Bellator 162 (10/21/2016)

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 12:55 AM

Solid card..

MMAMANIA short write ups...

185 lbs.: Alexander Shlemenko (53-9, 1 NC) vs. Kendall Grove (23-15, 1 NC)
It has been a difficult process for "Storm" Shlemenko to get back to this point. The once-reigning king of Bellator's Middleweights lost a non-title fight to Tito Ortiz and, shortly after, dropped his title to "Bull" Brandon Halsey. And just when it seemed like he'd get back on track with a knockout win over Melvin Manhoef the result was overturned because of a staggeringly massive drug test failure that earned him a three-year suspension from the California State Athletic Commission. He appealed the decision, his sentence was reduced, and he's now cleared for his Bellator return.
Grove burst onto the scene in the third season of TUF, defeating Ed Herman to earn a "six-figure" contract. The Hawaiian then toiled away for the next 10 years of his career. He has always managed to stay above .500 in the win/loss column, but the only trophy in his case other than TUF 3 was a ShoFight Middleweight title in 2012. Going into his 40th professional fight at a relatively young 33 years old could mean there's time left to tap his true potential. And with three wins in his last four Bellator fights (two straight by knockout) it's arguably a peak time in his career.

Grove presents a size challenge for Shlemenko at 6'6" with an 80-inch reach (versus 5'11" and a 70 inch reach for the former champion). That's a bigger physical mismatch than either his loss to Halsey or Ortiz, but it certainly doesn't bode well if Shlemenko fights and tests clean. The flip side of that coin is that what Shlemenko lacks in stature he makes up for in technique and experience, packing guns in both arms and having accuracy when he pulls the trigger with 29 total knockouts. Grove has been knocked out as many times as he's won that way (seven each) so let's not assume a size advantage equals a striking advantage. Shlemenko should be able to return to form, but Grove won't make it easy.
Final prediction: "Storm" Shlemenko wins via second round knockout

265 lbs.: Bobby Lashley (14-2) vs. Josh Appelt (12-5)

Every time someone has tried to tag Lashley with the "you're a pro wrestler, not a full-time fighter" label, he has answered his critics and opponents at the same time. With seven straight wins and four straight finishes (two submissions followed by two technical knockouts) there's little doubt at this point that he's capable of doing both simultaneously and succeeding in either arena. In fact, the only reason he's not a Heavyweight champion in Bellator at this point is that nobody has offered him a shot at the vacant title.

Appelt has been there and done that in two stints outside Bellator, winning the Gladiator Challenge title before his debut and West Coast Fighting title after. He'll presumably vacate that title for his Bellator return as he seeks a bigger prize -- knocking off "Dominator" Lashley and putting his name on the short list right next to Cheick Kongo. Furthermore, 66 percent of his wins (eight of 12) come by knockout, while half of Lashley's wins come by submission (seven of 14), but if Appelt wants the upset he needs to land first and/or stuff Lashley's takedown. If Lashley gets you off your feet it's a wrap.
Final prediction: Bobby Lashley wins via rear-naked choke in the first round

185 lbs.: Hisaki Kato (6-2) vs. A.J. Matthews (8-5)

A.J. Matthews is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. For the last five years since his Bellator debut, he has either won two or lost two fights in a row. "The Mercenary" definitely has the size (6'0" with a 75" reach) and striking (six of eight wins by knockout) to be a force in the promotion, but fights that go the distance tend to go against him and his jaw doesn't hold up to a well-executed strike. None may execute better than Kato, a fighter who owes 100 percent of his victories (and both of his losses) to striking exchanges. Fortune favors the bold and Kato will not be scared to exchange here.
Final prediction: Hisaki Kato wins via first round knockout

155 lbs.: Goiti Yamauchi (19-3) vs. Ryan Couture (10-4)

