Bellator News

Scott Coker, Bellator, ONE Championship, Jon Jones
Scott Coker

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.

Ryan Bader, Corey Anderson, Bellator 268
Bellator 268

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.

Corey Anderson, Bellator
Bellator 268

Bellator 268 Results: Corey Anderson stops Ryan Bader in Round 1 (Video)

Chris Taylor - October 16, 2021

Tonight’s Bellator 268 event is co-headlined by a light heavyweight grand prix semifinal bout which pits Corey Anderson up against Ryan Bader. Bader (28-6 MMA) 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 the aforementioned Vadim Nemkov, where he surrendered the promotions 205lbs title.

Brent Primus
Bellator 268

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, Nemkov vs Anglickas, Anderson vs Bader
Benson Henderson

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, Bellator, Illness, Bellator 268
Bellator

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.

corey-anderson
Corey Anderson

Corey Anderson predicts Glover Teixeira to dethrone Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267

Drake Riggs - October 15, 2021

PHOENIX — Corey Anderson is rather familiar with each fighter competing for the UFC light heavyweight crown at UFC 267 on Fight Island. The current Bellator 205-pound contender saw his last defeat come against the current titlist in Jan Blachowicz when squaring off in February 2020 – his final bout with the UFC. Two wins prior, Anderson scored a unanimous decision nod against Blachowicz’s upcoming challenger in Glover Teixeira.

Ryan-Bader
Exclusive MMA Interviews

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.

Brent Primus
Benson Henderson

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, Myles Jury
Benson Henderson

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.

Benson-Henderson-BJ-Penn-Khabib-Nurmagomedov
Benson Henderson

Benson Henderson touts BJ Penn as GOAT lightweight over Khabib Nurmagomedov

Drake Riggs - October 12, 2021

Benson Henderson knows a thing or two about being a champion in the 155-pound lightweight division. The former WEC and UFC titleholder secured four total title defenses throughout his illustrious career which puts him right in the mix with some of his fellow greats such as BJ Penn and Khabib Nurmagomedov. When it comes to who deserves the top spot as all-time best, “Smooth” has some thoughts.

Cat-Zingano
Cat Zingano

Cat Zingano reacts to Cris Cyborg's next title fight with Sinead Kavanagh

Drake Riggs - October 8, 2021

Cris “Cyborg” Justino has her next challenger for her Bellator featherweight crown… and it isn’t Cat Zingano as many anticipated. Bellator President Scott Coker broke the news on Wednesday that at Bellator 271 in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 12, it will be Cyborg vs. Ireland’s Sinead Kavanagh.