Bellator News
Cris 'Sunshine' Lencioni willing to absorb and deliver some soccer kicks in RIZIN
Drake Riggs - June 9, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsO88Wf8PLA The past month has treated Bellator featherweight, Cris ‘Sunshine’ Lencioni pretty kindly when it comes to the world of combat that he finds himself entrenched in.
Bellator 222 headliner changed from Lyoto Machida vs Chael Sonnen to Rory MacDonald vs Neiman Gracie welterweight title bout
Drake Riggs - May 29, 2019
On June 14, Bellator MMA heads back to Madison Square Garden for their second visit with Bellator 222 and it could very be argued as the promotion’s best card ever on paper. From top to bottom, the line-up is flooded with big names and talented fighters… not just from Bellator but RIZIN FF as well.
Eduardo Dantas will make his debut at featherweight against Juan Archulaeta at Bellator 222
Matheus Costa - May 28, 2019
Eduardo Dantas is done with the bantamweight division. The former Bellator champion will be moving up to the featherweight ranks and will make his debut against Juan Archulaerta at Bellator 222. The promotion made the announcement earlier today. Dantas’ decision is an interesting one as the upcoming featherweight grand prix needs some good names to be as stacked as possible. The Brazilian fighter won his first fight in almost two years, defeating Toby Misech in February via unanimous decision. If he beats Archulaeta, he will probably lock up a spot in the tournament.
Patricio Freire explains why he's 'absolutely certain' he'd beat Max Holloway
Tom Taylor - May 27, 2019
Patricio Freire now owns the Bellator featherweight and lightweight titles. In accomplishing this historic feat, he solidified his rep as one of the sport’s greatest fighters, regardless of promotion. Given Freire’s status as one of the best fighters on earth, many fans have wondered how he might fair in the UFC, namely against UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway.
Lyoto Machida explains decision to fight Chael Sonnen, details lofty goals in Bellator
Chris Taylor - May 25, 2019
Lyoto Machida will return to the cage on June 14 where he will square off with Chael Sonnen in the headliner of Bellator 222. The former UFC light heavyweight champion, Machida (25-8 MMA), made his Bellator debut this past December where he picked up a split-decision win over former Bellator middleweight title holder Rafael Carvalho.
Dillon Danis channels Eminem in latest warning to fellow fighters
Chris Taylor - May 25, 2019
Submission specialist Dillon Danis utilized some lyrics from rap mogul Eminem to send a warning to fellow fighters on social media. Danis, who rose to prominence in the MMA Community after helping prepare Conor McGregor for his rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 202, took to Twitter with the following message for his peers.
Michael Chandler releases deep and poetic statement following title loss
Drake Riggs - May 16, 2019
Historically, there are few if any fighters in Bellator that have achieved more in the promotion than the three-time lightweight champion, Michael Chandler. Perhaps the obvious one who we could say has achieved more and is now the greatest fighter in Bellator history is none other than the man to defeat Chandler this past weekend, the current featherweight champion and now lightweight champion, Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire.
Patricio Freire welcomes super fights with UFC champions
Adam Martin - May 16, 2019
Patricio Freire joined the shortlist of double champions in a major MMA organization last weekend when he knocked out Michael Chandler in the first round of the main event of Bellator 221 to win the promotion’s lightweight title. “Pitbull” was already the Bellator featherweight champion, making him the promotion’s second current dual champion alongside Ryan Bader, who is the Bellator heavyweight and light heavyweight champion. But Pitbull doesn’t just have his sights set on the titles Bellator has to offer. Now, he wants to go after the UFC’s champions as well.
Michael Chandler argues for rematch with 'Pitbull' after controversial stoppage
Tom Taylor - May 13, 2019
Over the weekend, in the main event of the finish-filled Bellator 221 card, Michael Chandler attempted to defend the lightweight strap against featherweight champ and arch rival Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. Unfortunately for Chandler, who is one of Bellator’s most visible stars, this fight went quite disastrously. Moments into the first round, he was stung by a Pitbull punch, and seconds later, the fight was being waved off by the referee. Yet Chandler has been adamant that he wasn’t in any real trouble, and that he deserved more time to recover.
