Bellator 184 (10/6): Dantas vs. Caldwell for bw title

Bernman · Post #1 » by **Bernman** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 12:55 am

I thought this one was worth it's own thread. It's looking reminiscent of a WEC card so far. Some great action across the 145 and 135 lb divisions. Bellator lately has stepped up their matchmaking to try and produce better fights and not just draw viewers ahead of time on name. Also they're making deeper cards, maybe to start televising prelims on one of Viacom's many networks.

So far for this event they've put together these bouts:

Eduardo Dantas vs. Darrion Caldwell, bw title
Daniel Straus vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
Pat Curran vs. John "Macapa" Teixeira
LeAndro Higo vs. Joe Taimanglo

I would also expect to see Rafael Lovato return because it'll back in Oklahoma and he had a short fight last time out.

REDDzone · Post #2 » by **REDDzone** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 1:04 pm

That's a pretty good card so far. I didn't realize Straus still fought non-Pitbulls.

Bernman · Post #3 » by **Bernman** » Thu Oct 5, 2017 7:02 pm

Back to back good cards for Bellator that are getting little promotion. The last one was pretty star-studded even, on a Saturday, and it got under 600k viewers.

This is one you kind of have to pay attention to Bellator to know it's quality. It's stayed together so far (knock on wood). They added a fight between undefeateds in Kozola-Banks.

I got Straus, Macapa, Higo, Kozola, and I hate to say it but Caldwell. I think Caldwell's rapid shot at distance will get home. Dantas won't be able to slink out like he's normally good at. I think he'll get controlled on top and he doesn't have Taimanglo's guillotine. But if Caldwell eventually gets predictable with those shots Dantas could step over and back take. Or start fending off the shots and win the kickboxing from distance. Hoping for one of those two scenarios as a Dudu fan.

Bernman · Post #4 » by **Bernman** » Sat Oct 7, 2017 4:26 am

That was a really high-level, compelling card, as expected. Shame barely anybody watched.

Sanchez was crafty af man. Straus was hard-headed that his wrestling could carry him. Should have kept it on the feet. Can't show a limb or your any part of your neck to Sanchez. And some of the most effective use of the fence from the bottom that you'll ever see. Kept using it so Straus couldn't control him, and then he'd grab what was there. Another Roufusport title challenger it appears.

Wish my boy Dantas was that effective with subs. Positional grappling is also very unique, pushing Caldwell's head down, stepping to the back, slithering to it, and constantly hitting that switch. But Caldwell was dogged, and Dantas didn't make him pay with front choke attempts. I think that's what gives you in the grappling. Otherwise it's not much. And he surprisingly had more answers on the feet because of his kicking game and Dantas was scared to close too quickly because of his quick shot.

I was wrong about Paddy Mike. He looked as good as ever. Kept baiting the over-aggressive Macapa in, ducking down, and stinging him with sharp hooks on the button. And his better footwork also set up those td attempts. Excellent use of singles to trip and back take. Better than the double, for the small percentage of MMA guys that can actually pull it off, because you can do it from angles and there's less to grab at distance.

cowboyronnie · Post #5 » by **cowboyronnie** » Sat Oct 7, 2017 6:27 pm

I'm just so excited about the potential fights between Strauss, Curran and the Pitbull brothers.

Bernman · Post #6 » by **Bernman** » Sat Oct 7, 2017 8:25 pm

Don't forget Weichel. He's getting his 2nd rodeo.

Straus lost, so he's out of the mix, and now Sanchez is in. Spices up the division a bit.

Curran is looking like he's having a renaissance and he and Pitbull never had a rubber match. So that's an intriguing enough fight, if Curran can win 1 or 2 more.

They're moving McKee and Gallagher up the ranks oddly slowly. I think they're on a collision course.