Bellator News

Adam Martin - July 22, 2019

Two former UFC lightweight standouts are set to headline an upcoming Bellator card. The promotion announced on Monday that former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson will take on Myles Jury in the main event of Bellator 227. The event takes place Sept. 27 in Dublin, Ireland. The fight pairing was confirmed during Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on ESPN on Monday and announced in a Bellator press release.

Adam Martin - July 19, 2019

Former UFC lightweight contender Myles Jury, who recently became a free agent, has signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator. ESPN.com’s Ariel Helwani first broke the news. He added that Jury, who has previously competed as a featherweight, will compete as a lightweight in Bellator. He is expected to make his promotional debut later this year.

Tom Taylor - July 19, 2019

In late June, Gegard Mousasi surrendered the Bellator middleweight title to Rafael Lovato Jr., losing via majority decision. Shortly after this defeat, Mousasi accused his foe of performance-enhancing drug use.  “I should have won this match even with him using PEDs,” Mousasi said on Vechtersbazen Podcast. “I told the commission that it’s clear that he was on PEDs. (The commissioner) gave me a pat on the shoulder and told me that he was going to get tested on fight day and walked away.”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 18, 2019

Bellator president Scott Coker appears to be taking things slow with Aaron Pico. While Pico has been hailed as one of the greatest prospects in MMA, he was thrown to the wolves rather quickly. At the age of 22, Pico has a record of 4-3 and he’s been stopped in all of his losses. In his last two outings, Pico was brutally knocked out by Henry Corrales and Adam Borics.

Adam Martin - July 16, 2019

Perhaps one of the most surprising upsets in UFC history took place back in 2011 at UFC 132. At the time, Ryan Bader was a young, hungry, up-and-coming light heavyweight who had recently won The Ultimate Fighter. Tito Ortiz, meanwhile, was a veteran on his last legs and seemed destined for retirement. Or so we thought. Defying the odds, Ortiz finished Bader by submission that night in what remains to this day arguably the most impressive victory of Ortiz’ career. While it was an embarrassing night for Bader, he has since transformed himself into an elite light heavyweight and heavyweight in MMA, currently holding both belts in Bellator. Ortiz, meanwhile, still remains relevant to this day despite being in his mid 40s.

Adam Martin - July 16, 2019

Many thought the great Fedor Emelianenko was considering retirement following a 35-second knockout loss to Ryan Bader back at Bellator 214 in January. Not so fast, says Bellator president Scott Coker, who confirmed Emelianenko has signed a multi-fight agreement with the promotion. Coker even has some opponents in mind for his retirement tour. According to Coker, who spoke to Ariel Helwani on Monday’s MMA Show, Bellator is planning on holding a cross-over event with RIZIN in December, and the Bellator bossman wants Emelianenko to fight on the card.

Mike Pendleton - July 15, 2019

The Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix tournament is about to get underway this Fall, and President Scott Coker just announced the opening round matchups in the tournament. Speaking to Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Coker announced all eight fights with the 16 featherweight tournament participants which will be split up between two events in September. Breaking: @ScottCoker just announced the first-round matchups for @BellatorMMA's 16-man featherweight grand prix (via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/lOXPbYnzzI

Cole Shelton - July 11, 2019

Lyoto Machida and Gegard Mousasi are set to run it back at Bellator 228 on September 28, Bellator announced. The two fought back at UFC Fight Night 36 in February 2014. There, they were the fight of the night but it was Machida who did enough as he edged out a unanimous decision. Since then, the Brazilian went on to fight for the UFC middleweight title again, but lost and then headed to Bellator after a 3-4 record following the Mousasi fight.

Natasha Hooper - July 9, 2019

Bellator fighter Dillon Danis was attacked whilst partying at a Burlesque club in New York City. The Daily Mail obtained a video of the attack.

Adam D Martin - July 7, 2019

Rising Bellator star Dillon Danis took to social media to give his reaction to Ben Askren’s devastating knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 on Saturday night. Instead of roasting Askren like you think Danis would have, he actually sent a classy message to the former Bellator welterweight champion.

Cole Shelton - July 3, 2019

At Bellator London, Rafael Lovato Jr. shocked many as he defeated Gegard Mousasi by majority decision to become the new middleweight champion. But, the now former champion claims the 36-year-old was on PEDs for the fight. “I should have won this match even with him using PEDs,” Mousasi said on Vechtersbazen Podcast (as transcribed by MMA Junkie).

Christine Allen - June 25, 2019

“I pulled out of the fight. I didn’t even wanna be here, I didn’t wanna train. I was in a bad way…panic attacks getting sick…and now I’m back, now I’m winning.” As I watched a very relieved James Gallagher retell his experience of severe panic attacks in the weeks leading up to his victory over Jeremiah Labiano at Bellator London 223, I was reminded once again of the fine line between success and failure, and the vital role that mental health plays in not only the outcome of a fight, but life.