Bellator 94 USF Sundome, Tampa, FL, US Thursday, March 28, 2013 Light Heavyweight Final: Mikhail Zayats (-120) vs. Emanuel Newton (-120) Fight Breakdown: The finals of the Bellator Season 8 Light Heavyweight Tournament sees Russian Mikhail Zayats take on American Emanuel Newton is what is sure to be a tremendous bout between two of the most underrated 205-pounders in the world. The fight is currently a pick ’em at Several Bookmakers with Zayats and Newton both at -120 (bet $120 to win $100). Zayats (21-6) made it to the finals of the touney with his submission victory over Jacob Noe and his KO win over veteran Renato “Babalu” Sobral. The 31-year-old Russian is a very well-rounded fighter who has four T/KO and 11 submission wins to his credit, and judging by his two performances thus far inside the Bellator cage, he is most definitely peaking. Currently riding a seven-fight win streak and the winner of 11 of his past 12 (the only loss coming to UFC fighter Vinny Magalhaes), Zayats is definitely an underrated gem, but to win the $100,000 and earn a title shot against Bellator light heavyweight champion Attila Vegh, he has to first get by Newton, and it won’t be easy. Newton (20-7) is coming off one of the biggest upset victories all-time in the sport of mixed martial arts, a KO win via spinning back fist over tournament favorite Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal. Although Newton has been around the scene for a very long time, almost nobody out there was giving him even the slightest chance against King Mo, and he proved all the doubters wrong by winning via KO. The 29-year-old American — who has knockout power and a very solid ground game to back it up — has won eight of his last nine fights, with the only loss coming via a close split decision to the current 205-pound champ Vegh, so obviously Newton — just like Zayats — is peaking in his career. Now, he just needs to win one more fight, and he’ll earn that big cheque and get his long-awaited rematch with Vegh. Fight Prediction: This is a very evenly matched bout and honestly, either guy can win via T/KO, submission, or decision. In the end, though, I do feel that Newton’s experience level and the fact that he hasn’t been fighting as much lately as Zayats help him. Also, considering the fact that Newton has obvious KO power and Zayats has been knocked out before, I have to go with the American to topple the Russian and win the Bellator Season 8 Light Heavyweight Tournament. Adam’s Pick: Newton via TKO (click for latest MMA odds) Adam’s Recommended Play: I have to recommend a small bet here on Newton at a Pick ’em price. Fluke or not, that KO win over King Mo was impressive and even if it was kind of flukish, it did exemplify the kind of power he has to go along with all his other skills. Zayats is very talented too so you can’t go too crazy, but at -120 the bet here is on Newton.
