Bellator General Discussion and Info

Bernman · Post #121 » by **Bernman** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:27 am

Konrad and Prindle are already (if there is not yet another snafu of course) set to step into the cage in two weeks at Bellator 65. Not that I think it projects to be a good fight or anything, but still that card is loaded with two titles on the line, 3 tourney fights, and a bunch of solid prelims (full card in the OP). Bellator is really putting on back to back cards that are better than a UFC FX/Fuel/Spike/Versus, between 65 and 66, so I hope fight fans tune in accordingly for them.

REDDzone · Post #122 » by **REDDzone** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:18 pm

Hope Konrad has been staying active and ready. Seems weird to go so long between fights and then all the sudden get just a few weeks notice.

Gold Chain · Post #123 » by **Gold Chain** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:11 pm

Man, I wish Dana White be a little more like Bjorn in the press. Classy guy.

Gonna be watching tonight, if I can get home in time.

Bernman · Post #124 » by **Bernman** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:27 pm

For selfish reasons, I really wanted to see Koreshkov in this tournament. He's a dynamo and if he fought Saunders it would have made for a classic and propelled this from a mediocre to pretty good main card. But I understand they don't want to rush him as such an important prospect, Bloody Elbow's #1 at WW. His competition on the prelims was luckluster, but he looked as good as a fighter can look against it. Top few in MMA with Pettis, Zaromskis, etc.; as far as striking variety goes. And he has a slick ground game. He does remind me of Pettis, and that fight Pettis-Karalexis. Coincidentally, Howard recently beat Karalexis.

Bernman · Post #125 » by **Bernman** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:42 am

I'm absolutely furious at Pereira right now. He was clearly the superior fighter, but he gassed hard after losing the first round, and still with that considered gave poor effort. He could have won round 2 by simply throwing a few strikes at the end, but didn't. Could have won round 3 with a small striking flurry, but was just content to hang out on the outside. I lost $50 instead of gaining $115 because of that? I've been on a winning streak, but it's still hard when you lose money, especially like that.

Bernman · Post #126 » by **Bernman** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:08 am

Great sweep by Amoussou. That came out of nowhere. And after that Lozano exhibited terrible sub defense not protecting his neck for an extended period, which Amoussou took full advantage of it as the killer he is.

I ended up making the same profit on my bets as last week, $22.50. Not pleased though. Should have been $187.50.

REDDzone · Post #127 » by **REDDzone** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:34 am

Bernman wrote:I'm absolutely furious at Pereira right now. He was clearly the superior fighter, but he gassed hard after losing the first round, and still with that considered gave poor effort. He could have won round 2 by simply throwing a few strikes at the end, but didn't. Could have won round 3 with a small striking flurry, but was just content to hang out on the outside. I lost $50 instead of gaining $115 because of that? I've been on a winning streak, but it's still hard when you lose money, especially like that.

I scored it for Pereira fwiw, and seems like a lot of others did as well. Granted, I can't be too sure because I fast forwarded parts of the third...boring fight imo. Not too terribly impressed with either fighter outside of Pereira in the first.

Bernman · Post #128 » by **Bernman** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:16 am

I did too, and so did Sherdog, but I'm not mad at the judges. Indio draws my ire and should his own, because rounds 2 and 3 were close, and he didn't even try to leave an impression at the end of them. Whereas Baker tried, albeit failed, to do something. I think if Indio tried, even if he failed too, at least during round 2, he would have won.

The first, before he gassed, was when Pereira was himself. He thwarted Baker's wrestling for the most part, swept him quickly the one time on bottom, implemented some wrestling of his own, and picked Baker apart from the outside. After that though he showed poor cardio, no desire, and low fight I.Q. The desire aspect is very odd especially considering the amount of money awarded is very backloaded. You lose in the first round, and you're not just out like 10K, but rather a chance at 90 more. That's one of the reasons why Bellator tourney fights are more exciting, in addition to them targeting that type of fighter, which Indio was in the past. Ugh.

Moving on....what did you think of Koreshkov?

REDDzone · Post #129 » by **REDDzone** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:30 am

Extremely impressed. Versatile striking game. Back kicks, uppercuts, overhands...good stuff from the kid.

Also, unreal sweep by Amoussou.

Cammo101 · Post #130 » by **Cammo101** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:26 am

I scored the fight for Baker, but they both looked like garbage. I have always been a big Amoussou fan, ever since watching him on the M-1 Challenge. Glad to see him finally live up to the hype.

Bernman · Post #131 » by **Bernman** » Tue Apr 3, 2012 3:07 pm

Pretty good main card +1 this week.

Douglas Lima vs. Ben Askren
Marlon Sandro vs. Alexandre Bezerra
Masakatsu Ueda vs. Travis Marx
Iron Nakamura vs. Ratinho Lima
Chris Horodecki vs. Mike Richman

There's a stark drop-off onto the prelims, but #4 BE WW prospect Nordine Taleb is one to watch.

Who does everyone like in the co-main events? All 4 have been around Bellator for a while so there should be enough for even the casual observer to base their opinion on.

Horodecki is finally dropping to 145 like analysts have suggested he should for years because he was giving up so much height at 155. This could wind up proving to be a great, career-boosting move. That's another storyline for this week.

REDDzone · Post #132 » by **REDDzone** » Tue Apr 3, 2012 3:59 pm

I'm more excited for the co-main than the main I think. Not sure how that one plays out, Sandro has ridic power, but man he is wild with his striking sometimes.

