Bellator 55 Preview

Bellator 55 is set to take place at the Cocopah Resort and Casino in Yuma, Arizona and features 2 semi final bouts in the Bantamweight tournament.  Light Heavyweight Champion Christian M'Pumbu looks to extend the collective Bellator champion's undefeated streak to 12 fights in non title fights as he will take on veteran Travis Wiuff.  Richard Tirloni and Steve Gable will open up the show in what should a grappling battle in the Lightweight divison.

Bantamweight Tournament Semi Final

Marcos Galvao vs Alexis Vila
10-4-1 Record 10-0 

 30 Age 40

    135 Weight 134.5

 5'7 Height 5'4

  65" Reach N/A

How they got here: Galvao is coming off his tournament quarter final bout win over Chase Beebe.  Galvao most likely was looking forward to getting a rematch with Joe Warren but he will get the next best thing in the guy that beat Warren in Alexis Vila.  As mentioned the undefeated Vila is coming off his huge win over Joe Warren in his quarter final bout.

What to expect: Vila is obviously riding high off his huge win over Warren but Galvao is another tough test for the Cuban.  Vila's wrestling background though will give him the edge in this fight and should allow him to dictate where it goes, which most likely will see him favour keeping it on the feet.

My Prediction: Vila by TKO 1st Round

Bantamweight Tournament Semi Final

Eduardo Dantas vs Ed West
11-2 Record 17-5

 22 Age 27
134.5 Weight 134

   5'10 Height 5'10

   N/A Reach N/A

How they got here: West won his quarter final bout against Luiz Nogueira and has won 2 fights in a row overall.  Dantas won his quarter final bout against Wilson Reis in impressive fashion with a KO and has won 4 fights in a row overall.

What to expect: West is going to want to avoid getting into a stand up war with Dantas by slowing the pace down and getting the fight to the ground.  That could be a very tough task for West though as Dantas will surely come into this fight riding high off his last win and will be looking for a similar result.

My Prediction: Dantas by TKO 2nd Round

Christian M'Pumbu vs Travis Wiuff

18-3 Record 64-15

34 Age 33

199 Weight 205

6'2 Height 6'3

78" Reach N/A

How they got here: M'Pumbu returns to action in a non title bout after having made an impressive run in the Light Heavyweight tournament during season 4 where he won all 3 of his fights to be crowned the first Bellator Light Heavyweight champion.  Wiuff is making his Bellator debut on a 2 fight win streak.

What to expect: M'Pumbu should be able to do what got him to this point and that is out strike his opponent while being the aggressor.  Wiuff may be in tough in this bout, he could though survive at least the first round if he was able to get the fight to the ground.

My Prediction: M'Pumbu by TKO 1st Round

Ricardo Tirloni vs Steve Gable
13-1 Record 5-1

28 Age 35

155 Weight 170

5'10 Height 5'10

N/A Reach N/A

How they got here: Tirloni is making his Bellator debut on a 10 fight, 3 year unbeaten streak with his only career loss coming against Ben Henderson.  Gable is also making his Bellator debut while on a 2 fight win streak with both wins coming by way of submission.

What to expect: Both have solid ground games so it would be a shame if they wouldn't want to take the fight in their strength.  Tirloni's experience could be a factor as he probably would like to get this to the ground and look for a submission.

My Prediction: Tirloni by Submission 2nd Round

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