Bellator News
Coach Ray Longo blasts judge Douglas Crosby over controversial Danny Sabatello and Paddy Pimblett scorecards: "You let him piss all over people"
Josh Evanoff - December 15, 2022
MMA coach Ray Longo is the latest to shine a light on controversial judge Douglas Crosby. The name is likely familiar to MMA fans, but for the wrong reason. Crosby has judged fights for over two decades and has become a controversial figure for it. He’s been on the wrong side of some of the worst decisions in the history of the sport and has continued to receive high-profile assignments.
KSI blasts "disrespectful" Dillon Danis for no-showing press conference, 'El Jefe' fires back
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2022
KSI has taken a shot at Dillon Danis for not showing up to their press conference to promote their upcoming boxing match. KSI and Danis are set to headline Misfits 004 on January 14 in London, England. It’s an intriguing bout and a month out from the fight, a press conference was scheduled on Wednesday in England. Yet, it was revealed that Danis was unable to make his plane, preferring to concentrate on training after suffering a bout of influenza.
Bellator president Scott Coker warns Dillon Danis of boxing match with KSI: "You're going to have your hands full"
Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2022
Bellator president Scott Coker has given his thoughts on Dillon Danis’s boxing match against KSI. ‘El Jefe’ has been out of the cage since a submission victory over Max Humphrey in June 2019. That win was just the second in Danis’s career in MMA, as he debuted the prior year with a toe-hold submission win victory over Kyle Walker.
Danny Sabatello plans to "expose" and "dominate" Raufeon Stots at Bellator 289 to win interim belt: “I'm more than pumped to go f**k this guy up”
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2022
Danny Sabatello is happy he can finally share the cage with Raufeon Stots. Sabatello and Stots are set to headline Bellator 289 in a semi-final matchup of the grand prix. The fight is also for the interim bantamweight title – as Stots looks to defend it for the first time. It’s also a fight Sabatello has wanted for quite some time and is excited it’s finally happening.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 104 with Chris Daukaus, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Chris Curtis, Danny Sabatello, Billy Quarantillo, and Jay Perrin
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2022
The 104th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 282 and Bellator 289. We’re first joined by 11th-ranked UFC heavyweight Chris Daukaus (3:16). Next, ninth-ranked UFC heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik (18:55) comes on. 14th-ranked UFC middleweight Chris Curtis (28:50) stops by. Sixth-ranked Bellator bantamweight Danny Sabatello (50:15) comes on. UFC featherweight Billy Quarantillo (1:11:16) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Jay Perrin (1:24:49).
Bellator women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg added to the undercard of Terence Crawford vs. David Avanesyan
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2022
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg will make her return to the boxing ring next month. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since her rematch with Arlene Blencowe in April. In the main event of Bellator 279, ‘Angerfist’ put forth a great fight, and showed a lot of heart. However, Cyborg retained her title after five hard-fought rounds.
Bellator's Scott Coker laments Dillon Danis heading to boxing to face KSI: "He had a lot of potential"
Josh Evanoff - November 21, 2022
Bellator President Scott Coker isn’t super thrilled with Dillon Danis’s new career choice. ‘El Jefe’ has been a controversial figure since making his way into the MMA world. Originally coming onto the scene as Conor McGregor‘s jiu-jitsu coach, Danis quickly began making a name of his own. In 2017, the submission ace signed with Bellator.
Patricio Pitbull slams Illinois commission, scolds Bellator after brother Patricky is forced to wait over 5 hours for medical attention (Photo)
Fernando Quiles - November 20, 2022
Bellator Featherweight Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is none too pleased with the Illinois athletic commission and Bellator. Freire’s brother, Patricky, put the Bellator Lightweight Championship on the line against Usman Nurmagomedov inside Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. The title fight served as the co-main event of Bellator 288. Nurmagomedov had a dominant showing and swept the scorecards for a unanimous decision victory. He’s now the new Bellator Lightweight Champion.
Corey Anderson issues statement following loss to Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 288
Chris Taylor - November 19, 2022
Corey Anderson has issued a statement after suffering a decision loss to Vadim Nemkov in last night’s Bellator 288 main event. Anderson (16-6, 1 NC) rematched Nemkov (16-2, 1 NC) yesterday evening in Chicago, this after an accidental foul saw their first fight end in a no contest.
