Bellator 248: MVP vs. Houston takes place on Saturday, October 10 at Accor Arena in Paris, France. The offshore sportsbooks recently opened up the betting odds for the event, and MMAOB staff writer Adam Martin takes a look at the opening odds below.
Bellator 248 Odds
Michael Page -450
Ross Houston +350
Oliver Enkamp -200
Emmanuel Dawa +170
Alan Omer -275
Ryan Scope +235
Mads Burnell -700
Darko Banovic +500
Here are my initial thoughts on the Opening Odds For Bellator 248:
- The main event of Bellator 248 sees the always-exciting Page return to the cage when he takes on promotional newcomer Houston. Since losing by KO to Douglas Lima in June 2019, Page has reeled off three straight knockout wins over Shinsho Anzai, Giovanni Melillo, and Richard Kiely. He hasn’t fought since last December so this will be his first fight of the year. Although Page has been criticized by fans and media for being given favorable matchmaking throughout his Bellator career, it’s hard to deny that he’s an exciting talent with incredible striking skills and big-time KO power. As for Houston, the former Cage Warriors FC welterweight champion is making his Bellator debut in this fight. He’s unbeaten in his MMA career with an 8-0, 1 NC record since making his pro debut in 2016, and in his last fight, he fought to a bloody No Contest with UFC welterweight Nicolas Dalby. Although I feel the odds don’t reflect the quality of Houston as a fighter, it’s hard to bet against Page in this spot.
- UFC veteran Enkamp looks to win his third straight fight in Bellator when he takes on Dawa. Enkamp went 0-2 in the UFC with losses to Danny Roberts and Nordine Taleb but has both of his fights in Bellator by stoppage. As for Dawa, he is a long-time veteran of the sport who is making his Bellator debut here following two straight wins on the European regional scene. Although Dawa seems like a decent fighter, I believe that Enkamp will win this fight.
- Yet another UFC vet makes his Bellator debut when Omer takes on Scope. Omer lost both of his UFC fights in 2014 and 2015 to Jim Alers and Arnold Allen but has since won five straight fights. As for Scope, he has lost his last two fights including a brutal KO loss to Peter Queally in his last fight. I have to go with Omer here if only just because he has so much momentum.
- Finally, another UFC vet makes his Bellator debut when Burnell fights Banovic in what appears to be a mismatch. Burnell went 1-2 in the UFC but was cut following a tough loss to Arnold Allen. Since then, he has won four straight fights and was the Cage Warriors FC featherweight champion. Burnell is an excellent grappler and the UFC made a mistake cutting him, in my opinion. As for Banovic, he is also making his Bellator debut and has won his last two fights. However, his level of competition hasn’t been anything close to what Burnell has had to deal with. Give me Burnell here and I think he wins this fight by submission.
