Bellator News
Josh Thomson slams Dana White's "recklessness" with fight island plan
Natasha Hooper - April 9, 2020
Josh Thomson has slammed Dana White for endangering lives by proposing future UFC fights go down on a private island. A former UFC fighter and current Bellator analyst, Josh Thomson isn’t afraid to give his take on MMA controversies. That includes the hot topic of White’s proposed fight island.
Bellator fighter Isaiah Chapman reportedly shot dead at 30
Adam Martin - April 8, 2020
We have sad news from the MMA world today as Bellator bantamweight Isaiah Chapman was reportedly shot dead at age 30. Chapman’s death was reported by MMA reporter David McKinney on Twitter, who confirmed he was murdered by gunshot outside of his home in Akron, Ohio. Numerous reports on Facebook also confirmed he was shot to death. Bellator matchmaker Rich Chou later confirmed that Chapman has indeed passed away.
Cris Cyborg says her next fight may be in boxing
Adam Martin - April 8, 2020
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg says she is considering taking a boxing match for her next fight and not an MMA fight. Cyborg is coming off of a destructive win over Julia Budd in Bellator that saw her claim the promotion’s women’s 145lbs belt. It was the fourth major title of Cyborg’s incredible MMA career, having been a former champion in the UFC, Strikeforce and in Invicta FC.
Jon Fitch on the current state of MMA: "It’s not even a sport anymore"
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Jon Fitch (32-7-2 MMA) is not sure if he will compete again in mixed martial arts. The longtime welterweight contender has not stepped foot in the cage since April of 2019, when he fought then-Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald to a controversial draw.
Bellator postpones three events including card headlined by Ryan Bader
Adam Martin - March 30, 2020
Bellator announced on Monday that it is postponing three of its upcoming events including a card that was set to be headlined by double champ Ryan Bader. Most sports leagues around the world have postponed their upcoming cards due to the coronavirus outbreak, and Bellator will not buck the trend. While UFC president Dana White is doing everything in his power to go through with UFC 249 in three weeks’ time despite the risk, Bellator president Scott Coker instead is playing it safe and postponing three cards. The promotion released a press release Monday with the news.
Heather Hardy blasts Billy Joe Saunders for controversial video, Saunders issues apology
Natasha Hooper - March 30, 2020
Boxer turned Bellator MMA fighter Heather Hardy was initially very unimpressed with a controversial video posted by boxer Billy Joe Saunders, but later accepted his apology. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, many fighters have been posting “how-to” videos on social media. That includes Boxing star Billy Joe Saunders who filmed himself striking a punching bag and telling viewers how to hit women.
Gegard Mousasi believes Israel Adesanya 'would be a good fight' for him
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2020
Gegard Mousasi believes he would have success against Israel Adesanya if they were to fight. Mousasi, who is the former Bellator middleweight champion, says he has sparred with people who fought Adesanya in Glory Kickboxing, which is why he thinks he’d have success.
John Kavanagh dreams of bringing UFC and Bellator titles to SBG Ireland
Mike Pendleton - March 19, 2020
John Kavanagh has been the head coach of SBG Ireland since 2001, and most fans know him as the coach behind Conor McGregor. Yet he’s far more than just that.
Scott Coker explains decision behind canceling Bellator 241
Mike Pendleton - March 16, 2020
The Bellator 241 fight card had been scheduled to take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut last Friday and was supposed to be a night where Bellator’s Featherweight World Grand Prix continued on with two fights, including champion Patricio Pitbull vs Pedro Carvalho with the title on the line, but those plans came to a sudden halt. Early Friday afternoon after weigh-ins had been conducted the day before, Bellator President Scott Coker released a statement announcing that the event was being cancelled due to the current COVID-19 pandemic taking place all over the world.
Josh Thomson believes Cris Cyborg would 'dismantle' Amanda Nunes in a rematch
Harry Kettle - March 16, 2020
Bellator MMA analyst Josh Thomson has revealed that he believes Cris Cyborg would convincingly defeat Amanda Nunes in a rematch between the two. Back at UFC 232, in one of the most highly anticipated women’s MMA fights of all time, Amanda Nunes knocked out Cris Cyborg to capture the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship and become a two-division world champion.
Pro fighters praise Scott Coker for compensating athletes and staff following Bellator 241 cancellation
Chris Taylor - March 14, 2020
Bellator President Scott Coker recently announced that the promotion was postponing their scheduled Bellator 241 event due to the Coronavirus outbreak. In his official statement, Coker announced that all athletes, officials, judges, cutmen and additional event personnel who were slated to be involved at the event would be compensated by Bellator MMA.
Scott Coker issues statement on Bellator 241 postponement
Tom Taylor - March 13, 2020
Bellator President Scott Coker has now issued a statement on the last-minute cancelation of the Bellator 241 card, which was scheduled to go down in Connecticut later tonight. Coker address this last-minute shake-up, which is of course due to the rapidly spreading coronavirus, on Twitter on Friday afternoon.