Bellator 35 Picks And Predictions

We’re now only a few days away from Bellator 35. This event marks the first live Bellator event to be shown on the MTV2 network, and the start of Bellator’s next Welterweight Tournament. Bellator newcomers and veterans alike are all scheduled to compete on this card, from former champions to grizzled veterans. As is customary, here is my official “picks and predictions” post (covering who I think will win and why), now featuring Bellator 35.

Chris Lozano vs. Lyman Good: In many ways, Lyman Good used to be exactly like Chris Lozano: he was an unbeaten prospect with several great (T)KO’s on his record. Then Good became the first Bellator Welterweight Champion. Then he lost it to Ben Askren. I think those two experiences give him a significant advantage over Lozano, even if Lozano is a knockout artist. Lozano will come in looking for the quick finish, but Good’s gameplan will just be too good (pun intended). Lyman Good wins by TKO in Round 2.

Brent Weedman vs. Dan Hornbuckle: Both men are within shouting distance of each other’s records, but like Lozano/Good, this all comes down to experience. Or rather: Bellator experience. Dan Hornbuckle has fought the best Bellator has to offer, while Weedman has been cutting his teeth in non-tournament bouts. Hornbuckle has also lost less as a professional MMA fighter in general and has more finishes on his record. Weedman will make it a competitive bout, but Dan Hornbuckle wins by Unanimous Decision.

Anthony Lapsley vs. Jay Hieron: Lapsley has definitely drawn a very tough challenge for what will only be his second fight in the Bellator promotion. Both men have a 19-4 record, but Hieron’s versatility and experience in top-level promotions will just be too much for Lapsley to handle. Plus, Hieron has never been submitted and Lapsley is mostly known as a submission specialists, with thirteen of his nineteen wins coming by submission. There’s always a chance that Lapsley will catch Hieron, but considering who Hieron has fought and beat in the past, it’s a slim one. Expect a breakout performance by Jay Hieron: Hieron wins by KO in Round 1.

Jim Wallhead vs. Rick Hawn: It’s tough to choose against Wallhead, even though Rick Hawn looks like a pretty hot prospect. Hawn is 9-0 with seven (T)KO’s, and that’s very impressive. But Wallhead is on an eight-fight win-streak, and has fifteen stoppages in twenty-one victories as a professional fighter. If Hawn is able to clip Wallhead, Hawn could conceivably end this one by (T)KO in the first or second round. But my head and my gut says that Wallhead’s many wars will allow him to keep his composure while keeping his head on his shoulders, grinding out a tough Unanimous Decision.

And that’s what I see happening at Bellator 35, fans and friends. But what about you? Do you think those that have made deep runs in previous Bellator tournaments will win the night? Or in typical Bellator fashion, will this be a night filled with dramatic upsets? Who do you see winning, and why, at this event?