Bellator 167 Joe Taimanglo vs Darrion Caldwell 2 (December 3rd, 2016)

**JIBBBY** · 12-02-16, 12:35 PM

Bellator has another event going on tonight..

Bellator 166 - Bantamweight 5 rounds - Winstar World Resort and Casino - Thackerville, Oklahoma - SpikeTV


Fri 12/2	3001 Joe Warren	+175	o2½ -135
10:30PM	3002 Eduardo Dantas	-210	u2½ +115
Bellator 166 - Featherweight 3 rounds - Winstar World Resort and Casino - Thackerville, Oklahoma - SpikeTV
Fri 12/2	3101 Ray Wood	+500	o1½ +125
10:00PM	3102 AJ McKee Jr	-700	u1½ -145
Bellator 166 - Bantamweight 3 rounds - Winstar World Resort and Casino - Thackerville, Oklahoma - SpikeTV
Fri 12/2	3201 LC Davis	+140	o2½ -210
9:30PM	3202 Marcos Galvao	-160	u2½ +175
Bellator 166 - Middleweight 3 rounds - Winstar World Resort and Casino - Thackerville, Oklahoma - SpikeTV
Fri 12/2	3301 Ben Reiter	+200	o2½ -140
9:00PM	3302 Chris Honeycutt	-240	u2½ +120

**JIBBBY** · 12-02-16, 12:39 PM

MMA MANIA short reads and predictions -

135 lbs.: Eduardo Dantas (18-4) vs. Joe Warren (14-5)
The last time these two men met was the main event of Bellator 128 more than two years ago. Dantas came in with two successful title defenses since beating Zach Makovsky at Bellator 65, but former Featherweight champion, Warren, was a man on a mission who had already claimed an interim version of the belt at Bellator 118. Warren used his amateur Greco-Roman wrestling experience to good effect throughout the fight, but it was so close that an accidental illegal kick in the fifth round nearly cost him dearly. Warren ultimately edged out a 48-47 decision from all judges to unify the two titles.
Since that time we've seen a chain of succession that saw Warren lose the title to Marcos Galvao in a rematch, which he then coughed up to Dantas in a rematch. Are you sensing a theme here? The latter fight was arguably Dantas' best performance since first claiming the gold. The speed difference between the two left Galvao frozen in his tracks, eating an increasing amount of damage in the latter rounds to the point a stoppage would have been merciful, but instead drew out to a lopsided five-round decision with scores of 50-45, 50-44 and a rarely seen (but accurate) 50-43.
Warren has already figured out Dantas once, something Galvao couldn't do on two different attempts. Dantas is 27 years old, 5'10" and has a 69" reach, while Warren is 40 years old and 5'6" -- but he also has a 69" reach. Still you'd have to give the physical advantage in speed and power to the younger Dantas, which Warren negated by turning their fight into a grappling war where he could impose his will with superior takedown technique. If Nova Uniao has successfully drilled his takedown defense for this fight, the speed and stamina advantages will be more evident here.
Final prediction: Eduardo Dantas retains the Bantamweight title via unanimous decision

145 lbs.: A.J. McKee (5-0) vs. Ray Wood (7-2)
Bellator has slowly and carefully brought along A.J. McKee, son of mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran and former MFC Lightweight Champion, Antonio McKee, and that booking has thus far paid dividends. McKee has yet to fight a bout that went past the second round, scoring three knockouts and two submissions, emerging as a young stud in Bellator's fiercely competitive Featherweight division. Some might argue that McKee hasn't faced a real test yet in the promotion, but it's hard to blame a promoter for trying to create meaningful stars who could hopefully challenge for a title in the future.
McKee was set to face "El Matador" Emmanuel Sanchez, but since he has withdrawn from the card because of an injury, Ray Wood (7-2) has agreed to face McKee on just one week's notice. Wood is "All Business," but in his last Bellator appearance, Adam Piccolotti gave him the business and choked him out. Even though he was originally scheduled for a "Prelims" undercard bout and is probably in shape for the fight, I can't see a late change of opponent benefiting Wood more than McKee, who should dispatch him just as handily as Piccolotti did.
Final prediction: Antonio McKee finishes Ray Wood with a rear-naked choke submission

135 lbs.: Marcos Galvao (17-7-1) vs. L.C. Davis (23-7)
As previously noted, Galvao is a former champion who beat Warren and was subsequently beaten (for the second time) by Dantas. He'd love to get back into the Bantamweight title picture, but given the one-sided beating he took in his last fight, he'd need a really convincing win (or two) to do it. Davis was on the cusp of a title shot after an exciting fight with Hideo Tokoro, but deja vu may kick in when I tell you Warren beat Davis to end that dream. That's the Bantamweight division for you. Davis is older (36 to 34), but more experienced, and has a small reach advantage (69" to 67"), and Galvao only has finishes in 29 percent of his wins (five out of 17) compared to 65 percent for Davis (15 out of 23).
Final prediction: L.C. Davis scores a technical knockout win over Galvao

185 lbs.: Chris Honeycutt (8-1, 1 NC) vs. Ben Reiter (17-1-1)
Rounding out the first of two nights of fights in Thackerville is a Middleweight war between two fighters who would undoubtedly like to face the winner of "Carvalho vs. Manhoef 2" one week later. Reiter has won three out of four in Bellator and was a knockout artist before he came to the promotion. With nothing but decisions in the promotion, his average has dropped to just over 40 percent of his wins (seven out of 17), but nonetheless, there's power in reserve. Honeycutt was an outstanding collegiate wrestler, then scored a couple of impressive technical knockout wins once he joined Bellator. Since getting blasted in a Paul Bradley rematch, he has outlasted several tough opponents by continuing to rely on his hands. Since Reiter's lone loss is a submission and Honeycutt's is a knockout, this could go either way, but "The Cutt" seems stronger since returning to Middleweight and I believe the less strenuous weight cut gives him the edge.
Final prediction: Chris Honeycutt scores a first round knockout

**JIBBBY** · 12-02-16, 12:44 PM

^^^Just noticed the other Bellator thread for this.. Opppps!!! Oh well.. My bad..

**Hugo de Naranja** · 12-04-16, 12:14 AM

Bellator 167: Taimanglo vs. Caldwell II

Straight Play:
Emily Ducote (+240) -.5u

Prop Plays:
Caldwell ITD (-123) -1.23u
Njokuani Decision (+410) -1u

Final Card Result = -2.73u

Back to losing at Bellator lol