BELLATOR 241 tonight!!!

**JIBBBY** · 03-13-20, 10:57 AM

Write ups!! MMA MANIA

145 lbs.: Patricio Freire (30-4) vs. Pedro Carvalho (11-3)

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire allegedly chose Pedro Carvalho for this fight because he’s a loud mouth. Frankly, when I think of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters who sell wolf tickets, Carvalho’s not even Top 10, but I guess associating with SBG Ireland can get you a reputation. Let’s be real, though, Maniacs, there’s a completely different reason Freire chose Carvalho and it’s one he couldn’t admit to even knowing it’s the truth — a first class ticket to the Featherweight Grand Prix “Final 4.”
Look, on paper, Carvalho is “not bad.” He’s won six straight fights. He’s dispatched several tough, durable opponents in Derek Campos and Sam Sicilia in back-to-back bouts. He’s got two wins by knockout and six by submission. If Carvalho was fighting for any smaller organization anywhere in the country, he’d have already had a “world title” for that promotion by now. At only 24 years old, it would even be fair to argue that he’s the future of the division and “Pitbull” is the past.
Now, put that all on a piece of paper, crumple it up, and throw it backward over your shoulder into the trash bin. That’s because Freire has always had the odds against him. He’s small for a Featherweight (5’6”). He has to travel a long distance from Brazil to the United States for all of his fights. Everybody in two weight divisions wants a piece of him. None of that matters. In 30 wins he has 10 knockouts, 11 submissions and nine decisions. Where can you find an advantage in those numbers? The truth is you can’t. Stand in front of “Pitbull” and you’ll lose. Even if you have height and reach, he hits harder and faster. Go to the ground and you’re in big trouble. Try to out last him to the final bell and his cardio will win out.
It’s not that Carvalho isn’t a future champion, it’s just that you can’t give up the kind of world class experience Patricio Freire has by comparison and expect to be victorious.
Final prediction: Patricio Freire via second round technical knockout

145 lbs.: Daniel Weichel (40-11) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (19-4)

If this card wasn’t already stacked with one tournament bout, take a cue from the late Ernie Banks: “Let’s play two!” This one is a rematch of a fight from Bellator 159, which Weichel took by split decision, leading Sanchez to vow to erase that blemish from his record. Considering he also wants a second chance at the world title after losing a unanimous decision to “Pitbull” two years ago, he needs to stay focused on the task at hand just to get to that fight later on.
Weichel is underrated going into this bout. He lost tough back-to-back fights to the champ and to master submission artist Goiti Yamauchi by split decision, and going the distance with either is a feat in itself. With more than 50 professional bouts under his belt, “Drake” Weichel not only boasts the most experience of any competitor in this tournament, he may be the only one who can say he came close to beating the champ TWICE. It took Daniel Straus three tries to get it done, so Weichel may be betting he’s got it all figured out.
In size and stature Weichel has always been an interesting match up for Sanchez, standing an inch taller at 5”10,” but giving up five inches in reach at 71 inches. That forces Weichel to cut angles and get in and out quickly, and the younger Sanchez (29 to 35) will undoubtedly be focused on his footwork and precision striking. With an addition two rounds to work with Sanchez could each choose to dump the gas tank and finish early, or be patient and grind Weichel down in the closing rounds. After their first bout I favor the latter.
Final prediction: Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision

170 lbs.: Paul Daley (42-17-2) vs. Sabah Homasi (13-8)

Paul “Semtex” Daley has had a return to form in his last two fights, taking a decision win over the resilient Erick Silva and scoring a technical knockout over Saad Awad at Bellator 232. The question that will always been on your mind with Daley though is how long he can continue at this pace as he nears 40 (currently 37) with almost 100 combined fights between boxing and kickboxing in his career. Even though Sabah Homasi is six years younger he seems to be a tailor made opponent for Daley. He’s a tall skinny Middleweight at 6’0” with a 72-inch reach, while Daley is a squat muscular 5’9” with a 76-inch reach. Given Daley’s prodigious punching power (31 of 42 MMA wins by knockout) and Homasi’s own tendencies (nine of 13 via knockout) they will stand and bang and in those cases Daley almost always wins the exchange.
Final prediction: Paul Daley via first round knockout
Related
Homasi: I’m The Younger, Better Version Of ‘Semtex’

