Tag: Paul Buentello

‘Bellator 48: Sandro vs. Curran’ Open Thread, Starring KarmaAteMyCat

(Pat Curran’s Peruvian necktie submission of Luis Palomino at Bellator 46, 6/25/11.)

Bellator 48 goes down tonight at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, featuring the finals of Bellator’s Summer Series Featherweight Tournament — former Sengoku standout Marlon Sandro vs. former lightweight tournament winner Pat Curran — as well as the promotional debuts of Ricco Rodriguez, Seth Petruzelli, and Paul Buentello. The main card will be broadcast live on MTV2 beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

Honorary CagePotato Fight Team captain Jefferey “KarmaAteMyCat” Watts has snagged a press credential to the event, and will be representing us on press row this evening, hopefully wearing some killer tights. Assuming the Mohegan Sun has a solid Internet connection, Jeff will be sharing his observations during the show, after the jump. It’s not a “liveblog,” so much as a casual chat among friends. So follow along if you’re watching the fights, let us know your thoughts, and remember to refresh the page once in a while. Thanks for being here.


(Pat Curran’s Peruvian necktie submission of Luis Palomino at Bellator 46, 6/25/11.)

Bellator 48 goes down tonight at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, featuring the finals of Bellator’s Summer Series Featherweight Tournament — former Sengoku standout Marlon Sandro vs. former lightweight tournament winner Pat Curran — as well as the promotional debuts of Ricco Rodriguez, Seth Petruzelli, and Paul Buentello. The main card will be broadcast live on MTV2 beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

Honorary CagePotato Fight Team captain Jefferey “KarmaAteMyCat” Watts has snagged a press credential to the event, and will be representing us on press row this evening, hopefully wearing some killer tights. Assuming the Mohegan Sun has a solid Internet connection, Jeff will be sharing his observations during the show, after the jump. It’s not a “liveblog,” so much as a casual chat among friends. So follow along if you’re watching the fights, let us know your thoughts, and remember to refresh the page once in a while. Thanks for being here.

 

Hey there Potatonation we’re in the middle of a very heated and very even match up involving  Tateki Matsuda 6-2/Saul Almeida 9-1. The first round was a banger with Saul and Tateki exchanging blows early on, eventually it went to the ground with what seemed to be Saul getting hit by a hard right and looking for a take down. Saul’s jujitsu seems to be the story of the end of the first round  the majority of the second with Saul taking Tateki’s back for the majority  of the round and controlling him.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that Tateki’s submission defense might even be the real story in this fight. Early on in the third round Saul Almeida hits a solid double leg against the cage putting Tateki on his back for a third time in this  fight controlling him , Saul seems to be looking for a mounted Guillotine but once again Tateki’s solid submission defense prevents Saul from finishing the fight. Tateki lands a successful sweep and is now controlling Saul from side control, and another switch with Saul taking Tateki’s back yet again in this fight. It just doesn’t seem that Tateki has any answer for Saul’s wrestling whatsoever, the fight is going to the judges and even though this fight wasn’t finished by either opponent I can see this going to Saul Almeida but we’ll have to see what the judges think. What a war these two just had, two fighters both very young and very hungry.  (Judges:Peter Rodgers:30- 27, Jon Bilynk 28-29, Cardo Urso 30-27 ) WINNER VIA UD: Saul Almeida

The second fight of the night is a couple local fighters Brett Oteri fighting out of Taunton, MA and Ryan Quinn from Danbury,Ct. This one starts off with Oteri looking throw some bows but quinn wants none of it and goes for a takedown, He seems to have some real sick Jujitsu as he easily takes Oteri’s back and sinks in a RNC, Oteri however refuses to tap just as he goes out Big Dan stops the bought with a technical submission 1:48 seconds into the fight. Winner: Ryan Quinn Via RNC

Main Card

RD1:Juan Barrantes and Nazare come out swinging and it seems that Nazare is getting the better of the stand up as he is landing blow after blow. Juan trys to go body head but finds himself getting taken down for his efforts, Nazare seems to have a solid ground game working the body and controlling Juan pushing him against the cage, Juan seems to be bleeding from under one of his eyes. Nazare attempts a mounted guillotine right as the bell goes off.

