Part three for our MMASucka staff picks this weekend are in. Today, February 22 will see Bellator 240 (also referred to as Bellator Dublin) gown from the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The “240” portion will be shown on tape delay at 10:00pm ET (7:00pm ET) on both Paramount and DAZN, while the “Dublin” portion will begin earlier at 5:00pm ET (2:00pm PT) on the Bellator Mobile App.
Make sure to check out our picks from yesterday’s Bellator 239 and this morning’s RIZIN 21 card. Stay tuned to MMASucka later this afternoon for our UFC Fight Night 168 picks.
The Fights
In the “240” portion main event, former lightweight champion Brent Primus will take on Scotland’s Chris Bungard at 155 pounds (70.3 kilograms). Primus claimed the belt in 2017 after a first-round injury rendered his opponent, veteran Michael Chandler, unable to continue. Unfortunately, he would fall short to Chandler by decision in their rematch. Despite this, Primus would rebound strong last May with a rare gogoplata over Tim Wilde. His opponent, Bungard, has found victory twice in Bellator with both wins by rear-naked choke in the first round. The most notable of both coming just over a year ago today, stopping the undefeated run of former BAMMA lightweight champion Terry Brazier. Bungard will look for another big upset today against the likes of Primus.
James Gallagher and Cal Ellenor were originally anticipated to headline the “Dublin” portion of the card. A back injury from Gallagher would see him pulled from the event entirely, removing both he and Ellenor from their headlining spot. In turn, a featherweight bout between Leah McCourt and Judith Ruis was bumped to the featured main event. Northern Ireland’s McCourt will look to make it four straight victories against promotional newcomer Ruis, who hopes to get back up two 2019 first round rear-naked chokes.
Other notables on the card include fan-favorites like Newcastle’s Aaron Chalmers and Dublin’s own Kiefer Crosbie battling their respected opponents. See the remaining Bellator 240 / Bellator Dublin fights further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the year, staff picks will be composed of five different MMA promotions. UFC, Bellator, ONE, and RIZIN all appeared for the 2019 season and will make returns. The newest addition for the 2020 year will see the PFL including their regular season, playoffs, and championship card. A special staff picks bonus will be introduced and discussed regarding PFL’s playoff format as time gets closer.
Main cards will makeup both UFC and Bellator picks, while the biggest fights to make up ONE, RIZIN, and PFL 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 2019 winner was awarded to Michael DeSantis, compiling a record of 321-178. Second-place Connor Deitrich collected a close score of 319-180 with third-place Ed Gallo not far behind totaling at 312-183.
Check out our staff picks for Bellator 240 / Bellator Dublin below.
Staff Records after UFC Fight Night 167:
1T. Wesley Riddle: 29-9
1T. Michael DeSantis: 29-9
1T. Connor Deitrich: 29-9
1T. Dan Rose: 29-9
5. Ashwin Viswanathan: 28-10
6T. Ed Gallo: 27-11
6T. Matt Bricker: 27-11
8. Ash Camyab: 26-12
9T. Jeremy Brand: 25-13
9T. Frazer Krohn: 25-13
11. Andrew Benjamin: 24-14
12. Mike Skytte: 23-15
13T. McKenzie Guardiero: 22-16
13T. Mike Lynch: 22-16
13T. Nate Freeman: 22-12, missed one card
16. Mitchell Banuelos: 20-9, missed two cards
17. Ryan Hobbs: 19-19
18. Jeremy Cook: 10-5, missed five cards
19. Jack Buchanan: 10-5, missed five cards
*Results from all cards & events this weekend will be added to the above records NEXT weekend*
“Bellator 240” Portion
Oliver Enkamp (8-2) vs. Lewis Long (17-5)
Jeremy Brand: Enkamp via UD
Wesley Riddle: Enkamp via UD
Mike Skytte: Enkamp via Round 2 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Enkamp via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Enkamp via UD
Ed Gallo: Enkamp via UD
Matt Bricker: Enkamp via UD
Connor Deitrich: Enkamp via UD
Ash Camyab: Enkamp via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Long via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Enkamp via UD
Frazer Krohn: Enkamp via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Enkamp via UD
Dan Rose: Enkamp via UD
Mike Lynch: Enkamp via UD
Jeremy Cook: N/A
Ashwin Viswanathan: Enkamp via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Enkamp via Round 1 TKO
Jack Buchanan: Enkamp via Round 2 SUB
Staff picking Enkamp: 17
Staff picking Long: 1
Ricky Bandejas (12-3) vs. Frans Mlambo (8-4)
Jeremy Brand: Bandejas via UD
Wesley Riddle: Bandejas via Round 1 TKO
Mike Skytte: Bandejas via Round 3 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Bandejas via Round 2 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Bandejas via UD
Ed Gallo: Bandejas via UD
Matt Bricker: Bandejas via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Bandejas via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Bandejas via Round 2 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Bandejas via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Bandejas via UD
Frazer Krohn: Bandejas via Round 1 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Bandejas via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Bandejas via Round 3 TKO
Mike Lynch: Bandejas via Round 3 TKO
Jeremy Cook: N/A
Ashwin Viswanathan: Bandejas via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Bandejas via Round 1 TKO
