Bellator 156: Galvao vs. Dantas 2 event preview

Bellator 156 will be invading the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California on June 17, 2016. The main event will see a bantamweight title bout between two participants with a storied past. Current bantamweight champion Marcos Galvao will take on former pupil and former Bellator champion Eduardo Dantas. The main card will air live this Friday on Spike TV at 9:00 PM EDT and the Preliminary bouts will stream online at 7:00 PM EDT.

Main Card: 9:00 PM EDT on Spike TV

Marcos Galvao (7-6-1 MMA; 7-3 Bellator) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4 MMA; 7-1 Bellator): Bantamweight Title

The first time these two gentlemen met inside the Bellator cage, Eduardo Dantas was the bantamweight champion. Dantas successfully defended his title at Bellator 89 by knocking out Marcos Galvao in the second stanza of their match. Dantas was all but excited for achieving such a clean knockout as he was a pupil of Marcos Galvao.

Since their initial Bellator bout, much has changed. Eduardo Dantas lost his title to Joe Warren at Bellator 128 while Marcos Galvao won the title from Joe Warren at Bellator 135. This rematch has been booked multiple times but injuries and illness have thus far prevented the second chapter of Galvao vs. Dantas.

Dantas is a crisp striker with active footwork that should provide the edge on the feet. Galvao is a fluid grappler who is more than capable of snatching a dangling limb. What will be the difference in the rematch?

Chidi Njokuani (14-4 MMA; 1-0 Bellator) vs. Thiago Goncalves (18-4 MMA; Bellator Debut): Welterweight

Chidi ‘Chidi Bang Bang‘ Njokuani was originally slated to face former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima, however; after the tragic passing of Kimbo Slice, Lima was rebooked for the main event against Paul Daley in London, England on July 16, 2016. Replacing Lima, Thiago Jambo Goncalves was originally scheduled to face former Njokuani opponent, Ricky Rainey.

Chidi Njokuani possesses technical fundamentals on his feet and has shown the ability to thwart the takedown. Thiago Jambo is a venomous striker who isn’t afraid to change levels and shoot a double. Can Thiago Jambo Goncalves solve the sound defensive problems presented by Njokuani? Will Chidi Chidi Bang Bang Njokuani capitalize on his openings and shine under the big lights of the co-main event?

Brandon Halsey (9-1 MMA; 7-1 Bellator) vs. John Salter (11-3 MMA; 1-0 Bellator):Middleweight

Former Bellator middleweight champion Brandon Halsey is looking to return to the title picture following his second round TKO loss to champion Raphael Carvalho. Halsey was a NCAA All American wrestler in college and utilizes that base foundation to impose his will on his opponents.

John Salter is finish happy fighter who has yet to witness a judge’s decision in his 14 bout career. This aggressive grappler busted onto the Bellator scene with an impressive second round submission stoppage of dangerous striker Dustin Jacoby at Bellator 132.

When two competitors have a similar skill set in a certain area, the bout often takes place outside of that particular facet of the game. Will Halsey and Salter scramble to see who is the better grappler or will they settle it on the feet and duke it out?

Chris Honeycutt (7-1 MMA; 3-1-1 Bellator) vs. Mikkel Parlo (13-2 MMA; 4-2 Bellator): Middleweight

Fresno, California’s hometown fighter, Chris Honeycutt, will be moving up from welterweight to try his hand in Bellator’s middleweight division. Welcoming the All American wrestler Honeycutt will be the heavy hitting Bellator veteran Mikkel Parlo. Will the grappling pedigree of Honeycutt dictate the pace of this bout or will the striking prowess of Parlo prevail?

Bellator 156: Galvao vs. Dantas will be taking place from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California on June 17, 2016. Tune in to Spike TV at 9:00 PM EDT for the main card and catch the Prelims streaming online at 7:00 PM EDT. Follow Bloody Elbow for continual coverage of the event including the MMA Vivisection, live tweets, results, and more!