Rd2: Juan just doesn’t seem to want any of the stand up that Nazare is bringing to the table, however Juan seems to land a solid right of his own back peddling away from Nazare. Nazare lands a solid takedown and Juan is on his back again, Nazare transitions to half guard. Juan just doesn’t seem to have any answer for the wrestling from Nazare which just seems phenomenal. Nazare has bruised and bloodied Juans face at this point I’m thinking someones going home with sunglasses after this fight! Juan manages to get to his feet and Nazare presses him against the cage in a clinch like position, I hate to sound like a broken record but this kids wrestling is either REALLY good or Juans wrestling is nonexistent. Round two ends the same as round one Nazare in complete control.

During the break the Ref called the doctor in to examine Juans Bloodied up right eye and the doctor stopped the fight. Winner Via Doctor Stoppage: Nazare!

(I wanna take this time to Note that Juan Barrantes deserves all the credit in the world for what he does. He teaches Martial Arts to at risk teens and homeless teens that makes him a bad ass guy in my book! He will be graduating from College this year with a degree in Psychology he commits his life to making a difference in others lives which is just outstanding. Congratulation  and best wishes to Juan in his future en devours we can’t wait to see you fight again.)

Ricco Rodriguez and Seth Petruzelli are up next, both look in amazing shape as they come out to the cage. I am told that Seth weighed in last night with a Jujitsu Gi on how crazy is that? Seth claims to be honored to fight Ricco because he was a Legend in the sport when Seth was just getting started. Awww you gotta love the bro Love.

Rd1: Both fighters come out and touch gloves a show of Mutual respect. Ricco throws a body kick and Seth just seems to be measuring up his much larger opponent Seth lands a shot right into Ricco’s groin, after a minute or so the two are back at it exchanging blows. Ricco throws a leg kick which is in turn lands him on his back as Seth catches it. Their both back to their feet quickly exchanging blows, Seth lands a solid right on Ricco’s jaw and I think Ricco just gave him a look as to say is that it? Ricco pushes Seth against the Cage controlling him, Seth breaks off the cage and they both throw some blows. Ricco throws a punch, Seth counters with a hard right. They both exchange High Fives, as seth throws a spinning back kick twice over, Oh SHIT Seth Lands a hard right on Ricco’s jaw and is going to town on his face, Ricco goes Limp and Big Dan stops the fights! Holy shit Seth Petruzelli has knocked out Ricco Rodriguez. Winner Via KO: Seth Petruzelli

 

Paul Buentello and Cole Konrad are up and neither are looking in the best of the shape I’ll have to give this one beauty contest to Konrad for the entourage of Pat Barry and company.

RD1: The first round starts of with Konrad throwing his Jab out there a lot and it just seems to be the story of this round. Neither Konrad or Buentello seem to be interested in taking this fight to the ground, the Fans are going insane you should hear some of the crazy shit their saying but since you can’t I’ll hook you up “Come on Muffin top at least hug him”, “Come on Fight or go home” this has to be the first time I’ve heard fans boo a stand up Play day in my entire time of watching MMA, I’d love to complain but who can blame them honestly.

RD2: It’s the same thing all over again as the two men just aren’t interested in doing anything but throwing bows, I suppose I should say Cole Konrad is throwing Bows.  Theres a few Flurrys in there but for the most part both fighters make no effort to showcase their ground game, Perhaps Buentello thinks if he runs in circles Konrad will get tired and give up?

RD3: Both men come out measuring one another up again looking for that one mighty blow that might help them defeat the other. Konrad throws a couple jabs out there and pushes Buentello against the cage a little, a Hard right from Konrad sends Buentello rolling backwards. Konrad is running in and takes his back, he seems to be going for a RNC I think he’s having problems fitting his arms around Buentello’s neck. He’s laying on a little bit of GNP as he takes Buentello’s half guard. He seems to be trying to take mount but settles for side Control. The crowd is Booing and chanting “Stand them up” and they get their wish as Big Dan stand them up, Just as he does Dan stops the clock to fix Konrads tape on his gloves. Buentello seems to wanna exchange now that theres thirty seconds left on the clock but this ones going to the judges. Winner VIA Unanimous Decision: Cole Konrad(Cardo Urso 28-29, Jon Blyk 27-30,Pat Avery 27-30)

 

 

 

Marlon Sandro and Pat Curran are up! Bellator Featherweight Tournament finals are LIVE WITH ME!

