Bellator 84 Predictions

Dave’s Picks

Main Card

Richard Hale vs. Alexander Volkov: Watching the tough Rich Hale has been a blast the past 2 years. He always brings it and, for the most part, finds a way to win. But this is where the train stops. Volkov is for real and UFC caliber. He has made everyone he has faced in Bellator look foolish. Yes, in his last fight he got help from the worse ref ever but Hale does not have the ground game that Queiroz has. I see Volkov using that reach to keep Hale away and peppering him until he finds that opening and takes Hale out. = Volkov by TKO in round 2.

Dave Jansen vs. Marcin Held: Held has looked great and did an amazing job against the always tough Rich Clementi. I think Held is just the better fighter. I thought Jansen lost his fight against Tirloni but he is still dangerous everywhere the fight goes. I just think Held will be able to control the fight and find a way to win. = Held by submission in round 3.

Felice Herrig vs. Patricia Vidonic: Herrig by split decision.

Prelims

Kevin Nowaczyk vs. Quinton McCottrel: Nowaczyk by by submission in round 1.

Cliff Wright vs. Christian Uflacker: Wright by split decision.

Daniel Vizcaya vs. Jack Hermansson: Hermansson by TKO in round 3.

Anton Talamantes vs. Anthony Gomez: Gomez by split decision.

Louis Taylor vs. Joe Vedepo: Vedepo by submission in round 2.

Sam’s Picks

Main Card

Richard Hale vs. Alexander Volkov: This fight is bound to be a barnburner. Hale brings a lot of power and even more toughness but Volkov is the next big thing. He has looked absolutely fantastic in his last two bouts with Brett Rogers and Vinicius Queiroz. His striking is powerful and insanely accurate and his kicks are just the same. Hale has shown in the past that he is susceptible to being KO’d and that’s exactly what Volkov’s going to do. He’s going to pick him part and land a highlight reel finish = Volkov via 3^rd round KO.

Dave Jansen vs. Marcin Held: Held is very similar to Volkov in the fact that he is very young and growing yet he is one of the best in Bellator. At only 20 years old, Held is already 15-2 with wins over both Rich Clementi and Philipe Nover. His standup is questionable but his ground game is fantastic. I personally believe that Jansen lost to Tirloni, pretty handily honestly. He is very well rounded though and that could definitely spell trouble for Held in the standup department. But I have a feeling Jansen’s going to go for a takedown and land in a leg lock = Held via 1^st round submission.

Patricia Vidonic vs. Felice Herrig = Herrig via unanimous decision.

Prelims

Kevin Nowaczyk vs. Quinton McCottrel: Nowaczyk via 1^st round submission.

Cliff Wright vs. Christian Uflacker: Wright via split decision.

Daniel Vizcaya vs. Jack Hermansson: Hermansson via 1^st round KO.

Anton Talamantes vs. Anthony Gomez: Gomez via split decision.

Louis Taylor vs. Joe Vedepo: Vedepo via 1^st round submission.

XFC 19: Charlotte Showdown

XFC 19

Dave’s Picks

Roger Carroll vs. Nicolae Cury: Carroll by submission in round 2

Felice Herrig vs. Simona Soukupova: Herrig by unanimous decision.

David Mays vs. Nick Newell: Newell by submission in round 2.

Shane Crenshaw vs. Jason Hicks: Hicks by unanimous decision.

Joe Elmore vs. Kevin Forant: Elmore by unanimous decision.

Lawson McClure vs. Keith Richardson: McClure by unanimous decision.

Sam's Picks

Roger Carroll vs. Nicolae Cury = Cury by 1st round submission
Felice Herrig vs. Simona Soukapova = Herrig by 3rd round KO.
David Mays vs. Nick Newell = Newell by 1st round submission.
Shane Crenshaw vs. Jason Hicks = Hicks by unanimous decision.
Joe Elmore vs. Kevin Forant = Elmore by split decision.
Lawson McClure vs. Keith Richardson = Richardson by split decision.

RECHARGED: Shogun vs. Vera

Shogun Rua and Brandon Vera

Hello everyone! This is a new segment in which we are going to be posting your cure for the Mondays. It’s going to be a quick article on what to look forward to this week in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Who’s ready to get recharged?

This week in MMA holds two very exciting cards for both casual and hardcore fans alike.

The first of the two is XFC 19, which is being held in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is headlined by the always-tough Mike Bronzoulis, who is coming off a 2^nd round KO over Danny Salinas, against UFC vet, Corey Hill, who himself is coming off a quick anaconda choke victory over Darryl Madison. The co-feature of this event is between the popular, and the very beautiful, Felice Herrig against the underrated Simona Soukapova. This fight guarantees fireworks. The last bout I want to mention is between “Notorious” Nick Newell and David Mays. Nick Newell boasts an undefeated record of 7-0 with 6 of his wins coming within the first stanza.

He also just happens to have only one fully functioning arm. Yes, one. And he’s undefeated! Pretty amazing if you ask me (our interview with him earlier this year).

The other event the following day happens on Fox, which features light heavyweights Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Brandon Vera. A lot of people aren’t giving Vera a chance to win this fight, as he is 1-3 in his last four (if you count the Thiago Silva fight), but you should never count someone out in MMA. It is also co-headlined in another light heavyweight tilt that features former UFC champ Lyoto Machida and TUF winner Ryan Bader in a fight that could go either way.

We also welcome three new additions to the UFC roster as flyweight newbies Ulysses Gomez and John Moraga face off in the opening showdown. And Muay Thai specialist, Wagner Prado looks to make a huge splash at 205 pounds as he and Phil Davis look to cement themselves as top guys in the light heavyweight division.

Other events this week in chronological order: Reality Fighting: Battle at the Beach 2012, CES MMA: Far Beyond Driven, KOTC: Sudden Strike, Fightworld Cup 12, Warriors Realm 14, UVC 20: Clash at the Coliseum, Champion Pro MMA Fights, FFC 1: The Beginning, and Pancrase: Progress Tour 9.