Bellator News
Scott Coker explains why Bellator made 30 roster cuts
Adam Martin - October 29, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker explained why Bellator made 30 roster cuts including veterans such as Frank Mir, Roy Nelson, and Joe Warren. It was reported earlier this week that Bellator cut a number of fighters from its roster. Many of the fighters who were released were veterans coming to the end of the like such as Mir, Nelson, and Warren, but there were also a number of younger fighters on the list such as Ricky Bandejas, Chris Lencioni, and AJ Agazarm that surprised fans.
Bellator 250 loses two key fights at the last minute
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2020
The Bellator 250 card, which airs tonight on CBS Sports, has unfortunately lost two anticipated matchups at the last minute. According to a report from MMA Fighting, a Bellator 250 main card fight between Veta Arteaga and Desiree Yanez and an undercard fight between Nick Newell and Zach Zane have been scratched from the lineup.
Bellator 250 weigh-in results: Main event set, one fight gets scrapped
Tom Taylor - October 28, 2020
On Wednesday morning, the fighters on the anticipated Bellator 250 card stepped onto the scales to weigh in for their Thursday night battles. Both Gegard Mousasi and reigning Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima came in under the 185-pound limit for their middleweight title fight, which will headline the card. Unfortunately, a 137-pound catchweight fight between Toby Misech and Jared Scoggins was cancelled when the former missed weight by close to six pounds.
Bellator 250 | Pro fighters make their picks for Gegard Mousasi vs. Douglas Lima title fight
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2020
In the main event of Bellator 250, a massive middleweight fight goes down for the vacant belt as Gegard Mousasi takes on the welterweight champion, Douglas Lima. Heading into the fight, Mousasi is a -170 favorite while the Brazilian is a +140 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believes Lima’s striking is just too good that he will be able to pick apart Mousasi and earn the win to become a champ-champ in Bellator.
Douglas Lima responds after Michael Page suggests the Bellator champ is ducking him: "Fight contenders"
Adam Martin - October 27, 2020
Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima responded after Michael Page suggested the champ is ducking him, saying to “fight contenders.” Lima is set to take on Gegard Mousasi in a superfight for the vacant Bellator middleweight championship at Bellator 250 on Thursday. Win or lose, Lima will likely make a title defense of his welterweight bout next, and one of the top contenders in the division is Page. After defeating Ross Houston at Bellator Paris in his last fight, Page suggested that the reason he isn’t fighting for the belt yet is that Lima is ducking him.
Former Bellator fighter Joe Taimanglo arrested for possession of meth and illegal firearm
Adam Martin - October 22, 2020
Former Bellator fighter Joe Taimanglo, once a top bantamweight contender, was arrested in Guam for possession of meth and an illegal handgun. Taimanglo, a 36-year-old native of Guam who is a long-time MMA veteran, was arrested on Thursday in his home country after being found with a gun and narcotics. According to a report from The Pacific Daily News, Taimanglo was seen driving a scooter with expired tags, prompting Guam police officers to pull him over.
Conor McGregor calls for Bellator to start drug testing fighters: "It is long overdue"
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2020
Conor McGregor is calling for Bellator to start drug testing fighters. Ever since 2015 when the UFC and USADA partnered for anti-doping testing, many wondered when Bellator would follow suit. However, they have yet to partner with a company to do year-round testing as currently fighters are only tested by the Athletic Commissions during fight week.
AEW star Jake Hager set to return to the cage at Bellator 250
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2020
All Elite Wrestling star Jake Hager will return to the cage for his fourth professional MMA fight at Bellator 250. Hager, who once held the World Heavyweight Championship during his 11-year stint with WWE, has been juggling his pro wrestling career alongside his mixed martial arts journey for a few years now. His first fight took place at Bellator 214 in January 2019 and since then he’s put together a 2-0 record with one no contest last October due to an accidental groin strike.
MMA community reacts to Cris Cyborg submitting Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 249
Tom Taylor - October 16, 2020
On Thursday night, Cris Cyborg defended the Bellator MMA women’s featherweight title with a submission win over Arlene Blencowe. It was the first submission victory on her resume. As ever, the MMA was very quick to react to this feat. See some of the best reactions below:
Cris Cyborg calls for rematch with Amanda Nunes following win at Bellator 249
Harry Kettle - October 16, 2020
Cris Cyborg has called for a rematch with former foe Amanda Nunes in the wake of her win at Bellator 249 last night. Cyborg once again proved why she’s still one of the most dangerous women on the planet as she submitted Arlene Blencowe in the second round to retain her Bellator Featherweight Championship.