Pros react after Vadim Nemkov defeats Corey Anderson at Bellator 288
Zain Bando - November 18, 2022
Tonight’s Bellator 288 event was capped off by Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson to determine the $1 million Grand Prix winner at light heavyweight. Nemkov (16-2, 1 NC) rematched Anderson (16-6, 1 NC) after an accidental foul saw their first fight end in a no contest.
Pros react after Usman Nurmagomedov dethrones Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288
Zain Bando - November 18, 2022
In the co-main event of Bellator 288, Patricky Pitbull fought Usman Nurmagomedov for the promotions lightweight strap. Nurmagomedov, 15-0, is the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov and had a chance to deliver on the family legacy this evening. Usman entered tonight’s contest having won his last three fights in a row by way of first-round stoppages (2 subs, 1 TKO).
Scott Coker calls Chicago a ‘big target’ to host fights
Zain Bando - November 18, 2022
Scott Coker took it slow when COVID-19 took over the world, as he held his Bellator events at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut without fans. Unlike the UFC, who forged ahead earlier than any other MMA promotion or major sports league, Bellator remained complacent that the right time would eventually come. And, sure enough, it did. Over the last eight months or so, Bellator has returned to the likes of Ireland, San Jose, Arizona, Italy and many others locations. One of those locations in the ladder category is Chicago, Ill., as Bellator 288 plays host to two title fights at the top of the bill, including light heavyweight title challenger Corey “Overtime” Anderson, as he’ll rematch Vadim Nemkov in the finals of the long-awaited conclusion of the Grand Prix.
Patricky Freire relishing in underdog status against Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 288: "It motivates me a lot"
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2022
Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire is fine with being the underdog against Usman Nurmagomedov. The Brazilian is set to make his first title defense tomorrow night at Bellator 288. Freire famously captured the belt in his rematch with Peter Queally last November. In that outing, he won by second-round knockout, finally winning gold after a decade in the promotion.
Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov reflects on 2015 loss to UFC champion Jiri Prochazka: "Maybe one day we'll cross paths and fight again"
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2022
Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov could go for a rematch with UFC light-heavyweight titleholder Jiri Prochazka. The Russian is set to return tomorrow night at Bellator 288 against Corey Anderson. The bout will be a rematch of their first encounter from April, in the finals of Bellator’s light-heavyweight Grand Prix. In their first bout, ‘Overtime’ was dominating en route to a no-contest after a third-round headbutt.
Fedor Emelianenko calls for the IMMAF to end Russia’s suspension from future events: “Russian athletes are hostages of socio-political problems”
Susan Cox - November 8, 2022
Fedor Emelianenko is calling for the IMMAF to end Russia’s suspension from future events. The MMA legend and president of the Russian MMA Union, Emelianenko, wants the IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) to allow Russians to compete at next year’s European Championships.
Ali Abdelaziz asks everyone to pray for Anthony Johnson after recent health problems: “It’s not going well”
Harry Kettle - October 28, 2022
Ali Abdelaziz has asked everyone to pray for Anthony Johnson as he continues to battle ongoing health concerns. For the longest time now, Anthony Johnson has been known as one of the best knockout artists in MMA history. In the eyes of many, of course, he just goes by the name ‘Rumble’.
Bellator vs. Rizin event slated for New Year's Eve in Japan
Harry Kettle - October 25, 2022
Bellator MMA have announced another crossover event with Rizin, which is set to take place on New Year’s Eve. Over the course of the last few years, Bellator has made an effort to branch out and work with a series of different promotions. While it’s unlikely they’ll be able to strike any kind of cross-promotional deal with the UFC, there are certainly other companies that are more than willing to partake.
Scott Coker explains what it would take for Bellator to add a 165lbs division
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2022
Bellator president Scott Coker has explained what it would take for the promotion to add a 165lbs division. For the longest time now, a lot of fans, fighters and pundit have been discussing the possibility of a 165-pound division being added across mixed martial arts. Alongside this being implemented, it would also probably shift the welterweight limit from 170 up to 175, largely to maintain the 10-pound gap between so many of the weight classes.