Two weeks ago, Bellator saw the debut of their most recent high-profile UFC acquisition, and while Gegard Mousasi picked up the win, he left something to be desired with his performance. The same could be said of this Friday’s main eventer Ryan Bader, even though he was successful in capturing the light heavyweight title from Phil Davis. After a tepid 25 minutes (not dissimilar from their first encounter), Bader was awarded a split decision in a bout where scorecards were split down the middle from onlookers.
Bader hopes that his first title defense will be more emphatic, as he takes on Linton Vassell at Bellator 186. Including his last two UFC bouts, the former TUF winner is on a three-fight winning streak, which includes stoppages of Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ilir Latifi. Vassell has compiled a 7-2 record inside the Bellator cage, with his losses coming to Emanuel Newton (later avenged) and in a 10-minute tournament semifinal against Mo Lawal. Of late, he sports his own three-fight win streak, including his victory over Lawal, in addition to a decision over Francis Carmont and a submission of former champion Liam McGeary.
Bellator 186 also features the man who Bader defeated to become champion, Phil Davis. The Penn State alum takes on undefeated BJJ black belt Leo Leite as part of the Spike televised broadcast. Prior to the defeat against Bader, Davis was riding a four-fight win streak in Bellator as he dominated the division to become champion. He’ll look to do the same in his hunt to regain the belt. Leite, a former two-division Legacy FC champion, will be making his Bellator debut.
The rest of the main card includes: Undefeated Ilima-Lei Macfarlane rematching her most difficult test to date, Emily Ducote; derailer of the Aaron Pico hype train, Zach Freeman, facing Saad Awad; and uber prospect Ed Ruth taking on UFC veteran Chris Dempsey. In addition, the featured preliminary bout features another fantastic wrestling prospect, Logan Storley. While the bout won’t be lined, Storley will be coming to Bellator main cards near you in very short order.
MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting odds for the main card of Bellator 186 today at Several Bookmakers. Check out those lines below.
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Bellator 186: Bader vs. Vassell
NOVEMBER 3, 2017
Bryce Jordan Center | University Park, Pennsylvania
Fight Card 9PM ET – Spike TV
Light Heavyweight Title
Linton Vassell +200
Ryan Bader -260
Over 4.5 +140
Under 4.5 -170
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Inaugural Women’s Flyweight Title
Emily Ducote +240
Ilima MacFarlane -300
Over 4.5 -170
Under 4.5 +140
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Chris Dempsey +330
Ed Ruth -450
Over 1.5 +120
Under 1.5 -150
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Leonardo Leite +365
Phil Davis -505
Over 2.5 -175
Under 2.5 +145
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Zach Freeman +200
Saad Awad -260
Over 2.5 +100
Under 2.5 -130
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