs. Ryan Bader (22-5) +105 [Rematch]

"Darth" Bader won the initial meeting back in 2015 by Split Decision in a close contest. The Power MMA fighter stuffed Davis' takedown attempts and landed with more strength. Ryan is stronger with sneaky power when he can land clean punches. Bader also has something to prove making his promotional debut and looking to establish himself as "the man" in Bellator's 205 division.

"Mr. Wonderful" has won 4 in a row including capturing the Bellator crown, since a loss in his final UFC bout to one Ryan Bader. Davis seems to have found more confidence in his new home and is neck and neck with said foe in the wrestling and striking game. Phil can use his longer length to keep men at the end of his kicks, but also tends to become content to try and win rounds while slowing his attack.

This is a 50/50 contest and if they fought 10 times they'd likely split the meetings in half. Though prone to make glaring mistakes, we believe Bader has more to prove, more aggression, and slightly more skill to find his hand raised in the end.

Upset Pick WINNER-Ryan Bader by Decision

James Gallagher (6-0) -225 vs. Chinzo Machida (5-2) +185

Chinzo, is no Lyoto, and he go, down toe (sic) Conor McGregor's boy in 15. There is literally 20 years separating these two men in age!

WINNER-James Gallagher by Decision

Neiman Gracie (5-0) -1000 vs. Dave Marfone (5-2) +650

C'mon, just look at the odds here. Bellator President Scott Coker is doing the business thing and slowly building the name of yet another "Gracie" for name value. We think Marfone taps out if you can believe that.

WINNER-Neiman Gracie by Rd.1 Submission

Prelims on bellator.com:

Heather Hardy (0-0) vs. Alice Yauger (4-5)

Heather "The Heat" Hardy is coming to MMA from boxing much like another beautiful blonde in Holly Holm. Hardy was a 20-0-1 as a professional boxer and the WBC International female Featherweight Champion and WBC International female Super Bantamweight Champion. At 35, Hardy is entering late to MMA but she should be able to box up "The Soccer Mom" for a successful win.

WINNER-Heather Hardy by Decision

Ryan Couture (10-5) -500 vs. Haim Gozali (7-3) +400

Be honest, how much of a disappointment is Ryan to his father Randy Couture? The 34 year old Ryan, who somehow looks older than his 70 year old father, has lost his last 2 bouts, both in the 1st round, and by submission and knockout respectively. He's not good is what we are saying. This is meant to be a showcase for "Couture-Lite" but it wouldn't be terribly shocking if Haim snuck in a 1st round submission. Don't bet on it though.

WINNER-Ryan Couture by Decision

Jerome Mickle (2-1) vs. Anthony Giacchina (1-1) 

WINNER-Anthony Giachachinachacha 

John Salgado (4-7-1) vs. Hugh McKenna (0-1)

WINNER-Huey

Matt Rizzo (9-2, 1) vs. Sergio da Silva (6-8)

WINNER-The Riz

Bradley Desir (9-5) vs. Nate Grebb (3-1)

WINNER-BD

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