Bellator 237 - Breakdown & Predictions
When is Bellator 237? Sunday 29th December, 2019 - 03:00 start (UK)
Where is Bellator 237? Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
What channel is Bellator 237 on? Sky Sports Main Event
Where can I stream Bellator 237? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the fight via the Sky Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the fight will be available to stream via the DAZN website and app
Are tickets still available for Bellator 237? https://intl.stubhub.com/rizin-fighting-federation-tickets/ca10998
Fedor Emelianenko vs Rampage Jackson
Two absolute legends of MMA headline the Bellator Japan card and although they are at the end of their careers, everyone can’t wait to see Fedor ‘The Last Emperor’ Emelianenko and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson turn back the clock and put on a show.
Fedor was considered one of the ’pound-for-pound’ greats for the majority of his career but Father Time has finally crept up on him as his loss column is getting more attention. After getting knocked out by Matt Mitrione he entered the heavyweight Grand Prix and added the 13th and 14th knockouts of his career, Frank Mir and Chael Sonnen, to the victim sheet. This set up the final with Ryan Bader for the heavyweight championship, but he got another taste of his own medicine as Bader starched him in the first round.
After a packed and accomplished career, Rampage is also still churning out fights. The former UFC light heavyweight champion is more comfortable at heavyweight now and still knocking his opponents out as we saw in his last fight. He met his old rival Wanderlei Silva for the fourth time to settle the score, at two vicious knockouts a piece. The 20th knockout of his career was in response to two disappointing decision losses to Muhammed Lawal and Chael Sonnen. At this stage of his career, it makes no sense to pair Rampage up with wrestlers so thankfully he now has the most exciting match-up possible in the shape of Fedor.
PREDICTION
This won’t be the type of frenetic and ruthless performance we grew up watching from these two as they are in their forties after all. However, it will still be explosive, and it will still be violent. They both want to get the job done quickly and will hunt the knockout.
Both warriors have the power and experience to find a knockout from anywhere and as this is likely to be a boxing fight, Rampage gets the nod as the better technical boxer. If Fedor decides to use his elite grappling skills, it will be another long night for Rampage, but we should be in for a technical brawl.
Winner: Rampage via KO/TKO
Keita Nakamura vs Lorenz Larkin
Two UFC veterans feature on the Bellator Rizin card as Keita Nakamura welcomes Lorenz Larkin to Japan for the first time.
This will be Nakamura’s first fight under the Bellator banner, an opportunity that has come after another relatively unsuccessful stint in the UFC. His total UFC record ended at 4-7 but he picked up wins over impressive opponents in that time including submissions over Li Jingliang and Kyle Noke as well as decisions over Alex Morono and Salim Touahri.
Larkin made a name for himself at Strikeforce and joined the UFC undefeated after a decision win over Robbie Lawler. His UFC record was 5-5 but he decided that Bellator was a better fit for him. However, he lost his first two fights against Douglas Lima and Paul Daley, illustrating the top of the welterweight division in Bellator is no easier than in the UFC. However, he has responded with three decision wins on the bounce coming off the win over Andrey Koreshkov.
PREDICTION
This should be a technical battle in which Nakamura will be wise to get the fight to the floor to unleash his grappling skills. However, Larkin has great takedown defence and although he has not finished anyone since 2016, his knockout power is still there. The longer the fight stays on the feet, the more you have to favour Larkin but Nakamura’s toughness should keep him in the fight until the bell.
Winner: Larkin via Decision
Michael Page vs Shinsho Anzai
Michael ‘Venom’ Page ends an active year as he takes on Shinsho Anzai at Bellator Japan.
This will be MVP’s fifth fight this year and his 13th fight for Bellator. He started 2019 with an anticlimactic fight with English foe Paul Daley. MVP squeaked out a decision to set up a fight with Douglas Lima in the semi-final of the World Grand Prix. This was the biggest test of his career and it did not go as planned, as he got floored with a leg kick diving in and Lima capitalised like an assassin, clipping Page’s jaw as he scrambled back to his feet. After that crushing defeat, which was the first of his career, MVP has boosted his record with two more spectacular knockouts, but these opponents were not on the same level as Lima.
Anzai will be a tougher assignment than Page’s last two but he is no where near Lima’s level either. That said, he has UFC experience and went 2-2 with good wins over Roger Zapata (TKO) and Luke Jumeau (unanimous decision). Following his release from the UFC after getting submitted by Jake Matthews, Anzai took a fight for Japanese promotion, Deep, and earned a decision over Yoichiro Sato.
PREDICTION
On paper, this is another mismatch seemingly set up to boost MVP’s stock again. This will be at a catchweight of 173 lbs which will not make much difference, but what will is MVP’s striking prowess exacerbated by his colossal height and reach advantage.
He has seven inches in height and eight and a half in arm reach which he will leverage to dramatic effect. Anzai is tough but he is likely to absorb an onslaught of bony limbs until the lights switch off.