Bellator Bantamweight Championship: Eduardo Dantas (c) (14-3) vs. Marcos Galvao (13-5)
Chris Groves: This is a simple case of youth vs age, mentor vs protege’, all that jazz. Unless Dantas’ brutal knockout loss to Tyson Nam is still haunting him…this shouldn’t be hard to pull off. My Pick: Eduardo Dantas
TC Engel: Eduardo Dantas via Unanimous Decision
Luke Irwin: Galvao is one of my favorite Bantamweights in the world, and his only two losses in Bellator were via split-decision to Alexis Vila and a sham loss to Joe Warren. Dantas, on the other hand, is taking some heat because of his KO loss to Tyson Nam, but it’s unwarranted. For one, Nam is a hell of a fighter, and two, he was overwhelming Nam and just got caught. It happens. Galvao doesn’t have the power to catch Dantas, but what he does have is a grinding tenacity that will wear him down over five rounds. My Pick: Marcos Galvao via SD.
Nolan Howell: While Galvao is scrappy, he doesn’t have the best technique and that won’t serve him well against a quicker Dantas. Dantas by TKO.
Middleweight Tournament Bout: Brian Rogers (10-4) vs. Dan Cramer (9-3)
Chris Groves: I’ve always liked the showings that Rogers has put out there…he was doing well against Spang before getting caught, and I think this match will be a return to form. My Pick: Brian Rogers
TC Engel: Rogers by KO2
Luke Irwin: Rogers instantly becomes Cramer’s toughest opponent since he lost to Matt Riddle three and a half years ago. Rogers has taken care of everyone handidly who isn’t an elite MW in Bellator. The step up in competition is too drastic, and Rogers has too much for Cramer. My Pick: Brian Rogers, R2 TKO
Nolan Howell: Cramer has a lot of experience, but Rogers is usually a safe-bet to be a Bellator semifinalist at least. Rogers by KO.
Middleweight Tournament Bout: Brett Cooper (17-7) vs. Norman Paraisy (10-2)
Chris Groves: Cooper has performed well since moving up to Middleweight, only losing to Alexander Shlemenko..and surviving the fight without being finished, which is no small task. My Pick: Brett Cooper
TC Engel: Cooper by UD
Luke Irwin: Cooper is so damned fun to watch. His fight with Shlemenko is one of my favorite Bellator bouts ever. Cooper will control the action with his striking and open up some cuts on Paraisy and gradually turn his face into some sort of paste. My Pick: Brett Cooper UD
Nolan Howell: Cooper is so well-rounded and can just grind it out here. Cooper by UD.
Middleweight Tournament Bout: Andreas Spang (8-2) vs. Doug Marshall (15-6)
Chris Groves: I rather like what Spang brings to the table…plus he has a fun name, so, My Pick: Andreas Spang
TC Engel: Spang by SUB1
Luke Irwin: This one’s gonna be a tire fire, but in a good way! They’re both going to come out swinging early and often, there’s going to be between 45-75 seconds of hellfire, and one man is going to drop. Doug Marshall is going to be that man. My Pick: Andreas Spang R1 KO
Nolan Howell: While Spang proved to be extra-durable, Marshall could KO him in a blitz. Marshall by WEC NEVER DIE.
-Chris Groves can be reached at [email protected], TC Engel can be reached @tcengel13 and [email protected], Nolan Howell can be reached at @nolanhowell and [email protected], and Luke can be reached at @UndercardSuper, @BVandDietPepsi, and [email protected]
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