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In between a pair of UFC events will be another star studded event from the always entertaining Bellator Fighting Championships. The main card for the event is a loaded one that will feature three separate tournament finals and a big lightweight bout. The preliminary card is worth checking out as well, with six huge fights that can impact future tournaments.
Kicking off the action is a lightweight division fight as Chris “Lionheart†Jones (8-2-0) competes against Robert White (0-0-0). Jones is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, having defeated Steven Peterson at Bellator 62. White will be making his professional MMA debut in this fight, but he has competed many times as an amateur. White made a bad move in making his pro debut against Jones, as Jones will dominate him to spoil his pro debut.
Heavyweights will be stepping into the cage next as Raphael “The Silencer†Butler (7-0-0) does battle against Josh Burns (7-6-0). Butler is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, defeating both Jeremiah O’Neal and Joseph Bryant. Burns has only won two of his last eight fights and is returning to Bellator after being away for more than a year. Butler has been looking absolutely dominant thus far in his MMA career and that domination will continue on Friday Night.
A pair of light heavyweights are fighting next as Ryan McCurdy (8-3-0) is in action against “Crazy†Mike Mucitelli (5-0-0-1NC). McCurdy has won six of his last seven fights, with only one of those seven fights going to the judge’s scorecards. Mucitelli is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, but is coming off of a no contest against Jeff Nader after an accidental eye poke. McCurdy is easily the toughest challenge that Mucitelli has faced thus far in his career, but Mucitelli will overcome the challenge to get the win.
More light heavyweight division action is next as Matt Jones (4-5-0) takes on Linton “The Swarm†Vassell (11-3-0-1NC). Jones will enter the fight riding a two fight losing streak and he has not won a fight in well over a full year. Vassell will enter the fight riding a six fight winning streak and he is a longtime veteran of the Ultimate Challenge MMA promotion. Vassell is a far superiorly skilled fighter when compared to Jones and that will show as he picks up his first Bellator win.
Up next is a light heavyweight division fight as Jonas Billstein (11-3-0) battles Cortez “Crazy Cowboy†Coleman (9-4-0). Billstein has only won one of three under the Bellator banner, with that lone win coming over Mike Seal at Bellator 70. Coleman has split both of his previous Bellator fights, defeating Matt Jones and suffering a defeat to Keith Berry. This could wind up being a big fight for a future tournament slot, but it will be Billstein getting the victory.
Headlining this portion of the card is a lightweight division fight as Derek “The Stallion†Campos (12-3-0) faces Martin “.50 Caliber†Stapleton (12-2-0). Campos will enter the fight riding a three fight winning streak, which includes a win over the top rated Derrick Krantz. Stapleton competed in the season nine lightweight tournament, losing to Saad Awad in the opening round. This fight should be part of the main card, but it will be Stapleton squeaking out the victory either way in this one.
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