MMASucka staff picks are locked in for the second of two fight cards counted towards our records this weekend. Bellator 264 is official for tonight, August 13 with all the action taking place from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The five-fight main card will begin at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) live on Showtime.
Make sure to check out our staff picks for tonight’s PFL 7 2021 event in Florida, as the promotion’s divisional semifinals go underway simultaneously with Bellator 264.
The Fights
Gold will be rightfully claimed in the main event between champion Gegard Mousasi and challenger John Salter in the middleweight division. Two-time title holder Mousasi took the belt back in October last year with his decision win over then-two divisional title hunter Douglas Lima. The talented veteran will look for an incredible 48th career MMA victory in 56 professional appearances, as well as his first title defense since reclaiming the belt. Mousasi’s opponent, Salter, will fight for the tenth time with Bellator suffering one lone defeat in the promotion to former champion Rafael Lovato Jr. Three straight impressive performances have propelled the talented grappler to the biggest fight of his career.
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More welterweights of Andrey Koreshkov and Sabah Homasi will battle in the co-main event. Russia’s Koreshkov looks to climb his way back into title contention, searching for his second win of the calendar year. American Top Team’s Homasi hopes to rebound following a four-fight win streak snap by knockout to Paul Daley in April.
Also on the main card includes former ACB bantamweight king Magomed Magomedov and the fast-rising heavyweight prospect of Davion Franklin. Check out all the fights for our Bellator 264 staff picks further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the calendar year, staff picks will be composed of main card fights from UFC and Bellator events and a variety of fights from PFL MMA. Dana White’s Contender Series will make its debut 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 below for Bellator 264: Mousasi vs. Salter.
Staff Records after UFC 265:
1. Nate Freeman: 127-73
2. Wesley Riddle: 126-74
3. Michael DeSantis: 122-78
4. Frazer Krohn: 117-83
5. Ash Camyab: 113-78
6. Jeremy Brand: 108-93
7. Mitchell Banuelos: 107-89
8. Mike Lynch: 104-86
9. Tim Wheaton: 88-66
10. Andrew Benjamin: 85-92
11. Kenny Lee: 77-64
12. Matt Bricker: 57-57
13. Brandon Joint: 52-25
14. Chris Presnell: 14-5
15. Maria Morales: 9-1
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
*Note – PFL 7 2021 picks will be added to the above records NEXT weekend*
Ty Gwerder (5-2) vs. Khadzhimurat Bestaev (10-4)
Jeremy Brand: Gwerder via UD
Wesley Riddle: Gwerder via Round 3 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Gwerder via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Gwerder via Round 3 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Gwerder via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Gwerder via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Gwerder via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Gwerder via UD
Brandon Joint: Bestaev via UD
Chris Presnell: Gwerder via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Gwerder: 9
Staff picking Bestaev: 1
Davion Franklin (3-0) vs. Everett Cummings (15-0, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Franklin via UD
Wesley Riddle: Franklin via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Franklin via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Franklin via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Franklin via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Franklin via Round 3 SUB
Mike Lynch: Franklin via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Franklin via SD
Brandon Joint: Franklin via Round 1 TKO
Chris Presnell: Franklin via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Franklin: 10
Staff picking Cummings: 0
Magomed Magomedov (18-1) vs. Raufeon Stots (16-1)
Jeremy Brand: Magomedov via UD
Wesley Riddle: Magomedov via UD
Michael DeSantis: Magomedov via UD
Ash Camyab: Magomedov via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Stots via UD
Frazer Krohn: Magomedov via Round 2 SUB
Mike Lynch: Magomedov via UD
Nate Freeman: Magomedov via UD
Brandon Joint: Stots via UD
Chris Presnell: Stots via SD
Staff picking Magomedov: 7
Staff picking Stots: 3
Andrey Koreshkov (23-4) vs. Sabah Homasi (15-9)
Jeremy Brand: Koreshkov via UD
Wesley Riddle: Koreshkov via UD
Michael DeSantis: Koreshkov via Round 1 SUB
Ash Camyab: Koreshkov via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Koreshkov via UD
Frazer Krohn: Koreshkov via UD
Mike Lynch: Koreshkov via UD
Nate Freeman: Koreshkov via Round 1 TKO
Brandon Joint: Koreshkov via Round 2 TKO
Chris Presnell: Koreshkov via UD
Staff picking Koreshkov: 10
Staff picking Homasi: 0
Gegard Mousasi (47-7-2) vs. John Salter (18-4)
Jeremy Brand: Mousasi via Round 3 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Mousasi via UD
Michael DeSantis: Mousasi via Round 3 TKO
Ash Camyab: Mousasi via Round 5 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Salter via Round 4 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Mousasi via Round 3 TKO
Mike Lynch: Salter via Round 2 SUB
Nate Freeman: Mousasi via UD
Brandon Joint: Mousasi via UD
Chris Presnell: Mousasi via Round 3 TKO
Staff picking Mousasi: 8
Staff picking Salter: 2
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