Although both are dropping down, I think Horodecki will be bigger than Richman, could be wrong though.

Also, because I didn't say it last week, War Killa B. His opponent is such a tough dude. His face was messed up and despite the punishment, he actually put himself in positions of dominance at various points of the fight.

SDM · Post #133 » by **SDM** » Tue Apr 3, 2012 4:25 pm

I'll take Askren by decision as the only no-brainer, I like Marx in the upset but not enough to bet.

Bernman · Post #134 » by **Bernman** » Tue Apr 3, 2012 5:06 pm

Ironically, I think Ueda over Marx is the only no-brainer. I watched some footage of Marx, in a fight he won, and wasn't impressed. He was smallish, not very quick, head was out there to get hit, and he could be taken down. I know Japanese don't have the best track record transferring their abilities over to the States, but Ueda has enough to take advantage of all of Marx's weaknesses. I think he's better in all areas.

Tough fights to pick overall, I agree there. That's why betting-wise I won't be risking nearly as much as previous weeks.

I could see Askren taking Lima down and laying on him for most of rounds. But Lima has among the most power of welterweights, and he'll have 5 rounds to land a single fight changer. And he throws single shots, is pretty athletic, and has improved his wrestling; which is why I like him in this match-up.

I'm surprised RZ classifies Sandro as wild. He seems pretty technical. If he beats Bezerra, I think that'll be why. Bezerra will try and gain angles on him, but Sandro might catch him every time before he can set his feet. If Bezerra wins it'll be because he adjusts and mixes up his strikes (while maybe mixing in a TD here and there). I like how he uses so many front kicks. That's such an under-utilized technique in MMA, especially if you're trying to prevent a TD. I'm going with him in this match-up.

REDDzone · Post #135 » by **REDDzone** » Tue Apr 3, 2012 5:44 pm

This is my post from earlier this season, bern:

REDDzone wrote:**bellator spoilers to follow******************

Sandro would be better if he stuck to his 1-2 and threw his punches down the pipe. He has a ton of power at his weight.

He will randomly get loopy with his punches though, especially when he has his opponent hurt. Less efficient imo.

He randomly gets that Wanderlei style going, especially when his opponent is worn down. He has a tendency to get away from what got him there which imo is a mistake. At least that is what I see.

Bernman · Post #136 » by **Bernman** » Tue Apr 3, 2012 6:08 pm

Well it's not good if his opponent is hurt and standing right in front. That would be a case of over-zealousness. Got to keep it tight and make every shot tight, not strike yourself out.

However, sometimes a fighter gets loopy with a purpose against an opponent who is using lateral movement, ala Genair Da Silva did against Sandro. At least that was my interpretation of his style.

REDDzone · Post #137 » by **REDDzone** » Tue Apr 3, 2012 6:53 pm

Re-reading your post I don't necessarily think we disagree. You see Sandro as technical and I agree in general (I even stated in my original post that his power combined with his combos are a great tool). If he sticks to that I think he has a good chance. I have just noted a tendency for him to get away from that at times which imo is a mistake.

Bernman · Post #138 » by **Bernman** » Tue Apr 3, 2012 9:12 pm

Bellator's new reality show coming to Spike in 2013 will be produced by multiple Emmy Award winner Herman Van Munster.

http://www.mmafighting.com/bellator/2012/4/3/2922737/spike-tv-to-broadcast-bellator-reality-show-in-2013

I don't think it'll be much like TUF. It will probably be more like UFC:Primetime, or True Life, with a full-length fight at the end.

And a match between legit fighters unlike most from TUF. If the fight is a qualifier for the tourney, BFC's reality show can use the best of the best prospects, and good vets looking for re-entry into the tourney the 150K or so (at that point) tourney. With TUF, those guys are just trying to break into the organization, so they can't draw good veterans and top prospects, who'll either be remaining in the org or receiving entry directly. I also think many fighters wouldn't want to live in a house with many of the degenerates they pick for TUF, or be pulled away from their family. With this Bellator reality show they can continue on with their normal lives while cameras follow them around leading up to their big fight.

SDM · Post #139 » by **SDM** » Tue Apr 3, 2012 9:30 pm

Bernman wrote:Ironically, I think Ueda over Marx is the only no-brainer. I watched some footage of Marx, in a fight he won, and wasn't impressed. He was smallish, not very quick, head was out there to get hit, and he could be taken down. I know Japanese don't have the best track record transferring their abilities over to the States, but Ueda has enough to take advantage of all of Marx's weaknesses. I think he's better in all areas.

Marx hasn't impressed me much either, but I read this and want to root for him:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/With-D ... r-64-41541

For the time being, I'm going to be inclined to favour upstart dogs over these supposed Japanese killers until some of their fellow countrymen actually come into the States and kill. It's stupid, but I think it makes sense.

Bernman · Post #140 » by **Bernman** » Fri Apr 6, 2012 11:49 pm

RZ, our boy tooled that fool. LOL @ +385 for Richman. Horodecki is massively overrated. He never evolved and was just favored as a name from WEC/IFL. And Richman is a good prospect. I expected him to win by throwing the Polish Hammer around, but instead he did it by virtue of tight boxing. Well-rounded fighter and he's one to watch in Bellator going forward. He'll almost surely be involved in the next FW tourney.