Bellator News
Tim Johnson "excited" to get Cheick Kongo rematch after "fluky" first fight, believes win earns him title shot
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2020
Tim Johnson will finally get the rematch with Cheick Kongo he has been calling for. In Johnson’s Bellator debut, he fought Kongo and lost by TKO in just 68 seconds. Yet, Johnson wasn’t happy with the stoppage and wanted the rematch ever since and at Bellator 248 he will get his wish. He will also fight on the first major MMA event in France since the sport was legalized.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 13 with Marlon Moraes, Tim Johnson, Giga Chikadze & Youssef Zalal
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2020
The 13th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Fight Island 5 and Bellator 248. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event and number one ranked bantamweight, Marlon Moraes (2:21). Next, Bellator heavyweight, Tim Johnson (16:33) comes on. UFC featherweight, Giga Chikadze (32:19) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight, Youssef Zalal (46:24).
Bellator fighter Tywan Claxton turns down $250,000 job offer to fight full time
Adam Martin - October 6, 2020
Bellator featherweight Tywan Claxton says he turned down a $250,000 job offer in tech to continue to be a full-time MMA fighter. The 27-year-old Claxton made his professional MMA debut in 2017 for Bellator. He won the first five fights of his MMA career — four of them by knockout — to claim a spot in the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix. Unfortunately, Claxton was bounced from the tournament when he lost by submission to top contender Emmanuel Sanchez. Since then, Claxton has gone 1-1 with a split decision loss to Jay Jay Wilson in his last fight.
Patricio Pitbull sends a message to new UFC fighter Michael Chandler: "You'll always be my b*tch"
Adam Martin - October 4, 2020
Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull sent a message to new UFC fighter Michael Chandler, saying “you’ll always be my b*tch.” Pitbull KOed Chandler in Bellator last June to become a rare double champion in the promotion. As for Chandler, after KOing Sidney Outlaw and Benson Henderson in devastating fashion, he signed a free-agent contract with the UFC. The UFC is so high on Chandler that it has tabbed him as the official backup for UFC 254’s main event between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje.
Brett Johns releases statement after leaving the UFC and signing with Bellator
Adam Martin - October 2, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight contender Brett Johns has released a statement after leaving the Octagon and signing as a free agent with Bellator. Johns (17-2) was one of the top young bantamweight contenders in the UFC, but he has decided to move on after accepting a better contract offer from Bellator. The 28-year-old Wales native and former Titan FC champion officially announced the move on Friday via his social media accounts, where he explained why he decided to leave the UFC for Bellator.
Paul Daley explains why he nearly wound up in hospital following Bellator weigh-ins
Harry Kettle - October 2, 2020
Paul Daley has explained why he nearly ended up in hospital after failing to make weight for his scheduled Bellator 247 bout. Daley’s main event fight against Derek Anderson was called off after “Semtex” was unable to make the necessary weight that required him to compete. In the hours after he failed to weigh in, many were speculating as to whether or not the contest would still go ahead regardless of the circumstances.
Video | Logan Paul vows to "beat the sh*t" out of Dillon Danis "bloody" boxing match
Tom Taylor - September 30, 2020
YouTube star turned boxer Logan Paul heard enough “sh*t talking” from Bellator star Dillon Danis, and is now vowing to punish his rival in the ring. Paul and Danis have been swapping trash talk on social media and interviews for what seems like an eternity, and the YouTuber seems to be getting fed up.
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull re-booked to fight Pedro Carvalho
Adam Martin - September 22, 2020
At long last, Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull has been re-booked to fight his next opponent Pedro Carvalho. Pitbull, who is also the Bellator lightweight champion, was originally set to fight Carvalho with his belt on the line in the semifinals of the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix at Bellator 241 back in March. However, the fight and the entire event was scrapped at the last minute due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bellator re-started its events back in July, but due to visa issues for the champion, Bellator hasn’t been able to re-book Pitbull vs. Carvalho fight until now.
Michael Chandler in consideration for UFC fight with Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is reportedly being considered as a potential opponent for former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. After knocking out Benson Henderson at Bellator 243, Chandler entered in a period of free agency. Buzz about his potential move to the UFC was immediate.
