Bellator News

Tom Taylor - December 16, 2018

Until very recently, Bellator and the UFC were engaged in something of a turf war, as both promotions were set to touch down in Southern California on January 26. Bellator boss Scott Coker booked The Forum in Inglewood for Bellator 214, while Dana White and the UFC were expected to take over the Honda Center in Anaheim with UFC 233. Ultimately, however, the UFC opted to cancel its planned UFC 233 card, having had difficulty locking down a suitable headliner for the event. And just like that, Bellator was the only game in town.

Tom Taylor - December 16, 2018

Last night, Bellator MMA capped off an action-packed weekend in Hawaii with its second show in as many nights. In the main event of this second show, Hawaii’s own Ilima-Lei MacFarlane returned to the cage to defend her Bellator flyweight strap against former UFC strawweight title challenger Valerie Letourneau. As expected, the Hawaiian champ had en epic walk to the cage for this fight, which she won by third-round submission.

Tom Taylor - December 16, 2018

The UFC’s outfitting deal with sports apparel giant Reebok is frequently criticized by fans, fighters, and pundits alike. Not only does this deal deprive fighters of the chance to pursue more lucrative sponsorship deals for themselves, it also deprives them have the chance to dress up during their walkouts and set themselves apart from their peers. Veteran MMA referee John McCarthy is glad this isn’t the reality in Bellator, where he now serves as a cage-side commentator. Speaking during Saturday’s Bellator Hawaii broadcast, as former UFC light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida walked out for his Bellator debut, John McCarthy explained how pleased he was to see Machida walking out in his traditional karate gi rather than Reebok gear.

Chris Taylor - December 15, 2018

Hawaii’s Ilima-Lei Macfarlane put her Bellator women’s flyweight title on the line against Valerie Letourneau in tonight’s Bellator 213 main event in Honolulu. Macfarlane enters tonight’s main event sporting a perfect professional record of 8-0. The Hawaiian‘s most recent win came via submission over Alejandra Lara at Bellator 201 this past June in California.

Chris Taylor - December 15, 2018

Patricio and Patricky Freire were not impressed by the performance of Michael Chandler at last night’s Bellator 212 event in Hawaii. Chandler handed Brent Primus his first career loss in last night’s headliner, thus reclaiming his Bellator lightweight world title.

Chris Taylor - December 15, 2018

Javy Ayala picked up the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career at last night’s Bellator 212 event, stopping former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir in round two. After a strong opening round from the Mir, Ayala was able to turn the tide in round two.

Chris Taylor - December 14, 2018

The lightweight belt was on the line in tonight’s Bellator 212 main event as reigning division champion Brent Primus squared off with former title holder Michael Chandler. Michael Chandler had previously surrendered his Bellator lightweight world title to Brent Primus in June of 2017, this after suffering a leg injury that resulted in an eventual TKO.

Christopher Taylor - December 14, 2018

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir returned to action in the co-headliner of tonight’s Bellator 212 event in Hawaii against Javy Ayala. Frank Mir made his Bellator debut this past April, suffering a first-round TKO loss to Fedor Emelianenko.

James Lynch - December 13, 2018

With another welterweight tournament matchup happening this weekend, the big question has been when champion Rory MacDonald will face Jon Fitch in the final first-round tournament bout. Bellator President Scott Coker provided some clarity on the issue when speaking to MMAJunkie this week in Hawaii.

Tom Taylor - December 12, 2018

On February 16, at Bellator 216, Bellator will promote one of the biggest fights in UK MMA history, as British knockout artists Paul Daley and Michael Page finally collide in a long-awaited grudge match. Unfortunately, this massive fight will not occur in the UK. Instead, it will go down at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Speaking to MMAjunkie ahead of Bellator’s double-header in Hawaii this weekend, Bellator President Scott Coker explained why this fight isn’t happening on British soil.

Cole Shelton - December 11, 2018

Ricky Bandejas has his next fight booked. The former CFFC interim bantamweight champion will return on January 26 at Bellator 214 against top contender Juan Archuleta. Bandejas confirmed the news with BJPENN.com after an initial report by FloCombat.

James Lynch - December 11, 2018

Bellator MMA announced in a press release that James Gallagher will headline Bellator 218 in Dublin, Ireland on Feb. 23. Gallagher (7-1) will look to bounce back from the first loss of his career as he’s set to face Steven Graham in a bantamweight bout. The 22-year-old is coming off a first-round TKO loss to former CFFC champion Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 204 in August. Losing for the first time in his career was especially tough for Gallagher who had engaged in a lot of trash talk leading up until the bout. The highlight reel head kick made it’s way on SportsCenter and did big numbers on social media.

Mike Straus - December 7, 2018

Valérie Létourneau will challenge flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane for the title in the main event of Bellator 213 on December 15. Lètourneau will have her hands full in Honolulu, Hawaii, as she attempts to be the first women to beat the champion in MMA. The Canadian born Lètourneau may be an underdog heading into next weekend, but she feels she has a big advantage when it comes to experience.

Chris Taylor - December 6, 2018

Current X1 featherweight champion Timothy Teves (3-0 MMA) will take on former title holder Canaan Kawaihae (4-1 MMA) at Bellator 213 on December 15 in Honolulu. The bout will serve as both fighters promotional debuts.

Mike Straus - December 6, 2018

Two-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is on a mission to get his title back. And he is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goal. Chandler, 32, is one of the best 155-pound fighters in the world. He is arguably Bellator MMA’s best athlete and has been the promotions go-to guy for the last few years. And boy does he want his lightweight title back.

Christopher Taylor - December 5, 2018

Mixed martial arts legend Mirko Cro Cop will make make his Bellator debut on February 16 in Uncasville, Connecticut against Roy Nelson. This according to ESPN‘s Ariel Helwani, who recently shared the report on social media.

Cole Shelton - November 30, 2018

Bellator and RIZIN are back in the business of co-promoting. It was recently announced that Bellator is sending their current bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell to fight in RIZIN on New Year’s Eve. Caldwell will be heading to Japan to fight Kyoji Horiguchi for the RIZIN bantamweight title.

Tom Taylor - November 30, 2018

British knockout artists Paul Daley and Michael Page have been chomping at the bit to fight each other for years. They will finally have that opportunity in the New Year. According to a report from ESPN, the pair will collide in Uncasville, Connecticut — not in the United Kingdom — on February 16.