Phil Davis returns to action for the first time since losing to light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov when he squares off against Yoel Romero at Bellator 266.
Bellator rolls into the SAP Center, San Jose, California, in the early hours of Sunday morning, and there’s plenty to pique interest from top to bottom on the main card.
Davis Can Do the Business
The card-topper pits two former UFC title contenders against each other as Davis and Romero take to the cage in the light heavyweight division.
Romero was last seen when losing to Israel Adesanya in a UFC middleweight title bout in March 2020, taking his losing streak to three.
His departure from the UFC was confirmed in December, and it was announced just over a week later that he had penned a multi-fight contract with Bellator.
The 44-year-old debut was slated for February, but a bout with Anthony Johnson had to be pulled due to an issue with Romero’s eye.
Davis, who is ranked #3 in the division, saw a three-fight winning run ended by champion Nemkov at Bellator 257 in April, and he is the pick here at 10/13.
Mr. Wonderful has only lost four times (9-4) since April 24, with two of those defeats coming against Nemkov and the other two at the hands of heavyweight champion Ryan Bader.
There’s no doubting the ability of Davis, but he does lack knockout power, earning just six of his 22 victories via that route, and he might need to rely on the judges this weekend.
Gracie to Get It Done Early
Neiman Gracie is a 4th generation member of the famed Gracie Family, and he was once tipped to become a world champion after starting his professional career with nine straight victories.
However, the Brazilian hasn’t managed to fulfil that ambition yet after losing two of his last three fights, and he finds himself at a crossroads.
The #4 ranked welterweight lost to #3 Jason Jackson via decision when last seen in April, but he has been handed a favourable return to action against Mark Lemminger.
A wizard on the ground
Relive 5⃣ of @NeimanGracie's best Bellator submissions ahead of #Bellator266 LIVE this Saturday on @SHOSports. pic.twitter.com/cV5EOPx69U
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 15, 2021
The 4/13 on Gracie looks about right, and an early victory, most likely by submission, is likely to be on the cards.
He has earned nine of his ten victories via that route, and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist should find little resistance in trying to add another to that column.
Value Lies With Late Replacement
Saul Rogers was slated to be facing Adam Piccolotti, but the 33-year-old pulled out of the bout, and Georgi Karakhanyan stepped up to fill the slot.
Rogers, who lost to Mads Burnell when last seen April, is priced at 10/13, but the value lies with 1/1 Karakhanyan as he looks to pick up a third successive win.
Karakhanyan made easy work of Kiefer Crosbie in July, earning a first-round submission win, and his skills on the ground should see him prevail against Rogers.
The Russian boasts 16 victories by submission on his 31-11 record, and it’s worth noting that three of Rogers’ four defeats have come via that route.
*All odds correct at time of writing.