Bellator News

Yaroslav Amosov
UFC

Former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov hints at UFC run after promotional exit

Fernando Quiles - September 13, 2024

Yaroslav Amosov, a former Bellator welterweight champion, has announced his departure from Bellator MMA and is teasing a UFC run. Amosov had been with Bellator since the summer of 2018. He went on a tear under the promotion, going 8-1. Along the way, the Ukrainian bruiser became Bellator’s 170-pound champion with one successful title defense and a unification win. He suffered the first loss of his pro MMA career after being stopped by Jason Jackson in late 2023.

Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov chokes Umar Nurmagomedov while coaching cousin Usman at Bellator San Diego

Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024

Khabib Nurmagomedov started choking Umar Nurmagomedov, seemingly out of anxiety, while watching Usman Nurmagomedov compete last week. Last week, Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Alexander Shabliy with a dominant unanimous decision triumph to successfully retain his Bellator lightweight championship. It was a really solid display and in his corner, he had Umar Nurmagomedov and the great Khabib Nurmagomedov there to guide him through the contest.

Usman Nurmagomedov
Usman Nurmagomedov

Usman Nurmagomedov wants to prove Khabib Nurmagomedov right: "I am the future"

Fernando Quiles - September 8, 2024

Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov believes he is the future of MMA. Nurmagomedov put his 155-pound hardware at stake against Alexandr Shabliy in the main event of Bellator Champions Series 4 this past Saturday. The Dagestan bruiser earned a unanimous decision win to maintain his hold on the gold and improve his pro MMA record to 18-0, 1 NC.

Lorenz Larkin
Lorenz Larkin

Video | Lorenz Larkin stops Levan Chokheli in the first round at Bellator San Diego

Harry Kettle - September 8, 2024

Lorenz Larkin picked up a huge win over Levan Chokheli last night in their battle at Bellator San Diego. Over the course of the last 15 years, Lorenz Larkin has served as an interesting case study in mixed martial arts. For the longest time, he was viewed as someone who has the potential to be a real superstar. In equal measure, some of his appearances inside the cage didn’t quite live up to the hype.

Johnny Eblen, Fabian Edwards
Fabian Edwards

Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards 2 scrapped, new Bellator London main event revealed

Josh Evanoff - September 3, 2024

Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards 2 has been removed from Bellator London. The two met in the main event of Bellator 299 last September. There, Fabian Edwards gave the undefeated middleweight champion arguably the toughest test of his career. However, the striker wound up being badly knocked out in round three. Post-fight, Johnny Eblen got into a confrontation with then-UFC champion, Leon Edwards in a wild scene.

Usman Nurmagomedov
Usman Nurmagomedov

Usman Nurmagomedov speaks out on CSAC failed drug test controversy: "It was medication, and this was like nothing"

Fernando Quiles - August 30, 2024

Bellator Lightweight Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, has spoken out on his CSAC suspension for a failed drug test. Nurmagomedov was flagged for an undisclosed prohibited substance back in October 2023. His successful Bellator 300 title defense over Brent Primus was changed to a no contest as a result. While the CSAC slapped Nurmagomedov with a six-month suspension and a $50,000 fine, both sides agreed that the 155-pound titleholder was able to prove that the substance in question was administered by a physician for therapeutic use.

Patchy Mix, Leandro Higo
Patchy Mix

Patchy Mix vs. Leandro Higo headlines Bellator Champions Series: Paris on Nov. 16

Curtis Calhoun - July 23, 2024

Bellator bantamweight titleholder Patchy Mix will face a new contender for his upcoming title defense in Paris. As announced in a Tuesday press release, Bellator Champions Series: Paris on November 16th will feature a Mix vs. Leandro Higo headliner. Mix last defended the belt in a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender against Magomed Magomedov in May.

Douglas Lima
Douglas Lima

Douglas Lima booked for Bellator return after lengthy, messy contract dispute

Curtis Calhoun - July 10, 2024

Former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima will make his return to the cage at 185lbs after his rocky relationship with the PFL was repaired. Lima will face middleweight contender Aaron Jeffery at Bellator Champions Series: San Diego on September 7th. He returns to the cage following a 16-month hiatus, stemming from his unanimous decision win over Costello Van Steenis at Bellator 296.

Usman Nurmagomedov
Usman Nurmagomedov

Bellator announces pair of title fights for September, including Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexandr Shabliy

Josh Evanoff - June 18, 2024

Bellator MMA’s schedule for September is heating up, as it now includes the return of Usman Nurmagomedov. Fans are now six months into PFL’s ownership of Bellator. Last fall, the Donn Davis-led promotion purchased the company from Viacom but had no plans to get rid of the company. Instead, each brand has run events separately in 2024, but have featured a lot of overlap. Names such as Cedric Doumbe have jumped back-and-forth, and that will likely only continue.

