California knows how to party next weekend, MMA fans, as Bellator 277 is less than a week away. With the event on April 15th, sports bettors cannot wait to see the championship fight between AJ McKee (top pick) and “The Pitbull” Patricio Freire. Also on the main card is Aaron Pico as he fights Adli Edwards. In this article, we have the top picks for Bellator 277, which should be a Good Friday fight night. The action takes place from the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
The main event features AJ McKee facing off versus Patricio Freire this Friday night. The American MMA artist is the Bellator Featherweight Champion. He comes in with a 18-0 record, six knockouts, and seven submissions. McKee tops all Bellator fighters in their pound-for-pound rankings. His last fight saw McKee win the Featherweight Grand Prix taking out Patricio Freire (The Pitball) in just 117 seconds. McKee used a guillotine chokehold.
Now as for “The Pitbull”, the Brazilian is getting another chance at the belt. His record is 32-5-0 with 11 knockouts and 13 submissions. On paper, these two are on the opposite sides of the spectrum. The last time Freire fought was against McKee on July 31st, 2021. The featherweight has had an interesting career that includes being a former Lightweight and Featherweight champion. So, the odds are gathered from the best online betting site like Bovada below:
| Bellator 277 Odds -- Main Matches |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| AJ McKee | -240 | -225 |
| Patricio Freire | +190 | +170 |
| Aaron Pico | -800 | -750 |
| Adli Edwards | +500 | +475 |
| Vadim Nemkov | -180 | -190 |
| Corey Anderson | +150 | +150 |
Also, he enters this meeting with a chance to get revenge against McKee who ended their first fight so quickly. Freire, at 34 years old, has taken his fair share of poundings through the years. Unlike McKee, who is just 26, Freire knows this may be his last shot at regaining this crown. It may even be his final chance to amend his legacy.
Now, the Brazilian comes in as an intriguing long shot for the Vegas Betting odds, while McKee cruises in as a -220 to -250 favorite. The money may even pivot a bit more to Freire but that does not seem too likely. After all, McKee crushed “The Pitbull” previously. Now, this is his chance to put an exclamation point on things.
There is zero doubt that AJ McKee wants to more than just beat Patricio Freire again. For his part, the American is again just 27. He knows that there are even higher aspirations on his ambitious career path. It does feel a bit like Bellator is a stepping stone of sorts. Honestly, there is a growing sense that McKee makes the jump to the UFC sometimes this year or next year.
McKee is one slick featherweight who can take some shots and then counter quickly. His technical submission of Freire last July was textbook. “The Pitbull” could not see that coming. It was so fast. Not many fighters can say they had the “Submission Of The Year” twice in a row. Even fewer can say the best pound-for-pound fighter is still undefeated heading into Bellator 277.
Consequently, Pitbull wants to punish McKee and get him into the later rounds where a championship is truly one. in the ring with all-time bests. Furthermore the Bellator277 best choice, the American is ready for an expected ugly fight. There is going to be chance to take Freire out via knockout or technical submission again.
So, before McKee can dream of a cross-promotional bout against Alexander Volkanovski, the American is our pick to just get by a game Pitbull next Friday night.
In maybe the craziest matchup on Friday night, Corey Anderson will surprise Vadim Nemkov in a fight that features an American and Russian with a belt and money to fight for. Anderson slugged his way to this Grand Prix Final. He has won seven of his last eight fights (all three Grand Prix bouts). That loss was a knockout by Jan Blachowicz. However, Anderson ranks as the #8 pound-for-pound fighter everything he could handle in that bout.
Surprisingly, some are perplexed that Nemkov is a favorite. That is not his fault but honestly the Russian has more weapons than Anderson. Nemkov is 15-2 with ten knockouts and three submissions. Anderson, is one-dimensional with eight knockouts. The 32 year old is dangerous as those punches are some of the most lethal in the business.
This makes Bellator 277 even more entertaining for bettors and fans alike. Everyone knows what is coming from Anderson and yet he was able to steamroll his three opponents to get to this point. Nemkov was a bit more diverse from a submission, TKO, and a near submission (decision). Truthfully, both Light Heavyweight fighters possess a ton of firepower. This could end quickly and yet this could be a beating too.
Picking around the many expers, this tilt leans toward Nemkov with -180 to -200 odds. Anderson is gaining value as a +150 underdog. Again, the feeling is the American will get his shots in early against the Russian and could punish him. Alas, we are shocking most and going with Anderson as a Bellator 277 top Pick. Also, it’s worth checking out some sweet NBA Vegas odds and bets as well.
Finally we take on a likely domination as Aaron Pico fights Adli Edwards. The fighter has not lost just three times in his 12 fights and has six knockouts and two submissions. Edwards is taking the fight on just eight days notice.
Expect Pico to attack early and often Friday night. This could end quickly so look at those around props. Take the Californian even at these numbers.
