On this stacked Bellator 301 event coming this week from Chicago on the MMA schedule, there’s a lightweight bout between the talented pairing of AJ McKee and Sidney Outlaw. These two are arguably the most talented lightweight outside of the champion and they will put on a show.
McKee vs. Outlaw Picks
Bellator 301 Pick: Take McKee to win inside the distance.
Continue reading for the official McKee vs. Outlaw prediction before making your Bellator picks on this week’s betting slate.
AJ McKee vs. Sidney Outlaw Information
AJ McKee vs Sidney Outlaw
Location of the game: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Date & Time: November 17, 2023. 10 PM ET main card start
How to Watch: Showtime and Paramount+
Last Fight Record
McKee is making his return after almost 11 months off since his win over Roberto Satoshi de Souza at the Rizin x Bellator event on New Year’s Eve last year.
Outlaw is coming off a big win over Islam Mamedov in August at Bellator 298.
McKee vs. Outlaw Betting Analysis
AJ McKee
McKee is an American professional MMA fighter with a record of 20-1 with 6 TKO/KO wins and 7 submissions. He is the former Bellator featherweight champion and has now moved up a weight class to do the same at a healthier weight for himself.
“Mercenary” is listed at 5’10” with a 73.5” reach while fighting out of the southpaw stance. He has a great skill set full of dynamic striking techniques and a great base of wrestling and submission grappling.
Sidney Outlaw
Outlaw is an American mixed martial artist with a professional MMA record of 17-5 with 1 TKO/KO win and 8 submissions at the age of 31. Originally from the fighting city of Philadelphia, he now trains out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida.
Outlaw is a seasoned veteran of professional MMA–winning the lightweight title at Titan FC, and both lightweight and welterweight belts at Ring of Combat. He is also a black belt in BJJ under the legendary Renzo Gracie. Outlaw is a big lightweight, listed at 5’9” with a 74” reach and sometimes has trouble making that 155lb limit.
Updates
No injuries have been reported to Bellator MMA.
McKee vs. Outlaw Betting Preview
Before we make the McKee vs. Outlaw prediction, we have to see what the betting lines say about this Bellator matchup and do some research by studying the tape on both of these lightweight contenders.
The money line has McKee as the -240 betting favorite over the +190 Outlaw. There must be more betting lines being released later on in the week, so keep a lookout for those at your sportsbook.
After studying the tape on both guys, McKee is the lighter, more dynamic fighter out of the two. He moves around the cage better and has more weapons to use at his disposal.
Outlaw, on the other hand, is the bigger body and the stronger wrestler. He also has a ton of experience against some very talented guys. The only issue is that in his career, everybody who we would consider “elite” has gotten the best of him.
The all-around skill set of McKee is what someone needs to be able to beat Outlaw. Outlaw’s toughness, fight IQ, and experience in big fights ensure he remains a formidable contender.
McKee vs. Outlaw Betting Prediction
The official McKee vs. Outlaw prediction is that McKee will get his hand raised in dramatic fashion on Friday night. He is going to be far too dynamic of a striker and grappler for Outlaw to get comfortable with and implement his own game plan.
Look for McKee to invest in damaging Outlaw to the body early on and that will break him down as the minutes go by. The Bellator’s best bet for this fight will be McKee to win inside the distance.
- Pick: Take McKee to win inside the distance.
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