If you're looking for more daytime MMA in your life, there's plenty to enjoy this weekend. Your Competitive Violence itinerary begins at lunch time, depending on where you are this Friday. Two full days of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament and one full day of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament will take place in the United States, but MMA fans will be keeping an eye on what's happening inside his SSE Arena in Belfast.
It's been a month since the highly anticipated supercard pitting the best in PFL against the best in Bellator MMA, with the latter promotion returning for its first flagship event since its sale last November. Bellator 302 is the first of his eight shows for the promotion in 2024 and the first show of his new champion series.
Live coverage begins Friday at 1pm ET and 10am PT from Belfast, Northern Ireland. This action can be seen in many overseas markets on DAZN, Max This will be the Bellator card designation in the United States starting with Friday's Bellator 302.
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Bellator 302 main event will see the vacant light heavyweight title on the line
All told, barring any postponed matches between now and Friday afternoon, the final version of Bellator 302 will include 12 matches. There are two championships at stake at the top of the bill.
Immediately after the concurrent main event for the Bellator MMA Featherweight Championship, the vacant Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Championship will compete in the main event of Bellator 302. No. 1 contender Corey Anderson (17-6, 1 NC MMA, 1-4 NC Bellator) will face Cage Warriors alumnus and fourth-choice candidate Karl Moore (12-2 MMA, 1 NC Bellator). 4 wins, 0 losses).
This main attraction will complete the show in up to 5 rounds with each round lasting 5 minutes. The winner will succeed former Bellator MMA light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov (18-2 1NC MMA, 9-0 1NC Bellator), who moved up to heavyweight in January.
Bellator 302 main event fighter comparison and betting odds
Heading into this Friday's Bellator 302 main event, the two men are equally tall at 6-foot-3. Corey Anderson owns a 2 1/2 inch reach advantage over Carl Moore (77 1/2 inches to 75 inches). At the time of writing, no information about leg reach could be found online.
Currently, oddsmakers have Corey Anderson as a -400 favorite on the prize line, with Carl Moore competing as a +275 underdog. If you plan to bet on this match or any other match this weekend, please do so responsibly.
Corey Anderson plays Heel
Corey Anderson enters the main event of Bellator 302 with a 3-1 record in his past five fights, including one no contest. Most recently, he scored a split decision (24-7, 1-0 North Carolina MMA, 11-4 Bellator) against Phil Davis on June 16 of last year.
During an interview with Ariel Helwani MMA hour Last month, he made a bold claim.
“I already believe I'm like the best light heavyweight in the world,” Anderson said. “People will say whatever you want to say. I believe that every day. That's the only way I'm going to get up and keep doing this work.”
Corey Anderson will be a heel in Friday's Bellator 302 main event. This man is an avid hunter, but can he hunt down big game in enemy territory and emerge victorious as the new 205-pound champion?
Important home game for Carl Moore
In the other corner, Carl Moore is 4-1 in his last five games. He is on a four-fight win streak since joining the Bellator MMA promotional banner in September 2019. In his last match, he defeated Alex Polizzi (10-3 MMA, 4-3 Bellator) at Bellator 297 on June 16th.
Moore recently spoke to Belfast Live's Gareth Fullerton about fighting in front of his compatriots.
“Dublin has a great atmosphere, but Belfast is different,” Moore said. “The boxing show, let alone the concert at SSE, is crazy. I can only imagine what it will be like when our own teams compete for the title. I'm getting goosebumps right now.”
Karl Moore will no doubt be dealing with an upset stomach in the final few days leading up to Friday's Bellator 302 main event, but his key will be to turn off all distractions and find his own way. It will focus on the goal.
analysis, film research, predictions
Stylistically, the main event of Bellator 302 looks to favor Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and former college wrestler Corey Anderson compared to Karl Moore's background as a well-rounded fighter.
Look for Anderson to use an elbow.
Corey Anderson is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but he can also knock out men. Look no further than his fight against Melvin Manhoof at FightSphere at Mohegan Sun Arena in 2020.
In the second round of the fifth round, Anderson feinted to get Manhoef off his game plan, then knocked him down into half guard and tore him apart with a brutal elbow. There was no effort by Melvin Manhoof to defend himself, but the referee called it in favor of Anderson just after the midway point of the period.
If Corey Anderson can take Karl Moore to the mat, look for him to gain some momentum in the main event of Bellator 302.
Karl Moore can also punch his way to victory.
In the other corner, don't underestimate Carl Moore's ability to knock out his opponents. He has a ferocious striking of his own, which he showed in his 2013 fight against Richie Knox.
During the first of three scheduled rounds, the bout was briefly stopped due to a foul blow by Knox, but when it resumed, Moore fought off a takedown. After a second timeout with a low blow, both fighters traded punches, with Moore landing a quick counter punch to take Knox down.
When Carl Moore and Corey Anderson get close, Moore has the skill to be the aggressor.
final thoughts
Warner Bros. Discovery couldn't have asked for a better two championship fights to get Bellator MMA off to a max start. If he already has a Max subscription, please enter his email and password. Because on Friday, the co-main and main events of Bellator 302 will be can't-miss content. If you haven't already, you still have a few days to sign up for your free trial.
Prediction: Corey Anderson, 3rd round TKO.
