Bellator 246 takes place on Saturday, September 12 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The offshore sportsbooks recently opened up the betting odds for the full card and here they are.
Opening Odds For Bellator 246
Patrick Mix -125
Juan Archuleta -105
Neiman Gracie -145
Jon Fitch +115
Liz Carmouche -350
Deanna Bennett +275
Keoni Diggs -275
Derek Campos +215
Here are my initial thoughts on the Opening Odds For Bellator 246:
- The main event is a fantastic vacant bantamweight title bout between Mix and Archuleta that will crown a new champion. Mix (13-0) is an undefeated super prospect who has turned heads with his recent victories. The 27-year-old American has won both of his Bellator appearances by submission and then picked up another win in RIZIN as well. He has notable career victories over Ricky Bandejas, Tony Gravely, and Andre Ewell. As for Archuleta (24-2), the 32-year-old American had an 18-fight win streak snapped when he lost a featherweight title fight to Patricio Pitbull last year, but he bounced back with a nice win over Henry Corrales. He now drops down to 135lbs to fight for the vacant belt. Archuleta is a very experienced fighter and has had a very underrated career. This should be an awesome fight between two of the best bantamweights outside the UFC. Although Archuleta has the tools to pull off the upset, I still have to lean towards Mix. He has looked amazing and until he loses I won’t bet against him.
- The co-main event is an intriguing welterweight bout between Neiman and Fitch. Neiman (9-1) is still one of the top welterweights in Bellator. The 31-year-old Brazilian had won all nine of his pro bouts, including seven straight wins in Bellator that includes a notable win over Ed Ruth, before losing to Rory MacDonald in the welterweight Grand Prix semifinals. That fight was over a year ago, so Gracie has had a long layoff heading into this fight. Meanwhile, for Fitch (32-7-2), the layoff has been even longer as he hasn’t fought since a draw against MacDonald last April in a fight that many fans believe he won. The 42-year-old American Fitch had thought about retirement but decided to come back and he returns riding a six-fight unbeaten streak. I do think Fitch can grind this fight out but considering the age advantage for Gracie and the fact he has such incredible submission skills, I do slightly favor him to beat Fitch in this fight.
- At women’s flyweight, Carmouche takes on Bennett. The 36-year-old American Carmouche is coming off of a decision loss to Valentina Shevchenko last summer and this is her Bellator debut. As for Bennett (10-6-1), the 35-year-old American is making her Bellator debut after a long career fighting for Invicta FC. She is also coming off of a significant layoff and throughout her carer has been very inconsistent. I have to lean towards Carmouche to win a decision.
- Finally, we have Diggs taking on Campos at lightweight. Diggs (8-0) is unbeaten as a pro and this is his second fight in Bellator. The 33-year-old American is certainly a highly-touted prospect but this fight should be competitive. Campos (20-10) is one of the most experienced lightweights in Bellator but he has struggled lately with a 1-4 record over his last five fights. Still, the 32-year-old American is a grinder and has pulled off his fair share of upsets in Bellator over the years. My lean is towards Diggs, but Campos shouldn’t be totally dismissed here.
