Here's the lineup for Bellator 59
MAIN CARD (MTV2)
- Eric Prindle (264.8) vs. Thiago Santos (264.8) - heavyweight-tourney finale
- Patricky "Pitbull" Freire (155) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (155)
- Eduardo Dantas (136) vs. Alexis Vila (135) - bantamweight-tourney finale
- Marcin Held (156) vs. Phillipe Nover (155.6)
- Karl Amoussou (174.6) vs. Jesus Martinez (175.5)
- LeVon Maynard (171) vs. Chris Wing (170.5)
- Lucas Pimenta (173) vs. Doug Gordon (174)
- Scott Heckman (146) vs. Brylan Van Artsdalen (145.2)
- Gregory Milliard (185.4) vs. Brandon Saling (183.6)
This is a very good card for Bellator. Many of the fighters has made a mark in the MMA field especially with the hardcore fans. The likes of Pellegrino who was a UFC fighter, Patricky Pitbull whose destruction of Toby Imada was a viral hit online, Alexis Vila, an Olympic medalist, Phillipe Nover a TUF contestant and Former UFC fighter.
Bellator is getting there by putting not really big names but fighters who has a reputation and whose reputation is growing. Putting aside reputation, Bellator has always put an exciting fight card. Full with Knockouts and sick submission. And this card I predict is no exception.
The heavyweight Finals is not going to a decision by the way Thiago Santos and Eric Prindle fights. I think Santos has the upper hand here with Jiu Jitsu and Prindle has the advantage with the hands. (He shown it by knocking out Ron Sparks, my pick for winning the tournament after Blagoi Ivanov) Its going to be an exciting fight. I would prefer a striker to win because I think a striker would pose the Bellator Heavyweight champ Cole Konrad bigger problems since his striking is still very green.
The Bantamweight finals we are going to expect to see knees flying and someone gets knock out. Vila and Dantas will no doubt in my mind make an exciting fight. Dantas has good overall striking with his hands, legs knees while Vila has punching power (Ask Joe Warren about it) Both has excellent ground game with Dantas a Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and Vila and Olympic bronze medalist so we know anywhere this fight is going to go we will be treated to something special. I'm not quite sure about Dantas's gurad but if Vila is on top, Dantas is going to be in deep problem. Dantas has a bigger chance to win by keeping the fight on his feet (like he always to) a pick Vila on the outside and out speed him.
The two other fights on the main cards I believe are the main attraction (So says I, who isn't an expert at anything). Pitbull vs Pellgrino and Held vs Nover. Why are these fights the eye candy? because the fighters are more well known. Pellegrino used to be a UFC Fighter with a respectable record until he calls the quits. Mind you, he wasn't cut. Pitbull destroyed fighters last year in his run into the 155 Lbs finals until he met the new and current champ, Michael Chandler. Marcin Held is one of the biggest named MMA fighter in Poland not named Krzysztof Soszynski. While Nover was a former TUF alum who had his fair share on reality TV.
His presence may well cater to those UFC TUF fanatics ( I am one)
I just can't wait for the fight to begin.
