Bellator News
Photo | Incredible Samurai poster revealed for Bellator vs. RIZIN New Year's Eve event
Josh Evanoff - October 26, 2022
Bellator and RIZIN are going all out for their New Year’s Eve event in Japan. The two promotions have had a partnership since 2015. For the most part, that partnership has just led to fighters crossing over between promotions. For example, Bellator lent future champion, Patricky Pitbull, to RIZIN for their 2019 lightweight Grand Prix.
Bellator vs. Rizin event slated for New Year's Eve in Japan
Harry Kettle - October 25, 2022
Bellator MMA have announced another crossover event with Rizin, which is set to take place on New Year’s Eve. Over the course of the last few years, Bellator has made an effort to branch out and work with a series of different promotions. While it’s unlikely they’ll be able to strike any kind of cross-promotional deal with the UFC, there are certainly other companies that are more than willing to partake.
Scott Coker explains what it would take for Bellator to add a 165lbs division
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2022
Bellator president Scott Coker has explained what it would take for the promotion to add a 165lbs division. For the longest time now, a lot of fans, fighters and pundit have been discussing the possibility of a 165-pound division being added across mixed martial arts. Alongside this being implemented, it would also probably shift the welterweight limit from 170 up to 175, largely to maintain the 10-pound gap between so many of the weight classes.
Former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson shares his one regret in life: “I don't think I've ever told anyone this”
Harry Kettle - October 10, 2022
Former UFC and Strikeforce star Josh Thomson has spoken about one of the only regrets he has from his life. Throughout the course of his mixed martial arts career, Josh Thomson did a pretty great job of entertaining the masses by putting on fun fights – which included being one of the only men to ever finish Nate Diaz.
Bellator's Scott Coker provides update on Fedor Emelianenko retirement fight, reveals hope for Ryan Bader rematch: "He wants a revenge fight"
Josh Evanoff - October 4, 2022
Bellator president Scott Coker has revealed who Fedor Emelianenko could fight next. ‘The Last Emperor’ has been out of action since his knockout victory over Tim Johnson in October 2021. The bout moved Emelianenko to a two-fight winning streak, as he had previously finished Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in Japan in December 2019.
Aaron Pico provides update after dislocating shoulder at Bellator 286: "I will be champion one day"
Josh Evanoff - October 3, 2022
Bellator featherweight contender Aaron Pico has provided an update after his brutal injury on Saturday. At Bellator 286 last weekend, the 26-year-old returned to the cage to face Jeremy Kennedy. Prior to the bout, champion Patricio Pitbull stated he would fight Pico if defeated the UFC veteran. Sadly, that title shot won’t be happening anytime soon.
Patricio Pitbull discusses a potential crossover fight with UFC champion Alex Volkanovski: “Dana White doesn’t have balls”
Harry Kettle - October 3, 2022
Patricio Pitbull has given his thoughts on a possible crossover fight against UFC featherweight king Alex Volkanovski. When it comes to figuring out who the pound for pound best fighter in the sport is, it’s hard to look past Alex Volkanovski. The Australian sensation has turned away everyone that’s stepped in his path since joining the UFC, including Max Holloway on three separate occasions.
Patricio Freire responds to boobirds following Bellator 286 win: "F*ck you, man. I don't care about that"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 2, 2022
Patricio Freire isn’t about to apologize for his performance at Bellator 286. “Pitbull” put the Bellator Featherweight Championship on the line against Adam Borics at Bellator 286. The action took place inside Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California. The title fight went the distance, but the lack of action left fans feeling restless.
Dillon Danis shares DMs from Sean O’Malley, challenges ‘Suga’ to fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 2, 2022
Dillon Danis has once again caused a stir on social media in the latest case of tweet and delete fever. Danis, who has been known for his social media antics rather than fighting these days, was back at it again on Twitter. This time, he took aim at UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley, who is preparing for the biggest fight of his pro MMA career against former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan at UFC 280 on October 22.
