Category Archives: Bellator

BELLATOR MMA BRINGS FANS CLOSER TO THEIR FAVORITE FIGHTERS WITH NEW VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY

 

LINK TO VIEW VIRTUAL REALITY FOOTAGE BELOW

Runga ake: Frank Shamrock experiencing Virtual Reality (VR) via headset (photo credit: Bellator MMA/Lucas Noonan)

 

Santa MONICA (March 9, 2016) – Bellator MMA is always looking for new and exciting ways to bring the most forward-thinking technology to its ever-increasing fan-base, providing them with unrivaled access to the world-class promotion and its superstars. During the record-shattering “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie” event this past February, Bellator launched a virtual reality initiative, giving fans a new immersive behind-the-scenes experience, from inside and Kimbo Slice’s locker room before their fights to walking down the ramp with the fighters in front of thousands of fans at the Toyota Center in Houston.

 

“We’re continuously looking for new ways to leverage technology to bring our fans into the cage ka pera ki te korero,"Ka mea Bellator COO Jason Jordan. “We want to make them feel more connected to the sport of MMA, to the fighters themselves and to the underlying storylines that fuel the emotion and passion of the sport. In this sense, we are very excited about the potential that Virtual Reality holds, and this was unequivocally proven in Houston where we captured some groundbreaking and incredibly immersive footage that I’m sure both hardcore and casual fans alike will enjoy. Not only did we break ratings records that night, but we also raised the creative bar with our VR coverage in terms of literally engulfing fans in the energy and excitement that makes MMA like no other sport.”

 

To shoot the VR footage, Bellator used three separate six-camera rigs using GoPro cameras including one that was fully spherical, attached to a stabilized, mobile monopod. This camera was used for capturing fighters as they left their locker rooms and entered the arena. Two rigs were tethered to a monitoring command center, which allowed producers to monitor the cameras from each rig. Bellator also used Kolor’s Autopano software to stitch together the footage from the GoPro rigs and Adobe Premiere and After Effects to edit and apply graphics to the final stitch.

 

CHECK IT OUT: To re-live some of the action from “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie,” fans can check out the Bellator VR Experience by clicking i konei. It is recommended to use a smartphone or tablet for best results, or better yet a VR headset.

 

Mō Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA Ko te Mixed whakahaere Arts ārahi ngā tokomaha nga whawhai pai o roto i te ao nei. I raro i te aronga o te kaiwhakatairanga whawhai hōia Scott Coker, Ko te wātea Bellator ki meimei 500 miriona mau fare te ao i roto i runga i 140 whenua. I roto i te United States, Ka taea te kite i Bellator i runga i te Koi TV, te rangatira pouaka MMA. Uru Bellator MMA te o te rōpū whakahaere e ngā runga ngaio ahumahi i roto i te hanga pouaka, rōpū takahanga ora, whanaketanga whawhai / whanaunga, ähua wāhi, i hanga e tautoko / whanaketanga, raihana ao, marketing, pānuitanga, publicity me te kōmihana whanaunga. Hāngai Bellator i roto i Santa Monica, California, ka puritia e te whakangahau Rapa Viacom, home ki rama pirimia whakangahau o te ao e hono ki te hunga i roto i te ihirangi mālohi puta noa i te pouaka whakaata, nekehanga pikitia, ipurangi me te pūkoro tüäpapa.

 

Mō Koi:

Koi Kei te wātea i roto i te 98.7 miriona mau fare, e ko te wehenga o Viacom Networks Media. He waeine o Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Networks Media he tetahi o kaihanga ārahi o te ao o te hōtaka, me te ihirangi puta noa i tüäpapa päpähomaha katoa. Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com a hoki ake-ki-te-miniti me te mōhiohio press pūranga me ngā whakaahua, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. A pee i tatou i runga i Twitter spiketvpr mo te hou i roto i whawhati whakahōunga rongo, muri-te-scenes mōhiohio me ngā whakaahua.

