Bellator News
Jake Paul reacts to the PFL-Bellator merger: "Let's prove it"
Zain Bando - November 20, 2023
Boxing personality Jake Paul has chimed in on the Bellator-PFL merger, which was announced Monday morning by PFL chairman Donn Davis. The two promotions will begin their partnership in 2024. Jake Paul, who boxes Andre August December 15, said he’s excited for the future of MMA and said the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Donn Davis eyeing PFL vs. Bellator championship card for February: "Best card possible"
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2023
PFL executive Donn Davis is hoping to see his best face Bellator’s early next year. Earlier today, the Bellator-PFL sale was made official. Throughout much of this year, the two companies were in talks, especially after Showtime made the decision to drop combat sports. While already rumored, the announcement this fall made Donn Davis and others get this deal finalized.
PFL reportedly offers Bellator president Scott Coker "an opportunity to stay on"
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2023
PFL founder Donn Davis says they are offering Bellator president Scott Coker an opportunity to stay on if he wants. On Monday, it was announced that PFL has bought Bellator and the promotion has expectations for both brands. According to the press release, the plan is to do a champions vs. champions event in 2024. Also, Bellator will be rebranded to Bellator International Champions Series and will run concurrent to PFL in 2024 with eight one-off events in 2024.
PFL officially acquires Bellator MMA: “Our fighter roster is equal to UFC”
Susan Cox - November 20, 2023
The PFL has officially acquired Bellator MMA, and in doing so has stated, ‘Our fighter roster is equal to UFC’. The news of the merger has been in the works for months, but now is a done deal and the Professional Fighters League has officially acquired Bellator MMA.
Sergio Pettis reacts following title loss to Patchy Mix at Bellator 301: "It's your time now"
Chris Taylor - November 18, 2023
Sergio Pettis has reacted after losing his bantamweight world title to Patchy Mix at last night’s Bellator 301 event. Pettis (23-6 MMA) was looking to defend his Bellator bantamweight championship for a third time when he squared off with Mix (19-1 MMA) Friday night in Chicago, Illinois.
Patricky Pitbull unsure Bellator lightweight tournament will continue after PFL sale: "Losing $2 million"
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2023
Former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull is just as unsure of the company’s future as anyone. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Roberto de Souza in July. That was a nice rebound win for Patricky Pitbull, having lost his lightweight gold to Usman Nurmagomedov in his prior outing. With the win at Bellator X RIZIN 2, he advanced to the lightweight Grand Prix semifinals.
Bellator 301: 'Amosov vs. Jackson' Live Results And Highlights
Zain Bando - November 17, 2023
Now that all 32 fighters have weighed in, Bellator 301 is official for tonight at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill. The final Bellator event in the history of Showtime Sports features two title fights plus a highly-anticipated lightweight Grand Prix semifinal bout. The Bellator 301 main event pits Yaroslav Amosov vs. Jason Jackson for the Bellator welterweight strap. In contrast, the co-main event between Sergio Pettis and Patchy Mix will make the winner the undisputed bantamweight champion.
Bellator 301: 'Amosov vs. Jackson' Weigh-In Results: 1 fighter misses weight
Zain Bando - November 16, 2023
Bellator 301 takes place Friday night from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill., as it is the promotion’s third trip back to “The Windy City” in one year and its second of 2023. The 16-fight Bellator 301 card features many huge names from top-to-bottom, including two world title fights and a Grand Prix lightweight semifinal bout.
Danny Sabatello plans to "dominate, motherf****r" Raufeon Stots at Bellator 301: "We know he has a brittle chin"
Cole Shelton - November 15, 2023
Danny Sabatello called for a rematch with Raufeon Stots ever since they fought in October of 2022. Sabatello and Stots fought in the semi-finals of the bantamweight Grand Prix, and Stots ended up winning a split decision. Since then, Sabataello was adamant he won the fight and called for a rematch.
Raufeon Stots calls out “little boy” Danny Sabatello: "Who have you beaten that's worth any note?"
