Bellator News
Ryan Bader issues statement following knockout loss to Corey Anderson at Bellator 268
Adam D Martin - October 18, 2021
Former Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader issued a statement following his knockout loss to Corey Anderson at Bellator 268. Bader suffered a first-round knockout loss when he was caught with an Anderson punch early on in their fight and then finished with ground and pound. For Bader, it was a disappointing loss after beating up Lyoto Machida in his last outing to advance to the tournament semifinals. The former Ultimate Fighter winner is still the Bellator heavyweight champion, but he has struggled as a light heavyweight as he’s lost two of his last three fights in the weight class by knockout to Anderson and to champ Vadim Nemkov before.
Corey Anderson reacts after knocking out Ryan Bader at Bellator 268
Adam D Martin - October 18, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight contender and current Bellator standout Corey Anderson reacted after knocking out Ryan Bader at Bellator 268. Anderson knocked Bader out on Saturday night in the semifinals of the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix. For Anderson, it’s his third straight knockout win since joining Bellator and he is looking every bit the part of a world champion. By finishing Bader in such a devastating fashion, Anderson has advanced to the finals of the $1 million tournament. In 2022, Anderson will face off against Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov, who advanced to the tournament finals with a submission win over Julius Anglickas. Between Anderson and Nemkov, there is a lot of talent in the tournament finals.
Scott Coker calls Bellator 205lbs Grand Prix winner the best light heavyweight in MMA
Adam D Martin - October 17, 2021
Bellator president Scott Coker called the Bellator 205lbs Grand Prix winner the best light heavyweight fighter in MMA. On Saturday night at Bellator 268, Vadim Nemkov submitted Julius Anglickas and Corey Anderson knocked out Ryan Bader to advance to the finals of the promotion’s 205lbs Grand Prix. Nemkov is, of course, already the Bellator light heavyweight champion, and he’s defended his belt twice en route to the tournament finals. Anderson, meanwhile, has won all three of his fights in Bellator by knockout and he looks like a completely different fighter since coming over from the UFC. In 2022, Nemkov will meet Anderson in the finals, and according to their boss Coker, the winner will be the world’s top light heavyweight.
Pros react after Corey Anderson TKO's Ryan Bader at Bellator 268
Chris Taylor - October 16, 2021
Tonight’s Bellator 268 event was co-headlined by a light heavyweight grand prix semifinal bout which pits Corey Anderson up against Ryan Bader. Bader (28-7 MMA) had advanced to the tournament semifinals by earning a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Lyoto Machida. Prior to that win, ‘Darth‘ was coming off a TKO loss to Vadim Nemkov, where he surrendered the promotions 205lbs title.
Pros react after Brent Primus defeats Benson Henderson at Bellator 268
Chris Taylor - October 16, 2021
A key lightweight contest between Benson Henderson and Brent Primus took place on the main card of tonight’s Bellator 268 event in Phoenix. Henderson (28-11 MMA), a former UFC champion, was looking to snap a two-fight losing skid when he took to the cage this evening. ‘Bendo’ had suffered a unanimous decision loss to Jason Jackson in a welterweight contest in his most previous effort.
Bellator 268 Results: Brent Primus defeats Benson Henderson (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - October 16, 2021
A key lightweight contest between Benson Henderson and Brent Primus takes place on the main card of tonight’s Bellator 268 event in Phoenix. Henderson (28-10 MMA), a former UFC champion, will be looking to snap a two-fight losing skid this evening. ‘Bendo‘ suffered a unanimous decision loss to Jason Jackson in a welterweight contest his last time out.
Bellator 268: 'Nemkov vs Anglickas' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - October 16, 2021
MMA action returns to Phoenix this evening for Bellator 268, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Vadim Nemkov vs. Julius Anglickas. Nemkov (14-2 MMA) will be looking to earn his second career title defense, this while securing a spot in the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix finals. The Russian standout last competed in April where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Phil Davis.
Anthony Johnson provides health update after being forced out of Bellator 268 with a serious illness
Christopher Taylor - October 16, 2021
Veteran MMA fighter Anthony Johnson has provided a health update after being forced out of tonight’s Bellator 268 event due to a serious illness. Four weeks ago ‘Rumble’ took to social media where he informed fight fans that he was forced to withdraw from the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Ryan Bader has been pushing for using 'The Master' nickname to no avail
Drake Riggs - October 15, 2021
PHOENIX — Ryan Bader is known as “Darth” when entering the cage. However, the current Bellator heavyweight champ has hoped to use another nickname. Bader is 13-2 (1 no contest) in his last 16 bouts overall putting him on the most dominant stretch of his career by capturing titles in two weight classes. Therefore utilizing the nickname of “The Master” seems fitting… until piecing it all together.
Corey Anderson praises Bellator fighter pay: "I've made more money in two fights here than in my whole career in the UFC"
Adam D Martin - October 14, 2021
Corey Anderson praised Bellator fighter pay, confirming that he’s “made more money in two fights here than my whole career in the UFC.” Anderson takes on Ryan Bader this Saturday at Bellator 268 in a Light Heavyweight Grand Prix semifinal bout. For Anderson, this is his third fight in Bellator since leaving the UFC last year following a KO loss to Jan Blachowicz. After starting off his Bellator career with a TKO win over Melvin Manhoef, Anderson defeated Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov by TKO in his second fight with the promotion. He now takes on Bader, and the winner will be in line to fight for $1 million in the finals of the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix sometime in 2022.
Brent Primus expects to KO Benson Henderson and earn a title shot: 'I'm going to throw f*****g bombs'
Cole Shelton - October 13, 2021
Brent Primus has been asking for a big-name opponent for quite some time and he gets his wish on Saturday night at Bellator 268. Primus returned in July and lost a controversial split decision to Islam Mamedov in a fight many thought he won. After the fight, he asked his management and Bellator for a high-profile fight. He got just that as he will face Benson Henderson on Saturday in Arizona.
Benson Henderson perplexed by Bellator’s vacant lightweight title fight: “Why in the world would you have a title fight and not have me in it”
Adam D Martin - October 13, 2021
Benson Henderson was perplexed by Bellator’s vacant lightweight title fight, suggesting that he should have been given the next title shot. Former Bellator lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull recently vacated his belt, and the vacant title fight will feature his brother, Patricky Pitbull, against Peter Queally in a rematch. But as far as Henderson goes, it should have been him in line for the title.