What's Next For The Winners And Losers Of Bellator 36?

Although I’ve only just become fully acquainted with Bellator FC, I’ve known for some time now that the Bellator Lightweights are a highlight of the promotion. That principle was put into practice at Bellator 36, with a night of fun fights and fantastic finishes. But now once again it’s time to ask: what’s next? What does the future hold after the opening round of Bellator’s “Season 4” Lightweight tournament? Here’s my answer to just that: a new edition of my “What’s Next for the Winners and Losers” series of articles, now featuring Bellator 36.

Next for Rob McCullough: There’s a future for Rob McCullough in Bellator, even if it’s not in the latest Lightweight Tournament. I’d really like to see “Razor” Rob take on Roger Huerta, I think that would be a very fun fight for a variety of reasons. If not Huerta, McCullough should keep active nonetheless, because he fought hard at Bellator 36 and reminded everyone that he still has some gas left in that tank.

Next for Michael Chandler and Lloyd Woodard: Each other, since it’s recently been confirmed that this is how the tournament will proceed for the semifinal round.

For Lloyd Woodard to win, he needs to make this a dirty brawl. The filthier, the better. He needs to constantly pepper Chandler, and the second Chandler starts wilting under the pressure, Woodard should go in for the kill.

For Michael Chandler to win, he’s got to overpower Woodard and force this fight to the ground. Chandler is a massive Lightweight, and that power needs to overwhelm Woodard early and often. Chandler needs to implement his own style of pressure, with big takedowns and constant ground and pound offense. Chandler needs to “embrace the grind”, because if he does, he’s got a great shot of either stopping Woodard or winning a clear-cut Unanimous Decision.

Next for Toby Imada and Patricky Freire: Again, each other, since it’s been announced that Imada/Freire will be the second half of the Bellator Lightweight semifinals.

In order for Patricky Freire to beat Toby Imada, he’ll have to keep this fight standing for as long as he possibly can. And he absolutely cannot coast in Round 2 or 3 if he wins Round 1 or 2, or even both the first two rounds. Freire got lax after handily winning Round 1 of his fight with “Razor” Rob, and that nearly cost him since Rob was well on his way to making an impressive comeback before he got knocked out. Freire should be hunting for the KO the second the first bell rings and not stop hunting for it until the second after the final bell rings.

For Toby Imada, it’s all about getting it to the ground and keeping it on the ground, no matter the position. So long as he doesn’t get mounted and/or doesn’t give up his back, Imada can end it the second Freire makes one small mistake. Imada is a submission master and one of Bellator’s best, so if he can firmly grab something in the fifteen minutes he has to do so, Freire will either tap or something is going to snap.

And further along, my current feeling is that we’re going to see Toby Imada and Michael Chandler battle it out in the finals of Bellator’s latest Lightweight tournament.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends. But what about you? What do you see happening in the near and not-so-near future of the big winners and losers of Bellator 36?