Bellator women’s flyweight champion Juliana Velasquez takes on former military veteran Liz Carmouche tonight in Honolulu at Bellator 278, part of the company’s double-header weekend.
Bellator 278 is a special event dedicated to the men and women in the American armed forces. There have been a few late cancellations, but the main event is ready to go.
👏 It's 👏 Fight 👏 Day!
The #Bellator 278 @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @7ElevenHawaii will be live on YouTube at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.
🇺🇸 | @SHOSports
🇬🇧 | @BBCiPlayer
🇯🇵 | @Watch_UNext
🇮🇪 | @VMSportIE
🇦🇺 | @Channel10Au
🌍 | YouTube ▶️ https://t.co/874LPQVHG0 pic.twitter.com/wak5lFe9U6— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 22, 2022
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
MAIN CARD
LUIS MURO (16-7-0) VS. NATE ANDREWS (16-4-0)
An all-American showdown kicks off the #Bellator278 main card! 🇺🇸
Manny Muro takes on Nate Andrews tomorrow night at @BlaisdellCenter, Hawaii.
It’s all live on @SHOSports, 10:00pm ET/7:00pm PT. pic.twitter.com/Khn9vfXm29
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 21, 2022
Andrews: This is a catchweight bout at 160 pounds. Andrews is older but I think has the maturity and experience to overcome some early trouble. And I have no relation to Nate.
Andrews Prediction: Nate Andrews via UD
GRANT NEAL (6-1-0) VS. CHRISTIAN EDWARDS (5-1-0)
.@GrantNeal vs. @CPainEdwards205 #Bellator278 Face-Off – https://t.co/8B4fchqWnt pic.twitter.com/snwx4OMo7u
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) April 22, 2022
Andrews: Edwards has a 5-inch height advantage but was stopped in his last fight despite having the same advantage. So I think Grant will use the same playbook to chop down Edwards.
Andrews Prediction: Grant Neal via submission
JOMEL LUGO (8-0-0) VS. DANNY SABATELLO (11-1-0)
Jornel @AunoLugo vs. Danny Sabatello #Bellator278 Face-Off – https://t.co/kKATvaeuKo pic.twitter.com/gQSlOKAlvD
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) April 22, 2022
Andrews: A good one on paper. Sabatello has been hurt to the body before and the slight advantage has to go to A1 here.
Andrews Prediction: Jomel Lugo via UD
ENRIQUE BARZOLA (17-5-2) VS. NIKITA MIKAHILOV (8-1-0)
Enrique @ElFuerteBarzola vs. Nikita Mikhailov #Bellator278 Face-Off – https://t.co/0GtfSYXhv6 pic.twitter.com/QChh9i45fB
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) April 22, 2022
Andrews: This is a catchweight at 140 pounds and Nikita is coming in on short notice. The advantage has to go to Barzola, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Mikhailov pulled it off. But I have to lean on the experience of Enrique.
Andrews Prediction: Enrique Barzola via UD
MAIN EVENT
JULIANNA VELASQUEZ (12-0-0) VS. LIZ CARMOUCHE (16-7-0)
.@BellatorMMA Flyweight Champion @JuVelasquezMMA vs. #2-ranked @IAmGirlrilla #Bellator278 Face-Off – https://t.co/V3HSGEB5OL pic.twitter.com/s1ZNVQuQP0
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) April 22, 2022
Andrews: Carmouche says she has an advantage in training with former champion Iiima Lei-Macfarlane. It is indeed helpful, but it won’t be enough. Velasquez is a certified beast, and Camouche needs to be extremely prepared on the ground, which is where the fight will be won for Velasquez.
Andrews Prediction: Juliana Velasquez via UD
Enjoy the fights.
