Bellator 61: Preview and Predictions

Bellator LXI comes live from Bossier City, Louisiana tonight on MTV 2. Originally headlined by a pair of heavyweight tournament finalists from last season, the main event between Eric Prindle and Thiago Santos has been postponed until next week due to flu-like symptoms on the part of Prindle.

Tonight, the quarterfinals of the middleweight tournament kicks off. The tournament is a mix of UFC veterans, Bellator tournament veterans and exciting foreign mixed martial artists.

Here is a preview of tonight's card.

Jeremy Myers vs. Jason Sampson

The card kicks off with a 140 pound catchweight bout between Jeremy Myers and Jason Sampson.

Usually fighting as a bantamweight, Jeremy Myers has a 3-3 record. The young 22-year-old is making his Bellator debut on a two-fight skid. With his decent all around game, Myers looks to get back on track tonight and break his losing streak.

And despite the catchweight terms, Myers weighed in over six pounds heavier than Sampson.

Sampson also usually fights as a bantamweight, fighting a couple times under the Shark Fights banner. He holds an 8-1 record, with the loss coming as his latest result. Five of his wins have come by submissions, so he obviously is educated on the ground. He will definitely have the experience advantage in this fight.

Prediction: Sampson def. Myers via submission

Derrick Krantz vs. Eric Scallan

The next bout on the card takes place in the welterweight division, squaring off Derrick Krantz and Eric Scallan.

Derrick Krantz comes into this bout looking to snap a two-fight losing streak. A proven finisher, he is 10-5 in his career, finishing all 10 of his victories by knockout or submission. He has fought big fight veterans Dustin Poirier and Rich Clementi, giving him a solid amount of experience coming into this fight.

Eric Scallan is 10-3 in his career, winning seven times by submission. He has the benefit of being on a three-fight winning streak, so he will have momentum on his side. Not only that, but Scallan is the hometown favorite in this fight, so he will feed off the crowd.

Prediction: Scallan def. Krantz via decision

Jeremiah Riggs vs. Trey Houston

To the middleweight division we go, as The Ultimate Fighter veteran Jeremiah Riggs meets Trey Houston.

Houston is undefeated thus far in his career at 8-0. He has finished all of his opponents by submission or knockout. In his latest victory, he knocked out Ultimate Fighter alumnus Cleburn Walker. Houston is a good prospect, but faces an experienced journeyman in Jeremiah Riggs.

Riggs is an underwhelming 7-5 in his career, but is currently on a five-fight winning streak. Riggs has finished four of his seven wins by knockout or submission. Riggs is probably best remembered for his stints on such reality shows such as The Ultimate Fighter, Tough Enough and Daisy of Love.

Prediction: Riggs def. Houston via decision

Brent Taylor vs. Josh Quayhagen

We then go to the final preliminary fight of the night, fought at a 165-pound catchweight. This fight sees Brent Taylor, filling in for Quaint Kempf, and Josh Quayhagen square off.

Brent Taylor takes this bout on late notice, as Quaint Kempf was originally supposed to take part in the fight. Taylor is young in is MMA career at 3-1. In his last bout he actually fought Josh Quayhagen and lost by knockout.

Josh Quayhagen is just as inexperienced in his MMA career, holding a record of just 2-0. This will be his second time fighting for Bellator, despite being just his third professional bout. In his first Bellator fight, he defeated kickboxing stud Cosmo Alexandre, which is a big win for Quayhagen.

Prediction: Quayhagen def. Taylor via knockout

Giva Santana vs. Bruno Santos

In the first of four middleweight quarterfinals, Giva Santana meets Bruno Santos to see who will take on step closer to the middleweight tournament championship.

Giva Santana is a man that lives up to his nickname, being called "The Arm Collector" for good reason. The 17-1 Brazilian has 14 submission wins, 13 of which have come by armbar. He has only gone to decision three times, one of which accounts for his only loss. Santana is probably the best grappler in the tournament, which could make him an early favorite.

Bruno Santos is also from Brazil, holding a 12-0 record to his name. Most of Santos's wins have come by decision, even beating the notable Daniel Acacio. I believe this is Santos's first fight in the United States, so it may be to his disadvantage fighting under the bright lights for the first time.

Prediction: Santana def. Santos via submission

Vyacheslav Vasilevsky vs. Victor O'Donnell

In the next quarterfinal fight, Vyacheslav Vasilevsky meets The Ultimate Fighter alumnus Victor O'Donnell.

Vasilevsky is 15-1 so far in his career, not having lost since his second career pro fight back in 2008. 10 of his victories have come by knockout or submission, proving that Vasilevsky is a finisher. He holds notable victories over Xavier Foupa-Pokam and Robert Jocz.

O'Donnell is set to make a run in his second career Bellator middleweight tournament, as he participated in last season's tournament. He lost to Brian Rogers in the first round of last year's tournament, but looks to make a comeback this season. O'Donnell is 11-3 in his career, submitting nine of his foes. He holds notable victories over UFC veterans Rafael Natal and Forrest Petz.

Prediction: Vasilevsky def. O'Donnell via decision

Vitor Vianna vs. Brian Rogers

In the next quarterfinal bout, middleweight tournament veterans square off when Brian Rogers meets Vitor Vianna.

Vitor Vianna went all the way to the finals of last season's tournament before losing to champion Alexander Shlemenko. Vianna is 12-2, finishing nine fights by knockout or submission. The gifted grappler holds notable wins over Francis Carmont, Sam Alvey and Bryan Baker.

Brian Rogers rounds out this fight, which is a perfect example of a "grappler vs. striker" match. Rogers is 8-3 in his career, knocking seven of his opponents out. Rogers made it to the semifinals of last year's tournament, where he also was knocked out of the tournament by eventual winner Alexander Shlemenko.

Prediction: Vianna def. Rogers via decision

Maiquel Falcao vs. Norman Paraisy

In the main attraction of the night, Maiquel Falcao and Norman Paraisy meet to see who makes it to the semifinals of the tournament.

At 28-4 (1 NC), Falcao is probably the most experienced fighter in the tournament. Falcao has finished 26 of his career victories, 23 of which were by knockout. Falcao is best remembered for his one-fight stint in the UFC, where he easily defeated Gerald Harris before being cut for legal reasons.

Norman Paraisy is a French fighter who is best remembered for his stint on The Ultimate Fighter, where he fought to prove French people were tough, but quit on the stool between rounds. Since his stint on the reality show, Paraisy has proven to be a solid middleweight. He has defeated Paulo Filho and Jack Mason in his two latest bouts, which is a testament to his skill.

Prediction: Falcao def. Paraisy via TKO