Bellator 218: Sanchez vs Karakhanyan 2 Odds and Picks

• Bellator 218 goes down this Friday, March 22nd in Thackerville, Oklahoma
• Can Georgi Karakhanyan right the wrong and beat Sanchez in the rematch?
• Does the winner become the number one contender?

Bellator heads back to Thackerville, Oklahoma for Bellator 218. However, the main event saw changes as Emmanuel Sanchez was originally set to fight Ashleigh Grimshaw, but Grimshaw was forced to pull out. That lead to Georgi Karakhanyan stepping in on short notice and returning to Bellator for the third time.

The Bellator 218 main card is live on Paramount Network at 9:00 p.m. EST on Friday, March 22nd.

Bellator 218: Emmanuel Sanchez vs Georgi Karakhanyan Odds

*All odds taken 03/21/19

Fight Record and Recent History

Emmanuel Sanchez (17-4) is coming off of a loss to Patricio “Pitbull” Freire for the title back at Bellator 209. It was a unanimous decision loss, in which it showed Sanchez still needed to improve on some areas of his game if he wants to be a world champion.

Before that, however, Sanchez was riding a four-fight winning streak with wins over the likes of Sam Sicillia, Daniel Straus, Marcos Galvao, and Georgi Karakhanyan by split-decision. The first fight against Karakhanyan could have gone either way and now they have a chance to see who has gotten better since their first fight in January of 2017.

Georgi Karakhanyan (28-8-1 and one no-contest), meanwhile, is back in Bellator after a brief stint in Russia’s ACB promotion. There, he had one win and one no-contest after a DQ win for Karakhanyan was overturned.

In his two stints with Bellator before, Karakhanyan has never been able to win the big fight to get him the title shot.

Throughout his career, Karakhanyan has wins over the likes of Bubba Jenkins, Lance Palmer, Din Thomas, and Waylon Lowe among others. However, in his two stints with Bellator before, Karakhanyan has never been able to win the big fight to get him the title shot. Now, with a win over Sanchez, he could very well be in line for a title shot

Sanchez vs Karakhanyan Tale of the Tape

If Sanchez is going to win this fight as he did in their first one, he will need to use his slight reach advantage and use the jab effectively and then shoot for the takedown.

Sanchez, who has fought at welterweight and lightweight before staying at featherweight for good will have a size advantage and if he grinds Karakhanyan on the ground or in the clinch he could tire him out quickly. Having Karakhanyan work hard to get up and out of clinch will be key.

However, Karakhanyan has shown he has knockout power so Sanchez will have to be worried about that. It only takes one solid punch of Karakhanyan for it to all be over. Ultimately, I see this one heading to the scorecards and Sanchez edging out a decision win.

Pick: Emmanuel Sanchez (-300)

Valentin Moldavsky vs Linton Vassell Odds

Fight Record and Recent History

Moldavsky (7-1) is set for his third Bellator fight after a stint in RIZIZN. Moldavsky is riding a two-fight winning streak with wins over Ernest James and Carl Seumanutafa. He will now have his toughest fight to date when he takes on Vassell.

Linton Vassell (18-7 and one no-contest) is moving up to heavyweight for this fight to make his Bellator heavyweight debut. He is currently on a two-fight losing streak where he got knocked out to both Ryan Bader for the belt and Phil Davis. However, Vassell does still have wins over the likes of Liam McGeary, Emmanuel Newton, and Matt Jones, among others.

Moldavsky vs Vassell Tale of the Tape

Both fighters are very good on the ground and can submit anyone from their back or on top. Meaning, if the fight goes to the ground it will be very interesting to see who has the better ground game.

Both fighters are very good on the ground and can submit anyone from their back or on top.

However, given they are both submission specialists, I think the fight could remain standing where Vassell will have an advantage. He has shown the ability to knock anyone out, and if his chin can hold up against the punches of Moldasvky it should be a good night for the 35-year-old. Ultimately, I see Vassell getting the win.

Pick: Linton Vassell (+115)