Bellator 214, 1/26: Bader/Fedor, GOAT Pico

Bernman · Post #1 » by **Bernman** » Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:53 am

But Pico is the main event on any card he's on. This time facing the rugged semi-technical brawler Henry Corrales, in Pico's stratospheric rise to the top. Wouldn't be shocked if he got the title shot already after this.

Main Card (so far):

Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko for HW/tourney title
Gegard Mousasi vs. Rafael Lovato for MW title
Aaron Pico vs. Henry Corrales
Juan Archuleta vs. Ricky Bandejas
Jack Swagger vs. JW Kizer

Bernman · Post #2 » by **Bernman** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 5:05 pm

Added Ricky Bandejas vs. Juan Archuleta as a bw #1 contender. That's another great fight.

In addition they included Jack Swagger's debut for those who wanted to see how fake fighters would do in a real match. Something for everyone this card.

REDDzone · Post #3 » by **REDDzone** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 5:34 pm

To be fair, didn't Jack Swagger have a collegiate wrestling career (at OK no less)? This isn't a CM Punk situation.

BorkLazer · Post #4 » by **BorkLazer** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 5:56 pm

Really great card that I fear will get overlooked by non-hardcore MMA fans.

Here are my picks:
Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko for HW/tourney title
Gegard Mousasi vs. Rafael Lovato for MW title
Aaron Pico vs. Henry Corrales
Juan Archuleta vs. Ricky Bandejas
Jack Swaggerr vs. JW Kizer

I can see Pico losing though, I think Corrales is a bit underrated.

Bernman · Post #5 » by **Bernman** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 7:06 pm

REDDzone wrote:To be fair, didn't Jack Swagger have a collegiate wrestling career (at OK no less)? This isn't a CM Punk situation.

I guess you're right, plus he's a better natural athlete I'm sure. Hard to be as bad as Punk, even in physical performing arts. Most ballet dancers would have the advantage.

One could also be skeptical because he's entering the sport at the ripe old age of 36. But unlike Punk there too, we're not talking about a deep division like ww, rather hw where it's thin and power remains. 44 year old Cro Cop is scheduled for an upcoming Bellator event, and unbeknownst to me he's revived his career with a 9-fight winning streak w/ and a few notable wins.

Bernman · Post #6 » by **Bernman** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 9:59 pm

Jasen777 wrote:UFC 233 to move from January to a later date

Great news for Bellator. One of their best cards ever probably would have been undermined with the UFC holding a ppv on the same night and in the same market. Now all the Hollywood stars like Demi should come out to promote theirs and eyes will be on them. If they're smart they'll add one or two more viable main card worthy fights in case there's any attrition. Only 3 prelims announced so far.

I think it's good for MMA to not have focus split between good fights happening simultaneously. Ideally for everyone except maybe occasionally the UFC they'd have their own night or even weekend set aside for 1 major org. Provided they delivered with action.

REDDzone · Post #7 » by **REDDzone** » Thu Dec 13, 2018 3:11 pm

Is Primus actually going to show up for this fight? I am not a fan of Chandler, but feel like Primus/Chandler is a less overt version of Nicco/Valentina. What are the odds of a last minute injury or bad weight cut?

Bernman · Post #8 » by **Bernman** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 7:28 pm

Lost Moose-Lovato, and didn't replace it with a commensurate fight of interest like Lima-Shlemenko or something to that effect.

But still a good main card. Don't know about that opener, but some care about Jack Swagger, and then 3 bangers - Fedor/Bader, Pico/Corrales, and Archuleta/Bandejas. Should be some good fun, on an MMA weekend Bellator has to their own.

Steelo Green · Post #9 » by **Steelo Green** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 9:55 pm

Bader is my guess but always rooting for Fedor.

Susan · Post #10 » by **Susan** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 3:31 am

OK I know he lost but I see something in this JW Kizer prospect.

REDDzone · Post #11 » by **REDDzone** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 3:56 am

Cbr and Bern both called it. Bern said don't underestimate corrales and CBR mentioned how Pico leaves himself open with his aggressive style.

Bernman · Post #12 » by **Bernman** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 3:57 am

That's why you can't sleep on Corrales. He hangs in there, has power, and some tight hooks. Pico's defense is definitely not the GOAT the way he nonchalantly tries to walk thru strikes trusting his own power, especially w/ the body shot which inferior as a single to the head shot in the mma, and his chin may be the LOAT. Although that was a hammer.

Susan · Post #13 » by **Susan** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:02 am

Jeez Pico's fight IQ is lacking.

Bernman · Post #14 » by **Bernman** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:36 am

That was a long gap between fights for another one-minute bout. Not shocking, Bader just ducks down and ko's Fedor with a hook, basically the first shot he threw. Fedor's awareness is lax at this point, and his chin is gone.

I think Fedor should have a retirement fight that he has a better chance at winning to end on a victory, and then quit. Maybe run that that Mitrione fight back.

Bader-Minakov would be a legit top fight. But I heard Bader is a FA. He has a lot of leverage. UFC would be really interested in him now. Bellator better give him a favorable offer in the matching period.

Susan · Post #15 » by **Susan** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:38 am

Fedor is 42, he can stop fighting now.

Crazy to think about how good Jones/Rumble/DC are/was.

cowboyronnie · Post #16 » by **cowboyronnie** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 2:22 pm

Grandiose illusions + Antonio McKee, not a good pair. He's not going to disavow you.

kimuradragon · Post #17 » by **kimuradragon** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 6:46 pm

Should Bellator make Chandler vs. Patricio?

Watch on YouTube

REDDzone · Post #18 » by **REDDzone** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 6:53 pm

Wait is bader really free agent now? Crazy if true.

Post #19 » by **Duke4life831** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:14 pm

REDDzone wrote:Wait is bader really free agent now? Crazy if true.

He has 1 more fight. Well at least according to him a couple days ago, he said he has 1 more fight after the Fedor fight.

Bernman · Post #20 » by **Bernman** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:32 pm

On Fight Companion that's where I heard he was a FA. That's good news for Bellator he has another fight. They have a window to extend him, plus the matching period. Should offer a few hundred k per show money for the relevancy. Even if he's not worth it directly he'd be a loss leader.

And maybe he should take it, with Minakov on the horizon. Not that he wouldn't have confidence in his abilities, but that'd be a probable loss. Nemkov wouldn't be a slouch either if he defended at 205.

Bader also alluded to liking the tourney format because he didn't need to talk his way into titles. He's a sportsman.