Bellator News

Drake Riggs - April 1, 2019

“The Warmaster” Josh Barnett holds the record for the youngest heavyweight champion in UFC history. A label he achieved at just 24-years old. Now 41, the Seattle, Washington native isn’t done yet. Barnett revealed today on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show that he had signed with Bellator MMA… As he did so live on the show. Because today is April 1, also known as April Fool’s Day, there was still speculation despite Helwani’s examining of Barnett’s freshly signed contract. Thus prompting a quick follow up tweet from Bellator President Scott Coker that confirmed the signings legitimacy.

Mike Straus - March 31, 2019

Bellator 219 from the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California sure delivered. The televised portion on of Bellator 219 Paramount network concluded with a wild lightweight scrap between Brandon Girtz and Saad Awad. However, the Viacom owned promotion still had seven fights for their usual post-lim showcase. Many of those fights were entertaining as well.

Tom Taylor - March 29, 2019

On June 22, Bellator MMA will return to the United Kingdom with the aptly titled Bellator London card. The promotion has already begun stacking this event, adding a trio of big names to the bill in Gegard Mousasi, Paul Daley and James Gallagher (via MMA Junkie). Gegard Mousasi will defend his Bellator middleweight title on the card, taking on the streaking Rafael Lovato Jr. This fight was originally expected to occur in June, but was unfortunately delayed when Mousasi sustained an injury.

Mike Straus - March 28, 2019

The Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California will host this weekend’s Bellator 219 event. In a weekend chock-full of high level mixed martial arts action, it can be easy to overlook some intriguing fights that slip through the cracks. With a ton of hype being thrown in the direction of UFC Philadelphia, and for good reason, and with ONE Championship hosting their most anticipated event yet, Bellator 219 could be one such card. No worries, that’s why you are reading this. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons to tune in this Friday to Bellator 219.

Drake Riggs - March 8, 2019

Stacking up a card is nothing new in MMA. Promotions do it more often than not and it’s always to the fans’ satisfaction. While still in its infancy, Bellator 221 is beginning to form and take shape throughout its entirety. FloCombat reported yesterday that a featherweight scrap between Adil ‘Gloryboy’ Benjilany (5-1) and Cris ‘Sunshine’ Lencioni (4-2) has been added to the May 11 event live from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. BJPenn.com has confirmed the news.

Tom Taylor - March 1, 2019

Another legend of mixed martial arts has decided to hang up the gloves. On Friday, former PRIDE, UFC and Bellator heavyweight star Mirko Cro Cop announced that he’s ending his fighting career. Cro Cop explained that he is ending his fighting career because he suffered a stroke shortly after his last fight, a decision defeat of Roy Nelson, and that he can no longer withstand damage to the head. Mirko Cro Cop made this announcement on Dnevnik Nove TV in his native Croatia.

Drake Riggs - February 27, 2019

It has been six years since the former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (25-8) competed in a bout that took place at 205-pounds. However, that appears to be changing for his upcoming fight. According to ESPN, a light heavyweight bout between Machida and the three-time UFC title challenger, Chael Sonnen (31-16-1) is currently being finalized for an event to be determined. Both fighters have reportedly verbally agreed to the bout.

Thomas Taylor - February 25, 2019

Shortly after Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor in the UFC 229 main event back in October, he scaled the side of the Octagon and attacked McGregor’s long-time training partner Dillon Danis. In the subsequent moments, McGregor got into a brief skirmish with Nurmagomedov training partners Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov inside the cage. In late January, the Nurmagomedovs, McGregor, and Tukhugov all received suspensions and fines of various levels at a Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) meeting.

Tom Taylor - February 24, 2019

Saturday night was a big night for Irish MMA, as Conor McGregor stablemates Charlie Ward and James Gallagher picked up big stoppage wins, and Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Myles Price defeated McGregor cohort Peter Queally by decision. It all went down at Bellator 217 in Dublin. Charlie Ward, who fought previously in the UFC, was up first. He needed less than one minute to dispatch of his foe Jamie Stephenson, sealing the deal with a thunderous left hook in the first round. This is Ward’s second first-round knockout victory in a row. He’s now 6-3 overall.

Drake Riggs - February 18, 2019

Once known as strictly a tournament structured promotion, Bellator MMA is now getting back to its roots with their third tournament since Scott Coker’s arrival. Just at the end of this past month, Bellator wrapped up their heavyweight Grand Prix which saw the vacant title be awarded to the light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader after he ran through the likes of Muhammad ‘King Mo’ Lawal, Matt Mitrione, and the legendary Fedor Emelianenko.

Mike Straus - February 18, 2019

Bellator had a busy weekend as the promotion held a doubleheader on Friday and Saturday night. Let’s look at who some of the biggest winners were. It’s a good thing that the Viacom owned promotion booked back to back nights in Uncasville, Connecticut. If the promotion would’ve packed it up and headed home after Friday night’s main event disaster, fans may have rioted. Luckily Bellator 216 on Saturday night largely delivered.

Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019

When Cheick Kongo handed former Bellator champ Vitaly Minakov his first loss on the main card of Bellator 216 on Saturday night, he earned himself a shot a reigning Bellator heavyweight champ Ryan Bader. He did not hesitate to call Bader out at the Bellator 216 post-fight press conference.