Bellator Predictions: Bellator 26 Preview & Predictions

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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 26 is the 3rd event of Bellator's third season taking place on Thursday night August 26, 2010 and our Bellator predictions & fight previews will be posted below for MMA fans across the globe to enjoy. Check out the Bellator 26 results and buy Bellator MMA tickets online here through Pro Fighting Fans!

Aisling Daly vs. Lisa Ward

Bellator’s 115-lb. Women’s Tournament will continue with an opening round bout between fast-rising finisher Aisling Daly (9-0) and submission specialist veteran Lisa Ward (13-5).

Daly, 22, is an Ireland-native who trains out of Straight Blast Gym in her homeland. A blue belt in BJJ, Daly began fighting as a professional in 2007 and competed in promotions located in Denmark, Ireland, and England. While fighting in promotions such as Cage Rage and Cage Rage Contenders, Daly stopped all of her first eight opponents and didn’t go to a decision until her most recent bout in November 2009, where she earned the nod over Maiju Kujala.

Ward, 27, is a six-year veteran who hails from the state of Washington where she trains at the United Training Center. Debuting in late November 2004, Ward fought in notable organizations like Hook n Shoot, Smackgirl, Bodog Fight, and DEEP. Her first three years looked very promising by going 9-2, but since then has gone only 4-3 over the last three years of her career. Ward did make a good first impression with Bellator by winning her only bout with the promotion via technical submission over Stephanie Frausto at Bellator 22 this past June.

Prediction – Daly decision

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Steve Carl vs. Tyler Stinson

Season two welterweight tournament semi-finalist Steve Carl (10-2) will try and secure a career-defining victory when he takes on Bellator veteran Tyler Stinson (18-6) on the Bellator 26 main card after UFC veteran Rory Markham withdrew due to injury.

Carl is an Iowa-based submission specialist who began his professional career in 2006. Also an Iraq war veteran, Carl fought and won nine of his first ten bouts throughout much of Texas and Iowa for mid-level organizations like M-1 Challenge, King of Kombat, and Midwest Cage Championships. He joined Bellator earlier this year and has fought twice since. He defeated Brett Cooper at BFC 15 on April 22nd in the welterweight tournament quarterfinal round, and then lost to Dan Hornbuckle at BFC 19 on May 20th in the semi-final round.

Stinson, 24, is a Kansas-based mixed martial artist who has been competing as a pro for over four years. Stinson won nine of his first twelve while fighting for Masters of the Cage, IFO, and C3 Fights. Despite his early success, he continued to bounce around mid-major organizations until earlier this year when he signed with Bellator. He lost in his Bellator 15 debut against Dan Hornbuckle, but won two months later at BFC 22 with a submission over Leonardo Pecanha. He also picked up a KO victory earlier this month at C3 Fights over Mike Jackson.

Prediction – Carl TKO

Jose Vega vs. Danny Tims

The Bellator bantamweight tournament gets underway with a rematch featuring two Missouri-based fighters. Jose Vega (8-3) will look for his second career victory over Danny Tims (9-2-1) on the Bellator 26 main card.

Vega is a submission specialist who has been competing as a professional for about two years. He fought for organizations such as IFC, MMA Big Show, X-treme Fight, and Bricktown Brawl where he won his first six bouts. Among his first six victories included an August 2008 submission victory over Tims when the two met for the IFC promotion. He has since lost three of his last five bouts, although he did come out victorious in his Bellator 22 debut this June with a 39-second KO over Jarrod Card.

Tims is also a submission specialist who has been fighting as a professional for over three full years. He has appeared for organizations like Midwest Cage Combat, IFC, and Titan Fighting Championships. He didn’t lose a bout until his seventh career fight when he was submitted by Vega. Since that loss however, he has picked up four victories over his next five bouts. After losing to Johnny Bedford in Texas this past February, Tims earned a unanimous decision over Brian Davidson at Bellator 16 in April.

Prediction – Vega submission

Mike Hayes vs. Alexey Oleinik

The fourth and final opening round bout in the Bellator season three heavyweight tournament will take place featuring Mike “300” Hayes (12-3-1) against Alexey Oleinik (26-5-1). The two will meet as part of the televised main card portion of the card.

Hayes is a 6’4” 235 lbs. Washington-based fighter who trains out of the Ring Demon Jiu-Jitsu fight camp. He began his professional career in October 2007 and won his first seven bouts including a victory on the Strikeforce “At the Dome” undercard. After struggling to pick up one victory over his next five bouts, he bounced back and won his last four fights. Among those victories include a win over former UFC heavyweight Fabiano Scherner and a Bellator 21 win over Steven Banks this June.

Oleinik, 33, is a Ukraine-born fighter who trains out of the Russian-based Red Devil Sport Club. The Sambo-style fighter began his pro career in 1997 and spent most of his early career fighting in Russia. He met up with Chael Sonnen in 2006 at a Bodog Fight event and was defeated by unanimous decision; however he put together six straight victories to earn a spot in the Yamma Pit Fighting heavyweight tournament. After losing to UFC Heavyweight Chris Tuchscherer in the semifinals, he put together eleven wins over his next thirteen while fighting for M-1 Challenge, Pro FC, and KSW organizations. He did lose his most recent bout last November via TKO against Michal Kita during a Pro FC heavyweight tournament.

Prediction – Oleinik submission

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer

Bellator Predictions: Bellator 26 Preview & Predictions

Aisling Daly vs. Lisa Ward

Steve Carl vs. Tyler Stinson

Jose Vega vs. Danny Tims

Mike Hayes vs. Alexey Oleinik

More Bellator Fighting Championships MMA Predictions: