Bellator News
Gegard Mousasi interested in Bellator welterweight title — under the right conditions
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
This weekend, in the main event of Bellator 223, Gegard Mousasi will attempt to defend the Bellator middleweight strap opposite Rafael Lovato Jr. If he’s successful on this mission, he may then seek a second title in another Bellator division. Previously, Mousasi has expressed interest in moving up to the light heavyweight division to battle reigning champion Ryan Bader for his belt. That being said, he’s now hinting at a potential move down to welterweight, but only if Douglas Lima captures the title from Rory MacDonald, as Mousasi has already decisively beaten MacDonald.
Chael Sonnen proclaims himself 'best drug cheat' of his era
Tom Taylor - June 18, 2019
Last weekend, after a stoppage loss to former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, MMA star Chael Sonnen announced his retirement from the sport. Sonnen retires with an impressive resume. He reached tremendous heights in WEC, the UFC, and Bellator. He defeated top-flight foes like Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Michael Bisping, Nate Marquardt, Brian Stann, Yushin Okami, Renato “Babalu” Sobral, and Jason “Mayhem” Miller. He also holds the distinction of being the only man to battle MMA legends Anderson Silva, Jon Jones and Fedor Emelianenko.
Dillon Danis makes bold prediction for potential MMA fight with Jon Jones
Tom Taylor - June 17, 2019
Last weekend, on the main card of Bellator 222, Dillon Danis improved to 2-0 in MMA with a submission victory over Max Humphrey. Shortly after this sophomore win, the Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist and Conor McGregor stablemate made yet another callout of reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Speaking on Monday’s edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Danis made a bold prediction for a potential fight with the light heavyweight legend. Despite the fact that he would be surrendering roughly 30 pounds of weight to Jones, and quite a bit of height and length, Danis is confident confident he could earn the tap if he attacked the UFC champ’s legs.
Scott Coker on Aaron Pico: 'Don't count this kid out'
Tom Taylor - June 17, 2019
Aaron Pico has long stood out as one of the hottest prospects on the Bellator MMA roster. Regrettably, the 22-year-old has been brutally knocked out in his two most recent bouts, leaving some real concerns about his future in the sport. Speaking at the Bellator 222 post-fight press conference, shortly after Pico’s knockout loss to Adam Borics, Bellator President Scott Coker discussed the recent rough stretch of this promising prospect.
VIDEO | Chael Sonnen gets emotional when asked what he'd tell late father at career's end
Tom Taylor - June 16, 2019
On Friday night, after being stopped by Lyoto Machida in the co-main event of Bellator 222, Chael Sonnen decided to up to hang up the gloves. Sonnen had a legendary career as a professional mixed martial artist, challenging for WEC and UFC titles on multiple occasions, and very nearly battling the Bellator heavyweight strap. In the end, however, he never captured a major MMA title.
Fedor Emelianenko signs on for 'retirement tour' in Bellator
Tom Taylor - June 16, 2019
Heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko has signed a new multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA, per Bellator boss Scott Coker. According to Coker, this new contract will see Emelianenko embark on a “retirement tour,” taking on foes of a similar vintage in the final bouts of his career. “It’s a multi-fight deal, multi-year [deal] and this is going to be his retirement tour,” Coker told the media after Bellator 222 (via MMA Mania). “I think we’d like to take him to a lot of countries and cities that maybe haven’t seen him in a long time or have never seen him. It’s going to be fun when we roll this thing out.
Tito Ortiz pokes fun at Chael Sonnen following knockout loss to Lyoto Machida
Christopher Taylor - June 15, 2019
Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen retired from fighting yesterday evening following his loss to Lyoto Machida at Bellator 222 and Tito Ortiz couldn’t be happier. At least so it would seem. ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ took to Instagram where he posted a video of Chael Sonnen’s knockout loss, this while congratulating ‘The Dragon’.
Lyoto Machida found no added satisfaction in retiring Chael Sonnen
Chris Taylor - June 15, 2019
Lyoto Machida was thrilled to defeat Chael Sonnen at yesterday’s Bellator 222 event, but he found no additional satisfaction in retiring the ‘legend’. Machida was able to drop Sonnen with a flying knee in round one, but the always durable Oregon native was able to survive and see a second round.
Chael Sonnen issues hilarious comment following loss to Lyoto Machida
Chris Taylor - June 15, 2019
Chael Sonnen squared off with Lyoto Machida in a light heavyweight contest at last night’s Bellator 222 event in New York. Sonnen returned to action for the first time since Bellator 208, where he suffered a first round TKO loss at the hands of Fedor Emelianenko. Prior to that, ‘The American Gangster’ had reeled off back to back wins over MMA legends Quiton Jackson and Wanderlei Silva.
