Bellator’s latest event is set for Friday night from the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. The main event is a heavyweight bout between fifth-ranked Marcelo Golm and eighth-ranked Daniel James. The co-headliner will pit Cat Zingano against Leah McCourt in a women’s featherweight showdown. You can catch the main card on Showtime, with the preliminary bouts on YouTube or Pluto TV. Check out the full fight card as well as our suggestions for your Bellator betting choices.
Bellator 293: Golm vs James Preview
Marcelo Golm vs Daniel James
is Golm’s shot at a five-fight winning streak. He is primarily a grappler, but he showed that his cardio has improved in his last fight, wearing down Davion Franklin and earning a submission late in the third round. James has to go through weight cuts to get under the limit. He has elite power, but his cardio has limits because of the stress of cutting that much weight. He took down Tyrell Fortune in the second round via TKO in his last fight. Golm is a solid fighter when it comes to building control time and wearing his opponents down. However, trying to carry James against the fence could end up wearing him out. James has the power to end this with one punch, but Golm should be able to exploit his cardio advantage and finish things in the second or third round.Cat Zingano vs Leah McCourt
is Zingano’s latest attempt to keep her Bellator record perfect. She last fought in June 2022, beating Pam Sorenson unanimously on the cards. Leah McCourt has a low floor – but a high ceiling. Sometimes she looks like someone who could win UFC belts, but other nights reveal her as a one-dimensional fighter who has to get things to the ground. She has a 6-1 record in Bellator, with her lone setback coming in February 2022 against Sinead Kavanagh. This will be a tough fight for McCourt, as Zingano still has skills standing up and on the ground, and she can make adjustments. Zingano should be able to win this on the cards.John Salter vs Aaron Jeffery
is Salter’s attempt to end a two-fight losing streak. His last two opponents (Gegard Mousasi and Johnny Eblen) have been elite foes, and his only other setback in Bellator came against Rafael Lovato Jr, the undefeated former champ. His other fights in Bellator have ended in victories against prospects and contenders alike. Jeffery delivered a knockout of Austin Vanderford in the first round in his last fight. He has been an up-and-down fighter, but he has plenty of talent. Salter would like to get things to the ground, while Jeffery would like to stay upright. His striking game is not elite, but he has quality fundamentals and can notch enough points to swipe a decision.Archie Colgan vs Justin Montalvo
is an interesting fight between unbeaten prospects. Colgan (6-0) trains with Justin Gaethje and Kamaru Usman. Montalvo (5-0) trains with Matt Serra and Ray Longo. Colgan is more of a wrestler, while Montalvo likes to stay upright and deliver strikes. This is a fairly even fight, but I see Colgan getting things to the ground for the win.Main Card (Showtime)
Marcelo Golm vs Daniel James (Heavyweight)
Cat Zingano vs Leah McCourt (Women’s Featherweight)
John Salter vs Aaron Jeffrey (Middleweight)
Archie Colgan vs Justin Montalvo (Lightweight)
Sullivan Cauley vs Luke Trainer (Light Heavyweight)
Preliminary Card (YouTube / Pluto TV)
Mike Hamel vs Nick Browne (Lightweight)
Christian Edwards vs Rakim Cleveland (Heavyweight)
Adam Piccolotti vs Mandel Nallo (Lightweight)
Pam Sorenson vs Sara Collins (Women’s Featherweight)
Joey Davis vs Jeff Creighton (Welterweight)
Lucas Brennan vs Josh San Diego (Featherweight)
Lance Gibson Jr vs Vladimir Tokov (Lightweight)
Randi Field vs Ashley Cummins (Women’s Catchweight – 120 lbs)
Bryce Meredith vs Brandon Carrillo (Bantamweight)
Maria Henderson vs Mackenzie Stiller (Women’s Strawweight)
