Bellator returns this Friday (February 19, 2016) with Bellator 149: Shamrock vs Gracie III. The 14-fight card kicks off on Bellator.com at 7pm ET with nine bouts, followed by a five fight main card on Spike TV at 9pm ET. If interested in wagering on any this fight card, all betting lines will be made available at Several Bookmakerss. Here are my plays for Bellator 149: Catchweight bout: Ken Shamrock (-110) vs Royce Gracie (-110) Gabe’s Thoughts: I believe this fight will hit the mat, and when it does, it will be in Gracie’s world. I see him dominating Shamrock on the mat and ultimately submitting him. I think he should be a -300 betting favorite heading into this match-up, so I really like him for a play at his current offering price of -110. Shamrock is no kickboxer or knockout artist, so I don’t see him succesfully keeping the fight standing and beating Gracie there. I think the fight will hit the mat, and from then on, it will only be a matter of time. Gabe’s Call: Gracie by Submission (arm triangle choke, 1:14 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Gracie (-110) 4.4u to win 4u Light Heavyweight title bout: Emanuel Newton (-130) vs Linton Vassell (+110) Gabe’s Thoughts: I believe Newton is the superior mixed martial artist heading into this 205-pound affair and I believe he will get the better of Vassell both on the feet and on the mat for the majority of 15 minutes of action en route to a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards. If their first bout was a three round fight, Vassell would have won a decision, however this time around, I think Newton will start off strong and keep the momentum for all three rounds. The only real advantage Vassell has in my opinion is his size. He was able to succesfully employ it in their first meeting but I don’t see him finding as much success with it this go-around. Gabe’s Call: Newton by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Newton (-130) 2.6u to win 2u