RD1:Both men make their way to the center of the cage Sandro throws and over hand right with bad intentions written all over it and Curran avoids it. Sandro with a sick leg kick heard clear cross the arena Curran seems to be measuring his opponent up. An accidental leg kick to the groin has the ref intervene for a moment and their back at it again Curran seems to be getting a little bullied here he’s backing up and being pushed against the cage. Did I mention that the MMA Fans here are Insanely Intoxicated and you can hear everything their saying as clear as day. “Kick his ass from the left side of the stands” as Sandro’s corner gives him instructions you hear a guy in the crowd shout “Listen to him” This is the quietest this crowd has been all night honestly. It’s almost as if MOST of them understand this fight could be over in a moments Notice. It’s the final minute of round one and this is a very close round I think you may have to give round one to Sandro he’s thrown more landed blows and he’s throwing blows. The first round ends with Sandro attempting a single leg and Curran sprawling the ref jumps in just as Sandro jumps to his feet in his fighting stand and we’re onto ROUND 2.

RD2: Both men meet back up in the center of the cage and exchange some shots. The silence from the crowd only adds to the intensity of the fight, for those of you who have been to a live fight you know what I mean. Oh Sandro lands a grazing left hook and Curran throws a right hand both men are obviously not afraid to drop bombs and eat them as well. Curran pushes Sandro against the cage into a clinch but Sandro fights it off and their back to the center of the cage. Left hook from pat and Sandro slips it moves forward and throws a one, two combination of his own followed by another one two combination finished by a left hook. Pat Curran looks cut under or around his left eye and the river runs red tonight Potato Nation, a super man punch follower by a straight right and Curran is backing up! Holy shit Curran catches Sandro with a round house kick ALL SHIN ALL DAY TO THE FACE and finishes the fight with some nasty GNP!! HOLY SHIT PAT CURRAN HAS DONE what Sandro has done to many others. WINNER: KO SHIN2THEFACE PAT CURRAN!

I’ll have a bunch of videos up tomorrow hopefully. My first live event coverage I had a blast Bellator was awesome to all of us in the Media. they truly are a class act. 

Karma Out!

Cole Konrad Beats Paul Buentello, Bellator Fans Boo

Filed under: BellatorBellator heavyweight champion Cole Konrad beat his most accomplished opponent to date on Saturday night, defeating former UFC heavyweight contender Paul Buentello by unanimous decision. But the fight did nothing to change Konrad’s …

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Bellator heavyweight champion Cole Konrad beat his most accomplished opponent to date on Saturday night, defeating former UFC heavyweight contender Paul Buentello by unanimous decision. But the fight did nothing to change Konrad’s reputation as a dull fighter more interested in winning decisions than finishing fights.

The fans at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, booed loudly during much of the fight, which didn’t have a lot of action. Buentello, who declined to engage in the stand-up, deserves more of the blame for the lack of action than Konrad. But Konrad is Bellator’s heavyweight champion, and he’s the one who was hearing the boos afterward.

The judges cored the fight 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28, and there’s no question that Konrad deserved to win. But there are major questions about whether the fans will want to watch Konrad.

“I took a lot of criticism for just wrestling,” Konrad said after the fight, which was mostly a stand-up battle. “I wanted to come out and show against a great striker that I can stand up. I think I proved that to some people tonight.”

But Konrad, who improved his professional MMA record to 8-0, didn’t prove that he can be an exciting headliner for a major fight card. Konrad is an outstanding wrestler and a solid young MMA fighter, but Bellator has a problem on its hands when its heavyweight champion leaves the crowd booing.

 

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Bellator 48 Live Blog: Cole Konrad vs. Paul Buentello Updates

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UNCASVILLE, Conn. — This is the Bellator 48 live blog for Cole Konrad vs. Paul Buentello, a heavyweight bout on tonight’s Bellator card from the Mohegan Sun.

Bellator heavyweight champion Cole Konrad (7-0) fights for the first time this year in this non-title bout against UFC and Strikeforce veteran Paul Buentello (29-13).

The live blog is below.


Round 1: The big men stalk each other around the cage. One of Konrad’s first jabs opens up a small cut on Buentello’s head. Buentello is very passive early, maybe finding range. Konrad is throwing out jabs but not much with power early. Konrad fires out a combination, but Buentello avoids the big shots. Crowd is restless quickly. Buentello lands a hard uppercut but doesn’t follow it up with anything. Konrad with a couple leg kicks and a straight right. It’s a 10-9 for Konrad.

Round 2: Buentello’s cornerman berated him in between rounds. He got five minutes of standup, which is probably what he wanted, and he gave the round away. He comes out in the second with a little more purpose, moving forward. Konrad fires off a couple jabs and leg kicks. Well, looks like Buentello’s early aggression is gone already. Konrad is fighting Buentello’s fight and winning. Buentello pops him with a knee, Konrad looks to take him down but reconsiders and stays standing. Konrad lands a hard right with 30 seconds left. The two exchange against the cage for a moment but Konrad backs away. Closer round but it’s still Konrad’s, 10-9.