Zain Bando - November 15, 2023
Raufeon Stots and Danny Sabatello picked up right where they left off ahead of their Bellator 301 bantamweight rematch in Chicago. Amid their trash talk amongst each other, emotions ran high. The fued began ahead of Bellator 289 in December last year, where Raufeon Stots was able to secure a decision victory before ultimately losing to Patchy Mix in his next fight.
Patchy Mix admits he was unsure Bellator 301 title fight would happen, vows to "break" Sergio Pettis
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
Patchy Mix wasn’t sure if he was going to get the chance to fight Sergio Pettis. After Mix knocked out Raufeon Stots back in April to become the interim champ and the grand prix winner, it secured him a title shot. He was booked to face the bantamweight champ, Sergio Pettis at Bellator 301. But, with all the rumors that the promotion would be sold, Mix wasn’t sure if this fight was going to happen.
Dillon Danis announces retirement from fighting
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
Dillon Danis appears to be walking away from the fight game. Danis returned to combat sports back in October when he fought and lost to Logan Paul in his boxing debut. It was his first fight since June of 2019 when he fought at Bellator 222.
Usman Nurmagomedov fails drug test, removed from Bellator lightweight grand prix
Cole Shelton - November 11, 2023
Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov has failed a drug test. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com that Nurmagomedov tested positive for an unknown substance and his fight against Brent Primus has been overturned to a No Contest. As well, sources informed BJPENN.com that Primus will now go forward in the Bellator lightweight grand prix, while the belief is Usman Nurmagomedov will be stripped of the lightweight title. Nurmagomedov has also been handed a six month suspension.
REPORT | Bellator sale to PFL has been finalized, will take over the company in 2024
Josh Evanoff - October 30, 2023
It seems that the PFL’s sale with Bellator might be going through after all. As most MMA fans are aware, the Scott Coker-led company has had its troubles in 2023. For most of this year, Bellator has been linked to a potential sale to the PFL. The news was first reported by Todd Atkins earlier this summer. For the most part, the million-dollar deal has been played out in public, as Viacom confirmed their plans to drop combat sports from Showtime.
John Kavanagh tells Dillon Danis to come back to SBG Ireland and prepare for an MMA fight: "He's not a boxer"
Cole Shelton - October 18, 2023
SBG Ireland head coach John Kavanagh is hopeful Dillon Danis will return to Dublin to prepare for an MMA fight. Danis finally returned to combat sports last weekend as he boxed influencer Logan Paul. Danis ended up being DQ’d in the sixth round, but before that, he was getting badly beat as he barely threw any punches.
Johnny Eblen sounds off after Gordon Ryan suggests that MMA should allow athletes to be on steroids: “There’s a reason your health sucks”
Harry Kettle - October 18, 2023
Bellator champion Johnny Eblen has questioned Gordon Ryan after some claims he made recently regarding doping in MMA. Gordon Ryan, outside of boxing and mixed martial arts, is one of the biggest names in combat sports. His jiu-jitsu prowess speaks for itself and as we look ahead to the future, it seems as if he’ll continue to make waves for many years to come.
Scott Coker believes Cris Cyborg solidified her position as GOAT of women’s MMA with win over Cat Zingano at Bellator 300
Harry Kettle - October 10, 2023
Bellator president Scott Coker believes Cris Cyborg is the female GOAT in MMA after her win over Cat Zingano. Throughout her time in mixed martial arts, Cris Cyborg has been a dominant force. Outside of a defeat to Amanda Nunes, she has been almost untouchable across a string of different promotions. Even now, at the age of 38, she’s still able to turn back the clock and put in the kind of performances that leave people feeling awestruck.
Cris Cyborg details the post-fight conversation she had with Cat Zingano at Bellator 300: “She was saying something like I was a stalker”
Harry Kettle - October 10, 2023
Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg has revealed the conversation she had with Cat Zingano after Bellator 300. At Bellator 300, Cris Cyborg made a statement by defeating Cat Zingano to successfully retain her Bellator featherweight championship. In doing so, she reminded the world of what many already knew – she is one of the greatest female fighters of all time. In terms of what’s next, nobody really knows for sure, but she’ll happily sit back and bask in the glory of what she’s just achieved for a while yet.