WANDERLEI SILVA RETURNS TO JAPAN! RIZIN FF SIGNS LEGENDARY PRIDE CHAMPION; ANNOUNCES SEVEN FIGHTERS, INCLUDING SILVA, FOR APRIL 17 LIVE EVENT IN NAGOYA, JAPAN

(CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO BE RE-DIRECTED TO A VIDEO)

TOKYO – March 7, 2016- Re'zin FF, te whakatairanga hākinakina whawhai arahina e matenga TEOTEORAA FC mua Nobuyuki Sakakibara, announced during a press conference, the signing of all-time Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) nui Wanderlei "te kaikohuru Tuaina" Silva (35-12-1, 1 NC) to a multi-year promotional contract, as well as the first two bouts, one of which will feature Silva, for its second live event that will take place at the 10,000 capacity Nippon Gaishi Hall in Nagoya, Japan rungaRātapu, April 17.

Utu i 100,000 iene, tickets for “Top Presents RIZIN Fighting Federation I” are on sale and can be purchased online at TicketBis.com.

Silva, the former PRIDE middleweight champion and 2003 PRIDE Grand Prix middleweight champion, will team up with a fighter to be determined, i roto i te grappling motuhake "kēmu tūtohu,” the rules for which will be announced soon, and battle a duo consisting of another legend, Kazushi Sakuraba, (26-17-1, 2 NC) a Hideo Tokoro (33-28-2).

Following the April contest, Silva, who held several records under the PRIDE banner, including longest win streak and most KO’s, will compete under MMA rules in future RIZIN FF events.

I roto i te 180 pound MMA rules contest, puncher mana kino Hisaki Kato (5-2) will take on fellow prolific finisher Yuta "Ētahi" Watanabe (19-6-4).

A former HEAT middleweight title holder, the 33-year-old Kato made an explosive debut before a live U.S. television audience on Spike when he scored what was later named “Knockout of the Month”a crushing, tuarua a tawhio (:34) KO (meke) on American star Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling i Bellator 139 i runga i Pipiri 26, 2015.

Ki te rā, all of Kato’s professional victories have come by way of (T)KO.

Watanabe is a 31-year-old grappling ace who boasts a splendid 84 ōrau auau mutu, ki 11 o tona 19 career wins to date having come by way of submission and another 6 victories having come by way of (T)KO.

The number 10 ranked welterweight in Japan, Watanabe will make his first appearance of 2016 and look to rebound from a first round (2:00) tāpaetanga (kowaowaotia iho muri-tahanga) defeat at the hands of Keita Nakamura i runga i Hōngongoi 20, 2015, a loss that halted a seven-fight win streak for Watanabe.

In two different women’s bouts, Rena Kubota (1-0 MMA, 31-5-1 shoot boxing) will square off an opponent to be named under shoot boxing rules, while decorated wrestler Kanako Murata (0-0) will make her highly-anticipated MMA debut against an opponent to be announced soon.

The 24-year-old Kubota is a three-time shoot boxing tournament champion who made her much-anticipated MMA debut in stunning fashion at the RIZIN FF New Year’s Eve extravaganza, where she notched a second round (3:31) submission victory over Jleana Valentino with a flying armbar.

The 22-year-old Murata’s impressive resume includes three junior Olympic medals. Her most impressive feat, Heoi, came in 2011 when Murata nearly defeated four-time Olympic gold medalist Saori Yoshida during the All-Japan championships.

Additional bouts for “Top Presents RIZIN Fighting Federation I” will be announced soon.

A pee i Re'zin FF:

Paetukutuku – http://www.rizinff.com/en/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/rizinfightingfederation /
Twitter – https://twitter.com/rizin_PR

DARRION CALDWELL SUPLEXES, CHOKES HIS WAY TO MAIN EVENT VICTORY AT ‘BELLATOR 151’ ON titi

 

Complete Event Photos Here

 

THACKERVILLE, OK. (March 4, 2016) – It’s safe to say Darrion Caldwell (9-0) asserted himself as a legitimate title contender with his victory over Joe Warren (13-5) i roto i te hui matua o “Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwelli runga i te Paraire night in front of a sold-out crowd at WinStar Resort and Casino.

As many expected, the fight quickly made it to the mat, ki “The Wolftaking down the self-proclaimedBaddest Man on the Planetand initiating a sequence of ground-and-pound offense. After Warren made it back to his feet, the former NC State wrestler suplexed Warren and sunk in a rear-naked chokethat Warren refused to tap toforcing referee Dan Miragliotta to wave off the bout at 3:23 o te tetahi a tawhio noa.

