Remember how you guys were talking about the awful matchmaking in Bellator? The red corner odds for the main card tonight is +445, -660, -425, and -270...
I don't know, I just don't see the big deal with giving Anderson a tune up. Gets his feet wet and some momentum to build on. If he doesn't get a real contender next it'll be suspect.
There’s a strong case to be made Manhoef should not be fighting anymore. A tune up fight is one thing, but this was piss poor matchmaking.
I don't know who Manhoef is so I just looked him up. He's fought both Mark Hunt and Robbie Lawler. That's wild lol.
The more I think about it, the more annoyed I am that they are moving Izzy up right now...right as Jon leaves the division and they get some motion and clarity with new contenders. If he wins, someone gets hurt, or the fight is a "robbery" decision warranting a rematch, you have most likely clogged up the division (just like DC/Stipe did at Heavyweight). Then they'll probably try to work in Jones and just leave Glover, Jiri, and all the rest hanging. Then I don't really know what you do with Whittaker if things are held up... Does he just keep knocking off more contenders?
Kevin rocks. what a maniac! isn't this his 5th fight this year? He's gotta be the most successful fighter to come from the contender series behind O'malley, right? Don't see him winning this though
It’ll be his 5th fight this year, yeah. He didn’t have his first fight in 2020 until May either. Massive step up for him. Joins Khamzat as someone going from unranked to fighting a top5 guy.
Honestly that’s so huge for him I’m blown away. But somewhat deserved! He’s faced some pretty tough guys in his career and has really solid skills. Excited for that.
I think we’re gonna be seeing a lot more Khamzat/Holland type guys in 2021. These two have shown that fighting super frequently (while winning obviously, even if it’s against some low hanging fruit) is probably the best path to fighting a top ranked guy way earlier than you normally would and probably the “easier” path to a title shot. Typically, there’s a lot of maneuvering around and politicking when you get in the top 5-7 range (See: Leon) and these two are completely avoiding it by fighting every 6-8 weeks essentially.
That was awful lol Maybe I’m just irritable this weekend from potentially having COVID, but this commentary is uncharacteristically getting on my nerves. They’re both tripping over their words (Anik called a clear kick a “knee” and called a clear elbow a “right hand”, Dom has used double-negatives incorrectly multiple times). Both times they brought in Trevor Whitman for commentary in that last fight, he was interrupted by a kick to the groin. Even during the Santos style breakdown, they analyze a clip where he throws a flying knee, misses, falls down and ends up mounted lol.
Will be interesting to see how Santos looks coming off some pretty major knee surgeries. If it looks like he’s got his legs under him, I like his odds at capturing the belt by the end of 2021.
Not sure how to call this next one. Santos seems like the obvious and easy choice, but Glover and his fight IQ always surprises me so I think I’m actually picking him.
man that's some 0iq fighting but those first two rounds were brutal. he was dead after that beating. Glover looks tough to beat. Give Whittaker to Izzy again and let Glover fight for the belt after that.
Glad I went with Glover lol I think his smothering ground game had Santos broken, especially since he basically had him finished at the end of round 2. Santos was doing well and hurting him in round 3, but he seriously looked like he wanted out the second that Glover got out from underneath him. Rolled straight over and gave up his back then tapped after just a couple of seconds.