MMASucka staff picks are in for the weekend in preparation for a strong double-header weekend. Fight action kicks off with Bellator 244 taking place tonight, August 21 from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The main card will begin at 10:00pm ET (7:00pm PT) live on both Paramount Network and DAZN.
Stay tuned to MMASucka tomorrow evening for our UFC on ESPN 15 picks.
The Fights
The promotion’s light heavyweight strap is on the line between current champion Ryan Bader and challenger Vadim Nemkov. Bader enters the fight in search of his second title defense at 205 pounds having won the title in 2017 with a split decision over Ryan Bader. He returns to the division after nearly three years competing at heavyweight in which he claimed the heavyweight championship last year over Fedor Emelianenko. Bader looks to claim a sixth straight victory with Bellator and an eighth straight since his last defeat. His opponent, Russia’s Nemkov, has rallied through the ranks over the past few years since back-to-back losses with RIZIN. A current six-fight win streak has included two recent wins over former promotional champion Phil Davis and former middleweight title holder Rafael Carvalho. Sambo-specialist Nemkov hopes to capture his first ever professional title later tonight.
A battle between Julia Budd and Jessy Miele will come in the co-main slot. Budd targets a rebound following a loss of her featherweight championship to Cris Cyborg in January while Miele looks to back up her promotional debut decision win over Talita Nogueira.
Check out the remaining MMASucka staff picks for Bellator 244 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 Bellator 244 staff picks below.
Staff Records after UFC 252:
1. Connor Deitrich: 121-52
2. Michael DeSantis: 119-53
3. Wesley Riddle: 109-56
4. Matt Bricker: 108-65
5. Frazer Krohn: 101-72
6T. Dan Rose: 100-73
6T. Jack Buchanan: 100-50
8. Jeremy Brand: 99-61
9. McKenzie Guardiero: 98-75
10T. Ash Camyab: 95-74
10T. Nate Freeman: 95-66
12. Ryan Hobbs: 94-62
13. Mike Lynch: 91-59
14. Andrew Benjamin: 86-81
15. Ashwin Viswanathan: 81-49
16. Mike Skytte: 67-45
17. Mitchell Banuelos: 64-39
18. Ed Gallo: 54-27
19. Joshua Yule: 48-26
20. Jeremy Cook: 14-6
John Salter (17-4) vs. Andrew Kapel (15-6)
Jeremy Brand: John Salter via UD
Wesley Riddle: John Salter via Sub (R1)
Michael DeSantis: John Salter via Sub (R1)
Mitchell Banuelos: N/A
Matt Bricker: John Salter via Sub (R1)
Connor Deitrich: John Salter via Sub (R1)
Ash Camyab: John Salter via Sub (R2)
Ryan Hobbs: John Salter via Sub (R1)
Andrew Benjamin: John Salter via Sub (R1)
Frazer Krohn: John Salter via Sub (R2)
McKenzie Guardiero: Andrew Kapel via UD
Dan Rose: John Salter via UD
Mike Lynch: John Salter via Sub
Ashwin Viswanathan: N/A
Nate Freeman: John Salter via Sub (R1)
Jack Buchanan: N/A
Joshua Yule: John Salter via Sub (R1)
Staff picking Salter: 13
Staff picking Kapel: 1
Roy Nelson (23-18) vs. Valentin Moldavsky (9-1)
Jeremy Brand: Valentin Moldavsky via UD
Wesley Riddle: Valentin Moldavsky via UD
Michael DeSantis: Valentin Moldavsky via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: N/A
Matt Bricker: Valentin Moldavsky via UD
Connor Deitrich: Valentin Moldavsky via UD
Ash Camyab: Valentin Moldavsky via TKO (R3)
Ryan Hobbs: Valentin Moldavsky via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Roy Nelson via KO (R2)
Frazer Krohn: Roy Nelson via KO (R3)
McKenzie Guardiero: Roy Nelson via UD
Dan Rose: Valentin Moldavsky via UD
Mike Lynch: Roy Nelson via TKO
Ashwin Viswanathan: N/A
Nate Freeman: Valentin Modavsky via UD
Jack Buchanan: N/A
Joshua Yule: Valentin Modavsky via UD
Staff picking Nelson: 4
Staff picking Moldavsky: 10
Julia Budd (13-3) vs. Jessy Miele (9-3)
Jeremy Brand: Julia Budd via TKO (R1)
Wesley Riddle: Julia Budd via TKO (R3)
Michael DeSantis: Julia Budd via TKO (R2)
Mitchell Banuelos: N/A
Matt Bricker: Julia Budd via TKO (R1)
Connor Deitrich: Julia Budd via TKO (R1)
Ash Camyab: Julia Budd via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Julia Budd via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Julia Budd via TKO (R1)
Frazer Krohn: Julia Budd via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Julia Budd via UD
Dan Rose: Julia Budd via TKO (R2)
Mike Lynch: Julia Budd via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: N/A
Nate Freeman: Julia Budd via UD
Jack Buchanan: N/A
Joshua Yule: Julia Budd via UD
Staff picking Budd: 14
Staff picking Miele: 0
Ryan Bader (27-5) vs. Vadim Nemkov (11-2)
Jeremy Brand: Ryan Bader via UD
Wesley Riddle: Vadim Nemkov via UD
Michael DeSantis: Ryan Bader via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: N/A
Matt Bricker: Vadim Nemkov via UD
Connor Deitrich: Vadim Nemkov via UD
Ash Camyab: Ryan Bader via TKO (R2)
Ryan Hobbs: Vadim Nemkov via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Ryan Bader via TKO (R3)
Frazer Krohn: Ryan Bader via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Ryan Bader via UD
Dan Rose: Ryan Bader via TKO (R3)
Mike Lynch: Vadim Nemkov via TKO
Ashwin Viswanathan: N/A
Nate Freeman: Vadim Nemkov via TKO (R2)
Jack Buchanan: N/A
Joshua Yule: Ryan Bader via TKO
Staff picking Bader: 8
Staff picking Nemkov: 6
FEATURED IMAGE:
Roy Nelson (left) and Valentin Moldavsky (right) pose with Scott Coker at weigh-ins ahead of their Bellator 244 main card fight taking place Friday, August 21st from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut (photo credits to Bellator MMA).