Following the technical submission victory, Caldwell made good use of his time on the microphone with color commentator Jimmy Smith, calling out current bantamweight champion Marcos Galvão, simply saying: “F*ck you [Marcos] Galvão, you’re a p*ssy.That’s nine straight victories for the former NCAA Champion to begin his mixed martial arts career, three wins since making the transition from featherweight to bantamweight. Na, Warren has now dropped two out of three and will not get a shot at the winner of Galvao and Eduardo Dantas when they do finally meet.

 

In the co-main event of the evening, Fernando Gonzalez (25-13) extended his winning streak to five at the expense of Gilbert Smith (12-5), taking home a split decision win (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). The takedowns were likely the difference on the judges’ scorecards, but both fighters had their moments over the course of 15 meneti. Gonzalez now moves even closer to a shot at the 170-pound title, or a matchup with Michael Whārangi, who was originally slated to face “Ko te Menifee rewera” before withdrawing. The future of the division will be much clearer following “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” April 22, ka Benson Henderson challenges Andrey Koreshkov for the welterweight belt.

 

Yamauchi ake (19-3) came into his fight against Bubba Jenkins (11-2) riding a wave of momentum after three-straight wins, but the Arizona State wrestling standout used his world-class grappling to neutralize the striking and jiu-jitsu prowess of Yamauchi. The 23-year-old Japanese competitor took the back of Jenkins for the duration of round one and nearly secured an arm bar late in the final round, engari “The Highlight Kid’seffective grappling was the difference, earning the unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-27). Jenkins now has won three consecutive fights since his January 2015 mate ki Georgi Karakhanyan.

During the opening main card contest at “Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell,” Sirwan Kakai (12-4) dropped his first fight under the Bellator MMA banner to Joe Taimanglo (22-6-1) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). It looked as thoughBaby Joewas going to finish the contest early — sinking in an Anaconda Choke before transitioning to a deep guillotine — butZohanweathered the storm and hung around for the final ten minutes, even creating some bright spots of his own in the third and final round. I roto i te mutunga, nga kaiwhakawa’ cage side awarded the Guam-native his third consecutive victory and sent Kakai back to the drawing board.

 

Hua Kāri hukihuki:

Treston Thomison (9-4) patua Aaron Roberson (5-4) mā tukunga (Guillotine) R2, 2:20

Jermayne Barnes (1-1) patua Derek Palmer (0-1) mā tukunga (Nifó) R2, 1:17

Neiman Gracie (4-0) patua Roger Carroll (16-14) via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Ricky Turcios (6-0) patua Steve Garcia (6-1) via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Justin Patterson (7-1) patua Chance Rencountre (8-2) via Split Decision (29-28. 28-29. 29-28)

Ray Wood (6-1) patua Chris Jones (10-4) mā TKO (Nifó) R1, 3:10

WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR “BELLATOR 151: Warren VU. CARDWELL’ – AIRING TOMORROW ON SPIKE AT 9 PM ET/8PM CT

Complete Weigh-In Photos Here

THACKERVILLE, OK (March 3, 2016) – For the third consecutive Rāmere, Bellator MMA returns to Spike, this time around with "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell.” I roto i te hui matua, Joe Warren (13-4) looks to live up to his self-proclaimed label as the “Baddest Man on the Planet” against one of Bellator MMA’s brightest young stars in the undefeated Darrion Caldwell (8-0).

 

"Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” Tags ora me te utu i runga i te Koi i 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, ia ka awa pāngia tuatahi ora i runga i Bellator.com aTe Bellator Mobile App.

I roto i te hui tahi-matua, Gilbert Smith (12-4) will try to put an end to Fernando Gonzalez’s (24-13) four-fight winning streak when the two go toe-to-toe. I tua atu, Yamauchi ake (19-2) comes into the fight riding a wave of momentum after three-straight wins, but Arizona State wrestling standout Bubba Jenkins (10-2) will look put an end to that win streak. In bantamweight action, Sirwan Kakai (12-3) will make his seventh appearance under the Bellator MMA umbrella, and is riding a two-fight winning streak as he prepares for Joe Taimanglo (21-6-1).

 

Tīkiti mō "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” are on sale now and start at just $45. You can purchase tickets at the WinStar World Casino and Resort Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com. Tatau mo tuwhera i te hui 5:00 p.m. CT wā rohe, with the first contest taking place 45 meneti i muri.

