The Bellator 293 Main Event will be an interesting clash of styles between knockout artist Daniel James (14-6) and submission specialist Marcelo Golm (10-3). James and Golm have both impressed in their short time with the promotion and will have a massive opportunity this Friday in a wide-open Heavyweight division. In the Co-Main event, former UFC title challenger Cat Zingano (13-4) returns to the Bellator cage against Ireland’s Leah McCourt (7-2). Also on the main card, intriguing prospect Archie Colgan (6-0) faces Serra-Longo product Justin Montalvo (5-0) in a battle of undefeated Lightweights.
No. 8 Daniel James (14-6) vs No. 5 Marcelo Golm (10-3)
In the Bellator 293 Main Event Heavyweight finisher Marcelo Golm faces Chicago native Daniel James. James knocked out longtime Bellator contender Tyrell Fortune last November in his promotional debut. That victory immediately catapulted James into the official rankings and now the first Main Event of his career. Outside of Bellator, James has faced world-class competition internationally, going the distance with former top-ten-ranked UFC heavyweight Ruslan Magomedov in Poland. Since his loss to Magomedov, James has gone 5-1 with five stoppage victories.
Golm is a former UFC veteran who has won four straight since leaving the promotion. Golm has competed against some of the best in the world including No. 3 ranked UFC Heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich. Training at the highly regarded American Top Team in Florida, Golm receives top-of-the-line coaching from Mike Brown and Conan Silveira. Golm is 2-0 with Bellator and stopped his opponents in all of his ten professional victories. In his two Bellator wins, Golm finished both Billy Swanson (TKO) and Davion Franklin (Rear Naked Choke). Golm is a tremendous grappler who thrives on the ground, where he can utilize a wide variety of submissions.
James will want to keep this fight standing where he will have a significant power advantage. Golm will need to take this fight to the ground where he will look to control his opponent and work toward submission opportunities. Golm (30-years-old) will be the younger fighter by eleven years. James is a massive Heavyweight Fighter (6 foot 6) and will be stronger psychically than his opponent. The winner of this fight could be next for a shot at Ryan Bader’s Heavyweight title.
No. 1 Cat Zingano (13-4) vs No. 4 Leah McCourt (7-2)
In the Co-Main Event, Women’s MMA pioneer and former UFC title challenger Cat Zingano takes on Leah McCourt. Zingano is 4-0 in her time with Bellator and a win this Friday may propel her into a Featherweight title shot. McCourt is 6-1 since signing with the promotion and holds victories over Janay Harding and Dayana Silva. Zingano is the betting favorite at online sports books (-425) but is 40-years-old and facing a hungry contender in McCourt.
Over her career Zingano has been a talented striker who also has the ability to take the fight down if she needs to. When Zingano is at her best she can beat any female fighter in the world. Zingano holds impressive stoppage victories over former UFC Champion Miesha Tate and Current two-weight UFC world champion Amanda Nunes. The winner of this potential women’s title eliminator may be the next to face Bellator Women’s Featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino.
Archie Colgan (6-0) vs Justin Montalvo (5-0)
Starting off the Bellator 293 main card, up-and-coming Lightweights Archie Colgan and Justin Montalvo will replace the canceled bout between Jaleel Willis and Rustam Khabilov. Colgan is a former wrestler from the University of Wyoming who picked up wins on the regional scene in the LFA and Eagle FC. Montalvo is the number one rated Lightweight in New York and earned knockout wins in four of his five professional victories. Colgan will enter this contest as a (-275) favorite at online sportsbooks.
Montalvo is a member of Team Serra-Long in New York, where he trains with UFC Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili. Colgan will want to take Montalvo to the ground where he can utilize his collegiate wrestling background. Montalvo may be the more fluid striker and will want to keep this fight standing. This will be the biggest moment in both of these young prospects’ careers and should be highly competitive throughout.
Bellator 293 Prelims:
The Bellator 293 Prelims contain many potentially fun fights. In the Light Heavyweight division, Sullivan Cauley (5-0) fights Luke Trainer (6-1) in a battle of up-and-coming 205-pound prospects. Cauley is a Division one wrestler from Arizona State University and has transitioned well into the sport of MMA. All of Cauley’s professional wins have come with Bellator. England’s Trainer is a lengthy Light Heavyweight at (6 foot 6) and is coached by former UFC veteran Brad Pickett. Trainer will need to use his size and frame to defend against takedowns and stay off the ground.
Also on the prelims, Jiu-Jitsu phenom Lucas Brennan (7-0) makes his return to the Bellator cage against Josh San Diego (9-4). Brennan (22-years-old) is a second-generation fighter whose father Chris competed for a UFC title and in high-profile events in Pride during the early 2000s. San Diego is (4-1) with Bellator and will be the toughest test yet for Brennan. The Bellator 293 prelims start at 7 p.m. EST. The Main card can be seen on Showtime and will begin at 10 p.m. EST.
For the latest sports news visit Fantom Sports Industries. Follow us on Twitter via @Fantom_sports. Like us on Facebook via Fantom Sports Industries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel via Fantom Sports. Subscribe to our Newsletter! Shop Fantom Sports Industries Merch.