Bellator moves forward, this time with a card where the welterweight title is up for grabs, but on a main card where many of the organization’s more notable welterweight fighters are also competing. It’s not a tent pole event, but one where the results will contribute to matchmaking on such a future event.
What: Bellator 140: Lima vs. Koreshkov
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Conn.
When: Friday, the preliminary card starts at 7 p.m. ET on MMA Fighting. The five-fight main card starts on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET.
Douglas Lima vs. Andrey Koreshkov
As long as this is contested on the feet, it could and likely will be reasonably competitive. Koreshkov can strike in lateral or backwards motion, has excellent combinations, good power and more. Lima can match him there and is physically bigger, but the real skill differential is on the mat. Koreshkov has likely improved since Ben Askren absolutely throttled him, but not enough where it’s going to stop Lima from passing into dominant positions after passing guard. I’m not suggesting Lima can’t win on the feet, but I’m quite confident he can easily win on the mat.
Pick: Lima
Chris Honeycutt vs. Paul Bradley
Bradley just won’t be able to deal with Honeycutt’s pressure. They both have wrestling backgrounds, but I’d say Honeycutt is the better of the two, for a couple of reasons. First, he’s the better overall grappler who can take the back or even play a bit of guard if necessary. Second, Bradley isn’t quite the scrambler Honeycutt is. I expect the Josh Koscheck-protege to meet some resistance, but eventually find his way to the takedown or Bradley’s back from turtle. Either way, he’ll wear down Bradley en route to a stoppage or decision victory in the later rounds.
Pick: Honeycutt
I’m not sure what to say about this one. Page might have a few issues early in establishing distance, but not for very long. Bears is a solid MMA fighter, but not elite by any measurement. Page is still working out in the kinks in transferring his skills to the MMA realities from point fighting, but he’s a better striker than Bears by several orders of magnitude. It’s not a question of if, but when for the Brit.
Pick: Page
Brennan Ward vs. Roger Carroll
I’m not sure what to say about this without being terribly dismissive. Ward can be reckless and is prone to being countered, but Carroll hasn’t shown he’s ready to truly graduate from the regional fighting scene. Ward can be caught, but when he’s attacking, he can do it all. I expect him to strike into a takedown and score a TKO on the ground from there.
Pick: Ward
Olson actually has some nice attacks from a front head lock series. He can pass guard or, when the need arises, jump guard into submissions. He really excels and neck or neck-and-arm attacks. The problem is his ability to get the fight there and hold down a squirmy Daley is very much in question. On the feet, this isn’t much of a contest and given the Brit’s takedown defense, there’s plenty of reason to think the fight will be decided there.
Pick: Daley