The Bellator bantamweight title is on the line Friday night at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas. In a rematch of a February 2013 bout, current champion Marcos Galvao will defend his title against former titleholder Eduardo Dantas in the main event of Bellator 150.
Before the bantamweight title goes up for grabs, the heavyweights and a local favorite will occupy the cage.
Heavyweight veteran Cheick Kongo is in action as he takes on Vinicius Kappke de Queiroz. Kansas native David Rickels will also be on the card as he faces Bobby Cooper.
Here’s a look at the entire lineup of fights to be broadcast by Spike with TV info and predictions:
Check Bellator.com to see the full card.
The Caveman Will Win at Home
As long as David Rickels isn’t facing a dangerous striker, his chances of winning are pretty good. His last three losses have come by way of stoppage from strikes. He’s gone down twice to Michael Chandler and once to Patricky Freire.
Thankfully for Rickels, he’ll be in the cage with Bobby Cooper on Friday. Cooper has just one KO finish in his career, and that took place in 2010.
Rickels is known as much for his cage walks and colorful personality as he is for his MMA skills. The costumes can sometimes disguise his fighting acumen. Truth be told, he’s a second-tier fighter with good striking and solid grappling.
While he has his qualities, he’s not on the level of the best lightweights in the world. Fortunately for him, neither is Cooper. If Cooper can’t fire anything in stand-up that slows down the Caveman, he’ll get pummeled.
Look for Rickels to score a first-round stoppage win to the delight of the Kansas crowd.
Kongo Won’t Be Fabulous at 40
The best time of Cheick Kongo’s career was from 2010-11. While fighting in the UFC, he drew with a young Travis Browne, scored a thrilling KO win over Pat Barry and won a decision over a youthful Matt Mitrione.
Since then, his fights have been mostly disappointing. He’s scored some stoppage wins over subpar opposition like Eric Smith and Mark Godbeer, but his battles with most anyone with a recognizable name have ended in defeat.
On Friday, Kongo faces 6’7″ Brazilian veteran de Queiroz. At 40 years old, Kongo is due to show some decline. Based on what we’ve seen from him in the last few years, he can ill afford to lose a step.
In a rare occasion, Kongo won’t have a size advantage over his opponent. Per Sherdog.com, the 6’4″ Kongo will be giving up three inches in height. He’s also eight years his opponent’s senior.
Experience is in Kongo’s favor. He’s had 35 pro fights compared to just 11 for de Queiroz.
Still, it’s not as if he’s facing someone who is new to MMA. In fact, de Queiroz has competed in the UFC, and he’s had four fights in Bellator. He’s also a member of Team Nogueira, which would lead you to believe he’s had the opportunity to train with one or both of the legendary Brazilian brothers (Antonio Rodrigo and Antonio Rogerio).
I’m not saying de Queiroz is a legit contender. However, he won’t need to be to win this fight. Kongo will fall victim to the Brazilian’s reach and power. The prediction here is de Queiroz by first-round TKO.
Dantas Will Prove to Have Galvao‘s Number
Some guys just have another guy’s number. Galvao is former champion Joe Warren’s nemesis. He took Warren’s title in March 2015 and was robbed of a decision in their first meeting in 2011. He could fight him three more times and probably win every bout.
Unfortunately for Galvao, his opponent on Friday is going to give him a taste of his own medicine; Dantas stopped Galvao in their first meeting back in February 2013.
Galvao has won four straight since then, and Dantas has won three of four. A unanimous-decision defeat to Warren cost him his title and is the only blemish on his mark in the last three years.
At 5’10”, Dantas has excellent reach for a bantamweight. His length and speed were an issue in the first fight with Galvao. The champion is undoubtedly aware of the challenges Dantas presents, but per Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com, Galvao insists he’s ready.
“My camp is great, and I’m in great shape,” said the champion. “I think this fight has everything to be the best fight of the year. He’s hungry to get what’s mine, and I want to keep the belt with me. I want to win, no matter how. Split decision, unanimous decision, submission. I just want to get in there and get the job done.”
The mindset is correct, but the result will be all wrong for Galvao. Dantas will soften the champion up with strikes early. He’ll thwart his attempts to take the fight to the ground and win by stoppage from strikes in the second frame.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com