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Bellator 221: Chandler vs Freire Odds and Predictions

Cole Shelton

by Cole Shelton in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Mar 26, 2020 · 1:55 PM PDT

Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler defends his lightweight title against Patricio Freire at Bellator 221 this Saturday (May 11) in Chicago. Photo by Twitter user @Boxing_NewsNow.
  • Michael Chandler puts his lightweight title on the line at Bellator 221
  • Featherweight king Patricio Freire is looking to become a two-division champion
  • Michael Page takes on Douglas Lima in the co-main event

Bellator heads to Chicago, Illinois, for Bellator 221 (Sat. May 11, 10 p.m. ET) which features a stacked card.

In the main event, lightweight champion Michael Chandler puts his title on the line against featherweight champion Patricio Freire, who is moving up in weight looking to become a double-champ.

In the co-main event, the welterweight Grand Prix’s second round kicks off with Michael Page taking on Douglas Lima.

Also on the card is former WWE star Jake Hager and rising star A.J. McKee.

Michael Chandler vs Patricio Freire Odds

Fighter Odds
Michael Chandler -220
Patricio Freire +285

*All Odds Taken 05/06/19

Fight Record and Recent History

Chandler (19-4) is riding a three-fight winning streak and reclaimed his lightweight belt when he beat Brent Primus by unanimous decision back in December. Before that, he beat Brandon Girtz by submission and Goiti Yamauchi by decision.

The champion has notable wins over the likes of Patricky Freire — Patricio’s brother — Eddie Alvarez, Benson Henderson and Derek Campos, among others. His four losses have come against Will Brooks (twice), Alvarez and Primus.

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Freire (28-4), like Chandler, is riding a three-fight win streak, all title fights. In that span, he won the title from Daniel Straus and then defended it against Daniel Weichel and Emmanuel Sanchez.

He holds notable wins over the likes of Emmanuel Sanchez, Pat Curran, and Wilson Reis (twice), among others.

Chandler vs Freire Tale of the Tape

Chandler
VS
Freire
33 Age 31
5’8″ Height 5’5″
69″ Reach 65″
10 Bellator title fights 8
December 2018 Last fight November 2018

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There is a reason why Chandler is a big favorite entering this fight. He will have a size and reach advantage, and is clearly a better fighter. He is arguably the face of Bellator and has been in some of the best fights the promotion has seen. In the standup, Chandler is a more effective striker. Even on the ground, he has shown he is capable of submitting anyone.

Ultimately, Freire will be too small and not quite strong enough to take the belt from Chandler. It could go the distance, but more likely is yet another stoppage win for Chandler to add to his legendary Bellator career.

Pick: Michael Chandler (-220)

Michael Page vs Douglas Lima Odds

Fighter Odds
Michael Page +205
Douglas Lima -240

Fight Record and Recent History

Page (14-0) is coming off a lackluster unanimous decision win over rival Paul Daley in the first round of the welterweight Grand Prix. Many expected the fight to be a back-and-forth standup affair but that wasn’t really the case as Daley tried to utilize his wrestling. Daley’s gameplan didn’t prove effective as Page did enough on the feet to get the win.

Page’s other notable wins are over David Rickels, Fernando Gonzalez and Ricky Rainey. However, many have questioned Page’s opponents as being set-up fights.

Lima (30-7) dominated his first-round matchup against Andrey Koreshkov, submitting him in the fifth round to move on to face Page.

Before that, Lima lost a close decision to Rory MacDonald. He has beaten Paul Daley, Lorenz Larkin, Koreshkov, plus the UFC’s Ben Saunders (twice).

Page vs Lima Tale of the Tape

Page
VS
Lima
32 Age 31
6’3″ Height 6’1″
79″ Reach 71″
7 Bellator finishes 9
February 2019 Last fight September 2018

In Page’s last fight, he got exposed on the ground. His takedown defense was not up to par and Daley (who is not a wrestler) took him to the mat over and over.

Against a legitimate ground fighter like Lima, he could be in trouble.

Yet, Page has shown that he can frustrate anyone with his unorthodox fighting style and has the ability to knock anybody out.

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Lima will have to avoid the power shots and pick his shots right along with level changes every now and then. If he can do that, the former champion should advance to the finals and have a shot at regaining his belt.

Ultimately, that is how I see it going with Lima either getting a stoppage on the ground or grinding out a unanimous decision win.

Pick: Douglas Lima (-240)

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