Bellator MMA make their return to Pechanga Resort & Casino City in Temecula, California for Bellator 127. The main event is a Featherweight title eliminator, as former champion Daniel Straus faces off against Strikeforce veteran Justin Wilcox.
Featherweight Daniel Straus vs. Justin Wilcox
After dropping his Featherweight title to Pat Curran at Bellator 112, Daniel Straus is keen to put himself back into the quickly developing title picture. Opponent Justin Wilcox is a vertan of Strikeforce where he racked up seven wins over high level opponents. Both guys hold losses against current Featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull.
With both fighters finishing the majority of their wins by decision, it is possible that they will take a while to engage. However if Straus can control the ground game, he should pick up a very valuable win.
Prediction: Daniel Straus
Welterweight Fernando Gonzalez vs. Karo Parisyan
Former WEC Welterweight champion Karo Parisyan looks to continue his Bellator success after his destruction of Phil Baroni as he faces California native Fernando Gonzalez. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Parisyan is currently 2-1 in the promotion, picking up wins over Ron Keslar and and Baroni after his debut defeat to Rick Hawn. Gonzalez picked up the biggest win of his career in his Bellator debut, defeating Karl Amoussou. Now the 31-year old moves on to the equally tough Parisyan who holds an even deadlier set of skills.
Prediction: Karo Parisyan
Bantamweight Rafael Silva vs. Rob Emerson
Brazilian Rafeal Silva is looking to bounce back after a decision defeat to Joe Warren at Bellator 118. Rob Emerson is riding a five fight win streak and is currently 2-0 in Bellator. Both fighters are used to finishing the fight, with 12 knockouts and 15 submission wins between them.
Expect Silva to come out with a quick start and if he can control the ground game he should score a comfortable win over the older Emerson.
Prediction: Rafael Silva
Middleweight Kendall Grove vs. Christian M’Pumbu
After picking up three defeats in a row at Light-Heavyweight, Christian M’Pumbu drops down to Middleweight to meet UFC veteran Kendall Grove. Despite defeats to high level talent in Attila Vegh and Rampage Jackson, M’Pumbu is still a well regarded fighter, holding an 83% finish ratio with seven KO’s and 8 submission wins. Grove is 1-1 in Bellator, and is looking to rebound after being knocked out by Brett Cooper in his last showing.
It wouldn’t be surprising if these two engage in a grappling match-up, with most of the fight taking place on the ground. M’Pumba’s size could give him the advantage on the mat, whereas Grove is the more experienced grappler.
Prediction: Christian M’Pumbu