Jimmy Smith, Bellator
Jimmy Smith

Former UFC commentator Jimmy Smith announces return to Bellator: "I am thrilled!"

Josh Evanoff - June 4, 2024

Longtime MMA commentator Jimmy Smith is returning to Bellator. The Donn Davis era of Bellator has been a mixed bag for most fight fans around the globe. The PFL bought out the company late last year, and many longtime faces such as Scott Coker left the brand. However, their roster of fighters such as Douglas Lima, Patricio Pitbull and more have largely stuck around.

Douglas Lima
Douglas Lima

PFL issues statement after Douglas Lima accuses league of not fulfilling his contract (Exclusive)

Curtis Calhoun - May 17, 2024

Former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima is becoming increasingly frustrated with the PFL’s alleged lack of transparency when it comes to fulfilling his contract. Lima, along with the Bellator roster, merged under the PFL banner after the league purchased Bellator in 2023. Since the merger, Lima hasn’t competed and hasn’t fought since a win over Costello Van Steenis at Bellator 296.

Cedric Doumbe, Anthony Pettis
Bellator

WATCH | Cedric Doumbe agrees to fight Anthony Pettis after brutal Bellator Champions Series 2 knockout win

Josh Evanoff - May 17, 2024

It seems that Cedric Doumbe and Anthony Pettis will meet in the Bellator cage sooner rather than later. ‘The Best’ returned to the cage earlier today in the co-main event of Bellator Champions Series 2. Once again back in his home country of France, the former two-time Glory Kickboxing champion faced former LFA titleholder Jaleel Willis. Things were tense in the build-up to the catchweight bout, with both men talking a lot of trash.

Ryan Bader, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

Bellator champion Ryan Bader joins the cast of The Rock's 'The Smashing Machine' movie

Josh Evanoff - May 13, 2024

It seems that Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is getting involved in show business. ‘Darth’ has been out of action since a clash with PFL heavyweight tournament winner Renan Ferreira in February. The two heavyweights headlined the PFL vs. Bellator event in Saudi Arabia, and it didn’t go well for Ryan Bader. Just seconds into the contest, ‘Problema’ scored a knockdown and quickly stopped the champion.

Dan Hardy, Dana White
Dan Hardy

Dan Hardy gives raw, honest response to Dana White's latest PFL/Bellator jabs: 'We're not perfect!'

Curtis Calhoun - May 7, 2024

PFL analyst and former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy admits that PFL has a long way to go before being universally recognized as a sustainable MMA product. UFC president and CEO Dana White has used some of his recent media availability to mock PFL’s popularity and standing in MMA. After a successful night at UFC 300, White aimed at PFL/Bellator for a low attendance the night before the UFC’s historic pay-per-view event.

Patchy Mix Sean O'Malley
Patchy Mix

Bellator champion Patchy Mix says he “would sleep” UFC’s Sean O’Malley: “I’m one round removed from being 31 in a row”

Harry Kettle - May 7, 2024

Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix has explained why he believes he’s a better fighter than Sean O’Malley. For the longest time now, Patchy Mix has been making a name for himself as one of the best bantamweights on the planet. Last year, he submitted Sergio Pettis to become Bellator’s undisputed king at 135 pounds.

Gegard-Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi

Gegard Mousasi claims Bellator fighters make more than the PFL guys: “They lose money all the time”

Susan Cox - April 30, 2024

Gegard Mousasi is claiming that Bellator fighters make more than the PFL guys. The PFL (Professional Fighters League) acquired Bellator in November of last year in an attempt to make a stronger competitor to the UFC.

Aljamain Sterling posing
Bellator

Aljamain Sterling names the four Bellator fighters he would love to see in the UFC

Harry Kettle - April 5, 2024

Aljamain Sterling and Din Thomas have given their thoughts on some Bellator fighters they’d like to see compete in the UFC. For many years now, Bellator has been home to some incredible talent in mixed martial arts. Of course, the biggest promotion in town has always been the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Corey Anderson
Corey Anderson

Corey Anderson reflects on emotional title win at Bellator 302: "Hard to put into words"

Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2024

Corey Anderson is happy to finally be the Bellator light-heavyweight champion. ‘Overtime’ made his return to the cage at Bellator 302 over the weekend in Ireland. The bout was Corey Anderson’s first, since a split-decision victory over Phil Davis last summer. In the former UFC fighter’s return, he faced the rising Irish prospect, Karl Moore. The two competed for the light-heavyweight title that Vadim Nemkov left vacant earlier this year.