Bellator 51 Preview

Bellator 51 taking place at the Canton Memorial Civic Center in Canton, Ohio is set to host the opening Quarter final bouts of the Bantamweight tournament.  The winner of the tournament will then earn his title shot against current champion Zach Makovsky.  The biggest name and with the biggest target on his back is current Bellator Featherweight champion Joe Warren who looks to be the second fighter to win 2 tournaments as well as the first Bellator 2 division champion.  In his way is Cuban Alexis Vila as well as Marcos Galvao and Chase Beebe who are hungry to get a rematch with Warren.  Rounding out the tournament is returning Ed West taking on Luis Nogueira and former Featherweight Wilson Reis taking on Eduardo Dantas.

Joe Warren vs Alexis Vila

7-1 Record 9-0

34 Age 40

136.5 Weight 135

5'5 Height 5'4

69" Reach N/A

How they got here: Warren is making his Bantamweight debut in his attempt to be Bellator's first 2 division champ.  Warren has now won 6 in a row but had his most recent bout against Patricio Freire cancelled due to an injury to Freire.  The undefeated Vila is making his Bellator debut having won 8 of his 9 fights by stoppage.

What to expect: No reason not to expect Warren to do anything different from what got him to this point in his career.  That does include perhaps getting hurt in the stand up by Vila if/when that does happen Warren will turn on the wrestling switch and should be able to control Vila for the decision victory.

My prediction: Warren by Decision

Eduardo Dantas vs Wilson Reis

10-2 Record 12-3

22 Age 26

135 Weight 145.5

5'10 Height 5'6

N/A Reach 62"

How they got here: Reis is making his Bantamweight debut after most recently losing to Patricio Freire in the Featherweight tournament semi-finals.  Dantas is making his Bellator debut stepping in for the removed Joe Soto, overall Dantas has won 3 fights in a row all by stoppage.

What to expect: Pontential fight of the night between these 2 Brazilians.  Expect Reis to control this fight from the opening bell as he will want to keep it standing.  If it does hit the ground the bout does even a bit for Dantas the Nova Uniao fighter which would be a great test for Reis.

My prediction: Reis by TKO 2nd Round

Marcos Galvao vs Chase Beebe

9-4-1 Record 19-7

30 Age 26

136.5 Weight 136.5

5'7 Height 5'7

65" Reach 67"

How they got here: Galvao is making his Bellator tournament debut after his  most recent and controversial decision loss to Joe Warren.  Beebe is also making his tournament debut after winning his Bellator debut by submission and has won 5 in a row overall.


What to expect: Galvao wants another shot at Warren but in his way could be a grappling struggle against Beebe.  As the case when 2 good grapplers met there still is the possibility of this staying on the feet through all 3 rounds even, where ever it ends up however Galvao should have the advantage.


My prediction: Galvao by Decision

Ed West vs Luiz Alberto Nogueira

16-5 Record 11-1

27 Age 26

134 Weight 133

5'10 Height 5'6

N/A Reach 67"

How they got here: West returns to Bellator after having won his last fight outside the organization.  West previously lost in the Bellator season 3 Bantamweight tournament losing to current champion Zach Makovsky.  Nogueira got him self into the tournament winning his Bellator debut against Jerod Spoon and has won 7 fights in a row overall.


What to expect: West could have his hands full with Nogueira, his experience especially in Bellator tournaments could come in handy for him but that will only take him so far with against the streaking Nogueira.


My prediction: Nogueira by Submission 2nd Round

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