Bellator News
Bellator champ Julia Budd sends message to Cris Cyborg
Tom Taylor - August 5, 2019
Cris Cyborg has parted ways with the UFC, and the most likely setting for the next chapter of her storied career seems to be Bellator MMA. If Cyborg does migrate to Bellator, she will be on collision course with reigning Bellator featherweight champion Julia Budd.
Scott Coker says Bellator is making Cris Cyborg contract offer
Adam Martin - August 2, 2019
The UFC released Cris Cyborg on Friday afternoon, and she already has one contract offer from a rival promotion waiting for her. According to MMAjunkie.com, Bellator president Scott Coker is making Cris Cyborg a contract offer as soon as she officially becomes a free agent.
Bellator boss Scott Coker criticizes the UFC for lack of international events
Natasha Hooper - August 2, 2019
Bellator MMA plans to develop new markets across the pond and believe Conor McGregor’s trainer, John Kavanagh will be instrumental in achieving this. The company’s CEO,Scott Coker joined the Viacom-owned business in 2014 and has been pushing hard to develop the brand. Part of his plan has been to capitalize in areas where he believes the UFC is flagging. Bellator wants to cultivate international talent and emerging markets that are currently neglected. Coker intends on investing in the MMA market in UK and Ireland as he believes this is a “business opportunity that UFC is not taking advantage of.”
Dillon Danis bashes Tyron Woodley in multi-day Twitter attack
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2019
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley recently posed for a photo with his former American Top Team training partner Jorge Masvidal, which ruffled some feathers in the MMA community, given that Masvidal just knocked out Woodley’s friend Ben Askren. One of the people to chime in on this issue is Bellator MMA star Dillon Danis. In fact, Danis has spent the better part of a week chastising Woodley on Twitter.
Dillon Danis questions Tyron Woodley's loyalty after posing for photo with Jorge Masvidal
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2019
Dillon Danis has taken a shot at Tyron Woodley for hanging out and taking a picture with Jorge Masvidal. The former welterweight champion is good friends and training partners with Ben Askren, who “Gamebred” knocked out at UFC 239. It was a vicious knee that resulted in “Funky” being out cold for quite a while. There was also an intense lead up to the fight where Masvidal said he wanted to end the Askren bloodline. Jorge also that he planned on breaking Ben’s face.
VIDEO | Michael Page, Richard Kiely scuffle at Bellator Dublin press conference
Tom Taylor - July 23, 2019
Michael Page is set to return to the cage opposite fellow striker Richard Kiely at Bellator Dublin on September 27. This week, the two fighters — who have already developed a serious beef — appeared at the official Bellator Dublin press conference. And as is so often the case when rival fighters are smushed together on a small stage, things got heated.
Benson Henderson vs. Myles Jury Headlines Bellator 227
Adam Martin - July 22, 2019
Two former UFC lightweight standouts are set to headline an upcoming Bellator card. The promotion announced on Monday that former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson will take on Myles Jury in the main event of Bellator 227. The event takes place Sept. 27 in Dublin, Ireland. The fight pairing was confirmed during Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on ESPN on Monday and announced in a Bellator press release.
Myles Jury signs with Bellator
Adam Martin - July 19, 2019
Former UFC lightweight contender Myles Jury, who recently became a free agent, has signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator. ESPN.com’s Ariel Helwani first broke the news. He added that Jury, who has previously competed as a featherweight, will compete as a lightweight in Bellator. He is expected to make his promotional debut later this year.
Scott Coker discusses leaving Aaron Pico off Bellator featherweight grand prix
Fernando Quiles - July 18, 2019
Bellator president Scott Coker appears to be taking things slow with Aaron Pico. While Pico has been hailed as one of the greatest prospects in MMA, he was thrown to the wolves rather quickly. At the age of 22, Pico has a record of 4-3 and he’s been stopped in all of his losses. In his last two outings, Pico was brutally knocked out by Henry Corrales and Adam Borics.
Michael Page returns at Bellator Dublin
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2019
Michael Page will soon return to the Bellator cage. The Brit will return to action at Bellator Dublin on September 27 at the 3 Arena, where he’ll take on Richard Kiely in the card’s co-main event.
Tito Ortiz says he would grant Ryan Bader a rematch
Adam Martin - July 16, 2019
Perhaps one of the most surprising upsets in UFC history took place back in 2011 at UFC 132. At the time, Ryan Bader was a young, hungry, up-and-coming light heavyweight who had recently won The Ultimate Fighter. Tito Ortiz, meanwhile, was a veteran on his last legs and seemed destined for retirement. Or so we thought. Defying the odds, Ortiz finished Bader by submission that night in what remains to this day arguably the most impressive victory of Ortiz’ career. While it was an embarrassing night for Bader, he has since transformed himself into an elite light heavyweight and heavyweight in MMA, currently holding both belts in Bellator. Ortiz, meanwhile, still remains relevant to this day despite being in his mid 40s.
Bellator eyeing Fedor Emelianenko vs. Rampage or Josh Barnett in Japan
Adam Martin - July 16, 2019
Many thought the great Fedor Emelianenko was considering retirement following a 35-second knockout loss to Ryan Bader back at Bellator 214 in January. Not so fast, says Bellator president Scott Coker, who confirmed Emelianenko has signed a multi-fight agreement with the promotion. Coker even has some opponents in mind for his retirement tour. According to Coker, who spoke to Ariel Helwani on Monday’s MMA Show, Bellator is planning on holding a cross-over event with RIZIN in December, and the Bellator bossman wants Emelianenko to fight on the card.