Bellator News
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.
Bellator boss not buying Stipe Miocic as world's best heavyweight
Tom Taylor - August 20, 2019
When Stipe Miocic stopped Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 241, he not only reclaimed the UFC heavyweight title, but also his reputation as the top heavyweight in mixed martial arts. At least, that’s the widespread opinion. Not everybody is convinced.
WATCH | Kyoji Horiguchi gets shockingly knocked out in 68 seconds at RIZIN 18
Cole Shelton - August 18, 2019
RIZIN FF and Bellator bantamweight champion, Kyoji Horiguchi returned to the cage in the main event of RIZIN 18. There, the champ was taking Kai Asakura in a non-title bout.
Dillon Danis gives his respect to Nate Diaz for outstanding UFC 241 performance
Adam D Martin - August 18, 2019
Outspoken Bellator star Dillon Danis took to social media to give his respect to Nate Diaz for his outstanding performance at UFC 241. Diaz outstruck and outwrestled Anthony Pettis en route to a unanimous decision win in the co-main event of the UFC’s blockbuster pay-per-view. After the event was over Danis went on Twitter to share a congratulatory message to his rival.
Bellator champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane claims Valentina Shevchenko is '100%' beatable
Mike Heck - August 12, 2019
While many believe that current UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko may be unbeatable at this point, Bellator women’s 125-pound champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane begs to differ. Shevchenko successfully defended her title against Liz Carmouche over the weekend in the main event of UFC Uruguay via unanimous decision in a fight that was never in question.
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.