Category Archives: Bellator

Bare Knuckle Boxing, Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, UFC

MMA STAR HECTOR LOMBARD SIGNS WITH BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP

October 15, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

**Cuban Olympian & UFC Veteran Looks to Conquer**
**BKFC Light Heavyweight Division**

**PHILADELPHIA** (October 8, 2019) – Former Olympian and UFC standoutHector Lombard has become the latest fighter to sign with **Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship** (BKFC) as he looks to make his mark in the biggest and best bare knuckle fights that the sport has to offer.

Lombard is the first-ever Olympian to sign with BKFC, having represented Cuba in judo in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

“I’ve wanted to fight for this amazing organization for a while and I’m excited that it’s all come together,” said Lombard, who will compete in the 185-pound light heavyweight division. “Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is the next level of fighting and I am glad to be part of it.”

“Hector Lombard is one of the most devastating punchers in MMA history and we are looking for Hector to make a huge splash with BKFC,” said BKFC founder and president David Feldman. “As a fan, I cannot wait to see how Hector does in the squared circle. He’s exciting and explosive. This is an incredible signing.”

Lombard also holds the distinction of being the first Bellator champion to sign with BKFC. He was the inaugural Bellator middleweight champion, winning the title in 2009. Lombard went 8 – 0 in Bellator with seven finishes, including a six-second knockout of UFC veteran Jay Silva in May of 2010.

Lombard relinquished the Bellator middleweight championship in 2012, when he moved to the UFC. In the UFC, Lombard fought a total of 12 times, recording notable knockout wins against Rousimar Palhares and Nate Marquardt.

In his professional MMA career, Lombard tallied 34 wins, 22 of which have come by knockout or TKO. He is regarded as one of the hardest punching middleweights and welterweights in MMA history.

Lombard is from Cuba and moved to Australia after the 2000 Summer Olympics. He now lives in Florida.

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Bellator, MMA, Paramount Network

OFFICIAL BELLATOR 229: KORESHKOV VS. LARKIN FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS

October 7, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

**Complete Fight Night Photos**

*Bellator 229: Koreshkov vs. Larkin* Main Card

**Lorenz Larkin** (21-7, 1 NC) defeated **Andrey Koreshkov** (22-4) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

**Goiti Yamauchi** (24-4) defeated **Saad Awad** (23-12) via submission (armbar) at 1:40 of round one

**Keri Taylor Melendez** (4-0) defeated **Mandy Polk** (6-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

**Tony Johnson** (8-2) defeated **Joe Schilling** (4-6) via KO (punches) at 2:07 of round three

**Preliminary Card**

**Salim Mukhidinov** (7-3) defeated **Adel Altamimi** (8-6) via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-27)

**Anatoly Tokov** (29-2) defeated **Hracho Darpinyan** (17-9-2) via TKO at 4:38 of round two

**Derek Anderson** (16-3, 1 NC) defeated **Guilherme “Bomba”** (10-6) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

**Joey Davis** (6-0) defeated **Jeff Peterson** (10-8) via KO (flying knee) at 1:00 of round one

**Johnny Eblen** (6-0) defeated **Mauricio Alonso** (13-8, 1 NC) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

**Vladimir Tokov** (5-0) defeated **Brandon Hastings** (6-4) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

**Jordan Newman** (2-0) defeated **Riley Miller** (0-1) via TKO at 4:28 of round one

**Kelvin Gentapanan** (1-0) defeated **Sunni Imhotep** (2-0) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

**Jay-Jay Wilson** (4-0) defeated **Jorge Juarez** (4-2) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:33 of round one

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

***

Bellator, DAZN, MMA

UNDEFEATED ILIMA-LEI MACFARLANE RETURNS HOME TO HAWAII ON DEC. 21 FOR FLYWEIGHT TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST KATE JACKSON EXCLUSIVELY ON DAZN

October 7, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

**PLUS, BELLATOR’S FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD GRAND PRIX CONTINUES AS UNDEFEATED A.J. MCKEE MEETS DEREK CAMPOS IN FIRST QUARTERFINAL MATCHUP**

***Tickets on sale next Friday, Oct. 11***

**LOS ANGELES** – For the second time in as many years, Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii will host the homecoming of **Ilima-Lei Macfarlane** (10-0), as she puts her undefeated record and Bellator women’s flyweight title on the line against No. 1 contender **Kate Jackson** (11-3-1) in the main event on Saturday, Dec. 21, streamed exclusively on the DAZN app.

