Bellator News
Patricio Pitbull trashes UFC for continuing with events during coronavirus pandemic: "It seems inhuman"
Adam Martin - April 22, 2020
Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull trashed the UFC for continuing to try and hold events during the coronavirus pandemic. UFC president Dana White has been adamant for the last month that the UFC show would go on despite the coronavirus pandemic essentially shutting down all major sports leagues across the world. White tried his best for UFC 249 to take place on April 18 on Indian reservation land in California, but the event was ultimately postponed. The plan is now to hold UFC 249 on May 9 in Florida, and Pitbull doesn’t agree with it.
Bellator 244 featuring Michael Chandler vs. Benson Henderson rematch postponed
Adam Martin - April 21, 2020
Bellator 244, which was set to be headlined by a lightweight rematch featuring Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson, has officially been postponed. Bellator 244 was set to take place at WinTrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois on June 6. The card was to be headlined by Chandler vs. Henderson 2, with a co-main event featuring the Bellator featherweight Grand Prix semifinal bout between AJ McKee and Darrion Caldwell. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bellator has decided to postpone the event until further notice.
VIDEO | Dillon Danis sends message to fans doubting his striking ability
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Dillon Danis is known first and foremost for his world-class grappling skill, but as he continues to venture into mixed martial arts, he’s working hard on his striking too. Speaking on Instagram on Friday, Danis sent a message to fans doubting his striking ability, and included a short clip of himself landing a right hand on a sparring partner.
Cris Cyborg says Dana White should do something other than worry about himself and MMA fights
Natasha Hooper - April 16, 2020
Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg has called out her former boss Dana White and his proposed “fight island.” In response to the coronavirus pandemic, all Bellator and UFC fights have been postponed. However, that hasn’t stopped the UFC president from doing whatever it takes to resume business. White has even claimed he’ll host several upcoming events on private island. He says it is currently in the works and expects to host live events from the island as soon as next month.
Josh Thomson slams Dana White's "recklessness" with fight island plan
Natasha Hooper - April 9, 2020
Josh Thomson has slammed Dana White for endangering lives by proposing future UFC fights go down on a private island. A former UFC fighter and current Bellator analyst, Josh Thomson isn’t afraid to give his take on MMA controversies. That includes the hot topic of White’s proposed fight island.
Bellator fighter Isaiah Chapman reportedly shot dead at 30
Adam Martin - April 8, 2020
We have sad news from the MMA world today as Bellator bantamweight Isaiah Chapman was reportedly shot dead at age 30. Chapman’s death was reported by MMA reporter David McKinney on Twitter, who confirmed he was murdered by gunshot outside of his home in Akron, Ohio. Numerous reports on Facebook also confirmed he was shot to death. Bellator matchmaker Rich Chou later confirmed that Chapman has indeed passed away.
Cris Cyborg says her next fight may be in boxing
Adam Martin - April 8, 2020
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg says she is considering taking a boxing match for her next fight and not an MMA fight. Cyborg is coming off of a destructive win over Julia Budd in Bellator that saw her claim the promotion’s women’s 145lbs belt. It was the fourth major title of Cyborg’s incredible MMA career, having been a former champion in the UFC, Strikeforce and in Invicta FC.
Jon Fitch on the current state of MMA: "It’s not even a sport anymore"
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Jon Fitch (32-7-2 MMA) is not sure if he will compete again in mixed martial arts. The longtime welterweight contender has not stepped foot in the cage since April of 2019, when he fought then-Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald to a controversial draw.
Bellator postpones three events including card headlined by Ryan Bader
Adam Martin - March 30, 2020
Bellator announced on Monday that it is postponing three of its upcoming events including a card that was set to be headlined by double champ Ryan Bader. Most sports leagues around the world have postponed their upcoming cards due to the coronavirus outbreak, and Bellator will not buck the trend. While UFC president Dana White is doing everything in his power to go through with UFC 249 in three weeks’ time despite the risk, Bellator president Scott Coker instead is playing it safe and postponing three cards. The promotion released a press release Monday with the news.
Heather Hardy blasts Billy Joe Saunders for controversial video, Saunders issues apology
Natasha Hooper - March 30, 2020
Boxer turned Bellator MMA fighter Heather Hardy was initially very unimpressed with a controversial video posted by boxer Billy Joe Saunders, but later accepted his apology. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, many fighters have been posting “how-to” videos on social media. That includes Boxing star Billy Joe Saunders who filmed himself striking a punching bag and telling viewers how to hit women.
Gegard Mousasi believes Israel Adesanya 'would be a good fight' for him
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2020
Gegard Mousasi believes he would have success against Israel Adesanya if they were to fight. Mousasi, who is the former Bellator middleweight champion, says he has sparred with people who fought Adesanya in Glory Kickboxing, which is why he thinks he’d have success.
John Kavanagh dreams of bringing UFC and Bellator titles to SBG Ireland
Mike Pendleton - March 19, 2020
John Kavanagh has been the head coach of SBG Ireland since 2001, and most fans know him as the coach behind Conor McGregor. Yet he’s far more than just that.