Neiman Gracie and Goti Yamauchi have trapped many victims in their intricate grappling nets. But when the two vaunted submission specialists come face to face in the main event of his Bellator 284 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, he’s the only one who can come out on top.
Gracie (11-3) emerged as one of the promotion’s most promising stars after defeating Ed Ruth in the 2018 Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals. Run. Gracie has alternated between losing and winning over the past five games. He succeeded in retiring John Fitch, but was pointed out by elite Bellator welterweights such as Logan Story, Jason Jackson and Rory McDonald. The 33-year-old is the legendary Gracie family’s best modern banner in his career. Nine submission wins are on the brand and his TKO of Mark Lemminger showed his evolution.
“A lot of people were criticizing me because the match was impressive, but I let Logan Story have a fun fight…how hard is that?” Gracie said at this week’s Media Day. rice field. “I think he’s going to struggle more in this match because he’s not afraid to go to bed. Story was afraid to go to bed – not disrespectfully, but he said so.”
Yamauchi (27-5) has had considerable success at featherweight and lightweight, but will make his welterweight debut on Friday. Fighters often change divisions to renew their careers, but Yamauchi has long been one of Bellator’s better fighters, and a master of submissions, he’s been on a roll since debuting with his Bellator in 2013. They have a record of 13 wins and 4 losses. Yamauchi has only had decisions over Dan Moret (split) and Michael his Chandler (unanimous) in his final five games. Year. His recent wins include his TKO over Chris Gonzalez, Daron his Crookshank and third his Awad submissions, and a decision over Daniel Weichel. A win over the top-five ranked Gracie would allow him to reward Yamauchi with a big fight two divisions up from where he started his career.
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“I think lightweight and welterweight are the hardest weight classes in MMA. It’s much better now,” said Yamauchi. I’m working, but now I have good health and quality muscle, and I think welterweight is a good time to prove that.” I was doing something wrong with the weight. “
The secondary main event has significant implications for the heavyweight division. Former Bellator interim heavyweight champion Valentin Moldavski (No. 1) bounced back from a loss to undisputed champion Ryan his Vader by challenging the division’s most promising prospect. Steve Mowry (No. 5) has finished all 10 of his professional bouts by knockout or submission. Mowry faced a more experienced opponent than Moldavski, but this is a direct route to his heavyweight title fight.
“[Bellator has] It was wonderful. Ever since I signed with them. They gave me a big chance and I gave them a chance and it’s been great,” Morley said at Media Day.
“Honestly, I’m focused on what’s going to happen. He’s the toughest opponent I’ve ever played against in every way. He’s been there and made it. He’s very skilled and has a skill set that many people aren’t getting along with, so I’m looking forward to getting in there and trying to find him.
Additionally, former Women’s Flyweight Champion Ilima-Ray McFarlane returns to face Bruna Ellen in a featured match. McFarlane has had her ups and downs since starting her undefeated career, reigning as her champion. McFarlane dropped the title to Juliana Velazquez in December 2020 and was considering retiring the following year. She returned to her home in Hawaii in April, but made the decision to Justin Kish. I lost 3 pounds for Friday’s fight.
“Even if I had one arm in the previous fight, I could have finished the fight. And even if I had a broken nose, I could have survived the fight. There’s a defeat’ media day. “I can get through a flying knee and keep fighting. I don’t really care about losing the last two. I don’t think it matters what the people who make the big deal say.”
This is Bellator 284’s fight card with the latest odds from Caesars Sportsbook.
Bellator 284 cards, odds
| Neiman Gracie -180 | Goichi Yamauchi +155 | welterweight |
| Valentin Moldavsky -195 | Steve Mowry +165 | heavyweight |
| Ilima Ray McFarlane -115 | Bruna Ellen -105 | women’s flyweight |
| Gokhan Salikam -175 | Soma +150 | heavyweight |
| Austin Vanderford -190 | Aaron Jeffery +160 | middleweight |
Bellator 284 spectator information
date: August 12 | Start time: 9:00 PM ET
position: Sanford Pentagon — Sioux Falls, South Dakota
TV channels: show time
predict
Neiman Gracie vs Gotti Yamauchi: Yamauchi is a name that is often overlooked by Bellator fans. He has remained one of his most consistent fighters for the past nine years.The threat of submission is real and his determination shows in his promotion decision another Heavyweight. Gracie has struggled to reach his level in the championship with Bellator, but she remains an important figure in his one of the company’s deeper divisions. Gracie benefits from her two-inch height advantage, and his fighter has the same reach. Regardless of how close those stats are, we expect Gracie to carry bigger frames. A grappling-heavy battle can produce fireworks and duds. Alternatively, they can negate each other and force an impressive exchange. I prefer Gracie to win this one. Gracie via UD