Bellator launches another tournament with the beginning of the season 10 welterweight tourney. The problem, unfortunately, is the tourney has already been devastated by injury and the replacements, while game, aren’t particularly elite talent when viewed as a group.
Still, the card is headlined by the trilogy fight between a current and former champion. Both fighters are two of the better on the entire Bellator roster and while the fight was no created out of huge fan demand, the stakes are sufficiently high.
Will Pat Curran reclaim his title? Does Daniel Straus have what it takes to prove he’s better than Curran? I answer these questions and more with my predictions for tonight’s fights.
What: Bellator 112
Where: The Venue at Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana
When: Friday, the seven-fight preliminary card starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on Spike.com. The five-fight main card starts on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET.
I’m honestly not sure what to make of this one. Is Curran right that he wasn’t himself in their rematch and sleep walked through the entire affair? Or is it the case that there’s relative parity at the top of the Bellator featherweight division and Straus’ style is just a bad fit for Curran? I truly don’t know, but I can’t say that because this article requires me to be definitive. In that case, I still think Curran struggles with the wrestling and fence pressure Straus applies, although perhaps lands more cleanly at distance, making the bout somewhat closer.
Pick: Straus
Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Andrey Koreshkov
Burrell is a talented guy, but has no urgency. Koreshkov has all sorts of technical issues, but is a much more proactive fighter. I am of the belief the Russian is going to take the fight to Burrell and while he might over commit or slip up a time or two, he’ll win because the one pursuing the fight.
Pick: Koreshkov
Cristiano Souza vs. Sam Orapeza
He’s a little too old to call him a prospect even if we recognize he’s still in the earlier stages of his professional MMA career. However we label him, Souza should win this handily. Orapeza has been a staple of the Jersey MMA scene for some time and is a well-rounded talent, but doesn’t do anything as well as Souza grapples. The Brazilian should be able to get the takedown and work a submission from there or at least hold position en route to a decision.
Pick: Souza
Jesse Juarez vs. Adam McDonough
Not a fight between two high-level fighters, but Juarez is a little less wild and has much more experience against more seasoned competition. I’ll go with the more proven fighter.
Pick: Juarez