Golm vs James Betting Odds Preview: Title Eliminators Headline Bellator 293

Golm, Zingano Favored in Bellator 293 Main Events

New title contenders for Bellator’s biggest divisions will be crowned this Saturday. On the men’s side, Marcelo Golm and Daniel James are fresh blood for the heavyweight title picture. The former is slightly favored (-160) per the Golm vs James betting odds though James could pull off another upset. Meanwhile, female featherweights Cat Zingano and Leah McCourt clash to determine who Cris “Cyborg” Justino will defend her belt against.

Bellator 293

The Heavyweight Division Needs Guys Like Golm and James

Linton Vassell is likely getting the next title shot in Bellator’s heavyweight division. But an impressive win for either Golm or James could put them right behind the winner of this bout. The pair are ranked fifth and seventh in the Bellator heavyweight rankings. But James already upset Tyrell Fortune, ranked fourth, while third-ranked Steve Mowry has a No Contest and a Draw in his last two bouts.

The Golm-James winner will have plenty of momentum on their side. And MMA fans tend to have short memories – “you’re only as good as your last performance.” A win by Golm or James will likely set them up with a bout against Valentin Moldavsky or Steve Mowry for the true title eliminator bout.

“I want to be a champ. By the end of the year, end of this year,” he told Cageside Press “and I will.” When asked how far away he thought he was, he said – “two fights… March, and I don’t know, July. And then next for the belt.”

Golm last submitted Davion Franklin as a 2-1 underdog. Prior to that, he ground and pounded Billy Swanson in his Bellator debut. It’s no surprise he’s slightly favored on the Golm vs James betting odds. But James will not be easy prey. The American is a young 40-year-old and has only lost against UFC-caliber opponents like Ruslan Magomedov.

Having success in the ACA and against a former NCAA Division II wrestling champion means James will not be caught unprepared against Golm. The Golm vs James betting odds may view him as the likelier loser (+130), but the hard-hitting James could have another upset in him.

Zingano-McCourt Winner Could Be the Uncrowned Champion

Zingano is heavily favored in her bout against McCourt at -450. Should these Bellator 293 odds prove accurate, Zingano should go 4-0 in the promotion and at least earn the next title shot. However, it’s not as cut-and-dry as Justino is technically not under contract with Bellator and has been exploring other options.

“I was told the last couple fights I was going to be fighting for the title,” Zingano recently told MMA Junkie. “I believe Cyborg’s contract went out, so she’s not signed to Bellator anymore. Technically, she’s a free agent. I want to say there’s something going on there because she left and went to boxing.”

Either way, Zingano, who is ranked fourth in Bellator’s women’s pound-for-pound rankings, should be in the next title fight with a win over McCourt. The Irishwoman, on the other hand, bounced back from a loss against Sinead Kavanagh by beating Dayana Silva. Beating Zingano would be her biggest achievement as a professional.

Serious Prospects Line Bellator 293 Undercard

As what Bellator loves to do, it has filled the rest of the card with unbeaten prospects – most of who come from wrestling backgrounds. The MMA betting odds have most of them at heavy chalk beginning with Bryce Meredith (-1500) and Joey Davis (-1400).

The former was a three-time NCAA Division I All-American and a Big 12 Conference champion. He has mauled all three of his opponents at LFA and should dispatch Brandon Carrillo.

As for Davis, he was theonly four-time undefeated NCAA Division II National Champion in history. He’s one of only three to do it across all NCAA Divisions. Davis is 8-0 all under Bellator and he finished five of his opponents in the first round. Should he destroy Jeff Creighton, a 6-2-1 fighter, he may need to face tougher competition.

Another must-know name here is Lucas Brennan. He’s listed at -900 to defeat Josh San Diego (9-4-0). Brennan is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prodigy and was a two-time champion and five-time finalist in the BJJ world championship. Five of his seven Bellator wins have come via first-round submission.
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