Bellator 249 Results: Cris Cyborg submits Arlene Blencowe (Video)
Christopher Taylor - October 15, 2020
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg was looking to earn her first title defense at tonight’s Bellator 249 event when she squared off with Arlene Blencowe. Cyborg (23-2 MMA) had made her Bellator debut back in January, where she captured the promotions featherweight title by scoring a TKO victory over Julia Budd.
Scott Coker says Fedor Emelianenko is "50/50" on a rematch with Fabricio Werdum
Adam Martin - October 15, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker says that heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko is “50/50” on whether he wants a rematch with Fabricio Werdum. It’s been over 10 years since Werdum pulled off one of the biggest upsets in MMA history when he finished Emelianenko by submission in a Strikeforce fight in June 2010. Werdum would parlay that win over Emelianenko into a UFC contract, where he eventually became the promotion’s champion. As for Emelianenko, he was very up-and-down during the 2010s after being the fighter of the decade in the 2000s. In recent years, Emelianenko has found a home in Bellator, whose promoter Scott Coker is also close friends with Werdum.
Michael Page believes Douglas Lima is ducking him: "He doesn't want that... I live in his head"
Adam Martin - October 12, 2020
Bellator welterweight contender Michael Page believes that Douglas Lima is ducking him, suggesting that he lives in Lima’s head. Page and Lima met in June 2019 in the semifinals of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix, and Lima was the victor when he scored a stunning KO over the previously-unbeaten Page. Lima went on to defeat Rory MacDonald in the finals and claim the Bellator welterweight title for a third time, while Page has been fighting lower-level competition since then, winning four straight fights including a decision over Ross Houston at Bellator Paris.
Michael Page had "off night" at Bellator Paris due to ring rust, says Scott Coker
Adam Martin - October 12, 2020
Bellator welterweight contender Michael Page had an “off night” at Bellator Paris due to ring rust, theorized Bellator president Scott Coker. Page defeated former Cage Warriors FC champion Ross Houston via unanimous decision at Bellator’s debut event in Paris. It was far from the best performance of Page’s career as he wasn’t able to let loose and score a flashy KO as his fans are accustomed to. It wasn’t a bad performance, but it was disappointing considering how talented Page is. In the wake of the fight, fans and media have taken to social media to criticize Bellator and Page for the matchmaking of this fight, suggesting that the Page vs. Houston fight was unnecessary.
Scott Coker rates success of first major MMA event in France
Tom Taylor - October 12, 2020
Over the weekend, Scott Coker promoted the first major mixed martial arts event in France with the stacked Bellator 248 card. It took many years for France to formally legalize MMA, but once the country opened that door, Coker and Bellator sprung into action, laying out plans for the first major MMA event in the country.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum talks in "advanced" stage for rematch in Bellator
Adam Martin - October 9, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum says talks are in advanced stages for a rematch with Fedor Emelianenko in Bellator. The 43-year-old Werdum recently became a free agent following a submission win over Alexander Gustafsson on Fight Island in July. The long-time MMA heavyweight veteran reportedly spoke to several promotions in his foray into free agency, but it appears the one that most figured made the most sense, Bellator, has made the biggest push to sign him.
The painter and the fighter: the duality of Simon Biyong
Alfredo Zullino - October 8, 2020
Who is Simon Biyong? A basketball player for an Italian team? A Bellator fighter? Or maybe he is a talented painter? What is sure, is that he hasn’t always been a mixed martial artist. Born in 1991 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the Italian-based fighter recalls his early days as a sportsman.
Corey Anderson reacts to Bellator debut opposite Melvin Mahoef
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
Corey Anderson is set for his Bellator debut. The former UFC light heavyweight standout will collide with Melvin Manhoef on November 5. Manhoef is a decorated kickboxing specialist and experienced mixed martial artist, but has had his best success competing in the 185-pound middleweight division, so his welcoming Anderson to the Bellator light heavyweight division came as a surprise to some fans. Anderson himself, however, seems fired up about the challenge.