In addition, *Bellator Hawaii* will feature the first quarterfinal matchup of Bellator’s Featherweight World Grand Prix, when the man with the longest winning streak in promotional history, **A.J. McKee** (15-0), takes on the always-exciting **Derek Campos** (20-9) in the evening’s co-headliner.

*Bellator: Macfarlane vs. Jackson –* one of the star-powered, year-end highlights of fight season on DAZN – will stream live exclusively on DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com, DAZN and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Tickets go on sale next Friday, Oct. 11 and can be purchased through Bellator.com, as well as Ticketmaster.com or the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena box office. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Born and raised in Honolulu, current Bellator women’s flyweight champ Macfarlane made her pro debut in 2015 with a KO victory that went viral and has not looked back since, remaining undefeated in her career. With impressive victories over **Valerie Letourneau** and **Veta Arteaga**, Macfarlane was the focal point of Bellator’s debut in Hawaii last year. A proud graduate of Honolulu’s Punahou High School in 2009, Macfarlane later attended San Diego State University, where she would go on to earn her Master’s degree in liberal arts and science with a focus on indigenous issues – a subject she remains passionate about, launching “The Ilimanator Scholarship” for indigenous girls last year. Now Ilima-Lei turns her focus to Kate Jackson, who will be looking to play the role of spoiler when she enters the Bellator cage on December 21.

A winner of seven of her last eight fights, Kate Jackson has earned her way to a title shot against the division’s inaugural champion. A competitor on the 23rd season of *The Ultimate Fighter*, Jackson hails from Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England, and most recently defeated **Lena Ovchynnikova** in London. Jackson made her Bellator debut in 2017 with a first round-victory over of **Colleen Schneider** and would later go on to dominate Anastasia Yankova at historic *Bellator 200* in front of her hometown crowd. Facing the biggest test of her career, Jackson looks to reign atop the flyweight division when she leaves Hawaii.

With an undefeated professional record of 15-0, including six knockouts and eight first round finishes, there doesn’t seem to be much more for the talent-oozing 24-year-old to prove to the MMA community before his name is routinely mentioned among the division’s elite. Fighting out of Long Beach, Calif., “Mercenary” is fresh off of a jaw-dropping performance that saw him finish **Georgi Karakhanyan** in only eight seconds just moments after watching his father, **Antonio McKee**, collect a knockout victory in what was the first ever father-son duo to compete on the same card in the US. With all 15 of his career wins coming under the direction of the Scott Coker-led promotion, the Team BodyShop product has made it clear that he has his sights on **Patricio “Pitbull”** and his 145-pound belt, as he continues to build a strong argument as the new face of Bellator. Constantly looking for new records to break, McKee may have found the perfect match in Campos, as the two brawlers have combined for a remarkable 22 finishes over 36 career victories.

Fighting out of Lubbock, Texas, Campos will be competing in the first of the four quarterfinal matchups in Bellator’s Featherweight World Grand Prix, following a decisive victory over former featherweight world champion **Daniel Straus** at *Bellator 226* this past September. The 31-year-old knockout artist is ready to build on his impressive professional record of 20-9, when he takes on undefeated superstar McKee on December 21. Always ready to trade blows, the heavy-handed veteran has spent much of his time competing in Bellator’s lightweight and welterweight divisions over the past six years of his career. Now, “The Stallion” hopes to continue his impressive surge in the 145-pound class, as he prepares to go toe-to-toe with one of the most dangerous featherweights in the world. With a shot at one million dollars on the line, Campos will rely on his fearless fighting style and sound wrestling background if he wants to advance in what many have pinned as one of the most anticipated matchups in the second round.

*Bellator Hawaii: Macfarlane vs. Jackson* Main Card:

*Flyweight World Title Bout:* **Ilima-Lei Macfarlane** (10-0) vs. **Kate Jackson** (11-3-1)

*Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal Bout:* **A.J. McKee** (15-0) vs. **Derek Campos** (20-9)

*Card subject to change.

For more information, please visit Bellator.com.

