Welcome to another MMA Squared, in which we acknowledge that everything’s coming up Bellator! Let’s take a look at how three core strategies have come together to form a compelling card.

1. “Classic” Bellator Sign aging talent with name recognition. Wanderlei Silva vs Rampage Jackson is the perfect Bellator booking. Neither guy wants to go to the ground, they hate each other, and have already produced the greatest finish in MMA history.

Rampage might be the perfect foil for Wanderlei. Unlike Chael Sonnen whose understanding of face/heel dynamics seemed to go over the Brazilian’s head, Jackson has never showed concern for his opponent’s well being before or after the bell.

2. Longview Bellator Aaron Pico (along with Ed Ruth) represent Bellator’s long-term planning. After losing his debut, the young prospect has rattled off three first round finishes in a row and might be the future face of the promotion. Bellator chooses you, Pico-chu.

3. Aggressive Bellator Rory MacDonald vs Gegard Mousasi are fighters who realized their value at the UFC negotiating table, and walked. Mousasi invests his fight earnings in real estate and MacDonald has noted that becoming a father made him rethink his priorities. They represent a future where the gap between promotional heft narrows.

As always, MMA Squared is brought to you by COMBAT WOMBAT, and expression of marsupial violence known... somewhere. Combat Wombat is now the proud sponsor of the MMA Vivisection with Zane Simon and Connor Ruebusch.

Thanks for your time, this is Chris @RiniMMA. Take care of yourself and I’ll talk to you next week.