Bellator News
Patricky Freire vows to reclaim Bellator lightweight gold following lopsided loss to Usman Nurmagomedov: “It won't happen again”
Fernando Quiles - November 20, 2022
Patricky “Pitbull” Freire heard two words he was dreading to hear at the end of his Bellator Lightweight Championship fight against Usman Nurmagomedov. Those words were, “And new.” Freire put the 155-pound gold on the line against Nurmagomedov in the co-main event of Bellator 288 on November 18. This one was one-sided as Nurmagomedov never allowed Freire to get going. It was a clean sweep for Nurmagomedov, who earned score totals of 50–45, 50–44, and 50–44.
Corey Anderson issues statement following loss to Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 288
Chris Taylor - November 19, 2022
Corey Anderson has issued a statement after suffering a decision loss to Vadim Nemkov in last night’s Bellator 288 main event. Anderson (16-6, 1 NC) rematched Nemkov (16-2, 1 NC) yesterday evening in Chicago, this after an accidental foul saw their first fight end in a no contest.
Pros react after Vadim Nemkov defeats Corey Anderson at Bellator 288
Zain Bando - November 18, 2022
Tonight’s Bellator 288 event was capped off by Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson to determine the $1 million Grand Prix winner at light heavyweight. Nemkov (16-2, 1 NC) rematched Anderson (16-6, 1 NC) after an accidental foul saw their first fight end in a no contest.
Pros react after Usman Nurmagomedov dethrones Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288
Zain Bando - November 18, 2022
In the co-main event of Bellator 288, Patricky Pitbull fought Usman Nurmagomedov for the promotions lightweight strap. Nurmagomedov, 15-0, is the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov and had a chance to deliver on the family legacy this evening. Usman entered tonight’s contest having won his last three fights in a row by way of first-round stoppages (2 subs, 1 TKO).
Fedor Emelianenko's retirement fight against Ryan Bader to headline Bellator 290 on CBS in February
Josh Evanoff - November 18, 2022
Bellator’s debut on CBS next year has some serious star power. ‘The Last Emperor’ has been out of the cage since his knockout win over Timothy Johnson in October 2021. Following the victory, Emelianenko revealed he would only compete one more time. He subsequently called for a rematch with Ryan Bader.
Patricky Freire relishing in underdog status against Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 288: "It motivates me a lot"
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2022
Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire is fine with being the underdog against Usman Nurmagomedov. The Brazilian is set to make his first title defense tomorrow night at Bellator 288. Freire famously captured the belt in his rematch with Peter Queally last November. In that outing, he won by second-round knockout, finally winning gold after a decade in the promotion.
Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov reflects on 2015 loss to UFC champion Jiri Prochazka: "Maybe one day we'll cross paths and fight again"
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2022
Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov could go for a rematch with UFC light-heavyweight titleholder Jiri Prochazka. The Russian is set to return tomorrow night at Bellator 288 against Corey Anderson. The bout will be a rematch of their first encounter from April, in the finals of Bellator’s light-heavyweight Grand Prix. In their first bout, ‘Overtime’ was dominating en route to a no-contest after a third-round headbutt.
Fedor Emelianenko calls for the IMMAF to end Russia’s suspension from future events: “Russian athletes are hostages of socio-political problems”
Susan Cox - November 8, 2022
Fedor Emelianenko is calling for the IMMAF to end Russia’s suspension from future events. The MMA legend and president of the Russian MMA Union, Emelianenko, wants the IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) to allow Russians to compete at next year’s European Championships.
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.