Bellator News
Dillon Danis targets Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev
Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019
The beef between Team Conor McGregor and Team Khabib Nurmagomedov is seemingly alive and well. Nearly a year removed from McGregor and Nurmagomedov’s October, 2018 fight, which the latter won by submission, members of their respective entourages are still trading shots. The latest to do so is McGregor stablemate Dillon Danis, who called for a fight with Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev on Twitter. https://twitter.com/dillondanis/status/1166006545391468546
Chael Sonnen praises 'stud' Nick Newell following Bellator 225
Mike Heck - August 26, 2019
Nick Newell made his Bellator MMA debut on Saturday and finished the fight quickly in front of his home crowd at Bellator 225. Newell hopes the win will lead to a long-term deal with the promotion, and if Chael Sonnen has anything to say about it, that may just be what happens. “Notorious” took on gritty Tennessee fighter Corey Browning on the featured preliminary bout at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. After a brief exchange on the feet, Newell took Browning down and patiently improved his position on the ground, leading to an arm triangle choke submission victory.
Sergei Kharitonov wants Bellator heavyweight title shot next
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2019
Fresh off of a brutal knockout win over Matt Mitrione in the main event of Bellator 225, veteran slugger Sergei Kharitonov is now eyeing the promotion’s heavyweight title for his next fight. “The Paratrooper” spoke to reporters in a scrum following his second-round TKO win, and said he wants to fight the winner of the upcoming heavyweight title fight between champion Ryan Bader and challenger Cheick Kongo.
Bellator announces Rory MacDonald vs. Douglas Lima 2, Roy Nelson vs. Frank Mir 2
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2019
Bellator has announced a welterweight title bout between Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima as well as a heavyweight fight between Roy Nelson and Frank Mir. The promotion announced both fights during the broadcast for Bellator 225 on Saturday night. Bellator 231 takes place Friday, October 25 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Nelson vs. Mir fight will headline that card and is scheduled for three rounds. This is a rematch from the pair’s first fight back in 2011, which Mir won via unanimous decision at UFC 130.
Nick Newell hopes to remain with Bellator
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2019
Lightweight Nick Newell hopes to remain with Bellator following a first-round submission win over Corey Browning on the Bellator 225 preliminary card. Newell was recently signed to a one-fight deal with Bellator after a failed stint on Dana White’s Contender Series. The congenital amputee fighter, who does not have a left hand, picked up a win on the regional circuit after the Contender Series and parlayed that into a one-fight deal with Bellator.
Matt Mitrione says mouthpiece was not cause of Bellator 225 knockout loss
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2019
Bellator heavyweight Matt Mitrione suffered a brutal second-round knockout loss to Sergei Kharitonov in the main event of Saturday night’s Bellator 225 card. But before the knockout happened, Mitrione was having trouble with his mouthpiece as it fell out of his mouth multiple times. The big blow came when Mitrione’s mouthpiece was knocked out by a Kharitonov punch early in the second round. He was clearly mentally shook by it and let his guard down, which allowed Kharitonov to land a vicious uppercut and then a knee which knocked Mitrione down. Kharitonov then finished Mitrione off with ground and pound before referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight.
Bellator 225 Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - August 24, 2019
Bellator 225 is currently taking place from Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The event is headlined by a heavyweight rematch featuring Matt Mitrione taking on Sergei Kharitonov.
Scott Coker interested in signing Cat Zingano
Tom Taylor - August 23, 2019
After a lengthy career in the UFC, Cat Zingano is now a free agent. The former title challenger parted ways with the Las Vegas based promotion earlier this month. From the sounds of it, she could soon have a new home in Bellator MMA.
Scott Coker updates on negotiations with Cris Cyborg
Natasha Hooper - August 23, 2019
The president of Bellator, Scott Coker, is making his loyalty to Cyborg known, as he claims she is the female GOAT. The former UFC featherweight champion, Cris Cyborg, is currently a free agent after being released from her UFC contract. Her last fight was a win against formerly undefeated fighter Felicia Spencer (7-1) at UFC 240. Her contract release signalled rising tensions between her and Dana White.
Scott Coker explains why Ryan Bader would beat Stipe Miocic
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2019
Bellator president, Scott Coker took a lot of flak for his recent tweet suggesting Ryan Bader is the best heavyweight in MMA right now. Most fans and analysts believe Stipe Miocic, who reclaimed the UFC’s heavyweight belt this past weekend in Anaheim, to be the current ‘baddest man on the planet’.
Mike Kimbel right where he wants to be as he prepares for Bellator 225
Mike Pendleton - August 22, 2019
Mike Kimbel is days away from another fight with Bellator MMA, and another fight in his home state of Connecticut, as he’s set to battle Chris Disonell at Bellator 225 this Saturday. Kimbel is currently 3-1 as a professional, with all of his fights occurring in the Bellator cage. His most recent fight was a split decision victory over Sebastian Ruiz inside New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Getting the opportunity to fight inside this world famous arena was a bucket list item for Kimbel. He’s glad to have checked it off his list, but he wasn’t happy with the split decision ruling.
Austin Vanderford wants 'marquee names' after Bellator 225
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2019
Austin Vanderford will return to the cage at Bellator 225 and will take on Joseph Creer. Both men are undefeated. When he makes the walk to the cage he will be fighting at middleweight for the first time. He decided to move up a division for a simple reason, but also notes a return to welterweight is not impossible.