Round 3: Konrad hurt Buentello with a right hand. Buentello fell to the ground and Konrad took his back, landed some shots and went for the finish. He tried to sink in a rear naked choke but Buentello tucked his chin and Konrad gave it up. He kept on his back, then Buentello rolled over and Konrad landed in half-guard. Konrad worked shots to the body as Buentello tried to regain guard. With 1:00 left, ref Dan Miragliotta stood them up. Buentello landed a left jab, then tried to follow with an uppercut but Konrad weaved out of the way. Buentello landed an uppercut and Konrad clinched and moved him against the fence as the round ended. It’s another 10-9 for the champ, who will probably win a unanimous decision.

Winner: Cole Konrad def. Paul Buentello via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

 

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UNCASVILLE, Conn. — This is the Bellator 48 live blog for Cole Konrad vs. Paul Buentello, a heavyweight bout on tonight’s Bellator card from the Mohegan Sun.

Bellator heavyweight champion Cole Konrad (7-0) fights for the first time this year in this non-title bout against UFC and Strikeforce veteran Paul Buentello (29-13).

The live blog is below.


Round 1: The big men stalk each other around the cage. One of Konrad’s first jabs opens up a small cut on Buentello’s head. Buentello is very passive early, maybe finding range. Konrad is throwing out jabs but not much with power early. Konrad fires out a combination, but Buentello avoids the big shots. Crowd is restless quickly. Buentello lands a hard uppercut but doesn’t follow it up with anything. Konrad with a couple leg kicks and a straight right. It’s a 10-9 for Konrad.

Round 2: Buentello’s cornerman berated him in between rounds. He got five minutes of standup, which is probably what he wanted, and he gave the round away. He comes out in the second with a little more purpose, moving forward. Konrad fires off a couple jabs and leg kicks. Well, looks like Buentello’s early aggression is gone already. Konrad is fighting Buentello’s fight and winning. Buentello pops him with a knee, Konrad looks to take him down but reconsiders and stays standing. Konrad lands a hard right with 30 seconds left. The two exchange against the cage for a moment but Konrad backs away. Closer round but it’s still Konrad’s, 10-9.

Round 3: Konrad hurt Buentello with a right hand. Buentello fell to the ground and Konrad took his back, landed some shots and went for the finish. He tried to sink in a rear naked choke but Buentello tucked his chin and Konrad gave it up. He kept on his back, then Buentello rolled over and Konrad landed in half-guard. Konrad worked shots to the body as Buentello tried to regain guard. With 1:00 left, ref Dan Miragliotta stood them up. Buentello landed a left jab, then tried to follow with an uppercut but Konrad weaved out of the way. Buentello landed an uppercut and Konrad clinched and moved him against the fence as the round ended. It’s another 10-9 for the champ, who will probably win a unanimous decision.

Winner: Cole Konrad def. Paul Buentello via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

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Bellator 48 Results: Sandro vs. Curran, Konrad vs. Buentello, More

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MMA Fighting has live Bellator 48 results of Pat Curran vs. Marlon Sandro and rest of the Bellator Summer Series finale card at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

In the main event, Sandro (19-2) battles Curran (15-4) in the finals of the Summer Series Featherweight Tournament for a chance to challenge Joe Warren for the title at a later date.

Live results are below.

More Coverage: Latest Bellator News

MTV 2 Bouts
Pat Curran def. Marlon Sandro via second-round KO (live blog)
Cole Konrad def. Paul Buentello via unanimous decision (live blog)
Seth Petruzelli def. Ricco Rodriguez via first-round KO (live blog)
Rene Nazare def. Juan Barrantes via second-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage) (live blog)

Preliminary Bouts
Saul Almeida def. Tateki Matsuda via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) – The 22-year-old Almeida, a rising prospect from the New England region, controlled Matsudi with ground work for most of the fight. He threatened Matsuda with submissions through the duration of the fight, hunting a kimura at the end of the first round and a rear naked choke at the end of the second. Matsuda survived but was otherwise overwhelmed. Almeida rose to 10-1 with his third straight win.

Ryan Quinn def. Brett Oteri via technical submission (rear naked choke), Rd. 1, 1:49 – Quinn got the takedown early, got Oteri’s back and applied the choke. Oteri tried breaking his grip and never tapped before he went unconscious and the referee stopped it.

