Bellator 270: Gallagher vs. Mix MMA Odds and Betting Picks

Bad blood is boiling, and one fighter is even sliding into the other’s DM’s (so to speak) as Irishman James Gallagher returns home to face Patchy Mix in Friday's co-main event at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. We make our Gallagher vs. Mix picks for Bellator 270.

Rising contenders in the bantamweight division, Gallagher and Mix have been on a collision course for months. The two were originally set to meet in the Bellator cage back in May, but a shoulder injury forced Gallagher off the card (an imaginary injury, according to Mix).

Since their bout was nixed and subsequently rescheduled, “The Strabanimal” has been running his mouth and even sliding into Mix’s DM’s in an attempt to burrow his way under the former King of the Cage champion’s skin. Any advantage, psychological or physical, will be important on Friday night. It’s widely expected that the winner will be next in line for a bantamweight title shot.

Here are my picks and predictions for Friday’s Bellator 270 bantamweight tilt between Mix and Gallagher (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).

Gallagher vs. Mix Fight Info

Date/Time: Friday, November 5, 4:30 p.m. ET (main card)TV: ShowtimeLocation: 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland

Gallagher vs. Mix Odds Analysis

Mix opened as a considerable favorite (-300) over Gallagher (+230), and the margin has only widened as the fight draws nearer. The American is now a -340 favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook, and -365 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Fans of Gallagher (who definitely shouldn’t be this much of a dog), can snag him at +280 at DraftKings or +260 at Fanduel.

James Gallagher Betting Profile

A 25-year-old Irishman with a flair for restricting his opponent’s air supply, Gallagher is fighting under the Bellator banner in his home country for the fourth time. Although his resume isn’t littered with big names or signature wins, Gallagher sports an impressive 8-1 record in Bellator, with his lone loss coming against Ricky Bandejas (himself a rising star at the time) back in 2018.

Since the loss to Bandejas, Gallagher has gone on a tear. He has strung together four straight victories, three of which came via first-round submission. Of his 11 career professional wins, nine were submissions. Seven of those submissions were rear-naked chokes.

In conclusion: Don’t let Gallagher take your back.

Patchy Mix Betting Profile

Although Mix doesn’t have as many fights in Bellator as Gallagher, his resume contains a higher level of opponent. Patchy actually holds a submission win over the aforementioned Bandejas. He even fought for the vacant Bellator bantamweight title in 2020 but suffered a decision loss to top-ranked 135-pounder Juan Archuleta (Archuleta eventually lost the title to current kingpin Sergio Pettis).

Not to be outdone by Gallagher, Mix is an absolute nightmare when the fight hits the floor, racking up submission victories in all four of his wins in RIZIN/Bellator. Unlike Gallagher, “No Love” makes his opponents desperately tap in a variety of ways, not just by choke. Of his 14 career wins, 10 were via submission.

So maybe Mix doesn’t want Gallagher to take his back, but he’s probably not afraid to meet the Irishman on the mat.

Gallagher vs. Mix Betting Pick

Gallagher to win (+280) ??

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Gallagher vs. Mix Betting Prediction

Gallagher to win (+280)

When a pair of submission specialists are tossed into a cage, their skills on the mat often cancel the other out. This means there’s a good chance Gallagher/Mix plays out on the feet. Although neither is an absolute killer, Gallagher will do just enough to score the giant upset (it might even take some home cooking from the judges).

Picks made 11/03/21 at 10:30 p.m. ET.