Bellator 278: Velasquez vs. Carmouche

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

sabatello taking the colby aproach.

he knows his style is kinda boring so he becomes controversial 

American top team trying to make a “good” version of Colby lol

bellators colby lol

and they both have a loss to a decent fighter(warlley alves-irwin rivera), that they are way better than

I like it I'm with you 

* Edited at 04.22.2022, 3:21 PM ET *

Think Lugo could get finished here, Sabatello is super long and Lugo is pretty compact. 2nd or 3rd round choke maybe.

* Edited at 04.22.2022, 3:53 PM ET *

Danny sabatello cant get finishes to save his life lol

Finishing Da'mon Blackshear and Brett Johns is a hard task for a lot of people especially finishing them on the ground. 

Just watch, Sabatello will get it done inside the distance.

* Edited at 04.22.2022, 4:36 PM ET *

Why Nikita over Barzola? 

If sabatello could finish people he wouldn’t have been snubbed on dwcs lol

Lol Taylor Moore has been finished once by Johnny Bedford in a 5 round fight. + DWCS consistently drops the ball on signing fighters.

 Just using mma math doesn't make you seem more right lol Sabatello has more finishes on his record than Decisions....🤷‍♂️

* Edited at 04.22.2022, 5:21 PM ET *

Damn he does, but that’s against lower level comp i don’t think he does it here

Solid night of fights with lots of fun prospects and names that said Bellator does a horrible job promoting their events.

Makoa Cooper is part of the multi generational MMA Cooper family, taking on Perry who has already fallen to the hands of one Cooper. Perry has good BJJ for mma but Cooper should be able to keep this on the feet and get the finish early- Cooper via 1st round tko (punches)

Schiro vs Hao is decent matchmaking, I really like Schiro in this one he is should be the much more well rounded fighter everywhere, I like his BJJ in this one but the hands are dangerous too- Schiro via 1st round submission (guillotine)

Almeida vs Franco- competitive matchup both have solid striking with finishing ability if both decide to technically strike Almeida should win but close fight.

Muro vs Andrews II, rematch Andrews got the sub last time but he is getting up there in age and is coming off a losing streak that said he is such a solid finisher and I see him getting another finish, insane win finish rate for Andrews- Andrews via 2nd round submission (RNC)

Neal vs Edwards, two prospects but I have to take the wrestler. Size of Edwards may benefit Neal too- Neal decision 

Lugo vs Sabatello is a fun one, Lugo is the better striker but Sabatello has broken out as an elite grappler after his win against Brett Johns- Sabatello via decision

Barzola vs Mikhailov, real quality matchmaking and due to that its a close one. Barzola has the better volume and standup but I see Mikhailov getting those tds, control and gnp to edge out a- decision

Velasquez vs Carmouche, two elite flyweights and Carmouche is the UNDERDOG. Which is crazy considering how dominant she was in the UFC for so long against all but Shevchenko, I like Carmouche in this one has the better striking, pressure and wrestling- Carmouche via decision.

Maybe it's the **** talking from Sabatello that has me so confident in his finishing ability for this fight lol but I imagine Stots is winning that side of the bracket imo.

* Edited at 04.22.2022, 5:37 PM ET *

Velasquez vs. Carmouche
Liz Carmouche, DEC
I like Liz's chances......

Barzola vs. Mikhailov
Enrique Barzola, DEC
Gimme Barzola.

Lugo vs. Sabatello
Danny Sabatello, DEC
Gimme Sabatello.

Edwards vs. Neal
Grant Neal, DEC
Gimme Neal.

Muro vs. Andrews II
Nate Andrews, SUB, R2
I like Nate to sub midway.

Almeida vs. Franco
Weber Almeida, TKO, R2
I think Almeida gets back on track.

Schiro vs. Hao
Dante Schiro
Gimme Dante.

Cooper vs. Perry
Makoa Cooper, DEC
Gimme Cooper.

Two matches have the MMARanks Gold Seal of Approval, (which is a totally made up thing).

The Lugo v Sabatello & Neal v Edwards bouts feature fighters who are both 4 or more wins above the .500 mark in the last 3 years.

Props to Bellator for putting strong records against strong records.  It doesn't happen nearly enough.