Bellator vs RIZIN 2 Betting Preview and Predictions

On Saturday, July 29th, 2023, Bellator is returning to the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, for Bellator vs RIZIN 2. The first installment of this series  also took place in the same venue in December 2022, and it showcased Bellator’s superiority as they swept the fights against RIZIN on the main card.

With that in mind, Bellator vs RIZIN 2 will not have as many high-profile main card fights between combatants from each promotion. Instead, we’ll see more of Bellator’s top fighters taking on each other.

The best Bellator betting sites have released odds for the main card. Let’s take a look at these competitive bouts and make our Bellator vs. RIZIN 2 predictions.

Bellator vs RIZIN Odds

We’re bullish on AJ McKee, Kana Watanabe and Kyoji Horiguchi in a three-fight parlay. This MMA parlay card pays out at -119 odds, which is a $183 return per $100 wager.

Bellator vs RIZIN 2 Predictions and Fight Details

The following odds are courtesy of Bovada:

AJ McKee Jr -285 vs Patricky Pitbull +215

Lightweight McKee is getting a shot at the brother of the only man to beat him. After winning two straight against RIZIN champ Roberto de Souza and Bellator #2 contender Spike Carlyle, he faces Patricky Pitbull, brother of Patricio Pitbull. 

Bellator vs RIZIN odds are priced right, with McKee listed as a strong favorite over the 37-year-old Patricky, who’s 1-3 in his most recent fights. Patricky’s winning streak was snapped in 2019, and he hasn’t been the same since then.

McKee has looked untouchable in the majority of his fights, and his last two against Souza and Carlyle is no exception. He has the ability, the youth and the momentum going into this fight, making him an easy pick for bettors as a value bet or parlay addition.

Kyoji Horiguchi -700 vs Makoto Takahashi +425

Quite possibly the strongest bet of the entire weekend in MMA is Horiguchi. He’s shown time and again only the very best in any division can manage a fight with him. Takahashi is 23 and 16-1-1. His RIZIN record has him facing off with moderate fighters, like the 35-30-2 Hideo Tokoro. Yes, these men are experienced, but they aren’t even close to Horiguchi’s level.

Makoto’s only loss was to a 18-7-2 fighter named Tatsumitsu Wada back in 2018. In his ten wins since, Takahashi hasn’t fought anyone capable of competing on the world stage. Horiguchi is accustomed to competing against the very best in the world, and he’s finished two of his last five fights against top RIZIN prospects Kai Asakura and Ougikubo.

The final nail in the coffin – Takahashi has no knockouts and no notable knockout power. If Carlyle couldn’t submit Horiguchi, Takahashi doesn’t stand a chance. Horiguchi will be free to strike with little repercussions, which makes him exceptionally dangerous in this flyweight matchup for the inaugural Bellator title.

Kana Watanabe -550 vs Veta Arteaga +340

Watanabe has lost two of her last three, and she’s dropping way down in competition to face Arteaga at flyweight. Fighting out of SBG Idaho, Arteaga is a submission athlete who was brutalized by Ilima-Lei Macfarlane back in 2019 and has only three pro finishes, two by guillotine and one from an accidental cut.

Arteaga’s five losses come by way of tough fighters. She’s out to get a challenge and continues to find it. Still, the majority of her wins are over fighters with less than two wins.

Watanabe is so physical, it’s difficult to imagine her getting submitted. She also doesn’t do much shooting, and her clinch and throw grappling will make guillotines difficult. Bellator vs RIZIN 2 odds for Watanabe are a bit overblown, making her a less than ideal value bet. We prefer to play her alongside a Bellator vs RIZIN 2 parlay ticket, featuring both main event fights.

Danny Sabatello -120 vs Magomed Magomedov -108

Sabatello has gone 8-1 in his last nine fights, losing only to the extraordinary Raufeon Stots by split decision for the Bellator title. Our Bellator vs RIZIN predictions include a Magomedov win because of a clear difference in knockout power and striking style.

Other sports betting sites have Magomedov as a more dramatic underdog, and mainly because of his loss to Patchy Mix. Mix has long been considered a lower level contender than Sabatello, but there are key differences in their approaches to striking that make Magomedov worth your money.

Magomedov is willing to exchange and land shots while accepting the takedown in a way many fighters will not. Look at his counter striking style, he waits for the opponent to launch an offense, then fires his own back. This is a recipe for Sabatello to collide into a strike on one of his takedown attempts.

Bellator vs RIZIN odds for Sabatello vs Magomedov have Magomedov as an underdog with a better than 50% chance of getting the finish in this bantamweight tilt.

Andrey Koreshkov -165 vs Lorenz Larkin +121

Bellator fans saw Koreshkov lose to Larkin back in 2019 during a controversial decision. Since then, He’s gone on a four-fight winning streak including three finishes. Larkin, now 36, continues a seven-fight winning streak and back-to-back TKO’s over Kyle Stewart and Mukhamed Berkhamov.

It’s tough for some to bet against Larkin given his knockout power at welterweight, but Koreshkov nearly beat him the first time, and is just now entering his prime at 32. His 14 knockout wins prove he’s just as dangerous as Larkin; he’s simply not as well recognized.

Take the Koreshkov moneyline or bet the Under 2.5 rounds prop bet later in the week. It’s bound to be +130 or better, given their first fight went to decision.

Cautious Value Bets and a Big Parlay at Bellator vs RIZIN 2

The parlay for the three fights at the top of the card is where the real money is at with the Bellator vs RIZIN 2 odds. Play the Magomed and Koreshkov value bets, and look to other shows on the top MMA betting sites, like UFC 291 this weekend for parlay additions.