Bellator News
Anthony Johnson issues statement after Yoel Romero pulled from Bellator light heavyweight tournament
Adam D Martin - April 30, 2021
Anthony Johnson issued a statement after Yoel Romero was pulled from the upcoming Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament. Johnson vs. Romero was one of four scheduled quarterfinal bouts in the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix and it was set to go down next Friday, May 7 for five rounds or less. Unfortunately for both men, the fight will not go on as planned after Romero failed a pre-fight medical scan and was removed from the tournament entirely. That means Johnson currently is without an opponent, though Bellator is expected to name a replacement soon, with Julius Anglickas the favorite to take Romero’s spot in the tourney.
Yoel Romero fails pre-fight medical, forced out of Anthony Johnson fight
Cole Shelton - April 29, 2021
Yoel Romero is out of his fight against Anthony Johnson on May 7. Romero and Johnson were set to make their Bellator debuts in the quarterfinals of the light heavyweight grand prix. It was a highly-anticipated fight but on Thursday evening, the promotion revealed to CBS Sports that Romero is out of the scrap and the tournament after he failed his pre-fight medical. The nature of Romero’s issue of why he failed the medical was not disclosed.
Anthony Johnson: 'Yoel Romero is the most dangerous fighter I’ve actually faced'
Drake Riggs - April 28, 2021
Anthony Johnson has fought a who’s who of tough opponents throughout his career. But he expects his next to be the most dangerous. Set to make his Bellator MMA debut on May 7 as part of the light heavyweight Grand Prix at Bellator 258, “Rumble” squares off with a fellow former multi-time UFC title challenger. It’s “Rumble” vs. the “Soldier of God,” Yoel Romero.
Lorenz Larkin returns to the Bellator cage in May in middleweight bout against Costello Van Steenis
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Lorenz Larkin will move up to middleweight when he takes on Costello Van Steenis at Bellator 258 next month. Many fans have been wondering what Larkin has been up to. When Bellator released its inaugural promotional rankings last week, Larkin was nowhere to be found in the 170lbs rankings because he had a 15-month layoff. Still, it made fans wonder where “Da Monsoon” was. Now we know, as the striker just had next his MMA fight announced.
Bellator parts ways with 9 fighters including MMA veteran Roger Huerta
Christopher Taylor - April 19, 2021
Bellator has parted ways with a total of nine fighters including notable MMA veterans Roger Huerta and Brandon Girtz. Promotional officials told MMAJunkie on Monday that Bellator had released nine athletes from their current roster.
AJ McKee confident he will KO Patricio Pitbull to claim featherweight title: "I will be too much for him"
Cole Shelton - April 19, 2021
AJ McKee has known it would be him and Patricio Pitbull in the finals of the featherweight grand prix. McKee made quick work of Georgi Karakhanyan and then submitted Derek Camps and Darrion Caldwell to reach the finals. Pitbull, meanwhile, beat Juan Archuleta and then KO’d Pedro Carvalho and submitted Emmanuel Sanchez to reach the finals.
Bellator 257 Results: Vadim Nemkov defeats Phil Davis
Chris Taylor - April 16, 2021
Tonight’s Bellator 257 event is headlined by a light heavyweight rematch between current champion Vadim Nemkov and former title holder Phil Davis. Nemkov (12-2 MMA) and Davis (22-5 MMA) originally collided at Bellator 209 in November of 2018, with the Russian emerging victorious by way of split decision.
Bellator 257 Results: Corey Anderson TKO's Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (Video)
Chris Taylor - April 16, 2021
Tonight’s Bellator 257 event is co-headlined by a light heavyweight quarterfinal fight featuring Corey Anderson taking on Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov. Anderson (14-5 MMA), a former TUF winner, made his Bellator debut this past November where he scored a second round TKO victory over veteran Melvin Manhoef. That win was preceded by a knockout loss to reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.
Bellator 257: 'Nemkov vs. Davis 2' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - April 15, 2021
Tonight’s Bellator 257 event is headlined by a light heavyweight rematch between current champion Vadim Nemkov and former title holder Phil Davis. Nemkov (12-2 MMA) and Davis (22-5 MMA) originally collided at Bellator 209 in November of 2018, with the Russian emerging victorious by way of split decision.
Bellator matchmaker Rich Chou steps down from role after six year run
Drake Riggs - April 15, 2021
It’s been a good run for longtime Bellator matchmaker Rich Chou, but now he’s moving on to work with Wimp 2 Warrior. Revealed on Thursday just ahead of tomorrow night’s big Bellator 257 event, the promotion informed the public of Chou’s coming departure as their matchmaker.
Michael Page returns at Bellator 258 against Derek Anderson
Adam D Martin - April 15, 2021
Bellator welterweight contender Michael Page will return to the cage when he takes on Derek Anderson at Bellator 258 in May. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani was the first to report this Page vs. Anderson fight. It’s actually a re-booking of a fight that Bellator tried to book twice previously in 2017 and 2019. The hope is that in 2021 both men will stay healthy and make it to the fight. When they do meet at Bellator 258 on May 7, it will be a battle between two top-10 fighters in Bellator’s welterweight division. Page is the No. 2 ranked welterweight in Bellator while Anderson is ranked at No. 6. The winner of this fight would surely be in play for a title shot at 170lbs.
Paul Daley reveals previous altercation with Dustin Poirier ignited feud with Bellator 257 opponent Sabah Homasi
Christopher Taylor - April 14, 2021
Paul Daley claims a previous altercation with UFC standout Dustin Poirier resulted in his bitter rivalry with Bellator 257 opponent Sabah Homasi. The veteran welterweight, Daley (42-17-2 MMA), returns to the cage this Friday night in Uncasville for a bout with the streaking American in Homasi (15-8 MMA).