Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs Henderson: Fight preview and analysis

This Friday night, Bellator presents a big show with Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson. Bellator 153 airs this Friday night, April 22, live on Spike TV with a fight time of 8:00 p.m. ET. The show will be followed by a tape delayed presentation of last weekend’s Bellator Kickboxing debut show.

The big news here is in the main event as one of the biggest signings in Bellator history makes his debut. But it’s a good show all around, with plenty worth checking out on the main card. Let’s break down all the action here in our Bellator 153 preview.

Welterweight Title: Andrey Koreshkov (18-1 MMA; 9-1 Bellator) vs. Benson Henderson (23-5 MMA; Bellator Debut)

For many MMA fans, the Bellator debut of Ben Henderson is reason enough to tune in. The former WEC and UFC Lightweight champion developed a nice following thanks to his exciting fighting style, but when his UFC contract came to an end last year, Smooth decided to test the waters as a free agent and ended up in Bellator. He ended his UFC career on a 2-2 run, with both of those wins coming at 170 pounds. He stays at Welterweight here, where he has an immediate title shot.

Champion Koreshkov has been a big figure in the division since his Bellator debut in 2012. In 2013 he challenged for the title, losing to Ben Askren (his only Bellator loss). Koreshkov is undefeated since, including a win over Douglas Lima last July to claim the title. This is his first defense. Koreshkov is thought of as a striker, but he used a wrestling game to nullify the striking of Lima in the title fight, showing off a more strategic side than we have seen. That’s probably not his best path to victory against the superb wrestling of Henderson. Instead the champ will likely aim for the big KO a la Rafael dos Anjos. But I just don’t see him getting it.

Prediction: Ben Henderson, decision

Patricio Freire (24-3 MMA; 12-3 Bellator) vs. Henry Corrales (12-2 MMA; 0-2 Bellator)

This is the start of the comeback trail for Patricio Pitbull. The tough Brazilian fighter is the former Bellator …

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