Matt Mitrione takes on Sergei Kharitonov at Bellator 225’s main event on Saturday. The match takes place at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Before Mitrione throws down against Kharitonov, Vitaly Minikov fights Javy Ayala. Check out a Bellator 225 preview, analysis, and free picks!

Bellator 225 Odds, Preview and Picks

• When: Saturday, August 24 at 9:00pm PDT
• Where: Webster Bank Arena, Bridgeport, CT
• TV: Paramount Net
• Live Stream: DAZN

Tyrell Fortune vs Rudy Schaffroth

• Bellator 225 Odds: TBA

Both 6-0-0 fighters Tyrell Fortune and Rudy Schaffroth hope to show on August 24 that they’re worthy of climbing up the Bellator ranks. Schaffroth outweighs his opponents by 16 pounds, but Fortune appears to be the fighter that’s lighter on his feet. Fortune gets the nod in what should be a contentious fight.

Bellator Betting Pick: Tyrell Fortune

David Rickels vs Yaroslav Amisov

• Bellator 225 Odds: TBA

Rickels versus Amisov is the classic example of how Bellator lacks UFC star power, but puts together battles that are just as competitive, if not more so, than UFC fights. Rickels will enter this fight with a 21-5-0 record. Amisov is undefeated at 21-0-0.

Rickels is a balanced MMA battler. 7 of his victories have come via TKO/KO. 6 of his wins have arrived via submission and 8 via decision. Amisov is as balanced with his attack as Rickels. He’s submitted 9 of his opponents, knocked out 8, and won 4 via decision.

In this extremely competitive fight, Rickels gets the nod. His experience, especially tasting defeat 5 times, should put him over the top.

Bellator Betting Pick: David Rickels

Alejandra Lara vs Taylor Turner

• Bellator 225 Odds: TBA

Lara has 7 wins and 3 losses. She’s won an equal number of fights via submission and knockout or technical knockout. Alejandra has 2 losses via decision and the other via submission. No fighter has yet knocked her out.

Taylor Turner has a 2-4 record. She’s giving up 3-inches in height to Lara. Unless Turner does something unexpected, Lara should win this fight.

Bellator Betting Pick: Alejandra Lara

Vitaly Minikov vs Javy Ayala

• Bellator 225 Odds: TBA

Before the main event between Mitrione and Kharitonov, Minikov takes on Ayala. Don’t let Ayala’s 11-7 record fool you. He’s fought some talented MMA fighters like Roy Nelson, Frank Mir, and Cheick Kongo. Ayala isn’t afraid to mix it up.

Vitaly Minikov has 20 wins and a single loss. The loss happened via decision. He’s knocked out 11 of his opponents. Minikov has an impressive overall game. He should get to Ayala in the stand up. If Ayala takes the fight to the mat, Minikov will have a shot to submit him.

Bellator Betting Pick: Vitaly Minikov

Matt Mitrione vs Sergei Kharitonov

• Bellator 225 Odds: Mitrione -140 / Kharitonov +100

On Saturday, Mitrione takes on Kharitonov in the Bellator 225 main event. Matt Mitrione is a straight up brawler. 11-of-13 Mitrione victories have come via technical knockout or knockout. His other two wins are via decision. It’s obvious that Mitrione will want to keep this fight in the standup.

Sergei Kharitonov has 28 wins and 6 losses. Kharitonov has the better overall game with 18 wins via KO/TKO and 8 wins via submission. Kharitonov can take the fight to the mat or battle Mitrione standing up. He’s the choice to win Bellator 225’s main event.

Bellator Betting Pick: Sergei Kharitonov