Bellator News
Yoel Romero reveals plans to defeat Melvin Manhoef, then search for Bellator champ-champ status: "My goals are still the same"
Josh Evanoff - September 15, 2022
Bellator light-heavyweight contender Yoel Romero has some big plans for 2023. ‘Soldier of God’ has been out of action since his knockout win over Alex Polizzi in May. The victory was an important one for the Cuban, as it was his first win in the Bellator cage. Romero had previously lost by decision to Phil Davis in his September 2021 debut.
Cris Cyborg reveals retirement plans, wants to finish career within three years: "I want to have the best fights that my fans to see during that time"
Josh Evanoff - September 12, 2022
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg believes her time in the sport is limited. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since her rematch with Arlene Blencowe in April. The two first faced off in October 2020, with Cyborg scoring a submission win. Their rematch earlier this year was much closer, but once again the champion claimed the victory, by decision.
Bellator 284 Results: Goiti Yamauchi KO's Neiman Gracie with a nasty uppercut (Video)
Chris Taylor - August 12, 2022
Tonight’s Bellator 284 event was headlined by a key welterweight contest featuring Goiti Yamauchi taking on Neiman Gracie. Yamauchi (28-5 MMA) had entered the contest sporting a two-fight winning streak, this after earning back-to-back finishes over opponents Chris Gonzalez (TKO) and Levan Chokheli (submission) in his most recent Bellator appearances. The Japanese-born Brazilian MMA fighter has been competing for Scott Coker and company since 2013.
Bellator 284 Results: Aaron Jeffery KO's Austin Vanderford in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - August 12, 2022
Aaron Jeffery stepped up on short notice to fight former title challenger Austin Vanderford on the main card of tonight’s Bellator 284 event. Jeffery (13-3 MMA), a former CFFC middleweight champion, had made his Bellator debut back in June, scoring a second-round TKO victory over Fabio Aguiar.
Cris Cyborg reveals she's a free agent, targeting move to boxing: "It's one of my dreams"
Josh Evanoff - August 9, 2022
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg is currently a free agent. The Brazilian is fresh off her decision victory over Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279 in April. The victory was Cyborg’s fourth title defense, as she captured the 145-pound title in January 2020. That win over Blencowe could go down as her last championship defense.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane eyes retirement fight against friend and mentor Liz Carmouche for the belt: "I have four fights left on this contract and that will be it for me"
Cole Shelton - August 8, 2022
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane will be looking to return to the win column in a big way at Bellator 284. Macfarlane ended her nearly year-and-a-half layoff back in April in Hawaii and suffered a decision loss to Justine Kish. After the loss, Macfarlane told Bellator she wanted to return as soon as possible and got her wish as she will face Bruna Ellen on Friday night.
Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics, A.J. McKee lightweight debut set for Bellator 286
Josh Evanoff - August 3, 2022
Patricio Pitbull, Adam Borics, and A.J. McKee have been added to Bellator 286 in October. In April, the Brazilian faced off with ‘Mercenary’ for the second time. They first faced off at Bellator 263 in July 2021, with the Bellator featherweight title on the line. That outing saw McKee capture the strap with a stunning first-round submission victory.
Former Bellator champion Ilima-Lei MacFarlane reveals plans to retire after contract expires: "I’ve already accomplished a lot in my career"
Josh Evanoff - August 1, 2022
Former Bellator flyweight champion Ilima-Lei MacFarlane is getting close to hanging the gloves up. ‘The Ilimanator’ has been out of the ring since her decision defeat to Justine Kish in April. The bout was a massive upset and was the second defeat in a row for MacFarlane. She had previously lost her flyweight title to Julianna Velasquez in December 2020.
Scott Coker reveals Fedor Emelianenko hoping to face Ryan Bader in retirement fight: "We’ll definitely consider it"
Josh Evanoff - July 25, 2022
Scott Coker has revealed that Bellator heavyweights Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader could faceoff once again. ‘The Last Emperor’ has been out of the cage since his knockout of Tim Johnson last October. The victory moved his current winning streak to two, as he previously defeated Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in December 2019.
Douglas Lima determined to end losing streak against Jason Jackson at Bellator 283: "I don't feel like I've lost a step"
Josh Evanoff - July 19, 2022
Former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima is ready to let his hands go against Jason Jackson. ‘The Phenom’ is set to return this weekend in the main event of Bellator 283. It’ll be Lima’s first bout since his decision loss to Michael Page last October. The defeat marked his third in a row, as he had previously been defeated by Yaroslav Amosov and Gegard Mousasi.
Chris Gonzalez plans to bring the fight to Usman Nurmagomedov and make him "uncomfortable" at Bellator 283 to earn a title shot
Cole Shelton - July 18, 2022
Chris Gonzalez always wanted to fight Usman Nurmagomedov ever since both men signed with Bellator. At Bellator 283, Gonzalez is set to face Nurmagomedov in a crucial lightweight scrap and one that Gonzalez has wanted.
Valerie Loureda retires from MMA, signs with WWE
Josh Evanoff - June 29, 2022
Bellator MMA prospect Valerie Loureda has decided to hang up the gloves. The 23-year-old has been a star for the Showtime-based company since her 2019 debut. In the Bellator cage, she’s scored four victories in five fights. Her most recent outing came at Bellator 271 in November 2021, where she defeated Taylor Turner via split decision.