Daniel Straus wants his Bellator featherweight title back, but he’ll have to go through Justin Wilcox to earn another shot. The two men meet in the headline bout of the Bellator 127 card from Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California.
If Straus gets an opportunity to regain his title, it won’t be versus the man who took the belt away from him. Back in March, Straus lost a rematch against Pat Curran via submission.
Curran subsequently lost the title to Patricio Freire last month. Bellator 145-pounders are seemingly playing hot potato with the belt, and Straus would love a chance to hold the belt next.
Per Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com, Straus said, “I’m ready to get back to work. I love to stay active, fight as much as I can, and now I have the opportunity to get back on the road to getting my title shot.”
Can Straus get back on track against Wilcox? Here’s how you can watch.
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. ET on Spike.com for prelims, 9 p.m. ET on Spike for main card
Where: Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California.
TV: Spike
Live Stream: Spike.com
Here’s a look at the complete card and predictions. Just beneath the table is a closer look at the top bouts on Friday night’s card.
Karo Parisyan vs. Fernando Gonzalez
Parisyan is a former UFC veteran who has been in with some of the best fighters of the era, including Georges St-Pierre, Nick Diaz, Matt Serra, Diego Sanchez and others.
He is primarily known for his submission skills, as evidenced by his 10 wins via tapout, but he has recently shown the ability to finish fights with his hands.
His last two wins have come via TKO.
Against Gonzalez, Parisyan will have to be careful during exchanges. Gonzalez is the stronger striker of the two. He’s finished eight bouts via strikes and could put Parisyan‘s lights out if he has the opportunity.
Parisyan is undoubtedly aware of this, and despite the fact that Gonzalez doesn’t have a big name, he won’t be taken lightly.
Look for a sharp Parisyan to look to take the fight to the ground where he is the more skilled fighter. He should capture his 11th win by submission as he wears down Gonzalez.
Daniel Straus vs. Justin Wilcox
As pure athleticism goes, not many featherweights have the gifts Straus possesses. He’s not an immensely powerful striker or extraordinarily strong grappler on the mat, but he’s sound in most areas. He transitions from strikes to grappling very well, and his takedowns can be powerful.
Some might see him as a poor man’s Benson Henderson. Straus just understands how to win rounds. Before losing to Curran in his last outing, Straus had won six straight, and all but one of those fights went the distance.
Straus says he will finish Wilcox, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Wilcox is a battler who is difficult to knockout even for powerful strikers. He is not an opponent who will likely be defeated by a Straus stoppage. Instead, it’s much more likely than Straus uses his quickness and technical striking to get the best of Wilcox en route to a unanimous-decision victory.
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