Douglas Lima issues quick statement after vicious KO of Michael Page
Tom Taylor - May 12, 2019
Last night, at Bellator 221, former Bellator welterweight king Douglas Lima walked onto the canvas with undefeated British striking specialist Michael Page. In this crucial bout, both men sought to advance to the finals of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. Though Page had some success early in this fight, Douglas Lima put a decisive end to things in the second frame, levelling his foe with a rocket-fuelled uppercut to the chin.
After KO win over Michael Chandler, Patricio Freire wants Canelo Alvarez next
Cole Shelton - May 12, 2019
Patricio Freire became the second fighter in Bellator history to become a champ-champ last night at Bellator 221. The reigning featherweight champion moved up in weight to take on Michael Chandler, and knocked the lightweight champion out in just 61 seconds. However, immediately after the ref jumped in to stop the fight, Chandler got up and appeared to be fine. But, according to Freire, the 33-year-old was out.
Michael Page issues gracious statement after KO loss to Douglas Lima
Tom Taylor - May 12, 2019
On Saturday night, on the main card of the stacked Bellator 221 event on DAZN, former welterweight champ Douglas Lima stepped into the cage with undefeated British striking specialist Michael Page. The two men were looking to advance to the second round of the action-packed Bellator welterweight Grand Prix and edge closer to championship glory. Though Page had some success early, Douglas Lima ended up winning this fight in absolutely jaw-dropping fashion, reducing the Brit to a pile of rubble with an uppercut in the second round.
Bellator 221 Results: Patricio Freire KO's Michael Chandler (VIDEO)
Chris Taylor - May 11, 2019
Lightweight champion Michael Chandler put his title on the line against bitter rival and current featherweight champion Patricio Freire in tonight’s Bellator 221 main event. Michael Chandler (19-4 MMA) reclaimed the Bellator lightweight title at December’s Bellator 212 event, this by defeating Brent Primus via unanimous decision. Chandler enters tonight’s headliner having won seven of his past eight fights, which includes a knockout win over Patricio’s brother Patricky.
Bellator 221 Results: Douglas Lima KO's Michael Page (VIDEO)
Chris Taylor - May 11, 2019
A welterweight grand prix semifinals match between Douglas Lima and Michael Page served as the co-headliner of tonight’s Bellator 221 event in Rosemont, Illinois. Michael ‘Venom’ Page will enter tonight’s contest sporting a perfect professional mixed martial arts record of 14-0. In his most recent effort at Bellator 216, Page scored a unanimous decision victory over knockout artist Paul Daley.
More reasons to watch Bellator 221
Mike Straus - May 9, 2019
Another weekend chock-full of high level mixed martial arts is upon us. The Viacom owned promotion touches down in Chicago for Bellator 221 on Saturday. Bellator will go head to head with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for the second straight week on Saturday night. While that typically is promotional suicide, Bellator 221 is a solid offering, and dare I say the main card is just as good as UFC 237’s.
Rory MacDonald explains how 'new relationship with Jesus Christ' has changed him as a fighter
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2019
Ever since his contentious Bellator 220 draw with Jon Fitch, there’s been some question about what the future holds for Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald. Much of that uncertainty stems from the comments he’s made about his flagging urge to hurt people. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, MacDonald added a bit of clarity to the situation. He explained that, since rediscovering his faith, he no longer feels the anger he once did when he steps into the cage.
Bellator Birmingham produces two knockout of the year contenders
Chris Taylor - May 4, 2019
Tonight’s Bellator Birmingham event produced some amazing fights including a pair of KO’s that are already being touted as potential knockout of the year candidates. Kickboxing sensation Raymond Daniels made his second career MMA appearance at tonight’s event and scored one of the most flashy knockouts in recent memory.
Jon Fitch believes 'we need some new people judging fights' after controversial draw against MacDonald
Cole Shelton - May 3, 2019
Jon Fitch had his shot to win Bellator gold last Saturday, and many believed he had succeeded by the time the final bell rang. Fitch, who many counted out, came out and took Rory MacDonald down over and over again and dominated him on the ground. He even won one round 10-8 — but even that couldn’t earn Fitch the win. Rather, only one judge had the fight for the 41-year-old, with the other two seeing it is a draw. This means the fight was ruled a majority draw, and because MacDonald was the champion, he moved on in the welterweight Grand Prix.