Bellator 102 Date: October 4, 2013 Arena: Visalia Convention Center City: Visalia, CA Heavyweight bout: Lavar Johnson (-260) vs Vinicius Queiroz (+180) Fight Breakdown: Two heavyweights will clash in the co-main event at Bellator 102, when UFC and Strikeforce veteran Lavar Johnson goes toe-to-toe against the Brazilian Vinicius Queiroz. Johnson is currently the favorite in this bout at -250 ($250 to win $100), while Queiroz is the underdog at +190 ($100 to win $190) at Several Bookmakerss. LAVAR JOHNSON (17-7 MMA, 0-0 Bellator) made a splash in UFC with knockout wins over Joey Beltran and Pat Barry. However, the good times couldn’t last as he followed those wins with consecutive losses to Stefan Struve and Brendan Schaub. His lack of a ground-game was the reason behind both defeats. Johnson has zero submission defense, so Struve was able to pull guard and easily submit him. With zero wrestling skills, he was unable to stop the offensive wrestling of Brendan Schaub. Johnson is he type of fighter who goes in looking for the knockout and nothing else. He moves forward and throws heavy hands. He definitely packs power behind his punches, as he is the first and only person to ever stop Joey Beltran. Not only did he knock Beltran out, but he sent him packing from the heavyweight division down to 205. Johnson does not have very good cardio, so he always looks to end the fight early. He has made it to the judges’ scorecards only once in his twenty four-fight career, and that resulted in a loss. VINICIUS QUEIROZ (6-3 MMA, 1-1 Bellator) is making his third appearance in a Bellator cage, coming off a knockout loss to eventual Bellator Heavyweight Champion Alexander Volkov. Queiroz is a talented Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner who likes to knock his opponents out. Five of his six career wins have come by way of knockout, and only one by submission. His lone submission win came in his Bellator debut against Mark Holata. He does not have good conditioning, and has never made the distance in his professional mixed martial arts career. His best route to victory in this bout would be to take Johnson down before he has a chance to get off on his punches. It wouldn’t be smart of him to stand with Johnson. He certainly has the advantage on the ground and should be looking to get the fight there from the get-go. Fight Prediction: I think Queiroz is in love with his hands and will be looking to knock Johnson out, and as a result, Johnson will put him to sleep. Gabe’s Pick: Lavar Johnson by KO (1:01, round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Lavar Johnson -260, small to moderate.
