Bellator MMA returns to London on Saturday night with a stacked card at Wembley Arena as a host of British stars and a handful of seasoned veterans take to the cage on a packed night of fights.
The three biggest stars on the card – middleweight world champion Gegard Mousasi, British knockout artist Paul Daley and Irish star James Gallagher – are all big odds-on shots to win their respective fights on Saturday night.
All three look also like solid picks to claim stoppage wins this weekend.
Back “The Dreamcatcher” to retain his title
Dutch legend Mousasi will need to stay off the mat against undefeated grappling ace Rafael Lovato Jr in their middleweight title fight.
The American grappler is one of the very best submission specialists in Bellator, and he has ripped through the competition to reach 9-0 and earn himself a shot at the title.
But Mousasi, who has shared the cage with a who’s who of MMA middleweights over the years, should have more than enough nous to keep things standing. If he does, expect him to claim a stoppage victory via KO/TKO.
Bet of the bout: Mousasi to win – 1/6
“Semtex” set to explode back into the win column
Daley is a 1/4 shot to defeat Brazilian finisher Erick Silva in their welterweight clash, and those odds seem about right.
Silva is dangerous, but Daley’s striking should give him a big advantage on fight night.
He’s been in relaxed form all week and told me he’s ready to deliver a highlight-reel performance for the fans this weekend.
He’s my pick to win it, and win it inside the distance via KO/TKO.
Bet of the bout: Daley to win – 1/4
“The Jimmy show” to deliver a winning episode
Irish star James Gallagher has dubbed Bellator London “The Jimmy Show,” and the fun-loving 22-year-old has been the life and soul of fight week here in London as we’ve built up to fight night.
Gallagher is priced at 1/6 to defeat Jeremiah Labiano in their 140-pound catchweight contest this weekend, in a bout that now has some added edge.
Gallagher’s grinning confidence and willingness to speak his mind has rubbed his opponent’s team the wrong way, and there was a brief moment when the Irishman confronted Labiano’s team after yesterday’s press conference.
But Gallagher isn’t rattled – he looks super-confident, and I see him claiming the victory via submission.
Bet of the bout: Gallagher to win – 1/6
Get the latest odds for the biggest bouts on PaddyPower.com* All odds correct at time of posting.