Alright, this took me a while to type out the first time and then it just vanished into nothingness when I hit post. So I guess that is a sign to not post a FRAT and just get to the point.
So now that there are only 2 guys left in each class, who has the best chance at beating the reigning champion in Bellator?
FW: Freire or Warren over Soto
Freire has the tools to finish the fight anywhere and Warren has been an upset machine in his short career. What are the chances they beat Soto? I think the chances of a new champ are fairly good, moreso with Freire than Warren.
LW: Imada or Curran over Alvarez
Has Imada changed anything in a year that has shown Eddie wouldn't run all over him again? Or is Curran the answer to the question by playing the darkhorse of the tournament card. Eddie is probably safe but Curran might give him a decent fight.
WW: Hornbuckle or Askren over Good
It's been a long layoff for Good and Hornbuckle has been on a roll lately. How do these guys match up? Does Dan enter as the favorite? Askren has shown good wrestling but would need a huge upset to beat Hornbuckle...but if he did, could be hold the title? Hornbuckle could hold the belt in short order...Askren not going to happen imo.
MW: Baker or Shlemenko over Lombard
I really wanted to see Baker vs Hess but only because I wanted to see if Baker was the real deal or not. He really is a monster and is on his own little frate trane this season but the papa trane is coming for him. Could he withstand the collision? Shlemenko has shown he's dangerous in spurts with submission and crazy strikes but does his awkwardness work for him or against him? How long would he last against Lombard? I don't think anyone is taking Hector's belt but Baker might make it interesting.
Nobody is beating Eddie short of Gil Melendez, Franky or BJ. Lyman still needs a few more wins over better competition before we can start talking about if he is unbeatable. Lombard is a toss up. Would have to see him fight the likes of Lawler, Shields, Sonnen, Vitor & of course Anderson.
ttt
good thread, i agree with all of your points
i think Pitbull and Hornbuckle are future champs, but they both have high caliber wrestlers to get by
Joe Soto is great, but by the way Freire has been fighting i could easily see him taking the belt
Lyman Good has not fought for almost a year at this point, anyone know why he hasnt gotten a super-fight?
Baker has looked very impressive and Shlemenko is entertaining but unpredicatble, i dont think either finalist will get past Lombard, he should be fighting the top MW's
i think Alvarez/Imada II looks very similar to the first fight, Curran had that very close win over Huerta and i agree he is the better match up for Eddie, but i think Alvarez stays champ
I give Baker props. the guy really wasn't very skills when he was fighting early on. Now he is seasoned on has skills.
I can see Pitbull taking the belt too. Anybody know what the reach difference is for Soto and Pitbull?
Hornbuckle with ATT is on a different level now.
best chance of a new champ is at welterweight. Hornbuckle or Askren can defeat Good.
I really hope it is Hornbuckle though.
Oh and Pitbull is a beast, his fight versus Warren will be good.
Excited for the finals
caposa - Lyman Good has not fought for almost a year at this point, anyone know why he hasnt gotten a super-fight?
I asked Bjorn, he says Lyman was recovering from an injury and that's why he couldn't have a superfight. He will be healthy enough to defend his title though.
I would like to see Hornbuckle beat the shit out of Askren. Something just aint right about that curly haired guy. Maybe it's the curly hair?
I think Hornbuckle has the best chance at being champ out of anyone left. His experience and skill set are a cut above anyone in this season and he could possibly go into a title fight as the favorite.
I think Freire will have the title as well but although beating Soto wouldn't be an upset he would still be a slight dog.
Baker and Curran/Imada get beat in handily fashion by Lombard and Alvarez respectfully.
asscobra - I would like to see Hornbuckle beat the shit out of Askren. Something just aint right about that curly haired guy. Maybe it's the curly hair?
That and the fact that he's a cocky prick.
No way Askren beats Lyman. Hornbuckle on the other hand has good chance.
lombard over baker
hornbuckle over good
alvarez will beat curran
warren will dec soto
I'm going to ttt this with Askren beating Hornbuckle to get some opinions on Askren vs Good since many of us probably have different opinions of this matchup with Askren's amazing preformance against Hornbuckle.
I should probably mention Curran getting a terrible decision victory over Imada and truly getting beat to the punch in all situations doesn't bode well for his chances against Alvarez.
I dont see lombard or alvarez losing, but FW and WW are up for grabs.