5 fights Bellator MMA should consider

Since taking over as president of Bellator MMA, Scott Coker has done a good job building homegrown stars for the promotion. Whether it be through the Grand Prix, champion vs. champion or crossover bouts, Coker has booked entertaining fights. Although some fights didn’t live up to expectations, Bellator has delivered for the most part and generated interest from their fanbase.

With Showtime as the American broadcast partner, now is the perfect time for Coker to take advantage. Coker has an opportunity to book some outside-the-box matchups that would make for exciting additions to any event. This list takes a look at fights that could be realistic options for Bellator in late 2021/early 2022.

Here is a list of 5 fights that Bellator should consider booking.

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#5. Cris Cyborg (Bellator) vs. Kayla Harrison (PFL)

Photo credit: Instagram [ Left: @criscyborg Right: @judokayla ]

Kicking off this list is a crossover bout between two decorated women’s champions. Current Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg and PFL women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison could be on a collision course.

Unlike UFC president Dana White, Coker has never been shy about cross-promoting with other MMA promotions. In fact, Coker has allowed some of his biggest names to fight on cross-promotion cards in the past. Fighters, including former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler and ‘King Mo’ Lawal have competed in past cross-promotion events.

Therefore, a Cyborg vs. Harrison bout in Bellator is more realistic than a Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes bout. If Cyborg and Harrison were to meet in the cage, a 150lb catchweight would make the most sense. Competing at catchweight would avoid any problems that would arise with either woman being a champion in two separate promotions.

Cyborg vs. Harrison is a very intriguing matchup. For years, Cyborg has earned a reputation as being one of the most feared strikers in MMA. Harrison, on the other hand, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo that has dominated thus far. It would be interesting to see whether Cyborg would be able to stop Harrison’s grappling and submission attempts.

#4. Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov vs. Jason Jackson

[Photo credit Bellator MMA / Lucas Noonan]

Another fight that Bellator should consider booking is Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov vs. Jason Jackson.

At Bellator 260, Amosov defeated Douglas Lima by unanimous decision to capture the Bellator welterweight championship. In doing so, he kept his undefeated record intact at 26-0. Amosov has been impressive during his Bellator tenure and has utilized his grappling to tire out his opponents. As Amosov demonstrated against Lima, he consistently applies pressure to his opponents and rarely deviates from his gameplan.

Jackson has risen through the ranks in a talented division and has made a strong case for a title shot. The 30-year-old is currently on a 5-fight win streak, with each win coming by unanimous decision. Jackson’s win streak includes victories over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, Neiman Gracie and Paul Daley.

Jackson’s victory over Gracie was arguably the most impressive because he got the better of him in grappling. Although Gracie is well-rounded, grappling is where he is most dangerous and that did not seem to faze Jackson.

Many would argue that Amosov should fight Michael ‘Venom’ Page. However, since his victory over Lima was a split-decision, they may choose to book the trilogy bout instead.

Since both fighters last competed at Bellator 260, Amosov-Jackson would make sense for the final Bellator event of 2021.

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#3. Raufeon ‘Supa’ Stots vs. Kyoji Horiguchi

[Photo credit: Bellator MMA / Lucas Noonan]

The Bellator bantamweight division has slowly developed into one of the promotion’s most stacked divisions. Bellator has made great signings that have bolstered the division and are now considering it for their next Grand Prix.

Among some of the new signings is former Bellator and current Rizin FF bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi. The 31-year-old became Bellator bantamweight champion at Bellator 222 after defeating Darrion Caldwell by unanimous decision. Horiguchi was also the Rizin bantamweight champion but was later forced to vacate both titles after sustaining an injury.

The promotion could do something unique if they set-up a bantamweight Grand Prix. Usually, the champion defends their title throughout the Grand Prix and the winner is awarded $1 million. With Horicuchi being the current Rizin champion, both he and current Bellator champion Sergio Pettis could compete in separate brackets. The winners of each bracket could then compete in a champion vs. champion final for $1 million.

If Bellator moves forward with the Grand Prix, Raufeon Stots vs. Horiguchi should definitely be considered for the opening round. Stots could also make the case that he should get a title shot in the opening round. However, a bout against former champion Horiguchi could be the next best thing.

Prior to vacating his titles, Horiguchi was on an 11-fight win streak that included the final 3 fights on his UFC contract, Rizin Grand Prix, and Bellator. Horiguchi’s winning streak came to an end when he was defeated by Kai Asakura at Rizin 18. After recovering from his injury, Horiguchi returned at Rizin 26 and avenged his loss to Asakura. Horiguchi did not lose a step after a year-long layoff and won the fight via first-round TKO.

Stots is currently on a 9-fight win streak and has shown significant improvement in each bout. In his most recent fight, Stots defeated Magomed Magomedov by unanimous decision in a great grappling showcase. After the bout, Stots also took full advantage of his post-fight interview to put the entire division on notice.

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#2. Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley vs. Raymond ‘Real Deal’ Daniels

[Photo credit: Bellator MMA / Lucas Noonan]

There’s a famous saying in combat sports that styles make fights and Bellator could do just that. A bout between former title-challenger Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley and Raymond ‘The Real Deal’ Daniels would be an exciting one.

Daley has incredible knockout power and has used that to his advantage throughout his MMA career. Regardless of age, Daley still possesses one-punch knockout power that should not be counted out of a fight. In 60 professional fights, Daley has a record of 42-18, with 34 wins coming by KO/TKO.

Daniels, on the other hand, is one of the greatest strikers in combat sports. The kickboxing legend is a human highlight-reel and has brought his flashy style to MMA. It is mind boggling how Daniels can basically defy gravity and still connect with the amount of power he does.

Daley’s track record of performing well against strikers and Daniels’ flashy offense would definitely make for a fun fight. Bellator could book Daley-Daniels as an attractive fight that adds depth to an event featuring a title bout.

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#1. Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi vs. Yoel ‘The Soldier of God’ Romero

[Photo credit: Bellator MMA / Lucas Noonan]

Coming in at number one on this list is current Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi vs. Yoel Romero. It’s crazy to think that both Mousasi and Romero have never fought one another in their legendary careers. Mousasi and Romero have both competed in the same weight-class and promotion for years.

Even though Romero is on a 4-fight losing streak, he is still one of the most feared fighters in MMA. Romero may have lost his recent bouts, but he was still very much active and could still hold his own.

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Romero lost to Phil Davis in his Bellator debut, which was contested at light-heavyweight. The fight may have been an indicator that Romero is better suited moving back down to 185lbs.

With Mousasi already scheduled to defend against Vanderford, it makes a bout with Romero much more realistic for 2022. Whether Mousasi wins or loses against the undefeated Vanderford, an immediate bout with Romero makes sense.

Surely fans can agree that Romero should only be fighting the biggest names possible in Bellator. In doing so, Bellator would draw more viewers than if Romero fought an up-and-coming fighter in the division.