Bellator 185: Mousasi vs. Shlemenko fight card preview

Get the Full StoryHere s the rundown for Friday s Bellator 185, as Gegard Mousasi makes his promotional debut against Alexander Shlemenko in the main event. Despite a terrible string of injuries butchering the Bellator 185 card, the show will push forward and kick off from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut on Friday, October 20th. The marquee matchup will witness the highly anticipated debut for elite middleweight Gegard Mousasi, as he looks to one-up Bellator's former 185 king, Alexander Shlemenko. With Liam McGeary vs. King Mo, plus David Rickels vs. Brennan Ward both off the table, Neiman Gracie will get the co-main event spotlight as he takes on Bellator newcomer Zak Bucia. If you want to catch the Bellator 185 main card action, tune in to Spike TV, Friday night at 9:00 P.M. ET with the prelims streaming online at 8:00 P.M. ET.

Main Card: 9:00 PM ET on Spike TV

Gegard Mousasi 42-6-2 MMA; Bellator Debut vs. Alexander Shlemenko 56-9 MMA; 12-3-1 Bellator : Middleweight

Gegard Mousasi has performed at the highest levels of MMA for well over a solid decade, and now he is bringing his talents to the Bellator promotion after earning 5-straight wins at the end of his 9-3 UFC run. Also, 4 of those 5 back-to-back victories came by spectacular knockouts. As one of the top-5 middleweights on the planet, Mousasi can strike with the best strikers, grapple with the best grapplers, and also has a deep veteran tool shed from which to pull from. There really is no legit reason to believe that Mousasi won't continue on with his mean streak, and forget waves, as this middleweight is projected to make tsunamis. The Bellator promotion hit big by signing Mousasi, now he just needs to show up.

The last time that the Bellator promotion saw Alexander Shlemenko in action, he dusted Kendall Grove in the second round of their Bellator 162 encounter back in October of 2016. Since then, Shlemenko has been spotted performing for the M1 brand of MMA, picking up a unanimous decision over Paul Bradley, and avenging his loss to Brandon Halsey with a :25 knockout. With his return to Bellator, Shlemenko will be facing one of his most, if not the most, elite competitors to date. Does Bellator's former middleweight king have what it takes to knock off a top-5 185'er?

Neiman Gracie 6-0 MMA; 4-0 Bellator vs. Zak Bucia 18-8 MMA; Bellator Debut : Welterweight

Neiman Gracie has been flawless thus far in his young MMA career, and with having the last name of Gracie, it's no shock to anyone that 5 of those 6 wins have come by way of submission. After a series of unfortunate injuries ripped right through the Bellator 185 roster, Gracie now has the opportunity to shine in the co-main event. Zak Bucia has been around the pro MMA scene for over a decade, fighting in a multitude of shows, and even appearing on a couple Strikeforce cards. Bucia has finished 15 of his 18 opponents, 9 by way of submission, but will his veteran savvy and grappling experience be enough to trump the ground wizard that is Neiman Gracie? Let's just hope they grapple!

Heather Hardy 1-0 MMA; 1-0 Bellator vs. Kristina Williams Pro Debut : W Flyweight

Heather Hardy won her pro debut back in June of this year, as she knocked out Alice Yauger in the 3rd round of their Bellator 180 meeting. Hardy brings a stout boxing background to the table that gives her a substantial advantage on the feet against some of the other Bellator flyweights. In terms of MMA, Hardy will actually hold a slight experience advantage at Bellator 185, as her opponent Kristina Williams will be making her professional debut. Williams is turning pro following a 3-0 amateur career. Who knows what to expect in this bout, as both fighters have really young records.

Ryan Quinn 13-7-1 MMA; 7-1 Bellator vs. Marcus Surin 4-0 MMA; Bellator Debut : Lightweight

Ryan Quinn has amassed the most quiet 7-1 run inside of Bellator that you will likely ever see. Quinn has only been spotted on a Bellator card when the promotion ventures to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut and the same is true for this Friday. In his last outing, Quinn dropped a unanimous decision to Bellator vet Saad Awad at Bellator 178 in April of this year. Is Quinn a legit lightweight? Marcus Surin sports a perfect 4-0 record as he heads into his Bellator debut. Surin kneed his way to a 2nd round TKO victory against Christen Torres in his last match, a WSOF 31 event in June of 2016. Will Surin's lack of experience be the storyline of this Connecticut vs. Connecticut matchup?

Ana Julaton 2-2 MMA; Bellator Debut vs. Lisa Blaine 1-0 MMA; Bellator Debut : W Flyweight

Ana Julaton is another accomplished boxer that is looking to find a home in Bellator's flyweight division. Julaton has already performed under the bright lights for ONE FC, so don't expect any cage jitters for her Bellator debut. What is more fun than seeing a boxer punch while using the little gloves? Lisa Blaine successfully made her pro debut at Premier FC 23, as she earned a 2nd round TKO of Tammy Worrick in June of this year. Just as the Hardy vs. Williams matchup, who knows what will happen with such young records?

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