Pros react to Dillon Danis scoring a first round win at Bellator 222
Chris Taylor - June 15, 2019
A catchweight bout (175-pounds) between Dillon Danis and Max Humphrey took place on the main card of last night’s Bellator 222 event in New York City. Danis was returning to the cage for the first time since Bellator 198, where he scored a first round victory over Kyle Walker in his mixed martial arts debut.
Bellator 222 | Pros react to Rory MacDonald beating Neiman Gracie to retain welterweight title
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2019
In the main event of Bellator 222, Rory MacDonald was looking to defend his welterweight title against undefeated jiu-jitsu star, Neiman Gracie. It was also the semi-finals of the welterweight Grand Prix where the winner would take on Douglas Lima. But, the major question going into the fight, is how Rory MacDonald would perform. After his performance against Jon Fitch he wasn’t sure if had the desire to hurt anyone anymore.
Bellator 222 Results: Rory MacDonald defeats Neiman Gracie (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - June 14, 2019
The Bellator welterweight title was up for grabs in the main event of Bellator 222, as reigning champion Rory MacDonald squared off with Neiman Gracie. Rory MacDonald was making a quick turnaround, this after competing at April’s Bellator 220 event. There, ‘The Red King’ battled Jon Fitch to a draw, this retaining his welterweight title and advancing in the promotions welterweight tournament.
Bellator 222 Results: Lyoto Machida stops Chael Sonnen with a flying knee (Video)
Chris Taylor - June 14, 2019
A light heavyweight bout between fan favorites Lyoto Machida and Chael Sonnen served as the co-headliner of tonight’s Bellator 222 event in New York City. Chael Sonnen was last seen in action at Bellator 208 where he suffered a first round TKO loss to MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. Prior to the setback, Sonnen was coming off back-to-Back decision victories over former MMA champions Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Wanderlei Silva.
Bellator 222 Results: Dillon Danis stops Max Humphrey in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - June 14, 2019
A catchweight bout (175-pounds) between Dillon Danis and Max Humphrey took place on the main card of tonight’s Bellator 222 event in New York City. Danis returned to the cage for the first time since Bellator 198, where he scored a first round victory over Kyle Walker in his mixed martial arts debut.
Bellator 222 Results: Kyoji Horiguchi defeats Darrion Caldwell
Chris Taylor - June 14, 2019
A highly anticipated rematch between Darrion Caldwell and Kyoji Horiguchi took place at tonight’s Bellator 222 event in New York City. Horiguchi (27-2 MMA) submitted Caldwell (12-2 MMA) in the third round of their New Years Eve bout in Japan. The victory crowned Horiguchi the first Rizin FF super bantamweight champion.
Bellator 222 | Pros react after Adam Borics KO’s Aaron Pico
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2019
Aaron Pico was returning to the cage at Bellator 222 to take on an undefeated opponent in Adam Borics. There, the 22-year-old was looking to get back into the win column after being knocked out to Henry Corrales back in January. Aaron Pico was also fighting under Greg Jackson for the first time, and ahead of the fight, he said he is a brand new fighter and couldn’t wait to showcase his talents. He said he planned on using his wrestling which he did and knew how important a win was.
Chael Sonnen says he 'will be a failure' if he doesn't win a title
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2019
In the co-main event of Bellator 222, Chael Sonnen will take on Lyoto Machida at light heavyweight. There, it is expected the winner of that fight will take on Ryan Bader for the promotions light heavyweight title. With that said, this could be the last time that Chael Sonnen finds himself within reach of a title shot. The 42-year-old made a promise to his father before he passed away that he would win a title in a major MMA promotion. After three attempts in the UFC and one in the WEC, he has yet to accomplish it. Sonnen still plans on keeping that promise, for if he doesn’t, he consider himself a failure.
Scott Coker opens door to Bellator-UFC cross promotion
Tom Taylor - June 13, 2019
Under the leadership of Scott Coker, Bellator MMA has co-promoted with a number of other promotions, most notably Japan’s RIZIN Fighting Federation, but also with England’s BAMMA and Italy’s Oktagon. In fact, RIZIN bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi will take to the Bellator cage to battle Bellator bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 222 on Friday Night in New York City — the latest evidence of Coker’s willingness to work with other organizations.