Bellator News
Cat Zingano gets opponent for Bellator debut
Tom Taylor - August 19, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Cat Zingano has an opponent for her long-awaited debut in the Bellator MMA cage. According to Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Zingano will make her debut with the promotion on September 11, when she’ll take on Gabby Holloway.
Dana White "would love to talk to" free agent Michael Chandler
Tom Taylor - August 16, 2020
UFC President Dana White would love to talk to former Bellator lightweight champion and new free agent “Iron” Michael Chandler. White was asked about Chandler, who recently reached the end of his latest Bellator contract, at the UFC 252 post-fight press conference.
Valerie Loureda signs new, long-term deal with Bellator MMA
Andrew Whitelaw - August 14, 2020
Rising star Valerie Loureda has signed a new multi-year, multi-fight contract extension with Bellator following her second-round TKO win over Tara Graff. “I am pleased to have re-signed with Bellator,” Loureda said in an official press release. “As I have always said, I am here to show the world the true martial artist that I am and chase the flyweight belt. I was born for this, I am a natural born fighter.”
Austin Vanderford reacts to Paige VanZant signing with Bare Knuckle FC
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Austin Vanderford had a joking reaction to his wife, Paige VanZant, signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. On Wednesday, it was revealed VanZant signed an exclusive multi-fight contract with the sans gloves promotion. The news caught many off guard. For Vanderford, he believes the news could very well make him the good looking one in their relationship.
Ryan Bader on Corey Anderson moving to Bellator: "I can guarantee you he’s getting paid way more"
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Two-division Bellator champion Ryan Bader believes fellow UFC veteran Corey Anderson made the right decision moving to Bellator. Bader, who rules over the Bellator light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, weighed in on Anderson’s Bellator move in an interview with MMA Fighting.
Valerie Loureda reveals she was hit on the express way just days before Bellator 243
Chris Taylor - August 8, 2020
Valerie Loureda kept her perfect mixed martial arts record in check at last night’s Bellator 243 event, scoring a spectacular knockout victory over Tara Graff. After dropping her opponent with a perfectly timed right hand, Valerie promptly ended the fight with some nasty ground and pound (see that here). It was an amazing performance from the budding star in Loureda, one which improved her overall professional record to 3-0.
Video | Valerie Loureda scores nasty knockout win at Bellator 243
Chris Taylor - August 7, 2020
Valerie Loureda improved her mixed martial arts record to a perfect 3-0 this evening by scoring a spectacular finish at Bellator 243. The 22-year-old Florida native, Loureda, squared off against Tara Graff on tonight’s main card and the contest did not last long.
Pros react after Michael Chandler KO's Benson Henderson at Bellator 243
Chris Taylor - August 7, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler squared off with Benson Henderson for a second time in tonight’s Bellator 243 event. In the pairs first encounter back at Bellator 165 in November of 2016, it was Chandler who emerged victorious by way of split-decision.
Dillon Danis still wants to fight Ben Askren
Adam D Martin - August 7, 2020
Bellator star Dillon Danis called out long-time social media rival Ben Askren in a fight that would pit two elite grapplers against one another. Danis and Askren have gone after each other on social media and in interviews for the last few years, but when Askren retired from MMA last year, it seemed that would kill any hopes of a potential matchup between the two. Things changed recently, however, when Askren revealed that he could be considering a potential comeback for the right opponent. Danis heard the news that Askren may return and took right away to his Twitter to call him out. Check out what Danis sent to Askren below.
Bellator’s Valerie Loureda defends marketing strategy on social media: “It’s not for men”
Harry Kettle - August 7, 2020
Bellator sensation Valerie Loureda has defended her self-marketing strategy on social media in the wake of recent criticism. Loureda, who is set to square off with Tara Graff at Bellator 243 tonight, is 2-0 in her professional mixed martial arts career with both of her wins coming under the Bellator umbrella. Despite the impressive start, many still feel as if her Instagram popularity is one of the driving forces behind the push she’s been receiving from the promotion.
Michael Chandler excited for possible matchups in the UFC against Justin Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov
Adam D Martin - August 7, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is excited for the possible matchups in the UFC should he sign with the promotion as a free agent. Chandler, one of the greatest home-grown fighters in Bellator history, takes on Benson Henderson on Friday night in the main event of Bellator 243. It’s the last matchup on Chandler’s deal with Bellator, and he has admitted that he will be testing free agency after the bout. Depending on the outcome of the fight, Chandler could potentially be facing interest from the UFC, ONE Championship, and PFL in his foray into free agency.
Bellator 243 weigh-in results: Main event official, one fighter misses mark
Tom Taylor - August 6, 2020
On Friday night, Bellator MMA will return to our screens with the stacked Bellator 243 card out of Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The card will be topped by a rematch between former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler and former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. The pair first met in November 2016, with the Bellator lightweight title on the line. On that night, Chandler retained the title with a thrilling, split decision win over the former UFC champ.