Main Event
Welterweight Tournament Final
20-4 Record 12-3-2
23 Age 28
171 Weight 170.5
6'1 Height 6'2
6'1 Height 6'2
71" Reach 77.5"
+105 Odds -130
Common opponents: none+105 Odds -130
How they got here: Saunders is here after a quarter final TKO win over Chris Cisneros at Bellator 49 and a semi final submission win over Luis Santos at Bellator 53. Overall Saunders has won 4 fights in a row all by stoppage. Lima got through a quarter final bout against Steve Carl at Bellator 49 and got a TKO win over Chris Lozano in the semi finals at Bellator 53. Lima has been on a row winning 8 fights in a row that dates back to 2007.
What to expect: Both have great muay thai and overall striking skills and their jiu jitsu games could be even as well. The difference could come down to Saunders reach and being the bigger fighter. Saunders should be able to out muscle Lima and get him down to the mat, from there to his credit Lima should be able to survive and defend.
My Prediction: Saunders by Decision
Middleweight Tournament Finals
Alexander Shlemenko vs Vitor Vianna
42-7 Record 12-1-1
27 Age 32
185.5 Weight 184
5'11 Height 5'11
70.5" Reach N/A
-205 Odds +170
Common opponents: Bryan Baker- Vianna won by TKO at Bellator 54 10/15/11-205 Odds +170
Shlemenko won by TKO at Bellator 23 6/24/10
How they got here: Shlemenko got to the finals with 2 impressive performances over Zelg Galesic who he defeated by submission and Brian Rogers in the semi finals who he defeated by TKO at Bellator 54. Overall Shlemenko has won 5 fights in a row all but one of them by stoppage. Vianna got by Sam Alvey in the quarter finals in a tough split decision but came back with a great performance against Bryan Baker who he defeated by TKO in just 54 seconds at Bellator 54. Overall Vianna is riding a 6 fight win streak.
What to expect: Shlemenko has looked really impressive in his quest to get back to a title shot and Vianna is his last hurdle in doing so. Vianna is a tough test and proved in his last fight he has some solid hands to go along with his great Jiu Jitsu game. Look for Shlemenko to still use his great all round striking game while Vianna will most likely be looking for a takedown and put Shlemenko on his back.
My Prediction: Vianna by Decision
John Hawk vs Roger Hollett
6-3 Record 12-3
31 Age 28
205 Weight 205
6'1 Height 5'10
N/A Reach N/A
+320 Odds -430
Common opponents: none+320 Odds -430
How they got here: Hollett is making his Bellator debut on a 4 fight win streak and 11 of his 12 wins are by stoppage. Hawk is making his 2nd appearance with Bellator after his TKO win over Allan Weickert at Bellator 51.
What to expect: Hollett is the favorite and for good reason if he gets Hawk to the ground it could be a quick night but even on the feet he could very well get a TKO win.
My Prediction: Hollett by Submission 1st Round
Alexandre Bezerra vs Doug Evans
11-1 Record 13-9
24 Age 31
146 Weight 146
5'8 Height 5'9
70" Reach 69"
-425 Odds +315
Common opponents: none-425 Odds +315
How they got here: Bezerra has now won 6 fights in a row the last 3 with Bellator all by stoppage, his most recent win was against Scott Heckman at Bellator 49 which he won by TKO. Evans is making his Bellator debut while on a 2 fight losing streak.
What to expect: Bezerra is making his 4th appearance and it's about time he gets he's chance in a tournament and a title shot. Evans has always been a tough fight but Bezerra is definitely on another level than him and could finish this in just about any fashion.
My Prediction: Bezerra by Submission 1st Round
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