Patrick Barry vs. Joey Beltran
Odds: (-225 Barry /+185 Beltran )
Betting Pick: Barry
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In a heavyweight bout that has a lot of potential for fireworks, two big-time sluggers will go at it as Pat Barry squares off against Joey Beltran. Both of these guys have serious striking with a lot of power and a willingness to trade shots, so this could be a knockout of the night contender.
Barry, a heavy-handed slugger who uses his kicks better than almost anyone in the Heavyweight division, is a very dangerous standup fighter. He lacked lackluster in his last fight, a submission loss to Mirko Cro Cop, but he doled out a lot of punishment nonetheless and fought through some pretty severe injuries sustained during the bout. That fight aside, Barry is a serious kickboxer who can rock opponents with his hands and also bruise them up and destroy their mobility with his crushing leg kicks. Those kicks could be a huge factor here, because Beltran is a serious striker himself, and if Barry can use leg kicks to take away his power base that is a massive advantage.
Joey “Mexicutioner” Beltran is also coming off a tough loss in his last fight against Matt Mitrione. Like Barry, though, Beltran has the kind of striking that can end fights at any time. He is a much more experienced fighter than Barry, and arguably has better punching, but he does not integrate kicks into his offense nearly as well. His ability to deflect Barry’s low kicks or to make Barry pay for throwing them are going to be the difference between a win and a loss for Beltran.
Both of these guys could end this fight with any given shot, but I think the edge here has to go to Barry. Both guys are formidable, but Barry’s thudding leg kicks are going to be a new look for Beltran, and he is either going to have to abandon some of his offense to defend them or lose some of his power and movement when Barry kicks his legs to a pulp. I think Barry’s superior leg and body work will be the difference, and he will wear down Beltran before ultimately finishing him with strikes. Barry by T/KO.
Prediction: Pat Barry via second round T/KO.
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