Patricky Pitbull stays essentially the most iconic identify below the Bellator banner and for good cause. A longtime champion and star for the group, he’s develop into iconic and arguably one of many faces of the promotion.
That mentioned, it’s just a little unusual he’s relegated to co-main occasion for this week’s occasion. However no less than this card has a lot to supply. The principle occasion will as a substitute be the sunshine heavyweight event closing for all of the marbles, as present champ Vadim Nemkov (15-2) faces Corey Anderson (16-5) within the finals. This can be a rematch of their earlier battle, which ended by way of no-contest on account of a clashing of heads.
Nemkov stays a stellar fighter with nice timing on his strikes and good takedown protection paired with vicious kicks. However Anderson is clearly on the peak of his powers proper now, using each his explosive takedown pictures and his use of vary. Add to {that a} newfound refinement of his boxing method in addition to some main energy behind it, and also you’ve bought a harmful contender. His departure from the UFC might have been for the most effective, as his performances and focus have been enormously improved. It’s not a fluke that he’s been 3-0 (1 NC) since then and is inside distance of getting a shiny new belt for his efforts.
Circling again to Pitbull (24-10), he actually did loads together with his final outing wherein he not solely avenged his loss to Eire’s Peter Queally, however captured the then-vacant light-weight title within the course of. Now he makes his first protection on this reign in opposition to surging phenom Usman Nurmagomedov (15-0). One other fighter below Abdulmanap’s lineage, he’s undefeated with solely two determination wins. He’s bought a formidable file by way of performances and his method is totally there. Drawback is his stage of competitors isn’t wherever close to what Pitbull’s has been.
MMA Math however, he would possibly pull off a fairly surprising upset right here. His wrestling and submission recreation are what you’d count on from anybody with the Nurmagomedov identify. His hanging can be fairly good, however he could also be inclined to Pitbull’s counterstrikes and energy.
Daniel Weichel (42-13) stays one of many least acknowledged mainstays for Bellator, regardless of having some very spectacular performances. He’s been alternating wins and losses since 2018, however made an announcement in his final win in opposition to Rob Whiteford this previous Could. He will get to welcome Timur Khizriev (11-0). Khizriev is a submission terror that manages to be fairly nice at every little thing else, too. Having a debut in opposition to a longtime veteran like Weichel is an announcement in itself and a testomony to his expertise and the expectations Bellator has for him. Nevertheless it may be a bit a lot given the experiment hole. It must be loads of enjoyable as each are well-rounded and have devastating submission video games.
Tyrell Fortune (12-2) remains to be quietly chugging alongside as a part of the Bellator homegrown challenge, which goes nicely in his case. He had a terrific outing in opposition to Rakim Cleveland in his final bout, and now meets skilled floor striker and heavy hitter Daniel James (13-6).
Roman Faraldo (8-0) has been dynamite for Bellator to this point, because the American Prime Staff member has had some showstopping performances. Now he will get a step up in opposition to Georgian Levan Chokheli (10-2), who has had a little bit of a tough go of it in Bellator after having a sensational file elsewhere.
Imamshafi Aliev (8-0) and Sean Fallon (16-7) will make their Bellator debuts in opposition to one another. Aliev has a powerful basis regardless of combating considerably inexperienced opposition, whereas Fallon has regarded good in opposition to some not-so-impressive opposition. That doesn’t imply he’s a pushover, he might completely spoil the approaching out occasion for Aliev right here.
Lastly, Killys Mota (13-3) meets fellow Brazilian Jairo Pacheco (7-0), whereas up and comer Archie Colgan (5-0) seems to maintain his undefeated streak going in opposition to Jesse Hannam (2-1)
You’ll be able to take a look at the weigh-ins right here:
Primary card:
Vadim Nemkov (203.8) vs. Corey Anderson (204.2) – Mild heavyweight event closing, for Bellator mild heavyweight championship
Patricky Freire (154) vs. Usman Nurmagomedov (154.8) – Bellator light-weight championship
Timur Khizriev (146) vs. Daniel Weichel (145.2) – Featherweight
Tyrell Fortune (257.2) vs. Daniel James (264.8) – Heavyweight
Levan Chokheli (170.6) vs. Roman Faraldo (170.8) – Welterweight
Prelims:
Imamshafi Aliev (185.8) vs. Sean Fallon (185.6) – Middleweight
Killys Mota (155.6) vs. Jairo Pacheco (155.6) – Light-weight
Archie Colgan (154.8) vs. Jesse Hannam (155.8) – Light-weight
Sullivan Cauley (205.6) vs. Jay Radick (205.6) – Mild heavyweight
Jordan Newman (185.6) vs. Jayden Taulker (185.6) – Middleweight
Laird Anderson (145.6) vs. Rob Fenicle (146.0) – Featherweight
Isaiah Hokit (145.4) vs. Matias Nader (144.0) – Featherweight
Wladmir Gouvea (265.8) vs. Kory Moegenburg (246.2) – Heavyweight
Bellator 288: Nemkov vs Anderson takes place this Friday evening with the prelims streaming dwell and free on Bellator’s YouTube channel beginning at 6:00pm EST. The principle card begins at 9:00pm and airs solely on Showtime.
