BELLATOR 156 Galvao vs Dantes (Tomorrow night Friday 6/17)

**JIBBBY** · 06-16-16, 11:58 PM

MMAmania write up -

135 lbs.: Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4)
Galvao has evolved considerably as a fighter since the first time the two met. He now trains out of Long Island MMA in New York, reeling off four straight wins including his first-ever career submission against the aforementioned Warren. Previous to recent history, Galvao's reputation was as a grinder, and a look at his career record shows that 70 percent of his wins (12 of 17) have come via decision. Starting at Bellator 73, though, Galvao won three out of four fights in a row by knockout, showing that his hands have to now be considered dangerous weapons.
However, the one fight of those four he lost by knockout was to Dantas, only the fourth knockout of his professional career and the last one he's gotten to date. He's a submission artist in 35 percent of his wins (six of 17), but a grinder slightly more often at 41 percent of the time (seven of 17 by decision). In many ways, it's remarkable how similar they are and not hard to imagine that working with each other sharpened them into two of the best Bantamweights in MMA today.
Only one can be a champion after Friday night, though.
Dantas looked slightly less than stellar against Mike Richman, although with more than one year off and a title shot on the line, he will be a completely different man than the one who fought then. Galvao is equally inactive over the same period, although the four-fight win streak that led to him capturing the title has to make him the favorite here despite their previous history. Galvao might want to prove a point and return the favor by knocking his former running buddy out, but the smart strategy would be to drag Dantas into deep water and see if he fades late. Regardless, it will be a close fight.
Final prediction: Marcos Galvao retains by unanimous decision

170 lbs.: Thiago Jambo (18-4) vs. Chidi Njokuani (14-4, 1 NC)

Jambo takes this fight on super short notice (one week), filling in for Douglas Lima as he jumps to Bellator 158 to face Paul "Semtex" Daley. He'll take on the streaking Njokuani, winner of four straight, including a surprising decision against Ricky Rainey in his Bellator debut. Njokuani has won eight out of 14 by knockout (57 percent), but all of the fights in his streak have gone to decision including a Tachi Palace title fight against Max Griffin.
Jambo won his WSOF 21 fight last June, but hasn't been seen since then. Calling him a "career grinder" would be an understatement given that 61 percent of his wins (11 out of 18) go to decision. That doesn't favor him with an experienced multi-sport striker like Njokuani, nor does the age difference between the two, as Njokuani is eight years his junior at 27 and 35 respectively. Jambo earns respect for taking the fight on short notice, but does not earn the "W" here.
Final prediction: Chidi Njokuani via second round knockout

185 lbs.: Brandon Halsey (9-1) vs. John Salter (11-3)

Salter worked his way into this position by submitting Dustin Jacoby in his Bellator debut. His amateur wrestling record is outstanding and includes a NAIA National Wrestling Championship at 174 pounds. That would ordinarily be enough to takedown even the toughest of foes, but "Bull" Halsey is a division 1 NCAA All-American in his own right. And until he lost a match for the title he vacated, that wrestling never let him down. His takedowns either opened up submissions (four of nine wins) or led to knockouts when opponents tried to block them (two of nine). His only mistake was not checking a liver kick from Carvalho -- a mistake he's not likely to make again.
Final prediction: Brandon Halsey wins via rear-naked choke

185 lbs.: Chris Honeycutt (7-1) vs. Mikkel Parlo (13-2)

Honeycutt was a promising undefeated Welterweight on the rise until he was defeated by Paul Bradley in 40 seconds in a rematch. "The Cutt" got some measure of redemption at Bellator 153 against Matt Secor, but for this fight he'll move up to Middleweight, a class where he was once champion at UPC Unlimited. Parlo is a Bellator tournament veteran who made his way to the finals only to have Brennan Ward shatter his dreams. He's only had one fight in the last two years and ring rust is real, so I expect that a quick return and smaller weight cut play to Honeycutt's natural wrestling advantages. Barring any fluke, he should take down Parlo easily and repeatedly.
Final prediction: Chris Honeycutt wins via unanimous decisio

**JIBBBY** · 06-17-16, 10:26 AM

There is some good value on Galvao at +210 fellas.. I think it's worth a try. I personally think Galvao should be favored...

