Rosenthal League
Nolan Howell: 37-14, .725
Daniel Galvan: 19-8, .704
Benjamin Kohn: 23-10, .697
Josh Hall: 24-11, .686
Tim Bernier: 23-11, .676
Christian Diaz: 23-12, .657
Winslow League
Tim Hickey: 26-14, .650
Chris Groves: 30-19, .612
Lucas Bourdon: 7-5, .583
Connor Dillon: 23-18, .561
TC Engel: 20-20, .500
Luke Irwin: 35-36, .493
(Well, Nolan and myself kept pace with matching 3-1 nights at Bellator 93, but was it enough to get me out of the basement rung of the Winslow [NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!] league? Of course it fucking wasn’t. MAYBE NOW! COMING FOR YOU TC!!)
Light Heavyweight Tournament Final: Emanuel Newton (20-7-1) vs. Mikhail Zayats (21-6)
Luke Irwin: Zayats is a very, very formidable guy, but the fearlessness shown by Emanuel Newton against King Mo is not something I’ll forget. This might be his last shot to make a make a real push into the MMA world, and corny as it sounds, it really feels like destiny at this point. Newton by SD.
Nolan Howell: While Zayats probably has more tools in his belt, beating King Mo handily on the feet makes me think Newton will take this. Emanuel Newton by second-round TKO.
Connor Dillon: The man whose spinning love tap knocked out the great King Mo against the man who finished Babalu in the opening round. Personally, though I love his nickname and him beating Mo, I don’t think Newton is going to beat Zayats. I think Zayats has too many tools to use against Newton, though it won’t happen until it reaches a decision. Zayats via decision.
Lightweight Tournament Final: David Rickels (13-1) vs. Saad Awad (14-4)
Luke Irwin: Awad packs some dynamite in his hands for sure, but it’s nothing Rickels hasn’t seen. He’s been in some firefights and has an iron chin. He’ll do just enough to gut out a win. Rickels via a barnburner SD.
Nolan Howell: Awad has been murdering competition, but Rickles is competent enough to dictate where this fight takes place. David Rickles by third-round submission.
Connor Dillon: This’ll be interesting. The last guy Rickels lost to was Karl Amoussous, who went on to be finished (via doctor stoppage) by Ben Askren. Saad Awad last lost against Joe Duarte, and since then he’s been on a finishing streak, winning most of his fights by first round (T)KO and a couple submissions. I think this will come down to whether or not Rickels can withstand Saad’s power shots, counter it with movement or just plain use a strong chin. Considering most of his wins are via submission and decision, and Saad hasn’t been in the deep waters in a long time, I think Rickels will try to outlast Saad. Rickels via decision.
Middleweight Bout: Luis Melo (28-11-3) vs. Trey Houston (10-1)
Luke Irwin: This is on the main card? Couldn’t we have Jessica Aguilar or Tony Fryklund or Ronnie Rogers, or Felice Herrig orrrr…anyone? Melo via R1 TKO.
Nolan Howell: No clue. Houston has a wiki page though. Trey Houston by unanimous decision.
Connor Dillon: I’ve been waiting to say this, that’s a long goddamn name. Mr. Melo as I will call him, has been around town, he’s seen a lot of fighting. Houston has only got 11 fights to his name, but most of those are against the high-level regional talent. He is coming off a loss, a submission, so that may effect his mental game somewhat. Though I think Melo has fought slightly worse competition in regards to skill level, he has the skills and three times as much experience as Houston. Melo via decision.
Bantamweight Bout: Rodrigo Lima (10-1) vs. Ronnie Mann (21-5-1)
Luke Irwin: This is for a spot in next season’s Featherweight Tourney. I always overvalue Mann and he inevitably lets me down, but I know he can at least get into the tournament before he flames out. Mann R2 TKO.
Nolan Howell: Lima is a Nogueira guy, but Mann is one of my favorites because of his well-rounded game. Ronnie Mann by unanimous decision.
Connor Dillon: Uh…..Lima. I’ll go with Lima.
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