Bellator News

Dillon Danis
Dillon Danis

Dillon Danis still wants to fight Ben Askren

Adam D Martin - August 7, 2020

Bellator star Dillon Danis called out long-time social media rival Ben Askren in a fight that would pit two elite grapplers against one another. Danis and Askren have gone after each other on social media and in interviews for the last few years, but when Askren retired from MMA last year, it seemed that would kill any hopes of a potential matchup between the two. Things changed recently, however, when Askren revealed that he could be considering a potential comeback for the right opponent. Danis heard the news that Askren may return and took right away to his Twitter to call him out. Check out what Danis sent to Askren below.

Valerie Loureda, Jorge Masvidal
Valerie Loureda

Bellator’s Valerie Loureda defends marketing strategy on social media: “It’s not for men”

Harry Kettle - August 7, 2020

Bellator sensation Valerie Loureda has defended her self-marketing strategy on social media in the wake of recent criticism. Loureda, who is set to square off with Tara Graff at Bellator 243 tonight, is 2-0 in her professional mixed martial arts career with both of her wins coming under the Bellator umbrella. Despite the impressive start, many still feel as if her Instagram popularity is one of the driving forces behind the push she’s been receiving from the promotion.

Michael Chandler, Benson Henderson
Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler excited for possible matchups in the UFC against Justin Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov

Adam D Martin - August 7, 2020

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is excited for the possible matchups in the UFC should he sign with the promotion as a free agent. Chandler, one of the greatest home-grown fighters in Bellator history, takes on Benson Henderson on Friday night in the main event of Bellator 243. It’s the last matchup on Chandler’s deal with Bellator, and he has admitted that he will be testing free agency after the bout. Depending on the outcome of the fight, Chandler could potentially be facing interest from the UFC, ONE Championship, and PFL in his foray into free agency.

Michael Chandler, Benson Henderson, Bellator 243
Bellator

Bellator 243 weigh-in results: Main event official, one fighter misses mark

Tom Taylor - August 6, 2020

On Friday night, Bellator MMA will return to our screens with the stacked Bellator 243 card out of Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The card will be topped by a rematch between former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler and former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. The pair first met in November 2016, with the Bellator lightweight title on the line. On that night, Chandler retained the title with a thrilling, split decision win over the former UFC champ.

Curtis Millender
Curtis Millender

Curtis Millender expects to finish Sabah Homasi, sign with UFC or Bellator long-term in free agency

Cole Shelton - August 5, 2020

Curtis Millender knows he has to beat Sabah Homasi if he is going to get a long-term contract in free agency. At Bellator 243 this Friday, Millender is set for his second fight in Bellator since re-signing with the promotion after being cut by the UFC. In his debut, he scored a decision win over Moses Murrietta.

Michael Chandler, Benson Henderson, Bellator 243
Benson Henderson

Pro fighters make their picks for Michael Chandler vs. Benson Henderson 2

Cole Shelton - August 5, 2020

In the main event of Bellator 243, Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson are having a rematch nearly four years in the making. The first fight took place in 2016 where Chandler won a split decision. Heading into the rematch, Chandler is a -235 favorite while the former UFC champion is a +185 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe the three-time Bellator lightweight champion in Chandler will get his hand raised again.

Tim Johnson
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Tim Johnson plans to utilize his wrestling against Matt Mitrione: "I don’t see it lasting very long"

Cole Shelton - August 3, 2020

Tim Johnson believes he has a clear path to victory against Matt Mitrione. Johnson will be making his fourth appearance in Bellator to battle the always dangerous Mitrione in the co-main event of Bellator 243 on Friday. Although this is a big fight for Johnson, he didn’t get much notice for it.

Ryan Bader
Ryan Bader

Bellator champ-champ Ryan Bader set to defend his light heavyweight title on August 21 against Vadim Nemkov

Harry Kettle - July 30, 2020

Bellator double champion Ryan Bader is set to return to light heavyweight for the first time since 2017 to defend his championship against Vadim Nemkov, ESPN reports. Bader has been at the helm of two divisions since he knocked out Fedor Emelianenko in January 2019, but he first won the Light Heavyweight Championship in June 2017 before defending it five months later against Linton Vassell.

