The MMA odds and ends series is usually reserved for my thoughts on the UFC’s new bookings, but we can’t ignore Bellator. The Scott Coker-led promotion has shown some noteworthy bouts for the approaching Bellator 222 card, and here are my initial thoughts on such matchups.
Chael Sonnen vs. Lyoto Machida, Bellator 222
Bellator 222 occurs June 14 in Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The main event is a light heavyweight bout between Chael Sonnen and Lyoto Machida. Have a look at my ideas on this matchup in a preceding odds and ends here.
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Darion Caldwell 2, Bellator 222
Also added to Bellator 222 is a fascinating rematch between RIZIN bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi and Bellator bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell. These two fought at RIZIN’s New Year’s Eve event, with Horiguchi winning the fight by third-round submission. Horiguchi (27-2) will be making his Bellator introduction here riding a 12-fight win series. He is a perfect 9-0 at RIZIN, and is coming off of a dazzling TKO win over former UFC fighter Ben Nguyen just a few weeks ago. Caldwell (13-2) is 10-1 overall in Bellator but has not fought since the loss to Horiguchi from the RIZIN ring. The last time we watched Caldwell in Bellator he knocked out Noah Lahat past summer, and besides a shocking entry defeat to Joe Taimanglo in 2016 he has looked amazing at the Bellator cage. Nevertheless, you need to go together with Horiguchi to acquire this rematch. There is no reason to think much has changed since the last time these two fought, and I’d expect Horiguchi to be a sizeable popular this time around despite the fact he was an underdog first time these two met.
Dillon Danis vs. Max Humphrey, Bellator 222
At the same time, a catchweight (175lbs) bout between Dillon Danis and Max Humphrey takes place at Bellator 222. Dannis (1-0) filed Kyle Walker in his Bellator and MMA debut last April, but will be coming off of a 14-month layoff into this bout. Humphrey (3-2) is creating his Bellator debut after losing by knockout into a nobody on the regional scene in his final outing. You can view what Bellator is trying to do here by booking this mismatch, and Dannis will be a big favorite to get the win.
Rory MacDonald vs. Neiman Gracie, Bellator 222
We were not positive if Rory MacDonald will be prepared to fight Neiman Gracie, but Bellator created the official announcement that the fight was on. The Bellator welterweight name will be on the line in the semifinals of this Bellator welterweight grand prix. MacDonald (20-5-1) is 2-1-1 complete in Bellator and is coming off of a majority draw to Jon Fitch, having advanced in the tournament due to a rule in which the champion advances in case of a draw. MacDonald took quite a little damage in the Fitch fight and stated later in his post-fight interview he doesn’t have the drive to hurt his opponents that he did. That’s about, and that makes you wonder if he needs to be fighting soon. He says he is prepared, but we will see. Gracie (9-0) is 7-0 in Bellator and overall has completed eight of his pro wins by entry. He’s coming from a great win over Ed Ruth from the quarterfinals, and is a live puppy here against MacDonald. I expect MacDonald to be preferred, but I would take a very long look at Gracie in this one as MacDonald needs to be faded at this time.
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