Bellator 286 Fighter Salaries: Patricio Freire takes home $150k
Chris Taylor - October 1, 2022
The fighter salaries from tonight’s Bellator 286 event have been revealed and to no surprise champion Patricio Freire topped the list. Freire (34-5 MMA) was returning to action this evening for the first time since reclaiming the promotions 145lbs title with a unanimous decision win over A.J. McKee at April’s Bellator 277 event.
Bellator 286 Results: Patricio Freire defeats Adam Borics (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - October 1, 2022
Patricio Freire put his featherweight title on the line against Adam Borics in the headliner of tonight’s Bellator 286 event. Freire (34-5 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since April’s Bellator 277 event, where he reclaimed the promotions 145lbs title with a unanimous decision win over A.J. McKee. ‘Pitbull’ had gone 8-1 over his past nine Bellator appearances ahead of tonight’s event.
Video | Paulo Costa, Patricky Pitbull and social media star Liver King have eating contest at Bellator 286 weigh-ins
Josh Evanoff - September 30, 2022
Liver King reigned supreme at the Bellator 286 weigh-ins earlier today. The social media star has seen a massive uptick in popularity over the last year. Liver King, real name Brian Johnson, has gone viral on platforms such as TikTok for his unique diet. That diet being, you guessed it, eating insane amounts of the liver.
A.J. McKee would love the opportunity to fight Nate Diaz in Bellator: “He can get a Long Beach slap”
Harry Kettle - September 30, 2022
AJ McKee has given his thoughts on the idea of possibly meeting free agent Nate Diaz inside the Bellator cage. Ever since his submission win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279, fans have been wondering what’s next for Nate Diaz. The Stockton king is one of the most exciting fighters in the game and now that he’s done with UFC, at least for the time being, there are plenty of possibilities out there for him to explore – whether it be in mixed martial arts or beyond.
Patricio Pitbull plotting move down to bantamweight to become champion at third weight class: "To take the legend step"
Josh Evanoff - September 29, 2022
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull has his eyes set on bantamweight gold. The Brazilian has been out of action since his rematch with A.J. McKee in April. In their first encounter, ‘Mercenary’ picked up a first-round submission victory to win gold. In the rematch, Pitbull flipped the script, and re-won his title by unanimous decision.
Eddie Alvarez reveals he's open to UFC or Bellator return after leaving ONE Championship: "Keep my options open"
Josh Evanoff - September 28, 2022
Lightweight star Eddie Alvarez is open to anything next. ‘The Underground King’ has been out of action since his decision loss to Ok Rae Yoon at ONE on TNT 4 last April. The bout set Alvarez back to 1-2 (1 NC) in the ONE Championship cage. As it turns out, that was the last time he would fight in the promotion.
Scott Coker announces Bellator lightweight Grand Prix for 2023: "It's going to be amazing"
Josh Evanoff - September 28, 2022
Scott Coker has announced that Bellator has some big plans for 2023. Last weekend, Bellator lightweight stars Benson Henderson and Peter Queally faced off in Dublin. The former UFC champion wound up picking up the victory by decision. This weekend, Bellator 286 features former champion A.J. McKee taking on Spike Carlyle.
Scott Coker unsure if Dillon Danis will fight in Bellator again: "Dillon is a kid we had a lot of high hopes for"
Cole Shelton - September 26, 2022
Scott Coker doesn’t know if Dillon Danis will fight in Bellator again. Danis was a high-profile signing for Bellator as he was highly known for his work in jiu-jitsu as well as being a training partner and grappling coach of Conor McGregor. However, the signing hasn’t panned out as Danis has fought just twice in Bellator and hasn’t competed since 2019 and Coker is unsure if he will fight again.
Cris Cyborg and Cat Zingano trade barbs over why their fight hasn't materialized: "This b***h left to boxing right when I earned my title shot"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 25, 2022
Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg has found herself in a war of words with Cat Zingano. The two 145-pounders haven’t exactly been chummy. Zingano is a top contender in the women’s featherweight division, but a matchup with Cyborg still hasn’t come to fruition and there’s a lot of finger-pointing going on.