Bellator 294 Predictions: Tim Johnson vs Said Sowma

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KingPin.pro, the leading iOS and Android app for sports betting, presents an in-depth analysis and prediction for the heavyweight fight between Tim Johnson and Said Sowma at Bellator 294 in Honolulu, Hawaii, on April 21, 2023. This is a crucial match for both fighters, as they aim to climb up the Bellator heavyweight rankings and earn a shot at the title. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive review of each fighter's background, stats, and recent fights and explain why we predict Said Sowma will win this bout.

Tim Johnson

Tim Johnson is a 38-year-old heavyweight fighter from Lamberton, Minnesota, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He has a professional MMA record of 15-9-0 and is affiliated with the Academy of Combat Arts. Johnson has been in the MMA game for over a decade, with his first pro fight dating back to 2011. He made his debut in the UFC in 2015 and competed in the organization until 2018, before joining Bellator in 2018.

Johnson is known for his brawling style and has a 53% KO/TKO win rate. However, he has also shown a decent ground game, with 20% of his wins coming via submission. His recent fights have not been very successful, as he is currently on a three-fight losing streak. In his most recent fight, he lost via unanimous decision to Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 261 in June 2021. Johnson's last win came against Matt Mitrione in August 2020, where he won via ground and pound in the first round.

Said Sowma

Said Sowma is a 31-year-old heavyweight fighter from the United States, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Florida. He has a professional MMA record of 8-4-0 and is affiliated with American Top Team. Sowma is a relative newcomer to the MMA scene, with his first pro fight dating back to 2018. He made his Bellator debut in 2020 and has since fought five times for the promotion.

Sowma is a well-rounded fighter with a 63% KO/TKO win rate, a 13% submission win rate, and a 25% decision win rate. He is also a former Titan FC heavyweight champion, having won the title in 2019. Sowma's recent fights have been mixed, with two wins and three losses in his last five fights. In his most recent fight, he lost via split decision to Gokhan Saricam at Bellator 284 in August 2022.

Prediction:

Based on our analysis of each fighter's background, stats, and recent fights, we predict that Said Sowma will win this fight against Tim Johnson at Bellator 294. Here are the reasons why:

Age and Physical Attributes: Sowma is nine years younger than Johnson and has a height and reach advantage over him. Sowma is 6'0" with a 76.0" reach, while Johnson is 6'3" with a 78.0" reach. Sowma's youth and physical attributes may give him an advantage over Johnson.

Fight Style: Both fighters are known for their heavy hands and knockout power, with Johnson having eight KO/TKO wins in his career and Sowma having five. However, Sowma has a more diverse fight style and is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which could give him an edge in grappling and submission attempts. Johnson's fighting style is more straightforward, relying on his boxing skills and heavy punches to knock out his opponents. In contrast, Sowma is a more versatile fighter who can adapt to different situations and opponents.

Recent Performances: While both fighters have had mixed results in their recent fights, Sowma has shown better form than Johnson. Sowma's last two fights resulted in losses, but both were close split decision losses against top-level opponents. Meanwhile, Johnson has lost his last three fights, including two by knockout. Johnson's recent losses may have affected his confidence going into this fight, while Sowma may be more motivated to bounce back from his recent losses.

Training and Camp: Sowma trains with American Top Team, one of the most respected MMA gyms in the world, and has access to top-level coaches and training partners. In contrast, Johnson trains with the Academy of Combat Arts, which is a relatively new gym and may not have the same level of resources and experience as American Top Team. Sowma's training camp may give him an advantage in terms of preparation and game planning.

MMA Picks and Parlays: Based on these factors, our MMA picks and parlays suggest that Said Sowma is the better pick to win this fight. While Johnson is a dangerous striker, Sowma's youth, diverse fighting style, recent performances, and training camp make him the more well-rounded fighter and the better pick for Bellator fight predictions and Bellator picks tonight.

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Pick: Said Sowma ML -190