The biggest MMA promotion in Europe heads to Denmark for the first time for Cage Warriors 66, from the Ballerup Super Arena, which instantly takes its place at the top of the pantheon of greatest MMA arena names ever. The reason for the trip to Denmark is one of the men in the headlining bout which will serve to crown a new welterweight champion for the organization. Former champ Cathal Pendred has made his way to the UFC, and it seems like everything is primed for Nicolas Dalby (11-0) to take that belt and perhaps follow Pendred to the UFC in the near future. Dalby doesn’t get a pushover to beat for the belt however, as Sergei Churilov (15-1) brings an impressive record of his own to the cage. The remaining bouts on the card also feature a number of familiar faces to fans of the European scene, as Bruno Carvalho (15-7) looks to rebound after a vicious KO loss to Gael Grimaud against Norwegian Mohsen Bahari (6-1). UFC veteran John Maguire (19-7) is in a similar spot as he comes in on short notice for his brother, after losing in the Cage Warriors 65 main event just three weeks ago. Longtime UK veteran Robbie Olivier (20-9-1) takes on former Cage Warriors featherweight title challenger Martin Svensson (12-5). MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for Cage Warriors 66 at Several Bookmakers today. Take a look: ——————– MAIN CARD (Internet Stream, 4pm ET) Nicolas Dalby -535 Sergei Churilov +355 Bruno Carvalho -170 Mohsen Bahari +130 John Maguire -185 Damir Hadzovic +145 Jack Hermansson -315 Enoc Solves Torres +235 Robbie Olivier -210 Martin Svensson +160 Toni Tauru -350 Martin Akhtar +250 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: Nicolas Dalby is an excellent prospect, and I would be surprised to see him lose this fight, but 5-to-1 on a mostly unproven figher is a bit too rich for my blood. Bruno Carvalho seems like he’s on a bit of a decline at this point, and Mohsen Bahari is dangerous on the feet which has been Carvalho’s kryptonite of late. If Bahari connects, this one could be over at any point. I thought John Maguire won his fight against Saul Rogers three weeks ago, and I don’t understand why he’s been getting so little respect lately. I think Maguire’s wrestling and top game will be a good counter to Hadzovic’s aggressive striking, and it should lead the UFC vet to victory. As long as Hermansson can keep this fight on the feet, he’s going to be the better and far more powerful striker. Torres doesn’t have much in the way of wrestling, but if this does hit the ground he’s going to be tricky for Hermansson. Finally, Robbie Olivier should be able to emulate the gameplan Jim Alers used to beat Martin Svensson recently, although to a less effective degree. He’s another fighter who has been around the UK scene for a long time and doesn’t get the most respect in the world, but if the line gets too low here I might throw Olivier in a play.