**firekillex** · 06-17-16, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by JIBBBY

There is some good value on Galvao at +210 fellas.. I think it's worth a try. I personally think Galvao should be favored...

good value for +210, but its a bad style matchup for him he definitely shouldnt be favoured, he was already knocked out by dantes last time they fought which probably made the odds so juicy, may put something small on galvao though i like +210 he definitely has a shot at this more then a 32% shot definitely

**JIBBBY** · 06-17-16, 11:29 AM

Originally posted by firekillex

good value for +210, but its a bad style matchup for him he definitely shouldnt be favoured, he was already knocked out by dantes last time they fought which probably made the odds so juicy, may put something small on galvao though i like +210 he definitely has a shot at this more then a 32% shot definitely

The fact the Dantes already knocked out and beat Galvao is why Dantes if favored.. That happened over 3 years ago and since then Galvao has rattled off 4 straight wins..http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Marcos-Galvao-7536

Dantes does have the height and reach advantage on Galvao which does make it a tough match up for him, but I think Galvao is a better fighter today then he was 3 years ago.. Hard to beat a fighter 2 times. We'll see what happens?? At +210 I do think Galvao has a chance this second go around anyways..... I think Galvao will close the distance better in this fight....

**JIBBBY** · 06-17-16, 11:35 AM

On a side note, anyone seeing the Fedor line for tonight? Maldonaldo is a can but he can box, Fedor hasn't seen the cage in a very long time and he's no spring chicken now at age 40..

Thinking just maybe Fedor gets dropped.. Probably not though but at +510 you never know??http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Fabio-Maldonado-16426

Fedor Emelianenko vs Fabio Maldonado
Fabio Maldonado 0.0 (+525) Jun 17, 2016 3:30 PM

**PaperTrail07** · 06-17-16, 12:37 PM

I cant even find a line---fght alreaygo off...

**PaperTrail07** · 06-17-16, 12:38 PM

JIBBER where did you find a line?

**JIBBBY** · 06-17-16, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by PaperTrail07

I cant even find a line---fght alreaygo off...

Bovada has it.. 5dimes does not..

**PaperTrail07** · 06-17-16, 01:11 PM

OUCH lol....ok ok ....

**BIGDAY** · 06-17-16, 05:37 PM

Should be a decent card as far as actions goes. Looking forward to it.

Having a hard time pulling the trigger on any value though...

**Deceptakhan** · 06-17-16, 06:05 PM

Does 5dimes do live bets for B?

**JIBBBY** · 06-17-16, 06:10 PM

I'm on Honeycut straight -190, Halsey ITD -118, Njokuani ITD +165, Galvao straight +210 (hedge Dante ITD +125)

**ufcmma36** · 06-17-16, 06:11 PM

Absolutely right! Fedor got dropped then took a beating, which in the UFC would have been stopped damn near immediately. Maldonado should have won. Lost a close split decision. Russian politics

Originally posted by JIBBBY

On a side note, anyone seeing the Fedor line for tonight? Maldonaldo is a can but he can box, Fedor hasn't seen the cage in a very long time and he's no spring chicken now at age 40..

Thinking just maybe Fedor gets dropped.. Probably not though but at +510 you never know??http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Fabio-Maldonado-16426

Fedor Emelianenko vs Fabio Maldonado
Fabio Maldonado 0.0 (+525) Jun 17, 2016 3:30 PM

**ufcmma36** · 06-17-16, 06:18 PM

Btw, it was a pretty damn entertaining fight. I was rooting for Fedor, had some nice combos. Looked good at times.. But He is constantly bouncing on his feet like he did in Pride. Those rings they fought in Japan had quite a bit of bounce.. There is no bounce in the cage. Fabio straight boxed him up, Fedor's face/eye was a mess. Maldonado definitely landed the more cleaner strikes. Should have went Fabio.

**JIBBBY** · 06-17-16, 06:31 PM

^^ Fedor really got his ass beat in that first round.. Should have been stopped... Fedor is very lucky to pick up that win and by decision.. Fedor is done though, this fight should be a wake up call for him to go back and retire again.. I will fade him again if he fights again.. His chin is shot....

**ufcmma36** · 06-17-16, 06:35 PM

Agreed! Heck UFC should bring Fabio back. That very well may have been his greatest loss/gain of all time.

**LBfightlife** · 06-17-16, 07:46 PM

penetrating spoiler! !!!

