UPDATES TO BELLATOR 223 AND BELLATOR 224 INCLUDING RETURN OF JULIA BUDD

Bellator recently announced some of the bouts for the upcoming Bellator 223 and also Bellator 224 events. Here are the newest fights, along with my thoughts on the new matchups under:
Gegard Mousasi vs. Rafael Lovato Jr., Bellator 223
Bellator 223 takes place June 22 in SSE Arena in London, England, and the major event sees Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi taking on Rafael Lovato Jr.. Read my thoughts on this fight in a previous edition of the MMA odds and endings.
Paul Daley vs. Erick Silva, Bellator 223
An intriguing welterweight bout between Paul Daley and Erick Silva has been added to Bellator 223. Daley (40-17-2) is currently 5-4 at Bellator and is coming off of a close decision loss to Michael Page using a decision loss to Jon Fitch prior to that. He hasn’t won since a KO win over Lorenz Larkin in September 2017. Silva (20-10, 1 NC) is 0-1 in Bellator, having lost by decision to Yaroslav Amosov in his promotional introduction. His last win came in July 2018 over Nick Barnes in LFA. Although Silva has a puncher’s chance, he’s a shell of his former self, and despite Daley struggling to win his last few fights, he must be favored to win this bout.
James Gallagher vs. Jeremiah Labiano, Bellator 223
Featherweights James Gallagher and Jeremiah Labiano will struggle at Bellator 223. Gallagher (8-1) has a 5-1 record in Bellator and rebounded nicely from his upset KO loss to Ricky Bandejas with a submission win over Stephen Graham his out time. Labiano (12-6) is 2-2 total in Bellator and is coming off of a TKO win over Justin Smitley. Even though Gallagher is overrated, he should still be preferred to win this battle.
Melvin Manhoef vs. Kent Kauppinen, Bellator 223
Middleweights Melvin Manhoef and Kent Kauppinen also meet at Bellator 223. Manhoef (30-14-1, two NC) is 42-years-old currently and is coming from successive losses to former champ Rafael Carvalho. His final win was a knockout victory over Hisaki Kato back in 2015, and overall he has a 2-3, 1 NC album in Bellator. Kauppinen (11-4) is just 1-1 in Bellator but he’s coming off of a KO win over Alessio Sakara which was a breakthrough performance for him. Despite Manhoef’s edge in experience, you must prefer the younger and more lasting fighter here in Kauppinen.
Julia Budd vs. Olga Rubin, Bellator 224
And lastly, Bellator 224 occurs July 12 in WinStar Resort Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma and the main event features Bellator women’s featherweight champion Julia Budd contrary to Olga Rubin. Budd (12-2) has a perfect 6-0 record in Bellator and has not lost since a entry defeat to Ronda Rousey way back in 2011. She will be coming into this fight off of a one-year layoff because she has not competed since a TKO win over Talita Nogueira last July, however, Budd remains one of the most formidable women’s featherweights in the world regardless of any layoff. Rubin (6-0) is currently 4-0 in Bellator, though her level of competition has been sub-par, to say the least. Still, she obtained this name shot because of her perfect record and since there’s no one else worthy of battling Budd, who will undoubtedly be a massive favorite to win the fight.
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