Bellator 99 Predictions

Bellator 99 Predictions

September 7, 2013

By Ryan Porzl

Andrew Fisher vs. Joe Taimanglo

Nickname:                                             None         |     The Juggernaut

Height:                                                    5'9           |           5'4

Age:                                                     Unknown     |           29

MMA Record (Bellator Rec):          12-4-1 (0-0) |     18-4-1 (1-0)

Arm Length:                                        Unknown     |       Unknown

Team:                                        Sunderland Fight Pit |      Spike 22

Weight Class:                                     Featherweight (145 pounds)

Notes: Quarterfinals of the Season Nine Bellator Featherweight Tournament. Fisher's Bellator debut.

Preview: Fisher is unbeaten in seven fights. His recent fight was a win over Shay Walsh by TKO at OMMAC 17 – High Octane (June 1, 2013). Taimanglo is riding a nine fight win streak. His recent win was over Ronnie Rogers by submission at Bellator 94 (March 28, 2013).

Predictions: Taimanglo. I'll admit, I don't know anything about either guy and I can't find any past fights to watch so this one is more of a guess. Both compliment each other. Both have won most of their fights by submissions, both have been knocked out and submitted, and both have great win/unbeaten streaks.

Desmond Green vs. Fabricio Silva

Nickname:                                         The Predator    |       Guerreiro

Height:                                                   5'10             |          5'10

Age:                                                         23               |           23

MMA Record (Bellator Rec):            8-1 (0-0)       |       17-2 (0-1)

Arm Length:                                        Unknown        |       Unknown

Team:                                            Team Bombsquad | Ronildo Nobre Judo Club

Weight Class:                                       Featherweight (145 pounds)

Notes: Quarterfinals of the Season Nine Bellator Featherweight Tournament. Green's Bellator debut.

Preview: Green is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Henry Martinez by TKO at NEF – Fight Night 7 (May 18, 2013). Silva is coming off a loss to Magmedrasul Khasbulev by submission at Bellator 88 (February 7, 2013).

Predictions: Green. Green is a very good wrestler and Silva was prone to be taken down in his fight with Khasbulev. While Silva has won most of his fights by submission, most are not on his back like triangle chokes. Green also has good takedown defense so it won't be easy for Silva to take him down. Green can be wild standing up which could throw Silva off.

                                                          Justin Wilcox vs. Akop Stepanyan

Nickname:                                        The Silverback   |          Sniper

Height:                                                      5'6             |             5'8

Age:                                                           34              |              27

MMA Record (Bellator Rec):       11-6, 1NC (0-0)  |        13-5 (1-2)

Arm Length:                                              65 in.          |            68 in.

Team:                         American Kickboxing Academy | Rusfighter Sports Club

Weight Class:                                       Featherweight (145 pounds)

Notes: Quarterfinals of the Season Nine Bellator Featherweight Tournament

Preview: Wilcox is riding a two fight losing streak. His recent loss was to Jorge Masvidal by split decision at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy (July 14, 2012). Stepanyan is coming off a win over Chris Saunders at Bellator 92 (March 7, 2013).

Predictions: Stepanyan. To start, Wilcox is a last second replacement so he won't be prepared. Wilcox has never fought at featherweight and to start cutting weight days before a fight will likely be too much for him. He's also coming off a 14 month layoff which will be another obstacle. He's also been proven he can be knocked out as he got knocked out in 13 seconds by Caros Fodor and Stepanyan is a decorated striker with black belts in taekwondo and a master of sports in boxing and kickboxing.

Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Houston Alexander

Nickname:                                  The Janitor               |         The Assassin

Height:                                            6'0                       |              6'0

Age:                                                 42                       |               41

MMA Record (Bellator Rec): 26-7 (0-0)                 |     15-9, 2NC (0-0)

Arm Length:                                   74 in.                    |          Unknown

Team:                                           VMAT                   |   Grudge Training Center

Weight Class:                                    Light Heavyweight (205 pounds)

Notes: Matyushenko and Alexander's Bellator debut. Alexander is replacing Christian M'Pumbu.

Preview: Matyushenko is riding a two fight losing streak. His recent loss was to Ryan Bader by submission at UFC on FOX: Johnson vs. Dodson (January 26, 2013). Alexander is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Chuck Grigsby by KO at VFC 40 (July 27, 2013).

Predictions: Matyushenko. Matyushenko is the more well-rounded of the two as he has knockout power but is also a great wrestler. While Matyushenko is in a slump, his losses are to great competition or top 10 fighters like Jon Jones, Alexander Gustafsson, and Ryan Bader. In recent times, Alexander has not looked good. He didn't look good against a sluggish, aging Gilbert Yvel and allowed himself to be brutaly knocked out and Yvel to ride off into the sunset. He's also struggled on the ground as he was taking down and dominated by Jan Blachowicz.

Patricio Freire vs. Diego Nunes

Nickname:                                              Pitbull         |      The Gun

Height:                                                     5'5            |          5'6

Age:                                                          26             |          30

MMA Record (Bellator Rec):            18-2 (6-2)    |     18-4 (0-0)

Arm Length:                                           65 in.          |         67 in.

Team:                                                Team Nogueria |       X-Gym

Weight Class:                                      Featherweight (145 pounds)

Notes: Quarterfinals of the Season Nine Bellator Featherweight Tournament. Nunes' Bellator debut.

Preview: Freire is coming off a win over Jared Downing by TKO at Bellator 97 (July 31, 2013). Nunes is coming off a loss to Nik Lentz by unanimous decision at UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping (January 19, 2013).

Predictions: Freire. Freire, if nothing else, is consistent. He's great everywhere and has never been finished yet. Nunes is a talented fighter but has been hit or miss. He wins some and he loses some. Since arriving in the United States, Nunes has yet to be consistent. While he hasn't gone on a losing streak, he really hasn't racked up a big winning streak either. Until Nunes can put together a win streak, he won't be good enough to hang with the elite. Freire has won more fights by knockout and has better jiu-jitsu. This fight will likely be Freire picking apart Nunes and scoring the decision.