Bellator Predictions: Bellator 16 Preview & Predictions
Pro Fighting Fans is the home of Bellator MMA fans across the globe and we now bring you the best place to find the latest Bellator news as well as the latest preview & predictions. Bellator Fighting Championships 16 is the 4th event of Bellator's second season taking place on on April 29, 2010 and our Bellator predictions & fight previews will be posted below for MMA fans across the globe to enjoy. Check out the Bellator 16 results and buy Bellator MMA tickets online here through Pro Fighting Fans!
Luke Zachrich vs. Eric Schambari
Ohio-native, Luke Zachrich (9-1) will battle Eric Schambari (11-1) in a Bellator 16 middleweight quarterfinal bout.
Schambari, 32, is a five-year veteran who has had stints with several promotions including Art of War, WEC, and C3 Fights. He won his first five bouts before earning a WEC contract. He went 2-1 in the WEC, losing only to Bryan Baker at WEC 31 in December 2007. Since that loss, he has turned it around with four straight victories including three submissions.
Zachrich is an Ohio-based fighter who has training contacts in both Cincinnati and Columbus. Zachrich made his pro debut in 2006 and has fought for KOTC, Fight fest, Dangerzone, XFO, and other promotions throughout his four years. He won his first three fights as a professional before losing to Danny Ruiz in February 2007. He rebounded by winning his last six fights including his most recent fight, a submission victory in April of last year over Robert Thompson at an ICF show. Zachrich has finished nine of the ten opponents that he has faced.
Prediction – Zachrich over Schambari TKO
Alexander Shlemenko vs. Matt Major
Alexander Shlemenko (27-4) will try and knock off Matt Major (6-1) in a Bellator 16 middleweight quarterfinal bout.
Shlemenko, 25, is a Russian-born fighter who specializes in both muay-thai and wrestling. He made his pro debut in 2004 and fought primarily in his homeland throughout his career. He began his career with fifteen straight victories before dropping three in a row. He turned it around by winning nine more before dropping losing again in an October 2009 bout. Currently, Shlemenko is on a three-fight win streak which includes a March 2010 KO of UFC-vet Sean Salmon at Fight Festival 27.
Major is a three-year pro who has appeared for the IFBL, Melee on the Mountain, Courage FC, and Cage Combat FC, among other organizations. He was victorious after his first three bouts; however, he dropped his first career fight when Jesse Taylor defeated him in a November 2007 bout. He has since reloaded with three straight victories including an August 2008 victory over Shonie Carter. He was in action most recently in June 2009 defeating Marcus Gaines via decision.
Prediction – Schambari over Major decision
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Jared Hess vs. Ryan McGivern
Jared “The Test” Hess (10-1-1) is set to meet IFL veteran, Ryan “The Irish Nightmare” McGivern (13-6) at Bellator 16 in a middleweight quarterfinal bout.Both middleweights are coming in off of victories, Hess won in December and McGivern in December 2008.
Hess, 26, is an Oklahoma-born fighter and former Division II All-American wrestler who now trains at The Arena MMA in San Diego, CA. He debuted in July 2007 and went 6-0-1 prior to making his first appearance at Bellator 4. He was victorious in last year’s middleweight quarterfinal bout and made it until the finals last June where he lost to Hector Lombard. He fought once since then, he won a fight in the Oklahoma-based Bricktown Brawl promotion in December.
McGivern, 30, is an Iowa-born fighter who trains in his home state at Miletich Fighting Systems. He made his pro debut in 2004 and won his first six fights. He began a career in the IFL in April 2006 and fought eleven times over a two-year span (6-5). He won the middleweight title and then lost it in his very next bout. He has fought once since the IFL closed their doors, winning at Adrenaline 2 last December over Geno Roderick.
Prediction – Hess over McGivern decision
Bryan Baker vs. Sean Loeffler
“The Beast”, Bryan Baker (11-1), will face off against Sean “The Destroyer” Loeffler (18-4) in a Bellator 16 middleweight quarterfinal bout. Baker has won his last five fights and Loeffler has won six consecutive bouts.
Baker, 24, is a Team Wildman Vale Tudo fighter who made his pro debut in 2007. He won six straight to begin his career including a pair of WEC victories. After a loss at WEC 33 in March 2008 to Chael Sonnen, he abruptly left the organization. Baker bounced around the mid-level circuit including one fight in Bellator since his loss in the WEC. Among his last five victories include wins over Rory Singer, Matt Horwich, and Art Santore.
Loeffler, 27, is a ten-year professional who won his first nine bouts fighting in promotions such as Kage Kombat, Total Fighting Alliance, and King of the Cage. He fell into a slump losing four of seven, but has since gotten back on track winning six consecutive. His latest run of fortune has come inside organizations like Gladiator Challenge, Cajun FC, and SBP. His most recent fight took place in February winning via TKO over Sean Salas at Gladiator Challenge.
Prediction – Baker over Loeffler TKO
By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer
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