With the countdown well an truly on until the second event in Bellator’s European Series, we take a look at the final four fights making up the prelim card for Saturday nights card at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham. All preliminary bouts will be available to watch exclusively on the Bellator app with the main card being aired on Channel 5 from 10pm.
James Mulheron (11-3) vs. Lee Chadwick (24-14-1) – Light Heavyweight
Next up we see two UK veterans collide at light heavyweight as James Mulheron takes on Lee Chadwick. With both fighters having previously fought on the showcase Bellator Newcastle event, this has potential to be a heavy-hitting encounter.
Mulheron was on the wrong end of a third-round defeat to Arunas Andriuskevicus on the Newcastle event due to a referee stoppage taking him to 11-3. Saturday night will see Mulheron take to the Bellator stage for the third time in a career that also features a UFC appearance, where he fell to a unanimous defeat to American heavyweight Justin Willis. With back to back defeats in the light-heavyweight division, Mulheron faces a man keen to put aside his previous Bellator encounter.
After enduring a tough cut for his fight with Fabian Edwards, which ultimately resulted in him missing weight, Chadwick has taken the decision to step up to light heavyweight for the clash with James Mulheron. The former Cage Warriors middleweight champion has bags of experience, as his 39-fight record suggests, so don’t expect a dull three-round decision with this one.
Jim Wallhead (30-11) vs. Giorgio Pietrini (16-4-1) – Welterweight
If it’s experience on the world stage that you’re looking for, you don’t have to look much further than Jimmy Wallhead. With 41 professional fights to his name, Wallhead has competed at the very highest level throughout his career. Having appeared on Bellator, UFC, Cage Warriors, KSW and BAMMA events in the past, Wallhead has been there and done it when it comes to fighting at the top table. After losing to Luan Chagas on the UFC 212: Aldo v Holloway card in June 2017, Wallhead made a welcome return to action at Bellator Newcastle where he ground out a unanimous victory over Abner Lloveras.
Up next for Wallhead it’s the Italian Bear, Giorgio Pietrini. With twelve of his 16 wins coming by way of a finish, Pietrini has a credible record to his name. On a five-fight win streak, Pietrini scored an impressive 20 second KO in his last fight when he floored Nemanja Milaković at Bellator 211: Kauppinen vs. Sakara. Although his record is impressive, the Italian is relatively unknown in UK circles but that doesn’t mean to say he won’t be a threat. However, the Italian is venturing into a different realm when he takes to the cage on Saturday night. A victory over Wallhead would be an impressive scalp for the Italian but like many before him, a defeat wouldn’t be a big surprise.
Saul Rogers (12-2) vs. Aiden Lee (7-3) – Lightweight
After just over two years since his last fight, Saul Rogers returns to action on Saturday night in what will be his Bellator debut. Last appearing on ACB 54 in March 2017, the former TUF man will face Aiden Lee in what is a very intriguing match-up. Prior to his defeat against Aurel Pîrtea in his last fight, Rogers was on a 10-fight win streak which included his 4 wins on The Ultimate Fighter Series 22. Prior to that, you would have to go as far back as 2012 to find Rogers’ only other defeat when he was beaten by Shay Walsh.
Former Cage Warriors featherweight title contender, Aiden Lee will also be making his Bellator debut at the weekend. With four of his seven victories coming by way of submission, Aiden Lee has a very strong ground game which could be the key to beating Rogers, whose two losses have come by way of submission. Of course Lee will have to be at his best when it comes to Saul Rogers but no matter what the outcome is, this one could be tasty.
Brian Moore (11-7) vs. Son Le Binh (5-2) – Bantamweight
The final prelim in our round up sees Irishman Brian Moore take on Swede, Son Le Binh. Making his sixth consecutive Bellator appearance, the SBG Ireland man is currently 2-3 with Bellator. Turning pro back in 2011, Moore certainly has a mixed bag when it comes to results throughout his career. Only ever suffering back to back defeats once in his career, Moore will be favourite in this one against a man who has five decision wins to his name.
Fighting out of Gladius MMA in Gothenburg, Sweden, Son Le Binh featured on Cage Warriors 66: Dalby vs. Churilov back in 2014 where he was beaten by Shamal Tashkilot. With all seven of his professional fights going the distance, Son Le Binh clearly has the durability but whether that continues on Saturday night against Brian Moore remains to be seen.