185 lbs.: Anatoly Tokov (29-2) vs. Fabio Aguiar (17-1)

Despite being unbeaten in his Bellator tenure over five fights, Anatoly Tokov may still be a mystery to all but the most hardcore MMA followers. Fighting on a DAZN only card may not help matters but it’s another chance to exert dominance in a Middleweight division that’s suddenly wide open thanks to Rafael Lovato Jr. relinquishing the title. Tokov is a Russian version of the aforementioned Daley — a thick muscular 185 lb. fighter standing 5’10” with knockout power (16 of 29) and a submission game too (seven of 29). In a case of deja vu his opponent Fabio Aguiar is also taller (6’0”) and skinnier with an equal penchant for striking (nine of 17 wins). Will the result ultimately be similar as well? Most likely.
Final prediction: Anatoly Tokov via second round technical knockout

265 lbs.: Matt Mitrione (13-7, 1 NC) vs. Ronny Markes (19-7)

After an undisclosed medical issue bounced Josh Barnett from this card, Bellator MMA was forced to find a last minute replacement for his fight with Ronny Markes. Thankfully Matt Mitrione was able to step up with about a week to go, but that’s certainly easier for a Heavyweight to do than most fighters who worry about their weight cut. The last few years have not been kind to him though — he lost a tournament bout to Ryan Bader, had a fight end in a no contest, then suffered a technical knockout loss in the rematch in part because he forgot his mouthpiece. Hopefully he remembered to pack it this time. Markes is only 1-2 in his last three bouts as well, but did score a technical knockout win at his last fight for PFL in 2019. Being 10 years the younger of the two at 31, I think Father Time will be on Markes’ side.
Final prediction: Ronny Markes wins via first round knockout

155 lbs.: Nick Newell (16-3) vs. Zach Zane (14-9)

I was a believer in Nick Newell during his World Series of Fighting days. He ran up a perfect 11-0 record right until he ran into Justin Gaethje, and then he was on the wrong side of a one-sided ass whooping. He’s got advantages in areas that you wouldn’t expect until you examine the details. Not having a full left arm makes it harder for opponents to grapple with him standing, and not having the heft of that arm allows him to be more muscular in all other areas and still meet the Lightweight division pound limit. If you’ve ever been bashed by his shoulder or stump on that side you know just how strong he is. The flip side is what we saw in his last fight — take him down and you can make him miserable trying to get back up. He has one less hand to push off the canvas with, to punch an opponent in the face with, to grab a limb for a submission or a sweep with. Zane has only lost two of his last twelve fights, so while Newell’s record looks better on paper, it did against Manny Muro going into that fight as well.
Final prediction: Zach Zane by unanimous decision
That’s a wrap!

**JIBBBY** · 03-13-20, 11:02 AM

https://combatpress.com/2020/03/bellator-241-pitbull-vs-carvalho-preview-and-predictions/

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/3/12/21177540/bellator-241-pitbull-vs-carvalho-staff-picks-predictions

**Thrilla** · 03-13-20, 02:02 PM

Bellator makes last-minute decision to cancel Friday’s Bellator 241

mmaweekly.com

https://www.mmaweekly.com/bellator-makes-last-minute-decision-to-cancel-fridays-bellator-241-coronavirus-covid-19

**JIBBBY** · 03-13-20, 02:04 PM

I'm gonna focking scream!!!!!

I capped the shiiit out this event and already placed a dozen or more bets down.. ERRRRR!!!

**JIBBBY** · 03-13-20, 02:07 PM

I don't get it? There is no health and safety concerns with an empty arena and just a couple guys fighting in the octagon!!

WTF???? Why cancel?

**Sanity Check** · 03-13-20, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by JIBBBY

I don't get it? There is no health and safety concerns with an empty arena and just a couple guys fighting in the octagon!!

WTF???? Why cancel?

Bellator is losing millions of dollars, in its normal day to day operations.

