Bellator 36 Picks And Predictions

One single day after Shark Fights’ debut on HDNet, fellow upstart promotion Bellator FC will hold its second show on MTV2. And much like their first, this show will see the opening round of a “Season Four” tournament. On this night it’ll be the Lightweights in action. As my interest in Bellator grows, so does my appreciation of this event. At least on paper, some of these fights have great potential. As is customary, here is my official “picks and predictions” post (covering who I think will win and why), this time focusing on Bellator 36

Rob McCullough vs. Patricky Freire: Much like Jay Hieron’s fight at Bellator 35, I’m looking forward to Rob McCullough’s fight at Bellator 36 the most because I know who he is and what he brings to the table. “Razor” Rob is one tough fighter, and Freire is going to have his hands full with the former Lightweight Champion of the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion. There’s definitely a possibility that Freire could surprise me, he’s won three straight and finished two of those three fights. However, I think experience and the hunger to once again wear the gold will result in Rob McCullough winning this fight by Unanimous Decision.

Toby Imada vs. Ferrid Kheder: It’s been a case of “always the bridesmaid” for Toby Imada, he’s made it all the way to the finals of a Bellator tournament on two separate occasions and lost both times. But mark my words: it’s time for another deep run. Imada has simply looked too good against too many people. Plus, Kheder was recently and soundly defeated by Hermes Franca in a bout that Kheder “won”, with his victory later being changed to a No Contest since it was painfully obvious that the outcome was fixed. Imada will win it by Unanimous Decision.

Carey Vanier vs. Lloyd Woodard: Vanier has only two more fights on Woodard, but has lost three times to Woodard’s zero. Two of those losses were by submission, and that can’t be a good thing going into a bout against someone who has won six of his ten fights by submission. In fact, Woodard has submitted three of his last four opponents, although one submission was due to punches. So I’m pretty comfortable in my prediction that Lloyd Woodard defeats Carey Vanier by first-round submission.

Michael Chandler vs. Marcin Held: Held has more than double the number of fights than his opponent, with only one loss. Chandler does pose quite a threat, though: not only is he undefeated, he’s spent time in both the Bellator and Strikeforce cage. These two love to strike, so expect quite a brawl to start the evening out. In the end, I’ve got to go with Chandler. Even though Held has more fights, Chandler has been in bigger promotions with more meaningful bouts. Plus, he’s won his last three fights by first-round stoppage. So I’m predicting a quad: Michael Chandler wins by TKO in Round 1.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends. But what about you? Who have you got winning big at Bellator 36?