We are kicking off our coverage of Bellator 217 in Dublin – with a little bit of fun and a few predictions. We have asked an MMA coach , an MMA fighter and MMA writer to give us some predictions and Feel free to send us on your comments on the accompanying Facebook post.
| Emmet Glenn – Writer at Lethal Media, VP and Media Manager at FightBookMMA |
| Paul Kelly – Amateur MMA fighter with IFS MMA in Belfast |
| James Doolan – Higher level Martial Arts / Dinky Ninja fight team |
Emmet Glenn Predictions:
James Gallagher via sub in Round 1 or 2
Big fight for James in his adopted home city of Dublin, I don’t think the loss of the last fight has done much to dent his climb to the top and I expect him to win with ease.
Peter Queally (11-4-1) vs. Myles Price (10-7)
Queally via Decision
The hardcore MMA fans main event!! This is a fight that could go anywhere, and near impossible to pick a winner
Kiefer Crosbie (5-0) vs. Daniel Olejniczak (3-2-1)
Kiefer Crosbie via stoppage in the 1st or 2nd round
I just think Kiefer brings to much fire to the table in this fight. Daniel is a great fighter in his own right but I feel another big finish for “Big Daddy” is on the cards.
Will Fleury (4-1) vs. Shaun Taylor (8-1)
Will Fleury via Decision.
Will ‘F*ckin’ Fleury back where he belongs if you ask me! A really good contest here, Will is a man on a mission right now after his shock defeat Bellator 203.
Charlie Ward (5-3) vs Jamie Stephenson (4-2)
Charlie Ward via KO in the 2nd
‘Relentless’ Charlie Ward is currently riding a two-fight win streak in Bellator and I believe he will continue this with another win over Stephenson, who is coming off a 1st Round loss in his last fight.
Walter Gahadza (17-3) vs. Ruben Crawford (16-3)
Ruben Crawford via Decision
Another tough one to call here, I’m going with Crawford for the simple reason, if it stays on the feet he will win a decision.
Sam Slater (2-0) vs. Chris Duncan (3-0)
Sm Slater via TKO/KO in round 3
Slater is cool, calm and collected inside the cage. If Duncan is not at his best he leave himself open to Slater’s slick strikes. I believe Duncan has yet to go 3 rounds yet which may also take a toll.
Paul Redmond (14-7) vs Charlie Leary (15-9-1)
Paul ‘Redser’ Redmond via sub round 1
“Redser” an OG of the Irish fight game who has fought on every top promotion from UFC, KSW & Bellator, will be out to prove that this hometown hero should be on the main card of this show.
Richard Kiely (2-1) vs Mickael Bucher (3-4)
Richard Kiely via TKO/KO in the 1st
Another fight I can’t see losing unless the roof of the 3Arena falls in. Richard is a big talker but can and has backed this up a number of times. A big win here and we could see “The Face Of Bellator” on to great things in 2019.
Leah McCourt (1-1) vs Hatice Ozyurt (2-6)
Leah McCourt via KO/TKO in the 1st round
I can’t see pass Leah winning this fight, Working with the best stand up coaches in Ireland we should see much better stand up. We know if the fight goes to the ground Leah will wrap Hatice up in a ball.
Richie Smullen vs. Adam Gustab
Richie Smullen via sub
I believe that Adam may only have a few chances to land early before Smullen can take control with his superior grappling game
Paul Kelly Predictions:
1. Gallagher vs Graham
(Submission)
After his last fight and in front of his home fans I reckon James get the job done
2. Queally vs Price
(Queally decision)
Price is a tough guy and been around but I think Queally will have too much.
3. Smullen vs Gustab
(Gustab decision)
Going with my team mate to show what he can do and put on a performance
4. Ward vs Stephenson
( Ward K.O.)
Ward is too heavy handed and will finish this fight.
5. Ian Cleary vs George Courtney. (Cleary TKO)
George is a good fighter but its all against him here, taking this fight on short notice in a hostile environment. Hope I’m wrong but think Cleary gets it done.
6. Curtis vs Gonzales
(Curtis submission)
I’ve seen a video of a flying arm at from Curtis in his younger days and should put on a good performance
7. Fluery vs Taylor
(Fleury TKO)
Think fluery will have too much for Taylor especially in front of his home fans.
8. Crosbie vs Olejniczak
(Olejniczak submission)
The arena is going to be stunned. Great match up but taking my teammate all day.
(FOTN)
9. Logan vs Murphy
(Murphy TKO)
Has a win over a good fighter in Stephen Kilfin and showed great heart.
10. Redmond vs Tokkos
(Tokkos decision)
Think he will wrestle out a decision as long as he doesn’t run out of gas.
11. McCourt vs Ozyurt
(McCourt submission)
McCourt is a great grappler and think she finishes this fight.
12. Kiely vs bucher
(Kiely K.O.)
The face of Bellator finishes this fight in the first.
13. Redmond vs Leary
(Redmond submission)
Two veterans of the sport and maybe we get to see that famous Redmond toe hold.
14. Slater vs Duncan
(Duncan via decision)
Close fight but Duncan to get it on the cards
15. Gahadza vs Crawford.
(Gahadza TKO)
I think Gahadza has fought at a higher level against better opposition and that will stand him in good stead.
James Doolan Predictions:
Gahadza V Crawford.
I’ve got Gahadza on points in this one.
Slater v Duncan.
I think Slater May be the more technical of the two but he’s fought at featherweight, Duncan is a big lightweight. I think it’s competitive for a bit but Chris’s fence work and top game will see him get a points win.
Redmond v Leary
best fight on the card this one, I think Redmond either points or with a late submission.
Kiely v Bucher
Kiely by TKO round 2.
McCourt v Ozyurt.
McCourt by K.O or sub round 1-2 if she lives up to her potential.
Logan V Murphy.
Logan points win
Moore V Bahati.
Moore by K.O. round 2. Bahati so used to be the physical presence in fights I think he struggles with Moore’s size and power.
Crosbie v Olejniczak
Crosbie by KO either late round 1 or round 2. That intensity Crosbie brings is going to be hard to deal with.
Fluery V Taylor.
Taylor by TKO late in the fight. Expect this to be a bit of a war.
Curtis v Gonzales.
Curtis on points.
Ward V Stephenson.
Ward by TKO late round 2 after a brawl.
Smullen v Gustab.
Smullen by sub Maybe a leg lock.
Queally v Price.
Peter Queally very dominant points win I think. Big platform for a guy who deserves a big platform I think Price makes it to the bell on toughness but won’t win a round.
Gallagher v Graham.
Gallagher by sub. Be interesting to see how he bounces back off a loss, expect a professional performance and win via submission round 1 or 2.