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It’s Bellator’s first show of 2022 and if the top MMA organization starts its year off the same way it ended it, we’re in for a great event this Saturday. Let’s take a look at the biggest fights on the Bellator 273 card.
-350 Valentin Moldavsky (11-1: 1 KO, 3 SUBs) vs. +240 Ryan Bader (28-7: 12 KOs, 3 SUBs)
The Bellator heavyweight title is up for grabs as former two-division Bellator champ, Ryan Bader, is facing a talented marauder in interim champ and former World Combat Sambo champ, Valentin Moldavsky. At heavyweight, Bader has looked rejuvenated most likely because of not having to cut 20+ pounds. Luckily for the former Arizona State wrestling stand-out, his opponent, Modolavsky, won’t have a great size advantage. Moldavsky fights at around 230 pounds while Bader fights at approximately 227 pounds. Bader is a decent-sized underdog here because of Moldavsky’s background, team and what he could potentially accomplish in the sport, but I’m not necessarily sold … yet. I like Bader to neutralize Moldavsky’s grappling and speed and make it a stand-up fight, in which Bader is more polished. Bader also sports a 3-0-1 record at heavyweight.
Selection: Bader wins via Decision
-425 Islam Mamedov (20-1-1: 4 KOs, 9 SUBs) vs. +285 Benson Henderson (28-11: 5 KOs, 9 SUBs)
Rising Dagestani fighter and Khabib Nurmagomedov teammate, Islam Mamedov, is looking to make a splash in the combat sports world by getting his hand raised against former UFC champion Benson Henderson. Mamedov is a representative of a style that is quickly becoming very familiar with westerners. Like Khabib and Islam Mahachev before him, Islam Mamedov has incorporates a complete grappling arsenal full of takedowns, ground positional control and submissions. With all that being said, Mamedov is talented but I don’t see him being on the same level as his teammates. Plus, Henderson’s back is against the wall being in a three-fight rut. It could mean retirement either way for the storied Henderson, but I know he will try his all to be more dynamic and dangerous than Mamedov to (potentially) go out with one more win on his extensive resume. Like the night’s main event, the lines on these long-time veterans are too juicy to ignore.
Selection: Henderson wins via Decision
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-145 Henry Corrales (19-6: 7 KOs, 6 SUBs) vs. +110 Aiden Lee (10-5: 2 KOs, 6 SUBs)
Straight up, Henry Corrales is a banger. He has no problem walking into a gunfight as he is one of the better fighters when under fire. His opponent, Aiden Lee, is a gangly statured fighter who does his best work when he’s in space and is able to use his reach advantage to pick apart his opponents from the outside. Both men have an above-average jiu-jitsu game with 12 of thier 19 combined wins coming via submission. I see them not going for a takedowns or submissions unless someone’s being completely dominated in the standup. I believe the biggest separating factor here is Corrales’ power in his hands and willingness to go to that next gear to get a win.
Selection: Corrales wins via Decision
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-140 Enrique Barzola (16-5-2: 2 KOs, 6 SUBs) vs. +105 Darrion Caldwell (14-5: 4 KOs, SUBs)
Though a favorite in this fight, former UFC fighter Barzola has his hands full as he is taking on former Bellator featherweight champion and NCAA Division I wrestling champion Darrion Caldwell. Both men are winless in each of their last two fights so now it’s gut-check time. Caldwell’s seat is heating up and we may see a breakthrough performance for the former champion while this would be the best time for a fighter of Barzola’s caliber to capitalize on a stumbling opponent. Barzola has shown the capability to go head to head with an elite grappler (Rani Yahya), but it’s widely known that elite wrestlers possess another level of cardio and pace which I see as being a bit too much for Bellator newcomer, Barzola.
Selection: Caldwell wins via Decision
-225 Sullivan Cauley (2-0: 2 KOs) vs. +165 Ben Parrish (5-1: 1 KOs, 4 SUBs)
Pick against Parrish once, shame on me. That was the theme for the “Big Tuna” aka Ben Parrish following his humongous upset victory (+575) in his last fight where he KO’d Christian Edwards in the first round. Parrish is once again an underdog and doesn’t want bettors to be fooled again. Opposing Parrish, is a green MMA professional in Sullivan Cauley. The former ASU Sundevil had a solid wrestling resume and presented a very straightforward gameplan of pressure, takedowns and then heavy ground and pound. Parrish’s easiest path to victory will depend on how well he can boogie away from the grappling exchanges, hoping to corner Cauley into a boxing match. I got Parrish here to shake up the books again and get the job done.
Selection: Parrish wins via 1st-Round TKO
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