Jack Buchanan: Bandejas via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Bandejas: 18
Staff picking Mlambo: 0
Bec Rawlings (7-9) vs. Elina Kallionidou (5-3)
Jeremy Brand: Rawlings via UD
Wesley Riddle: Rawlings via SD
Mike Skytte: Rawlings via UD
Michael DeSantis: Rawlings via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Rawlings via UD
Ed Gallo: Rawlings via UD
Matt Bricker: Rawlings via UD
Connor Deitrich: Rawlings via SD
Ash Camyab: Rawlings via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Kallionidou via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Rawlings via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Rawlings via SD
McKenzie Guardiero: Rawlings via UD
Dan Rose: Kallionidou via Round 2 SUB
Mike Lynch: Rawlings via Round 1 TKO
Jeremy Cook: N/A
Ashwin Viswanathan: Kallionidou via UD
Nate Freeman: Kallionidou via SD
Jack Buchanan: Rawlings via UD
Staff picking Rawlings: 14
Staff picking Kallionidou: 4
Kiefer Crosbie (7-1) vs. Iamik Furtado (6-1)
Jeremy Brand: Crosbie via UD
Wesley Riddle: Crosbie via Round 2 SUB
Mike Skytte: Crosbie via UD
Michael DeSantis: Crosbie via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Crosbie via UD
Ed Gallo: Crosbie via UD
Matt Bricker: Crosbie via UD
Connor Deitrich: Crosbie via UD
Ash Camyab: Crosbie via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Crosbie via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Crosbie via UD
Frazer Krohn: Crosbie via Round 2 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Crosbie via UD
Dan Rose: Crosbie via UD
Mike Lynch: Furtado via UD
Jeremy Cook: N/A
Ashwin Viswanathan: Crosbie via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Crosbie via UD
Jack Buchanan: Crosbie via UD
Staff picking Crosbie: 17
Staff picking Furtado: 1
Brent Primus (9-1) vs. Chris Bungard (15-5)
Jeremy Brand: Primus via Round 1 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Primus via UD
Mike Skytte: Primus via Round 1 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Primus via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Primus via Round 1 SUB
Ed Gallo: Primus via Round 2 SUB
Matt Bricker: Primus via Round 3 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Primus via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Primus via Round 2 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Primus via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Primus via Round 2 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Primus via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Primus via UD
Dan Rose: Primus via Round 2 TKO
Mike Lynch: Primus via Round 3 TKO
Jeremy Cook: N/A
Ashwin Viswanathan: Primus via UD
Nate Freeman: Primus via Round 1 SUB
Jack Buchanan: Bungard via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Primus: 17
Staff picking Bungard: 1
“Bellator Dublin” Portion
Aaron Chalmers (5-1) vs. Austin Clem (3-1)
Jeremy Brand: Chalmers via UD
Wesley Riddle: Chalmers via Round 1 TKO
Mike Skytte: Clem via UD
Michael DeSantis: Chalmers via Round 1 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Chalmers via UD
Ed Gallo: Chalmers via UD
Matt Bricker: Chalmers via UD
Connor Deitrich: Chalmers via UD
Ash Camyab: Chalmers via Round 2 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Chalmers via Round 1 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Chalmers via UD
Frazer Krohn: Chalmers via Round 1 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Chalmers via UD
Dan Rose: Chalmers via Round 2 SUB
Mike Lynch: Chalmers via Round 2 TKO
Jeremy Cook: N/A
Ashwin Viswanathan: Chalmers via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Chalmers via Round 1 TKO
Jack Buchanan: Chalmers via UD
Staff picking Chalmers: 17
Staff picking Clem: 1
Charlie Ward (7-4) vs. Kyle Kurtz (10-7)
Jeremy Brand: Ward via UD
Wesley Riddle: Ward via SD
Mike Skytte: Ward via SD
Michael DeSantis: Ward via Round 1 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Ward via UD
Ed Gallo: Ward via UD
Matt Bricker: Ward via UD
Connor Deitrich: Ward via SD
Ash Camyab: Ward via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Ward via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Ward via UD
Frazer Krohn: Ward via Round 3 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Ward via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Ward via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Ward via Round 1 TKO
Jeremy Cook: N/A
Ashwin Viswanathan: Ward via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Ward via SD
Jack Buchanan: Ward via UD
Staff picking Ward: 18
Staff picking Kurtz: 0
Leah McCourt (3-1) vs. Judith Ruis (6-4)
Jeremy Brand: McCourt via UD
Wesley Riddle: McCourt via UD
Mike Skytte: McCourt via UD
Michael DeSantis: McCourt via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: McCourt via UD
Ed Gallo: McCourt via UD
Matt Bricker: McCourt via UD
Connor Deitrich: McCourt via UD
Ash Camyab: McCourt via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Ruis via UD
Andrew Benjamin: McCourt via UD
Frazer Krohn: McCourt via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: McCourt via UD
Dan Rose: McCourt via UD
Mike Lynch: McCourt via UD
Jeremy Cook: N/A
Ashwin Viswanathan: McCourt via UD
Nate Freeman: McCourt via UD
Jack Buchanan: McCourt via UD
Staff picking McCourt: 17
Staff picking Ruis: 1
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