 

Kāri Main: (Live on SPIKE – 9 p.m. AND/8:00 p.m. CT)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Main Event: Joe Warren (135.2) vs. Darrion Caldwell (135.6)

 

Bellator MMA Welterweight Co-Main Event: Gilbert Smith (170.4) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (171)

 

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira a'ee: Yamauchi ake (146) vs. Bubba Jenkins (146)

 

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Feature Bout: Sirwan Kakai (135.6) vs. Joe Taimanglo (135.4)

 

Kāri hukihuki: (Spike.com - 6:45 p.m. AND/5:45 p.m. CT)

 

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Fight: Roger Carroll (169.8) vs. Neiman Gracie (170.6)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Feature Fight: Steve Garcia (135.4) vs. Ricky Turcios (135)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Fight: Justin Patterson (170.2) vs. Chance Rencountre (169.2)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira Fight: Chris Jones (152.4) vs. Ray Wood (145.4)

Bellator MMA whitu Āhuahira Fight: Derek Palmer (194) vs. Jermayne Barnes (202.4)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira Fight: Treston Thomison (145.6) vs. Aaron Roberson (146)

BELLATOR MMA IS THE NEW FIGHTING HOME OF WANDERLEI ‘THE AXE MURDERER’ SILVA

Bellator President Scott Coker and Wanderlei Silva (Credit: Bellator / Lucas Noonan)

 

Santa MONICA (March 2, 2016) –Bellator MMA is pleased to announce that one of the most popular, recognizable and beloved fighters in the sport of mixed martial arts, Wanderlei "te kaikohuru Tuaina" Silva (35-12-1), has signed an exclusive multi-year, multi-fight contract with the promotion. The 39-year-old publicly fielded offers from companies all around the world, but the former Pride FC Middleweight Champion made the decision to take his explosive style to Bellator MMA.

 

“The Axe Murderer” has fought in some of the most memorable feuds and battles the sport has ever seen. His wars with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Tito Ortiz, Mirko Cro Cop, Vitor Belfort, Dan Henderson, Kazushi Sakuraba, Chuck Liddell, and Michael Bisping are the stuff of legend – but Silva is far from ready to close the book on his illustrious career.

 

In addition to his Pride FC Middleweight World Championship, Silva’s packed trophy case of accolades includes awards for Fight of the Year (2003, 2004, 2007), KO o te Tau (2008), and multiple Fight of the Night awards including one for each of his last three fights, just to name a few. He now looks to continue to provide his award-winning, entertaining fights inside the Bellator cage.

 

Silva has several options for his first fight with Bellator. Although he has spent the majority of his career at 185-pounds, one of the things that his fans love most about him has been Wanderlei’s willingness to fight the best of the best – even if it was up two weight classes at heavyweight – as proven by his heavyweight wars against guys like Mark Hunt, Gilbert Yvel, Kazuyuki Fujita and Cro Cop; Or, his battles against light heavyweights like Ortiz, and his most recent opponent, Brian Stann, who he knocked out in the second frame.

 

Silva is the latest in a long line of recent free agent signings made by Scott Coker and Bellator MMA. The former Chute Box competitor joins: Josh Thomson, Phil Davis, Benson Henderson, Sergei Kharitonov a Anastasia Yankova on a roster with champions the likes of: Marcos Galvão, Daniel Straus, Will Brooks, Andrey Koreshkov, Rafael Carvalho, Liam McGeary aVitaly Minakov,

PATRICIO ‘PITBULL’ FREIRE VS. JOHN ‘MACAPA’ TEIXEIRA TO CO-MAIN EVENT AT ‘BELLATOR 153: KORESHKOV VS. HENDERSON’ APRIL 22 ON titi

B153_1920x1080_comain_inhouse

‘IRISH’ BRENNAN WARD WELCOMES EVANGELISTA ‘CYBORG’ SANTOS TO THE BELLATOR MMA WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

FOUR ADDITIONAL PRELIMINARY MATCHUPS ADDED TO THE MOHEGAN SUN EVENT IN CONNECTICUT

Santa MONICA, Calif. (March 1, 2016) – The co-main event for "Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson " is set, with the news that Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (24-3) will compete against John "Macapa" Teixeira (19-1-2) in featherweight action on April 22 i Mohegan Sun Arena i Uncasville, Conn.

 

I tua atu, Connecticut o ake "Irish" Brennan Ward (13-3) returns to action in his home state fresh off an impressive victory in Japan, ina manako ia Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (20-16) ki te whakawehi Bellator MMA i 170-pauna.

