Bellator 138: Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock Main Card Preview and Predictions
It's a circus. It's a media frenzy. It's so bad, you can't look away.
Yes, folks, Bellator 138 is upon us, and it's intriguing.
In the main event, MMA legend Ken Shamrock returns to the cage to take on Internet king Kimbo Slice in a fight that was supposed to go down years ago. It finally occurs on Friday—this time in the Bellator promotion.
The card is supported by a title fight and some big names. The event should pull big numbers for Spike TV and create a buzz for the company.
So with that thought in our heads, let's look at the card and make some predictions.
Prelim Picks
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170 pounds: Justin Guthrie def. Steven Mann via decision
125 pounds: Daniel O'Connor def. Miles McDonald via submission
155 pounds: Luke Nelson def. Malcolm Smith via TKO
185 pounds: Enrique Watson def. Kain Royer via TKO
155 pounds: Eric Irvin def. Hugh Pulley via submission
135 pounds: Garrett Mueller def. A.J. Siscoe via submission
170 pounds: Kyle Kurtz def. Adam Cella via decision
170 pounds: Chris Heatherly def. Garrett Gross via submission
145 pounds: Justin Lawrence def. Sean Wilson via TKO
Bobby Lashley vs. Dan Charles
2 of 6Up first are the big boys, as heavyweight pro wrestler and mixed martial artist Bobby Lashley takes on late replacement Dan Charles, who stepped up for James Thompson on short notice.
Charles is a small heavyweight, as he normally weighs in around 230 pounds. He is on a two-fight winning streak with Bellator, earning victories over Stuart Austin via knockout and James Wilson.
He takes on a power wrestler in Lashley, who is known for his athleticism, explosiveness and brute strength. He is also on a two-fight surge with the company, tapping out Josh Burns and Karl Etherington.
Charles will want to keep this standing, while Lashley will look for his normal takedown game. He is proficient at that, especially against the type of low-to-mid-level talent he is accustomed to fighting.
Charles could shock us all, but on short notice, Lashley is a tough guy to prepare for. Expect another W for the part-time TNA, part-time Bellator wrecking machine.
Prediction: Lashley def. Charles via TKO
Daniel Straus vs. Henry Corrales
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Up next are the featherweights, as former champion Daniel Straus looks to get back into the title picture against prospect Henry Corrales.
Straus is a grinding wrestler who is known for his quickness and explosiveness. He has improved drastically since moving to American Top Team, working hard to tighten up his striking.
He is 1-2 in his last three fights. He lost his title to Pat Curran and beat Justin Wilcox, before he lost his most recent bout to Patricio Freire for the Bellator title.
Corrales is a two-division champion from King of the Cage who is making his debut here. He is a submission fighter with good ground-and-pound and is undefeated at 12-0.
Corrales could score the upset here; that's how solid of a fighter he is. However, the grinding attack of Straus is hard to withstand, so expect a decision victory in his favor.
Prediction: Straus def. Corrales via decision
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Michael Chandler vs. Derek Campos
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The lightweights will do battle next, as former champion Michael Chandler looks to add some luster to his name against gritty 155-pounder Derek Campos.
Chandler is a power-punching wrestler who is looking to shake off his recent slump. He is on a three-fight skid, losing to Eddie Alvarez and Will Brooks (twice).
Campos is a well-rounded fighter with good power in his hands. He will want to strike with Chandler, because engaging in a wrestling bout would be a tough night for him.
Campos has beaten some tough fighters along the way but doesn't nearly have the resume of Chandler. However, he has momentum, and Chandler does not, which could work in his favor.
Campos is a formidable opponent, but he's not the best Chandler has faced. Look for a classic Chandler performance, as he mixes in power punches and takedowns aplenty.
Prediction: Chandler def. Campos via decision
Patricio Freire vs. Daniel Weichel
5 of 6The Bellator Featherweight Championship is up for grabs, as Patricio Freire defends his belt against German counterpart Daniel Weichel.
Freire is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who rarely uses his ground game. Instead, he sticks to striking, as his on-the-feet prowess includes violence and a headhunting technique that has stolen many a consciousness.
Weichel is more of a grappler, though he can strike a bit as well. He is 4-0 with Bellator, which has led to this title shot; he has beaten Pat Curran and Desmond Green along the way.
On the feet, Freire is vastly superior. On the mat, things are a bit closer, though he still holds the edge.
Weichel was a great prospect coming into Bellator, and he's yet to disappoint. However, Freire is world-class and will prove to be too much for the German.
Prediction: Freire def. Weichel via TKO
Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice
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The main event is an interesting one, as a heavyweight showdown years in the making will take place. I speak of Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock, which for all its obvious circus value will be irresistible to look away from.
The analysis here is simple. Slice is a striker, and Shamrock is a grappler. However, don't be surprised if Shamrock entertains Kimbo on the feet for a little bit before realizing it's a bad idea.
This fight was supposed to happen in Elite XC, before Shamrock had to pull out on fight day. That was when the infamous Seth Petruzelli incident happened, derailing Slice's momentum and likely killing Elite XC.
Both men are super old (Slice is 41; Shamrock is 51), and while Shamrock's ground game is the more consistent thing to go on, he can't get close enough to Kimbo without getting his chin tested. That will be his downfall.
Prediction: Slice def. Shamrock via KO
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