The PNW is host to one of the biggest MMA promotions in the world as Bellator MMA visits Washington State for the first time at Emerald Queen Casino for Bellator 283. The main card will be televised live on Showtime this Friday July 22nd at 7 pm. Tickets are still available for local fans who wish to attend.
Seattle Fights was at the media press conference on Wednesday and the weigh-ins this morning. The following is a preview of the main card. The event is headlined by two top welterweights in former three-time Bellator Welterweight champion Douglas Lima and top contender Jason Jackson, the #4 ranked Bellator Welterweight.
Douglas Lima vs. Jason Jackson – Welterweight Main Event
Jason “The Ass-Kicking Machine” Jackson (great fight name!) is on an impressive five fight Bellator win streak with wins over top welterweights Paul Daley, Neiman Gracie, former UFC Lightweight champion Benson Henderson, and Jordan Mein. Jackson trains at Sanford MMA in Florida under Dutch kickboxing legend Henri Hooft. Jackson was highly respectful of his opponent Douglas “the Phenom” Lima, saying at the press conference that he has tremendous respect for Lima as one of MMA’s top welterweights, but also as a father and a person. Jackson oozed confidence at the press conference, saying that he was confident wherever the fight goes and that he was certain he would get the victory via whatever means necessary.
As recently as 2019, Lima was regarded by the MMA community as either the best or one of the best welterweights in the world regardless of promotion. Lima is looking to right the ship after three consecutive losses, all against top competition. In 2020, Lima moved up to middleweight in a title fight loss to Gegard Mousasi. Lima then returned to welterweight and lost the welterweight strap to Yaroslav Amosov. Lima’s most recent bout was a split decision loss to Michael “Venom” Page. Lima seemed confident at the press conference that he is ready to return to the win column and jump start a run to a fourth welterweight championship. Lima emphasized that his body and mind are in a good place. However, Lima missed weight on Thursday, weighing 172.8 lbs.
Sidney Outlaw vs. Tofiq Musayev
Sidney Outlaw was originally set to headline this card in a lightweight championship bout against current Bellator Lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull Friere. Instead he will take on promotional newcomer, and Rizin veteran, Tofiq Musayev. At the press conference, Outlaw seemed to take the loss of the title fight in stride and while many fighters in his position may have waited to re-book a title fight, Outlaw admirably chose to stay on the card and be active. Musayev is a worthy opponent. Musayev has a 2019 over the lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull that took place under the Rizin banner. Musayev also has impressive Rizin wins against Johhny Case and Daron Cruickshank.
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Chris Gonzalez
Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov is the main card’s biggest favorite at -650 in his lightweight bout against Chris Gonzalez. Gonzalez threw some shade at Nurmagomedov during the press conference by questioning the quality of Nurmagomedov’s Bellator opposition. Gonzalez has a 6-1 Bellator MMA record with his most recent fight an impressive TKO finish at just 34 second of Round 1 at Bellator 273 against Saad Awad. Nurmagomedov, for his part, brushed off Gonzalez’s criticism of the Dagestani native’s recent opponents. Nurmagomedov oozed a calm and cool confidence in his chat with the media. Nurmagomedov confirmed that Khabib would be in his corner on Friday night.
Lorenz Larkin vs. Mukhamed Berkhamov
Lorenz “the Monsoon” Larkin is a popular MMA veteran who previously competed for Strikeforce and the UFC. Larkin is on a six fight Bellator win streak with a mix of welterweight and middleweight bouts. Larkin stated at the press conference that he would like to focus on the welterweight division but kept open the possibility of taking the right middleweight matchup. Larkin also said that he is unconcerned that he doesn’t have a ranking next to his name and that he could care less about the rankings and that he just wants to stay as busy as possible. Larkin is a true fighter’s fighter.
Davion Franklin vs. Marcelo Golm
The main card kicks off with a heavyweight clash between Davion “All Day” Franklin and Marcelo Golm. Franklin is a massive heavyweight, tipping the scales today at 264.2 lbs and brings a 5-0 professional record into this bout. Franklin is a homegrown talent as all of his pro fights have come under the Bellator banner. Franklin the -240 favorite, has three wins by TKO/KO. His opponent is Brazilian heavyweight Marcelo Golm. Golm won his Bellator debut last August by TKO victory over Billy Swanson at Bellator 265.
