Spkie 9:00 pm ET
Gegard Mousasi vs Alexander Shlemenko
Zak Bucia vs Neiman Gracie
Heather Hardy vs Kristina Williams
Lisa Blaine vs Ana Julaton
Ryan Quinn vs Marcus Surin
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Spkie 9:00 pm ET
Gegard Mousasi vs Alexander Shlemenko
Zak Bucia vs Neiman Gracie
Heather Hardy vs Kristina Williams
Lisa Blaine vs Ana Julaton
Ryan Quinn vs Marcus Surin
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MMA Mania -
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185 lbs.: Gegard Mousasi (42-6-2) vs. Alexander Shlemenko (56-9, 1 NC)
It’s staggering to consider that the two competitors in Friday’s main event have well over 100 professional fights between them combined. It’s even more staggering when you consider their respective ages: Mousasi is only 32 and Shlemenko is 33. It’s amazing just how indestructible these two men seem to be, especially given neither one has lost in five straight fights. The only thing that dogs either of these men is the fact Shlemenko failed a drug test, so some might wonder if any of his other performances up to that point were chemically enhanced. Since he tested clean before and after his dominant Bellator 162 win it may be his slate is now clean.
There’s a lot to prove for both men despite their recent win streaks. Only one of Shlemenko’s five wins came in a fight outside of Russia, so it’s hard to believe “Storm” Shlemenko didn’t benefit from some favorable booking via M-1 Challenge. Mousasi has an axe to grind after obliterating one top Middleweight after another via knockout from Vitor Belfort to Chris Weidman, yet despite his dominance he felt he was “getting screwed” on being paid what he was worth. That’s why when push came to shove and his contract ran out Mousasi signed a six fight deal with Bellator so he could show everybody that he deserves the money AND the main event spot.
Who takes advantage of the spotlight in Uncasville to further their agenda and potentially work toward a Middleweight title shot against Rafael Carvalho? Both men are knockout artists, with Shlemenko earning 31 in 56 wins (55%) and Mousasi earning 23 in 42 wins (also 55%). That suggests a coin flip in a striking exchange UNTIL you look at their size. Mousasi stands 6’2” and sports a 76” reach, while Shlemenko is 5’11” with a 71” reach. While Shlemenko was fed suitable opponents for his style including in his Bellator 162 return, Mousasi was facing submission artists like Thales Leites and men who had previously beaten him like Uriah Hall.
A fight is a fight and a win is a win but from where I stand Mousasi has faced and proven himself against much better competition. A failure here would vindicate UFC not matching Bellator’s offer to keep him and I can’t imagine more powerful motivation to do well. What motivates Shlemenko? Maybe he wants the title back at some point, but if he doesn’t earn a title shot, he can go home and get more fights from M-1 Challenge from now until whenever he retires.
Final prediction: Gegard Mousasi wins by technical knockout in the second round
155 lbs.: Ryan Quinn (13-7-1) vs. Marcus Surin (4-0)
Originally “Irish Bad Boy” Brennan Ward was looking for a quick rebound fight after being submitted at Bellator 182 in August, but an expected Welterweight tilt with “Caveman” David Rickels will have to wait as Ward withdrew from this card late due to injury. As a result a brand new fight has been bumped to the main card featuring both a familiar Bellator fight and a new prospect making his promotional debut on Friday.
Ryan Quinn’s tenure goes all the way back to Bellator 15 in 2010, where he picked up his first promotional win by unanimous decision against Matt Lee. Quinn had a mixed record outside of the promotion but inside of it he was 7-0 until he ran into Saad Awad in April. Quinn is an American Top Team veteran with a BJJ black belt, holding four wins by submission, but his opponent Surin is a knockout artist with 50% of fights in his young career leaving opponents flat. When the hard handed Awad tagged Quinn he repeatedly shot for takedowns and got swept. Surin won’t even give him that chance.
Final prediction: Marcus Surin wins by knockout in the second round
170 lbs.: Neiman Gracie (6-0) vs. Zak Bucia (18-8)
The name Gracie carries high expectations, expectations that decorated jiu-jitsu medalist Neiman Gracie has thus far managed to live up to. All but one of his six MMA wins have ended by submission, and a typical bout doesn’t get past the halfway point of the second round. He faces an opponent in Zak Bucia who obviously has more pro MMA experience. Somehow I don’t think any of that is going to matter once Gracie takes him to the ground. I’ve been watching him do this for four years now and he’s as good as billed so unless Bucia starts quick and lights him up standing it will go badly for him.
