Bellator News

Justin Golightly - January 31, 2018

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir finally has a chance to fight one of the very best fighters of all time. Bellator has turned back all the clocks to the ol’ glory days of MMA when the grand prix tournament was still king. They’ve also brought in fighters that have never gotten a chance to face each other in all their years of being in the sport. One fight has already gone by with Chael Sonnen and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and they’ll be another one in between Mir fighting Fedor Emelianenko. While many feel he’s passed his prime, Mir assures everyone that Fedor is still Fedor. “Damn, that’s a tough first fight. No joke, Fedor [Emelianenko] is still a phenomenal fighter. I know a lot of people don’t have the eyes that I have and they look at him and go, ‘Well, look at his results.’ And that’s easy to say in our sport, you know. […] Fedor is extremely good. He’s still very quick. He hasn’t lost his power in his punches. Even when he threw the punch against [Matt] Mitrione, Mitrione fell down. Mitrione’s a big kid, y’know, a big guy. I think the difference I try to explain to everybody, [people will say], ‘Well, he used to be unbeatable.’ Yeah, that’s not because he’s gotten worse. Everybody else has gotten better.”

Justin Golightly - January 27, 2018

Despite being in this fight game for the last 15 years, Paul Daley had been pretty much lighting it up in Bellator. In his last 10 fights, he’s only loss to current Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald and previous champ Douglas Lima. After multiple disputes with the Powers That Be, Daley said he had been released from his contract. Bellator was quick to refute the report, but either way it’s clear he wants to be on his way out. If the UFC is willing to take him back, he’s ready to test himself against the best in some fire match-ups. “If Bellator are gonna act like they don’t want me then they should just let me go instead of backtracking in the media. I’ve had like ten inbox messages from promotions, princes, Kings of Dubai and Russian Oligarchs and all kinds of people. So, if they are gonna let me go just let me go. If the UFC contacted me I would go back there. Of course I would. All I want to do is fight the fights that I’m promised within a reasonable time frame.”

Tom Taylor - January 25, 2018

Paul Daley has not been happy with Bellator MMA of late. Over the last few weeks, the British knockout artist has repeatedly shared his gripes with Bellator on Facebook. Scott Coker talking about Page at the Bellator presser, Bellator are Sooooooo on ass it’s sickening 🤢 He hasn’t fought MMA in how long, his last performance in boxing and MMA were terrible,” Daley said in a recent Facebook post. 

Justin Golightly - January 24, 2018

It should be no surprise to anyone that Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima had an absolute war at Bellator 192. The damage inflicted by both men was something to behold. Attention after the fight was over was drawn towards MacDonalds severely swollen leg and possible injuries he may have endured on his grueling battle towards winning the Bellator welterweight title. Reports were released containing all the medical suspensions from Bellator 192, which stated the former UFC fighter would be out for at least six months. However, Rory MacDonald just took to social media to dismiss this news. “There are reports of me being suspended for a lengthy amount of time due to fractures in one of my hands and my leg. This is completely false. I never injured my hand at all and my left leg is not fractured, I did an X-Ray the night of fight and showed it is only a hematoma.” — Rory MacDonald today on Twitter.

Tom Taylor - January 21, 2018

Last night, Bellator MMA returned to our screens with Bellator 192, arguably one of its biggest cards to date. In the main event, Chael Sonnen defeated Quinton “Rampage” Jackson by unanimous decision, advancing to the second round of the Bellator heavyweight Grand Prix in the process.

Tom Taylor - January 20, 2018

While UFC 220 is dominating the attention of most MMA fans tonight, Bellator is also back in action, promoting one of its best shows to date in Bellator 192. In the co-main event of this stacked card, Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima attempted to defend his title against his fiercest adversary to date: former UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald.  Round one began with MacDonald controlling the distance, backing the champion up with jabs and a head-kick. Midway through the first round the Canadian completed a takedown. From there, he sat in Lima’s guard, raining down ground-and-pound, but eating a few shots from the bottom in the process. Eventually, the referee stood the pair up with 10 seconds left in the round, but both survived to the bell.

