Who will win Saturday’s Bellator fight between Jake Hager and JW Kiser?
Frank Hyden, Columnist – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I’ll go with Hager by decision. I think it’ll be a close and hard-fought fight, and Hager does enough to get the win. I am expecting a tentative affair, but hopefully, it brings some excitement.
Sean Covington, Columnist – Covington’s Corner
Jake Hager easily and it’s not just because I interviewed him. Hager’s opponent is 1-1 as a professional and 1-3 as an amateur. JW Kiser doesn’t have any experience that is close to what Hager has. Thousands of wrestling matches, performing in front of millions every week in major venues, actually capturing championship gold, there is nothing that is going to rattle Hager at this point. Sure Kiser could land a lucky punch but so could anyone; McGregor did on Aldo.
Gary Meigs, MMATorch Contributor
I have to go with the more athletic person here, Jake Hager aka Jack Swagger. He is an imposing 6’5 260 plus pounds. I think Jake takes this fight to the ground & ends it rather quickly.
David McGrath, Host – MMATorch Today Podcast
I’m going with Hager. He’s got credibility as a former NCAA wrestler at Oklahoma with size. I’m all in on him being an actual legitimate fighter and I’m excited to watch his debut. I expect him to win.
Christian Moore, MMATorch Contributor
Despite me just saying that age is a killer when trying to start an MMA career after a pro wrestling one, Jake Hager wins this fight with ease. If Hager wouldn’t have fought, and the previous question was asked, I would have said Jake Hager. He is a former All-American and has so much amateur wrestling talent, he is hard to deny. Will he win the belt. No. Will he get past an MMA fighter with little experience and minimal talent? He should with ease.
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Michael Hiscoe, MMATorch Managing Editor
Scott Coker is not subtle with his booking decisions. He is likely spending a good chunk of change to get Hager to Bellator so he’s not going to book him in a fight he is likely to lose. Hager is a tall, long, heavyweight with good wrestling credentials. This isn’t something a more experienced heavyweight can’t deal with, but it is something that will give an inexperienced fighter like JW Kiser a lot of trouble. What we don’t know is if Hager can take a punch, and no, I don’t think taking pro-wrestling bumps helps prepare someone for that. I’m expecting Hager to secure a second-round TKO after a tentative first round.
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