Bellator News

Adam Martin - July 24, 2020

Bellator heavyweight contender Matt Mitrione is set to make his return to the cage when he takes on Timothy Johnson at Bellator 243. Bellator 243 takes place on Friday, August 7, and is headlined by a rematch between top lightweight contenders Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson. The heavyweight matchup featuring Mitrione vs. Johnson is set to be the co-main event for the card. The event takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Cole Shelton - July 22, 2020

Ricky Bandejas is excited to headline his first Bellator show. In the main event of Bellator 242, which will be the promotions first card since COVID-19, Bandejas is taking on UFC veteran, Sergio Pettis. Yet, for the longest time, the now American Top Team fighter didn’t know he would be the main event.

Adam Martin - July 16, 2020

Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed that his promotion has a “serious” interest in signing UFC women’s fighter Paige VanZant to a free-agent deal. VanZant recently finished off the last fight of her UFC contract with a disappointing first-round submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi. Despite the loss, VanZant is expected to garner plenty of interest on the free-agent market. It seems doubtful she will re-sign with the UFC considering Dana White’s remarks after her fight, but Bellator, ONE Championship, and RIZIN FF could all make VanZant free-agent offers.

Adam Martin - July 16, 2020

Bellator is planning on returning to action this fall with four events over the next two months including title fights featuring Cris Cyborg and Ryan Bader. Bellator officially announced this week it will be returning on July 24 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and according to British MMA journalist Gareth Davies, the promotion will in fact hold four events at the Mohegan Sun from July to September. Davies spoke to the organization’s president Scott Coker, who confirmed to him that Bellator is planning to hold four events for its comeback, with fights featuring Cyborg and Bader.

Tom Taylor - July 15, 2020

The full lineup for Bellator 242, scheduled for July 24 at the Mohegan Sun Arena, has been revealed. Bellator 242 will mark the promotion’s return from a pandemic-related shutdown. The card will be headlined by a fantastic bantamweight showdown between Bellator staple Ricky Bandejas and former UFC talent Sergio Pettis.

Harry Kettle - July 15, 2020

According to a recent report from Combate, Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson’s proposed rematch is set to go down on August 7. The two veterans last fought back at Bellator 165 in November 2016, and on that night, Chandler beat Henderson via split decision to retain the Bellator Lightweight Championship. They were first scheduled to run it back in December 2019 for Bellator’s co-promotion event with Rizin in Japan, but an injury for Henderson ensured that didn’t happen.

Adam Martin - July 14, 2020

Bellator veteran Jahreau Shepherd was murdered this past weekend in London, England when he was stabbed to death at his 30th birthday party. Shepherd, known as “The Nightmare,” was celebrating his birthday by having a barbeque with friends and family at The Black Prince Estate in Kennington around 10 pm on Saturday when he was attacked. The Evening Standard reports that paramedics arrived on the scene but were not able to save the life of Shepherd, who was stabbed to death.

Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020

Former Bellator commentator Sean Wheelock has taken on a gig as a play-by-play man for an adult webcam website called ImLive.com. His objective will be to enhance the experience for blind users. Here’s how an official press release explained it (via MMA Junkie):

Cole Shelton - June 11, 2020

Patrick Mix is looking to claim Bellator’s vacant bantamweight title. Bellator MMA is currently on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the promotion is eyeing a July return. If they do return in July, Mix is hoping to be on the first card and is eyeing a fight against Juan Archuleta for the vacant bantamweight title.

Tom Taylor - June 5, 2020

BJJ ace Dillon Danis has challenged Jorge Masvidal to ditch the UFC’s Octagon in favor of the Bellator cage. On Friday afternoon, Masvidal took to Twitter to share his frustration with the stalled negotiations for a welterweight title fight with Kamaru Usman. He began by daring the UFC to release him from his contract if they’re not prepared to pay him what he’s worth.

Tom Taylor - June 5, 2020

Former Pride middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva was recently hit by his car while riding his bike, breaking his foot and sustaining some pretty nasty looking wounds. It was the Brazilian MMA legend’s second such accident in a four-year span. He says wearing a helmet save his life on both occasions.

Harry Kettle - June 4, 2020

MMA veteran Sergei Kharitonov has claimed that boxing legend Mike Tyson is on steroids ahead of his proposed return to the ring. Kharitonov, who holds a 30-7 (2) professional mixed martial arts record with his last win coming at World Total Kombat Federation 5 in February, has stated that he would be interested in welcoming Tyson back to the boxing world.