Bellator News
Ryan Bader re-signs with Bellator on a multi-year deal
James Lynch - April 10, 2019
Bellator’s two division champion is staying put. To no one’s surprise, Bellator light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Ryan Bader has re-signed with the promotion. According to MMAFighting it’s an exclusive, multi-year deal with the promotion. Bader (27-5) has yet to lose a fight under the Bellator banner. After years of coming up short for a UFC title shot, Bader captured the Bellator light heavyweight title in his promotional debut in 2017, defeating Phil Davis in a rematch at Bellator NYC. Following a stoppage victory over Linton Vassell at Bellator 186, the 35-year-old would step up a weight class and compete in the Heavyweight Grand Prix. From there, the Power MMA and Fitness product would stop Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal at Bellator 199 and dominate Matt Mitrione at Bellator 207 on route to a unanimous decision victory.
Dillon Danis shares crucial pieces of advice Conor McGregor has given him
Tom Taylor - April 9, 2019
Dillon Danis has become one of the most polarizing fighters in MMA. While he has definitely elevated his station in the industry with his ceaseless trash talk and bravado, he also receives a ton of hate from the fans and his fellow fighters as a result. If there’s anybody who could mentor Danis on how to deal with this kind of backlash, it’s his friend and training parter Conor McGregor. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, Dillon Danis explained that Conor McGregor has actually given him a few crucial pieces of advice to this end.
Dillon Danis' return rescheduled for Bellator NYC
James Lynch - April 9, 2019
Dillon Danis will not make his return to the Bellator cage quite as soon as we initially expected. Danis was originally scheduled to face Max Humphrey on May 11 on the Bellator 221 card in Chicago, however plans have changed. Instead, he will fight June 14 at Bellator NYC in New York against the same opponent in a 175-pound catchweight bout. The 25-year-old announced the switch up on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show Monday.
Patricio Pitbull says Michael Chandler didn't sign with UFC to avoid USADA, is 'doing same thing' as TJ Dillashaw
Drake Riggs - April 8, 2019
Bellator 221 is set to be a big one as the promotion heads to Chicago, Illinois on May 11 and is headlined by their second ever champion vs champion bout. Going at it will be the featherweight and lightweight champions, Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire and Michael Chandler. Both of which are two of the most accomplished fighters in Bellator history. Factually, they are the most accomplished in their respective divisions.
Josh Barnett signs with Bellator
Drake Riggs - April 1, 2019
“The Warmaster” Josh Barnett holds the record for the youngest heavyweight champion in UFC history. A label he achieved at just 24-years old. Now 41, the Seattle, Washington native isn’t done yet. Barnett revealed today on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show that he had signed with Bellator MMA… As he did so live on the show. Because today is April 1, also known as April Fool’s Day, there was still speculation despite Helwani’s examining of Barnett’s freshly signed contract. Thus prompting a quick follow up tweet from Bellator President Scott Coker that confirmed the signings legitimacy.
Bellator 219: The biggest winners
Mike Straus - March 31, 2019
Bellator 219 from the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California sure delivered. The televised portion on of Bellator 219 Paramount network concluded with a wild lightweight scrap between Brandon Girtz and Saad Awad. However, the Viacom owned promotion still had seven fights for their usual post-lim showcase. Many of those fights were entertaining as well.
Gegard Mousasi, Paul Daley, James Gallagher, scheduled for fights at Bellator London
Tom Taylor - March 29, 2019
On June 22, Bellator MMA will return to the United Kingdom with the aptly titled Bellator London card. The promotion has already begun stacking this event, adding a trio of big names to the bill in Gegard Mousasi, Paul Daley and James Gallagher (via MMA Junkie). Gegard Mousasi will defend his Bellator middleweight title on the card, taking on the streaking Rafael Lovato Jr. This fight was originally expected to occur in June, but was unfortunately delayed when Mousasi sustained an injury.
Reasons to watch Bellator 219
Mike Straus - March 28, 2019
The Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California will host this weekend’s Bellator 219 event. In a weekend chock-full of high level mixed martial arts action, it can be easy to overlook some intriguing fights that slip through the cracks. With a ton of hype being thrown in the direction of UFC Philadelphia, and for good reason, and with ONE Championship hosting their most anticipated event yet, Bellator 219 could be one such card. No worries, that’s why you are reading this. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons to tune in this Friday to Bellator 219.
Bellator 221 gets featherweight clash between Cris 'Sunshine' Lencioni and Adil Benjilany
Drake Riggs - March 8, 2019
Stacking up a card is nothing new in MMA. Promotions do it more often than not and it’s always to the fans’ satisfaction. While still in its infancy, Bellator 221 is beginning to form and take shape throughout its entirety. FloCombat reported yesterday that a featherweight scrap between Adil ‘Gloryboy’ Benjilany (5-1) and Cris ‘Sunshine’ Lencioni (4-2) has been added to the May 11 event live from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. BJPenn.com has confirmed the news.
Mirko Cro Cop announces retirement from MMA after suffering stroke
Tom Taylor - March 1, 2019
Another legend of mixed martial arts has decided to hang up the gloves. On Friday, former PRIDE, UFC and Bellator heavyweight star Mirko Cro Cop announced that he’s ending his fighting career. Cro Cop explained that he is ending his fighting career because he suffered a stroke shortly after his last fight, a decision defeat of Roy Nelson, and that he can no longer withstand damage to the head. Mirko Cro Cop made this announcement on Dnevnik Nove TV in his native Croatia.
Lyoto Machida heading back to light heavyweight with Chael Sonnen fight in the works
Drake Riggs - February 27, 2019
It has been six years since the former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (25-8) competed in a bout that took place at 205-pounds. However, that appears to be changing for his upcoming fight. According to ESPN, a light heavyweight bout between Machida and the three-time UFC title challenger, Chael Sonnen (31-16-1) is currently being finalized for an event to be determined. Both fighters have reportedly verbally agreed to the bout.
Dillon Danis not happy about NSAC suspension, but finds silver lining
Thomas Taylor - February 25, 2019
Shortly after Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor in the UFC 229 main event back in October, he scaled the side of the Octagon and attacked McGregor’s long-time training partner Dillon Danis. In the subsequent moments, McGregor got into a brief skirmish with Nurmagomedov training partners Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov inside the cage. In late January, the Nurmagomedovs, McGregor, and Tukhugov all received suspensions and fines of various levels at a Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) meeting.