Bellator News
A.J. McKee hopeful for possible crossover bout with PFL's Anthony Pettis: "That would be kind of lit, low-key"
Josh Evanoff - September 16, 2022
Former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee is down for some crossover fights. ‘Mercenary’ has been out of action since his rematch with Patricio Pitbull in April. Their first outing nearly a year prior saw McKee win the featherweight title by first-round submission. In the rematch, the Brazilian flipped the script and regained his championship by decision.
Yoel Romero reveals plans to defeat Melvin Manhoef, then search for Bellator champ-champ status: "My goals are still the same"
Josh Evanoff - September 15, 2022
Bellator light-heavyweight contender Yoel Romero has some big plans for 2023. ‘Soldier of God’ has been out of action since his knockout win over Alex Polizzi in May. The victory was an important one for the Cuban, as it was his first win in the Bellator cage. Romero had previously lost by decision to Phil Davis in his September 2021 debut.
Cris Cyborg reveals retirement plans, wants to finish career within three years: "I want to have the best fights that my fans to see during that time"
Josh Evanoff - September 12, 2022
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg believes her time in the sport is limited. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since her rematch with Arlene Blencowe in April. The two first faced off in October 2020, with Cyborg scoring a submission win. Their rematch earlier this year was much closer, but once again the champion claimed the victory, by decision.
Bellator 284 Results: Goiti Yamauchi KO's Neiman Gracie with a nasty uppercut (Video)
Chris Taylor - August 12, 2022
Tonight’s Bellator 284 event was headlined by a key welterweight contest featuring Goiti Yamauchi taking on Neiman Gracie. Yamauchi (28-5 MMA) had entered the contest sporting a two-fight winning streak, this after earning back-to-back finishes over opponents Chris Gonzalez (TKO) and Levan Chokheli (submission) in his most recent Bellator appearances. The Japanese-born Brazilian MMA fighter has been competing for Scott Coker and company since 2013.
Patricky Pitbull to defend lightweight title vs. Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 288
Josh Evanoff - August 11, 2022
Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull has his first assignment as champion. He will face Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 288 in November. The Brazilian captured the Bellator lightweight strap with a knockout win over Peter Queally in November 2021. The win avenged a previous defeat to the Irishman from that May. With that, Pitbull joined his brother, Patricio, as a Bellator titleholder.
Cris Cyborg reveals she's a free agent, targeting move to boxing: "It's one of my dreams"
Josh Evanoff - August 9, 2022
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg is currently a free agent. The Brazilian is fresh off her decision victory over Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279 in April. The victory was Cyborg’s fourth title defense, as she captured the 145-pound title in January 2020. That win over Blencowe could go down as her last championship defense.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane eyes retirement fight against friend and mentor Liz Carmouche for the belt: "I have four fights left on this contract and that will be it for me"
Cole Shelton - August 8, 2022
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane will be looking to return to the win column in a big way at Bellator 284. Macfarlane ended her nearly year-and-a-half layoff back in April in Hawaii and suffered a decision loss to Justine Kish. After the loss, Macfarlane told Bellator she wanted to return as soon as possible and got her wish as she will face Bruna Ellen on Friday night.
Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics, A.J. McKee lightweight debut set for Bellator 286
Josh Evanoff - August 3, 2022
Patricio Pitbull, Adam Borics, and A.J. McKee have been added to Bellator 286 in October. In April, the Brazilian faced off with ‘Mercenary’ for the second time. They first faced off at Bellator 263 in July 2021, with the Bellator featherweight title on the line. That outing saw McKee capture the strap with a stunning first-round submission victory.
Bellator 283 Salaries: Douglas Lima among four fighters to earn a six-figure payout
Harry Kettle - July 27, 2022
Douglas Lima was one of four fighters to receive a six-figure payday this past weekend as part of the Bellator 283 card. Bellator 283 went down in Tacoma, Washington last Friday night with a whole host of exciting fights and action for fans to sink their teeth into. From title eliminators to rising prospects making a name for themselves, the promotion once again proved why it serves as the number two player in town in the mixed martial arts space.
