Bellator News

Cole Shelton - May 8, 2020

Ryan Bader was expected to defend his light heavyweight title on May 9 against Russian contender, Vadim Nemkov. Yet, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic leaving Bader uncertain when he’ll defend his 205-pound strap next. Bader, who has not fought since September against Cheick Kongo in a controversial no-contest, is eager to get back in the cage.

Cole Shelton - May 7, 2020

A.J. McKee is looking to become a champ-champ in Bellator and then go into boxing to challenge Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather has not boxed professionally since he defeated Conor McGregor in the summer of 2016. It was a highly-anticipated bout, and McKee thinks he can capture that same momentum.

Tom Taylor - May 6, 2020

Bellator heavyweight Sergei Kharitonov recently admitted that he tried to contract COVID-19 in order “to feel what it is like.” Kharitonov made this shocking admission in a recent Instagram post, adding that he believes soaking oneself in cold water is an adequate way of staving off the virus.

Adam D Martin - May 3, 2020

Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima hopes his canceled vacant middleweight title fight against Gegard Mousasi is re-booked to take place in July. Lima was set to step up a weight class and take on one of the best in the world in Mousasi in the co-main event of Bellator 242. But Bellator decided to cancel that card, as well as the promotion’s other upcoming events, and the promotion is now looking to re-launch its shows starting in July. If that’s the case, then Lima wants on the card.

Tom Taylor - May 1, 2020

Paige VanZant and Austin Vanderford — possibly MMA’s most famous husband and wife duo — have recently been having some fun on their Instagram accounts. The kind of fun that doesn’t involve clothes. Speaking to MMA Fighting recently, VanZant and Vanderford opened up on how this playful series of photos came about.

Cole Shelton - April 30, 2020

Douglas Lima says he’s disappointed Rory MacDonald left Bellator as it ruined plans for a trilogy fight. MacDonald is the former Bellator welterweight champion but after losing his belt to Lima in the grand prix final, he left in free agency to PFL. Many were surprised as they figured the Canadian would re-sign to set up the trilogy with Lima, which the Brazilian thought would be the case.

Cole Shelton - April 29, 2020

Douglas Lima doesn’t believe Michael Page should get a title shot anytime soon. Page is riding a three-fight winning streak since suffering his first loss to Lima at Bellator 221. Since the knockout loss, he beat Richard Kiely, Giovanni Melillo, and Shinsho Anzai by knockout. With “MVP” on a winning streak he has called for a rematch with Lima. Yet, the champion isn’t impressed with the Englishman’s caliber of wins and says he doesn’t deserve a title shot.

Cole Shelton - April 28, 2020

Douglas Lima was disappointed he won’t get the chance to become a champ-champ on May 9. Lima, who is the current Bellator welterweight title was moving up in weight to battle Gegard Mousasi for the vacant middleweight strap. Yet, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic which was disappointing news for Lima.

Harry Kettle - April 27, 2020

Bellator president Scott Coker believes that Rampage Jackson needs to prove he’s serious about fighting before he puts him back in the cage. Jackson returned to action back at Bellator’s co-promotional event with Rizin in December 2019, losing to Fedor Emelianenko within just a few minutes of the fight getting underway.

Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020

While Dana White and the UFC are determined to keep things running during the coronavirus pandemic, Bellator boss Scott Coker has pumped the brakes in the name of safety. Coker has postponed a host of Bellator events, and seems to be legitimately concerned with what is happening in the world right now.

Natasha Hooper - April 24, 2020

Leslie Smith, who was scheduled to compete on the canceled Bellator 241 card, has revealed Bellator paid her more than double the $20,000 the fighters on the ill-fated UFC London card received for their canceled fights. All MMA events have been thrown up in the air due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bellator decided to postpone its events for the foreseeable future—including the Bellator 241 event Smith was supposed to fight Jessy Miele on. The UFC has also put its events on hold and canceled the UFC London card on March 21. However, UFC president Dana White intends on returning to action next month with a revised UFC 249 card.

Christopher Taylor - April 23, 2020

Bellator fighter Dillon Danis took to social media earlier today where he proclaimed that the next time he sees Ariel Helwani, he plans on dropping him. The jiu-jitsu standout, Danis, took to Twitter with the following message for the popular ESPN journalist.

Adam Martin - April 22, 2020

Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull trashed the UFC for continuing to try and hold events during the coronavirus pandemic. UFC president Dana White has been adamant for the last month that the UFC show would go on despite the coronavirus pandemic essentially shutting down all major sports leagues across the world. White tried his best for UFC 249 to take place on April 18 on Indian reservation land in California, but the event was ultimately postponed. The plan is now to hold UFC 249 on May 9 in Florida, and Pitbull doesn’t agree with it.

Adam Martin - April 21, 2020

Bellator 244, which was set to be headlined by a lightweight rematch featuring Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson, has officially been postponed. Bellator 244 was set to take place at WinTrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois on June 6. The card was to be headlined by Chandler vs. Henderson 2, with a co-main event featuring the Bellator featherweight Grand Prix semifinal bout between AJ McKee and Darrion Caldwell. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bellator has decided to postpone the event until further notice.

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

Dillon Danis is known first and foremost for his world-class grappling skill, but as he continues to venture into mixed martial arts, he’s working hard on his striking too. Speaking on Instagram on Friday, Danis sent a message to fans doubting his striking ability, and included a short clip of himself landing a right hand on a sparring partner.

Natasha Hooper - April 16, 2020

Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg has called out her former boss Dana White and his proposed “fight island.” In response to the coronavirus pandemic, all Bellator and UFC fights have been postponed. However, that hasn’t stopped the UFC president from doing whatever it takes to resume business. White has even claimed he’ll host several upcoming events on private island. He says it is currently in the works and expects to host live events from the island as soon as next month.

Natasha Hooper - April 9, 2020

Josh Thomson has slammed Dana White for endangering lives by proposing future UFC fights go down on a private island. A former UFC fighter and current Bellator analyst, Josh Thomson isn’t afraid to give his take on MMA controversies. That includes the hot topic of White’s proposed fight island.

Adam Martin - April 8, 2020

We have sad news from the MMA world today as Bellator bantamweight Isaiah Chapman was reportedly shot dead at age 30. Chapman’s death was reported by MMA reporter David McKinney on Twitter, who confirmed he was murdered by gunshot outside of his home in Akron, Ohio. Numerous reports on Facebook also confirmed he was shot to death. Bellator matchmaker Rich Chou later confirmed that Chapman has indeed passed away.