Bellator Makes Their NYC Debut Tonight At Madison Square Garden

Bellator 180/Bellator NYC is tonight, live from Madison Square Garden, and the duel cards are some of the biggest assembled this year. I know it’s kind of a confusing setup with “two cards” in one night even though they’re at the exact same venue, but basically, there’s prelims (Bellator 180) and there’s a main card (Bellator NYC).

Bellator 180 is free TV from 8-10pm EST, main evented by Phil Davis vs Ryan Bader for the Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship. “Bellator NYC” is the $49.95 pay per view that starts immediately after, featuring the debuting prospect Aaron Pico, two Championship bouts, and two huge “circus” fights. One’s way more circus-y than the other, in Chael Sonnen vs Wanderlei Silva, as opposed to Fedor Emelianenko vs Matt Mitrione, but the fans are into both fights, so fuck it. You wanna get nuts? Let’s get nuts. I’ll talk a little bit about the top 3 billed fights, but here’s my thing with this card: if you want to support mixed martial arts, you will buy this pay per view. Is it the best pure fighters in the world in every bout? Nope. It’s some freakshows. BUT, it’s good for the sport to promote other companies, and no matter what happens, everyone is going to be talking about it tonight/tomorrow. Look at Kimbo/Dada5000 and Royce Grace vs Ken Shamrock 42. If I missed those live, I’d probably go jump off a bridge. They made for some of my favorite moments in MMA history.

Chael Sonnen (-165) vs Wanderlei Silva (+155)

Chael and Wanderlei have had a rivalry for so many years now that while this fight was a long time coming, it’s too long coming. It’s kind of a shitshow. The two really honed in on their hatred for one another when they coached against each other on TUF Brazil 3 (and got into a fight on set), and none of that hatred has died down in the four years since that was filmed.

They’re main eventing because of their name value, and I think The Bad Guy will come out on top at Bellator’s first NYC event. He’s very determined to prove that he’s still got it after losing to Tito Ortiz in his return fight, and Wanderlei hasn’t fought since 2013, so the cage rust should be evident.

Fedor Emelianenko (+110) vs Matt Mitrione (-120)

Matt’s a friend of the program for us here at Barstool. I got in touch with the Bellator PR guys a few months ago and found out they’re big stoolies, so Matt dropped by the office one day, watched Tex’s Rough N Rowdy fight, and gave him some advice for next year: Butthole vs Bennett II. After that, Pat McAfee started training with him and Chris Lytle, and we’ve loved the guy ever since. Super relatable, humble dude you can’t help but root for. He’s my pick in this one. FEDOR hasn’t looked anything like FEDOR in his last few fights, and Matt’s got the age/speed/KO power advantage in 2017. If he does win this one, you have to consider he’ll get a shot at the now vacant Bellator Heavyweight Championship in the near future, and he deserves it. Build your division around this man!

Douglas Lima (+170) vs Lorenz Larkin (-185) for the Bellator Welterweight Championship

I’ve written (wrote? I dunno, I didn’t go to college) in the past about Bellator’s 170lb division, and how it’s full of fucking killers. Well tonight we add another to the mix in Lorenz Larkin, making his Bellator debut after being a fan favorite in the UFC. I think he’s going to make a statement early, and finish this fight within 3.

Also on the card is one of my favorite Bellator fighters Michael Chandler against Brent Primus, who he’ll destroy (some lines are more lopsided than McGregor/Mayweather) and the debut of Aaron Pico, potentially the best looking prospect in MMA history as far as his wrestling skillset is concerned. I’ll be cageside, so look out for me.