Bellator 107 Date: November 8, 2013 Arena: Winstar World Casino City: Thackerville, Oklahoma Middleweight bout: Brennan Ward (+150) vs Mikkel Parlo (-170) Fight Breakdown: The Bellator 107 main card will feature a bout with Brennan Ward and Mikkel Parlo, who will square off against each other in the finals of the Bellator middleweight tournament series. Ward is currently the underdog heading into this match-up at +150 ($100 to win $150), with Parlo being the favorite at -170 ($170) at Several Bookmakerss. BRENNAN WARD (8-1 MMA, 4-1 Bellator) is riding a three fight win streak in Bellator, and all three have come inside the distance. He is a solid striker who can do a lot of damage with his fists. While not as technically sound as his opponent Parlo, Ward is more vicious with his hands, and has a better chance of finishing fights, as he has that killer instinct. He is without a doubt a finisher, as seven of his eight professional mixed martial arts career victories have inside the distance; five of them knockouts, and two via submission. Ward is also well-versed in the submission game, winning his last bout with a guillotine choke, after he was down on the judges’ scorecards. In my opinion, a submission would be his most likely route to a victory. While he is a heavy hitting striker, I believe Parlo will pick him apart on the feet. Having been past the second round only once in his nine pro fight career, his conditioning will certainly be questionable as he heads into this bout. MIKKEL PARLO (11-1 MMA, 3-1 Bellator) is currently enjoying a two fight win streak, as he secured unanimous decision wins over Brian Rogers and Jason Butcher in this Bellator middleweight tournament. Parlo is a very skilled technical striker from Denmark who possesses a good chin. His chin makes him more comfortable to stand and trade, knowing he can’t be knocked out. He goes into fights feeling the only way to lose is to get submitted. His grappling skills are not bad, he just feels a talented submission artist could tap him, and that’s likely his only way to lose a fight. He shouldn’t too worried about that against Ward, though, as he’s done well against better grapplers. The 23-year old Dane throws heavy leather, and picks good shots, putting together some effective combinations. He prefers to keep the fight standing, and his great takedown defense often allows him to do so. Parlo is a respectable finisher and knockout artist in his own right, as eight of his eleven career victories have come inside the distance, and all eight have come via TKO/KO. That said, his most recent bouts have all gone the distance, and have really displayed his solid gas tank. Parlo is a well-conditioned striker training out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, N.V., and he will be prepared for a three round war against Ward. Fight Prediction: I think Parlo manages to keep most of this fight on the feet, where he will outstrike Ward en route to a decision. Gabe’s Pick: Mikkel Parlo by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Mikkel Parlo -170 for a moderate-to-big play.