Drake Riggs - January 19, 2018

Two big title fights are on the horizon at UFC 222 in March and UFC 223 in April. The #UFC223 main event WILL HAPPEN in Brooklyn! @TonyFergusonXT vs @TeamKhabib April 7th!! pic.twitter.com/6IA7P0PqwS

Justin Golightly - January 19, 2018

Rory MacDonald’s upcoming fight with Douglas Lima for the Bellator welterweight title is arguably the biggest fight in the organization’s history. So, needless to say, a lot of people were confused when it turned out this fight was not going to be the main event of the card. Instead, the heavyweight grand prix tournament bout would headline the Bellator event. An executive who has been carried over from Spike TV into their new Paramount network recently spoke out on the decision to clear the air. “We’ll creatively differentiate the main event card and the grand prix in many different ways. We want this creative differentiation to make the heavyweight grand prix feel like a separate and unique event to the audience and that’s why it ends the night. And moving forward, all of the Bellator tentpoles in 2018 will end with a Bellator grand prix event. It’ll make sense to you, because what we’re doing is really creating another — it’s like a show in a show. “It’s an event within the event.”

Justin Golightly - January 5, 2018

In just two weeks, one of the biggest fights in Bellator history will go down to determine if Douglas Lima keeps his welterweight title, or if UFC transplant Rory MacDonald fulfills capturing the hold that alluded him in his previous organization. As the bell time draws closer and closer, MacDonald revealed some of the violent plans he has in mind for not just Lima, but for Bellator itself. Douglas Limas, who thinks MacDonald is a little too overconfident, has his own plans of proving he’s one of the very best in the world whether he’s in the UFC or not. “It’s the fight I wanted. [Rory MacDonald]’s a tough guy but no big deal. To me, he’s an opponent like any other. He’s got his strengths. He’s been in many wars, but after the first hand lands, he’ll change his plan, for sure. He’s very sure of himself. He’s saying he’s one step ahead of everyone in the division, right? But let him be. He’s very confident, and that will change as soon as the first hand connects.”

Justin Golightly - January 5, 2018

There’s an unofficial ‘Most Violent’ title going around the UFC, but it feels wrong to have that in contention when Rory MacDonald is in Bellator. One of the top welterweights in the world enjoys fighting so much, he even welcomes a defeat, as long as it is bloody and brutal. You have to have a very special brain to call what happened in the fight with Robbie Lawler one of the best moments of your life. That’s just how MacDonald is, he is a killer. It’s that type of mindset that the cerebral assassin is looking to release once again in the Bellator cage. This time though, it’s for a title. “Getting to beat someone up and to unleash what’s inside of me, that’s what I like. That’s what gets me up and excited. Look at what I did to Paul [Daley] and look at the fight [Douglas Lima] had with Paul. I do feel that Douglas is better on the ground, so when we get there I feel like I’m going to be able to showcase my found and pound more and my jiu-jitsu a lot more than I did against Paul. Where it was me just schooling Paul, I think it’s going to be more of a battle.”

Tom Taylor - January 3, 2018

Last week, the MMA world was hit with the news that Bellator MMA had parted ways with long-time color commentator Jimmy Smith. Given that Smith is a bottomless pit of MMA knowledge with charisma to boot, this news came as a definite surprise. Apparently, however, the broadcaster’s departure from Bellator was quite amicable. Jimmy Smith broke down his Bellator exit on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show.

Justin Golightly - December 28, 2017

It looks like the change in networks and a crazy grand prix tournament aren’t the only shake-ups over at Bellator. As per an official Paramount Sports and Bellator press release, Jimmy Smith has parted ways with the company. A former MMA fighter himself, Smith provided knowledgeable insight as well and entertaining dialogue seamlessly for many years with the fighting organization. Both Bellator and Smith have released statements on the sudden change. “Jimmy [Smith] is one of the finest combat sports announcers of our time. He has played an integral role in the growth of Bellator as it has evolved into the successful global franchise it is today.” — Bellator via press release.

Justin Golightly - November 28, 2017

For hardcore MMA fans and casuals alike, Bellator is bringing back the illustrious grand prix tournament to crown their new heavyweight champion. Ever since it was announced, speculation ran rampant as fans and media alike started making their own match-ups. Not only do we have all of the bouts set, but now we know the location and dates of every opening scrap of the grand prix. The latest trailer is just the cherry on top. “This is going to be something that’s iconic for us. Tournaments, traditionally, are kind of the way martial arts contests happen. Now we get to put eight iconic brand names in our sport together over a year, and then whoever wins will be crowned the heavyweight champion. I think there are certain fights that people want to see. Believe me, we’re going to have some amazing match-ups in this tournament. These fights that we’re going to put together are something that the fans want to see. These are iconic names, big brands.” — Scott Coker speaking to MMA Junkie. 

