Bellator 52 Preview

Bellator is set to have it's 4th and final tournament of season 5 kick off at the L'Auberge du Lac Casino and Resport in Lake Charles, Louisianna.  Not only does Bellator have 8 Heavyweights looking to get a shot at current Heavyweight champion Cole Konrad they have found 8 very large and heavy handed Heavyweights.  Many are making their return to Bellator and have experience in the tournament format and although it doesn't have the name factor the other 3 tournaments have we still should expect some exciting finishes.

Neil Grove vs Mike Hayes

11-3-1 Record 15-4-1

40 Age 30

264 Weight 238

6'6 Height 6'4

How they got here: Grove is looking to get another shot at Bellator Heavyweight champion after losing to Cole Konrad in the first tournament.  Since then Grove defeated Zak Jensen by TKO at Bellator 47.  Hayes lost in the quarter-finals of the season 3 tournament but since then has won 3 fights in a row.

What to expect: Grove should be really motivated in this one to get another shot and perhaps his last at 40 to get a rematch with Konrad.  Look for him to push the pace early get Hayes down and pound him out.

My Prediction: Grove by TKO 1st Round

Zak Jensen vs Blagoi Ivanov

10-7 Record 4-0

28 Age 24

263 Weight 251

  6'5 Height 5'11

How they got here: Ivanov made his way into the tournament by defeating Will Penn by TKO at Bellator 38.  Jensen who already had a fight booked for this event is stepping in on extremely short notice for Thiago Santos who had visa issues trying to get out of Brazil. Jensen lost his last bout to Neil Grove at Bellator 47.


What to expect: Ivanov should be able to avoid takedowns but still get inside to use his power and knockout Jensen.


My Prediction: Ivanov by TKO 1st Round

Abe Wagner vs Eric Prindle

10-4 Record 7-1

31 Age 35

255 Weight 265

6'5 Height 6'4

How they got here: Wagner is making his Bellator debut and sits at 2-1 so far in 2011 which includes his biggest win of his career over Tim Sylvia.  Prindle is coming off his Bellator debut win over Josh Burns at Bellator 40 and has won 5 in a row overall.

What to expect: We should expect a slugfest with Prindle most likely throwing first and harder for the TKO win.


My Prediction: Prindle by TKO 1st Round

Ron Sparks vs Mark Holata

7-0 Record 11-2

36 Age 29

255 Weight 260

6'5 Height 6'1

How they got here: Sparks is making his 3rd appearance with Bellator but first in a tournament.  He most recently submitted Vince Lucero at Bellator 43 and 6 of his 7 wins have come by stoppage.  Holata is in the same position as Sparks having competed in Bellator 2 previous times but first time in a tournament.  He previously defeated Tracy Willis by submission and has won 8 in a row.

What to expect: As the theme with this event I just see a slugfest that will end early with these 2 heavy handed Heavyweights.  Expect the younger Holata to survive an early attack from Sparks then start to mount his own offense picking apart the gassed Sparks.


My Prediction: Holata by TKO 1st Round

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