Bellator 207 and 208 Primer: Are You Ready for the Fedor/Sonnen/Bader/Mitrione Double-Whammy?

I’m not quite sure why Bellator does this, but they’re having another double-header this weekend. This time it’s Bellator 207 and 208, which will take place in Connecticut and on Long Island (you could literally drive from one venue to another in less than three hours – heck, there’s a ferry that would cut that time in half).  We’ve got Fedor Emelianenko fighting Chael Sonnen, we’ve got Ryan Bader fighting Matt Mitrione – there are so many compelling names and match-ups, it’s ridiculous.

Remember that heavyweight grand prix? Yeah, it’s still going on. And even though we saw Fedor fall to Mitrione not so long ago, that was non-tournament play, and the’s still in the mix.

His opponent at Bellator 208 on Saturday night is Sonnen. Since Sonnen is the exact opposite of big puncher, there’s a good chance our favorite legendary Russian heavyweight won’t wind up with brain damage. Sonnen might lay on him for a decision, but that’s the worst that could happen. Heck, Fedor might even knock him out!

Bader may be the org’s light-heavyweight king, but this is Bellator. So of course he’s in the heavyweight tournament.

And he’s got a tough opponent in Mitrione. Not because Mitrione is especially good, but when it comes to slinging hard leather, that’s the one thing Mitrione excels at… and the one thing Bader is weak at dealing with.

Beyond those fights, there are some recognizable names doing their thing.

Former UFC lightweight champ Henderson may be having a rough time during his Bellator run, but he’s still a tough dude. He’s got Saad Awad to deal with.

Alexander Shlemenko, former champ and spinning backfist specialist, is making his return.

Cheick Kongo is on board to knee someone in the nuts.

Roy Nelson and Sergei Kharitonov are going to scrap because they both have mortgage payments to make.

Even Lorenz Larkin is fighting.

So… who’s going to tune in for this Bellator double-whammy?