Justin Golightly - November 23, 2017

Earlier this month, Scott Coker and the team at Bellator dropped a bombshell: That they’d be putting on a heavyweight grand prix to finally crown a new heavyweight champion. They added UFC veterans, legends, light heavyweights and even the light heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader. The tournament has always been one of the most exciting things in combat sports, and this should be no different. Rory MacDonald and Shane Carwin have offered to be alternates in the tournament, but barring any injuries, here is the complete opening bracket below. After the news dropped, Chael Sonnen joined Brett Okamoto at ESPN to weigh-in on the match-ups. Just announced on @SportsCenter: The Heavyweight World Grand Prix bracket is set and kicks off Jan 20th in LA with @ChaelSonnen vs @Rampage4real!! pic.twitter.com/jEB9pPg4wD

Justin Golightly - November 22, 2017

This Bellator heavyweight grand prix has shook things up a lot more than just the huge match-ups it has planned. Even Rory MacDonald wants the chance to be included in this tournament that hearkens back to a bygone era. Former UFC wrecking ball and frequent Redditor, Shane Carwin has since voiced his interest in the tournament, but it looks like things are getting more serious than just a Tweet and an e-mail. Carwin is currently in talks with the promotion and even told his management to make it easy. He dropped into R/MMA with some exclusive news and talked candidly about who he wants put his hands on at Bellator. “So, I saw the tournament announcement and it got me pumped. I was then lurking here and saw the odds from MMA Junkie and I got even more interested. I picked up the cell and e-mailed Rich [Chou] and asked for a spot. My last Bellator negotiations went great, they were by far the most professional of all offers we were presented. I just wasn’t sure how I would be utilized and when you are old you are looking for short trajectories to great opportunities. RIZIN appealed in that way. I told Rich I will accept his last offer to me. No negotiations, no bonus vehicles I’ll just take [Rampage Jackson]’s Tesla. Lets just do this. Ball is in Scott [Coker]’s court. If you want this, let him and Bellator know.”

Justin Golightly - November 22, 2017

Bellator has tapped into our primal sources of nostalgia over huge MMA tournaments and are going to put on a heavyweight grand prix. Featuring legends and UFC veterans including heavyweights and light heavyweights, the tournament is going down early next year and right now, Matt Mitrione is the favorite to win it all. He’ll go into it on a three-fight win streak with his most recent victory being over Fedor Emelianenko. If it was up to him though, he’d rather have just got a title shot he felt he earned already. “I’m not good at giving political answers, so I’ll give you an honest answer: I wasn’t really excited, to be honest. I think it would have been a true heavyweight grand prix to fill it with heavyweights. I think it would have been even better to do it in the same night. I think that would have been a lot of fun. But that’s not how it went. I think they chose the most athletic, most exciting guys they have, and I think that’s what the draw of the tournament is. I would have originally wanted just a title fight, and then have the winner of the tournament fight me for the title – and I would defend it hopefully once during the middle of the year.”

Tom Taylor - November 14, 2017

Bellator MMA finally has a plan in place to fill its vacant heavyweight throne. Throughout 2018, the organization will promote a heavyweight grand prix featuring eight of its premier heavyweights and light heavyweights in Frank Mir, Fedor Emelianenko, Matt Mitrione, Roy Nelson, Ryan Bader, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Chael Sonnen. Speaking on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, Rampage discussed his role in this tournament, and immediately divulged that he’s rather unexcited about the prospect of a fight with wrestling specialist Chael Sonnen. The former UFC light heavyweight champ, after all, has always taken issue with opponents who focus on the takedown.

Justin Golightly - November 11, 2017

It’s everywhere by now in big bold letters. Conor McGregor storms into the Bellator cage, not once, but twice. He shoves around Marc Goddard and slaps a Bellator official like he’s trying to do his best Nate Diaz impression. What you may haven’t seen yet, is video directly after the chaos. Conor McGregor galloped outside with his friends and teammates, still reeling from Charle Ward’s victory and the pandemonium he caused. Immediately, he carries on about ‘rat’ referee Marc Goddard. “I was still trying to say, ‘Keep going,’ and it’s that same referee [Marc Goddard] who I lost me head with him [at UFC Gdansk]. I said, ‘It’s you, you rat.’ He nearly f-cking crapped his jocks. Oh, it was a beautiful shot [from Charlie Ward]. [John Redmond]’s out cold, we all knew he was out cold and he’s still trying to call it. ‘Oh no, he wasn’t the fight’s not over.’ I said, ‘It’s you, you rat. I see you.'” — Conor McGregor outside at Bellator 187.