Bellator 198 sees the World Heavyweight Grand Prix continue, plus the MMA debut of Dillon Danis.
Bellator MMA takes over Chicago’s All State Arena this weekend. Bringing Bellator 198: Fedor vs. Mir to the windy city, the MMA powerhouse has a legend’s fight in the main event that has been years in the making. Though fans no doubt wish this fight were taking place years ago, Frank Mir vs. Fedor Emelianenko is unquestionably must-see TV. It’s a heavyweight fight fan’s dream, pitting the undersized but always game Russian legend, with his Sambo background, against submission ace Mir, who once upon a time held UFC gold.
The UFC vs. Pride subplot isn’t all Bellator 198 has to offer, however. World Champion Jiu-jitsu ace Dillon Danis will make his in cage debut. Leading up to his fight against Kyle Walker, Danis has been borrowing a few promotional tricks from pal Conor McGregor — but he’ll need to back up the talk in the cage come Saturday.
Another jiu-jitsu wizard also adorns the Bellator 198 card: Rafael Lovato Jr. Originally scheduled against John Salter for a potential middleweight title eliminator, an injury to Salter left Lovato in need of a replacement. That comes in the form of Gerald Harris, a UFC and WSOF veteran who retired off of a slam KO last year, winning the XFN welterweight championship in the process.
With Neiman Gracie and Emmanual Sanchez also on the card, there should be plenty of action. Check out a handful of shots from the Bellator 198 weigh-ins and media day below, courtesy of Cageside’s Mike Straus!
