Bellator 238 marks the highly-anticipated promotional debut of Cris Cyborg as she challenges Julia Budd for the featherweight title. Cageside Press has its picks set.
| Staff Writers | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Shillan (4-0) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Jay Anderson (3-1) | | |  | | | |
| Chris Prawdzik (3-1) | | | | | |  |
| Joe McDonagh (3-1) | | | | | | |
| Michael Lynch (3-1) | | | | | | |
| Dylan Bowker (3-1) | | | |  |  | |
| Ryan Fortune (3-1) | | | | | | |
| Heath Harshman (3-1) | | | | | | |
| Shawn Bitter (3-1) | | | | | | |
| Josh Evanoff (2-2) | | | | | | |
| Gabriel Gonzalez (2-2) | | | | | | |
| Dan Doherty (2-2) | | | | | | |
Cris Cyborg reunites with Scott Coker under the Bellator banner in the main event of Bellator 238. She’ll be battling Julia Budd for the featherweight title that Budd has had on lockdown since 2017. Cyborg is coming off a 6-1 UFC run, winning the featherweight title there in the process. All but one writer picked Cyborg in her debut.
The co-main event continues the featherweight grand prix with Darrion Caldwell taking on Adam Borics in the second round of the bracket. Caldwell, a former champion, defeated Henry Corrales in the opening round. Borics knocked out veteran Pat Curran to get to this point. Eight of 12 writers picked Caldwell.
Henry Corrales takes on Juan Archuleta after both were eliminated from the tournament. Archuleta was 5-0 in Bellator prior to the tournament, falling to champion Patricio Pitbull in the first round. Corrales was also on a five-fight run heading into the tournament, but couldn’t get by Caldwell. All but two writers picked Archuleta.
Sergio Pettis will make his Bellator debut against Alfred Khashakyan. Pettis was in the UFC since 2013 and went 9-5 with a win over Joseph Benavidez. He has two victories in his last five fights. Khashakyhan is 11-4 and a Contender Series veteran. He was the one who lost to Sean O’Malley on the show. All but one writer picked Pettis.
Raymond Daniels continues his MMA run after a spectacular KO last time out, facing Jason King. Daniels, one of the most entertaining kickboxers ever, is 1-1 in MMA. King is 8-5 in his career and has won three of his last four fights. Daniels was picked unanimously.
Ava Knight, a boxing champion, continues her transition to MMA against Emilee King. Knight knocked out her opponent in her MMA debut. King is 3-3, but is on a three-fight win streak. Knight was unanimously picked.
