We have a title fight in MMA on Saturday and it’s not the UFC Fight Night card but instead, Bellator 220 from San Jose as Canadian Rory MacDonald, a former UFC champion, is a heavy MMA Betting favorite to defend his welterweight title against Jon Fitch.
Bellator 220 Odds, Preview & Picks
- When: Saturday, 10 PM ET
- Where: SAP Center, San Jose
- TV/Live Stream: DAZN
MacDonald (20-5) is a -390 favorite with Fitch (32-7-1) at +305. This is part of Bellator’s welterweight grand prix – MacDonald is the welterweight champion in the organization. MacDonald last fought in September 2018 when he tried to become Bellator’s first dual-division champion. The “Red King” took on middleweight champ Gegard Mousasi and was dominated.
Mousasi found his groove as soon as the five-round title fight started, landing jab after jab, plus a few leg kicks. MacDonald, visibly undersized, struggled to find his range — something uncommon for the Canadian. MacDonald scored a few shots in the first round, but few compared to his opponent. In the second round, MacDonald attempted a takedown but ended up on his back with Mousasi on top of him. The 185-pound champ advanced position, eventually ending up in full mount.
Mousasi began raining punches and MacDonald tried to get up, but Mousasi’s control was too much. MacDonald, bloodied, was forced to cover up, and that was that. The fight was called off at the 3:23 mark of the middle frame as referee Herb Dean saved MacDonald from a fusillade of elbows. Although MacDonald came from a smaller weight division, he appeared to give up speed against Mousasi in standup exchanges. It was MacDonald’s first loss in Bellator after a pair of wins that followed his defection from the UFC. MacDonald is 2-3 in his past five fights dating back to July 2015.
Fitch hasn’t fought since May 2018 when he beat Paul Daley in his Bellator debut. Daley, who is known for his devastating left hook, was unable to land any significant strikes against Fitch and was repeatedly taken down and out-wrestled on the canvas. “Semtex” grew increasingly frustrated as the bout wore on and eventually yelled “f-ck Bellator’ to the commentary team as he was being smothered by Fitch in the third and final round.
To me, they’re booing him, because he’s not doing anything,” Fitch said afterward. “I’m slugging away. I’m trying to do work, and this guy’s just holding on to my wrist and asking the ref to stand him up. Do something. Sweep me. Stand up. Do something. Don’t scream to the referee to stand you up. Do it yourself – it’s a fight.
Fitch is 7-1 in his past eight fights, dating back to October 2013. His only loss in that stretch came to Rousimar Palhares. Fitch’s five-fight winning streak is tied for his longest since 2010. Fitch has earned 20 of his 31 career victories by decision. In this fight, Fitch, 41, can become the oldest champion in Bellator history. He becomes the first in MMA history to fight for titles with Bellator, UFC and PFL/WSOF.
The winner of MacDonald vs. Fitch will face submission specialist Neiman Gracie, who submitted Ed Ruth at Bellator 213 to advance to the semifinals.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Veta Arteaga
Also on the card is Ilima-Lei Macfarlane defending her women’s flyweight belt vs. Veta Arteaga. Odds are TBA but Macfarlane will be favored. She and Emily Ducote had a rematch at Bellator 186 for the inaugural Bellator women’s flyweight title.
Macfarlane won the bout with an armbar variation in the fifth round to win her first MMA championship. Macfarlane faced Alejandra Lara at Bellator 201 for the first defense of her flyweight title and won via armbar. Then, Macfarlane faced Valérie Létourneau at Bellator 213 and successfully defended her title for a second time, defeating Létourneau by third-round submission.
Macfarlane competes in her ninth Bellator flyweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history. Macfarlane’s eight Bellator victories are most among female fighters in the organization. Macfarlane’s eight-fight Bellator winning streak in the third-longest active streak in the organization behind A.J. McKee (13) and Michael Page (10).
Arteaga competes in her seventh Bellator flyweight bout, the third most appearances in divisional history behind Macfarlane (nine) and Ducote (eight). Arteaga’s four victories in Bellator flyweight competition are tied with Ducote for second most in divisional history behind Macfarlane (eight).
