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No-shows UFC debut Saturday in Glendale
Rainey lost to Muslim Salikhov via KO (punches) at 4:12 of Round 2 at UFC on FOX 29 on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.
ANALYSIS
A longtime Bellator veteran, Rainey looked terrible in his UFC debut. Rainey appeared to be twice Salikhov's size, but he showed no ability to use his length to his advantage. Salikhov's weakness is his takedown defense, but Rainey failed on all three of his attempts. There's a reason it took Rainey nearly seven years to make his company debut. He is nothing more than roster depth.
A longtime Bellator veteran, Rainey looked terrible in his UFC debut. Rainey appeared to be twice Salikhov's size, but he showed no ability to use his length to his advantage. Salikhov's weakness is his takedown defense, but Rainey failed on all three of his attempts. There's a reason it took Rainey nearly seven years to make his company debut. He is nothing more than roster depth.
Closes the Bellator 182 preliminary card with decision win
Rainey defeated Marc Stevens via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27) at Bellator 182 on Friday in Verona, N.Y.
ANALYSIS
From a visual standpoint, this was a very interesting fight. Rainey had a very big height and reach advantage. He was able to control the distance from the outside and land long kicks and punches. However, Stevens had a few moments with his wrestling. Rainey had the edge and deserved to win all three rounds. The striker took Stevens' back in a scramble in the final round. He threatened with the choke, and Stevens struggled to make the end of the fight. Rainey is now 5-2 in Bellator with his only losses coming against Michael Page and Chidi Njokuani.
From a visual standpoint, this was a very interesting fight. Rainey had a very big height and reach advantage. He was able to control the distance from the outside and land long kicks and punches. However, Stevens had a few moments with his wrestling. Rainey had the edge and deserved to win all three rounds. The striker took Stevens' back in a scramble in the final round. He threatened with the choke, and Stevens struggled to make the end of the fight. Rainey is now 5-2 in Bellator with his only losses coming against Michael Page and Chidi Njokuani.
Strikes his way to decision over Gilbert Smith
Rainey defeated Gilbert Smith via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at Bellator 162 on Friday in Memphis, Tenn.
ANALYSIS
On the feet, Rainey was the much more polished striker. Whenever this fight was at distance, he was able to score with straights, hooks, knees and kicks. Smith's strategy was almost entirely based around the takedown. He landed takedowns in all three rounds. However, Rainey was able to get back to his feet every time. In the second and third rounds, Rainey struggled to prevent Smith from holding him on the cage, but he was still getting the better of the exchanges. Rainey looked very solid, but allowing your opponent to hold the clinch for longer periods can be a recipe for poor judging. Rainey is now 4-2 in Bellator after signing with the promotion in 2014.
On the feet, Rainey was the much more polished striker. Whenever this fight was at distance, he was able to score with straights, hooks, knees and kicks. Smith's strategy was almost entirely based around the takedown. He landed takedowns in all three rounds. However, Rainey was able to get back to his feet every time. In the second and third rounds, Rainey struggled to prevent Smith from holding him on the cage, but he was still getting the better of the exchanges. Rainey looked very solid, but allowing your opponent to hold the clinch for longer periods can be a recipe for poor judging. Rainey is now 4-2 in Bellator after signing with the promotion in 2014.
Rainey will enter his welterweight fight with Chidi Njokuani as a +275 underdog at Bellator 146 on Friday in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
ANALYSIS
Since being TKO'd by Michael Page at Bellator 120, Rainey has gotten back on track with two stoppage victories at Bellator 127 and Bellator 137. Rainey appears to be a solid gatekeeper in Bellator's welterweight division; notching finishes over lesser competition but coming up short in higher profile fights (Rainey took a split-decision loss to UFC veteran Dhiego Lima in Sep. 2013). Rainey will look to stand and trade with Njokuani in what is sure to be a crowd-pleasing scrap.
Since being TKO'd by Michael Page at Bellator 120, Rainey has gotten back on track with two stoppage victories at Bellator 127 and Bellator 137. Rainey appears to be a solid gatekeeper in Bellator's welterweight division; notching finishes over lesser competition but coming up short in higher profile fights (Rainey took a split-decision loss to UFC veteran Dhiego Lima in Sep. 2013). Rainey will look to stand and trade with Njokuani in what is sure to be a crowd-pleasing scrap.