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Coming off of a weekend that seen possibly the biggest upset in MMA history, we now move to another weekend that is full of MMA action. The festivities will be starting off with Bellator 146, which will be headlined by a middleweight division clash between Hisaki Kato and Melvin Manhoef. Also, Bubba Jenkins faces Jordan Parsons and fan favorite slugger Houston Alexander returns to Bellator MMA.
Main Card
Main Event
Bellator MMA Middleweight Division Fight
“The Japanese Musketeer†Hisaki Kato (5-1-0) vs. Melvin “No Mercy†Manhoef (29-12-1-2NC)
Kato is currently undefeated in Bellator MMA, having defeated Joe Schilling by second round knockout at Bellator 139. Manhoef has only won just one of three under the Bellator MMA banner, with that lone win coming over Doug Marshall at Bellator 125. Prior to coming to Bellator MMA earlier this year, Kato primarily fought in the Heat promotion, where four of his five fights there ended in the first round. Manhoef has been competing in combat sports for well over a decade now and he hasalso appeared in several DREAM tournaments. Manhoef’s chin is declining with every fight he participates in, Kato gets a huge knockout win when he finishes Manhoef in the first.
Co-Main Event
Bellator MMA Featherweight Division Fight
“The Highlight Kid†Bubba Jenkins (9-2-0) vs. Jordan “Pretty Boy†Parsons (11-1-0)
Jenkins has spent the majority of his career in Bellator MMA, with his biggest promotional win coming over Poppies Martinez at Bellator 122. Parsons is currently undefeated in Bellator MMA, last defeating Julio Cesar Neves Jr. At Bellator 137. Jenkins also spent a little time in the Tachi Palace Fights promotion, where he earned two wins via first round stoppage. Parsons is a former Championship Fighting Alliance Featherweight Champion, he competed in the promotion from 2011 to 2012. Jenkins strength comes from grounding his opponent for the majority of the fight, Jenkins keeps Parsons on the ground with his wrestling to secure a decision.
Bellator MMA Welterweight Division Fight
Chidi “Chidi Bang Bang†Njokuani (13-4-0-1NC) vs. Ricky “The Sniper†Rainey (11-3-0)
Njokuani will be making his Bellator MMA debut in this fight, but he did hold welterweight titles in both Tachi Palace Fights and the Resurrection Fighting Alliance. Rainey has won three of four fights under the Bellator MMA banner and he did compete on the first Bellator MMA pay-per-view. This fight should be a slugfest for as long as it lasts, Njokuani will eventually drop Rainey with a flurry of strikes to make a successful promotional debut.
Bellator MMA Lightweight Division Fight
Derek “The Stallion†Campos (15-5-0) vs. Brandon Girtz (13-4-0)
Campos has won three of five fights in his second Bellator MMA run, most notably defeating UFC veteran Estevan Payan at Bellator 126. Girtz is coming off his first main event bout for Bellator MMA, where he defeated UFC veteran Melvin Guillard at Bellator 141. The winner of this fight should move into title contention, but it will be Girtz using his wrestling to grind out a decision.
Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Houston “The Assassin†Alexander (16-12-1-2NC) vs. Guilherme Viana (6-2-0)
Alexander will enter the fight on a two fight losing streak and he has not achieved a victory in nearly two years. Viana is currently winless in Bellator MMA competition, dropping about to Francis Carmont at Bellator 135. Alexander’s only shot at winning is to turn the fight into a brawl, but Viana will play it smart and ground Alexander to get a decision.
Preliminary Card
Francisco France over Ben Reiter
Israel Giron over Mark Dickman
Arlene Blencowe over Gabrielle Holloway
Josh Neer over Andre Santos
Julia Budd over Roberta Paim Rovel
Alonzo Menifield over Zach Rosol
George Pacurariu over Stephen Banaszak
Chris Jones over Tristan Thomison
Eli Tamez over Roshaun Jones
Sean Holden over Justin Patterson
Bubba McDaniel over Kenyon Jackson