Dustin Poirier receives message from Bellator's Patricky Freire following failed UFC negotiations
Harry Kettle - September 16, 2020
Bellator star Patricky Freire has sent a clear message to Dustin Poirier after his recent negotiation troubles with the UFC. Fans have been anticipating the proposed showdown between Poirier and Tony Ferguson for months now, but after “The Diamond” recently confirmed that he was not able to come to terms on a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, fans have started to question why the promotion isn’t giving Poirier the kind of offer that they believe he deserves.
Scott Coker confirms he has reached out Brock Lesnar's management: "This is a great opportunity"
Adam Martin - September 14, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed he has reached out to the management of Brock Lesnar, saying it would be a “great opportunity.” Reports recently came out saying that Lesnar, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is a free agent after his contract with the WWE expired and he could be considering offers to return to MMA. UFC president Dana White has already said he’s interested in a Lesnar vs. Jon Jones fight, and Coker has said he is interested in a Lesnar vs. Fedor Emelianenko fight, so it will be interesting to see where Lesnar ends up next should he indeed make a comeback.
Douglas Lima vs. Gegard Mousasi re-booked to headline Bellator 250
Adam Martin - September 14, 2020
The long-awaited vacant middleweight title fight between Douglas Lima and Gegard Mousasi has been re-booked to headline Bellator 250. Lima and Mousasi had previously been set to meet at Bellator 242 in May, but the card was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The promotion has been able to re-book the fight and it will now headline the organization’s Bellator 250 event on October 29. That is on a Thursday, a move that Bellator intends to make permanent going forward.
Former UFC title challenger, WSOF champ Jon Fitch announces retirement after Bellator 246 loss
Tom Taylor - September 13, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title challenger and World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Jon Fitch has retired from MMA. Fitch, 42, competed in his final fight at Bellator 246 on Saturday, losing to Neiman Gracie by submission. Post-fight, he announced his decision to hang up the gloves.
Bellator 246: 'Archuleta vs. Mix' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - September 12, 2020
A new bantamweight champion will be crowned in tonight’s Bellator 246 main event when Juan Archuleta squares off with Patchy Mix for the promotions vacant 135-pound strap. In the co-main event of the evening, former WSOF champion Jon Fitch will collide with Neiman Gracie in a key welterweight battle.
Scott Coker calls Dana White a liar, remains adamant that Bellator has "the best 205-pound division on the planet"
Chris Taylor - September 11, 2020
Bellator President Scott Coker has fired back at Dana White for suggesting that ex-UFC fighters who have joined Bellator were let go by the promotion. Back in August, Coker made headlines when he proclaimed that Bellator had the best light heavyweight division in all of mixed martial arts. In his defense, Coker’s comments came immediately following the news that longtime UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was vacating his title in order to move up to heavyweight.
Bellator 245 Results: Phil Davis defeats Lyoto Machida (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - September 11, 2020
Light heavyweight veterans Lyoto Machida and Phil Davis will square off for a second time in the headliner of tonight’s Bellator 245 event. The pair first met back in August of 2013 while under the UFC banner, with Davis emerging victorious by way of unanimous decision.
Bellator to host first major MMA event in France, fans will attend
Tom Taylor - September 11, 2020
France has approved the practice of mixed martial arts and has placed the sport under the supervision of the French Boxing Federation (FFB). With these recent government approvals, Bellator is pleased to announce that it will become the first promotion to hold a major MMA event in France with a monumental show on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Accor Arena in Paris. Bellator Paris will feature 13 MMA bouts and three boxing matchups. Among the athletes competing at Bellator Paris, 10 French fighters will appear on the card, including the renowned Cheick Kongo (30-10-2, 1 NC), who will face off against Tim Johnson (14-6) in a heavyweight clash. Additionally, an exciting welterweight bout between Michael “Venom” Page (17-1), better known to fans as “MVP,” and the debuting undefeated Ross Houston (8-0,1 NC) is also booked for the event.
Bellator 245 weigh-in results: Cat Zingano's opponent misses weight by huge margin
Tom Taylor - September 10, 2020
On Friday night, Bellator MMA will promote the first card of a two-event weekend in Bellator 245, which features a host of high-profile fighters. In the Bellator 245 main event, former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida will lock horns with Phil Davis in a rematch of a 2013 fight that occurred in the UFC’s Octagon. The winner of the fight will be well positioned for a crack at new Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov, who assumed the throne with a blistering knockout win over Ryan Bader last month.