Bellator News

Benson-Henderson
Benson Henderson

EXCLUSIVE | Benson Henderson still open to welterweight fights, but has eye on Bellator lightweight title

Drake Riggs - April 26, 2019

When it comes to the discussion of who is the greatest lightweight fighter of all time, debates can’t be had without the mention of the former WEC and UFC king, ‘Smooth’ Benson Henderson. Continuously underappreciated throughout his reigns as champion, Henderson was as active of a champion as any and constantly looking for a fight. Although no longer the champion, that attitude remains the same with a similar goal in mind.

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Pro fighters make their picks for Rory MacDonald vs Jon Fitch

Cole Shelton - April 26, 2019

In the main event of Bellator 220, Rory MacDonald will look to defend his welterweight title against Jon Fitch. Not only will MacDonald be putting his belt on the line, but it will also be the last matchup of the first round of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their picks for the fight. And, they all are leaning one way.

Rory-MacDonald-Ben-Askren
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EXCLUSIVE | Rory MacDonald impressed by Ben Askren's UFC debut, 'He's quite a powerful star'

Drake Riggs - April 25, 2019

Current Bellator welterweight champion, Rory MacDonald has become fairly familiar with ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler over the years. Formerly a staple of the UFC’s 170-pound division, MacDonald would fight Lawler twice during his UFC run. The first time being in a three-round affair that saw him on the wrong end of a split decision. Their second encounter would come two years later as Lawler was now the champion.

Veta-Arteaga
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EXCLUSIVE | Veta Arteaga was just ready to fight anyone when she got her title shot

Drake Riggs - April 25, 2019

History will be made this Saturday night at Bellator 220… And that will all be determined by the flyweights. In the night’s co-main event, we have the returning unbeaten champion, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane as she looks to extend her title defense number to three straight. On the other side of the equation, there’s the always game Veta Arteaga who hopes to play spoiler and become the promotion’s second 125-pound queen.

Rory-MacDonald, Bellator 220
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EXCLUSIVE | Rory MacDonald knows 'what not to do' against Jon Fitch after Gegard Mousasi fight

Drake Riggs - April 25, 2019

The last bout of the Bellator welterweight Grand Prix’s opening round is set to headline this Saturday night’s Bellator 220 event live in San Jose, California. The bout will be the first of the tournament to feature the title being contested. Of course, that means that the current champion, Rory MacDonald, will be putting his crown on the line as he faces off with seasoned veteran, Jon Fitch.

Adam-Piccolotti
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EXCLUSIVE | Adam Piccolotti ready to solidify himself in the division with win over Benson Henderson

Drake Riggs - April 25, 2019

Bellator 220 is set to take place this Saturday night live from the SAP Center in San Jose, California. While the card is headlined by two big title fights, there are some great fights that directly precede them. One of those involves the former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, Benson ‘Smooth’ Henderson who looks to extend his current winning streak to three straight. His opponent, Adam Piccolotti, will also be looking to do the same.

Benson Henderson
Benson Henderson

Benson Henderson is 'very thankful' to be far away from UFC drama

Tom Taylor - April 25, 2019

Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson is now firmly embedded as a member of the Bellator roster. In fact, he’s set to return to the cage at Bellator 220 this weekend, where he’ll take on Adam Piccolotti in a lightweight contender bout. As he prepares for this imminent challenge, Benson Henderson is happy to have put some distance between himself and the drama that is currently plaguing the UFC lightweight division. He’s witnessed the heat between reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former champion Conor McGregor, and the difficulty top contenders like Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson have had getting title shots, and he’s thanking the Lord that he’s no longer in the thick of it.

Bellator 220
Benson Henderson

More reasons to watch Bellator 220

Mike Straus - April 24, 2019

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) isn’t the only show streaming live Saturday night as Bellator 220 will go head to head with the MMA juggernaut. While Bellator has a habit of filling up the undercard with local fighters to help move ticket sales, that often times affects the quality of fights the fans get. There’s no denying the strength of the five-fight main card that will stream live via DAZN. However, the prelims fall a bit short of what one would expect from a card of this magnitude.

Jon Fitch
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EXCLUSIVE | Jon Fitch preparing to shock the world in Bellator 220 main event

Cole Shelton - April 23, 2019

Jon Fitch is fighting for the Bellator welterweight title on Saturday night, in the last first-round bout of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. The 41-year-old, who is 1-0 inside the Bellator cage, will be taking on the champion Rory MacDonald in the main event of Bellator 220. Although Fitch is the underdog heading into this fight, the veteran is more than ready to do what he has to do to win.

Jon Fitch
Jon Fitch

Jon Fitch responds to PED accusations from Firas Zahabi

Tom Taylor - April 23, 2019

Last week, Tristar head coach Firas Zahabi went off on Rory MacDonald’s UFC 220 opponent Jon Fitch, accusing the former World Series of Fighting welterweight champion of PED use. Speaking on The MMA Hour on Monday, Jon Fitch responded to these comments from Zahabi.

Ilima-Lei MacFarlane Hawaii
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EXCLUSIVE | Ilima-Lei MacFarlane welcoming another title defense in her second home

Cole Shelton - April 23, 2019

There is no question the emotions were running high for Ilima-Lei MacFarlane’s last fight. MacFarlane got to defend her Bellator flyweight title at home in Hawaii where she defeated Valerie Letourneau in the third-round by submission. The win capped off an emotional fight week for MacFarlane. Now, she is set for yet another title defense this Saturday when she takes on Veta Arteaga at Bellator 220 in San Jose, California. Although Hawaii was MacFarlane’s real homecoming, she lives and trains in California which makes this yet another fight ‘at home’.

Jon Fitch
Firas Zahabi

Coach Firas Zahabi rips 'cheater' Jon Fitch in virulent tirade

Tom Taylor - April 19, 2019

On April 27, in the main event of Bellator 220, Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald will attempt to defend his title against former World Series of Fighting champ Jon Fitch in the final, first-round bout of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. Speaking to Robin Black and DAZN ahead of this fight, MacDonald’s coach Firas Zahabi, the main behind Tristar MMA, went off Jon Fitch, calling him a cheater and a coward.