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155 lbs.: Brent Primus (8-0) vs. Michael Chandler (18-4)
This all started on June 25, 2017, at Bellator 180 in Madison Square Garden. Then-defending Lightweight champion, “Iron Mike” Chandler, was ready to collect his fifth straight win against the previously undefeated Brent Primus, but then the unthinkable happened. Primus landed a precise kick that wobbled his left leg and left him unsteady on his feet. Despite barely being able to stand, Chandler roared back and hurt Primus with a right hand, but as he continued to limp and stumble, referee Todd Anderson paused the match. And on the advice of the ringside doctor, the bout was stopped moments later. Indeed, Primus officially became a world champion via technical knockout at 2:27 of round one.
Several opportunities to make the rematch since fell through, including Bellator 197 earlier this year, and every step of the way Chandler blasted Primus as “heartless” and a “part timer” in the sport. Given Primus hasn’t taken a single fight until now since winning the Lightweight title it’s very hard to argue with at least one of Chandler’s two points. Unless a monster tsunami rises from the ocean and takes Honolulu off the map, we’ll finally find out if he’s right about the other point and see just how much “heart” Primus has in a rematch.
The Oregon-born, raised and trained Primus stands 5’10” with a 73” reach and mixed bag of finishes — two knockouts, four submissions, two decisions. Of those two knockouts one was actually the doctor’s stoppage mentioned above, so his power in the striking department can be questioned. Chandler’s power, on the other hand, cannot be disputed. He has knocked out seven foes, submitted seven more, and only four wins went to the judges scorecards. Even notoriously tough brawlers like “Pitbull” Patricky Freire have fallen to the power of his right hand.
In addition, Chandler’s two return fights since losing the title have both been convincing, from a brutal beatdown of Goiti Yamauchi for a lopsided unanimous decision to a strangulation of Brandon Girtz in a match Primus bowed out of. He has looked so good that the loss of his title now seems like even more of a fluke than it did in New York City. Meanwhile, because of his sheer inactivity, there’s little of Primus to compare against him, and split decision wins in two of his last three fights don’t suggest an ability to dominate over five rounds if it even lasts that long. There was no reason on paper to pick Primus the first time and sadly for the champion there’s even less reason to do so now.
Final prediction: Michael Chandler whoops ass until scoring a technical knockout in round two
205 lbs.: Frank Mir (18-12) vs. Javy Ayala (10-7)
Related
Ayala Promises ‘Dream Fight’ Against Mir Will Deliver Fireworks
This is another fight that is unlikely to go the distance. Already the loser of three straight, Mir has competed just once over the last two years, getting destroyed by Fedor in just 48 seconds back in April. Ayala, meanwhile, has been more active over that same span, but he lost a decision to Roy Nelson then got knocked cold by Cheick Kongo in May. You can put as much sugar and honey on this fight as you like, including the fact Mir is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title holder and Ayala once finished Kharitonov, but the fact is neither of these fighters are even near the middle of Bellator’s Heavyweight division. The only deciding factor to me is that Mir actually tagged Emelianenko with a punch in their fight that he admitted hurt him, and if Kongo can rock Ayala, I suspect Mir will too in a fight that should end quickly ... and dramatically.
Final prediction: Frank Mir knocks out Javy Ayala in round one
145 lbs.: Derek Campos (19-7) vs. Sam Sicilia (15-9)
Campos was on a four-fight roll before Patricky Pitbull stopped him cold at Bellator 194 earlier this year. That may have motivated him to drop down from Lightweight to Featherweight, and if so, it could work well against Sam Sicilia. Campos stands 5’9” and has a 68” reach, while recent Bellator newcomer Sicilia is 5’8” with a 67” reach. Not only does that make the weight a better fit for Campos, he benefits from fighting a fighter on the decline who has lost four of his last five bouts dating back to 2015. As long as he makes a successful weight cut and isn’t dried up like a raisin this will go Campos’ way.
Final prediction: Derek Campos scores a third round technical knockout
125 lbs.: Alejandra Lara (7-2) vs. Juliana Velasquez (7-0)
Alejandra Lara had the honor of being the first woman to challenge Ilima-Lei Macfarlane for the women’s Bellator Flyweight title, but easily got outclassed in that fight and hasn’t been heard from since. This will mark her most active year since 2015 though as Lara has previously taken approximately one bout a year until now. Other than her debut and last year, Velasquez typically has two fights a year, and this will be her second of 2018 following an impressive technical knockout of Rebecca Ruth in April. The young Lara (24) stands 5’7” with a 68” reach, while the elder Velasquez (32) stands 5’6” with a 67.5” reach. As Mike Goldberg would say other than their age, “everything else is virtually identical.”
Velasquez has finished 57 percent of her opponents (three knockouts, one submission) in a thus far flawless career. Lara has fought more though and has finished 66 percent (three knockouts, three submissions). The most telling thing for me though is what doesn’t show up in the stats — how one-sided Lara’s loss to the champion was. When she’s faced older fighters — even if they have relatively the same number of professional bouts — they clearly don’t have the same level of experience between fights in the gym. I suspect what was true with Macfarlane is perhaps even more true with Velasquez — when “everything else is virtually identical” it’s that hard work outside of the cage that gives one woman the edge.
