Bellator News
Pros react after Michael Chandler KO's Benson Henderson at Bellator 243
Chris Taylor - August 7, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler squared off with Benson Henderson for a second time in tonight’s Bellator 243 event. In the pairs first encounter back at Bellator 165 in November of 2016, it was Chandler who emerged victorious by way of split-decision.
Bellator 243 Results: Michael Chandler KO’s Benson Henderson (Video)
Chris Taylor - August 7, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson squared off with Michael Chandler for a second time in tonight’s Bellator 243 main event. The pair of lightweight standouts first met at Bellator 165 in November of 2016 with Chandler emerging victorious by way of split decision.
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.
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.
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.
Dillon Danis says he would easily beat Jorge Masvidal in a street fight
Cole Shelton - August 5, 2020
Dillon Danis is confident he would be able to beat Jorge Masvidal in a street fight rather easily. Danis is currently 2-0 in MMA and has had rivalries with multiple fighters in Bellator, UFC, and boxers.
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.
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.
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.
Khamzat Chimaev roasts Dillon Danis over callout, proceeds to challenge Demian Maia
Natasha Hooper - July 27, 2020
UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev has mocked Bellator star Dillon Danis for his recent callout attempt, and then he proceeded to challenge Demian Maia. Danis, who trains with Conor McGregor, joined the Bellator roster in 2018 and has tallied two victories. He is yet to be defeated and he has used his victories to justify wild callouts on social media. Whether it is Youtube star Jake Paul, Ben Askren, Kevin Lee, or Khabib Nurmagomedov’s stablemate Islam Makhachev, the Bellator standout isn’t afraid to send shots towards his rivalries on social media.
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 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.
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.
Lyoto Machida vs. Phil Davis 2 added to Bellator event on September 11
Adam Martin - July 15, 2020
A rematch between light heavyweights Lyoto Machida and Phil Davis has been set for an upcoming Bellator event that takes place on September 11. Combate was the first to report the rematch between Machida and Davis and confirmed it will be the main event for the Bellator event. The fight will be set for three rounds as Bellator does not do non-title five-round fights as the UFC does. Bellator is returning to action next week after having missed the last five months due to the coronavirus pandemic and the promotion has been busy announcing fights for its return to television screens.
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 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.
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):
Bellator set to return on July 24 for first show since February
Adam Martin - July 8, 2020
Bellator is set to hold its first show since February as the promotion is scheduled to make its return to your television screens on July 24. Sherdog.com reported that Bellator is scheduled to return on July 24 with an event from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. According to the report, the event is tentative pending the Mohegan Tribe Department of Regulation clearing it to go on. For that to happen, Sherdog reports it likely depends on “extensive testing, social distancing measures, cleaning procedures and Bellator holding its fights with no fans in attendance.”