Bellator 254 Predictions
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Bellator 254 predictions: Anyone picking against champ – and underdog – Ilima-Lei Macfarlane?
| Macfarlane vs. Velasquez | Magomedov vs. Mattos | Markes vs. Vassell | |
| MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2020: 150-93 | Macfarlane (70%) | Magomedov (85%) | Vassell (75%) |
| Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2020: 166-77 | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Markes |
| Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2020: 162-81 | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Vassell |
| Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2020: 160-83 | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Vassell |
| Simon Head @simonhead 2020: 158-85 2019 Champion* | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Vassell |
| Nolan King @mma_kings 2020: 158-85 | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Vassell |
| Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2020: 157-86 2014 Champion | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Vassell |
| Brian Garcia @thegoze 2020: 155-88 2017 Champion | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Markes |
| Simon Samano @SJSamano 2020: 153-90 | Velasquez | Magomedov | Vassell |
| John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2020: 152-91 | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Vassell |
| Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2020: 152-91 2018 Champion | Velasquez | Magomedov | Markes |
| George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2020: 152-91 | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Markes |
| Dave Doyle @davedoylemma 2020: 152-91 | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Markes |
| Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2020: 148-95 | Macfarlane | Magomedov | Vassell |
| Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2020: 90-153 | Velasquez | Mattos | Markes |
Bellator returns this week with its unbeaten women’s flyweight champion atop the bill.
Bellator 254 takes place Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on CBS Sports Network following prelims on MMA Junkie.
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(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)
In the main event, women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-0 MMA, 10-0 BMMA) puts her title and unbeaten record on the line against fellow undefeated challenger Juliana Velasquez (10-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA). Velasquez actually is a slight favorite at BetMGM at -145, but it’s Macfarlane with a big 11-3 picks lead from our 14 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.
In the co-feature, Magomed Magomedov (16-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes his promotional debut at bantamweight against Matheus Mattos (12-1-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA). Magomedov is a -350 favorite and has a near-unanimous lead in the picks at 13-1.
And to open the main card, Ronny Markes (19-7 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes his long-awaited Bellator debut against Linton Vassell (20-8 MMA, 8-5 BMMA) at heavyweight. Vassell is a 3-1 favorite, but he has just a slight lead in the picks at 8-6.
In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Macfarlane (70 percent), Magomedov (85 percent) and Vassell (75 percent) are the choices.
Check out all the picks above.
Gallery
Photos: UFC, Bellator and more MMA ring card girls through the years
Bellator Fight Card Tonight
We want your predictions for Thursday’s Bellator 254 event in Connecticut.
Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Wednesday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).
Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the Bellator 254 event staff predictions we release Wednesday ahead of the event. Bellator 254 takes place Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on CBS Sports Network following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Make your picks for the four main card fights below.
Ronny Markes vs. Linton Vassell
Records: Ronny Markes (19-7 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), Linton Vassell (20-8 MMA, 8-5 BMMA)
Past five: Markes 3-2, Vassell 2-3
Division: Heavyweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 12.07.20): N/A
Nate Andrews vs. Goiti Yamauchi
Ilima Lei Macfarlane Mma
Records: Nate Andrews (16-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), Goiti Yamauchi (25-4 MMA, 11-3 BMMA)
Past five: Andrews 3-2, Yamauchi 4-1
Division: Lightweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 12.07.20): N/A
Bellator 252 Predictions
Magomed Magomedov vs. Matheus Mattos
Records: Magomed Magomedov (16-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), Matheus Mattos (12-1-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA)
Past five: Magomedov 4-1, Mattos 4-1
Division: Bantamweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 12.07.20): N/A
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Juliana Velasquez
Records: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-0 MMA, 10-0 BMMA), Juliana Velasquez (10-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA)
Past five: Macfarlane 5-0, Velasquez 5-0
Division: Women’s flyweight
Rankings: Macfarlane No. 2, No. 8 pound-for-pound; Velasquez No. 9
Odds (as of 12.07.20): N/A