Bellator 225: Mitrione vs. Kharitonov 2 - Predictions and Picks

#6 The Prelims

Renowned veteran Nick Newell makes his Bellator debuts on the prelims

As always with Bellator the prelims are a massively mixed bag of sheer randomness. The nature of them – the way they use a lot of local or unknown fighters – means it’s largely fruitless attempting to preview each fight, so instead, here are the notable names on the card who are perhaps worth watching.

Nick Newell – unfortunately more famed for a congenital amputation of his left arm than a serious record of 15-2 – makes his Bellator debut, facing Corey Browning, who recently put an end to the hype train of Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers. The lack of experience for Browning means Newell should have enough to win his debut, though.

Austin Vanderford – the husband of the UFC’s Paige VanZant – is returning here for his second Bellator outing against the unbeaten – but largely unheralded – Joseph Creer. A win for Vanderford here should see Bellator push him as a potential star, and it feels like Scott Coker and Rich Chou wouldn’t book him to lose, so I figure he’ll likely win by submission.

Khonry Gracie – the son of the legendary Royce Gracie – makes his third Bellator appearance against Oscar Vera, who’s 0-1 in MMA. This seems like a layup for Gracie, although given he’s only 1-1 and didn’t look great in his own Bellator debut, it could easily go wrong for him.

Finally UFC veteran Heavyweights Tim Johnson and Zu Anyanwu face off, but realistically neither man is traditionally a lot of fun to watch so this might be a fight worth forgetting about. Johnson’s grappling skill and clinch work will probably be enough to earn him a decision.