'%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)
#2. Who will fight Magomed Magomedov in Bellator's bantamweight Grand Prix?
Bellator not only had to find a solution for their Grand Prix, but they needed to do so with their qualifier.
Enrique Barzola was originally scheduled to fight Josh Hill in a qualifying matchup, but Hill was forced off due to COVID-19. This resulted in Nikita Mikhailov getting an opportunity to face Barzola, with the victor set to challenge Magomed Magomedov in the Grand Prix.
‘El Fuerte’ has had a respectable career so far. He had a five-year stint with the UFC, where he went 6-3-1. His majority draw with Rani Yahya was his final UFC bout, so he didn’t leave following a lengthy losing streak. Barzola comes into the qualifying bout following a third-round TKO win over former champion Darrion Caldwell.
His opponent, Mikhailov, is looking to extend his winning streak and make a name for himself at ‘El Fuerte’s expense. The 23-year-old is another FedorTeam prospect and trains under the tutelage of Fedor Emelianenko. He will look to replicate the success of his teammates Valetin Moldavsky and light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov by capturing gold.
#1. Can Bellator women’s flyweight champion Juliana Velasquez remain unbeaten?
Reigning women’s flyweight champion Juliana Velasquez will face the toughest test of her career at Bellator 278. She will feature in her second title defense against former UFC title challenger Liz Carmouche in the main event.
Velasquez is unbeaten in her MMA career and has been dominant for the most part. She is coming off a split decision win over Denise Kielholtz and will be looking to add Carmouche to her resume.
Despite having excellent grappling and training at Team Nogueira, she only has one submission win in her career. Four wins have come via KO/TKO and seven have come via decision.
‘Girl-Rilla’, meanwhile, will hope that the third time's a charm for her championship aspirations. She came up short in her two previous UFC title bouts against Ronda Rousey and Valentina Shevchenko. Her title loss to ‘Bullet’ was her final bout in the UFC.
Since then, Carmouche's built a three-fight winning streak that includes wins over DeAnna Bennett, Vanessa Porto and Kana Watanabe.
