MMA’s second promotion kicks off 2016 with Bellator 148, and a familiar facee will fight on the card’s top spot. Former UFC, Strikeforce, BAMMA welterweight Paul Daley will meet Andy Uhrich in the main event. Odds for the full card should be up a few days before fight night, as Bellator lines typically release later than a UFC event.
Bet on Bellator odds at BookMaker.eu now
Welterweights
Paul Daley -750 vs. Andy Uhrich +550
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -124, under +106
Welterweights
Chris Honeycutt -295 vs. Paul Bradley +240
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -225, under +190
Heavyweights
Raphael Butler +285 vs. Tony Johnson -370
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -105, under -115
LIghtweights
Patricky Freire -265 vs. Ryan Couture +205
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -165, under +140
THE CARD AT A GLANCE
Former UFC welterweight title challenger was supposed to make his Bellator debut in the headlining bout, but pulled out last week due to an undisclosed injury. His opponent, Matt Secor has been taken off the card as a result. There’s now word of whether the fight will be rescheduled as of this time.
It’s an unfortunate turn of events for both Bellator and Koscheck, who immediately becomes one of the more recognizable welterweights on the roster. For president Scott Coker, Kos’ addition is a win-win for president Scott Coker. If Koscheck becomes a viable contender, it’ll bring more eyes to Bellator. If he keeps on losing, it validates the current fighters on the roster.
In the main event, Paul “Semtex” Daley meets Andy Uhrich in another welterweight tilt. Daley lost to Koscheck in 2010 under the UFC banner, and was banned from the promotion after throwing a post-fight punch in the loss. He’s been wanting a rematch ever since. If Daley beats Uhrich, it could set up a rematch with Koscheck, giving Bellator has a nice little grudge match to promote.
Daley has long been one of the more entertaining fighters in MMA. The brash Brit is a true knockout artist, with 27 KOs in 37 career victories. He comes into the bout on a four-fight winning streak, and he most recently downed Dennis Olson at Bellator 140 in July 2015.
Perhaps the most intriguing fighter on this card is the 6-0 Chris Honeycutt. A homegrown star for the promotion, Honeycutt will face Paul Bradley in a rematch. The first time these two met, their fight was stopped after they butted heads, leaving Bradley with a forehead gash that led to a “no contest”. Honeycutt has finished all six of his opponents by TKO.
Because Koscheck, Daley and Honeycutt are all welterweights, it’s likely we’ll see one of these men challenge champion Andrey Koreshkov in the near future. Or we could see two of the winners face off in title eliminator. And while Koscheck and Daley are well past their primes, there’s nothing like a good old fashioned grudge match to drum up some casual interest in Bellator.
Also on the main card is a heavyweight bout between heavyweights Raphael Butler and Tony Johnson. Both are massive big men who tip the scales around 260 pounds, so we could be in for a barnburner. Ryan Couture, son of UFC legend Randy Couture, will meet Patricky “Pitbull” Freire in his stiffest test to date.
HOW TO BET
Access live betting lines at BookMaker Sportsbook and start wagering now. With our live betting options, you can also wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Bellator 148 takes place on Friday, January 29, 2016 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The main card will air on Spike TV starting 9 p.m. ET, following the prelims on Spike.com.
