5 Reasons to Care About Bellator Dynamite
Bellator 142 is going down this weekend. That's right; this very weekend. Friday, to be exact. But the thing about this Bellator event is that it's not just any Bellator event. It's dynamite!
And that's not just me being complimentary. This is Bellator MMA and Glory: Dynamite 1. It's going down Saturday, it's on Spike TV, it's got both MMA and kickboxing action on the same card, it's got two rings and it is going to be one hell of a decent combat sports extravaganza.
Deep inhale.
Maybe you want more information. That's fine. I can provide that. With a total of 21 bouts taking place throughout the card, it's understandable that you may need some guidance. Here, then, are five reasons not only to watch, but to care about this event. It's gonna be lit! Sorry.
Reasons listed in no particular order.
Lots of Cool Debuts
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Bellator has been busy on the talent-acquisition front as of late. This Saturday, they're going to show off a few of the fruits of those labors when several high-profile names formally enter the promotion.
The most notable of the bunch is probably light heavyweight Phil Davis, who soon after jumping ship from the UFC became the kingpin of (not to mention, favorite to win) the Dynamite four-man, one-night tournament to determine the next title challenger at 205 pounds.
But it's not over yet. No, sir. Gifted lightweight Josh Thomson, a former Strikeforce champion and UFC stalwart, has himself a nice little squash match against some guy named Mike Bronzoulis, who, one would imagine, is all set to operate a chain of tanning salons once this MMA thing runs its course.
We also have an auspicious kickboxing debut in Keri Anne Taylor-Melendez, the wife of one Gilbert Melendez, the prominent UFC lightweight. You have to think she's looking to make her own name for her own self. Whatever, you know what I mean.
Paul Daley Kickboxing
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Paul Daley isn't just a cage fighter. He's also a kickboxer.
And a darn good one at that. In fact, the 32-year-old Englishman has yet to lose on the side of the combat sports pond, including six wins in 2014.
Fans who only know Daley for his MMA knockout prowess should be in for a treat Saturday when Daley tries to set off some fireworks against Fernando Gonzalez.
Two Rings at the Same Time
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Along with the light heavyweight tournament, this feature may be the most extravaganza-like in this little, uh, extravaganza.
One cage for MMA, one ring for kickboxing. At times, fights will occur simultaneously (though that won't happen during the main card).
Still, it will provide some cool optics for an event blending these two sports.
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Liam McGeary Slouches Toward Stardom
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Liam McGeary is not a household name, not even in households that like MMA.
Could that change Saturday night at Bellator Dynamite?
McGeary (10-0) is the reigning light heavyweight champion, and he defends the title against the 40-year-old Tito Ortiz. The England-born McGeary has a polished skill set—five wins by knockout, four by submission—and a charismatic demeanor. Now all he needs is a showcase.
This is it.
He'll face a seemingly washed-up but still rather famous Ortiz in the main event. And the one-night tournament is, in a way, built around McGeary, since the winner will face the 32-year-old next (again, assuming he beats Ortiz).
And that brings us to our final slide...
Is Tito Ortiz Still Relevant in Any Way, Shape or Form?
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His last fight—a win over fellow geriatric Stephan Bonnar—was not what you'd call inspiring. Neither was the win over an undersized Alexander Shlemenko. Neither were the three consecutive losses that hastened his exit from the UFC.
Is Ortiz just here to put McGeary over, or does he maintain a shred of legitimacy as a mixed martial artist? Can he bring his wrestling to bear on a notable wrestler in McGeary? Or is he just an empty suit, swinging his way to another paycheck?
We shall see.
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