Bellator News

Gegard-Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi

Gegard Mousasi, Paul Daley, James Gallagher, scheduled for fights at Bellator London

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.

Daniel Straus
Brandon Girtz

Reasons to watch Bellator 219

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.

Dillon Danis
Dillon Danis

BREAKING | Dillon Danis returns at Bellator 221

Tom Taylor - March 11, 2019

Dillon Danis, a decorated grappling specialist and long-time friend and training partner of UFC star Conor McGregor, is set to return at Bellator 221 on May 11 in Chicago, Illinois. Danis’ opponent on the card will be Max Humphrey. This news was announced on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday.

Cris-Lencioni
Bellator 221

Bellator 221 gets featherweight clash between Cris 'Sunshine' Lencioni and Adil Benjilany

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.

Lyoto-Machida-Chael-Sonnen
Chael Sonnen

Lyoto Machida heading back to light heavyweight with Chael Sonnen fight in the works

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.

Dillon Danis
Dillon Danis

Dillon Danis not happy about NSAC suspension, but finds silver lining

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.

Dillon Danis, Jake Shields
Dillon Danis

BREAKING | Dillon Danis receives fine, suspension for role in UFC 229 brawl

Tom Taylor - February 25, 2019

Dillon Danis has finally received his punishment for his role in the wild, post-fight brawl that followed Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s lightweight title fight at UFC 229. The McGregor stablemate and Bellator MMA star received his penalty at a Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) meeting on Monday morning.

James Gallagher
Charlie Ward

VIDEO | Watch James Gallagher, Charlie Ward pick up big stoppage wins at Bellator 217 in Dublin

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.

Valerie Loureda, Jorge Masvidal
Bellator 215

The biggest winners from Bellator's weekend doubleheader

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.

Ryan Bader, Cheick Kongo, Bellator 226
Cheick Kongo

Cheick Kongo and Ryan Bader get heated over potential title fight

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.

Paul Daley, Scott Coker, Michael Page
Paul Daley

Paul Daley protests MVP loss, accuses Bellator of 'protecting their investment'

Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019

On Saturday night, in the main event of the stacked Bellator 216 card, Paul Daley and Michael Page finally stepped into the cage together for an anticipated grudge match. Although Daley had some real success in this fight, using his wrestling edge to ground the action on multiple occasions, he ultimately wound up losing a unanimous decision to his rival.

Cheick Kongo, Bellator MMA
Cheick Kongo

Cheick Kongo sends ominous threat to Bellator heavyweight champ Ryan Bader

Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019

Cheick Kongo is now the number-one contender in the Bellator heavyweight division. The hulking Frenchman earned that honor with a workmanlike defeat of the formerly undefeated former champ Vitaly Minakov at Bellator 216 on Saturday night. Cheick Kongo has been chasing a Bellator heavyweight title shot for years, and can now look forward to a fight with reigning champion Ryan Bader. That said, he believes it would be more straightforward for Bader to just give him the belt — and he promises trouble if the champ doesn’t oblige.