BELLATOR MMA 259AIRS LIVE ON FRIDAY, MAIO 21 FROM MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
LOS ANGELES– BELLATOR MMA and SHOWTIME Sports today announcedBELLATOR MMA 259 na sexta-feira, Maio 21, will be headlined by a featherweight championship rematch pitting current 145-pound titleholder and the top-ranked women’s pound-for-pound fighterCris “Cyborg” (23-2, 1 NC) against Northern California’sLeslie Smith (12-8-1). The event airs live exclusively on SHOWTIMEem 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and emanates from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
In addition to the main event, two matchups are confirmed, como não. 7 leveAdam “The Bomb” Piccolotti (12-4) takes on No. 10 Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan (30-11-1, 1 NC), while the undefeated No. 7Christian “Pain” Edwards (4-0) atendaBen “Big Tuna” Parrish(4-1) in a light heavyweight contest. Lutas adicionais serão anunciadas em uma data posterior.
“I believe in five years she’s going to be a better fighter. More training, more working and fighting. More experience. The first fight was very fast, so I think this one is going to be a longer fight. She’s a warrior. She likes to fight and it’s going to be nice to fight somebody like this," said Cyborg, who appeared on tonight’sBELLATOR 255broadcast to confirm the event.
“Of course, I want this fight. Everyone’s goal is to get a title in the premiere organization, which this is. This is the best organization for my weight class, and the best possible place I can be. I can guarantee it will be an entertaining fight,” added Smith.
Just the second BELLATOR woman’s featherweight champion in the company’s history, Cris “Cyborg” is coming off the first defense of her BELLATOR title, a victory againstArlene Blencowe, that also marked the first submission win of her illustrious career. An MMA legend at 35-years-old, “Cyborg” will be looking to further her legacy as the greatest woman’s mixed martial artist of all-time when she faces Leslie Smith for the second time on May 21. After winning BELLATOR gold in the 12th title fight of her career, the native of Curitiba, Brazil made history by becoming a world champion in her fourth major promotion, previously holding belts in both the UFC and Strikeforce. With a pro record of 23-2, 1 NC, Incluindo 19 vitórias por finalização, the Brazilian-born fighter who now calls Southern California home, holds victories over tough competition, IncluindoJulia Budd, Holly Holm, Marloes Coenen and Gina Carano.
Known for an exciting in-your-face striking style, Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith will enter the BELLATOR cage on May 21 for the fifth time in her nearly 11-year MMA career. She gets a second shot at defeating “Cyborg,” following their first meeting at UFC 198 in Brazil on May 14, 2016. Desde que luta, Smith has won four out of five fights with victories over Irene Aldana andSinead Kavanagh among them. A teammate of fellow BELLATOR athleteKeri Taylor Melendez, Smith trains out of El Nino Training Center in San Francisco.
O card preliminar paraBELLATOR MMA 259: Cyborg vs. Ferreiro2 vai ao ar AO VIVO em todos os EUA. markets on the BELLATOR and SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channels, as well as Pluto TV.
Como parte do lançamento de BELLATOR MMA no SHOWTIME, a rede está oferecendo aos telespectadores que são novos no serviço de streaming SHOWTIME um teste gratuito de 30 dias, seguido por uma taxa de assinatura mensal com desconto de US $ 4,99 / mês pelos próximos seis meses. Os espectadores podem se inscrever emSHO.com/BellatorMMA. Os assinantes receberão dois eventos BELLATOR MMA premier por mês durante 2021 e além, com todos os eventos programados para ir ao ar ao vivo em 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT anywhere the SHOWTIME service is available.
AtualizadoBELLATOR MMA 259: Cyborg vs. Smith 2Cartão de luta:
Peso-pena do título mundial: C-Cris “Cyborg”(23-2, 1 NC) vs. # 4-Leslie Smith (12-8-1)
Leve Bout: #7-Adam Piccolot(12-4) vs. #10-Georgi Karakhanyan (30-11-1, 1 NC)
Light Heavyweight Bout: #7-Christian Edwards (4-0) vs.Ben Parrish(4-1)
*Cartão sujeitas a alterações.
Por favor, visiteBELLATOR.com para obter informações adicionais.