Final prediction: Neiman Gracie wins via rear naked choke in round one
125 lbs.: Heather Hardy (1-0) vs. Kristina Williams (0-0)
I don’t think we need to expound upon this one for very long. Although their MMA records suggest a nearly equal amount of inexperience it couldn’t be further from the truth. Hardy is an undefeated pro boxer with a 20-0 record nicknamed “The Heat.” She showed exactly what kind of heat she can bring to mixed martial arts by beating Alice Yauger at Bellator 180, and I expect her to showcase more of the same against a fighter ill equipped to make a debut against such a seasoned striking veteran.
Final prediction: Heather Hardy finishes Williams with strikes in round one
125 lbs.: Ana Julaton (2-2) vs. Lisa Blaine (1-0)
Don’t let Ana Julaton’s record fool you. Even though her mixed martial arts line may be middling, the boxer turned MMA fighter compiled a 14-4-1 record in the ring before transitioning to the cage, winning the Women's WBO Super Bantamweight and IBA Super Bantamweight titles in the process. Her hand speed has earned her the nickname “Hurricane,” but the “Hurricane” must face the “Insane” Lisa Blaine on Friday. Even though Blaine only has one pro fight, she beat Tammy Worrick by TKO at 2:23 of the second round, so her hands might be “alright.” It may be a theme here for the Flyweights but I’ve got to pick the boxer with the better striking experience here.
Final prediction: Ana Julaton finishes Lisa Blaine by knockout in the second round
That’s a wrap!Comment -
Feeling the itch to max bomb Hardy ML
somebody talk me me out of thisComment -
Liking Hardy ITD +119 too but not sure of this Williams girls durabilityComment -
That's why I like the ML even with the high juice. I see the exact same situation as Rhonda a few years ago when the UFC was feeding her nobody's to get the hype train rolling. It'll take a Williams finish to lose so I'm nervous betting against an unknown girl from OKC. She might be country strong and find a shot to ruin me.Comment -
^^ I'm going with Hardy ITD also.. It's worth the shot at +odds, seems like the reasonable play..
I just am always a little weary of chicks going the distance especially the small fly weights.. Small chicks that are reasonably well rounded are typically hard to finish. Both are a bit raw so the finish should be in order though..Last edited by JIBBBY; 10-20-17, 02:20 PM.Comment -
I'm wondering if Shlem has a shot at cracking Mous's chin in this fight?... Shlem does finish most of his fights and usually by KO... http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Alexa...hlemenko-14461
Reality is, Mous takes him down and sub's him out just like Tito Ortiz did probably..
Mous was fighting the best in the UFC while Shlemenko is a vet he has not been fighting top level UFC fighters...
This prop could be worth a hedge with ITD Shlem if you wanna play it safe..
Fri 10/20 3005 Shlemenko wins inside distance +800
I do fully expect Mous to roll Slem and finish him quickly... Just wish the odds were a little better on this prop.
3009 Mousasi wins inside distance -145 Last edited by JIBBBY; 10-20-17, 02:21 PM.Comment -
6-0 Neiman Gracie is completely a one trick pony with his submission game and slightly over rated. His takedowns aren't that great.. I do think Bucia has the experience edge and has a chance at the upset finish here.. Odds are decent anyways with the Bucia ITD prop.. I'm gonna try it for small at the +655...
Bucia is a strong dude and has never been sub'd out either.. He's a finisher mostly but there is a chance he could win this by decision also if he can keep the fight standing..I'll gamble with the ITD prop though and give it a try.... http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Zak-Bucia-23430Last edited by JIBBBY; 10-20-17, 01:30 PM.Comment -
Wow Williams destroyed herComment -
hardy grossly overrated...Comment -
Fuk!
Grabbed Hardy -345 on dimes. Closed at -440. She got knocked the fuk out!
-$1500 on dimes
-6900 points here
Fuk!Comment -
after that last fight i wouldnt be surprised if Neiman turns into a a punching bag fish out of water...Comment -
Over 1.5 main -140 and Moose by Dec +165....Comment -
LOL insane start.....hopefully they both slow the F down......another 2:30 and I don't care lol...Comment -
Whew thank you doc....
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There we go....... come on clock!!
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Mousasi fighting so sloppy.
Even his jab which normally looks tight looks sloppy.Comment -
Jimmy smith...you cant bc hes not winning LOL....that left changed the fight....Toss it to MOOSE LOLComment -
Bit surprised they gave it to Moose. It was close.Comment -
WOW.....I'll take it but I honestly would have gone 29-28 the other way...Comment -
A rematch is necessary I think.Comment -
Mousasi was close to having that choke & dropped a few good elbows.
Might've been enough to give him the 2nd.Comment -
Yeah...I mean the sub was not that close and he did no damage....rematch for sure...Glad they tossed it our way....If I had the +850 the other way Id be pissed AF LOL...Comment