Both men come into this fight off losses with something to prove, though it's hard to say who needs it more. Yamauchi had a three-fight win streak at Featherweight snapped by Bubba Jenkins, which has perhaps prompted him to try his fortunes one class up. Couture had an even longer and more impressive streak snapped -- four wins with four straight rear-naked chokes -- come to an end with a knockout punch from Patricky "Pitbull" Freire. Both are 5'10" with only a one-inch reach difference between them, so they are tailor made to fight each other, particularly given both rely heavily on submissions (15 for Yamauchi, six for Couture). In a fight so evenly matched I can only see one outcome.
Final prediction: Goiti Yamauchi wins via split decision

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 12:56 AM

Waiting for props to come out if they ever do.. I think they will... Nothing out yet though...

Weigh ins... http://mmajunkie.com/2016/10/bellato...igh-in-results

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 01:04 AM

I wanna give Kendall Grove a chance in this one.. Maybe by sub.. Not sure though? Russian can bang and very easily knock out the tall Grove.. Hmmm? What do you guys think?

**Thrilla** · 10-21-16, 08:09 AM

- On October 21st, Kimbo Slice Jr will step into the Bellator MMA cage to make his professional debut and he won't just be fighting for himself.

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 01:06 PM

^^ Slice JR is gonna get beat up.. MMA is not street fighting..... Kimbo SR. learned that the hard way..

**Unwritten Law** · 10-21-16, 01:25 PM

I like Hisaki Kato over AJ Matthews.

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by Unwritten Law

I like Hisaki Kato over AJ Matthews.

I'm not fading Asians on this card.. No way... Agreed...

$120.00

$100.00

Pending

10/21/16 9:30pm MMA Props Fighting 3209 Kato wins inside distance -120* vs Not Kato inside distance

**Thrilla** · 10-21-16, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by JIBBBY

^^ Slice JR is gonna get beat up.. MMA is not street fighting..... Kimbo SR. learned that the hard way..

lol his debut is called off again. Opponent Ray Bing missed weight by nearly 17 pounds.

**Unwritten Law** · 10-21-16, 04:32 PM

Pretty much liking all the favorites on the main cards. Yamauchi should beat Couture with a slick submission. Lashley likely to make quick work dumping his opponent with a big take down and some GnP. And depending on which Schlemenko turns up he should get the win over Da Spyda.

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by Thrilla

lol his debut is called off again. Opponent Ray Bing missed weight by nearly 17 pounds.

Probably a good thing for JR.. Like his pops he could get grapple focked against a strong wrestler IMO from what I've read and seen... His late pops was tougher banging away also... Does the granite jaw run in the family is yet to be seen though?

**Thrilla** · 10-21-16, 08:17 PM

- Hawaiian Kendall "Da Spyder" has changed up his fighting style and in this Foundations, Jimmy Smith tells us why.
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**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by JIBBBY

I'm not fading Asians on this card.. No way... Agreed...

$120.00

$100.00

Pending

10/21/16 9:30pm MMA Props Fighting 3209 Kato wins inside distance -120* vs Not Kato inside distance

We got that one Unwritten.. Kato was rocked a bit but came back and got the KO... That works

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 08:28 PM

Originally posted by Unwritten Law

I like Hisaki Kato over AJ Matthews.

**Thrilla** · 10-21-16, 08:40 PM

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by Thrilla

Randy C is rolling over in his grave watching his son lose on the ground and tap like that... This Asian dude is money for sub win props... Too bad 5dimes didn't have the win by sub prop up..

**Thrilla** · 10-21-16, 08:58 PM

lol I think you are mixing up Kimbo with Randy C

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by Thrilla

lol I think you are mixing up Kimbo with Randy C

Right..... I know Randy isn't dead yet.. He's still rolling over even before the grave...

Lashley ITD cashed...

That's a muscle bound black man that can wrestler and loves those RNC's.. He'd never make it in the UFC though..

