Bellator was back in action last night (Friday, January 27, 2017) for its 171st event, this time taking place in Mulvane, Kansas. The event featured a headlining bout at a 179 pound catchweight between veterans Chidi Njokuani and Melvin Guillard. Overall on the night, four betting favorites were victorious while zero underdogs picked up wins based on Several Bookmakers‘s closing odds. Bellator 171 Favorites That Won In the main event of the evening, Melvin Guillard took on Chidi Njokuani in a 179 catchweight bout. What many expected to be a firefight turned out to be anything but as Guillard had serious issues dealing with Njokuani’s length, even pulling guard at times and spending the majority of the bout on his back. When it was all said and done, Njokuani won a very lopsided decision in a non-competitive fight. Njokuani was a -430 (Bet $430 to win $100) favorite while Guillard was +380 (Bet $100 to win $380). In the co-main event, David Rickels started incredibly strong against Aaron Derrow, hurting Derrow repeatedly on the feet and then pounding on him when the fight went to the canvas. After a pair of dominant rounds, Rickels finally finished Derrow with big ground and pound at the beginning of the third frame. Rickels was a -950 betting favorite while Derrow was +750. In a woman’s flyweight contest, Jessica Middleton put on a solid performance earning a unanimous decision over Alice Smith Yauger. Yauger showcased her grit, but Middleton landed some huge shots over the course of three rounds and finished the third frame on Yauger’s back. Middleton was a -210 favorite while Yauger was +190. In the opening bout of the main card, AJ McKee survived a serious scare against Brandon Phillips. McKee was active on the outside, throwing a wide variety of kicks and managed to pick up a third round takedown, but he had some serious trouble dealing with Phillips’ counter striking and leg kicks. When it was all said and done, the judges sided with McKee, awarding him a unanimous decision. McKee closed as a massive -1125 betting favorite while Phillips was +925. Bellator 171 Underdogs that Won None
