Bellator Salute the Troops: Barnett vs Markes Odds, Picks & Betting Preview

• Josh Barnett makes his long-awaited return and Bellator debut
• Bellator in Hawaii on back-to-back nights
• See the odds and betting preview below

Bellator MMA has made Hawaii an annual stop in December since going there in 2018. Not only have they gone to Hawaii, but they have done two cards on back-to-back days and the Friday card has been a Salute the Troops card where current troops and veterans can get into the event for free.

In the main event of Bellator: Salute the Troops, Josh Barnett makes his return to the sport when he battles Ronny Markes. The co-main event pairs Erik Perez against Toby Misech. The card also has a surging prospect in Tywan Claxton against Braydon Akeo, and Alejandra Lara vs. Veta Arteaga which may be a number one contender bout.

The card airs live on Friday, December 20 at 10 pm EST on Paramount Network and DAZN.

Josh Barnett vs Ronny Markes Odds

Odds Taken Dec. 19

How Will Josh Barnett Look After Three Years Away?

Josh Barnett (35-8) has not fought since he headlined UFC Fight Night 93 in September of 2016 when he beat Andrei Arlovski. Since then, he was flagged by USADA and spent nearly two years away until it was a contaminated supplement that frustrated Barnett and he got his release from the UFC and signed with Bellator after another stint in pro wrestling. In his career, he has notable wins over Frank Mir, Mark Hunt, Randy Couture, Dan Severn, and Sergei Kharitonov.

Ronny Markes (19-7) last fought back in June in PFL but after missing weight twice he was disqualified from the promotion and he signed with Bellator. He is now set to be a heavyweight after starting his career at middleweight and most recently competing at light heavyweight. In the UFC he went 3-2 with his two losses coming to Yoel Romero and Thiago Santos. In his career, he has notable wins over Andrew Craig, Paulo Filho, and Sigi Pesaleli.

Tale of the Tape

Josh Barnett is a veteran of the game and made his professional MMA debut in January of 1997 and even fought in Pride. It is surprising he returned to the sport as he has been having a ton of success in pro wrestling, yet here he is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhL4xhM-Pp4

In this fight, the major question is how will he look after so long away from the sport. But, in this scrap, he has all the advantages as he is the better striker and grappler. I believe Barnett should be able to get Markes down and look for a submission that Markes will defend well but end up getting TKO’d via ground and pound in the first or second round to get a win in his return to the sport.

Pick: Josh Barnett (-240)

Toby Misech vs Erik Perez Odds

Can Perez Win His Bellator Debut?

Toby Misech (11-7) signed in Bellator after losing on the Contender Series in 2018. In the promotion, he has gone 1-1 with a knockout win over Edward Thommes and a decision loss to Eduardo Dantas. The Hawaiian has been fighting in local promotions where he has wins over Jared Mazurek, Gabriel Solorio, and Yusuke Yachi.

Erik Perez (19-6) has been fighting in Combate Americas after going 7-2 in the UFC but not being re-signed by the promotion even after ending his contract on a three-fight winning streak. In Combate Americas he went 2-0 and was quickly signed by Bellator which is a great signing as Perez is one of the best bantamweights in the world. The Mexican has notable wins over Ken Stone, Francisco Rivera, Felipe Arantes, and Taylor Lapilus.

Tale of the Tape

I don’t get this matchmaking at all. With Bellator in Hawaii, the promotion should have given the local fighter in Toby Misech a favorable matchup to win and get back into the win column. Yet, that is not what they are doing as Perez is a legitimate fighter and should be a bigger favorite in this scrap to me.

Perez has all the advantages in this fight in terms of striking, grappling, and cardio. I suspect he will use the first round to feel the Hawaiian out before shooting in for a takedown and either getting a submission win or ground and pound TKO win. Regardless, I expect Perez to win this fight by stoppage and be right in the mix for a title shot.

Pick: Erik Perez (-280)

Bellator Salute the Troops Main Card Odds

Here are the odds for the remaining fights on the main card.

Alejandra Lara vs Veta Arteaga Odds

Tywan Claxton vs Braydon Akeo Odds

Joey Davis vs Chris Cisneros Odds