Scott Coker reveals Fedor Emelianenko hoping to face Ryan Bader in retirement fight: "We’ll definitely consider it"
Josh Evanoff - July 25, 2022
Scott Coker has revealed that Bellator heavyweights Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader could faceoff once again. ‘The Last Emperor’ has been out of the cage since his knockout of Tim Johnson last October. The victory moved his current winning streak to two, as he previously defeated Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in December 2019.
Douglas Lima determined to end losing streak against Jason Jackson at Bellator 283: "I don't feel like I've lost a step"
Josh Evanoff - July 19, 2022
Former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima is ready to let his hands go against Jason Jackson. ‘The Phenom’ is set to return this weekend in the main event of Bellator 283. It’ll be Lima’s first bout since his decision loss to Michael Page last October. The defeat marked his third in a row, as he had previously been defeated by Yaroslav Amosov and Gegard Mousasi.
Chris Gonzalez plans to bring the fight to Usman Nurmagomedov and make him "uncomfortable" at Bellator 283 to earn a title shot
Cole Shelton - July 18, 2022
Chris Gonzalez always wanted to fight Usman Nurmagomedov ever since both men signed with Bellator. At Bellator 283, Gonzalez is set to face Nurmagomedov in a crucial lightweight scrap and one that Gonzalez has wanted.
Danny Sabatello "happy" with dominant win over Leandro Higo, confident he finishes "scared" Raufeon Stots: "He knows that I'm coming for him"
Cole Shelton - June 29, 2022
Danny Sabatello wanted to hurt Leandro Higo and he believes he did just that. Sabatello and Higo met in the quarter-finals of the Bellator bantamweight grand prix at Bellator 282. In the lead-up to the fight, Sabatello was vocal in his desire to beat up and hurt Higo and he did just that as he earned a clear-cut decision win.
Danny Sabatello fined $5k for swearing in post-fight interview at Bellator 282, calls it "f******g bulls**t"
Cole Shelton - June 27, 2022
Danny Sabatello is not happy that the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation has fined him $5k for swearing in his post-fight interview. After Sabatello earned a one-sided decision win over Leandro Higo, he swore in his post-fight interview which is common for Sabatello. He even mentioned in the post-fight interview that he may be fined.
Cris Cyborg blasts Cat Zingano for demanding additional testing for a potential fight: "Thinks I care what she wants"
Josh Evanoff - June 23, 2022
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg doesn’t care what Cat Zingano wants. ‘Alpha’ is set to return this Friday at Bellator 282 against Pam Sorenson. Ahead of her return, she’s discussed a potential fight with the champion. The assumption is that if Zingano is able to defeat Sorenson on Friday, she will fight Cyborg next.
Danny Sabatello says he hates Leandro Higo, plans to "torture" him at Bellator 282: "I want him to have scars on his face for the rest of his life"
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2022
Danny Sabatello is excited to fight and punish Leandro Higo at Bellator 282 on Friday. Sabatello and Higo are set to meet in the quarter-finals of the bantamweight grand prix in an intriguing matchup. When the bracket was set up, Sabatello was pleased he would get the chance to face Higo as he says he truly dislikes him due to the fact he has missed weight multiple times.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 83 with Jimmie Rivera, Chris Curtis, Danny Sabatello, Christos Giagos, Mario Bautista, and Vanessa Demopoulos
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2022
The 83rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 57, BKFC 26 and Bellator 282.
Alistair Overeem confirms his MMA career isn't over, but not interested in fighting Fedor Emelianenko: "I don't really think it's good"
Josh Evanoff - June 1, 2022
Former UFC title challenger Alistair Overeem has confirmed he’s not done inside the cage. However, he’s also not currently aiming to fight fellow legend Fedor Emelianenko right now. Overeem last competed in February of last year, getting stopped by Alexander Volkov. Following the defeat, the 42-year-old was released from the UFC. Despite interest from Bellator, he decided to sign with Glory Kickboxing.