Bellator Dublin predictions: Which five fighters got unanimous nods from our pickers?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the Bellator Europe 7 and Bellator 240 cards in Dublin.

McCourt
vs.
Ruis
Kurtz
vs.
Ward
Chalmers
vs.
Clem
Primus
vs.
Bungard
Crosbie
vs.
Furtado
Kallionidou
vs.
Rawlings
Bandejas
vs.
Mlambo
Enkamp
vs.
Long
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2020: 16-10
mccourt2020
McCourt
(93%)
ward2020
Ward
(82%)
chalmers2020
Chalmers
(78%)
primus2020
Primus
(92%)
crosbie2020
Crosbie
(70%)
rawlings2020
Rawlings
(63%)
bandejas2020
Bandejas
(77%)
enkamp2020
Enkamp
(53%)
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2020: 20-6
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
rawlings2020
Rawlings
bandejas2020
Bandejas
enkamp2020
Enkamp
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2020: 20-6
trophy copy 2017 Champion
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
rawlings2020
Rawlings
bandejas2020
Bandejas
enkamp2020
Enkamp
Dave Doyle
@davedoylemma
2020: 19-7
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
kallionidou2020
Kalliondou
bandejas2020
Bandejas
enkamp2020
Enkamp
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2020: 19-7
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
kallionidou2020
Kalliondou
bandejas2020
Bandejas
enkamp2020
Enkamp
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2020: 19-7
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
rawlings2020
Rawlings
bandejas2020
Bandejas
enkamp2020
Enkamp
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2020: 19-7
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
kallionidou2020
Kalliondou
bandejas2020
Bandejas
enkamp2020
Enkamp
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2020: 19-7
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
kallionidou2020
Kalliondou
bandejas2020
Bandejas
enkamp2020
Enkamp
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2020: 19-7
trophy copy 2014 Champion
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
kallionidou2020
Kalliondou
bandejas2020
Bandejas
long2020
Long
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2020: 18-8
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
rawlings2020
Rawlings
bandejas2020
Bandejas
long2020
Long
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2020: 18-8
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
rawlings2020
Rawlings
bandejas2020
Bandejas
enkamp2020
Enkamp
Simon Head
@simonhead
2020: 18-8
trophy copy 2019 Champion*
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
rawlings2020
Rawlings
bandejas2020
Bandejas
long2020
Long
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2020: 17-9
trophy copy 2018 Champion
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
rawlings2020
Rawlings
bandejas2020
Bandejas
enkamp2020
Enkamp
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2020: 16-10
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
rawlings2020
Rawlings
bandejas2020
Bandejas
long2020
Long
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2020: 12-14
mccourt2020
McCourt
ward2020
Ward
chalmers2020
Chalmers
primus2020
Primus
crosbie2020
Crosbie
rawlings2020
Rawlings
mlambo2020
Mlambo
long2020
Long

The second of Bellator’s back-to-back events this week sees the promotion return to Dublin for a card loaded with European talent.

Bellator 240 and Bellator Europe 7 take place Saturday at 3Arena in Dublin. The Bellator Europe 7 card streams on MMA Junkie. The Bellator 240 portion airs on Paramount and streams on DAZN via tape delay.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the Bellator Europe 7 main event, [autotag]Leah McCourt[/autotag] (3-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Judith Ruis[/autotag] (6-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in a women’s featherweight fight. McCourt, from nearby Northern Ireland, is one of five unanimous picks from our 14 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers. She’s got a 14-0 shutout.

In the co-main event at Bellator Europe 7, Dublin-based [autotag]Charlie Ward[/autotag] (7-4 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) is a unanimous pick against [autotag]Kyle Kurtz[/autotag] (10-7 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) in their middleweight bout.

And former reality TV star [autotag]Aaron Chalmers[/autotag] (5-1 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) is a 14-0 pick from our staff members against [autotag]Austin Clem[/autotag] (3-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in their welterweight bout.

On the Bellator 240 portion of the card, former lightweight champ [autotag]Brent Primus[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) is a 14-0 pick against [autotag]Chris Bungard[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 2-1 BMMA). And Kiefer Crosbie (7-1 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) is our fifth unanimous pick in his 160-pound contract weight bout against Iamik Furtado (6-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA).

[autotag]Ricky Bandejas[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) nearly made it a sixth unanimous nod in his bantamweight bout against [autotag]Frans Mlambo[/autotag] (8-4 MMA, 2-0 BMMA), but had to settle for 13-1 in the picks.

Our only truly contentious fights in the picks come in the way of [autotag]Bec Rawlings[/autotag] (7-9 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) in her women’s flyweight bout against [autotag]Elina Kallionidou[/autotag] (7-3 MMA, 0-3 BMMA). Rawlings, looking to snap a five-fight skid, has a 9-5 edge in the picks.

And to open the Bellator 240 portion of the event, [autotag]Oliver Enkamp[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) also has a 9-5 picks lead in his welterweight fight against [autotag]Lewis Long[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 1-0 BMMA).

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, McCourt (93 percent), Ward (82 percent), Chalmers (78 percent), Primus (92 percent), Crosbie (70 percent), Rawlings (63 percent), Bandejas (77 percent) and Enkamp (53 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

Bellator 240/Bellator Europe 7 pre-event facts: Can Bec Rawlings snap MMA skid?

Check out the key facts and figures about Bellator 240/Bellator Europe 7, which takes place Saturday in Dublin.

