Bellator News
Douglas Lima reacts to Rory MacDonald's Bellator exit
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2019
Earlier this afternoon, news surfaced that former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald has parted ways with the Viacom-owned promotion and signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). While this is exciting news for MacDonald and the PFL, it does represent an unfortunate twist for fans who were hoping to see a rematch between MacDonald and reigning Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima in the future. Lima and MacDonald are tied 1-1 across two exciting fights, and now, with MacDonald moving to another promotion, it seems unlikely that we’ll see them meet in a tie-breaker anytime soon.
Rory MacDonald parts ways with Bellator, signs with PFL
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2019
Rory MacDonald has parted ways with Bellator MMA. After a period of free agency, the former Bellator welterweight champion has not signed a new deal with the promotion, and instead inked a contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane looking to be first person to submit Kate Jackson at Bellator 236 in Hawaii
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2019
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane is set to defend her Bellator women’s flyweight title at home in Hawaii for the second straight year. She takes on Kate Jackson this Saturday. Last year, she submitted Valerie Letourneau in Hawaii, and it was an emotional night for her. MacFarlane cried during her walkout, and the 29 year old expects to do so again at Bellator 236.
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane believes UFC did Liz Carmouche 'dirty', willing to fight her for Bellator belt
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane is not happy about how the way the UFC released her friend and teammate Liz Carmouche. The two-time UFC title challenger Carmouche was released while she was in Washington D.C. doing promotional work for the company.
Report | Bellator to sign Liz Carmouche
Adam Martin - December 9, 2019
The UFC surprisingly released Liz Carmouche last week, but it doesn’t appear she will be on the free-agent market looking for work for long. According to Steven Marrocco of MMAFighting.com, Bellator has already been in touch with Carmouche about signing with the promotion. At this point, Bellator is just waiting for the UFC to send out its official release papers.
James Gallagher calls Nick Diaz interview "scary", urges him to stay retired
Natasha Hooper - December 9, 2019
Bellator fighter James Gallagher hopes Nick Diaz stays in retirement for good as he found his recent interview concerning. Diaz sat down for an interview with Ariel Helwani last month and hinted at a possible Octagon return against Jorge Masvidal (to avenge his younger brother’s recent loss.) As Nick Diaz is a figurehead of the sport that many younger fighters look up to, his demeanour was a cause for concern for the young Irishman. Gallagher said (transcript via Metro News):
Michael Page booked to return at Bellator Japan
Adam Martin - December 8, 2019
Bellator welterweight star Michael Page has been booked to take on Shinsho Anzai at the promotion’s New Year’s Eve event in Japan. Bellator officially announced this weekend that Page vs. Anzai will take place at Bellator & Rizin: Japan, set for Saturday, December 28 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The fight will take place at a catchweight of 173lbs.
Benson Henderson issues statement following removal from Bellator Japan
Harry Kettle - December 5, 2019
Bellator lightweight contender Benson Henderson has issued a statement after he was pulled from the upcoming card Bellator Japan card due to injury. Henderson was set to go head to head with Michael Chandler for a second time at Bellator Japan in a rematch from their Bellator 165 encounter in November 2016. Chandler won that fight via split decision, retaining his Bellator Lightweight Championship in the process.
VIDEO | Vitor Belfort looks absolutely jacked ahead of ONE debut
Natasha Hooper - November 28, 2019
MMA veteran Vitor Belfort appears to be in top form as he prepares to make his ONE Championship debut in the new year. In an Instagram video posted by Evolve MMA, Belfort looked every bit the killer he was in his heyday.
Kyoji Horiguchi relinquishes Bellator belt
Tom Taylor - November 27, 2019
Weeks after he relinquished the Rizin bantamweight title, Kyoji Horiguchi has let go of the Bellator bantamweight belt as well. Bellator MMA announced this unfortunate news in a Wednesday afternoon press release.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson interested in boxing match, just not against Deontay Wilder
Adam Martin - November 26, 2019
MMA legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson says he is interested in taking a boxing match after his mixed martial arts fight against Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator Japan. Jackson is currently signed to Bellator and is coming off of a KO win over long-time rival Wanderlei Silva. He’s now set to fight fellow PRIDE alum Fedor on New Year’s Eve in a matchup between two legends of mixed martial arts. Now 41 years old, Jackson knows he doesn’t have much time left in combat sports, and he’s already planning his next move.
Josh Thomson gives update on a fourth fight with Gilbert Melendez
Natasha Hooper - November 25, 2019
For fight fans, Gilbert Melendez vs Josh Thomson might be the best trilogy in MMA history. Each fight presented an all-out war that highlighted the mutual heart and resilience of the California opponents. Now, the MMA veteran and Bellator presenter is considering running it back with his former opponent. Josh Thomson gave an update on a fourth fight in an interview with BJPenn.com. He said: What’s the situation on a fourth fight against Gilbert Melendez?
Paul Daley scolds Michael Page for recent KO: 'It proves nothing at all'
Natasha Hooper - November 25, 2019
Paul Daley thinks that fellow British welterweight Michael “Venom” Page is overhyped. The welterweights faced off in February 2019. Page outpointed Daley and sealed the unanimous decision win. “Semtex” believed he was able to stifle Page’s attack, and disagreed with the final fight verdict.
Douglas Lima reacts after Michael Page earns another KO at Bellator London
Chris Taylor - November 23, 2019
Newly crowned Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima was clearly watching tonight’s Bellator London event which featured former foe Michael Page. ‘MVP’ was taking on short-notice replacement Giovanni Melillo in today’s event headliner.
Bellator London Results: Michael Venom Page KO's Giovanni Melillo (Video)
Natasha Hooper - November 23, 2019
Tonight in the main event of Bellator London, Michael “Venom” Page faced off against new Bellator talent, Giovanni Melillo. Michael “Venom” Page is known for his unorthodox fighting style and striking speciality. His show-stopping performances have served him well, having accomplished a 15-1 fighting record. His only professional loss came at the hands of Bellator welterweight champion, Douglas Lima, which ejected him from the Bellator welterweight Grand Prix.
Bellator London Results: Fabian Edwards defeats Mike Shipman (Highlights)
Natasha Hooper - November 23, 2019
Tonight in the Blockbuster Bellator London event, 26-year old Fabian Edwards collided against Michael Shipman in the co-main event. The middleweight prospect is the younger brother of UFC welterweight, Leon Edwards He is currently undefeated, having joined the promotional company earlier this year to take on Lee Chadwick. “The Assassin” secured a unanimous decision win, and later went on to beat Falco Neto and Jonathan Bosuku.
Josh Thomson taunts UFC President Dana White: ”Don’t be scared homie”
Natasha Hooper - November 22, 2019
Josh Thomson explains why UFC President Dana White is afraid of cross-promotional fights. During Thomson’s recent interview with BJPenn.com’s Natasha Hooper, the former Strikeforce lightweight Champion compared Bellator fighters to the top-ranked UFC welterweights. He said:
Nate Marquardt planning potential comeback in Bellator
Adam Martin - November 22, 2019
Former UFC middleweight contender Nate Marquardt is reportedly planning a potential comeback, but this time with Bellator. MMA journalist for theScore James Lynch recently interviewed current UFC middleweight Ian Heinisch, who revealed that he is training with Marquardt as part of his upcoming fight camp for his matchup against Omari Akhmedov at UFC 245. According to Lynch, Heinisch told him that Marquardt is thinking about coming out of retirement and he is interested in signing with Bellator if he indeed makes his return to the cage.