MMA ODDS AND ENDS FOR THURSDAY: INITIAL REACTIONS TO NEW BELLATOR BOUTS

Bellator has declared two or three big fights for upcoming battle cards, and I’ll give my thoughts on those new matchups in the current MMA odds and ends.
Juan Archuleta vs. Ricky Bandejas, Bellator 214
Featherweight competition Juan Archuleta has decided to drop down to bantamweight and he will take on top prospect Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 214, which takes place January 26 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Archuleta (21-1) is really on a 16-fight win streak and is 3-0 thus far in Bellator together with his most recent victory being a decision win over Jeremy Spoon back in November. Bandejas (11-1) started off his Bellator career with a bang when he brutally knocked out Bellator’s gold boy James Gallagher this past summer. He’s only lost once in his career, to UFC vet Nick Pace, and he retains a notable triumph over present UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili. That is such a good fight between two fighters on the rise, and it is not a simple one to pick considering both guys are incredibly talented and both are riding a great deal of momentum into this battle. I think Archuleta is a bit more strong and recognized, but Bandejas is a exceptional prospect himself. Start looking for a close line with a slight lean towards Archuleta.
Roy Nelson vs. Mirko Cro Cop 2, Bellator 217
Heavyweights Roy Nelson and Mirko Cro Cop are place to rematch at Bellator 217, taking place February 16 at Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. Neslon (23-16) is 1-2 so much in Bellator and most recently was knocked out by Sergei Kharitonov in an upset. Nelson formerly defeated Cro Cop through TKO back at UFC 137 in 2011. Cro Cop (37-11-2, 1 NC) will soon be making his long-awaited Bellator introduction on the insides of a nine-fight win streak, wiht many of those wins coming in RIZIN. Nelson might have beaten Cro Cop the very first time, but according to Cro Cop’s long win streak and Nelson’s diminishing chin I’d have to favor Cro Cop to win the rematch.
Lorenz Larkin vs. Andrey Koreshkov, Bellator 220
An intriguing welterweight bout between strikers Lorenz Larkin and Andrey Koreshkov is set to headline Bellator 200, occurring March 29 at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. Larkin (20-7, 1 NC) is only 2-2 so far in Bellator, but he is coming off of successive wins over Fernando Gonzalez and Ion Pascu. The Pascu battle was supposed to be a welterweight tournament alternate bout, bout Bellator should figure they don’t require a repacement fighter so they gave Larkin this fight against Koreshkov. Despite Larkin being a bit of a disappointment so far since signing a big free-agent contract with Bellator, he still possesses knockout power which will always make him a danger to beat anyone in the branch. Koreshkov (21-3) is 12-3 overall in Bellator and many recently lost by entry to Douglas Lima in the opening round of the welterweight tournament. His ground game and chin have appeared shaky occasionally at Bellator, but like Larkin he is always a threat to win by knockout. This ought to be quite a competitive fight but Koreshkov always gets massive admiration from bettors and I guess he be a small favorite here.
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