The second of three fight cards this weekend for our MMASucka staff picks are in. Later tonight, September 12 will see Bellator 246 go down 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.
Make sure to check out our Bellator 245 picks from last night’s other event in Uncasville. Also, stay tuned later this evening for our UFC Fight Night 177 picks.
The Fights
A thrilling main event is in store for the vacant bantamweight championship between Juan Archuleta and Patchy Mix. Archuleta competed for the 145-pound belt in September last year against Patricio Pitbull after 18 straight victories. Although dropping the unanimous decision, he now looks for a second attempt in a lighter weight class. His opponent, Mix, has yet to face defeat through 13 professional appearances. Three dominant performances over Ricky Bandejas, Isaiah Chapman, and Yuki Motoya have propelled the 27-year-old to the biggest fight of his career. With a combined record of 37-2 and with a combined finishing rate of 62%, look for these men to deliver a fight to remember.
Welterweights Jon Fitch and Neiman Gracie will meet in the co-main event. 42-fight veteran and former WSOF/PFL champion Fitch looks to make his climb back to the top following a near-title win against Rory MacDonald last year. BJJ specialist Gracie also hopes to rebound after his title loss to the aforementioned MacDonald.
See the remainder of our MMASucka staff picks for Bellator 246 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 246 staff picks below.
Staff Records after UFC Fight Night 176:
1. Connor Deitrich: 134-54
2. Michael DeSantis: 133-54
3. Wesley Riddle: 123-57
4. Matt Bricker: 119-69
5. Jack Buchanan: 113-52
6. Frazer Krohn: 112-76
7. Jeremy Brand: 111-64
8. Dan Rose: 110-78
9. Nate Freeman: 109-67
10T. Ash Camyab: 107-77
10T. McKenzie Guardiero: 107-81
12. Mike Lynch: 103-62
13. Ryan Hobbs: 99-64
14. Andrew Benjamin: 96-86
15. Ashwin Viswanathan: 83-51
16. Mike Skytte: 67-45
17. Mitchell Banuelos: 64-39
18. Ed Gallo: 54-27
19. Joshua Yule: 52-26
20. Jeremy Cook: 14-6
*Note: not all staff has picked for every event*
**Note: Bellator 245 picks will be added to records NEXT week**
Derek Campos (20-10) vs. Deoni Diggs (8-0)
Jeremy Brand: Campos via UD
Wesley Riddle: Campos via UD
Michael DeSantis: Diggs via Round 2 SUB
Matt Bricker: N/A
Connor Deitrich: Diggs via UD
Ash Camyab: Campos via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Campos via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Campos via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Campos via SD
Dan Rose: Diggs via Round 2 SUB
Mike Lynch: Campos via UD
Nate Freeman: Campos via UD
Jack Buchanan: Campos via UD
Staff picking Campos: 9
Staff picking Diggs: 3
Liz Carmouche (13-7) vs. DeAnna Bennett (10-6-1)
Jeremy Brand: Carmouche via UD
Wesley Riddle: Carmouche via UD
Michael DeSantis: Carmouche via UD
Matt Bricker: N/A
Connor Deitrich: Carmouche via Round 1 SUB
Ash Camyab: Carmouche via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Carmouche via Round 1 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Carmouche via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Carmouche via UD
Dan Rose: Carmouche via Round 2 SUB
Mike Lynch: Carmouche via UD
Nate Freeman: Carmouche via SD
Jack Buchanan: Carmouche via UD
Staff picking Carmouche: 12
Staff picking Bennett: 0
Jon Fitch (31-7-2) vs. Neiman Gracie (9-1)
Jeremy Brand: Fitch via UD
Wesley Riddle: Fitch via UD
Michael DeSantis: Gracie via Round 2 SUB
Matt Bricker: N/A
Connor Deitrich: Gracie via Round 3 SUB
Ash Camyab: Gracie via Round 2 SUB
Andrew Benjamin: Fitch via UD
Frazer Krohn: Fitch via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Fitch via UD
Dan Rose: Gracie via Round 1 SUB
Mike Lynch: Gracie via Round 1 SUB
Nate Freeman: Gracie via Round 3 SUB
Jack Buchanan: Fitch via UD
Staff picking Fitch: 6
Staff picking Gracie: 6
Juan Archuleta (24-2) vs. Patchy Mix (13-0)
Jeremy Brand: Archuleta via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Mix via Round 2 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Mix via Round 1 SUB
Matt Bricker: N/A
Connor Deitrich: Mix via SD
Ash Camyab: Archuleta via Round 3 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Mix via Round 2 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Mix via Round 1 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Archuleta via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Archuleta via UD
Mike Lynch: Archuleta via Round 3 TKO
Nate Freeman: Archuleta via UD
Jack Buchanan: Archuleta via Round 3 TKO
Staff picking Archuleta: 7
Staff picking Mix: 5
FEATURED IMAGE:
Liz Carmouche (left) and DeAnna Bennett (right) with promotional president Scott Coker ahead of their Bellator 246 main card fight taking place Saturday, September 12th from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut (photo credits to Bellator MMA)
