Bellator News
WATCH | Bellator's Cris Lencioni takes his first steps since suffering brain injury from cardiac arrest
Cole Shelton - July 4, 2023
Cris Lencioni has started to walk again. Lencioni – who fights for Bellator – recently had a cardiac arrest while he was practicing which resulted in brain damage. After being in a coma, he was released from ICU as he started to get healthier. It was massive news that Lencioni was starting to get healthy – as doctors told Lencoini’s wife only around 10 percent of people survive what happened to him.
Vadim Nemkov eyeing rematch with Ryan Bader to avenge Fedor Emelianenko: "I have to beat him"
Josh Evanoff - June 29, 2023
Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov again has his eyes on Ryan Bader, but not for himself. The Russian is fresh off his return in the main event of Bellator 297 earlier this month. There, he faced Yoel Romero, who was riding a two-fight winning streak. However, the 46-year-old proved to be no match for Vadim Nemkov, as the champion retained his title by unanimous decision.
Corey Anderson downplays Jamahal Hill's UFC title after harsh back and forth: "Who has he beat?"
Josh Evanoff - June 28, 2023
Bellator light-heavyweight contender Corey Anderson has fired more shots at UFC champion Jamahal Hill. ‘Overtime’ returned to the cage earlier this month at Bellator 297 against Phil Davis. There, the light-heavyweight contender scored a split-decision win over ‘Mr. Wonderful’, an important win for Corey Anderson. However, he didn’t have much time to celebrate, as he started going back and forth with Jamahal Hill.
Gordon Ryan blasts Dillon Danis for claiming to be a BJJ World Champion: “The biggest farce”
Susan Cox - June 28, 2023
Gordon Ryan has taken aim at Dillon Danis for claiming to be a BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) World Champion. Dillon ‘El Jefe’ Danis is claiming to be a four-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion.
Bellator gets some serious props from Ariel Helwani: “There is no other promotion, outside of the UFC, that has a collection of champions like that”
Zain Bando - June 22, 2023
Ariel Helwani shares his thoughts about Bellator’s roster Long-time MMA journalist Ariel Helwani always gives credit where credit is due, especially when it comes to the sport as a whole. Last Friday showcased Bellator 297, which featured two world title fights. Bellator light heavyweight champion, Vadim Nemkov, took on Yoel Romero in the main event, while Sergio Pettis fought Patricio Pitbull for the bantamweight strep in the co-main.
Scott Coker praises Vadim Nemkov after win over Yoel Romero: "Best 205-pounder on the planet"
Josh Evanoff - June 19, 2023
Scott Coker crowned Vadim Nemkov as the best light-heavyweight on the planet after his win over Yoel Romero. The Russian made his return to the cage on Friday night in the main event of Bellator 297. There, he faced the ‘Soldier of God’, who entered the contest riding a two-fight winning streak. However, Yoel Romero’s recent success ended over the weekend.
Family starts GoFundMe as they reveal Bellator's Cris Lencioni is in ICU after suffering from cardiac arrest
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2023
The family of Cris Lencioni has provided an update on the Bellator fighter. On Sunday night, Chael Sonnen confirmed reports that Lencioni had a medical issue as he was training and lost consciousness. Immediately, he was rushed to the hospital and a week later, he still has not regained consciousness and is in ICU, but Sonnen did not share what caused Lencioni to lose his consciousness.
Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov hints at moving up to heavyweight: "I may try myself"
Fernando Quiles - June 19, 2023
Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Vadim Nemkov could be trying his hand at heavyweight. Nemkov went one-on-one with former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero in the main event of Bellator 297. The action was held inside the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Vadim Nemkov put his 205-pound gold at stake.
Bellator 297: Pros react after Vadim Nemkov defeats Yoel Romero
Zain Bando - June 16, 2023
Tonight, the light heavyweight main event featured champion Vadim Nemkov taking on Yoel Romero at Bellator 297 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill. After a delay to begin the Bellator 297 preliminary portion, the card cruised through with five fights in a little over an hour, plus the highly-anticipated three-main card fights to lead into the main event. Nemkov entered the contest 8-0 in Bellator with three finishes by KO/TKO, as his most recent win came against Corey Anderson back in November, which also took place in Chicago.
