Bellator News

Cole Shelton - October 6, 2020

The 13th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Fight Island 5 and Bellator 248. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event and number one ranked bantamweight, Marlon Moraes (2:21). Next, Bellator heavyweight, Tim Johnson (16:33) comes on. UFC featherweight, Giga Chikadze (32:19) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight, Youssef Zalal (46:24).

Adam Martin - October 6, 2020

Bellator featherweight Tywan Claxton says he turned down a $250,000 job offer in tech to continue to be a full-time MMA fighter. The 27-year-old Claxton made his professional MMA debut in 2017 for Bellator. He won the first five fights of his MMA career — four of them by knockout — to claim a spot in the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix. Unfortunately, Claxton was bounced from the tournament when he lost by submission to top contender Emmanuel Sanchez. Since then, Claxton has gone 1-1 with a split decision loss to Jay Jay Wilson in his last fight.

Adam Martin - October 4, 2020

Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull sent a message to new UFC fighter Michael Chandler, saying “you’ll always be my b*tch.” Pitbull KOed Chandler in Bellator last June to become a rare double champion in the promotion. As for Chandler, after KOing Sidney Outlaw and Benson Henderson in devastating fashion, he signed a free-agent contract with the UFC. The UFC is so high on Chandler that it has tabbed him as the official backup for UFC 254’s main event between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje.

Adam D Martin - October 4, 2020

Bellator bantamweight prospect James Gallagher responded to his critics following his recent victory over Cal Ellenor at Bellator Europe. The 23-year-old Gallagher made it look easy once again as he improved his pro record to 11-1 with the first-round finish over Ellenor. Gallagher has now won four straight fights since suffering his lone career defeat to Ricky Bandejas in 2018. However, Gallagher’s critics have pointed out that his wins have come against sub-par competition.

Harry Kettle - October 2, 2020

Paul Daley has explained why he nearly ended up in hospital after failing to make weight for his scheduled Bellator 247 bout. Daley’s main event fight against Derek Anderson was called off after “Semtex” was unable to make the necessary weight that required him to compete. In the hours after he failed to weigh in, many were speculating as to whether or not the contest would still go ahead regardless of the circumstances.

Tom Taylor - September 30, 2020

YouTube star turned boxer Logan Paul heard enough “sh*t talking” from Bellator star Dillon Danis, and is now vowing to punish his rival in the ring. Paul and Danis have been swapping trash talk on social media and interviews for what seems like an eternity, and the YouTuber seems to be getting fed up.

Adam Martin - September 22, 2020

At long last, Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull has been re-booked to fight his next opponent Pedro Carvalho. Pitbull, who is also the Bellator lightweight champion, was originally set to fight Carvalho with his belt on the line in the semifinals of the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix at Bellator 241 back in March. However, the fight and the entire event was scrapped at the last minute due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bellator re-started its events back in July, but due to visa issues for the champion, Bellator hasn’t been able to re-book Pitbull vs. Carvalho fight until now.

Andrew Whitelaw - September 17, 2020

Joe Schilling appeared to take justice into his own hands recently, as depicted on his Instagram stories, with videos showing him beating up a guy in the street and later explaining why he did so. Just a little warning that this whole story is pretty NSFW. With that out of the way, we’ll continue.

Harry Kettle - September 16, 2020

Bellator star Patricky Freire has sent a clear message to Dustin Poirier after his recent negotiation troubles with the UFC. Fans have been anticipating the proposed showdown between Poirier and Tony Ferguson for months now, but after “The Diamond” recently confirmed that he was not able to come to terms on a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, fans have started to question why the promotion isn’t giving Poirier the kind of offer that they believe he deserves.

Adam Martin - September 14, 2020

Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed he has reached out to the management of Brock Lesnar, saying it would be a “great opportunity.” Reports recently came out saying that Lesnar, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is a free agent after his contract with the WWE expired and he could be considering offers to return to MMA. UFC president Dana White has already said he’s interested in a Lesnar vs. Jon Jones fight, and Coker has said he is interested in a Lesnar vs. Fedor Emelianenko fight, so it will be interesting to see where Lesnar ends up next should he indeed make a comeback.

Adam Martin - September 14, 2020

The long-awaited vacant middleweight title fight between Douglas Lima and Gegard Mousasi has been re-booked to headline Bellator 250. Lima and Mousasi had previously been set to meet at Bellator 242 in May, but the card was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The promotion has been able to re-book the fight and it will now headline the organization’s Bellator 250 event on October 29. That is on a Thursday, a move that Bellator intends to make permanent going forward.

Tom Taylor - September 13, 2020

UFC President Dana White wasn’t impressed by a perceived refereeing blunder in a UFC Vegas 10 light heavyweight fight between Ed Herman and Mike Rodriguez. Mid-way through the fight, Herman appeared to be dropped by a groin shot, and was given some time to recover by the referee. However, an instant replay of the sequence seemed to show that it was a body shot that caused Herman to double-over, not a groin shot. Nonetheless, Herman was given several minutes to recover, and ultimately ended up winning the fight by submission in the third round.