Bantamweight Bout: Joe Warren (8-3) vs. Nick Kirk (10-2)
Luke: This is despicable. Kirk is 0-2 in his Bellator career and he’s facing Warren, whom they obviously want to push because of Fight Master and because they want him to be the face of Bellator. Disgusting, even by Bellator’s standards. Warren via R1 TKO.
Nolan: Warren should just be too much for Kirk here. Never discount the fact that he is Joe Warren, however. Still, safe pick here. Joe Warren by unanimous decision.
Bellator Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal: Alexander Sarnavskiy (23-1) vs. Marcus Davis (22-9)
Luke: THE RUSSIANS ARE HERE! The Russian takeover of Bellator will continue. Tiger would have won the tournament last year if he didn’t break his hand. Now is his turn to exact justice. Sarnavskiy via R2 KO.
Nolan: While he does war pretty hard, don’t think Marcus Davis should be fighting anywhere reputable anymore. Wait, he’s in Bellator? Guess the shoe fits. Alexander Sarnavskiy by first-round KO.
Bellator Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal: John Alessio (34-16) vs. Will Brooks (10-1)
Luke: Brooks is a nice under-the-radar lightweight who seemingly came from nowhere. Alessio, despite his Ryan Gosling doppelganger status, is a pure journeyman who will put up a good fight, but I think Brooks can land enough damage to take it convincingly. Brooks via UD.
Nolan: Brooks is a promising up-and-comer, but something tells me the veteran will be just a little too much here. Too many tricks in the toolbag of Alessio squeaks one by for him. John Alessio by split decision.
Bellator Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal: Martin Stapleton (12-1) vs. Saad Awad (14-5)
Luke: Stapleton got into Bellator based on a one-night tourney in Cage Contenders, which is basically the Strikeforce Challengers of Cage Warriors. Not good. Awad via R1 KO.
Nolan: Awad will likely deliver some violence here. However, he is inconsistent and Stapleton could play the right game. Still, Awad is battle tested on a tougher circuit. Saad Awad by first-round KO.
Bellator Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal: Ricardo Tirloni (15-4) vs. Rich Clementi (45-22-1)
Luke: Tirloni is 1-3 in Bellator Lightweight Tourney bouts. Clementi might never be a world champion, but he can sure as hell take care of marginal regional talents. Clementi via R1 Submission.
Nolan: Clementi really shocked me with his win over Sarnavskiy last season. Triloni hasn’t really impressed me and I think Clementi has something left in his tank. Rich Clementi by unanimous decision.
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