 

The two bouts join a main event that features the highly anticipated Bellator debut of Benson "Whakaene" Henderson (23-5), rite wero ia toa Welterweight Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) mo tona whitiki. Four preliminary bouts were also announced; additional contests will be added in the coming weeks.

 

Tīkiti mō "Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson " tīmata i te tika $30 a kei runga i te hoko i Bellator.com inaianei, Ticketmaster.com me te Tari Mohegan Sun Pouaka. Tags ora me te noa i runga i te Koi i te hui 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, ia ka awa pāngia tuatahi ora i runga i Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App.

 

For “Pitbull,” a fight on April 22 is the first step back towards a shot at Daniel Straus’ featherweight title, a belt that Freire held before the two met at "Bellator 145: Ki te rapu utu. " I 28 years of age and with already 15 fights under the Bellator MMA banner, the Natal-native has been victorious in seven out of his last eight outings and emphatically finished Daniel Weichel in what was a knockout of the year candidate in 2015.

 

Undefeated in Bellator MMA, including an entertaining victory his last time out against Gleristone Santos; “Macapa” has not suffered defeat since 2012. A product of the highly regarded Nova Uniao team, Teixeira has previously competed in the UFC, where he was a competitor on “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.” April 22 will only be the fourth time the 29-year-old has fought outside of Brazil.

 

For Ward, fighting at the Mohegan Sun is like competing in his own backyard. Kei 10 miles from his home in New London, Conn., “Irish” has won four times at the Mohegan Sun, all by finish with three KOs and one submission. Te nuinga tata, the 27-year-old former NCAA All-American moved up in weight and submitted former heavyweight Ken Hasegawa in Japan while representing Bellator MMA during Rizin FF’s inaugural event this past December. The win brought Ward’s current winning streak to five fights, all coming by way of finish.

 

Best known to fans as “Cyborg,” Santos enters the Scott Coker-led promotion fresh off a win already in 2016. A veteran of Pride FC and Strikeforce, “Cyborg” has been involved in some memorable tussles against names the likes of: Nick Diaz, Gegard Mousasi, Francis Carmont, a Melvin Manhoef (2x). Na, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt will turn his attention to one of Bellator MMA’s fastest rising stars.

"Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson "Kāri Fight whakahōutia:

Bellator MMA Welterweight World Taitara a'ee: Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) vs. Benson Henderson (23-5)

Bellator MMA mā whitu Co-Main Takahanga: Patricio Freire (24-3) vs. John Teixeira (19-1-2)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Āhuahira a'ee: Brennan Ward (13-3) vs. Evangelista Santos (20-16)

 

Kāri hukihuki:

Bellator MMA Kōmāmā tuatahi a'ee: Sam Watford (1-0) vs. Dean Hancock (2-0)

Bellator MMA mā whitu kë ngä a'ee: Chris Foster (8-4) vs. Felipe Lavandoski (5-0)

Bellator MMA Kōmāmā tuatahi a'ee: Jason Bakanowski (3-2) vs. T.J. Hepburn (4-2)

Bellator MMA mā whitu kë ngä a'ee: Pete Rogers (2-3) vs. Mike Mangan (0-3)

'Bellator 151: Warren VU. CALDWELL’ FIGHT CARD UPDATE – THIS FRIDAY ON SPIKE

 

B151_18x24_tunein

Click below for “What to Watch: Warren vs. Caldwell”

Santa MONICA, Calif. (February 29, 2016) – This Friday, Bellator MMA returns to Spike for the third consecutive Friday with "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell.” The event takes place from the WinStar World Casino & Huihui i roto i Thackerville, OK, and features a main event between highly touted undefeated bantamweight Darrion Caldwell (8-0) challenging former two-division world champion and the self-proclaimed “Baddest Man on the Planet” Joe Warren (13-4).

Tikiti hoki "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” are on sale now and start at just $45. You can purchase tickets at the WinStar World Casino and Resort Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com. Tatau mo tuwhera i te hui 5:00 p.m. CT wā rohe, with the first contest taking place 45 meneti i muri.

"Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” Tags ora me te utu i runga i te Koi i 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, ia ka awa pāngia tuatahi ora i runga i Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App.. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Joe Warren (13-4) vs. Darrion Caldwell (8-0)

Warren has just about done it all under the Bellator MMA banner, winning titles at featherweight and bantamweight during his nearly six-year promotional tenure. Na, Warren has his sights set on another run with the 135-pound title, a belt he lost during an intense encounter with Marcos Galvão early in 2015. A 2006 Pan American and World Champion in Greco-Roman competition, the 39-year-old will test himself against a young competitor who excels in the same skillset that Warren has used to his advantage for most of his career, mamau.

 

With five impressive outings in a little over a year and a half under the Bellator MMA umbrella, it was only a matter of time before “The Wolf” found himself in a position to compete for a world title. The next stop on the road to championship gold goes through Warren, a man who has held Galvao’s belt already. A standout on the wrestling team at NC State University, the 27-year-old Caldwell most recently submitted Shawn paihere via rear-naked choke in the first frame, adding to his tally of finishes (4). Initially a featherweight, Caldwell looks much more comfortable now at 135-pounds and as he proclaimed during a recent interview, “I foresee myself competing against Joe [Warren] with a No. 1 contender shot on the line, sooner rather than later.”

 

Fernando Gonzalez (24-13) vs. Gilbert Smith (12-4)

Gonzalez took a brief hiatus from MMA to compete in the kickboxing portion of the groundbreaking "Bellator MMA: Mua 1 " event in September, losing a tightly contest decision to world-renowned striker Daley "Semtex" Paora. Gonzalez now returns to his comfort zone of MMA, where he has strung together an impressive four-fight winning streak. A veteran of the Scott Coker-founded Strikeforce promotion, as well as World Extreme Cagefighting, Gonzalez has been competing professionally since 2003.

 

Smith will be making his Bellator MMA debut against a fighter who is currently in the midst of a four-fight winning streak. "Midnight Magic” is on a bit of a roll of his own, coming into the promotion riding a two-bout winning streak. A veteran of UFC and most recently RFA, Smith won the regional promotion’s welterweight belt in June, defending the title one time before signing with Bellator.

 

Yamauchi ake (19-2) vs. Bubba Jenkins (10-2)

Yamauchi comes into the fight riding a wave of momentum he’s caught after wins against Mike Richman, Martin Stapleton, a Isao Kobayashi. The 23-year-old Japanese fighter has only lost once in six appearances under the Bellator MMA banner and has notched 15 o tona 19 wins as a professional by way of submission.

 

It’s hard to ignore Jenkins inside or outside the Bellator MMA cage, being that “The Highlight Kid” also doubles as a podcast host during his free time. The Arizona State alum notched two straight wins to cap off 2015, tino tata, an impressive offensive display against a promising prospect in Horano Parsons.

 

Sirwan Kakai (12-3) vs. Joe Taimanglo (21-6-1)

Taimanglo will be making his seventh appearance under the Bellator MMA umbrella, and is riding a two-fight winning streak. A Guam-native, “The Juggernaut” has stopped his opponent in 21 of his victories and has only lost twice in his last 14 whawhai. Look for the 31-year-old to make an impression against the bantamweight division’s newest commodity.

 

Kakai is one of Bellator MMA’s latest signings, joining the fray after a two-fight stint in the UFC. “Zohan," 26, hails from Sweden and owns 10 finishes in his 12 victories as a professional fighter. With a bantamweight title fight one-week prior and another marquee 135-pound pairing in the main event, it will be interesting to see what a win does for Kakai in the grand scheme of things.

 

Oti "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Main Event: Joe Warren (13-4) vs. Darrion Caldwell (8-0)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Co-Main Event: Gilbert Smith (12-4) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (24-13)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira a'ee: Yamauchi ake (19-2) vs. Bubba Jenkins (10-2)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Feature Bout: Sirwan Kakai (12-3) vs. Joe Taimanglo (21-6-1)

 

Kāri hukihuki:

Bellator MMA Welterweight tuatahi a'ee: Roger Carroll (16-13) vs. Neiman Gracie (3-0)

Bellator MMA whā tuatahi a'ee: Steve Garcia (6-0) vs. Ricky Turcios (5-0)

Bellator MMA Welterweight tuatahi a'ee: Justin Patterson (6-1) vs. Chance Rencountre (8-1)

Bellator MMA mā whitu kë ngä a'ee: Chris Jones (10-3) vs. Ray Wood (5-1)

Bellator MMA whitu kë ngä a'ee: Derek Palmer (Tuatahi) vs. Jermayne Barnes (0-1)

