A wise man once said, “there are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Saturday night Bellator cards on MTV2.” The promotion steams on with their fourth season. Bellator 41, which takes place at the Cocopah Resort in Yuma, Ariz., features a pair of champions in non-title fights and the semifinals of the featherweight tournament.
Joe Warren vs. Marcos Galvao
This fight is the perfect example of my Bellator-non-title-fights conspiracy theory. The theory is, the promotion actively looks for fighters with less than stellar chins. Despite being known mostly for being starched in back-to-back WEC fights, Galvao is a solid positional grappler. The problem for him is this fight will only be on the ground if he is on his back. On the feet, Warren hits with bone crushing power, and we have already addressed Galvao’s ability to take punishment.
Pick = Joe Warren
Film Study: Marcos Galvao vs. Masakatsu Ueda
Zach Makovsky vs. Chad Robichaux
In a complete contradiction to my conspiracy theory, Bellator has matched their bantamweight champion with an undefeated fighter. Despite his gaudy 11-0 record, Robichaux is mostly a straight grappler. If he can get the fight to the ground, he has has a chance. However, Makovsky’s well-rounded game will be the story of this fight. He should be able to stay on his feet and run game on Robichaux. I will not lie. Part of me is rooting for Robichaux, because I want to see how the promotion will handle a champion losing in a non-title fight.
Pick = Zach Makovsky
Film Study: Chad Robichaux vs. Urabe Kenji (2008 Mundials)
Bellator Featherweight Tournament Semifinal
Patricio Freire vs. Wilson Reis
I do wonder why Bellator has matched these two up in back-to-back tournaments. In last year’s tournament, Freire defeated Reis and it was not really that close. Reis is a quality grappler, but he is not going to be able to lace a submission on “Pitbull.” On the feet, this fight is a simple mismatch. Look for Freire to move on to the finals of a second-straight bracket.
Pick = Patricio Freire
Film Study: Patricio Freire vs. Georgi Karakhanyan
Bellator Featherweight Tournament Semifinal
Kenny Foster vs. Daniel Straus
In the first round of the tournament, Foster was able to take advantage of Eric Larkin’s inexperience, blitz him and catch him in a guillotine choke. Straus has improved significantly over the course of his short career, and this must be, at least partially, due to the fact that he has fought 18 times in two years. Look for Straus to have the advantage on the feet and take over in the later rounds.
Pick = Daniel Straus
Film Study: Daniel Straus vs. Mike Baskis
Reading List: Josh Cross’ interview with Daniel Straus
I think it’s pretty simple how Bellator would deal with a champ losing a non title fight.
Book a rematch in a title fight and that ends that.
Just like they did in Pride when Gomi lost to Aurelio in a non title fight.
They fought again in a title fight which Gomi won.
You must have missed all the billions of times Bjorn Rebney has said “In Bellator, you have to win a tournament in order to fight for the title.” It is kind of like their business model, but thanks for the history lesson.
I think you’ll go perfect on these Richard. The only one I think has a chance of being different (although of course its mma they could all lose) would be Foster grabbing a sub. Other than that I think you hit the head for everything.
Yeah you’re welcome for the history lesson you arrogant SOB.
Bjorn has said a billion times.
So I guess you’ve never heard a promoter backtrack on his comments before or just straight up lie.
WTF like they wouldn’t book an immediate rematch for the title and would just carry on & pretend it never happened.
That is why I said I wanted to see it. I want to see if he will “backtrack on his comments.. or just straight up lie.” You made my point for me.
This is the brother of the Pit Bull that beat Toby Imada a couple of weeks ago correct ? A little confusing since they have the same nickname !
Yep Joe, Older brother.
They’re going to be very good.
This is Patricio, the featherweight. Patricky is the lightweight who beat Imada.
Ah, I completely misunderstood the question.
You were both right, I just watched the card and these brothers steal the show everytime they fight ! Great knock out ! Warren did not look so unbeatable this time !