On one of the last weekends of the year without a UFC, Bellator will return to Scott Coker’s old stomping grounds for Bellator 147. It won’t be the Shank Tark hosting the event, but the San Jose State University Event Center will host Strikeforce veterans such as Josh Thomson, Virgil Zwicker, and James Terry. Thomson will be making his second appearance under the Bellator banner, and takes on Pablo Villaseca who has built up a whopping 0-1 record in Bellator to earn this main event slot. This is a clear case of Coker and Rich Chou doing what they do, and the result shouldn’t be in doubt for too long. The second and third fights on the card are far more competitive, as featherweight contenders Daniel Weichel and Georgi Karakhanyan square off in a bout that could determine the next 145lb title challenger for Bellator. At lightweight, Patricky ‘Pitbull’ and Derek Anderson run back their 2013 bout that saw a surprising upset for Anderson. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting odds for the main card of Bellator 147 today at Several Bookmakers. Check them out: ——————– MAIN CARD (Spike TV, 9pm ET)
——————– Brad’s Analysis: Josh Thomson is going to win however he wants to win this fight. Villaseca has primarily competed in Chile, and I’m not sure I can name another Chilean MMA fighter. Depending on how seriously Thomson took this fight, and the avenue he chooses to pursue in the cage, the only thing to real look at is the total here, as I think he gets Villaseca out of there with a sub fairly quickly. I think Karakhanyan has a better chance to finish Weichel in this fight, but Weichel is probably the more consistent fighter and is more likely to win rounds. I lean ever so slightly to Weichel for that reason, but this fight is a pass for me, as it should just be one to sit back and enjoy. I do expect Patricky to get his revenge against Derek Anderson, but I don’t think it’ll be easy. The biggest edge I give ‘Pitbull’ is actually his fight IQ. He’s been more willing to use his grappling of late, and Anderson has a tendency to put himself in bad positions at times, which could allow Patricky to take a couple of rounds. Brian Rogers has certainly struggled of late, but I think his skills are vastly superior to Virgil Zwicker’s, and I think he’ll be able to get back in track with his move up to 205. It’s hard to judge how a change in weight class will affect a fighter, but Rogers shouldn’t be overpowered by Zwicker, and the lack of a weight cut could help his normally questionable cardio. If I can find plus-money on Rogers, I’ll bite. The opening fight of the main card is the biggest mystery. Piccolotti and Soto are both very unproven, and it’s hard to have much faith in either. That said, the public seems to be behind Piccolotti, and if the line jumps up too high I would have no problem playing Soto, as I think his guillotine is a legitimate path to victory, especially with Piccolotti’s tendency to leave his neck exposed. Aside from a big dog line, this is a pass.