The first trifecta of 2019 is here for MMASucka staff picks. Our first card added to our records this weekend will be Bellator 215, taking place later tonight from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. A second Bellator card will take place tomorrow night, followed by a Sunday evening UFC event. Due to a majority of Muay Thai bouts taking place at tomorrow morning’s ONE card, they will not be included this weekend.
THE FIGHTS
Tonight’s main event will feature a heavyweight clash between former UFC fighter Matt Mitrione and former PRIDE veteran Sergei Kharitonov. Mitrione made his debut with Bellator back in June of 2016, earning three straight knockout victories including a first round finish over all-time great Fedor Emelianenko. That victory was part of last year’s Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix, as Mitrione would advance to the semifinals. He would be eliminated from the grand prix following a decision loss to Ryan Bader. Mitrione’s opponent Kharitonov has accomplished much throughout his MMA career including knockouts over names like Pedro Rizzo and Alistair Overeem. This will be Kharitonov’s fourth fight with Bellator, currently riding a five fight win streak. In October of last year, he finished Roy Nelson by knockout in the first round.
In the co-main event, NCAA All-American wrestler Logan Storley will battle against Ion Pascu out of Romania. Other notables competing on the main card include former two-time Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas and the promotional debut of undefeated Austin Vandeford.
STAFF PICKS
Throughout the year, staff picks will be composed of four different MMA promotions: UFC, Bellator, ONE, and RIZIN. Main cards will make up both UFC and Bellator picks, while the biggest fights to make up ONE and RIZIN events will be used. The WINNER of staff picks will have a choice between receiving a championship belt from ProAmBelts or a championship chain from Championship Chains. The 2018 winner was awarded to Michael DeSantis, compiling a record of 202-101.
Check out our MMASucka staff picks for Bellator 215 below.
Staff Records after UFC 234:
1. Michael DeSantis: 24-9
2. Ryan Wagner: 23-10
3. Ed Gallo: 22-11
4T. Wesley Riddle: 21-12
4T. Justin Pierrot: 21-12
6T. Brian Gerson: 20-13
6T. Connor Deitrich: 20-13
8T. Jeremy Brand: 19-14
8T. Mike Skytte: 19-14
10. Omar Villagrana: 17-16
11. Matt Bricker: 16-17
12T. Mitch Banuelos: 15-13
12T. Patrick Auger: 15-13
14. Sasha Moksyakov: 15-8
15T. Suraj Sukumar: 14-10
15T. Ash Camyab: 14-5
Austin Vanderford (6-0) vs. Cody Jones (6-2)
Jeremy Brand: Vanderford via Round 3 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Vanderford via Round 1 TKO
Mike Skytte: Jones via UD
Justin Pierrot: Jones via Round 2 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Vanderford via Round 1 SUB
Mitch Banuelos: Vanderford via UD
Ed Gallo: Vanderford via UD
Omar Villagrana: Vanderford via UD
Brian Gerson: Jones via Round 1 SUB
Matt Bricker: Vanderford via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Vanderford via UD
Patrick Auger: Vanderford via UD
Sasha Moksyakov: Vanderford via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Vanderford via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Vanderford: 11
Staff picking Jones: 3
Mike Kimbel (2-0) vs. John Douma (3-1)
Jeremy Brand: Kimbel via UD
Wesley Riddle: Kimbel via Round 1 TKO
Mike Skytte: Kimbel via Round 2 TKO
Justin Pierrot: Kimbel via UD
Michael DeSantis: Kimbel via Round 1 TKO
Mitch Banuelos: Kimbel via UD
Ed Gallo: Kimbel via UD
Omar Villagrana: Kimbel via UD
Brian Gerson: Douma via Round 2 TKO
Matt Bricker: Kimbel via UD
Connor Deitrich: Kimbel via UD
Patrick Auger: Kimbel via Round 2 TKO
Sasha Moksyakov: Kimbel via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Kimbel via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Kimbel: 13
Staff picking Douma: 1
Eduardo Dantas (20-6) vs. Toby Misech (11-6)
Jeremy Brand: Dantas via Round 1 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Dantas via Round 2 TKO
Mike Skytte: Dantas via Round 2 SUB
Justin Pierrot: Dantas via Round 3 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Dantas via UD
Mitch Banuelos: Dantas via Round 1 SUB
Ed Gallo: Dantas via Round 2 SUB
Omar Villagrana: Dantas via UD
Brian Gerson: Dantas via UD
Matt Bricker: Dantas via Round 3 SUB
Connor Deitrich: Dantas via Round 1 SUB
Patrick Auger: Dantas Round 1 TKO
Sasha Moksyakov: Dantas via UD
Ash Camyab: Dantas via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Dantas: 14
Staff picking Misech: 0
Logan Storley (9-0) vs. Ion Pascu (18-9)
Jeremy Brand: Storley via UD
Wesley Riddle: Storley via UD
Mike Skytte: Storley via Round 3 TKO
Justin Pierrot: Storley via UD
Michael DeSantis: Storley via UD
Mitch Banuelos: Storley via UD
Ed Gallo: Storley via UD
Omar Villagrana: Storley via UD
Brian Gerson: Storley via UD
Matt Bricker: Storley via UD
Connor Deitrich: Storley via Round 2 TKO
Patrick Auger: Storley via UD
Sasha Moksyakov: Storley via Round 2 SUB
Ash Camyab: Pascu via SD
Staff picking Storley: 13
Staff picking Pascu: 1
Matt Mitrione (13-6) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (27-6)
Jeremy Brand: Mitrione via Round 3 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Kharitonov via Round 1 TKO
Mike Skytte: Kharitonov via Round 2 TKO
Justin Pierrot: Mitrione via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Kharitonov via Round 2 TKO
Mitch Banuelos: Kharitonov via Round 1 TKO
Ed Gallo: Kharitonov via Round 1 TKO
Omar Villagrana: Mitrione via UD
Brian Gerson: Kharitonov via Round 1 TKO
Matt Bricker: Kharitonov via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Kharitonov via UD
Patrick Auger: Mitrione via Round 2 TKO
Sasha Moksyakov: Kharitonov via UD
Ash Camyab: Kharitonov via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Mitrione: 4
Staff picking Kharitonov: 10
FEATURED IMAGE:
Matt Mitrione and Sergei Kharitonov ahead of their main event Bellator 215 fight taking place on Friday, February 15th from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut (photo: Bellator MMA Facebook)
