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#4. Will Bellator bantamweight Erik Perez make it back-to-back wins?
The Bellator 278 prelims will see Erik Perez’s return to the cage. He has an opportunity to extend his winning streak to two when he takes on C.J. Hamilton. Perez is stepping in to replace Jared Scoggins on short-notice, so this will be a big opportunity.
‘Goyito’ joined the promotion with a lot of promise in 2019. The UFC veteran had a 19-6 MMA record prior to signing with Bellator and still holds the record for fastest UFC bantamweight knockout. He had a successful stint in the octagon and in Combate Americas, which saw him go 9-2 in that six-year span.
Perez wasn’t able to carry that previous success over when he joined the promotion in 2019 and experienced a setback. In his most recent bout, he snapped his two-fight losing streak and earned a unanimous decision win over Blaine Shutt.
With the bantamweight Grand Prix ongoing, ‘Goyito’ has a great opportunity to insert himself in the top 10 in Hawaii.
#3. Who will Leandro Higo meet in Bellator's bantamweight Grand Prix?
Bellator 278 will see four bantamweights compete for an opportunity to earn a spot in the Grand Prix. The first qualifying bout between Danny Sabatello and Jornel Lugo will determine who fights Leandro Higo in the opening round.
Sabatello has had an impressive career so far. He has an 11-1 MMA record and is currently riding a five-fight winning streak. ‘The Italian Gangster’s run of form includes a unanimous decision win over Taylor Moore on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020. His most recent victory was arguably his most impressive as he defeated veteran Brett Johns via unanimous decision.
Lugo, on the other hand, has been one of the promotion’s homegrown fighters. ‘A1’ has an undefeated record and five of his eight bouts have taken place in the Bellator cage. The 26-year-old has earned himself an opportunity to compete in the qualifier and could become a star should he advance.
