Bellator Contender Series Preview: Jason Jackson Hopes Irish Eyes Are Smiling on Him

June 20, 2024

2 weeks

Jason Jackson hasn’t lost since 2019. But this hasn’t been a period of high activity for the Bellator welterweight champion. If Jackson can defend his belt against Ramazan Kuramagomedov Friday at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, this will be the first time he has fought twice in a year since 2021.

But Jackson will be glad to get back. Part of the uncertainty for Jackson was how he would fit into the plans at Bellator, which was acquired by the Professional Fighters League. Jackson is happy that he was able to avoid getting dragged into having to participate in the PFL’s season format.

That is a grueling challenge, forcing fighters to compete four times in a calendar year for the $1 million prize. But Jackson, instead, will be headlining the Bellator Contender Series 3 card. Kuramagomedov is hoping he has finally found his home.

Over the past few years, Kuramagomedov has fought in Eagle FC, UAE Warriors, and Bellator. In every organization, he has found plenty of success. Kuramagomedov is now 12-0 in his career. Kuramagomedov even collected a win on Dana White’s Contender Series but never found a way to secure a contract in the UFC.

MMAfighting latest news will show that Kuramagodeov is making a major step up in competition for this fight. Jackson has fought 22 times in his career and can win a fight via any method. This will be a closely contested fight, but Jackson should retain with a decision win.

Bets to consider: Jackson by decision, Over 3.5 rounds

PFL’s Priced Free Agent Ready For Debut

Paul Hughes turned more than a few heads when he chose to sign with the PFL instead of the UFC. But now the Irish star has a different type of pressure to live up to. Hughes has to prove he can move the needle and help the promotion sell tickets and bring in viewers.

The best MMA news sites show that Hughes has won five consecutive fights. During the winning streak Hughes ended up earning a championship belt in Cage Warriors. Hughes’ first test in his new promotion will be against veteran fighter Bobby King.

King has lost consecutive fights and hasn’t competed since April 2023, when he lost a decision to Aalon Cruz. King has fought six times in Bellator and put together a 3-3 record. He is 12-6 overall in his career.

This will be a stiff test for Hughes, who is taking a step up in competition. King has been knocked out twice in his career. Hughes prioritizes going for finishes. He should get one here.

Bets to consider: Under 2.5 rounds, Hughes by KO

Kavanagh & Blencowe Hope to Find Their Place

The next year of the PFL and Bellator merger will see a lot of fighters figure out what their future is now that the market has changed according to MMA news sites. Arlene Blencowe, an Australian fighter, has carved out a nice career in Bellator’s featherweight division.

Blencowe is tied with Cris Cyborg, against whom Blencowe made two unsuccessful challenges for the title, for most knockouts in the division’s history in the promotion with four. Blencowe holds the record for the most fights in the division’s history with 14.

This weekend, Blencowe will have another opportunity to fight Sinead Kavanagh, who Blencowe beat by split decision a few years ago. The result is one that Kavanagh has been stewing over ever since.

Both women will be happy to lean on their striking again in this fight. Blencowe’s boxing should help her win the rematch.

Bets to consider: Over 2.5 rounds, Blencowe by decision, Fight to end in a split decision

Rosta Has a lot to Prove

Losing in MMA isn’t like losing in boxing. Because of how many different styles are involved with MMA, even top prospects are expected to hit a learning curve while fine-turning their approach. Dalton Rosta, who is 8-1 in his career, lost to Aaron Jeffrey last time out in August 2023 because he didn’t have the gas tank to compete with his opponent’s grappling.

Now the Pennsylvania native is back for a pick ‘em fight with undefeated prospect Norbert Novenyi Jr. Novenyi also doesn’t have many professional fighters under his belt. The native of Hungary is 7-0 and has submitted four of his opponents.

Rosta will have his hands full in this one. Expect Novenyi to test him on the mat and wrap up a submission.

Bets to consider: Under 2.5 rounds, Novenyi by submission, Novenyi ML (-110)

Irish Fighter is a Big Favorite

Darragh Kelly is off to a solid start to his MMA career. In five professional fights, Kelly has recorded four stoppages and is hoping to carve out a nice undefeated streak to start out his career. He is a massive favorite for this weekend’s fight card, coming in at -1100 on the moneyline against Mathias Poiron.

Poiron, a French fighter, is also early in his career. He has an 8-1 record but is coming off his first-ever defeat. Poiron lost to Keweny Lopes in the fourth round by knockout at the Jungle Strike Championship. Losing at a regional event before making a bump up in prestige isn’t an ideal situation.

All of Poiron’s fights have failed to reach the scorecards. He has won four times by KO and three times by submission.

Bets to consider: Darragh by KO, Under 1.5 rounds

Here are quick picks for fights on the card not mentioned above: