Bellator News
Quinton Jackson opens as big underdog against Fedor Emelianenko in Bellator
Adam Martin - December 21, 2019
Bellator heavyweight Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has opened up as a big betting underdog against the legend Fedor Emelianenko for their New Year’s Eve fight. Jackson meets Emelianenko in the main event of Bellator 237, which takes place on December 29 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. It’s a fight between two legends of mixed martial arts who head back to Japan years after they first starred in PRIDE.
Josh Barnett issues statement following last minute removal from Bellator
Adam Martin - December 21, 2019
Bellator heavyweight contender Josh Barnett has released a statement following his last-minute removal from the main event of Bellator Salute The Troops. Barnett was scheduled to face Ronny Markes in the headlining fight, but about an hour before it was set to take place, Bellator announced the fight was canceled due to an illness to Barnett. Toby Misech vs. Erik Perez ended up taking the headlining spot, with Misech pulling off a stunning upset knockout win.
Dillon Danis takes on Kegan Gennrich at Bellator 238
Natasha Hooper - December 20, 2019
Bellator star Dillon Danis has a new fight announced for January. The 26-year old will be back in action at Bellator 238 on January 25 at the Forum in Inglewood, California, where he’ll take on Kegan Gennrich in a 175-pound catchweight.
Scott Coker sends classy message to Rory MacDonald after Bellator exit
Tom Taylor - December 20, 2019
Earlier this week, news surfaced that former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald had parted ways with the promotion and signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Shortly thereafter, Bellator President Scott Coker took to Twitter with a classy message to his former fighter. See it below:
Douglas Lima reacts to Rory MacDonald's Bellator exit
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2019
Earlier this afternoon, news surfaced that former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald has parted ways with the Viacom-owned promotion and signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). While this is exciting news for MacDonald and the PFL, it does represent an unfortunate twist for fans who were hoping to see a rematch between MacDonald and reigning Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima in the future. Lima and MacDonald are tied 1-1 across two exciting fights, and now, with MacDonald moving to another promotion, it seems unlikely that we’ll see them meet in a tie-breaker anytime soon.
Rory MacDonald parts ways with Bellator, signs with PFL
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2019
Rory MacDonald has parted ways with Bellator MMA. After a period of free agency, the former Bellator welterweight champion has not signed a new deal with the promotion, and instead inked a contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane looking to be first person to submit Kate Jackson at Bellator 236 in Hawaii
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2019
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane is set to defend her Bellator women’s flyweight title at home in Hawaii for the second straight year. She takes on Kate Jackson this Saturday. Last year, she submitted Valerie Letourneau in Hawaii, and it was an emotional night for her. MacFarlane cried during her walkout, and the 29 year old expects to do so again at Bellator 236.
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane believes UFC did Liz Carmouche 'dirty', willing to fight her for Bellator belt
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane is not happy about how the way the UFC released her friend and teammate Liz Carmouche. The two-time UFC title challenger Carmouche was released while she was in Washington D.C. doing promotional work for the company.
Report | Bellator to sign Liz Carmouche
Adam Martin - December 9, 2019
The UFC surprisingly released Liz Carmouche last week, but it doesn’t appear she will be on the free-agent market looking for work for long. According to Steven Marrocco of MMAFighting.com, Bellator has already been in touch with Carmouche about signing with the promotion. At this point, Bellator is just waiting for the UFC to send out its official release papers.
James Gallagher calls Nick Diaz interview "scary", urges him to stay retired
Natasha Hooper - December 9, 2019
Bellator fighter James Gallagher hopes Nick Diaz stays in retirement for good as he found his recent interview concerning. Diaz sat down for an interview with Ariel Helwani last month and hinted at a possible Octagon return against Jorge Masvidal (to avenge his younger brother’s recent loss.) As Nick Diaz is a figurehead of the sport that many younger fighters look up to, his demeanour was a cause for concern for the young Irishman. Gallagher said (transcript via Metro News):
Michael Page booked to return at Bellator Japan
Adam Martin - December 8, 2019
Bellator welterweight star Michael Page has been booked to take on Shinsho Anzai at the promotion’s New Year’s Eve event in Japan. Bellator officially announced this weekend that Page vs. Anzai will take place at Bellator & Rizin: Japan, set for Saturday, December 28 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The fight will take place at a catchweight of 173lbs.
Benson Henderson issues statement following removal from Bellator Japan
Harry Kettle - December 5, 2019
Bellator lightweight contender Benson Henderson has issued a statement after he was pulled from the upcoming card Bellator Japan card due to injury. Henderson was set to go head to head with Michael Chandler for a second time at Bellator Japan in a rematch from their Bellator 165 encounter in November 2016. Chandler won that fight via split decision, retaining his Bellator Lightweight Championship in the process.