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

OFFICIAL BELLATOR 228 FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS

October 1, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

Complete Event Photos Here

*Bellator 228* Main Card Results:

**Gegard Mousasi** (46-7-2) defeated **Lyoto Machida** (26-9) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

**Patricio “Pitbull” Freire** (30-4) defeated **Juan Archuleta** (23-2) via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-46)

**A.J. McKee** (15-0) defeated **Georgi Karakhanyan** (28-10-1, 1 NC) via KO (punches) at :08 of round one

**Darrion Caldwell** (14-3) defeated **Henry Corrales** (17-4) via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-27)

**Daniel Weichel** (40-11) defeated **Saul Rogers** (13-3) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

**Preliminary Card:**

**Adrian Najera** (2-0) defeated **Jason Edwards** (2-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:28 of round three

**Benji Gomez** (9-12) defeated **Johnny Santa Maria** (3-5) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

**Ozzy Diaz** (4-1) defeated **Andre Walker** (5-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:05 of round one

**Ian Butler** (7-6) defeated **Emilio Williams** (4-3) via TKO (punches) at :53 of round two

**AJ Agazarm** (2-1) defeated **Jonathan Quiroz** (3-4) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

**Ava Knight** (1-0) defeated **Shannon Goughary** (4-4) via TKO (punch) at 1:46 of round three

**Antonio McKee** (30-6-2) defeated **William Sriyapai** (14-9) via TKO (punches) at 1:17 of round two

**Johnny Cisneros** (13-7) defeated **Mike Jasper** (13-6) via TKO (leg injury) at 4:28 of round two

**Leandro Higo** (19-5) defeated **Shawn Bunch** (9-4) via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:34 of round two

**Weber Almeida** (2-0) vs. **Castle Williams** (4-2) via TKO at 0:20 of round two

**Joshua Jones** (9-4) defeated **Dominic Clark** (14-9) via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:39 of round one

**James Barnes** (12-4) defeated **David Duran** (8-6) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:51 of round two

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

Bellator, MMA, women's MMA

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED BELLATOR FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SUPERFIGHT BETWEEN JULIA BUDD AND CRIS ‘CYBORG’ IS OFFICIAL

October 1, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

**MATCHUP SET FOR JANUARY 25 AT THE FORUM IN LOS ANGELES AND LIVE EXCLUSIVELY ON DAZN**

***TICKETS ON SALE NEXT FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4***

**LOS ANGELES** – Bellator is set to deliver one of the most anticipated bouts in the history of women’s MMA on Saturday, January 25 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, Calif. when reigning champ **Julia Budd** (13-2) defends her world featherweight title against **Cris “Cyborg”** (21-2, 1 NC) in the main event.

Tickets for *Bellator: Budd vs.Cyborg* go on sale to the general public Friday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. PT and can be purchased at the Forum box office, as well as Bellator.com and Ticketmaster.com. A special presale is scheduled to take place Wednesday, Oct. 2 through Thursday, Oct. 3 using code “BELLATOR” upon purchase.

*Bellator: Budd vs. Cyborg* will stream live exclusively on the DAZN app at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com,DAZN and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Fighting out of Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada, Budd will enter the Bellator cage in January for the fourth time since claiming the inaugural Bellator women’s featherweight world title in 2017. Currently riding a winning streak of 11 bouts, including seven straight fights since joining forces with Bellator in 2015, “The Jewel” has her eyes set on a fourth consecutive world title defense when she finally has the opportunity to challenge “Cyborg.” Since knocking off Dutch legend Marloes Coenen for the 145-pound strap at *Bellator 174*, the Gibson MMA-product has since collected victories over top contenders **Olga Rubin**,**Arlene Blencowe** and **Talita Nogueira**. With seven of her 13 career wins coming by way of knockout or submission, the former kickboxing standout will look to derail the Bellator debut of “Cyborg.”

On the heels of signing the largest contract in women’s MMA history, Cris “Cyborg” will enter the Bellator cage for the first time on January 25, with the opportunity to lay claim to Bellator gold. Just like her upcoming opponent, “Cyborg” too was an inaugural champion, winning the inaugural Strikeforce Featherweight Championship in 2009 after defeating Gina Carano. The 34-year-old Curitiba, Brazil-native’s Bellator tenure follows a three-year run in UFC, multiple world title and a 20-fight unbeaten streak that includes notable victories against Holly Holm, Tonya Evinger, Marloes Coenen and **Leslie Smith**.

