Bellator News
Ryan Bader eyes light heavyweight title defense against Lyoto Machida if Vadim Nemkov can't get into the States
Cole Shelton - May 8, 2020
Ryan Bader was expected to defend his light heavyweight title on May 9 against Russian contender, Vadim Nemkov. Yet, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic leaving Bader uncertain when he’ll defend his 205-pound strap next. Bader, who has not fought since September against Cheick Kongo in a controversial no-contest, is eager to get back in the cage.
A.J. McKee wants to box Floyd Mayweather after he becomes Bellator champ-champ
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2020
A.J. McKee is looking to become a champ-champ in Bellator and then go into boxing to challenge Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather has not boxed professionally since he defeated Conor McGregor in the summer of 2016. It was a highly-anticipated bout, and McKee thinks he can capture that same momentum.
MMA veteran Sergei Kharitonov tried to contract coronavirus "to feel what it is like"
Tom Taylor - May 6, 2020
Bellator heavyweight Sergei Kharitonov recently admitted that he tried to contract COVID-19 in order “to feel what it is like.” Kharitonov made this shocking admission in a recent Instagram post, adding that he believes soaking oneself in cold water is an adequate way of staving off the virus.
Douglas Lima hoping Bellator re-books Gegard Mousasi fight for July
Adam D Martin - May 3, 2020
Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima hopes his canceled vacant middleweight title fight against Gegard Mousasi is re-booked to take place in July. Lima was set to step up a weight class and take on one of the best in the world in Mousasi in the co-main event of Bellator 242. But Bellator decided to cancel that card, as well as the promotion’s other upcoming events, and the promotion is now looking to re-launch its shows starting in July. If that’s the case, then Lima wants on the card.
Paige VanZant, Austin Vanderford explain why they started posing naked on Instagram
Tom Taylor - May 1, 2020
Paige VanZant and Austin Vanderford — possibly MMA’s most famous husband and wife duo — have recently been having some fun on their Instagram accounts. The kind of fun that doesn’t involve clothes. Speaking to MMA Fighting recently, VanZant and Vanderford opened up on how this playful series of photos came about.
Douglas Lima "disappointed" Rory MacDonald left Bellator but hopes trilogy happens down the line
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2020
Douglas Lima says he’s disappointed Rory MacDonald left Bellator as it ruined plans for a trilogy fight. MacDonald is the former Bellator welterweight champion but after losing his belt to Lima in the grand prix final, he left in free agency to PFL. Many were surprised as they figured the Canadian would re-sign to set up the trilogy with Lima, which the Brazilian thought would be the case.
Douglas Lima sends message to Michael Page: "Get some better wins then we will fight"
Cole Shelton - April 29, 2020
Douglas Lima doesn’t believe Michael Page should get a title shot anytime soon. Page is riding a three-fight winning streak since suffering his first loss to Lima at Bellator 221. Since the knockout loss, he beat Richard Kiely, Giovanni Melillo, and Shinsho Anzai by knockout. With “MVP” on a winning streak he has called for a rematch with Lima. Yet, the champion isn’t impressed with the Englishman’s caliber of wins and says he doesn’t deserve a title shot.
Douglas Lima believes he'll "finish" Gegard Mousasi to win middleweight belt and cement his legacy
Cole Shelton - April 28, 2020
Douglas Lima was disappointed he won’t get the chance to become a champ-champ on May 9. Lima, who is the current Bellator welterweight title was moving up in weight to battle Gegard Mousasi for the vacant middleweight strap. Yet, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic which was disappointing news for Lima.
Rampage Jackson needs to prove he is serious about fighting before getting another bout with Bellator
Harry Kettle - April 27, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker believes that Rampage Jackson needs to prove he’s serious about fighting before he puts him back in the cage. Jackson returned to action back at Bellator’s co-promotional event with Rizin in December 2019, losing to Fedor Emelianenko within just a few minutes of the fight getting underway.
Scott Coker drops timeframe, likely location for upcoming Bellator events
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
While Dana White and the UFC are determined to keep things running during the coronavirus pandemic, Bellator boss Scott Coker has pumped the brakes in the name of safety. Coker has postponed a host of Bellator events, and seems to be legitimately concerned with what is happening in the world right now.
Leslie Smith reveals Bellator paid her "more than double" what UFC London fighters received
Natasha Hooper - April 24, 2020
Leslie Smith, who was scheduled to compete on the canceled Bellator 241 card, has revealed Bellator paid her more than double the $20,000 the fighters on the ill-fated UFC London card received for their canceled fights. All MMA events have been thrown up in the air due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bellator decided to postpone its events for the foreseeable future—including the Bellator 241 event Smith was supposed to fight Jessy Miele on. The UFC has also put its events on hold and canceled the UFC London card on March 21. However, UFC president Dana White intends on returning to action next month with a revised UFC 249 card.
Ariel Helwani absolutely roasts Bellator's Dillon Danis on social media
Christopher Taylor - April 23, 2020
Bellator fighter Dillon Danis took to social media earlier today where he proclaimed that the next time he sees Ariel Helwani, he plans on dropping him. The jiu-jitsu standout, Danis, took to Twitter with the following message for the popular ESPN journalist.