Bellator News
MMA community reacts to Patricky Freire's controversial decision defeat of Benson Henderson
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2017
Last night, Bellator MMA returned to San Jose, California with the stacked Bellator 183. In the card’s main event, we watched former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson collide with long-time Bellator lightweight contender Patricky “Pitbull” Freire. As is so often the case when it comes to Benson Henderson fights, this one was incredibly close. For three rounds, we watched Henderson relentlessly pursue the takedown, effectively shutting down Pitbull’s offense as he did, while Pitbull denied all of those takedown attempts, depriving Henderson of the opportunity to rack up points in the judges’ eyes.
BREAKING | Rory MacDonald is finally getting a Bellator title shot
Tom Taylor - September 20, 2017
When former UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald joined the Bellator family in August of 2016, he was expected to get an immediate title shot. Instead, however, he was booked for a May 2017 scrap with British knockout artist Paul Daley. When MacDonald won this battle with Daley with a second-round submission, he seemed to erase any doubt that he deserved the next shot at Bellator welterweight king Douglas Lima. Unfortunately, he then went months without a fight offer, which caused him to grow frustrated with his new employers, and even begin discussing a possible super fight with former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler.
VIDEO | Check out the 'flying cage' that will be used at Bellator 183
Tom Taylor - September 20, 2017
This Saturday, Bellator MMA will return to San Jose, California with Bellator 183. The card is a pretty stacked one. In the main event, we’ll see former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson take on long-time Bellator staple Patricky Freire. In the co-main event, meanwhile, we’ll see a pair of knockout-addicted UFC veterans collide, as England’s Paul Daley takes on recent Bellator title challenger Lorenz Larkin. Elsewhere on the card, we’ll witness the Bellator debut of former UFC heavyweight Roy “Big Country” Nelson, who takes on Javy Ayala.
VIDEO | Bellator’s 'Flying Cage' to make U.S. debut at Bellator 183 and Bellator Kickboxing 7
Russell Ess - September 19, 2017
Bellator will be using their 'Flying Cage' for #Bellator183 & Bellator Kickboxing 7 on Saturday. Here's a look at the flying cage in action: pic.twitter.com/6ihLQPNxm2 — Simon Head (@simonhead) September 19, 2017
Bellator announces two key fights including the debut of Gegard Mousasi
Chris Taylor - July 14, 2017
Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion and perennial middleweight contender Gegard Mousasi will make his Bellator MMA debut this October. Bellator officials broke the news during tonight’s broadcast on Spike TV stating that Gegard Mousasi (42-6-2 MMA) will make is promotional debut against former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko (56-9 MMA) on October 20 live from the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Bellator MMA hints at one-night welterweight tournament
Tom Taylor - June 6, 2017
The roster of Bellator MMA – the world’s second biggest MMA promotion – has improved a great deal over the last year or two. The promotion has injected a tremendous amount of talent into its heavyweight division, picking up free agents like Matt Mitrione, Fedor Emelianenko, Sergei Kharitonov, and most recently, Roy Nelson. The promotion has turned its light heavyweight division into an absolute must-watch, picking up names like Phil Davis, Wanderlei Silva, Chael Sonnen, Ryan Bader, Alessio Sakara, and Satoshi Ishii.
VIDEO | Paul Daley and Michael Page get into scuffle at Bellator 179
bjpenndotcom - May 20, 2017
Wow. Paul Daley just went for Michael Page in the front row and they had a scuffle. Pandemonium. #Bellator179 pic.twitter.com/hhA2usDDgN — Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) May 19, 2017
SPOILERS! Rory MacDonald vs. Paul Daley results
bjpenndotcom - May 19, 2017
Former UFC welterweight veteran Rory MacDonald stepped into the Bellator MMA cage for the first time on May 19th in the United Kingdom as he fought heavy handed knockout artist Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley. Going into the fight, there was much question about where MacDonald, a fighter who was near the pinnacle of combat sports when he fought for the UFC welterweight title, would fall in the Bellator MMA rankings. When the ‘Red King’ stepped into the Octagon with Daley, he was all business as he dominated the fight in the first round, controlling Daley on the ground and negating his knockout ability. In the second round it was more of the same as MacDonald quickly took Daley down. This time however, rather than dominate Daley throughout the entire round, MacDonald secured a rear naked choke, securing his first Bellator MMA win.
Report: Another former UFC title challenger is close to signing with Bellator
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2017
According to a report from MMAFighting.com, Bellator MMA is on the verge of signing another former UFC title challenger. That title challenger is Canada’s Valérie Létourneau, who fought for the UFC strawweight title in 2015, putting forth a valiant effort against dominant champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Létourneau is currently on an unfortunate, three-fight losing streak, having dropped this fight to Jedrzejczyk, succumbed to strikes dealt by Joanne Calderwood, and given up a razor-thin decision to Viviane Pereira back in December. After these losses, she was released by the promotion.
Bellator boss Scott Coker gives statement on possible free agency of Cris "Cyborg" Justino
Tom Taylor - April 11, 2017
Yesterday afternoon, in a statement to BJPenn.com, UFC featherweight star Cris “Cyborg” Justino discussed her current inactivity, her hopes for a UFC 214 fight with reigning featherweight champ Germaine de Randamie, and her intention to fight out her current UFC contract and ‘re-evaluate the situation.’ “If [Germaine de Randamie] is not healthy enough to fight at UFC 214 in Anaheim, I don’t want an interim belt,” Cyborg said in this statement. “When the UFC asked me last January to fight her for the belt, I explained to them I would, but needed a March date because my body was still recovering from two weight cuts to 140lbs. So I know what it is like to want to accept the fight, but needing additional time to heal.”
Report: Bellator MMA has its sights set on two more UFC stars
Tom Taylor - April 11, 2017
When streaking middleweight contender Gegard Mousasi stepped into the Octagon with Chris Weidman at last Saturday’s UFC 210, it marked the final obligation on his current UFC contract. Though it was not without controversy, he was able to win this final contracted fight, and will now be able to test free agency as one of the hottest middleweights in the world. This weekend, when the UFC returns to Fox, streaking Brazilian middleweight contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will look to follow in Mousasi’s footsteps, closing out his current contract with a win over the dangerous Robert Whittaker.
VIDEO | Rafael Carvalho head kick flattens Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 176
Tom Taylor - April 9, 2017
Back in May of 2016, Brazil’s Rafael Carvalho scored a controversial split decision win over Dutch kickboxing specialist Melvin Manhoef, defending the Bellator middleweight strap in the process. Given that many fans and pundits believed Manhoef should have gotten the nod in this fight, Bellator then pencilled the two middleweights in for a rematch – though this rematch occurred a little later than planned.