Bellator has declared two or three big fights for upcoming fight cards, and I’ll give my thoughts on these new matchups in today’s MMA odds and ends.
Juan Archuleta vs. Ricky Bandejas, Bellator 214
Featherweight contender Juan Archuleta has opted to drop down to bantamweight and he’ll take on top potential Ricky Bandejas in Bellator 214, which takes place January 26 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Archuleta (21-1) is on a 16-fight win series and is 3-0 thus far in Bellator together with his most recent success being a decision win over Jeremy Spoon back in November. Bandejas (11-1) started his Bellator career with a bang when he brutally knocked out Bellator’s golden boy James Gallagher this past summer. He’s only lost once in his career, to UFC vet Nick Pace, and he retains a remarkable triumph over present UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili. This is such a good fight between two fighters on the rise, and it is not an easy one to select considering both men are extremely gifted and both are driving a great deal of momentum into this fight. I think Archuleta is somewhat more solid and recognized, but Bandejas is a exceptional prospect . Start looking for a close line with a slight lean towards Archuleta.
Roy Nelson vs. Mirko Cro Cop 2, Bellator 217
Heavyweights Roy Nelson and Mirko Cro Cop are place to rematch in Bellator 217, occurring February 16 at Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. Neslon (23-16) is 1-2 so far in Bellator and most recently was knocked out by Sergei Kharitonov in an upset. Nelson formerly defeated Cro Cop via TKO back in UFC 137 at 2011. Cro Cop (37-11-2, 1 NC) will soon be making his long-awaited Bellator introduction on the heels of a nine-fight win streak, wiht lots of those wins coming in RIZIN. Nelson may have defeated Cro Cop the first time, but according to Cro Cop’s long win streak and Nelson’s declining chin I would have to favor Cro Cop to win the rematch.
Lorenz Larkin vs. Andrey Koreshkov, Bellator 220
An exciting welterweight bout between strikers Lorenz Larkin and Andrey Koreshkov is set to headline Bellator 200, taking place March 29 at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. Larkin (20-7, 1 NC) is only 2-2 so much in Bellator, but he’s coming off of successive wins over Fernando Gonzalez and Ion Pascu. The Pascu battle was supposed to become a welterweight tournament alternative bout, bout Bellator should figure they do not need a repacement fighter so that they gave Larkin this fight against Koreshkov. Despite Larkin being a bit of a disappointment so much since registering a large free-agent contract with Bellator, he possesses knockout power which will consistently make him a threat to beat anybody in the branch. Koreshkov (21-3) is 12-3 overall in Bellator and most recently lost by submission to Douglas Lima in the opening round of this welterweight tournament. His ground game and chin have appeared shaky at times in Bellator, but such as Larkin he is always a threat to win by knockout. This ought to be quite a competitive fight but Koreshkov always gets enormous respect from bettors and I figure that he be a small favorite here.
Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links and MMA Odds Breaker will be paid if you make a purchase after clicking on the links.

Read more: thefootballconcepts.com