Bellator champion Darrion Caldwell to challenge Kyoji Horiguchi for Rizin title on NYE
(https:)It’ll be Bellator champ vs. Rizin kingpin on New Years Eve, with a new Rizin title on the line.
Bellator is sending their bantamweight champion to Japan to try to collect some more gold. During a press conference to announce their New Years Eve show, Rizin announced that Darrion Caldwell will challenge Kyoji Horiguchi for Rizin’s inaugural 135-pound title. Bellator also put out a press release confirming the bout, stating that it will be a three-rounder:
Taekwondo master Valerie Loureda signs with Bellator, aims to be best fighter on planet
(https:)At just 20 years old, Valerie Loureda has been preparing her entire life for her Bellator debut.
“My mom was pregnant with me during her black belt test,” Loureda told MMAjunkie. “I guess you could say I was kicking from before I was even born. It’s in my blood. I haven’t gone a day in my life without throwing a punch or a kick. It’s who I am.”
A 4th dan taekwando black belt, Loureda (0-0) is a former member of the U.S. Olympic team. Her father served as her grandmaster, training her “very old school and very old-fashioned.” The dedication paid off, and she progressed up the ranks of the taekwondo scene. But a moment in 2017 made her realize her true future lied in another direction.
'Bellator 209: Pitbull vs. Sanchez' official results
(https:)Bellator returns after a break of nearly a month with Bellator 209. In the main event, featherweight champion Patricio Freire puts his title on the line against Emmanuel Sanchez.
In the co-main event, Ryan Couture looks to get back in the win column when he faces Haim Gozali in a welterweight rematch. Former light heavyweight champ Phil Davis is also on the card against knockout artist Vadim Nemkov.
Benson Henderson re-signs with Bellator
(https:)Benson Henderson will remain in the Bellator fold.
After fighting out his most recent contract, the former UFC lightweight champion has inked a new multi-fight deal to stay with Bellator MMA. MMA Fighting confirmed the news following an initial report by MMA Junkie.
Kickboxing standout Joe Schilling returns to MMA at Bellator 210
(https:)A middleweight bout between Joe Schilling and Jose Leija is the latest addition to November’s Bellator 210 lineup.
MMAjunkie today verified the matchup between Schilling (2-5 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) and Leija (5-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) with a Bellator official.
Bellator 210 takes place Nov. 30 at WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, Okla. Schilling vs. Leija is part of the MMAjunkie-streamed prelims prior to the main card, which airs on Paramount and streams on .
Bantamweight Michael McDonald retires after series of injuries
(espn.com)Less than three months after one of the most impressive performances of his career, 27-year-old bantamweight Michael McDonald has decided to retire from mixed martial arts.
Less than three months after one of the most impressive performances of his career, 27-year-old bantamweight Michael McDonald has decided to retire from mixed
McDonald (19-4) informed ESPN of his decision this week. McDonald is fresh off a 58-second knockout of former Bellator MMA champion Eduardo Dantas in July, but was forced to undergo his fifth hand surgery in the last five years following the bout.
A former UFC title challenger, McDonald said he wrestled with the idea of retirement even prior to his latest injury, and is confident he can now move on from professional fighting.
Bellator 206 complete results, highlights: Gegard Mousasi dismantles Rory MacDonald to retain title
(https:)Too big, too strong and too skilled.
In the most significant bout in the promotion's history and the first between champions in different divisions, Gegard Mousasi defended his middleweight title with a dominant second-round TKO over welterweight titleholder Rory MacDonald at Bellator 206 in San Jose.
Mousasi (45-6-2) left little doubt how much size matters in this meeting between the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the company and arguably the biggest free-agent acquisitions in company history considering both left UFC at the peak of their physical prime.
Bellator 205 post-event facts: Patricky Freire sets new knockout record
(https:)Bellator action resumed Friday with Bellator 205, which took place at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho. The main card aired on Paramount and streamed on DAZN following prelims on MMAjunkie.
One of the organization’s top prospects was the shining light on the card. A.J. McKee (12-0 MMA, 12-0 BMMA) remained undefeated when he scored his fastest win to date with a 69-second knockout of John Teixeira (21-4-2 MMA, 4-3 BMMA).
Brennan Ward set to retire from MMA after Bellator 207 withdrawal
(https:)After pulling out of Bellator 207 due to an undisclosed injury, Brennan Ward has decided to retire from MMA competition.
MMAjunkie today learned from a Bellator official that Ward (14-6 MMA, 9-6 BMMA) has informed the promotion of his intent to hang up his gloves from the sport.
Ward was scheduled to fight Andre Fialho at Bellator 207 in October, but had to withdraw over the weekend. Ward hasn’t fought since August 2017, and apparently the latest setback was the final straw.
Driver pleads guilty to manslaughter in relation to death of MMA fighter Jordan Parsons
(https:)Jordan Parsons, who fought for Bellator MMA, was 25-years-old at the time of his passing.
Last week, Dennis Michael Wright, 30, plead guilty to DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in connection to the 2016 hit-and-run killing of MMA fighter Jordan Parsons. Wright, who had been under house arrest until his bond was revoked this April, plead guilty as part of a plea deal.
Aaron Pico faces former title challenger Leandro Higo at Bellator 206
(https:)Bellator’s show on Sept. 29 is becoming quite the stacked affair.