Andrew Calandrelli def. Matt Nice via submission (keylock), Rd. 1, 3:55 – Calandrelli was given superstar treatment by this crowd, as he’s a popular local trainer. He peppered Nice early with jabs and a left hook, then took him down and quickly moved into side control, where he applied the fight-ending move.

Nik Fekete def. Mark Griffin via TKO, Rd. 2 (3:12) – Fekete looked like the stronger fighter from the get-go, bullying Griffin around in the clinch and taking him down late in the first. In the second, Fekete scored another takedown early in the round and placed Griffin in a crucifix, eventually scoring the stoppage after a series of unanswered short elbows from the top.

Jeff Nader def. Dan Cramer via TKO, Rd. 3 (1:04) – A great comeback win for Nader, who was completely dominated on the ground in each of the first two rounds. In either round, it looked like he could have been stopped as Cramer pummeled him with strikes, some of which were deflected. But he fought on and early in the third, Nader caught Cramer early with a right hook behind the ear. Cramer was wobbled and Nader caught him at least three more times. On a flush uppercut, Cramer’s legs buckled and referee Kevin Mulhall saw enough and stopped the action. Cramer, who never went down during the flurry, immediately protested, but to no avail.

 

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MMA Fighting has live Bellator 48 results of Pat Curran vs. Marlon Sandro and rest of the Bellator Summer Series finale card at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

In the main event, Sandro (19-2) battles Curran (15-4) in the finals of the Summer Series Featherweight Tournament for a chance to challenge Joe Warren for the title at a later date.

Live results are below.

More Coverage: Latest Bellator News

MTV 2 Bouts
Pat Curran def. Marlon Sandro via second-round KO (live blog)
Cole Konrad def. Paul Buentello via unanimous decision (live blog)
Seth Petruzelli def. Ricco Rodriguez via first-round KO (live blog)
Rene Nazare def. Juan Barrantes via second-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage) (live blog)

Preliminary Bouts
Saul Almeida def. Tateki Matsuda via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) – The 22-year-old Almeida, a rising prospect from the New England region, controlled Matsudi with ground work for most of the fight. He threatened Matsuda with submissions through the duration of the fight, hunting a kimura at the end of the first round and a rear naked choke at the end of the second. Matsuda survived but was otherwise overwhelmed. Almeida rose to 10-1 with his third straight win.

Ryan Quinn def. Brett Oteri via technical submission (rear naked choke), Rd. 1, 1:49 – Quinn got the takedown early, got Oteri’s back and applied the choke. Oteri tried breaking his grip and never tapped before he went unconscious and the referee stopped it.

Andrew Calandrelli def. Matt Nice via submission (keylock), Rd. 1, 3:55 – Calandrelli was given superstar treatment by this crowd, as he’s a popular local trainer. He peppered Nice early with jabs and a left hook, then took him down and quickly moved into side control, where he applied the fight-ending move.

Nik Fekete def. Mark Griffin via TKO, Rd. 2 (3:12) – Fekete looked like the stronger fighter from the get-go, bullying Griffin around in the clinch and taking him down late in the first. In the second, Fekete scored another takedown early in the round and placed Griffin in a crucifix, eventually scoring the stoppage after a series of unanswered short elbows from the top.

Jeff Nader def. Dan Cramer via TKO, Rd. 3 (1:04) – A great comeback win for Nader, who was completely dominated on the ground in each of the first two rounds. In either round, it looked like he could have been stopped as Cramer pummeled him with strikes, some of which were deflected. But he fought on and early in the third, Nader caught Cramer early with a right hook behind the ear. Cramer was wobbled and Nader caught him at least three more times. On a flush uppercut, Cramer’s legs buckled and referee Kevin Mulhall saw enough and stopped the action. Cramer, who never went down during the flurry, immediately protested, but to no avail.

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Bellator 48 Weigh-In Results

Filed under: Bellator, NewsAll 18 fighters scheduled for Saturday night’s Bellator 48 card made weight for the show, which will take place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The main event features the final bout of Bellator’s Summer Series fea…

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Pat CurranAll 18 fighters scheduled for Saturday night’s Bellator 48 card made weight for the show, which will take place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The main event features the final bout of Bellator‘s Summer Series featherweight tournament, which pits Pat Curran against Marlon Sandro.

Both fighters checked in at 145 pounds for the final. The victor will eventually take on the winner of an upcoming match between Joe Warren and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.

