Bellator News
REPORT | Ryan Bader, Patricio Pitbull among first fighters added to February's PFL vs. Bellator event
Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2024
The reported Bellator vs. PFL card slated for February 24th is now adding fights. In November, the Viacom-owned company was bought out by the PFL. With that, it marked a departure for figures such as Scott Coker, and others. However, Donn Davis and others plan to keep running Bellator as a separate entity and keep holding events for the foreseeable future.
RIZIN champion Juan Archuleta calls for rematch with Bellator's Patchy Mix: "Only guy to beat him"
Josh Evanoff - December 29, 2023
RIZIN bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta is ready for a rematch with Bellator titleholder Patchy Mix. ‘The Spaniard’ is slated to make the first title defense of his bantamweight title reign this Saturday. In the co-main event of RIZIN 45, Juan Archuleta will face former titleholder Kai Asaukra. If he can get through the Japanese fighter this weekend, he hopes to meet Patchy Mix in the near future.
Dana White admits Bellator going away is "a bad thing" for MMA
Cole Shelton - December 18, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White says Bellator merging into PFL is a bad thing for MMA and the sport as a whole. Bellator was recently purchased by PFL as the two companies will merge into one. However, Bellator will continue under a “reimagined” system at PFL called the Bellator International Champions Series. The Bellator series will include eight events per year with each card featuring two title fights at the top.
Michael Chandler gives his take on 'Bittersweet' Bellator-PFL sale: "They were important to me"
Josh Evanoff - December 7, 2023
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is a bit sad to see their recent sale to the PFL. ‘Iron’ is now one of the UFC’s biggest stars and most entertaining fighters. Although, Michael Chandler hasn’t been seen in the cage since a submission loss to Dustin Poirier well over a year ago. Now, the former Bellator champion has been stuck on the sidelines, waiting for a long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor.
Bellator executive Mike Kogan claims ONE Championship is about to go out of business: “These people scammed everybody”
Susan Cox - November 28, 2023
Bellator executive Mike Kogan is claiming ONE Championship is about to go out of business. The announcement came last week that Bellator was no longer a standalone entity. The promotion was acquired by the PFL (Professional Fighters League).
Bellator executive details the "beginning of the end" of the promotion
Cole Shelton - November 27, 2023
Bellator executive Mike Kogan detailed what started the end of the promotion. It was announced last week that the PFL had bought Bellator as the promotion had been looking for a buyer for quite some time. After months of negotiation, a deal got done and according to Kogan, he says a lot of blame for Bellator’s downfall will be on Showtime.
PFL’s Donn Davis wants Ngannou vs. Wilder to be a "mixed-rules" fight
Zain Bando - November 21, 2023
Monday marked a historic day for MMA, as Donn Davis’ PFL and Scott Coker’s Bellator unified to become second-fiddle to the UFC. It also teased speculation about what could be next on the boxing side of things, specifically for former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Donn Davis, who appeared on the latest edition of “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani, said there is a possibility of Ngannou fighting Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion.
King Mo lashes out at Scott Coker following news of Bellator - PFL merger
Cole Shelton - November 21, 2023
Former Bellator veteran King Mo has taken aim at Scott Coker. On Monday, it was revealed that the PFL has bought Bellator in a massive deal that will change the landscape of MMA. The general consensus was that it will be good for the sport, as it could be a legit promotion that could rival the UFC.
Jason Jackson says mindset won the welterweight belt at Bellator 301: “He was scared”
Zain Bando - November 20, 2023
Friday marked a new era in Jamaican MMA, as Jason Jackson shocked the mixed martial arts world with a third-round KO against previously unbeaten welterweight kingpin Yaroslav Amosov in the main event of Bellator 301. Although it may go down as an upset in the history books, for Jason Jackson, 33, it was meant to be.
Jake Paul reacts to the PFL-Bellator merger: "Let's prove it"
Zain Bando - November 20, 2023
Boxing personality Jake Paul has chimed in on the Bellator-PFL merger, which was announced Monday morning by PFL chairman Donn Davis. The two promotions will begin their partnership in 2024. Jake Paul, who boxes Andre August December 15, said he’s excited for the future of MMA and said the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Donn Davis eyeing PFL vs. Bellator championship card for February: "Best card possible"
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2023
PFL executive Donn Davis is hoping to see his best face Bellator’s early next year. Earlier today, the Bellator-PFL sale was made official. Throughout much of this year, the two companies were in talks, especially after Showtime made the decision to drop combat sports. While already rumored, the announcement this fall made Donn Davis and others get this deal finalized.
PFL reportedly offers Bellator president Scott Coker "an opportunity to stay on"
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2023
PFL founder Donn Davis says they are offering Bellator president Scott Coker an opportunity to stay on if he wants. On Monday, it was announced that PFL has bought Bellator and the promotion has expectations for both brands. According to the press release, the plan is to do a champions vs. champions event in 2024. Also, Bellator will be rebranded to Bellator International Champions Series and will run concurrent to PFL in 2024 with eight one-off events in 2024.