**LBfightlife** · 06-17-16, 07:47 PM

Hey can you find a line on Myrin Smith ? The Hitman.. trains with me at El Nino . He's gonna kill it tonight on bellator . 10 days notice at heavyweight .. he's killer


Fri 6/17	3001 Marcos Galvao	+210	o2½ -200
10:30PM	3002 Eduardo Dantas	-250	u2½ +170
Bellator 156 - Welterweight 3 rounds - Save Mart Center - Fresno, California - Spike.TV
Fri 6/17	3101 Thiago Goncalves	+235	o2½ -155
10:00PM	3102 Chidi Njokuani	-275	u2½ +135
Bellator 156 - Middleweight 3 rounds - Save Mart Center - Fresno, California - Spike.TV
Fri 6/17	3201 John Salter	+280	o1½ -150
9:30PM	3202 Brandon Halsey	-340	u1½ +130
Bellator 156 - Welterweight 3 rounds - Save Mart Center - Fresno, California - Spike.TV
Fri 6/17	3301 Mikkel Parlo	+165	o2½ -175
9:00PM	3302 Chris Honeycutt	-190	u2½ +155


Fri 6/17	3003 Galvao / Dantas goes 5 round distance	-155
10:30PM	3004 Fight won’t go 5 round distance	+115
Fri 6/17	3005 Galvao wins inside distance	+610
10:30PM	3006 Not Galvao inside distance	-1230
Fri 6/17	3007 Galvao wins by 5 round decision	+320
10:30PM	3008 Not Galvao by 5 round decision	-460
Fri 6/17	3009 Dantas wins inside distance	+191
10:30PM	3010 Not Dantas inside distance	-271
Fri 6/17	3011 Dantas wins by 5 round decision	+157
10:30PM	3012 Not Dantas by 5 round decision	-200
Fri 6/17	3013 Galvao / Dantas draw	+16500
10:30PM	3014 Fight not a draw	-49500
Thiago Goncalves vs Chidi Njokuani - Welterweight 3 rounds - Bellator 156
Fri 6/17	3103 Goncalves / Njokuani goes 3 rnd distance	-140
10:00PM	3104 Fight won’t go 3 round distance	+100
Fri 6/17	3105 Goncalves wins inside distance	+555
10:00PM	3106 Not Goncalves inside distance	-1065
Fri 6/17	3107 Goncalves wins by 3 round decision	+385
10:00PM	3108 Not Goncalves by 3 round decision	-585
Fri 6/17	3109 Njokuani wins inside distance	+165
10:00PM	3110 Not Njokuani inside distance	-215
Fri 6/17	3111 Njokuani wins by 3 round decision	+149
10:00PM	3112 Not Njokuani by 3 round decision	-189
Fri 6/17	3113 Goncalves / Njokuani draw	+17000
10:00PM	3114 Fight not a draw	-51000
John Salter vs Brandon Halsey - Middleweight 3 rounds - Bellator 156
Fri 6/17	3203 Salter / Halsey goes 3 round distance	+165
9:30PM	3204 Fight won’t go 3 round distance	-215
Fri 6/17	3205 Salter wins inside distance	+490
9:30PM	3206 Not Salter inside distance	-870
Fri 6/17	3207 Salter wins by 3 round decision	+535
9:30PM	3208 Not Salter by 3 round decision	-1005
Fri 6/17	3209 Halsey wins inside distance	-118
9:30PM	3210 Not Halsey inside distance	-122
Fri 6/17	3211 Halsey wins by 3 round decision	+243
9:30PM	3212 Not Halsey by 3 round decision	-327
Fri 6/17	3213 Salter / Halsey draw	+21000
9:30PM	3214 Fight not a draw	-63000
Mikkel Parlo vs Chris Honeycutt - Welterweight 3 rounds - Bellator 156
Fri 6/17	3303 Parlo / Honeycutt goes 3 round distance	-160
9:00PM	3304 Fight won’t go 3 round distance	+120
Fri 6/17	3305 Parlo wins inside distance	+300
9:00PM	3306 Not Parlo inside distance	-420
Fri 6/17	3307 Parlo wins by 3 round decision	+535
9:00PM	3308 Not Parlo by 3 round decision	-1005
Fri 6/17	3309 Honeycutt wins inside distance	+326
9:00PM	3310 Not Honeycutt inside distance	-477
Fri 6/17	3311 Honeycutt wins by 3 round decision	-105
9:00PM	3312 Not Honeycutt by 3 round decision	-135
Fri 6/17	3313 Parlo / Honeycutt draw	+15000
9:00PM	3314 Fight not a draw