Bellator continues their season with Bellator 40. The card takes place Saturday night at the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla, and the main card will air live on MTV2. For the first time this season, a Bellator champion will take a non-title fight. Plus, both the welterweight and lightweight tournaments continue.
Ben Askren vs. Nick Thompson
Perhaps it is due to his wrestling background, but Askren has an extremely refreshing attitude towards MMA. He understands that his stand up game is not the best and his wrestling game is one of the best skill sets in the sport. Thompson is an interesting opponent. He is a solid fighter, who should never be called durable. Askren has not been able to really damage his opponents, so expect this fight to go the distance. Askren will dominate with his wrestling and might catch a late-round submission due to a cardio advantage.
Pick =Ben Askren
Film Study: Ben Askren vs. Moza Fay (wrestling style)
Welterweight Tournament Fight
Brent Weedman vs. Jay Hieron
Weedman moved out of the first round with a questionable decision over Dan Hornbuckle. His wide-open grappling style made for an exciting ground fight. In this fight, Hieron should have the defensive wrestling to stay on his feet. In the stand up fight, Hieron will have a big edge. A stoppage victory is not out of the question here.
Pick = Jay Hieron
Film Study: Jay Hieron vs. Delson Heleno
Lightweight Tournament Fight
Lloyd Woodard vs. Michael Chandler
In the first round, Woodard show that he was in fact ready to move past the Northwest regional scene. Carey Vanier was able to get in deep on shots, but he could not finish the takedowns. So far this season former collegiate wrestlers have been mostly duds, but Chandler will be the exception. He will be able to finish the takedowns that Vanier could not. Plus, in the first round he proved extremely difficult to submit.
Pick = Michael Chandler
Film Study: Michael Chandler vs. Jordan Leen (wrestling style)