Bellator continues a busy weekend on Saturday with a split event showcase at 3Arena in Dublin featuring Bellator 240 and Bellator Europe 7.

The Bellator 240 portion of the card is headlined by former lightweight champion [autotag]Brent Primus[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Chris Bungard[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 2-1 BMMA), while the Bellator Europe 7 portion sees Northern Ireland’s [autotag]Leah McCourt[/autotag] (3-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) fight [autotag]Judith Ruis[/autotag] (6-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in a women’s featherweight affair.

For more on the numbers behind all the festivities, check below for 15 pre-event facts about Bellator 240/Bellator Europe 7.

* * * *

Bellator 240

Brent Primus

Primus’ five stoppage victories in Bellator lightweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Michael Chandler (nine) and Patricky Freire (nine).

Primus is the only fighter in Bellator history to earn a submission victory by omoplata choke. He accomplished the feat at Bellator Europe 1.

Bungard has earned both of his Bellator victories by first-round submission. He finished both fights by rear-naked choke.

Bec Rawlings

[autotag]Bec Rawlings[/autotag]’ (7-9 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) five-fight losing skid is the longest of her career. She hasn’t earned a victory since March 2016.

Rawlings is 0-3 since she returned to the women’s flyweight division in November 2017.

[autotag]Elina Kallionidou[/autotag] (7-3 MMA, 0-3 BMMA), 21, is the youngest of the 16 fighters scheduled for the Bellator 240/Bellator Europe 7 main cards.

[autotag]Ricky Bandejas[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) has earned both of his Bellator victories by first-round knockout.

Bellator Europe 7

Leah McCourt

McCourt has earned both of her Bellator victories by first-round stoppage.

Ruis, 35, is the oldest of the 16 fighters scheduled for the Bellator 240/Bellator Europe 7 main cards.

Ruis has earned five of her six career victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Charlie Ward[/autotag] (7-4 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) is 4-1 since he returned to the middleweight division in November 2017. He’s 6-1 overall in his career at the weight class.

Ward’s four knockout victories in Bellator middleweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Alexander Shlemenko (six).

[autotag]Kyle Kurtz[/autotag] (10-7 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) returns to Bellator for the first time since June 2015. He went 6-7 between stints with the organization.

MMA Junkie reader predictions: Make your picks for Bellator Europe 7/Bellator 240 in Dublin

We want your predictions for Saturday’s Bellator Europe 7/Bellator 240 event in Dublin.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s Bellator Europe 7/Bellator 240 event in Dublin.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the Bellator Europe 7/Bellator 240 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. Bellator 240 and Bellator Europe 7 take place Saturday at 3Arena in Dublin. The Bellator Europe 7 card streams on MMA Junkie. The Bellator 240 portion airs on Paramount and streams on DAZN via tape delay.

Make your picks for all eight main card fights inside:

Charlie Ward, Bec Rawlings added to growing Bellator Europe 7 lineup

A pair of fights have been added to the Bellator Europe 7 lineup.

A pair of fights have been added to the Bellator Europe 7 lineup.

Conor McGregor protege [autotag]Charlie Ward[/autotag] will return against [autotag]Kyle Kurtz[/autotag], and [autotag]Bec Rawlings[/autotag] will take on [autotag]Elina Kallionidou[/autotag]. MMA Junkie confirmed the bookings with promotion officials on Wednesday following a report from The Irish Mirror.

Bellator Europe 7 takes place Saturday, Feb. 22 at 3Arena in Dublin.

Ward (7-4 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) most recently competed at Bellator Europe 6 in November. He suffered his first promotional loss to Italy’s Pietro Penini. Ward had won four straight prior to the defeat.

Conversely, Missouri’s Kurtz (10-7 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) has won back-to-back fights. The 29-year-old middleweight has competed for numerous notable regional promotions, including LFA and Shamrock FC.

[lawrence-related id=471900,469879]

A former competitor in the UFC and BKFC, Australia’s Rawlings (7-9 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) was submitted in her Bellator debut in October to Pitbull Brothers team member Ilara Joanne.

Her upcoming opponent, Greece’s Kallionidou (7-3 MMA, 0-3 BMMA), will also seek her first Bellator victory. The 21-year-old flyweight has three career losses, all in the Bellator cage.

With the additions, the Bellator Europe 7 lineup includes:

  • James Gallagher vs. Cal Ellenor
  • Aaron Chalmers vs. Austin Clem
  • Leah McCourt vs. Judith Ruis
  • Brent Primus vs. Peter Queally
  • Kyle Kurtz vs. Charlie Ward
  • Elina Kallionidou vs. Bec Rawlings
  • Kiefer Crosbie vs. Hugh Pulley
  • Paul Redmond vs. Ryan Scope
  • Chris Duncan vs. Ryan Roddy
  • Daniel Crawford vs. Philip Mulpeter
  • Arunas Andriuskevicus vs. Karl Moore
  • Will Fleury vs. Justin Moore
  • Ranjeet Baria vs. Richie Smullen
  • Oliver Enkamp vs. Lewis Long
  • Danni Neilan vs. Chiara Penco
  • Ezzoubair Bouarsa vs. Blaine O’Driscoll
  • Ciaran Clarke vs. Jamie Faulding
  • Ilias Bulaid vs. Diego Freitas
  • Dylan Logan vs. Tom Mearns
  • Constantin Blanita vs. Asael Adjoudj

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