Featherweight phenom Aaron Pico will look to extend his run of first-round knockouts when he meets former Bellator title challenger Leandro Higo in a marquee matchup at Bellator 206, which takes place at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. MMA Fighting confirmed the booking Wednesday following an initial report by The Orange County Register.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Chael Sonnen tourney semifinal official for Bellator 208
(https:)A tournament bout between Fedor Emelianenko and Chael Sonnen is official for Bellator 208.
As reported this past week, Emelianenko (37-5 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) and Sonnen (31-15-1 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) are slated to headline the Oct. 13 event.
The show, Bellator 208, takes place at NYCB LIVE’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. (on Long Island), and it airs on Paramount (and also streams on DAZN) following prelims on MMAjunkie.
Bellator's Fedor Emelianenko vs. Chael Sonnen tourney semifinal slated for Oct. 13 in New York
(https:)The Bellator heavyweight grand-prix semifinal-round fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Chael Sonnen appears to have a date.
Emelianenko (37-5 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) and Sonnen (31-15-1 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) are slated to headline an Oct. 13 event in New York.
Newsday.com first reported the matchup, though Bellator officials haven’t made a formal announcement, and a message from MMAjunkie wasn’t immediately returned.
The event is expected to take place at NYCB LIVE’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, home to in Uniondale, N.Y. (on Long Island), and it’s expected to air on Paramount following prelims on MMAjunkie. A day prior, the other half of the grand-prix semifinals – Matt Mitrione (13-5 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) vs. Ryan Bader (25-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) – takes place in Connecticut.
Paul Daley signs Bellator contract, will compete in grand prix vs. opponent to be determined
(https:)Paul Daley is headed to Bellator’s welterweight grand prix.
Bellator President Scott Coker today told MMAjunkie that Daley (40-16-2 MMA, 6-3 BMMA) has signed a multi-fight, multi-year deal and is the 10th entrant into the promotion’s multi-stage competition, which kicks off Sept. 29 in San Jose, Calif. Daley’s tournament debut is not yet confirmed.
News of Daley’s inclusion was first reported by ESPN.com. Although ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported the current plan is for Daley to face rival Michael Page in the tournament’s first round, Coker said he has yet to be officially matched up with an opponent, as the promotion is considering a matchup between Page and Lorenz Larkin. Daley, however, could still be paired with Page (13-0 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) if both parties agree.
A.J. McKee vs. Pat Curran booked for Bellator 205 main event
(https:)A.J. McKee will put his unbeaten record on the line when he takes on longtime Bellator featherweight standout Pat Curran.
Officials announced Wednesday that McKee and Curran will fight in the main event of Bellator 205 at the CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho on Sept. 21. Rafael Lovato Jr. will take on John Salter in the co-headliner.
McKee, 23, has spent his entire pro career with Bellator, winning all 11 of his bouts. His last appearance saw him defeat Justin Lawrence by unanimous decision the co-main event of Bellator 197 this past April. He is the son of 15-year MMA veteran Antonio McKee.
Curran (23-7) is currently on a three-fight win streak, though he has fought just three times since February 2015. Those victories have all been unanimous decisions against John Teixeira, Georgi Karakhanyan, and Emannuel Sanchez. The 30-year-old veteran has twice held Bellator gold at 145 pounds and been with the promotion for the past eight years.
Bellator announces 10-man welterweight tourney field, including Rory MacDonald, ‘MVP,’ Douglas Lima
(https:)The field is just about set for Bellator’s upcoming welterweight tournament.
Ten of the promotion’s best at 170 pounds will be featured in the bracket, including current champion Rory MacDonald; former champions Douglas Lima and Andrey Koreshkov; undefeated welterweights Michael Page, Neiman Gracie, Ed Ruth, and Yaroslav Amosov; and former UFC standouts Lorenz Larkin and Jon Fitch.
Yaroslav Amosov
Jon Fitch
Neiman Gracie
Andrey Koreshkov
Lorenz Larkin
Douglas Lima
Rory MacDonald
Michael Page
Ed Ruth
'TUF Smashes' winner, UFC vet Norman Parke signs multi-fight deal with Bellator
(https:)“The Ultimate Fighter: Smashes” winner Norman Parke is hitting the reset button on his big-show career with a new Bellator contract.
Parke (25-6-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) has signed a multi-fight deal with the Viacom-owned promotion, a Bellator official today told MMAjunkie following a report from MMANytt.com. The veteran’s debut is expected later this year.
Parke, 31, brings a two-fight win streak to the promotion. After a 1-3 skid let to his UFC ouster, the Ireland native rebuilt his career in the Polish powerhouse show KSW, where he unsuccessfully vied for the lightweight title against Mateusz Gamrot, but ended his tenure at 2-1 with one no contest.
Despite huge KO, Michael McDonald unsure if career can continue after latest injury at Bellator 202
(https:)Michael McDonald is having an inner struggle after suffering what he believes is yet another hand break in his victory at Bellator 202.
McDonald (19-4 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) scored his most spectacular victory in recent years Friday when he stopped former bantamweight champ Eduardo Dantas (20-6 MMA, 10-3 BMMA) by knockout in just 58 seconds in the Bellator 202 co-headliner, which took place at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla., and aired on Paramount following prelims streamed on MMAjunkie.
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