Bellator 237 does a promotion collaboration with Rizin for an event on December 29, 2019, at Saitama Super Arena in Japan. This is Bellator’s first foray into Japan, and the Rizin Fighting Federation is coming alongside them to promote the night. The main event is a heavyweight tilt between Fedor Emelianenko, a former Pride FC Heavyweight Champion, and Quinton Jackson, a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. The co-main event features Michael Chandler and Sidney Outlaw in a catchweight bout. You can catch the whole event on DAZN and the Paramount Network. We have the full fight card for you as well as Bellator betting thoughts on some of the key fights.
Bellator 237 Odds, Preview & Predictions
- When: Saturday, 10 PM ET
- Where: Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
- TV: Paramount Network
- Live Stream: DAZN
Main Card
- Fedor Emelianenko vs Quinton Jackson (Heavyweight)
- Michael Chandler vs Sidney Outlaw (Catchweight – 160 lbs)
- Keita Nakamura vs Lorenz Larkin (Welterweight)
- Kana Watanabe vs Ilara Joanne (Women’s Flyweight)
- Daron Cruickshank vs Goiti Yamauchi (Lightweight)
- Michael Page vs Shinsho Anzai (Catchweight – 173 lbs)
Preliminary Card
- Yusaku Nakamura vs Makoto Shinryu (Catchweight – 127 lbs)
- Shoma Shibisai vs Sergey Shemetov (Heavyweight)
- Kanna Asakura vs Jayme Hinshaw (Super Atomweight)
- Ren Hiramoto vs Takahiro Ashida (Catchweight – 150 lbs)
- Ryuichiro Sumimura vs Jon Tuck (Welterweight)
- Haruo Ochi vs Jarred Brooks (Strawweight)
- Andy Nguyen vs Ai Shimizu (Women’s Super Atomweight)
- Yusuke Yachi vs Hiroto Uesako (Lightweight)
Fedor Emelianenko vs Quinton Jackson
- Bellator 237 Odds: Emelianenko -130 / Jackson +110
It brings together two MMA names that Japanese fans of the cage would know from their time in Pride FC, which at one time was the top MMA promotion. Given that these two fighters long tangled in different weight classes and in different promotions, this is their first matchup. Jackson has come up to heavyweight with Bellator, and this fight is an intriguing one.
If the fight goes to the cards, expect Emelianenko to prevail, as he likes to accrue points while avoiding damage. If it ends early, expect Jackson to win, as “Rampage” likes to bring the bombs, as he showed in his last fight, beating Wanderlei Silva in the second round via knockout. Emelianenko’s last four losses have either ended via knockout or TKO. Two of those came after he joined Bellator two years ago, losing to Matt Mitrione and to Ryan Bader, the second coming in the Heavyweight Grand Prix finals.
Jackson’s last four losses have all come on the cards, as he has not been finished in the cage in eight years. In his last fight, he finished Wanderlei Silva with a knockout in the second round. Jackson does not have much in the way of cardio stamina, and now that he has moved up to heavyweight, he will look to deliver big bombs and bring the fight to a quick end. Emelianenko’s chin is not the edifice of rock that it was in his younger years, which means that Jackson should find the opening he needs to get the stop.
Final Prediction: Rampage wins via knockout
Michael Chandler vs Sidney Outlaw
- Bellator 237 Odds: Chandler -330 / Outlaw +265
This was supposed to be Chandler’s rematch with Benson Henderson, but Henderson had to withdraw with an injury, and Outlaw got the nod a little less than a month before the bout. This is Outlaw’s second Bellator fight, coming after his debut decision win over Roger Huerta. Chandler makes his first foray into the cage since losing to Patricio “Pitbull” Friere in his challenge for the Bellator lightweight title.
Outlaw has won nine fights in a row across various promotions, and his win over Huerta in his Bellator debut was impressive. Huerta has seen his skills deteriorate a bit since he took down Leonard Garcia and made the cover of Sports Illustrated 12 years ago. Chandler is a much tougher opponent for Outlaw’s skill set. Outlaw is a grappler, and now he faces a former D-1 NCAA All-American wrestler in Chandler. Outlaw should be able to avoid the takedown, but he will struggle to finish his own takedowns — which means this fight will stay upright.
Neither of these fighters brings big striking power. Chandler’s last knockout win came three years ago, while Outlaw only has one TKO win, which came all the way back in 2012. Outlaw is still on his way up as far as his career trajectory, but a win over Chandler would be a significant upset.
Final Prediction: Chandler wins via decision
