MMASucka staff picks are locked for the first of two fight cards this weekend. This evening, November 5 will see Bellator 251 go down from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The main card will begin at 7:00pm ET (4:00pm PT) live on the promotion’s newest broadcasting partner CBS Sports Network.
Look out later this weekend for our UFC on ESPN+ 40 staff picks.
The Fights
In tonight’s main event, light heavyweights Melvin Manhoef and Corey Anderson will battle it out for a potential 15 minutes. Long-time combat veteran Manhoef will look for his 33rd career victory in mixed martial arts competition. A competitor since since 1995, the skillful striker remains at the top of his game riding a two-fight win streak in 2019. Do not expect any attempt of a submission, as Manhoef will aim for his 30th MMA win by knockout. His opponent, Anderson, makes his promotional debut following a 15-fight tenure with the UFC. A dominant four-fight win streak was snapped in February following a knockout loss to now UFC light-heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. Anderson hopes to utilize his wrestling pedigree to get back in the win column and make a run for Bellator gold.
Heavyweights Tyrell Fortune and Said Sowma will clash in the co-main event. Former NCAA Division II wrestler Fortune looks to bounce back after a knockout loss and No Contest result in 2020. Titan FC’s most recent champion Sowma aims to extend his six-fight win streak.
See all of our MMASucka staff picks for Bellator 251 further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the remainder of the year, staff picks will be composed of two different MMA promotions: UFC and Bellator. As of September 25th, the events of ONE and RIZIN will no longer be counted for our picks (including a recent deduction of the last two RIZIN cards from our records). With the cancellation of PFL for 2020, this promotion will be excluded as well.
Main cards will makeup both UFC and Bellator picks. 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.
See our staff picks for Bellator 251: Manhoef vs. Anderson below.
Staff Records after UFC on ESPN+ 39:
1. Michael DeSantis: 173-73
2. Connor Deitrich: 168-78
3. Wesley Riddle: 162-79
4T. Frazer Krohn: 150-97
4T. Dan Rose: 150-97
4T. Jack Buchanan: 150-74
7T. Jeremy Brand: 149-89
7T. Nate Freeman: 149-94
9. Mike Lynch: 147-85
10. Ash Camyab: 143-104
11. Matt Bricker: 135-87
12. Andrew Benjamin: 132-109
13. McKenzie Guardiero: 126-97
14. Ryan Hobbs: 95-64
15. Ashwin Viswanathan: 83-51
16. Mike Skytte: 67-45
17. Mitchell Banuelos: 64-39
18. Joshua Yule: 55-28
19. Ed Gallo: 54-27
20. Jeremy Cook: 14-6
*Note: not all staff pick for every event*
Derek Anderson (16-3) vs. Killys Mota (12-1)
Jeremy Brand: Anderson via UD
Wesley Riddle: Anderson via UD
Michael DeSantis: Anderson via UD
Connor Deitrich: Anderson via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Anderson via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Anderson via UD
Frazer Krohn: Anderson via UD
Dan Rose: Anderson via UD
Mike Lynch: Anderson via UD
Nate Freeman: Anderson via UD
Staff picking Anderson: 10
Staff picking Mota: 0
Austin Vanderford (9-0) vs. Vinicius de Jesus (7-2)
Jeremy Brand: Vanderford via UD
Wesley Riddle: de Jesus via SD
Michael DeSantis: Vanderford via UD
Connor Deitrich: Vanderford via Round 1 SUB
Ash Camyab: Vanderford via Round 2 SUB
Andrew Benjamin: Vanderford via UD
Frazer Krohn: Vanderford via SD
Dan Rose: Vanderford via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: de Jesus via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Vanderford via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Vanderford: 8
Staff picking de Jesus: 2
Tyrell Fortune (8-1) vs. Said Sowma (6-1)
Jeremy Brand: Fortune via UD
Wesley Riddle: Fortune via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Fortune via Round 2 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Fortune via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Fortune via Round 3 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Fortune via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Fortune via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Fortune via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Fortune via Round 3 TKO
Nate Freeman: Fortune via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Fortune: 10
Staff picking Sowma: 0
Melvin Manhoef (32-14-1) vs. Corey Anderson (13-5)
Jeremy Brand: Anderson via UD
Wesley Riddle: Manhoef via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Anderson via Round 3 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Anderson via UD
Ash Camyab: Anderson via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Manhoef via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Anderson via Round 3 TKO
Dan Rose: Anderson via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Anderson via Round 2 SUB
Nate Freeman: Anderson via UD
Staff picking Manhoef: 2
Staff picking Anderson: 8
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