**Thrilla** · 10-21-16, 09:48 PM

That is vintage Alexander Shlemenko

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-16, 09:54 PM

The storm is back... Nice body work by the Rusky...

Storm does have power and typically only loses to strong wrestlers..

**Thrilla** · 10-21-16, 10:10 PM

enjoying COPS on Spike tv

http://pasiondeportiva.me/live1/pasiondeportiva25.php

**bjpenn85** · 10-22-16, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by JIBBBY

I'm not fading Asians on this card.. No way... Agreed...

$120.00

$100.00

Pending

10/21/16 9:30pm MMA Props Fighting 3209 Kato wins inside distance -120* vs Not Kato inside distance

Nice hit! Difficult to win on bellator cards. I dont play Bellator because im always loosing.

**bjpenn85** · 10-22-16, 04:43 AM

I was about to play Kato, but if i had bet him, he surely would have lost.

**Unwritten Law** · 10-22-16, 08:46 AM

Hope Kato can get a rematch with Melvin Manhoef, I think he would beat him the next time around.

**JIBBBY** · 10-22-16, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by bjpenn85

I was about to play Kato, but if i had bet him, he surely would have lost.

BJ that's a defeatist attitude, I know you aren't that cursed with Bellator... Stick with it you're a good MMA capper..

Just remember the favorites usually land in Bellator, WSOF, and AXS most of the time unlike the UFC... I'm always parlaying up the smaller venues and nailing them with favorite play.. Odds makers have an easier time setting the line in these venues IMO.....

Clean sweep in Bellator playing the favorites for Jibs... This is my night in a nutshell..

$100.00	$151.10	Win	2 Team Parlay
				Win	10/21/16 10:30pm MMA Props Fighting 3004 Fight won’t go 3 round distance -190* vs Grove / Shlemenko goes 3 round distance
				Win	10/21/16 10:00pm MMA Props Fighting 3109 Lashley wins inside distance -155* vs Not Lashley inside distance

$200.00

$260.00

Win

10/21/16 10:30pm Bellator Fighting 3001 Kendall Grove/Alexander Shlemenko Under 1½ +130*

$230.00	$154.20	Win	2 Team Parlay
				Win	10/21/16 10:30pm Bellator Fighting 3002 Alexander Shlemenko -265* vs Kendall Grove
				Win	10/21/16 10:00pm Bellator Fighting 3102 Bobby Lashley -470* vs Josh Appelt

$100.00	$149.80	Win	2 Team Parlay
				Win	10/21/16 9:30pm Bellator Fighting 3201 AJ Matthews/Hisaki Kato Under 1½ -135*
				Win	10/21/16 9:00pm Bellator Fighting 3301 Goiti Yamauchi -230* vs Ryan Couture

$120.00

$100.00

Win

10/21/16 9:30pm MMA Props Fighting 3209 Kato wins inside distance -120* vs Not Kato inside distance

$170.00

$100.00

Win

10/21/16 9:30pm Bellator Fighting 3202 Hisaki Kato -170* vs AJ Matthews

One Hedge play on Kendall Grove because I wasn't really confident -

$50.00

$168.00

Loss

10/21/16 10:30pm MMA Props Fighting 3005 Grove wins inside distance +336* vs Not Grove inside distance

$120.00

$100.00

Loss

10/21/16 7:05pm NHL Hockey 51 Arizona Coyotes/New York Islanders Over 5½ -120*

**Hugo de Naranja** · 10-22-16, 12:38 PM

Nice plays there Jibs!

**JIBBBY** · 10-22-16, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by Hugo de Naranja

Nice plays there Jibs!

Thanks Hugo, I see you went SBR PRO, welcome to the upper class group my friend and good luck building those bet points up!!!

**Thrilla** · 10-23-16, 12:13 PM

- Bobby Lashley returned and lived up to his nickname, "The Dominator," with a convincing submission win while Alexander "Storm" Shlemenko came back strong with a 2nd round TKO to start his journey back to the belt.
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