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Being in the middle of an MMA sandwich is not a bad place, because Bellator is just one of three MMA promotions running events this weekend. That is because the Xtreme Fighting Championships is running on Friday alongside Bellator, while the UFC runs on Saturday afternoon. Bellator has put up an excellent preliminary card that will stream live on Spike.com with a UFC veteran in action, along with a former Bellator Welterweight Champion as well.
Kicking off the action is a welterweight division fight as Kris “Savage†McCray (7-3-0) squares off with Ailton Barbosa (10-3-0). Kris McCray has won two straight fights since being released by the UFC, where he was a finalist on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 11. Ailton Barbosa has split both of his fights in Bellator, defeating Ryan Keenan and suffering a defeat to Valdir Araujo. This is a great way to kick off the Bellator stream, but it will be Ailton Barbosa picking up the biggest victory of his career.
Another welterweight battle is next as Levon “Da Maynmann†Maynard (12-8-0) stands across the cage from Lyman “Cyborg†Good (11-2-0). Levon Maynard has won one of three in Bellator competition, with that lone victory coming over Christopher Wing at Bellator 59. Lyman Good was the first Bellator Welterweight Champion, defeating Omar De La Cruz in a tournament final at Bellator 11. This fight will be a stern test for Lyman Good, but it will be a test that the former champion will be passing.
We move to the lightweight division for the next fight as Mikhail Malyutin (21-9-0) is set for action against EJ “The Pretty Boy†Brooks (5-0-0). Mikhail Malyutin has won two straight fights heading into Friday Night, last competing at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson. EJ Brooks is an undefeated fighter who has won two straight in Bellator competition, defeating both Greg Scott and William De Souza. This will be the end of the undefeated streak for EJ Brooks as Mikhail Malyutin wins in his Bellator debut.
Featherweight fighters will be featured next as Andy Main (5-1-0) does battle with Will Martinez Jr. (3-2-0). Andy Main started off his MMA career in impressive fashion with four straight victories, mainly competing in the Ring Of Combat promotion. Will Martinez Jr. has won two straight fights heading into this fight, but he has not competed in nearly a year. The layoff is going to hurt Will Martinez Jr. in this fight as Andy Main pulls out the victory in this featherweight battle.
More featherweight action is next as Scott “The Animal†Heckman (9-3-0) will compete with Lester Caslow (7-6-0). Scott Heckman has split both of his fights in Bellator, defeating Brylan Van Artsdalen and suffering a defeat to Alexandre Bezerra. Lester Caslow has lost three of four heading into this one, with one of those losses coming at Bellator 33. This will be an interesting encounter to check out, but it will be Scott Heckman getting the win in the end.
Up next is a middleweight division fight as Duane Bastress (4-1-0) is scheduled for battle against Plinio Cruz (5-4-0). Duane Bastress is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, having defeated Daniel Gracie at Bellator 54. Plinio Cruz has lost two straight fights leading into Friday Night, most recently competing in M-1 Challenge. This is a battle between two great up and coming fighters, but it will be Duane Bastress getting the duke in the end.
Headlining this portion of the card is a featherweight division fight as Jay Haas (10-8-0) faces Kenny “The Tooth Fairy†Foster (9-6-0). Jay Haas has lost two straight fights heading into this fight, primarily competing in the Pennsylvania Fighting Championships. Kenny Foster has lost four straight fights heading into this one and he could very well be fighting to avoid a release here. This is a battle between two fighters looking to get on track, but it will be Kenny Foster ending his losing streak.
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