MMASucka staff picks are in for the weekend. Tonight we’ll be making picks for Bellator 243. The event will take place later this evening, August 7 live from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. Tonight’s event air on DAZN and Paramount Network with the main card beginning at 7 PM PST.
The Fights
The main event of the evening is a rematch between former champions Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson. The first time they met Chandler won a contested split decision in a five-round battle. Michael Chandler lost his title to Patricio “Pitbull” Freire and in his first bout back, defeated Sidney Outlaw via first-round knockout.
Benson Henderson has won four consecutive bouts heading into this rematch. With a victory, he will likely get a title shot. It is a massive fight for his career. Henderson faced off with current champion Freire and lost a split decision. He most definitely wants to avenge that loss and pick up a championship in the process. For that to happen, he has to defeat Chandler.
in the co-main event heavyweights, Matt Mitrione and Timothy Johnson will brawl in a three-round bout. Matt Mitrione is looking to rebound from back to back losses against Ryan Bader and Sergei Kharitonov. The UFC and Bellator veteran has heavy hands and moves well a man his size. He will be favored heading into this fight.
Timothy Johnson is 1-2 since making his Bellator debut but is coming off of a victory in his last fight. He defeated Tyrell Fortune via TKO in the first round after landing a huge right hook back in February. A victory over Matt Mitrione would be huge for his career.
See the remaining MMASucka staff picks for Bellator 243 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 243
Staff Records after UFC Fight Night 173:
1. Connor Deitrich: 106-45
2. Michael DeSantis: 104-47
3. Wesley Riddle: 100-51
4. Matt Bricker: 94-57
5. Jeremy Brand: 91-55
6. Dan Rose: 88-63
7T. Nate Freeman: 87-60
7T. Frazer Krohn: 87-64
9. Jack Buchanan: 86-42
10. Ash Camyab: 85-70
11. McKenzie Guardiero: 84-67
12T. Mike Lynch: 83-53
12T. Ryan Hobbs: 83-59
14T. Andrew Benjamin: 76-69
14T. Ashwin Viswanathan: 76-45
16. Mike Skytte: 67-45
17. Mitchell Banuelos: 64-39
18. Ed Gallo: 54-27
19. Joshua Yule: 41-20
20. Jeremy Cook: 14-6
*Note: not all staff has picked for every event*
Myles Jury (18-5) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (29-10-1)
Jeremy Brand: Georgi Karakhanyan via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Myles Jury via Split Decision
Michael DeSantis: Myles Jury via Unanimous Decision
Matt Bricker: Myles Jury via Unanimous Decision
Connor Deitrich: Myles Jury via Unanimous Decision
Ash Camyab: Myles Jury via Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Georgi Karakhanyan via Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Georgi Karakhanyan via Unanimous Decision
McKenzie Guardiero: Myles Jury via Unanimous Decision
Dan Rose: Myles Jury via Unanimous Decision
Mike Lynch: Georgi Karakhanyan via TKO
Ashwin Viswanathan: Myles Jury via Unanimous Decision
Nate Freeman: Myles Jury via Unanimous Decision
Jack Buchanan: Georgi Karakhanyan via Split Decision
Staff picking Jury: 9
Staff picking Karakahnyan: 5
Curtis Millender (18-5) vs. Sabah Homasi (13-8)
Jeremy Brand: Curtis Millender via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Curtis Millender via TKO R2
Michael DeSantis: Curtis Millender via TKO R2
Matt Bricker: Curtis Millender via TKO R3
Connor Deitrich: Curtis Millender via TKO R1
Ash Camyab: Curtis Millender via TKO R2
Andrew Benjamin: Curtis Millender via Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Curtis Millender via Unanimous Decision
McKenzie Guardiero: Curtis Millender via Unanimous Decision
Dan Rose: Curtis Millender via TKO R2
Mike Lynch: Sabah Homasi via Unanimous Decision
Ashwin Viswanathan: Curtis Millender via Unanimous Decision
Nate Freeman: Curtis Millender via Unanimous Decision
Jack Buchanan: Curtis Millender via TKO R2
Staff picking Millender: 12
Staff picking Homasi: 2
Matt Mitrione (13-7) vs. Timothy Johnson (13-6)
Jeremy Brand: Matt Mitrione via TKO R2
Wesley Riddle: Timothy Johnson via TKO R1
Michael DeSantis: Matt Mitrione via TKO R1
Matt Bricker: Matt Mitrione via TKO R1
Connor Deitrich: Matt Mitrione via UD
Ash Camyab: Matt Mitrione via KO R1
Andrew Benjamin: Matt Mitrione via KO R1
Frazer Krohn: Matt Mitrione via TKO R2
McKenzie Guardiero: Matt Mitrione via TKO R1
Dan Rose: Matt Mitrione via TKO R1
Mike Lynch: Matt Mitrione via TKO
Ashwin Viswanathan: Timothy Johnson via TKO
Nate Freeman: Matt Mitrione via TKO R2
Jack Buchanan: Matt Mitrione via TKO R2
Staff picking Mitrione: 12
Staff picking Johnson: 2
Michael Chandler (20-5) vs. Benson Henderson (28-8)
Jeremy Brand: Michael Chandler via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Michael Chandler via TKO R1
Michael DeSantis: Michael Chandler via Unanimous Decision
Matt Bricker: Michael Chandler via Split Decision
Connor Deitrich: Ben Henderson via Split Decision
Ash Camyab: Michael Chandler via Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Michael Chandler via Split Decision
Frazer Krohn: Michael Chandler via SUB R2
McKenzie Guardiero: Benson Henderson via TKO R2
Dan Rose: Benson Henderson via SUB R2
Mike Lynch: Michael Chandler via Unanimous Decision
Ashwin Viswanathan: Benson Henderson via Unanimous Decision
Nate Freeman: Michael Chandler via Split Decision
Jack Buchanan: Michael Chandler via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Chandler: 10
Staff picking Henderson: 4
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