**Updated *Bellator: Budd vs. Cyborg* Fight Card:**

*Featherweight World Title Bout:* **Julia Budd** (13-2) vs. **Cris “Cyborg”** (21-2, 1 NC)

*Card subject to change

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

***

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMPLETE FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR 226: BADER vs. KONGO

September 11, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

**COMPLETE FIGHT NIGHT PHOTOS**

*Bellator 226: Bader vs. Kongo* Main Card:

**Ryan Bader** (27-5, 1 NC) and **Cheick Kongo** (30-10-2, 1 NC) was ruled a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke

**Derek Campos** (20-9) defeated **Daniel Straus** (26-9) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)

**Adam Borics** (14-0) defeated **Pat Curran** (23-9) via TKO (punches) at 4:59 of round one

**Pedro Carvalho** (11-3) defeated **Sam Sicilia** (17-10) via submission (face-crank) at 1:56 of round two

**Emmanuel Sanchez** (19-4) defeated **Tywan Claxton** (5-1) via submission (triangle choke) at 4:11 of round two

**Daniel Carey** (7-3) defeated **Gaston Bolanos** (5-2) via technical submission (guillotine) at 4:19 of round one

**Preliminary Card:**

**Ivan Batinich** (4-1) defeated **Daniel Compton** (2-2) via submission (rear-naked choke) a 4:33 of round two

**Tyson Miller** (1-0) defeated **Albert Gonzales** (1-2) via TKO at 1:18 of round one

**Alan Benson** (1-1) defeated **Favian Gutierrez** (2-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

**Peter Ishiguro** (2-1) defeated **Elias Anderson** (0-1) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

**Daniel Gonzalez** (3-2) defeated **Jon Adams** (0-1-1) via TKO (strikes) at 4:56 of round two

**Cornelius Savage** (1-0) defeated **Evan Gubera** (0-2) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

**John Macapa** (23-4-2) defeated **Ashleigh Grimshaw** (20-11-1) via TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of round two

**Adam Piccolotti** (12-3) defeated **Jake Smith** (7-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:34 of round two

**Jessica Borga** (3-2) defeated **Amber Leibrock** (3-4) via submission (armbar) at 4:45 of round one

**Cass Bell** (4-0) defeated **Isaiah Rocha** (1-1) via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:21 of round one

**Batsumberel Dagvadorj** (6-0) defeated **James Terry** (20-11) via submission (bulldog choke) at 2:43 of round one

**Renato Valente Alves** (6-4) defeated **Abraham Vaesau** (5-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:36 of round three

**Hyder Amil** (4-0) defeated **Ignacio Ortiz** (2-1-1) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

**Chris Gonzalez** (3-0) defeated **Luis Vargas** (2-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

***

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR SIGNS CRIS ‘CYBORG’ TO LARGEST CONTRACT IN WOMEN’S MMA HISTORY

September 4, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

LOS ANGELES – Bellator is proud to announce the signing of Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (21-2, 1 NC) to the organization. The deal – the largest of its kind in women’s MMA history – exclusively secures “Cyborg’s” talents with a multi-year, multi-fight contract.

“Cyborg” joins current champ Julia Budd, Olga Rubin, Arlene Blencowe, Janay Harding and Leslie Smith among others, cementing Bellator’s 145-pound weight class as the strongest women’s featherweight division in MMA.

“Cyborg” joins Bellator following a three-year run in UFC, multiple world titles and a 20-fight unbeaten streak that includes notable victories against Holly Holm, Tonya Evinger, Marloes Coenen and Leslie Smith. Notably, the 34-year-old Curitiba, Brazil-native was the inaugural Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Champion, defeating Gina Carano for the title in 2009.

“I have worked with countless athletes over my thirty-plus years of promoting combat sports, but there is no one quite like ‘Cyborg’,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “Her ability to excite the crowd from the moment she makes her walk to the cage is special, and having had the pleasure of promoting several of her fights in the past, I am looking forward to the opportunity of promoting her once again. ‘Cyborg’ is the most dominant female fighter in the history of the sport and she will be a perfect fit here at Bellator, where champion Julia Budd and the other women that make up best female featherweight division in the world have eagerly awaited her arrival.”

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.