The WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma remains the scene for Bellator 167: Taimanglo vs. Caldwell 2, the second part of the Viacom promotion’s MMA doubleheader weekend. The main event for the evening will host a rematch between top prospect Darrion Caldwell and the man who slowed down his hype train, Joe Taimanglo. You can catch Bellator MMA this Saturday night, on Spike TV at 9:00 P.M. ET with the prelims streaming online at 7:00 P.M. ET.

Main Card: Spike TV at 9:00 P.M. ET

Joe Taimanglo (23-6-1 MMA; 6-2 Bellator) vs. Darrion Caldwell (9-1 MMA; 6-1 Bellator): Bantamweight

The main event for Bellator 167 will see an immediate rematch of July’s Bellator 159 main event, where Joe Taimanglo upset the massive betting favorite Darrion Caldwell with a third round Guillotine submission. It should be noted that Joe Taimanglo did miss weight by 2 pounds in his first fight with Caldwell, as he stepped on the scale at 138.

“Baby” Joe Taimanglo is on a 4-fight mean streak in the Bellator promotion heading into his rematch with Caldwell. Taimanglo has found success in the cage by being a powerhouse of explosive energy, capable of shutting out the lights with one punch. Adding to his KO power, Taimanglo has a savvy submission game, particularly with his chokes, as we saw with the near D’arcing of Sirwan Kakai and the late Guillotine strangulation of Darrion Caldwell. If Joe Taimanglo can make weight, and get past Darrion Caldwell for a second time, then the Guamanian should be next in line for a shot at the Bellator bantamweight title.

On the journey from top prospect to title contender, Darrion Caldwell passed his first test with flying colors as he choked the life out of Bellator’s former bantamweight champion, Joe Warren, at Bellator 151. The second test for Darrion Caldwell, another veteran in “Baby” Joe, was going to plan before Taimanglo turned the tide in the third.

Over the course of the first 2 stanzas, Darrion Caldwell was able to put Taimanglo on his back and assert his familiar top pressure dominance that we have grown accustomed to seeing. To start the third round, Caldwell launched forward with a poorly timed takedown, and ended up in an uber-tight “Baby” Joe Guillotine choke that prompted a quick tap from the 2009 NCAA Div I national wrestling champion.

As with most rematches, the question will be, who has made the proper adjustments. Can Darrion Caldwell avoid making a crucial mistake and remain focused for the bouts entirety in order to take his revenge? Will Joe Taimanglo prove to the world that his Bellator 159 submission of Darrion Caldwell was not a fluke and that a title fight is where he belongs?

Justin Lawrence (9-3 MMA; 2-1 Bellator) vs. John Teixeira (20-1-2 MMA; 3-0 Bellator): Featherweight

John Teixeira has been absent from the Bellator cage since his Bellator 143 scrap with Gleristone Santos back in September of 2015. Following his “Furia” fight, Teixeira took a solo bout in his native land of Brazil this past December, where he took home a unanimous decision victory over the then 1-0 fighter Milson Araujo.

John Teixeira will be returning to American soil with his aggressive in-fighting style, which often prompts his opponents to get on their bike or risk facing a powerful punching combination comprised of looping bolos. Over the course of his 23-fight career, Teixeira has displayed the granite chin required to sustain such a brawl-heavy style as the resilient Brazilian has yet to be finished in professional MMA. Will John Teixeira continue on with his 9-fight unbeaten streak by besting the likes of Justin Lawrence?

Just because John Teixeira has more fights on his record, does not exactly mean that he has the edge in the experience department. Having already faced the likes of Michael Chiesa, James Krause, and Max Holloway, Justin Lawrence brings with him some invaluable experience against top flight competition.

Following his departure from the UFC, Justin Lawrence has gone on to win 5 out of his last 6 bouts, including a second round TKO of Isao Kobayashi this past June at Bellator 157. Under the Bellator regime, we have seen Lawrence utilize his active footwork and precision striking, but have also seen the 9-3 featherweight find the top position, and unload some hellacious ground and pound. Will Justin Lawrence put on an educated performance and personify the popular platitude of, it’s not how many fights you had, it’s who you fought?

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (4-0 MMA; 3-0 Bellator) vs. Emily Ducote (4-1 MMA; 3-0 Bellator): (W) Flyweight

Bellator’s female flyweight division continues to heat up as a clash of similar styles is set to unfold. The undefeated Ilima Macfarlane, training partner of MMA veteran Liz Carmouche, has successfully submitted her past two targets, including the second round Rear-Naked Choke of Rebecca Ruth at Bellator 157 this past June. Although she has been known to finish with her grappling, Macfarlane is far from afraid take her head off of the center line and let her hands go.

Also willing to stand and trade in the pocket is the heavy handed high school wrestler, Emily Ducote. In her promotional debut, Ducote showcased not only the tremendous power housed in her right hand, but also a knack for snuffing out the finish. Ducote did so with an awe-inspiring second round club-and-sub of Bruna Vargas at Bellator 159. Her Bellator 161 sophomore performance produced a similar second round submission, but this time she took home the arm of Kenya Miranda.

With such similar styles between the two fighters, this match may come down to who is more willing to work outside of their comfort zone. Both Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and Emily Ducote have won 4 straight, but barring a draw, someone’s winning streak must come to an end.

Chidi Njokuani (15-4 MMA; 2-0 Bellator) vs. Andre Fialho (7-0 MMA; 2-0 Bellator): Welterweight

The 15-4 Chidi Njokuani, brother to UFC veteran Anthony Njokuani, has been running a muck in MMA as he has refused the taste defeat in his past 7 fights. Njokuani is known for his sharp and rangey striking, including thunderous kicks from the outside and debilitating knees on the inside. One of the more underrated facets of Njokuani’s game is his stellar ability to thwart the takedown. In recent memory, Chidi Njokuani has spent some time with his back to the cage, however, has not really let much time accrue while his back is on the canvas. After putting in many years on the regional circuit, has Njokuani finally found his place in a premiere MMA league? Will Njokuani’s collective experience and desire to play the outside be his key to success to overcome a young up-and-comer?

Undefeated twenty-two year old prospect Andre Fialho has yet to see a third round in his young 7-fight career. Under the Bellator banner, Fialho’s 2 tilts have only lasted a total of 2:40. Having power in both his right and left hands, Bellator 150 saw a :29 KO of Manuel Meraz while Bellator 154 witnessed the 2:11 KO of Rick Reger. It is safe to say Andre Fialho’s hands are heavy and he knows it.

There a lot of unknowns surrounding the fresh AKA talent such as; how well does the young gun deal with adversity, what happens when/if Fialho needs to adjust his gameplan, and exactly what size gas tank does he brings with him into the cage. This step up in competition against Chidi Njokuani just might be the litmus test needed to find out if Fialho is in fact the real deal.

Prelims: Streaming Online on BloodyElbow.com at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

Jarod Trice vs. Tommie Britton: Light Heavyweight

Jonathan Gary vs. Aaron Roberson: Lightweight

Brandon Philips vs. Stephen Banaszak: Featherweight

Justin Patterson vs. Codale Ford: Welterweight

Fernando Gonzalez vs. Chris Hicks: Welterweight

Joey Soto vs. Bronson St. Romaine: Heavyweight