Henderson vs Queally Betting Preview: Can Bendo Steal Show In Ireland?

Bellator returns to Ireland with a living legend headlining: Benson Henderson takes on local hero Peter Queally. The Henderson vs Queally betting preview pegs “Bendo” as the favorite (2-1) as he looks for a consecutive victory for the first time since 2019. Queally failed to capture the Bellator Lightweight Championship. A win over Henderson could get him a second shot at the belt as he leads a slew of other Irish fighters this Friday.

Bellator 285: Henderson vs Queally Event Info

• Location: 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
• Day/Time: Friday, 12:30 p.m. ET
• Broadcast: Showtime, YouTube (Prelims)

Henderson and Queally Fight for Another Title Run

Patricky “Pitbull” Freire and Usman Nurmagomedov are fighting for the 155-pound belt this November. Afterward, it’s open season for the contenders. Both Henderson and Queally can jump the line with a spectacular performance this Friday. Henderson has the edge over Queally as he’s got a bigger name and is an all-around better fighter as how most Henderson vs Queally betting previews would attest.

Henderson is 5-3 when opening as a favorite under Bellator. His three losses all came against champions, but never underestimate Irishmen fighting in front of their fans. The energy from the locals could push Queally to be stronger and more aggressive than he usually is. Henderson also has a hard time finishing fights. He has one finish in the last four years while Queally has only finished once in his 10-year career.

Fans betting on Bellator 285 can look to this fight to go to a decision or at least to go into the championship rounds; but even without a finish, there will be plenty of back-and-forth action here.

Romero and Manhoef Meet in a Battle of Old Bangers

Before Henderson and Queally step into the cage, a pair of old timers are going to attempt to “one-time” the other. Yoel Romero fights Melvin Manhoef in a light heavyweight bout with potential title implications. Romero starched Alex Polizzi earlier this May to earn his first win under Bellator while Manhoef searches for his first win since 2019. He last fought and lost to Corey Anderson in late 2020.

The Bellator MMA betting odds favor Romero by a large margin here, 8-1, which makes him the largest favorite of the evening. The “Soldier of God” is 45 years old but still has explosiveness. More notably, he has a significant wrestling edge that gives him more ways of winning the fights.

Manhoef, on the other hand, embodied the “kill or be killed” adage in MMA.  Seven of his nine Bellator bouts have ended in a finish. The 46-year-old is a “glass cannon” where he can dish it but can’t take it. Against Romero, Manhoef either lands that knockout punch or gets knocked out trying.

Irish Stars Face Mostly Good Odds

While Queally is an underdog in his bout, most of the other six Irish fighters are favored to win. The Bellator 285: Henderson vs Queally betting preview sees Kenny Mokhonoana, Darragh Kelly, Brian Moore, and Ciaran Clarke all as sizable favorites. Each of these Irish-based fighters is lined at -300 or shorter, which implies a 70 percent winning probability.

In a featured bout, Leah McCourt is also a slight favorite against Dayan Silva. McCourt last lost to a fellow Irishwoman, Sinead Kavanagh, who fought Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino for the belt in a losing effort. Consider this a title eliminator as McCourt or Silva could face Cyborg next should they win this fight.

And last but not least, Karl Moore is slated to open the card as a 3-1 underdog against Karl Albrektsson. This is a big step up for Moore who is facing a fighter who has shared the cage against champions like Jiri Prochazka and Phil Davis. A win for Moore should fire up the Irish crowd.