Thursday nights are becoming big for fight fans, as the last few Bellator events have all taken place on that day of the week. It’s more of the same this week, with Bellator 254 set for Thursday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. As it stands that the moment, there are 4 fights listed on the main card, including a title fight as the headline bout. The 4 other fights all look to be very competitive, so this should be a good night of MMA actions. As always, we are going to dig a little deeper into the main card bouts to see if we can come up with some winners. Let’s get right to it so you can place your bets against their Bellator odds.
Bellator 254 Betting Preview | MMA Analysis
Davion Franklin (-300) Vs Anthony Garrett (+240)
It’s the Heavyweights who are up first in the main car, with Davion Franklin looking to maintain the perfect start to his pro career. Both of his fights have come in Bellator, with an opening round KO followed by a UD win. Anthony Garret comes in with a 5-2 record, but only a single fight in Bellator. In that one, which came back in November, the bout was called a no contest after a knee to the groin. Garrett has never had a fight go the distance. I think it will be more of the same here, with Davion Franklin getting the KO win.
Linton Vassell (-340) Vs Ronny Markes (+270)
A couple of experienced Heavyweights are up next, with Linton Vassell looking to break out of a little bit of a slump. He is coming into this one on the heels of a win, but he had lost the 3 fights prior to that victory. Overall, his career mark now stands at 20-8. After a spell in the UFC from 2011-14, Markes has bounced around a few different organizations, putting together a 19-7 record. This will be his first foray into Bellator, and I think he may be in a bit of trouble. I am on Vassell to get the KO win.
Magomed Magomedov (-315) Vs Mattheus Mattos (+255)
The bantamweights are in for the co-main event of the night, with both fighters coming in with very good records. This will be the first fight at Bellator for Magomedov, who has put together a 16-1 record on his career. He has won 3 in a row ahead of this bout, with two of those fights won in the opening round. This will also be the first fight in Bellator for Mattheus Matteo, who come in with a 12-1-1 career mark. He has been in a solid run of form, winning 4 of his last 5. I think this one goes the distance, with Magomedov getting the win.
Ilimia-Lei McFarlane Vs Juliana Velasquez
The headline event is a Flyweight title bout between a pair of unbeaten fighters. McFarlane is the defending champion and will be going for his 5th straight defense of the title she won back in 2017. She is a perfect 11-0, and while she has made a habit of finishing fights early, her last defense went the distance. McFarlane will be given a tough fight here, as Velasquez comes in with a perfect 10-0 career mark, including 5 straight wins at Bellator.
