Bellator 219 prelims: Want to fight? Prelims have plenty

Bellator 219 looks to be an exciting night of fights headlined by Awad vs Girtz. However, there are only four fights on the main card, unless they leave the Keith Berry (15-14-1) vs. Joe Schilling (3-5) match and just pull the Janay Harding (4-3) vs. Marina Mokhnatkina (4-1) match up to the main card and set it at five. Make no mistake, Mokhnatkina will debut on the main card tonight. The Schilling match could be pulled down to headline the prelims, but even without “Stitch Em Up” they have a ton of fights set and a couple solid ones that could hold up to a headline role.

Marina Mokhnatkina moves to main card

160 lbs.(catchweight): Darren Smith (15-10) vs. Joshua Jones (8-3)
Here we have Smith, the number 15 Lightweight contender in the Western U.S. against Jones the number 48 Lightweight in that same region. Both fighters have lost three of their last five after showing a ton of promise early on. Smith can finish via punches or submissions but typically takes it to a decision. Jones loves to finish fights, be it punches or ground and pound. Jones loves the guillotine choke and face/neck crank and might use them if he tries to submit Smith. On paper, this says Smith is the more experienced and a higher ranked fighter, but I have a feeling Jones comes out with hands flying.
Prediction: Joshua Jones Decision

170 lbs.: David Rickels (20-5, 2 NC) vs. A.J. Matthews (9-8)
This is one that could headline the prelims bouts in my opinion.
Rickels can throw down and at 20-5 after winning three of his last four fights, is looking to make a statement against A.J. in this one. “The Caveman” is 10-4 in his last 14 fights, losing twice to Michael Chandler and one each to Michael Page and Patricky Pitbull, which shows the level of fighter it takes to beat Rickels. Matthews comes in losing four of his last five fights and sees his record falling to 9-8 after a promising start. A split decision win over a 36-year old Kendall Grove is all the glamour Matthews has mustered as of late. I expect Rickles to be relentless and attack early and often in this one.
Prediction: David “The Caveman” Rickels TKO

135 lbs.: Shawn Bunch (8-3) vs. Dominic Mazzotta (14-2)
This one could damn sure headline the prelim event as well.
Bunch comes in winning four of his last five fights. Nicknamed “The Great,” Shawn is a solid fighter who can win a fight several ways. Punches, ground and pound, submissions, and decisions litter his victories. I am not sure if he has faced a submission specialist as hood as Mazzotta though. Dominic rolls in winning four of the last five as well. His most recent loss came at the hands of undefeated A.J. McKee Jr., who caught Dominic with a vicious head kick. Mazzotta’s only other loss was to Cody Garbrandt back in 2014. He is a masterful submission artist who loves the rear naked choke and has finished seven fights with his favorite weapon and another to the guillotine.
Prediction: Dominic “The Honey Badger” Mazzotta Submission

These fights round out the prelims and should lead to a fun night and a chance to see several fighters you have not watched before.

165 lbs.: David Pacheco (1-0) vs. Kelvin Gentapanan (0-0)

205 lbs.: Cody Vidal (1-1) vs. Dalton Rosta (0-0)

170 lbs.: Joey Davis (4-0) vs. Marcus Anthony (1-0)
Prediction: Joey “Black Ice” Davis Decision

170 lbs.: Johnny Cisneros (12-6) vs. John Mercurio (8-8)
Prediction: Johnny “Tattooed Terror” Cisneros Decision

135 lbs.: Rickey Furar (3-1) vs. Roman Puga (1-0)

155 lbs.: Sunni Imhotep (0-0) vs. Eugene Correa (0-1)

As you can see, I did not predict every fight. I do not know about you guys, but I was not familiar with all these young fighters. Enjoy the night fight fans! It should be a good one! Follow along with me on Twitter at @MSBFightClub for results and information on the action.

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Note: I picked the Janay Harding (4-3) vs. Marina Mokhnatkina (4-1)  in the article below, as I knew this one was getting bumped up but it was not official yet, so I treated it as a “maybe.”

Check out my previous Bellator article here

http://marylandsportsblog.com/bellator-219-preview-predictions/

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Damon Smith

I am the new writer for combat sports such as UFC, Bellator, Boxing and WWE here with MSB. I have been involved in pro wrestling on the Indie circuit for over 20 years as Devin Storm. Owner of Rampage All-Star Wrestling and talent manager and announcer for a few other promotions. An avid sports fan born and raised in Texas. I am married to my beautiful wife Jodi and have two sons Dustin and Dalton. Life long passion for Pro Wrestling and love MMA so getting this gig was amazing for me. You can expect not only WWE and UFC news but also some gems from other promotions in these two sports. So buckle up buttercup it's gonna be a wild ride. Follow me on twitter at @damonsmith34 and @MSBFightClub

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