Bellator 273 | US | Saturday
Lightweight, Islam Mamedov (20-1-1)
A top-level wrestler, Mamedov finds the takedown naturally, and on top, he is as good as it gets. He sticks like glue, moves well, and is even excellent at taking the back. His ground-and-pound is very solid — not heavy strikes but constant strikes. Once Mamedov gets the separation, he has a good submission game. On the feet, he is explosive, and he lunges forward with hooks and flying knees. He has power but his ground game is where he is best. Just his second fight into his Bellator career and he’s co-main eventing against Benson Henderson (28-11).
Middleweight, Dalton Rosta (5-0)
Rosta is an NCAA wrestler, took part in jiu-jitsu and boxing from a young age, and played one year of college football for Youngstown State as a linebacker. He’s 5-0 in Bellator and has improved vastly in each fight. Rosta is still young but is an excellent wrestler and has a good top position. A lot of improvement in striking and having gone the distance twice now, his cardio has looked great. He fights Duane Johnson (6-2) who replaces Romero Cotton.
Featherweight, Lucas Brennan (5-0)
The unblemished record holder Lucas Brennan is only 5-0 and has been killing in inside the Bellator cage since he’s turned pro. He’s a jiu-jitsu black belt and a legit grappler when in the cage. Still raw on the feet, Brennan wants to get the fight down to either pound them out or submit them. Brennan still has a lot to prove but the talent is there. He fights Ben Lugo (5-4).
CFFC 105 | US | Saturday
Bantamweight, Paul Capaldo (6-0)
Capaldo is still young in his career but is near his prime. He already has everything you look for in a fighter and is someone I’m sure will reach a big stage soon. Capaldo on the feet throws everything with heavy power looking to the finish. He has an excellent head kick with which he has a knockout by, in his pro debut. Not only a striker as Capaldo is probably a better wrestler than anything. Capaldo throws at a good pace and can do it for three solid rounds going the distance three times in his pro career. He fights Jose Perez (5-1).
Lightweight, Manoel Sousa (7-0)
Sousa has only seven pro fights but a few of those wins really stand out. He handed prospect Mauricio Ruffy his first loss and beat a high-profiled Brendo Bispo. Sousa is a heavy-handed fighter who slings powerful right and left hooks. He does a good job going to the body and throwing kicks behind his strikes. He has good head movement and good footwork as well. The very athletic Sousa also has a strong wrestling attack and is a submission threat that he can use all fight. He fights Trevor Ollison (5-3).
