5 fights Bellator MMA should consider

#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.