Watch Bellator 180 Wand x Sonnen

Bellator 180 will bring idols from the past and title fights (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/BellatorMMA)

Bellator 180 will bring idols and title fights (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/BellatorMMA)

This Saturday night (24) promises for MMA fans, Madison Square Garden, in New York, will be the stage for the biggest edition in Bellator history. The historic event, full of big names and title fights.

In the main event, the former PRIDE light heavyweight champion Wanderlei Silva debut in the promotion against arch-rival and former challenger to two UFC belts Chael Sonnen. In the second most anticipated duel of the night, the mythical Fedor Emelianenko, considered the greatest heavyweight in history, faces Matt Mitrione.

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And that's not all. In addition to the two big events of the night, Bellator 180 will feature no less than three title fights, including one of them in the preliminary portion of the show: Ryan bader, former UFC fighter, faces Phil Davis, Bellator light heavyweight champion, for the 93 kg belt. On the main card, two other champions put their belts on the line. The Brazilian Douglas lima, holder of the welterweight title, faces Lorenz Larkin, while the lightweight king, Michael chandler, measures forces with Brent Primus.

Furthermore, there is room for two big promises. Aaron Pico, accomplished wrestler and boxer, makes his professional debut against Zach Freeman, while James Gallagher, considered the Conor McGregor of Bellator, fights against Brazilian Chinzo Machida, brother of Lyoto, former UFC light heavyweight champion.

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1 – The return of the Mad Dog

Wand returns after four years away (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/BellatorMMA)

At its peak, Wanderlei Silva He was the most feared fighter in the world. Pride light heavyweight champion for several years, the Brazilian lined up opponents of the caliber of Kazushi Sakuraba, Rampage Jackson and Hidehiko Yoshida (gold medal in judo). More than 10 years later, however, Mad Dog returns to MMA to prove that he can still be useful. And he will have one of his biggest rivals ahead of him: Chael Sonnen.

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The two were scheduled to fight in the UFC, when they ended up training opposing teams on TUF Brazil. Doping problems on both sides meant the fight never materialized. After leaving Ultimate, both began flirting with Bellator and, little by little, were introduced to fans of the new company. This Saturday (24), the two will have the responsibility of leading the biggest event in the company's history.

And, to guarantee good pay-per-view sales, the two even rehearsed a new fight, like the one that occurred on the set of TUF Brasil and which caused the expulsion of Wand's assistant coach, André Dida. This time, Bellator president Scott Coker stood in their way. But no one will be present at the circular cage on Saturday night.

2 – The Last Emperor

At 40 years old, Fedor is considered the best heavyweight in history Photo: Disclosure

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In 2003, still unknown to the general public, Fedor Emelianenko dominated the then unbeatable Rodrigo Minotauro and took the PRIDE heavyweight title from the Brazilian. There truly began the journey of one of the greatest fighters in the history of MMA. This story will have a new chapter this Saturday (24), when the Russian faces Matt Mitrione in the second most important fight of Bellator 180.

Fedor arrives for the duel with the former UFC fighter at a curious stage in his career. Despite coming from five consecutive victories, the Russian is not considered a big favorite to face the average Matt Mitrione. This is because, in his last fight, he was almost knocked out by the Brazilian light heavyweight Fabio Maldonado, who did not win the fight in the decision due to great incompetence on the part of the side judges.

Even though the Last Emperor has never done so well in the United States (his three big defeats were there), MMA fans expect him to put in a good performance, at least one last time.

3 – Brazilian defends the title

D. Lima is one of the best in the world (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/BellatorMMA)

Before the Pride legends took action at Bellator 180, the Brazilian Douglas lima will enter the cage in search of recognition. Despite having only lost twice in Bellator, the current welterweight champion remains underrated and off the fans' radar. But Lima will face an athlete more famous than him: ex-UFC Lorenz Larkin.

If he manages to pass as “Da Monsoon”, Douglas will position himself as one of the best welterweights in the world. For Bellator president Scott Coker, however, the Brazilian is already at the top of his category, regardless of the event.

"Douglas lima is a killer. And, what’s more, he’s the best welterweight fighter in the world at the moment”, commented Coker, who has already compared Douglas lima a Mike Tyson for the way the Brazilian knocks out his opponents.

4 – Other title disputes

P. Davis (photo) faces Ryan bader by the title (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/BellatorMMA)

Besides Douglas lima, two other Bellator champions will put their titles on the line on Saturday (24). Phil Davis faces Ryan bader for the light heavyweight title, while the owner of the lightweight belt, Michael chandler, defends his crown against Brent Primus.

The duel between Davis and Bader will serve as the main fight of the preliminary portion, that is, it will not be part of the Bellator 180 show. Perhaps because the first meeting between the two, still in the UFC, was below expectations. Two great wrestlers, they canceled each other out and the victory went to Bader, who now needs another victory over Davis to debut in his new home on the right foot.

Yes, Michael chandler remains the absolute best lightweight in Bellator. After Eddie Alvarez's departure to the UFC, Chandler established himself as one of the best in the world and lost the title only briefly to Will Brooks, another who migrated to Ultimate. In the new phase, however, the North American seems unbeatable, having knocked out Patricky Pitbull and dominated Benson Henderson. Against the dangerous Primus, Chandler will have to use all his experience, against the challenger, who only has seven fights (and seven wins) in his professional career.

5 – The turn of promises

J. Gallagher (photo) is compared to C. McGregor (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/BellatorMMA)

It's not just veterans and established stars who will take action at Bellator 180. President Scott Coker and matchmaker Rich Chou put together a card that also gave space to young MMA prospects.

Among them is the Northern Irish James Gallagher. Undefeated in his career so far with six wins, the featherweight trains alongside Conor McGregor and has been compared to “Notorious”. Interestingly, the 20-year-old fighter faces Brazilian Chinzo Machida, who is twice his age, despite having one more fight in MMA. Chinzo, Lyoto's brother, is decorated in karate and dangerous on his feet. A big test for Gallagher.

Another promise in action is Aaron Pico. Despite not having any professional MMA fights, the American's pedigree in wrestling and boxing led his coach Bob Cook to call him “the greatest prospect in the history of the sport”. Strong words from the man who discovered and follows Daniel Cormier, Cain Velazquez e Luke Rockhold). Pico, who almost made the U.S. Olympic wrestling team before he was 20, will face Zach Freeman, a 33-year-old veteran of 10 MMA fights.