We have become accustomed to seeing Bellator events take place on Friday night, but the last couple of weeks have seen the action shift to Thursday. It is more of the same this week, with Bellator 251 set to go on Thursday night, with the main card beginning at 7 PM EST. There is a total of 4 fights set for the main card, so a lot of stuff to get into for this piece. We have a co-main event scheduled for Bellator 251, but it will be the Manhoef/Anderson Light Heavyweight bout that will serve as the final fight of the night. Let’s take a closer look at all 4 fights on the main card to see if we can pick out some winners and cash a few tickets against their Bellator odds.
Bellator 251 Betting Preview | MMA Analysis
Austin Vanderford Vs Vinicius de Jesus
The main card begins with a Middleweight bout that features a fighter trying to maintain an unbeaten career record. That would be Austin Vanderford, who comes in with a perfect 9-0 career mark. This will be his first foray into the world of Bellator, but he looks more than capable of making that step up. De Jesus is not on the best of form ahead of this one, losing 2 of his last 3 fights to take his overall record to 9-2. This will also be the first fight under the Bellator banner for de Jesus, and I think he could be in trouble. This one might well go the distance, with Vanderford getting the nod.
Derek Anderson Vs Killys Mota
It’s the Welterweights who will be up next, with a pair of fighters in a good run of form ahead of this bout. Derek Anderson is on a run that has seen him win 4 of his last 5 fights, including back to back wins ahead of this one. Anderson is on a run of 6 straight fights that have gone the distance, so do not expect a quick finish. This will be the second fight under the Bellator banner for Killys Mota, who comes in with a 12-1 career mark. His first Bellator fight was a successful one, but this looks to be a tougher challenge. I am on Mota to win by decision.
Tyrell Fortune Vs Said Somwa
The co-main event of the night is a Heavyweight duel between a pair of fighters who look to be rather evenly matched. Tyrell Fortune has had a bit of a rough go of things over his last couple of fights. After taking the first loss of his career, he followed that up with a No Contest that came after an accidental low blow. He could really use a win here. After losing his first professional bout, Said Somwa has reeled off 6-straight wins and now moves into Bellator. He will be tough, but I think Fortune wins via KO.
Melvin Manhoef Vs Corey Anderson
The main event of the night is a Light Heavyweight bout between a pair of experienced fighters. Manhoef has been around for a while and comes in with a career record of 32-14-1. He has won back to back fights under the Bellator banner, and 3 in a row overall, with his last victory coming via way of KO in the opening round. Anderson has taken a bit of a backwars step after losing to Jan Blachowicz in the UFC, but he has a ton of skill and tremendous upside. I think he wins this one by KO.