Bellator MMA mā whitu kë ngä a'ee: Steven Peterson (13-4) vs. Stephen Banaszak (5-5)

Bellator MMA mā whitu kë ngä a'ee: Treston Thomison (8-4) vs. Aaron Roberson (5-3)

 

CHEICK KONGO INCHES PAST VINICIUS SPARTAN IN ‘BELLATOR 150MAIN EVENT ON SPIKE

COMPLETE BELLATOR 150 PHOTOS HERE

MULVANE, Haratua. (February 26, 2015) – A week removed from the most watched Bellator MMA event in company history, the Scott Coker-led promotion returned to action on SPIKE with "Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Queiroz,” an event that delivered five spectacular main card fights.

 

I roto i te hui matua o te ahiahi, Cheick Congo (24-10-2) intelligently managed the distance between he and Vinicius Spartan (8-4), kicking and jabbing his way to a split decision victory (30-27, 28-29, 29-28).

 

Spartan did have his moments during the heavyweight encounter, securing takedowns in rounds two and three, followed by a knockdown late. Otiia i roto i te mutunga, Kongo received the benefit of the doubt from the Kansas-appointed judges. The Frenchman has now won two straight, and improved to 6-2 overall under the Bellator MMA banner.

It only took Rawiri Rickels (17-4) three minutes and 49 seconds to finish Bobby Cooper (12-6) in front of a sellout crowd at Kansas Star Arena on Friday. Both men had their moments during the action, but after a knee to the body dropped Cooper to his knees, “The Caveman” pummelled his foe with hammerfists until referee John McCarthy called a stop to the action.

Kendall Grove (23-15) mutu Francisco France (13-4-1) with a vicious punch 35 hēkona ki te tuarua a tawhio, winning by knockout. The victory was an emotional one for “Da Spyder,” who recently lost his brother and made it clear his performance was dedicated to his late sibling. Grove has now won three of his last four tilts, all via finish.

Chuka Willis (7-2) ringa Gaston Reyno (5-1) the first defeat of his mixed martial arts career on Friday, winning via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27). The scrap went back-and-forth over the course of 15 meneti, with multiple submission attempts and knockdowns by both men. But in the end – much to the delight of the partisan crowd – Willis earned the nod.

Former Shamrock FC Flyweight Champion Rebecca Ruth (6-1) patua Lena Ovchynnikova (10-4) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) in the opening main card fight at "Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Queiroz.” For “Ruthless” the win is the first of her career via the judges’ scorecards and extended her current winning streak to four straight.

 

Hua Kāri hukihuki:

 

Kyle Noblitt (2-0) patua David Hammons (1-2) mā TKO (nifó)

Rome Lindsay (5-5) patua Marcio navarro (14-12) mā TKO (nifó) 2:30, R1

Chris Harris (5-0) patua Julian Marquez (2-1) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Andre Fialho (6-0) patua Manny Meraz (7-2) mā knockout (nifó) :29, R1

Gregory Babene (17-11) patua Brandon Farran (12-11) mā tāpaetanga (kowaowaotia iho muri-tahanga) 3:37, R1

Thai Clark (6-0) patua Deron Carlis (4-2) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28 X3)

RAFAEL CARVALHO SET TO DEFEND MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST MELVIN MANHOEF AT ‘BELLATOR 155’ ON MAY 20

PAT CURRAN RETURNS AGAINST GEORGI KARAKHANYAN IN FEATHERWEIGHT ACTION

Santa MONICA, Calif. (February 26, 2016) - Rafael Carvalho (12-1) will make his first defense of the Bellator MMA Middleweight Championship against heavy-handed Melvin "No te aroha" Manhoef (30-12-1) i roto i te hui matua o "Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef " i te 20 i CenturyLink Arena i Boise, Idaho.

 

I roto i te hui tahi-matua, former Bellator MMA Featherweight Titlist Pat Curran (21-7) ka hoki ki te mahi mo te wa tuatahi mai i Pipiri, when he faces the always-dangerous Georgi Karakhanyan (24-5-1).

 

Tikiti hoki "Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef " tīmata i te tika $25 and go on sale next Rāmere, March 4 i Bellator.com, the CenturyLink Arena Box Office, CenturyLinkArenaBoise.com or by phone at 208-331-TIXS.

