Another busy weekend is in store for our MMASucka staff picks. Later tonight, October 25th will see Bellator 231 take place from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The card will begin at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) live on Paramount Network. This morning’s ONE Championship: Dawn of Valor staff picks were unfortunately unable to be published in time. To accommodate for this, results from everyone’s picks will be included in the “Staff Records” section.
The Fights
Heavyweight veterans will rematch in the co-main event between 40-year-old Frank Mir and 43-year-old Roy Nelson. Mir is looking to snap an unfortunate four-fight skid; three by victim of knockout. His most recent victories came with the UFC in 2015 knocking out both Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Todd Duffee inside the first round. Although this latter half of Mir’s career has seen its struggle, he has accomplished much in his soon-to-be 32-fight career including the UFC heavyweight belt in 2004. His opponent, Nelson, is also hoping to snap a three-fight skid of defeats. Nelson also will look to avenge his prior decision loss to Mir, the two sharing space in the UFC’s octagon in 2011. Among his accomplishments include being a former IFL champion and season ten winner on The Ultimate Fighter. Nelson’s most recent win came in September of 2017 by decision over Javy Ayala.
In the co-main event, former Bellator light heavyweight champion Phil Davis will take on RIZIN rising star Karl Albrektsson. Also on the main card sees LFA welterweight champion Jason Jackson battling former NCAA Division I wrestler Ed Ruth and the third fight of former pro-wrestling star Jake Hager. See the remaining fights on the main card of Bellator 231 further below.
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 231 below.
Staff Records after ONE Championship: Dawn of Valor:
1. Connor Deitrich: 257-143
2. Michael DeSantis: 256-144
3. Ed Gallo: 246-150
4. Mitchell Banuelos: 244-144
5. Mike Skytte: 238-162
6. Jeremy Brand: 235-165
7. Matt Bricker: 221-166
8. Ash Camyab: 205-157
9. Frazer Krohn: 134-98
10. Ryan Hobbs: 117-105
11. Andrew Benjamin: 102-66
12. McKenzie Guardiero: 94-74
13. Tanner Russ: 64-34
14. Dan Rose: 50-34
15. Mike Lynch: 27-26
*Parenthesis indicate results from ONE Championship: Dawn of Valor*
**Staff picks for the remaining cards will be added NEXT weekend**
Jake Hager (2-0) vs. Anthony Garrett (4-2)
Jeremy Brand: Hager via Round 1 TKO
Mike Skytte: Hager via Round 2 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Hager via Round 1 SUB
Mitchell Banuelos: Hager via Round 1 SUB
Ed Gallo: Hager via Round 1 SUB
Matt Bricker: Hager via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Hager via Round 1 SUB
Ash Camyab: Hager via Round 1 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Hager via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Hager via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Hager via Round 2 SUB
McKenzie Guardiero: Hager via Round 1 TKO
Tanner Russ: Hager via Round 1 SUB
Dan Rose: Hager via Round 3 TKO
Mike Lynch: Hager via Round 3 SUB
Staff picking Hager: 15
Staff picking Garrett: 0
Bec Rawlings (7-8) vs. Ilara Joanne (8-4)
Jeremy Brand: Rawlings via UD
Mike Skytte: Rawlings via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Rawlings via Round 2 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Rawlings via UD
Ed Gallo: Rawlings via UD
Matt Bricker: Rawlings via UD
Connor Deitrich: Rawlings via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Rawlings via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Joanne via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Rawlings via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Rawlings via SD
McKenzie Guardiero: Rawlings via UD
Tanner Russ: Joanne via UD
Dan Rose: Joanne via UD
Mike Lynch: Rawlings via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Rawlings: 12
Staff picking Joanne: 3
Ed Ruth (7-1) vs. Jason Jackson (10-3)
Jeremy Brand: Ruth via Round 1 TKO
Mike Skytte: Ruth via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Ruth via Round 2 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Ruth via Round 1 TKO
Ed Gallo: Jackson via Round 1 TKO
Matt Bricker: Ruth via Round 3 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Ruth via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Ruth via Round 1 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Ruth via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Ruth via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Ruth via Round 2 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Ruth via Round 3 TKO
Tanner Russ: Ruth via UD
Dan Rose: Ruth via UD
Mike Lynch: Ruth via UD
Staff picking Ruth: 14
Staff picking Jackson: 1
Phil Davis (20-5) vs. Karl Albrektsson (9-2)
Jeremy Brand: Davis via UD
Mike Skytte: Albrektsson via Round 3 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Davis via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Davis via UD
Ed Gallo: Davis via UD
Matt Bricker: Davis via UD
Connor Deitrich: Davis via UD
Ash Camyab: Davis via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Davis via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Albrektsson via Round 3 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Davis via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Davis via UD
Tanner Russ: Davis via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Davis via Round 3 TKO
Mike Lynch: Albrektsson via UD
Staff picking Davis: 12
Staff picking Albrektsson: 3
Frank Mir (18-13) vs. Roy Nelson (23-17)
Jeremy Brand: Mir via Round 2 TKO
Mike Skytte: Nelson via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Nelson via Round 1 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Nelson via UD
Ed Gallo: Nelson via Round 1 TKO
Matt Bricker: Nelson via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Nelson via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Mir via Round 2 SUB
Ryan Hobbs: Mir via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Nelson via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Nelson via Round 2 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Nelson via Round 1 TKO
Tanner Russ: Nelson via Round 1 TKO
Dan Rose: Mir via UD
Mike Lynch: Mir via Round 1 SUB
Staff picking Mir: 5
Staff picking Nelson: 10
FEATURED IMAGE:
Ed Ruth (left) and Jason Jackson at weigh-ins ahead of their main card fight taking place Friday, October 25th from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut (photo credits to Bellator MMA)
