If you’re an MMA Betting enthusiast, then you should know there’s more than one game in town – and it often rivals its bigger, more well-known counterpart. That’s right mixed martial arts lovers, while the UFC is undoubtedly the industry leader in the world of MMA, its smaller, lesser known rival Bellator, almost routinely has some intriguing fights that offer just as much betting value – and fun-filled action as the UFC.
Better yet, that looks like it could very well be the case when Bellator 204 gets underway on Friday, August 17, live from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. If you want to know what’s going down at Bellator’s most recent event, let’s get to my expert preview right now.
Bandejas will be making his Bellator debut with all 11 of the New Jersey-based fighter’s bouts taking place under the CFFC banner in New England, where he has won five straight. Six of his wins have come by stoppage, including two knockout wins in 2017.
Bellator 204 Odds & Expert Betting Predictions
The #Bellator204 co-main features two South Dakota natives, four-time NCAA All-American wrestler @storleystorm takes on the Bellator veteran @AJ_MMA. #Bellator204 pic.twitter.com/nYqsWUlx1H
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) 15 de agosto de 2018
- When: August 17, 2018
- Where: Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Stream: Bellator Live
Darrion Caldwell vs Noad Lahat
In the headline featherweight bout, 30-year-old Darrion Caldwell (12-1) takes on Noad Lahat (12-3). Caldwell, the reigning bantamweight champ, has won three straight fights since suffering his only career loss in July of 2016 and returns to featherweight for the first time since 2015 coming off a thrilling first-round submission win (guillotine choke) over Leandro Higo at Bellator 195 in March. Lahat, at 34-years-old, will make his first appearance in the ring since beating Jeremiah Labiano via unanimous decision at Bellator 188 in November. That win was preceded by a unanimous decision loss against Henry Corrales in August of 2017 and Lahat is just 3-2 over his last five fights. For me, the smart pick is Darrion Caldwell, seeing as how Noad Lahat is just 5-3 over his last eight fights overall.Logan Storley vs A.J. Matthews
In the welterweight co-main event, Logan Storley (8-0) puts his undefeated record on the line against A.J. Matthews (9-7). Storley beat Joaquin Buckley via decision at Bellator 197 in April while Matthews snapped an ugly three-fight losing streak by beating Kendall Grove via decision at Bellator 193 in January.James Gallagher vs Ricky Bandejas
In the bantamweight feature fight, James Gallagher (7-0) takes on Ricky Bandejas (10-1) in a fight that looks like a thriller just waiting to happen. At 21-years of age, Gallagher is the youngest of the eight scheduled main-card fighters. Gallagher is back in action for the first time since June 24, 2017, and the 419-day layoff is the longest of his career. Gallagher drops to the bantamweight division for the first time in his career after going unbeaten in seven fights at featherweight.
Bandejas will be making his Bellator debut with all 11 of the New Jersey-based fighter’s bouts taking place under the CFFC banner in New England, where he has won five straight. Six of his wins have come by stoppage, including two knockout wins in 2017.
Tywan Claxton vs Chris Lencioni
Last, but not least, Tywan Claxton (2-0) will go up against Chris Lencioni (4-1) in the featherweight feature bout. The 25-year-old Claxton is being looked at for greatness in the near future afterthought winning his MMA debut with a viral flying knee knockout at Bellator 186 in November and following that up with a TKO of Jose Antonio Perez at Bellator 194 in February. Lencioni is coming off a unanimous decision loss against Daniel Carey at Bellator 195 in March after winning his first four fights. So, there you have it MMA fight fans and betting enthusiasts, the inside scoop on the main card for Bellator 204 – and oh, if you’re looking for help with your picks on this action-packed card, then you should know I’m going with Logan Storley, James Gallagher and Tywan Claxton in addition to my pick of Darrion Caldwell!Preliminary Card
- David Michaud vs Corey Davis
- Jason Jackson vs Jordon Larson
- DeMarques Jackson vs Bryce Logan
- Troy Nawrocki vs Omar Morales
- Micah Peatrowsky vs Keith Phathaem
- Tyler Ray vs Seth Bass
- Romero Cotton vs Willie Whitehead
- Lloyd McKinney vs Robiel Tesfaldet
- Wyatt Meyer vs Jeff Nielsen