Bellator 297: Pros react after Sergio Pettis defeats Patricio Pitbull
Zain Bando - June 16, 2023
Sergio Pettis and Patricio Pitbull locked horns in tonight’s Bellator 297 co-main event at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill. Arguably the two best non-UFC lighter-weight fighters, Pettis and Pitbull were unifying their respective titles, with the winner earning the bantamweight title and a matchup with interim champion Patchy Mix. Mix had stated during an impromptu media availability Saturday night that he looked forward to watching the fight as a fan and is excited for whoever he gets to face next. Pettis was returning to the Bellator cage after nursing a knee injury, while Pitbull entered the contest sporting a 35-5 record, having fought the likes of Michael Chandler, Juan Archuleta, and AJ McKee, to name a few.
Bellator 297: ‘Nemkov vs. Romero’ Live Results
Zain Bando - June 16, 2023
Bellator 297 goes down tonight, live at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill. The promotion’s second trip to Wintrust Arena features a double main event offering with Vadim Nemkov defending his light heavyweight title against former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero. While Nemkov is undefeated in Bellator, Romero, 46, is looking for a spark to finally win his first-ever undisputed title and extend his own winning streak to three.
Scott Coker opens up on reports about the PFL buying Bellator
Cole Shelton - June 15, 2023
Scott Coker has opened up on the rumor that the PFL is buying Bellator. It was recently reported that Bellator is up for sale and PFL was in talks to buy them. It was unknown if they would merge into one promotion, but UFC president Dana White was shocked PFL was trying to buy Bellator.
Bellator 297 Weigh-in Results
Zain Bando - June 15, 2023
Bellator returns to the Windy City Friday night for Bellator 297 with two world title fights to top the bill from Wintrust Arena. This is the promotion’s second trip back to Chicago, Ill., in less than a year, as Bellator 288 took place last November from the same venue. Former UFC middleweight title challenger and interim champion Yoel Romero puts his two-fight win streak on the line against current Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov in the Bellator 297 main event, who defends his title in Chicago again.
Scott Coker sends message to other MMA promotions: "We have as good or better fighters than other leagues, including the UFC"
Zain Bando - June 14, 2023
Bellator president Scott Coker has made his stance clear – his fighters are the cream of the crop. Ahead of Bellator 297 Friday night, which is headlined by two marquee title fights in Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero at light heavyweight and Sergio Pettis vs. Patricio Pitbull at bantamweight, Coker was adamant his three champions could challenge a whos-who, including the best the UFC has to offer. “We have as good or better fighters than other leagues, including the UFC,” Coker said. “And I think that everybody knows that now.”
WATCH | Vadim Nemkov has virtual face-off with Yoel Romero as 'Soldier of God' misses presser due to fear of heights
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2023
Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov had a unique staredown with Yoel Romero today. The Russian has been out of the cage since his rematch with Corey Anderson last October. At Bellator 288, Vadim Nemkov scored a unanimous decision win over ‘Overtime’ to retain his light-heavyweight title. That was a huge win for the champion, as it set the record for most Bellator title defenses in the division, with three.
Patricio Pitbull expecting to dominate Sergio Pettis to win third Bellator championship: "Put him down"
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2023
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull expects to stop Sergio Pettis this weekend. The Brazilian has been out of action since a non-title clash with Kleber Koike Erbst last December. There, Patricio Pitbull scored a unanimous decision win, his third in a row. That April, he re-earned the featherweight title by avenging his prior loss to A.J. McKee, defeating ‘Mercenary’ by decision.
Bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis eyes second title after he gets past Patricio Freire at Bellator 297
Harry Kettle - June 7, 2023
Sergio Pettis has got his eyes set on a second world title if he’s able to get past Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire at Bellator 297. Next weekend in Chicago, Sergio Pettis will go head to head with Patricio Pitbull. He’ll be defending his Bellator bantamweight championship against a man who is widely considered to be the best fighter in Bellator history. If Pitbull is able to secure the win, he’ll also become the first man to be a three-weight champion in a major organization.
Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull thinks media ignores his accomplishments: "It will be on them"
Fernando Quiles - May 28, 2023
Bellator Featherweight Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire believes media members have been ignoring what he has accomplished. Not only is Freire the reigning three-time Bellator champion at 145 pounds, but he’s also the promotion’s former lightweight champion. If he makes weight and defeats Sergio Pettis at Bellator 297, he’ll become the new Bellator Bantamweight Champion, making him a rare three-division MMA champion.