Bellator 97 Predictions

Rosenthal League

Marta Gallo: 11-2, .846

Benjamin Kohn: 69-25, .734

Tim Bernier: 58-23, .716

Nolan Howell: 109-45, .708

Tim Hickey: 81-34, .704

Daniel Galvan: 19-8, .704

Winslow League

Josh Hall: 70-35, .667

Connor Dillon: 59-32, .648

Chris Groves: 30-19, .612

Luke Irwin: 101-73, .580

Lucas Bourdon: 13-10, .565

TC Engel: 20-20, .500

Bellator Lightweight Championship: Michael Chandler (c) (11-0) vs. David Rickels (14-1)

Luke Irwin: Rickels has looked good at lightweight since dropping down and no doubt that this is the weight for him, but his best win is still Lloyd Woodard and Chandler is on another level right now. Over time, Rickels could become a viable challenger, but it won’t be tonight. Chandler via R3 TKO.

Tim Hickey: Rickels maybe best known as the guy who came to the ring with a dinosaur during his last fight, but he has shown throughout his career that he is a tough fighter who has good finishing ability on both the mat and the feet. Unfortunately for him, he looks to be well out of his depth against Michael Chandler. Chandler has been on an excellent run over the past few years, including finishes in his last 3 fights. He looks to make it 4 in a row, and while I think Rickels can make this fight fun, Chandler is the superior fighter in every aspect of the game. Chandler via 3rd Rd TKO.

Bellator Welterweight Championship: Ben Askren (c) (11-0) vs. Andrey Koreshkov (13-0)

Luke Irwin: The Russian Invasion is going to have to wait a little longer. Koreshkov is a dangerous striker, but Askren has a very underrated chin. He’ll take a few good shots to get you in a better position. This will be a learning experience for Koreshkov and that’s not condescending. His pankration background is a great building block, but when it comes to MMA wrestling, he’s never seen a wrestler in the same stratosphere as Askren. This will be good for him, as he’s got the tools to beat Askren, just needs a little more time and experience. Askren via UD.

Tim Hickey: The other title fight on this card matches two undefeated fighters for the Bellator welterweight strap. Koreshkov trains under Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Schlemenko, and it shows as he shares his mentors killer instinct. He has scary power and pounces when he has an opponent hurt. The issue for “Spartan” is he may not get a chance to land a punch, as Askren has excellent wrestling and is known to simply take down opponents and control them. Koreskkov is only 22 years old, and looks to be a very good prospect, but I don’t like his chances tonight. Askren via decision.

Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Final: Jacob Noe (12-2) vs. Muhammed Lawal (10-2)

Luke Irwin: Not liking this fight for Mo, as Noe has nothing to lose and will look to land a shot on Moe’s increasingly suspect jaw. I think Mo is going to fight not to lose, rather than to win, and Noe is competent enough on the ground to overcome that and land one that counts. Noe via R3 KO.

Tim Hickey: While King Mo getting spinning backfisted into oblivion maybe one of my favorite moments of this year, he seems like he is pretty determined to put that behind him. Noe has made a bit of a name for himself by defeating “The Exposer” Seth Petruzelli and the corpse of Babalu Sobral, but he is streets behind Lawal. Barring Lawal getting cute and then getting caught, this could end very brutally for Noe. King Mo via 1st Rd KO.

Bellator Heavyweight Tournament Final: Ryan Martinez (10-2) vs. Vitaly Minakov (11-0)

Luke Irwin: Bellator’s Russian Medal-Winning Factory keeps pumping out fighters like Minakov left and right seemingly out of nowhere, while guys like Martinez have to claw and scrape on the indy-scene for a decade just to get systematically destroyed at the pinnacle of their career. Bjorn Rebney is a supervillain, is what I’m trying to say. Minakov via R1 TKO.

Tim Hickey: Two big ol bears squaring off here. Martinez looked impressive with a KOs of veterans Travis Wiuff and Richard Hale, and looks to win the Summer Series HW tourney when he faces undefeated decorated Sambo practitioner Vitaly Minakov. Both guys hit hard as all hell (with 11 KOs between them) and hopefully this fight ends quickly so we are not subjected to two 265 lbs men gassing out for 15 mins. I predict a very short and very violent fight here. Minakov via KO Rd 1.

Featherweight Bout: Jared Downing (9-2) vs. Patricio Freire (17-2)

Luke Irwin: Showcase/bounceback fight for Pitbull here. Downing is a fine fighter, and both of his losses came by split-decisions, just like Freire’s. Difference is, Downing’s were to Lance Palmer and Roberto Vargas; Pitbull’s were to Pat Curran and Joe Warren. Freire via R2 TKO.

Tim Hickey: The Freire brothers are like the bridesmaids of Bellator. They always get so very close to a title, only to either lose in the tourney finals, or lose to the champions themselves. This fight is as close to a gimme fight as you can get, as this is Downing’s first appearance in Bellator. Expect another fight that will end with someone waking up on the floor. This is pretty much a warm up for Pitbull’s fight with former UFC contender Diego Nunes in September. Pitbull via 2nd Rd TKO.