Final result: Alejandra Velasquez wins via technical knockout in round three
145 lbs.: A.J. McKee (12-0) vs. Daniel Crawford (10-2)
Related
McKee Is The Hook, Crawford Is The Bait
I’d like to say the Englishman Crawford has a chance here ... but if I did I’d be lying. For “Mercenary” McKee this is simply a “stay busy” fight until he finally gets a world title shot against Emmanuel Sanchez. Crawford already lost his Bellator debut to Pedro Carvalho by split decision, and if that’s the best he can muster at anything above the BAMMA level, I don’t see him beating McKee. McKee stands 5’10” and has a 73” reach, while Crawford is at least one inch shorter in height with an undisclosed reach I don’t see closing the range of McKee with his hand speed and devastating kicks.
Final result: A.J. McKee wins via first round knockoutComment -
Set for a title rematch with Brent Primus, we sit down with Michael Chandler to talk about how he expects to get the belt back.
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110.00 175.13 Fighting - 24002 M. Chandler -530 for Game
Fighting - 24006 J. Ayala -130 for Game
Fighting - 24014 D. Campos -430 for GameComment -
Have to bet against Mir....Guy is paycheck fighting and on his way out.....looks for ways out of fights IMO..If J aya went 3 with Nelson this should be CAKE ....Comment -
WHIFF---THIS GUY AGAIN LOL.....tell us again about Nguyen and how he will KO reis in round 1 LOL...
WHIFF # 2 on the way.....how do people even read/respect this garbage LOL....
This is another fight that is unlikely to go the distance. Already the loser of three straight, Mir has competed just once over the last two years, getting destroyed by Fedor in just48 secondsback in April. Ayala, meanwhile, has been more active over that same span, buthe lost a decision to Roy Nelsonthen gotknocked cold by Cheick Kongoin May. You can put as much sugar and honey on this fight as you like, including the fact Mir is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title holder andAyala once finished Kharitonov, but the fact is neither of these fighters are even near the middle of Bellator’s Heavyweight division. The only deciding factor to me is that Mir actually tagged Emelianenko with a punch in their fight that he admitted hurt him, and if Kongo can rock Ayala, I suspect Mir will too in a fight that should end quickly ... and dramatically.Final prediction: Frank Mir knocks out Javy Ayala in round one
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What about submission threat by Mir? I'm not familiar with Ayala but does he have a striking advantage at least?
I agree with your Assessment of Mir and would love to fad him and get behind a dog.. but is it a live dog?Comment -
I think that guy’s W-L record for picking fights is actually pretty solid Papes. We’re all wrong with bold calls sometimes.Comment -
Velasquez
Sicilia
Mckee
Ayala
Chandler
Those are my picks for wins. The Mir fight was the toughest for me to look at. I'll prop send out a parlay on favs and then a little straight on Ayala and Sicilia. Anyone have any input on Womens' bout?Comment -
Ceremonial weigh ins + faceoffs
Main-card starts at 14:00Comment -
Favorites all gonna hit as usual with Bellator.. Mir gets smoked too, fight will never hit the ground.. Parlay dem up...Comment -
Bellator 212: Primus vs. Chandler II Picks:
Juliana Velasquez Round 2 Submission (Armbar)
Derek Campos Round 1 TKO (Punches)
A.J. McKee Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Frank Mir Round 1 KO (Punch)
Michael Chandler Round 1 TKO (Punches)Comment -
Bellator 212: Primus vs. Chandler II
Fight #1: Velasquez vs. Lara
Velasquez ITD (+146) 1u
Fight #2: Campos vs. Sicilia
No Bet
Fight #3: McKee vs. Crawford
No Bet
Fight #4: Ayala vs. Mir
No Bet
Fight #5: Primus (C) vs. Chandler
Parlays
Prop Parlays:
Velasquez/Chandler ITD (+111) 1u
Multi-Event Parlays:
Velasquez/Oliveira+Miller WGD (-123) 2.47u to win 2u
Velasquez/Chandler+Primus WGD/Ruth (+131) 1uComment -
I have only 1 reason to watch Bellator 212, miss 'Alejandra Lara'.
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Mir has his daughter in his corner....she should be helpful lol...Comment -
Nice choke by Chris Avila. My book didnt have action on himComment -
on the over 1.5 here as well......sammy almost took both out real quick lol... iron chin....blocking punches with his face...great idea...Comment -
whew lol.. sam is picking him apart....Comment -
Campos must assume he won round 2 ? lol
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enh 1 guy tried for us LOLComment -
Solute those troops my internet brothers.. When you sign up and are shipped off to go into battle it's no joke.. Life is on the line.. Remember that fellas!!!!
We represent our Countries and go to war for them.. That's real stuff there...Comment -
Campos may have gotten robbed there.. Sammy wins..Comment -
$$.... sam brought his A game for sure...Comment -
Rolled the over 1.5 in the McKee Fight...15$ on the dog as well.....lolComment -
Sorry for reply after the fact @hugo but I just thought he was the better fight to be honest. I just knew he shouldn’t have been a 3-1 dog there. I put $50 on him and cashed in.Comment -
damn.....it was going great until it wasnt lol...Comment -
Snickers Sponsorship LOL...that penetrating awesome...Comment