Sunday, March 23, 2014

Bellator 114 Predictions

                                                      

Bellator 114 Predictions
March 23, 2014
By Ryan Porzl


Daniel Weichel vs. Matt Bessette
Nickname:                                      The Weasel       |      The Mangler
Height:                                                5'10              |          5'10
Age:                                                      29                |           29
MMA Record (BMMA):               32-8 (1-0)        |       13-4 (4-0)
Arm Length:                                       71 in.            |          67 in.
Team:                                         Team MMA Spirit | Underdog Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Weight Class:                                    Featherweight (145 pounds)

Notes: Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament semi-final

Preview: Weichel is riding a four fight win streak. His recent win was over Scott Cleve by submission at Bellator 110 (February 28, 2014). Bessette is riding a five fight win streak. His recent win was over Diego Nunes by split decision at Bellator 110 (February 28, 2014).

Predictions: Weichel. For one thing, Weichel was the more impressive of the two. Weichel is an excellent submission fighter and will likely be the better fighter on the ground. His striking is also good and he knows how to use his tools to his advantage like using strikes to set up takedowns. Though he hasn't won many fights by knockout, Weichel has proven in his last fight that he has power and can rock an opponent. Weichel will also have a four inch reach advantage which could be beneficial Meanwhile, Bessette didn't look like a world beater in his fight with Nunes. In fact, many fans thought he lost that fight. Sure styles make fights and Bessette may match better against other fighters than he did with Nunes but it's still hard to go with a guy a lot of fans think shouldn't be in this position right now.

Desmond Green vs. Will Martinez
Nickname:                                       The Predator      |        None
Height:                                                 5'10               |          5'9
Age:                                                      24                 |           33
MMA Record (BMMA):                10-2 (2-1)        |      9-2-1 (5-0)
Arm Length:                                        74 in.              |        66 in.
Team:                                           Team Bombsquad  |   Team Balance
Weight Class:                                   Featherweight (145 pounds)

Notes: Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament semi-final

Preview: Green is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Mike Richman by unanimous decision at Bellator 110 (February 28, 2014). Martinez is riding an eight fight win streak. His recent win was over Goiti Yamauchi by unanimous decision at Bellator 110 (February 28, 2014).

Predictions: Green. Martinez looked good against Yamauchi but there were things about that fight that won't happen here. For one thing, Green is a far better wrestler than Yamauchi so Martinez isn't going to have in easy time using his grappling. Second of all was Yamauchi pulling guard or going for submissions on his back. Green will likely not do that and allow Martinez to score points. Green has also proven he can hold his own in the striking department as he held his own against Mike Richman who is a better striker with a lot more power. Green also has a eight inch reach advantage which could frustrate Martinez and keep him out of his game.

Kendall Grove vs. Brett Cooper
Nickname:                                         Da Spyder       |      Fudoshin
Height:                                                   6'6              |          6'0
Age:                                                        31               |          26
MMA Record (BMMA):           20-13, 1NC (1-0) |     19-9 (6-4)
Arm Length:                                          80 in.           |         72 in.
Team:                            Straight Rootless Fight Team | Reign Training Center
Weight Class:                                    Middleweight (185 pounds)

Notes: Bellator Season Ten Middleweight Tournament semi-final

Preview: Grove is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Joe Vedepo by unanimous decision at Bellator 104 (October 18, 2013). Cooper is riding a two fight losing streak. His recent loss was to Alexander Shlemenko by unanimous decision at Bellator 98 (September 7, 2013).

Predictions: Cooper. Cooper may be on a two fight losing streak but don't let that fool you. Cooper's two losses were to Doug Marshall in the finals the season eight middleweight tournament and the other was to middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko in a fight where he came very close to winning by knockout. Grove has size and reach but it probably won't matter. Grove is not that good of a fighter and didn't even look that impressive in his Bellator debut. Cooper also is a very talented fighter. He's got a very good chin as he's only been knocked out once in the past five years and that was to the heavy handed Doug Marshall. He hasn't been submitted in eight years so he's got very good submission defense which is a plus since Grove has won most fights by submission. Meanwhile, Cooper hits very hard with twelve wins by knockout and Grove has lost most of his fights by knockout (along with decision). Cooper also showed in his fight with Dan Cramer that he can't be counted out as he was on his way to losing before knocking Cramer out. Cooper also has good wrestling and trains out of Reign with Mark Munoz.

Alexander Shlemenko vs. Brennan Ward
Nickname:                                          Storm                  |   The Irish Bad Boy
Height:                                                5'11                    |           5'11
Age:                                                      29                      |            25
MMA Record (BMMA):              49-7 (10-1)            |         9-1 (5-1)
Arm Length:                                       71 in.                  |           71 in.
Team:                                        RusFighters Sport Club |  Whaling City Boxing
Weight Class:                                      Middleweight (185 pounds)

Notes: For the Bellator Middleweight Championship

Preview: Shlemenko is riding a twelve fight win streak. His recent win was over Doug Marshall by KO at Bellator 109 (November 22, 2013). Ward is riding a four fight win streak. His recent win was over Mikkel Parlo by TKO at Bellator 107 (November 8, 2013).

Predictions: Ward. Ward is young and not as experienced but he may have what's needed to beat Shlemenko. For one, Ward may be the best wrestler Shlemenko has faced in a while as he is a former NCAA Division III wrestler. While Shlemenko isn't bad on the ground, he probably hasn't fought many guys in recent times with NCAA wrestlers much less an NCAA Division III runner up and All-American. None of the fighters that Shlemenko has beat in his current win streak has a wrestling pedigree like Ward. Ward is also a good striker who can knock fighters out and like Shlemenko, will go to the body and not just head hunt. Ward also shown in the Parlo fight that he can be in danger of getting finished in one round and/or lose the round but still make a comeback and win. He doesn't come off as that type of fighter that emotionally quits and tries to hang on for the rest of the bout.  

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