Michael Chandler vs. Patricio ‘Pitbull’ lightweight title fight slated for Bellator 221
(https:)It’ll be a battle between perhaps the two most significant fighters in Bellator history.
Michael Chandler vs. Patricio Freire is slated for Bellator 221 on May 11 in Rosemont, Ill., sources confirmed Thursday with MMA Fighting. Chandler will put his lightweight title on the line against “Pitbull,” the featherweight champion, moving up in a true superfight. And one that has been building for some time between the two sides.
Paul Daley thinks he's solved the 'MVP' puzzle, promises a 'simple victory' at Bellator 216
(https:)Paul Daley has been something of a cult figure among U.K. MMA fans for more than a decade, but now he thinks he is finally about to hit pay dirt with the biggest win of his career.
Daley (40-16-2 MMA, 6-3 BMMA) developed his reputation as a terrifyingly powerful striker who would test his skills against anyone in the world. He says he has solved the puzzle so many of Michael Page’s (13-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) previous opponents failed to master, and that he’s ready to halt the hype train of his countryman.
Bellator 217 adds six contests, including all-Irish co-main with Myles Price vs. Peter Queally
(https:)The Bellator 217 lineup is starting to take shape, with six bouts today officially added to the previously announced main event of James Gallagher vs. Steven Graham.
Included in the new main card contests is an all-Irish co-main event of Myles Price (10-7 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) vs. Peter Queally (11-4-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who meet in a lightweight matchup, as well as light heavyweights Yannick Bahati (8-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) vs. Karl Moore (8-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA).
Bellator MMA Announces Full Lineup for European Series Event in Newcastle on Feb. 9
(m.sherdog.com)The card for Bellator MMA’s inaugural European Series event in Newcastle, England, is just about complete.
In addition to a previously confirmed headliner pitting Patricky Freire against Ryan Scope as well as the sophomore outing for British reality television star Aaron Chalmers, the California-based promotion announced 11 bouts for the Feb. 9 event, which takes place at Metro Radio Arena.
The four-bout main card will include the Bellator debut of Fabian Edwards, the brother of UFC welterweight Leon Edwards, as he faces Lee Chadwick in a middleweight tilt. Additionally, Terry Brazier will square off against Chris Bungard in a lightweight affair. Chalmers’ opponent has yet to be announced.
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.
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