Our second card for MMASucka staff picks is locked in for this stacked-filled, triple-header fight weekend. Bellator 265 will take place tonight, August 20th from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This comes as the promotion’s second visit to the city, its first event being held in August of 2018. The main card will kick off live on Showtime beginning at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT).
Recap our picks from last night’s PFL 8 2021 event in Florida. Also, stay tuned to MMASucka tomorrow afternoon for the closure of our triple-header weekend with UFC Vegas 34: Cannonier vs. Gastelum picks.
The Fights
Elder veterans Sergei Kharitonov and Cheick Kongo will come face-to-face for the first time in tonight’s featured main event. With a combined match total of 86 professional fights, the two heavyweights remain at the top of their game looking to make their mark as a potential title challenger. Kharitonov will make his return to Bellator after two fights in two outer-promotions. The well-rounded talent looks to add another notable name to his well-established resume, as well as a 33rd career win. Kharitonov’s opponent, Kongo, will look to rebound after a recent rematch defeat to Timothy Johnson. At 46-years old, the two-time divisional championship challenger looks to make one final rise towards a shot at gold.
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Welterweights will look to steal the show in the co-main event between Logan Storley and Dante Schiro. Storley aims to rebound after his undefeated streak of eleven wins was snapped to now-champion Yaroslav Amosov last November. Schiro makes his promotional debut looking to extend upon his two-fight finishing streak against his biggest opponent to date.
Two late fight cancellations have resulted in only three fights being counted for Bellator 265 tonight. Find those for our 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 this August 31st.
The WINNER of staff picks in 2021 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBeltsor chain from Championship Chains. For the third straight year, Michael DeSantis captured the 2020 victory compiling a record of 201-88.
Who are the staff picking to win at Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov? Find out below.
1. Nate Freeman: 132-77
2. Wesley Riddle: 131-78
3. Michael DeSantis: 127-82
4. Frazer Krohn: 123-86
5. Ash Camyab: 118-82
6. Jeremy Brand: 112-98
7. Mike Lynch: 109-90
8. Mitchell Banuelos: 107-89
9. Andrew Benjamin: 89-97
10. Tim Wheaton: 88-66
11. Kenny Lee: 77-64
12. Brandon Joint: 59-27
13. Matt Bricker: 57-57
14. Chris Presnell: 20-8
15. Maria Morales: 9-1
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
*Note – PFL 8 2021 picks will be added to the above records NEXT weekend*
Jornel Lugo (6-0) vs. Keith Lee (7-4)
Jeremy Brand: Lugo via UD
Wesley Riddle: Lugo via SD
Michael DeSantis: Lugo via UD
Ash Camyab: Lugo via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Lee via UD
Frazer Krohn: Lugo via UD
Mike Lynch: Lee via UD
Nate Freeman: Lugo via UD
Brandon Joint: Lee via UD
Chris Presnell: Lugo via UD
Amanda Grace: N/A
Al Mac: Lugo via UD
Staff picking Lugo: 8 Staff picking Lee: 3
Logan Storley (11-1) vs. Dante Schiro (8-2)
Jeremy Brand: Storley via UD
Wesley Riddle: Storley via UD
Michael DeSantis: Storley via UD
Ash Camyab: Schiro via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Storley via UD
Frazer Krohn: Storley via UD
Mike Lynch: Schiro via UD
Nate Freeman: Storley via UD
Brandon Joint: Storley via UD
Chris Presnell: Storley via UD
Amanda Grace: N/A
Al Mac: Storley via UD
Staff picking Storley: 9 Staff picking Schiro: 2
Cheick Kongo (30-11-2, 1 NC) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (32-8, 2 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Kharitonov via UD
Wesley Riddle: Kharitonov via UD
Michael DeSantis: Kharitonov via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Kharitonov via Round 1 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Kharitonov via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Kongo via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Kharitonov via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Kharitonov via UD
Brandon Joint: Kharitonov via Round 3 TKO
Chris Presnell: Kongo via SD
Amanda Grace: Kongo via Round 1 TKO
Al Mac: Kongo via UD
IMAGE: Prospects Jornel Lugo (left) and Keith Lee at Bellator 265 weigh-ins taking place Friday, August 20th from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (photo credits to Bellator MMA).
In a recent episode of the Couch Warrior Podcast, host Mike welcomed Charalampos Grigoriou, who recently won a contract during season 7 of Dana White's Contender Series after knocking out Cameron Smotherman one minute into the fight. The conversation delved into Grigoriou's martial arts journey, his feelings on representing Cyprus and Greece, and future plans.
