Bellator 228 brings a stacked card and a quartet of first-round featherweight grand prix matchups on a huge night in Inglewood, Calif., while two middleweight legends of the sport face off for a second time in a bid to push themselves back towards a title shot.
It promises to be a spectacular night at The Forum, but what are the burning questions we need answered by the end of the evening? We’ve picked out six, and look forward to seeing just how they all play out on fight night.
Is “The Spaniard” the man to dethrone “Pitbull”?
Juan Archuleta has been on a tear since he arrived in Bellator in early 2018 as he has moved relentlessly towards a shot at Bellator championship gold, but it looked like the bantamweight strap was the most likely target early on for “The Spaniard.” However, after being unable to secure a title shot at new 135-pound champ, Archuleta turned his attention to the featherweight division and called for an immediate shot at Patricio Freire.
Bellator officials granted Archuleta’s wish, and the clash forms the main attraction at Bellator 228, and the marquee matchup in the first round of the organization’s featherweight grand prix.
“Pitbull” has more than proved his worth as one of Bellator’s top stars, and is riding a four-fight win streak, including a trip to lightweight to capture the 155-pound title.
But Archuleta is riding an 18-fight win streak and looked like a man on a mission in his knockout win over Eduardo Dantas last time out at Bellator 222. Can he reproduce that sort of finish against “Pitbull” on Saturday night at The Forum?
Who wins the battle of the middleweight legends?
Gegard Mousasi and Lyoto Machida have been around the block a few times, and they’ve met inside the cage before. Now, more than five years after Machida defeated Mousasi by decision in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil at UFC Fight Night 36, the two middleweight veterans will face off again looking to push themselves back to a major title.
Mousasi will see the matchup as an opportunity to catapult himself back towards the title he once held as he looks to get back to winning ways against one of the division’s big names. Machida, meanwhile, is riding a four-fight win streak, including back-to-back victories since arriving in Bellator. One of those wins came against former middleweight champ Rafael Carvalho, and a win over a second ex-belt holder could see Machida surge into title contention.
Will we see the second coming of “The Machida Era” or will “The Dreamcatcher” produce a performance to propel himself back towards his old belt?
Can Darrion Caldwell become a serious title threat at 145?
When Darrion Caldwell stormed out of the arena following his bantamweight title loss to Kyoji Horiguchi, it looked like “The Wolf” might have to re-establish himself at bantamweight before getting another shot at the gold. Instead, he has moved up a weight and is taking on a brand new challenge at 145 pounds.
Caldwell’s world-class credentials have already seen him claim one title under the Bellator banner, but he faces a stern test in the first round of the featherweight grand prix against in-form Henry Corrales.
“OK” has reeled off five wins in a row to establish himself as a serious threat to the division’s best at 145 pounds, and will look to knock over a former champion and book his place in the final eight.
Will Caldwell hand Corrales his first loss in over three years, or will the rising star add a big-name to his list of victims and continue his winning streak?
Can Saul Rogers prove the doubters wrong?
If things had worked out differently, England’s Saul Rogers may well be a threat in the UFC’s 145-pound division. But now he’s a Bellator fighter and he’s determined to take his opportunity and prove that he not only belongs among the best, but belongs at the top of the division.
Rogers faces seasoned veteran Daniel Weichel, who pushed reigning champion Patricio Pitbull as hard as anyone in two separate featherweight title challenges. The German has a huge experience advantage, but Rogers believes he is finally on the stage he feels his skills deserve.
Can the Brit produce a stand-out performance to make some early waves in the featherweight grand prix, or will Weichel move one step closer to a potential third fight with his old foe?
Will A.J. McKee deliver a statement performance?
After getting the slow-build treatment from Bellator over the last few years, the time has come for A.J. McKee to unleash his full potential and show the world just how talented he is. And in the form of Georgi Karakhanyan, the American faces a willing dance partner who will bring the fight straight to him.
McKee’s movement, technique and composure have all been key qualities in his contests to date, and all of those skills will be put to the test by Karakhanyan, who will look to push the undefeated contender out of his comfort zone and spring an early-tournament shock.
Will McKee make Karakhanyan the 15th victim of his unblemished career, or can “Insane” deliver a show-stealing performance to become the 1 in 14-1?
Who will be the big aggressor in the quarterfinal draw?
Once all the tournament fights are over, the attention will turn to the eight first-round winners, who will then take part in a special K-1 style draw for the quarterfinals. The fighters will draw lots to determine the order, and then will place themselves in the quarterfinal brackets, picking their matches and locations as they go.
It will offer the fighters a chance to potentially pick a title fight, or choose an ideal location for their next fight, but who will be aggressive and who will play it more strategically? The spectacle itself should be interesting to watch, but even more more fascinating will be the dynamic between the rival fighters as their respective matchups are made official.
Who will walk away looking happy, and who might stand on the stage looking a little nervous about their upcoming test?
