Bellator 130 Predictions

                                

Bellator 130 Predictions

October 20, 2014

By Ryan Porzl

Marloes Coenen vs. Annalisa Bucci

Nickname:                                        Rumina           |          No Fear

Height:                                                  5'9               |             5'7

Age:                                                       33               |             31

MMA Record (BMMA):                21-6 (0 -0)       |         7-3 (0-0)

Arm Length:                                     67.5 in.           |        Unknown

Team:                                            Golden Glory     |  Athletic Thai Gym

Weight Class:                            Women's Featherweight (145 pounds)

Notes: Both Coenen and Bucci's Bellator debut.

Preview: Coenen is coming off a loss to Cristiane Justino by TKO at Invicta FC 6 (July 13, 2013). Bucci is coming off a win over Maria Hougaard Djursaa by unanimous decision at EMMA 9 (May 23, 2014).

Prediction: Coenen. I'm not very familiar with Coenen and I know nothing about Bucci other than stats. That being said, I know Coenen is one of the best women bantamweight fighters in the world. She's a very good grappler as she loves to win fights with an armbar. She's good at taking opponents backs and securing rear naked chokes. She also good off her back and can submit fighters with triangle chokes. Coenen also trains at Golden Glory which is a great gym to train and should have her prepared. While Coenen is coming off a fifteen month layoff, I don't think Bucci will be able to take advantage. As for Bucci, there's not much out there. I don't know her reach and I don't know who she's training with. Bucci will have a hard time with Coenen. It's highly unlikely that she'll outgrapple Coenen and she doesn't have much power.

Bobby Lashley vs. Karl Etherington

Nickname:                                The Dominator    |   The Wrecking Machine

Height:                                              6'3                |           6'0

Age:                                                   38                |            39

MMA Record (BMMA):             11-2 (1-0)        |        9-0 (1-0)

Arm Length:                                  78 in.             |          69 in.

Team:                                  American Top Team |     Universe Gym

Weight Class:                                  Heavyweight (265 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Lashley is riding a four fight win streak. His recent win was over Josh Burns by submission at Bellator 123 (September 5, 2014). Etherington is undefeated with nine wins. His recent win was over Harry Dulven Jr. by disqualification at UCFC 5 (July 27, 2013).

Prediction: Lashley. This fight could turn brutal. Unless Etherington lands an incredible strike that knocks Lashley out then he has absolutely no chance of winning. This fight is clearly made to showcase Lashley and nothing more. Etherington is giving away a lot of size and a lot of reach so he's not going to bully Lashley around standing up. He nowhere near as good on the ground as Lashley and by giving away three inches in height along with Lashley's wrestling credentials, Etherington will be at Lashley's mercy on the ground. He's also coming off a fifteen month layoff which is never good. I was also not impressed by Etherington when he fought in Bellator last year as he showed very bad cardio and tired out very quickly. His grappling wasn't great either and came off very amateurish.

Dave Jansen vs. Rick Hawn

Nickname:                                        The Fugitive   |     Genghis

Height:                                                    5'9             |        5'9

Age:                                                         35             |         38

MMA Record (BMMA):                   19-2 (6-0)     |   18-3 (10-3)

Arm Length:                                         73 in.          |       71 in.

Team:                                                  Sports Lab    |  Tristar Gym

Weight Class:                                      Lightweight (155 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Jansen is riding a six fight win streak. His recent win was over Marcin Held by unanimous decision at Bellator 93 (March 21, 2013). Hawn is coming off a loss to Douglas Lima by TKO at Bellator 117 (April 18, 2014).

Prediction: Hawn. Jansen is a very good fighter but this is a huge uphill battle. He's not only coming off a nineteen month layoff but he's also coming off a very bad leg injury. Jansen is mostly a wrestler so it's unknown how this will affect him. Hawn has Olympic level judo and Jansen will have no chance of getting this fight to the ground if he lost his explosiveness. Speaking of the ground, Jansen prefers to go to the ground and submit opponents but that will be difficult. Hawn has good judo and it will not only be difficult to get him to the ground but it will be harder to keep him there. Hawn has been submitted before but that was against Michael Chandler. Another issue is that if Jansen can't get the fight to the ground then he's screwed. Hawn is a good striker and has a lot of power. While Jansen has never been knocked out, Hawn has the power to make it happen. Even if Hawn doesn't finish, it won't matter. He'll still likely be able to pick Jansen apart for three rounds.

Emanuel Newton vs. Linton Vassell

Nickname:                                 The Hardcore Kid   |     The Swarm

Height:                                                  6'1                |          6'4

Age:                                                       30                 |          31

MMA Record (BMMA):               24-7-1 (7-1)       |      14-3 (3-0)

Arm Length:                                      75 in.              |         82 in.

Team:                                              Reign MMA      |      Total Dojo

Weight Class:                                Light Heavyweight (205 pounds)

Notes: For the Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship

Preview: Newton is riding a six fight win streak. His recent win was over Joey Beltran by KO at Bellator 124 (September 12, 2014). Vassell is riding a nine fight win streak. His recent win was over Virgil Zwicker by submission at Bellator 122 (July 25, 2014).

Prediction: Newton. Newton didn't look his best against Joey Beltran but I'm sure he'll improve from there and not let Vassell to pressure him like Beltran. This will be a tough pick as Newton seems like a sure fire pick but Vassell is a very good fighter as well. Both haven't been finished in years and Vassell is the more well-rounded but I'll still go with Newton. Newton has a very good ground game, will be difficult to submit, and has unique striking as he likes to throw spin kicks and spinning back elbows. Vassell has a big reach advantage but Newton like to use kicks so that could potentially make up for his arm length. Newton may also have the mental edge. In the last two years, he's won two fights by spinning back elbow and it usually comes out of nowhere. It's possible that could throw Vassell off since he'll want to avoid it. Another advantage that Newton has faced better opponents. In the last two years, he's defeated King Mo twice, Mikhail Zayats, and Atilla Vegh who are all very good talent that have a lot of great skills. Vassell has largely beat no one in his career. His biggest wins are Zelg Galesic and Virgil Zwicker who are fun fighters to watch and have their moments but neither are elite or spectacular. To go from Virgil Zwicker to Emanuel Newton is a big step up.