Matt Mitrione, Bellator 215
Matt Mitrione

Matt Mitrione set for return at Bellator 243

Adam Martin - July 24, 2020

Bellator heavyweight contender Matt Mitrione is set to make his return to the cage when he takes on Timothy Johnson at Bellator 243. Bellator 243 takes place on Friday, August 7, and is headlined by a rematch between top lightweight contenders Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson. The heavyweight matchup featuring Mitrione vs. Johnson is set to be the co-main event for the card. The event takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Ricky Bandejas
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Ricky Bandejas ecstatic to headline Bellator's return, eyes KO win over Sergio Pettis

Cole Shelton - July 22, 2020

Ricky Bandejas is excited to headline his first Bellator show. In the main event of Bellator 242, which will be the promotions first card since COVID-19, Bandejas is taking on UFC veteran, Sergio Pettis. Yet, for the longest time, the now American Top Team fighter didn’t know he would be the main event.

Paige VanZant
Paige VanZant

Scott Coker confirms Bellator has "serious" interest in Paige VanZant

Adam Martin - July 16, 2020

Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed that his promotion has a “serious” interest in signing UFC women’s fighter Paige VanZant to a free-agent deal. VanZant recently finished off the last fight of her UFC contract with a disappointing first-round submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi. Despite the loss, VanZant is expected to garner plenty of interest on the free-agent market. It seems doubtful she will re-sign with the UFC considering Dana White’s remarks after her fight, but Bellator, ONE Championship, and RIZIN FF could all make VanZant free-agent offers.

Cris Cyborg, Scott Coker
Cris 'Cyborg' Justino

Bellator planning comeback events with Cris Cyborg and Ryan Bader title fights

Adam Martin - July 16, 2020

Bellator is planning on returning to action this fall with four events over the next two months including title fights featuring Cris Cyborg and Ryan Bader. Bellator officially announced this week it will be returning on July 24 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and according to British MMA journalist Gareth Davies, the promotion will in fact hold four events at the Mohegan Sun from July to September. Davies spoke to the organization’s president Scott Coker, who confirmed to him that Bellator is planning to hold four events for its comeback, with fights featuring Cyborg and Bader.

Bellator 242, Ricky Bandejas, Sergio Pettis
Bellator

Bellator announces full lineup for July 24 comeback card

Tom Taylor - July 15, 2020

The full lineup for Bellator 242, scheduled for July 24 at the Mohegan Sun Arena, has been revealed. Bellator 242 will mark the promotion’s return from a pandemic-related shutdown. The card will be headlined by a fantastic bantamweight showdown between Bellator staple Ricky Bandejas and former UFC talent Sergio Pettis.

Michael Chandler, Conor McGregor
Benson Henderson

Michael Chandler vs. Benson Henderson 2 set for Bellator event on August 7

Harry Kettle - July 15, 2020

According to a recent report from Combate, Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson’s proposed rematch is set to go down on August 7. The two veterans last fought back at Bellator 165 in November 2016, and on that night, Chandler beat Henderson via split decision to retain the Bellator Lightweight Championship. They were first scheduled to run it back in December 2019 for Bellator’s co-promotion event with Rizin in Japan, but an injury for Henderson ensured that didn’t happen.

Jahreau-Shepherd
Bellator

Bellator veteran Jahreau Shepherd murdered at his 30th birthday party

Adam Martin - July 14, 2020

Bellator veteran Jahreau Shepherd was murdered this past weekend in London, England when he was stabbed to death at his 30th birthday party. Shepherd, known as “The Nightmare,” was celebrating his birthday by having a barbeque with friends and family at The Black Prince Estate in Kennington around 10 pm on Saturday when he was attacked. The Evening Standard reports that paramedics arrived on the scene but were not able to save the life of Shepherd, who was stabbed to death.

Sean Wheelock
Bellator

Former Bellator commentator Sean Wheelock to call adult webcam shows for blind users

Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020

Former Bellator commentator Sean Wheelock has taken on a gig as a play-by-play man for an adult webcam website called ImLive.com. His objective will be to enhance the experience for blind users. Here’s how an official press release explained it (via MMA Junkie):

Patrick Mix
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Patrick Mix eyes submission win over Juan Archuleta for vacant belt, trashes James Gallagher

Cole Shelton - June 11, 2020

Patrick Mix is looking to claim Bellator’s vacant bantamweight title. Bellator MMA is currently on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the promotion is eyeing a July return. If they do return in July, Mix is hoping to be on the first card and is eyeing a fight against Juan Archuleta for the vacant bantamweight title.

Dillon Danis, Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal
Dillon Danis

Dillon Danis challenges Jorge Masvidal to come to Bellator, vows to finish him in less than 5 seconds

Tom Taylor - June 5, 2020

BJJ ace Dillon Danis has challenged Jorge Masvidal to ditch the UFC’s Octagon in favor of the Bellator cage. On Friday afternoon, Masvidal took to Twitter to share his frustration with the stalled negotiations for a welterweight title fight with Kamaru Usman. He began by daring the UFC to release him from his contract if they’re not prepared to pay him what he’s worth.