NEW YORK – On Friday night, the Bellator cage opens for business at Madison Square Garden as a stacked card of fights lands in New York for Bellator 222. The main event features a welterweight title fight and Bellator welterweight grand prix semifinal, as undefeated Brazilian Neiman Gracie challenges Canada’s Rory MacDonald , while the co-main event may also have potential world title implications, as fellow veterans Lyoto Machida and Chael Sonnen go head to head with a possible shot at two-division champ Ryan Bader awaiting the winner. There’s a world title rematch, as Bellator bantamweight champ Darrion Caldwell looks to avenge his loss to Rizin champion Kyoji Horiguchi and retain his Bellator strap. And there are intriguing matchups further down the card, with the return to action of Aaron Pico , a pivotal clash at bantamweight between Eduardo Dantas and Juan Archuleta , plus a matchup between elite taekwondo striker Valerie Loureda and Michigan mixed martial artist – and Hooters waitress – Larkyn Dasch . In short, there’s a little something for everyone on this weekend’s card in “The Big Apple.” Here are our burning questions ahead of what looks set to be a lively night at The Garden: 1. Does the fire still burn inside ‘The Red King?’ Perhaps the biggest burning question heading into Bellator 222 this weekend is whether MacDonald (20-5-1 MMA, 2-1-1 BMMA) still has what it takes to keep his place at the top
More here:
6 burning questions at Bellator 222: Does the fire still blaze inside ‘The Red King?’ – MMA Junkie