I guess they decided to cut their losses, rather than bleed more money, putting on shows with no crowd.

Let's see how fake news twists things to pretend bellator is doing this out of moral concern, rather than Scott Coker not being the best businessman.

**JIBBBY** · 03-13-20, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by Sanity Check

Bellator is losing millions of dollars, in its normal day to day operations.

I guess they decided to cut their losses, rather than bleed more money, putting on shows with no crowd.

Let's see how fake news twists things to pretend bellator is doing this out of moral concern, rather than Scott Coker not being the best businessman.

I'm so pissed off right now Sanity.. I spent 2 hours capping this event this morning and placing bets. Started this thread..

If Bellator was to cancel they should have announced it LAST NIGHT!!! Such a shiity thing to do.. Fuk Scott Coker..

You don't do this to your fans after announcing the event would go on with no fans the day before!!!

**PaperTrail07** · 03-13-20, 02:35 PM

weird way to cancel-make fighter make weight n shit then cancel lol....

Originally posted by JIBBBY

I'm so pissed off right now Sanity.. I spent 2 hours capping this event this morning and placing bets. Started this thread..

If Bellator was to cancel they should have announced it LAST NIGHT!!! Such a shiity thing to do.. Fuk Scott Coker..

You don't do this to your fans after announcing the event would go on with no fans the day before!!!

**JIBBBY** · 03-13-20, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by PaperTrail07

weird way to cancel-make fighter make weight n shit then cancel lol....

REALLY unfair to the fighters.. I'm sure they all don't get paid now either..

**JAKEPEAVY21** · 03-13-20, 03:25 PM

jibby mushed it

stay away from the ufc thread

**Demonata** · 03-13-20, 03:25 PM

penetrating pissed off!!!! They better not penetrating cancel the ufc tomorrow

**JIBBBY** · 03-13-20, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by Demonata

penetrating pissed off!!!! They better not penetrating cancel the ufc tomorrow

I'm concerned even after the Dana public speech stating "fights will go on".. Anything can and could happen last minute..

This was actually a pretty solid Bellator card too..

. I was pumped for it..

Bellator 241 - Featherweight 5 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut - DAZN
Fri 3/13	3001 Pedro Carvalho	+600	o1½ -125
10:00PM	3002 Patricio Freire	-900	u1½ +105
Bellator 241 - Featherweight 5 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut - DAZN
Fri 3/13	3101 Daniel Weichel	+140	o4½ -210
10:00PM	3102 Emmanuel Sanchez	-160	u4½ +175
Bellator 241 - Welterweight 3 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut - DAZN
Fri 3/13	3201 Sabah Homasi	+300	o1½ +120
10:00PM	3202 Paul Daley	-360	u1½ -140
Bellator 241 - Heavyweight 3 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut - DAZN
Fri 3/13	3301 Ronny Markes	+125	o1½ +120
10:00PM	3302 Matt Mitrione	-145	u1½ -140
Bellator 241 - Middleweight 3 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut - DAZN
Fri 3/13	3401 Fabio Aguiar	+775	o1½ -120
10:00PM	3402 Anatoly Tokov	-1200	u1½ +100
Bellator 241 - Lightweight 3 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut
Fri 3/13	3501 Zach Zane	+170	o1½ -170
10:00PM	3502 Nick Newell	-200	u1½ +150
Bellator 241 - Welterweight 3 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut
Fri 3/13	3601 Billy Goff	+500
7:00PM	3602 Robson Gracie Jr	-900
Bellator 241 - Lightweight 3 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut
Fri 3/13	3701 Killys Mota	-135
7:00PM	3702 Nate Andrews	-105
Bellator 241 - Middleweight 3 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut
Fri 3/13	3801 Pat McCrohan	+375
7:00PM	3802 Jordan Newman	-565
Bellator 241 - Welterweight 3 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut
Fri 3/13	3901 Ion Pascu	-125
7:00PM	3902 Mark Lemminger	-115
Bellator 241 - Lightweight 3 rounds - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, Connecticut
Fri 3/13	4001 Vladimir Tokov	-300
7:00PM	4002 Marcus Surin	+220