![Bellator fights to look forward to [Photo credit: Bellator MMA]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/03/2cf7e-16486607994963-1920.jpg)
![Bellator fights to look forward to [Photo credit: Bellator MMA]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4. Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Patchy Mix - Bellator bantamweight Grand Prix
Bellator 279 is expected to begin with a bang as Kyoji Horiguchi and Patchy Mix kick off the bantamweight Grand Prix. This is a unique situation for Horiguchi as he has an opportunity to become a two-promotion champion.
Mix will also have that same opportunity. If he manages to eliminate Horiguchi from the tournament, he could be viewed as the favorite going forward. In addition, he could also set himself up for a RIZIN bantamweight title shot in the future as he would have a win over the reigning champion. It'll be interesting to see how the RIZIN champion performs coming off the loss to Sergio Pettis.
Horiguchi was getting the better of Pettis prior to the spinning-backfist knockout, so he should still be viewed as the favorite. Mix is coming off an impressive submission win over James Gallagher in Ireland. Hence, he has proven that he can remain composed even in a hostile environment and not deviate from his gameplan.
#3. Raufeon Stots vs. Juan Archuleta - Bantamweight Grand Prix
Bellator received unfortunate news as bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis was forced to withdraw from the Grand Prix due to an injury. He was originally scheduled to defend his title against his teammate Raufeon Stots. This would have been an interesting matchup because of their familiarity with one another and their recent performances.
The promotion has been unlucky with the Grand Prix as the champion and James Gallagher were both forced to withdraw. Pettis' withdrawal has resulted in Juan Archuleta stepping in to fight Stots for an interim bantamweight championship. Archuleta is a former champion, so it makes sense why he was chosen to replace Pettis in the interim title fight.
‘Supa’ is currently riding a 9-fight winning streak and is unbeaten in all five of his bouts in the promotion. He was impressive in his most recent win against Magomed Magomedov as he handed him his first career loss. ‘The Spaniard’, on the other hand, hasn’t fought since his title loss to Pettis and will be looking to regain gold.
