Bellator 255 predictions, preview for ‘Pitbull vs Sanchez 2’
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Bellator MMA is returning for the first time in 2021 to stage Bellator 255: “Pitbull vs. Sanchez 2” tomorrow night (Fri., April 2, 2021) inside Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., airing (for free) on Showtime. Headlining the event will be a 145-pound title bout between division kingpin, Patricio Freire defending his strap against Emmanuel Sanchez. The bout will also serve as the last semifinal match in the Featherweight World Grand Prix, which was put on hold in 2020 because of COVID-19.
Let’s break down the action:
Heading into Bellator 255 this Friday, former women’s flyweight title challenger Alejandra Lara feels she has at least one advantage over Kana Watanabe. Despite the Japanese star’s formidable ground skills. “I feel that I still have that surprise factor, because a lot of people haven’t yet seen a lot of things of my game. Specifically in my ground game.”
The 26-year old from Colombia, speaking at a virtual media day on Wednesday, added that “I feel like I’m not gonna play her game, but I’m still prepared for whatever she [brings] to me.”
Lara (9-3) rocketed to stardom upon joining Bellator in 2017. Off the strength of a single win, she earned herself a title fight against then-champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. “Azul” came up short, however, then lost her subsequent bout, a split decision against Juliana Velasquez, who would go on to defeat Macfarlane last year.
There’s not a UFC event this weekend. In addition, there aren’t a whole lot of female bouts in general. However, there are a couple: Bellator 255 features Kana Watanabe and Alejandra Lara, while Mountain Force MMA 24 hosts Brooke Mayo and Akeela Al-Hameed. Let’s take a look at these fights.
Kana Watanabe vs. Alejandra Lara (Bellator 255)
Watanabe enters at 9-0-1, while Lara sits at 9-3 after a really impressive win over Veta Arteaga.
I am so high on Watanabe’s potential. If she gets her striking up to the level where it needs to be, then she has championship potential. The knock against her has been her strength of schedule. She has had a lot of opponents who were very much below her level of experience. However, in her last fight in December 2019, she notched a third-round stoppage of Ilara Joanne to answer the question of what she can do against tougher opposition.
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