Daniel Gracie Vs Tim Carpenter: Bellator 38 Showdown
By Ben Bieker
Daniel Gracie (5-2-1) vs. Tim Carpenter (6-0-0)
Daniel Gracie is another fighter from a dying family of MMA legends who professes his greatness. While their name may still rule the BJJ competition roust they are not the force they once were in MMA. Daniel is the perfect example. He did not first compete in MMA until the age of 29 in which he took four bouts going 3-1-0. From there he took three years off and came back for a three fight stint going 1-1-1, one of those was a win and a draw over Wes Sims. He returned in November of last year at the ripe age of 38 to submit 5-4 fighter Martin Wojcik. Now he faces 6-0 Tim Carpenter for what he is calling his destiny to have the Bellator Light Heavyweight title.
Tim Carpenter has already bested one IFL veteran in Jamal Patterson. He had not faced the best competition until that point and only took a split decision over Patterson. There is one thing that this fight did prove though that Tim can compete with a high level BJJ fighter. Jamal trains with Renzo Gracie, and he was not able to submit Daniel. He will again have his ground game tested by a high level BJJ fighter in Daniel. Tim himself had one long layoff in his career taking a three year hiatus from 2007 until 2010, but he did win three straight fights in 2010.
The Bottom Line: Tim Carpenter takes this fight. Daniel does not fight consistently enough for me to take him. When fighters do not fight consistently enough barring injuries they are not dedicated.
Co-Main Event:
D.J. “Da Protege” Linderman (8-1-0) vs. Raphael”Noodle” Davis (10-1-0)
It’s good to see D.J. finally dropping to 205. He did well at Heavyweight pulling in a 8-1 record, but he was never in the best shape at that weight class. Now that he drops to 205 he will have a chance to be a real force. His biggest win was over Mario Rinaldi who has been in the ring with legitimate competition anything like Roy Nelson, Ron Waterman, and Ricco Rodriguez. His loss to Devin Cole, but even then a loss can spur a fighter to become better which can be seen in his win over Mario two fights later.
There is another IFL implant in the tournament in Raphael Davis. His only loss came in his second professional fight ever to Brent Beauparlant. Since then, he has rattled off nine straight wins over anything like TUF Alum Vinny Magalhaes, former MFC champ Emanuel Newton, and former KOTC champion Tony Lopez. All of these are tough fighters and shows the growth of Rapheal since his first loss. He can finish people with strikes but owns seven submissions in ten career wins.
The Bottom Line: Rapheal has been in there with some of the better fighters outside the UFC and won. The weight cut will affect D.J. as he will gas and get submitted in the third round.
Richard “Rare Breed” Hale (15-3-1) vs. Nik “The Machete” Fekete (4-0-0)
More professional fights, and wins, does not always translate to being a better fighter. Given ring time is the number one thing for experience, but all it takes is a few fights to realize your potential. Nik may only have four fights, but Jon Jones only had about 12 before he won the UFC title. I am not saying Nik is Jon Jones, but he will give Richard all he can handle. He has stopped his last two opponents by strikes and before that he took out Strikeforce 205 top contender Ovince St. Preux which means he has a really good wrestling background.
Richard has a decent record, but most of the wins come over people who should not have really been fighting. When he has faced good opposition as Antwain Britt, Jimmy Ambriz, and Jordan Smith he has not come out the victor. He has decent hands to stop Nik, but that is if he can stay vertical for that long. The winner of this has the potential to be the dark horse int he competition as neither of them has really ever been fighting that big of names.
The Bottom Line: Nik takes it based on his wrestling strength. He may test the grounds striking, but if he gets hurt he will take the fight down. Look for him to continue that rhythm until an unanimous decision win.
Chris “The Professional” Davis (10-2-0) vs. Christian M’Pumbu (15-3-1)
Size wins fights which you will see here. Christian has fought Heavyweight and Chris has fought at 185. That difference in size will help get the fight to the ground where Christian has the advantage. Look for him to pick up a quick submission victory. Top billing may go to the Gracie, but my pick to win it all is Christian. He will look to prove himself after his last loss.
The Bottom Line: Christian by first round submission.