Curran (15-4) won the season two lightweight tournament in 2010 but lost to reigning champion Eddie Alvarez in a five-round decision. After dropping to featherweight, he beat Luis Palomino and Ronnie Mann to advance and face Sandro.

Sandro signed with Bellator in June and won his first two tournament bouts, defeating Genair da Silva and Nazareno Malegarie, both by decision.

In the co-main event, heavyweight champ Cole Konrad weighed in at 264.5 to face the 255-pound Paul Buentello in a non-title match. Konrad hasn’t been in the cage since defeating Neil Grove via submission and capturing the championship last October. An April bout between Konrad and Buentello was postponed after a Buentello injury, and now he gets his chance to return.

In another featured bout, Ricco Rodriguez looks to extend hist 12-fight win streak against Seth Petruzelli. Both fighters made it under the 230-pound catch weight.

Main Card
Pat Curran (145) vs. Marlon Sandro (145)
Cole Konrad (264.5) vs. Paul Buentello (255)
Seth Petruzelli (224) vs. Ricco Rodriguez (229.75)
Rene Nazare (156) vs. Juan Barrante (155.25)

Preliminary Card
Nik Fekete (205) vs. Mark Griffin (205)
Matt Nice (155.5) vs. Andrew Calandrelli (155.5)
Brett Oteri (170) vs. Ryan Quinn (170)
Saul Almeida (146) vs. Tateki Matsuda (145.25)
Dan Cramer (205) vs. Jeff Nader (204)

 

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Bellator 48 Predictions

Filed under: BellatorBellator’s summer series comes to an end on Saturday night with the final fight of its eight-man featherweight tournament, featuring Marlon Sandro taking on Pat Curran. Also on the card is Bellator’s heavyweight champion, Cole Konr…

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Bellator‘s summer series comes to an end on Saturday night with the final fight of its eight-man featherweight tournament, featuring Marlon Sandro taking on Pat Curran. Also on the card is Bellator’s heavyweight champion, Cole Konrad, in a non-title fight with Paul Buentello, and former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez taking on Seth Petruzelli.

What: Bellator 48

When: Saturday, the MTV2 televised card begins at 9 PM ET.

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut

Predictions on the four televised fights below.

Pat Curran vs. Marlon Sandro
 The summer featherweight tournament has been a lot of fun, and this is probably the best final we could have gotten: Sandro is a dangerous striker and a lot of fun to watch, but he’ll be challenged by Curran, who previously won a Bellator lightweight tournament and looks great after dropping 10 pounds.

So how does this one go down? I wouldn’t be shocked if Curran uses his superior size and wrestling to take Sandro down repeatedly and grind out a decision, but I think it’s more likely that they stay standing, Sandro lands the more significant strikes, and Sandro takes the decision.

Beating Curran would strengthen Sandro’s claim to being the best featherweight outside the UFC and set up some more big Bellator fights in the future, against either the promotion’s featherweight champion, Joe Warren, or against the winner of Bellator’s last featherweight tournament, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.
Pick: Sandro
Cole Konrad vs. Paul Buentello
 Although this is a non-title fight, Buentello is the toughest test to date for Konrad, Bellator’s heavyweight champion. Konrad has never faced anyone with Buentello’s experience, and if Buentello is in shape and motivated, his punching power could cause some problems for Konrad.

But Konrad is a great wrestler who won the NCAA heavyweight title, and I don’t think Buentello’s takedown defense will be good enough to stay off his back. Look for Konrad to take Buentello down in all three rounds and stay on top of him long enough to grind out a fairly boring decision.
Pick: Konrad
Ricco Rodriguez vs. Seth Petruzelli
 Rodriguez won the UFC heavyweight championship by beating Randy Couture in 2002, then went through a long period of losing big fights and getting into trouble outside the cage. But over the last couple years he has appeared to get his head screwed on straight, and he’s currently on a 12-fight winning streak.

But none of the 12 men Rodriguez has beaten in his current streak are as good as Petruzelli, who’s best known for beating Kimbo Slice in a nationally televised EliteXC bout. Petruzelli is a good enough striker that he could give Rodriguez trouble standing up, but Rodriguez will have a big advantage on the ground and should be able to submit Petruzelli.
Pick: Rodriguez
Juan Barrantes vs. Renê Nazare
Nazare is a very accomplished Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioner who’s 9-0 as a professional MMA fighter. The 7-5 Barrantes isn’t in Nazare’s league and won’t last long.
Pick: Nazare

 

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