A new month is underway for our MMASucka staff picks as well as the return of a notable promotion. Bellator 255 will take place in just a few short hours this April 2 from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The event comes as the organization’s first of 2021, the last falling in December of last year. Tonight’s main card will begin at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) live on Showtime, the newly-partnered broadcasting network of Bellator.
You can watch all of Bellator 255: Pitbull vs. Sanchez II here at MMASucka.
The Fights
The Featherweight World Grand Prix resumes tonight with a semi-finals matchup between current divisional champion Patricio Freire and challenger Emmanuel Sanchez. “Pitbull” Freire advanced his way in the tournament with a five-round decision over Juan Archuleta and a first-round knockout over Pedro Carvalho. Sanchez would finish then-undefeated Tywan Claxton and decision Daniel Weichel to earn his spot amongst the Grand Prix’s top four. Tonight’s pairing also falls as a rematch, Freire defending his title by decision over Sanchez in November of 2018. The winner will move on and face A.J. McKee in the finals at a date to-be-determined.
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Welterweights Neiman Gracie and Jason Jackson are slated to meet in the co-main event. Former title challenger Gracie looks to score his second straight victory after his submission win of Jon Fitch last September. Former 170-pound LFA champion Jackson aims to extend upon his impressive three-fight win streak including 2020 decisions over Jordan Mein and Benson Henderson.
See further below for our MMASucka staff picks at Bellator 255.
Staff Picks
Throughout the calendar year, staff picks will be composed of main card fights from UFC and Bellator events. PFL will make its debut in just a few short weeks, along with Dana White’s Contender Series in the summer months.
The WINNER of staff picks in 2021 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or chain from Championship Chains. For the third straight year, Michael DeSantis captured the 2020 victory compiling a record of 201-88.
See our staff picks for Bellator 255: Pitbull vs. Sanchez II below.
Staff Records after UFC 260:
1. Wesley Riddle: 31-22
2T. Michael DeSantis: 30-23
2T. Nate Freeman: 30-23
4. Mitchell Banuelos: 28-25
5T. Matt Bricker: 27-26
5T. Ash Camyab: 27-26
7T. Jeremy Brand: 25-28
7T. Frazer Krohn: 25-28
7T. Joshua Yule: 25-28
7T. Kenny Lee: 25-28
11. Mike Lynch: 24-24
12. Andrew Benjamin: 18-30
13. Tim Wheaton: 15-9
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Alejandra Lara (9-3) vs. Kana Watanabe (9-0-1)
Jeremy Brand: Watanabe via UD
Wesley Riddle: Watanabe via UD
Michael DeSantis: Watanabe via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Watanabe via UD
Ash Camyab: Watanabe via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Watanabe via Round 2 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Watanabe via UD
Mike Lynch: Watanabe via Round 1 SUB
Nate Freeman: Watanabe via UD
Joshua Yule: Watanabe via UD
Kenny Lee: Watanabe via UD
Tim Wheaton: Watanabe via UD
Staff picking Lara: 0
Staff picking Watanabe: 12
Usman Nurmagomedov (11-0) vs. Mike Hamel (7-4)
Jeremy Brand: Nurmagomedov via Round 1 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Nurmagomedov via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Nurmagomedov via Round 2 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Nurmagomedov via UD
Ash Camyab: Nurmagomedov via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Hamel via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Nurmagomedov via Round 3 SUB
Mike Lynch: Nurmagomedov via UD
Nate Freeman: Nurmagomedov via UD
Joshua Yule Nurmagomedov via UD
Kenny Lee: Nurmagomedov via Round 2 SUB
Tim Wheaton: Nurmagomedov via UD
Staff picking Nurmagomedov: 11
Staff picking Hamel: 1
Tyrell Fortune (9-1) vs. Jack May (9-3)
Jeremy Brand: Fortune via UD
Wesley Riddle: Fortune via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Fortune via Round 2 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Fortune via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Fortune via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Fortune via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Fortune via Round 2 TKO
Mike Lynch: Fortune via Round 3 TKO
Nate Freeman: Fortune via Round 1 TKO
Joshua Yule: Fortune via Round 2 TKO
Kenny Lee: Fortune via Round 1 TKO
Tim Wheaton: Fortune via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Fortune: 12
Staff picking May: 0
Neiman Gracie (10-1) vs. Jason Jackson (13-4)
Jeremy Brand: Gracie via Round 1 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Gracie via SD
Michael DeSantis: Gracie via Round 2 SUB
Mitchell Banuelos: Gracie via Round 2 SUB
Ash Camyab: Gracie via Round 1 SUB
Andrew Benjamin: Jackson via UD
Frazer Krohn: Gracie via Round 1 SUB
Mike Lynch: Jackson via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Gracie via Round 2 SUB
Joshua Yule: Gracie via Round 1 SUB
Kenny Lee: Gracie via Round 3 SUB
Tim Wheaton: Gracie via UD
Staff picking Gracie: 10
Staff picking Jackson: 2
Patricio Freire (31-4) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (20-4)
Jeremy Brand: Freire via Round 1 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Freire via Round 3 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Freire via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Freire via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Freire via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Freire via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Freire via Round 3 TKO
Mike Lynch: Freire via UD
Nate Freeman: Freire via SD
Joshua Yule: Freire via UD
Kenny Lee: Freire via Round 2 TKO
Tim Wheaton: Freire via UD
Staff picking Freire: 12
Staff picking Sanchez: 0
FEATURED IMAGE:
Welterweights Neiman Gracie (left) and Jason Jackson at weigh-ins ahead of their Bellator 255 co-main event fight taking place Friday, April 2nd from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut (photo courtesy of Bellator MMA).
