Bellator News
Jorge Masvidal says the best middleweight fighter in the world competes outside of the UFC: “He’s just a beast”
Harry Kettle - March 28, 2023
UFC star Jorge Masvidal has named a fighter outside of the promotion as the best middleweight on the planet. Across the entirety of his mixed martial arts career, Jorge Masvidal has competed against some of the best fighters in the world. In addition to that, he’s also trained alongside a lot of absolute killers, too.
Two title fights announced for Bellator 297, including Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero
Lewis Simpson - March 27, 2023
Bellator MMA has announced a spectacular two-title fight card that will go down on June 16 in Chicago, Illinois, at Bellator 297. After a successful turnout last November at the Wintrust Arena, where Vadim Nemkov defended his title against Cory Anderson at Bellator 288, the promotion is heading back with a mouthwatering card.
Bellator 292 Salaries: Usman Nurmagomedov and Benson Henderson lead the way
Susan Cox - March 17, 2023
Usman Nurmagomedov and Benson Henderson were the top earners in the disclosed Bellator 292 salaries. The disclosed fight purses for Bellator 292 have been revealed by the California State Athletic Commission and Nurmagomedov and Henderson both earned six-figure pay checks.
Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou reveals that he's close to signing to next MMA promotion: "We are very close"
Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has revealed that he will sign with PFL or ONE Championship. ‘The Predator’ walked out of the UFC in January, as he declined to re-sign after fighting out his contract. As a result, the promotion stripped Ngannou of his title, and later set Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight championship.
Bellator President Scott Coker gives update on Goiti Yamauchi following grotesque knee injury
Fernando Quiles - March 12, 2023
Goiti Yamauchi suffered a nasty knee injury at the conclusion of his Bellator 292 scrap with Michael Page. Yamauchi and Page shared the cage inside the SAP Center in San Jose, California. This one only last 26 seconds as Page landed a leg kick that totaled Yamauchi’s knee for the TKO finish. It was not a pretty sight, and it was quite clear that Yamauchi suffered an injury that will keep him out of action for a while.
Bellator 292 Results: Usman Nurmagomedov stops Benson Henderson in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - March 10, 2023
Usman Nurmagomedov puts his lightweight title on the line against former UFC champion Benson Henderson in tonight’s Bellator 292 main event. Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since claiming the lightweight world title with a unanimous decision victory over Patricky Pitbull. The Russian phenom has gone 5-0 since joining the Bellator ranks in April of 2021.
Bellator 292 Results: Michael Page stops Goiti Yamauchi in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - March 10, 2023
A welterweight bout between Michael Page and Goiti Yamauchi kicks off tonight’s Bellator 292 main card from San Jose. Page (21-2 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since suffering a majority decision loss to Mike Perry at BKFC 27 last August. Prior to that setback, ‘Venom’ was coming off a split decision loss to Logan Storley in a fight for Bellator’s interim welterweight title.
Benson Henderson reveals plans to retire at end of Bellator lightweight tournament as champion: "That would be a dream come true"
Josh Evanoff - March 9, 2023
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson is planning on ending his career soon. ‘Smooth’ has been out of action since his win over Peter Queally last September. That victory was a big one for the former champion, as it was his second in a row. Henderson had previously upset the massively favored Islam Mamedov earlier in the year.
"Of course" Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov thinks he's best welterweight in the world
Fernando Quiles - February 26, 2023
Bellator Welterweight Champion Yaroslav Amosov believes he’s the clear-cut best 170-pounder in the world. Amosov is fresh off a dominant unanimous decision victory over Logan Storley to successfully retain the Bellator gold. Former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman was building a reputation as the best welterweight in the world by a large margin, but after he was knocked out by Leon Edwards back in August 2022, the gap has been closing for some fans and experts.
Former Bellator lightweight champion Brent Primus added to Grand Prix after Sidney Outlaw tests positive for three banned substances
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2023
Former Bellator champion Brent Primus is heading to the lightweight Grand Prix. The 37-year-old has been out of action since a unanimous decision defeat to Alexander Shabliy last June. That defeat was a brutal one for Primus, as it sent any title shot plans down the drain for the former titleholder. It also helped keep him out of the upcoming lightweight Grand Prix.
Bellator returns to Hawaii in April for double-header events including two title fights
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2023
Bellator is set to return to Hawaii for the fourth time in five years this April, as per a report from KHON2. While the Ultimate Fighting Championship may not have made Hawaii its home, the same can’t be said for Bellator. Over the course of the last few years, the promotion has made a real effort to build a following there.
Ryan Bader hoping to face Francis Ngannou next to prove legitimacy as champion: "To to go out there and beat him, and there’s no question I'm legit"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2023
Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is hoping that he can share the cage with Francis Ngannou. ‘Darth’ returned over the weekend in the main event of Bellator 290. In the headliner, Bader faced Fedor Emelianenko in a rematch of their 2019 meeting. In the finals of the Bellator heavyweight Grand Prix four years prior, ‘The Last Emperor’ lost by first-round stoppage.