 

"Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef " Tags ora me te utu i runga i te Koi i 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, ia ka awa pāngia tuatahi ora i runga i Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App. Additional contests will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Carvalho’s second-round body kick knockout of Brandon Halsey i "Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho” was the third biggest oddsmaker upset in 2015, and extended his current winning streak to 12. The 29-year-old will be making his fourth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner and has an impressive finishing rate of 83 ōrau.

With a resume of knockouts as violent as Manhoef, it’s no surprise the Dutch competitor has been given the nickname of “No Mercy.” Known for his relentless striking style, the former K-1 and Strikeforce competitor is fresh off his emphatic knockout of Hisaki Kato i "Bellator 146: Manhoef vs. Kato” i roto i te Whiringa-. Now the 39-year-old is in position to lay claim to the Bellator 185-pound MMA title, before returning to kickboxing competition in the newly founded Bellator Kickboxing league.

 

It’s hard to find a Bellator MMA fighter with as many memorable moments for the Scott Coker-led promotion as Pat Curran. The former featherweight kingpin has been involved in wars with fighters the likes of: current champion Daniel Straus, Patricio Freire, Daniel Weichel, a Joe Warren. Now “Paddy Mike” sets his sights on “Insane,” in a bout that surely has future title implications at stake.

 

Karakhanyan made a splash in his return to Bellator MMA in 2015, rāoa i Bubba Jenkins in his first fight for the Viacom-owned promotion since 2011. Na, the Millenia MMA standout will put his knack for submitting opponents (14x) to the test against Curran, a fighter who has only been submitted once in 28-fights.

"Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef” Updated Fight Card

Whawhai Bellator MMA whitu World Taitara: Rafael Carvalho (12-1) vs. Melvin Manhoef (30-12-1)

Bellator MMA mā whitu Co-Main Takahanga: Pat Curran (21-7) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-5-1)

ILLNESS REMOVES MARCOS GALVAO FROM CARD, CHEICK KONGO VERSUS VINICIUS QUEIROZ PROMOTED TO MAIN EVENT SLOT

MULVANE, Haratua. (February 25, 2015) – Over the course of fight week, Marcos "loro" Galvao (17-6-1) has been battling an illness. After consulting physicians, Bellator officials have decided to to pull him from his Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title defense against former champion Eduardo Dantas (17-4).

 

After making weight inside Kansas Star Arena at 10 a.m. CT, Dantas was paid his show money. The fight will be rescheduled in the near future.

 

Ka rite ki te hua, Cheick Congo (23-10-2) ki Vinicius Queiroz (8-3) will now serve as the headliner and Rawiri Rickels (16-4) versus Bobby Cooper (12-5) is the new co-main event. Rounding out the SPIKE-televised card will be a middleweight attraction pitting Kendall Grove (22-15) ki Kiko France (13-3-1), the Bellator MMA debut of Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3), when she fights Rebecca Ruth (5-1) a Gaston Reyno (5-0) – fresh off his new exclusive multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA – will fight against Chuka Willis (6-2).

 

Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Queiroz,” te pahiatia e ora i runga i te Koi i 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT, ia ka awa pāngia tuatahi ora i runga i Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App.

Oti "Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Takahanga Main taumahamaha: Cheick Congo (23-10-2) vs. Vinicius Queiroz (8-3)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Co-Main Event: Dave Rickels (16-4, 1 NC) vs. Bobby Cooper (12-5)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Kendall Grove (22-15) vs. Francisco France (13-3-1)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira a'ee: Gaston Reyno (5-0) vs. Chuka Willis (6-2)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Feature Bout: Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3) vs. Rebecca Ruth (5-1)

 

Kāri hukihuki:

Bellator MMA taumahamaha Āhuahira a'ee: David Hammons (1-1) vs. Kyle Noblitt (1-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Brandon Farran (12-10) vs. Gregory Babene (16-11)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Āhuahira a'ee: Manny Meraz (7-1) vs. Andre Fialho (5-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Chris Harris (4-0) vs. Julian Marquez (2-0)

Bellator MMA Āhuahira Kōmāmā a'ee: Marcio navarro (14-11) vs. Henry Lindsay (4-5)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira a'ee: Thai Clark (5-0) vs. Deron Carlis (4-1)

Bellator MMA Āhuahira Kōmāmā a'ee: Jason Witt (7-2) vs. Jonathan Gary (11-6)