Bellator recently announced some of the bouts for the approaching Bellator 223 and also Bellator 224 occasions. Here are the newest fights, along with my thoughts on the new matchups below:
Gegard Mousasi vs. Rafael Lovato Jr., Bellator 223
Bellator 223 occurs June 22 in SSE Stadium in London, England, and the main event sees Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi carrying on Rafael Lovato Jr.. Read my thoughts on this fight in a previous edition of the MMA odds and ends here.
Paul Daley vs. Erick Silva, Bellator 223
A fascinating welterweight bout between Paul Daley and Erick Silva has been inserted to Bellator 223. Daley (40-17-2) is currently 5-4 in Bellator and is coming from a close decision loss to Michael Page with a decision loss to Jon Fitch prior to that. He hasn’t won as a KO win over Lorenz Larkin in September 2017. Silva (20-10, 1 NC) is 0-1 in Bellator, having lost by decision to Yaroslav Amosov in his promotional debut. His last win came in July 2018 over Nick Barnes in LFA. Though Silva has a puncher’s chance, he’s a shell of his former self, and even though Daley struggling to win his last couple of fights, he must be chosen to win this bout.
James Gallagher vs. Jeremiah Labiano, Bellator 223
Featherweights James Gallagher and Jeremiah Labiano will struggle Bellator 223. Gallagher (8-1) has a 5-1 record in Bellator and rebounded well from his furious KO loss to Ricky Bandejas using a submission win over Stephen Graham his out time. Labiano (12-6) is 2-2 total in Bellator and is coming off of a TKO win over Justin Smitley. Although Gallagher is overrated, he should still be favored to win this battle.
Melvin Manhoef vs. Kent Kauppinen, Bellator 223
Middleweights Melvin Manhoef and Kent Kauppinen also meet at Bellator 223. Manhoef (30-14-1, two NC) is currently 42-years-old now and is coming from successive losses to former champ Rafael Carvalho. His last win was a knockout victory over Hisaki Kato back in 2015, and he has a 2-3, 1 NC album in Bellator. Kauppinen (11-4) is only 1-1 in Bellator but he is coming off of a KO win over Alessio Sakara which was a breakthrough performance for him. Despite Manhoef’s advantage in experience, you have to favor the younger and more lasting fighter here in Kauppinen.
Julia Budd vs. Olga Rubin, Bellator 224
And finally, Bellator 224 occurs July 12 at WinStar Resort Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma and the main event features Bellator women’s featherweight champion Julia Budd contrary to Olga Rubin. Budd (12-2) has a perfect 6-0 record in Bellator and hasn’t lost since a entry defeat to Ronda Rousey way back in 2011. She’ll be coming into this battle off of a one-year layoff as she has not competed since a TKO win over Talita Nogueira last July, however, Budd remains one of the most formidable women’s featherweights in the world regardless of any layoff. Rubin (6-0) is currently 4-0 in Bellator, although her degree of competition was sub-par, to say the least. Still, she obtained this name shot because of her perfect album and since there’s no one else worthy of fighting Budd, who will no doubt be a huge favorite to win the fight.
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