Category Archives: Bellator

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

 

LINK TO VIEW VIRTUAL REALITY FOOTAGE BELOW

Ka holimo: 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 e le ho bua,"A re 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 mona. It is recommended to use a smartphone or tablet for best results, or better yet a VR headset.

 

Ka Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA ke e itlhomme pele Mixed Martial Arts mokhatlo o hlophisitsoeng featuring ba bangata ba molemo ka ho fetisisa bahlabani lefatšeng. Tlas'a tataiso ea veteran ntoa a ntsetsa pele Scott Coker, Bellator e fumaneha hoo li ka bang 500 limilione tse malapeng a lefatseng ka bophara ka ka 140 linaheng. United States, Bellator ka bonoa ka Spike TV, le MMA thelevishene moeta-pele. Bellator MMA e comprised ea wa lekgotla la phethahatso sehlopha e kenyeletsang holimo kgwebong ya a thelevishene tlhahiso, phela ketsahalo mogokaganyi, ntoa se ntshetsopele / dikamano, lefelo la phumantsho ya thepa ka, lihlapiso tlholego ya ditiro / ntshetsopele, machaba dilaesense, tsa mebaraka, papatso, phatlalatsoa le taelo e e kopanela liphate. Bellator e thehiloe a Santa Monica, California le ruilweng ke boithabiso senatla Viacom, ba lula ho lefatse Tonakgolo boithabiso Brands hore amahanya le bamameli ba ka ho le qobellang dikahare ka mose thelevishene, tshisinyo setšoantšo, Inthaneteng 'me Mobile platforms.

 

Ka Spike:

Spike e fumaneha ka 98.7 limilione tse malapeng a 'me ke ho makala a Viacom Media Networks. A yuniti ya Viacom (NASDAQ: Via, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks ke e mong oa eona e itlhommeng pele bakeli ya merero le dikahare ka mose bohle mecha ea litaba platforms. Aterese ea Inthanete ea Spike ke www.spike.com le bakeng sa morao-le metsotso le bobolokelo-tshedimosetso o tobetsa boitsebiso bo le litsoantso, etela sebaka sa khatiso sa Spike ho http://www.spike.com/press. Latela re on Twitter spiketvpr ya moraorao ya a ho tlōla diapdeite tsa ditaba, ka mor'a-e-litšoantšo tlhahisoleseding le foto.

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

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

TOKYO – March 7, 2016- Rezine FF, tse holisang thibela ho rekisoa ha lipapali tataisoang ke pele e neng e hlooho boikakaso FC Nobuyuki Sakakibara, announced during a press conference, the signing of all-time Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) e khōlō Wanderlei "The Axe molai" 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, Japane ka laSontaha, April 17.

Turu ho 100,000 twilight, 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, ka ho betana khethehileng "tag tsa dumellane teng,” the rules for which will be announced soon, and battle a duo consisting of another legend, Kazushi Sakuraba, (26-17-1, 2 NC) le 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.

A le 180 pound MMA rules contest, senyang matla puncher Hisaki Kato (5-2) will take on fellow prolific finisher Yuta "Tse ling" 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, bobeli pota (:34) KO (ka litebele) on American star Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling kwa Bellator 139 ka June 26, 2015.

Ho fihla joale, 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 lekholong fihlela qetellong le joalo, le 11 ea hae 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) ho ikokobelletsa (ka morao-hlobotse a bipetsa) defeat at the hands of Keita Nakamura ka July 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, leha ho le joalo, 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.

Latela Rezine FF:

Website – -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 Spike

 

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) e kholo ea ho ketsahalo ea “Bellator 151: Warren vs.. Caldwellka labohlano night in front of a sold-out crowd at WinStar Resort and Casino.

As many expected, the fight quickly made it to the mat, le “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 ea ho pota-pota e mong.

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 Galvao, simply saying: “F*ck you [Marcos] Galvao, 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. Ntango wana, 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 metsotso e. Gonzalez now moves even closer to a shot at the 170-pound title, or a matchup with Michael Page, who was originally slated to face “The Menifee Maniac” before withdrawing. The future of the division will be much clearer following “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs.. HendersonApril 22, neng Benson Henderson challenges Zhenya Koreshkov for the welterweight belt.

 

Yamauchi fihlela (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, empa “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 tahlehelo ho 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) ka tsela ntsoe-leng qeto (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. Qetellong, baahloli’ cage side awarded the Guam-native his third consecutive victory and sent Kakai back to the drawing board.

 

Selelekela Card Results:

Treston Thomison (9-4) hlōla Aaron Roberson (5-4) ka tsela boikokobetso (Guillotine) R2, 2:20

Jermayne Barnes (1-1) hlōla Derek Palmer (0-1) ka tsela boikokobetso (Punches) R2, 1:17

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

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

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

Ray Wood (6-1) hlōla Chris Jones (10-4) ka TKO (Punches) R1, 3:10

WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR “BELLATOR 151: Warren VS. 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 Labohlano, Bellator MMA returns to Spike, this time around with "Bellator 151: Warren vs.. Caldwell.” E kholo ea ho ketsahalo, 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” airs phela 'me a lokolle ka Spike ka 9 p.m. LE/8 p.m. CT, ha a ntse a linako selelekela tla phallela phelang ho lona Bellator.com leThe Bellator Mobile App.

A ho sebdisana ka sehloohong ketsahalo, 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. Holim'a moo, Yamauchi fihlela (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).

 

Tickets for "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. Mamati bakeng sa ketsahalo butsweng ka 5:00 p.m. CT nako ya lehae, with the first contest taking place 45 ka mor'a metsotso e.

 

Main Card: (Live on SPIKE – 9 p.m. LE/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 Featherweight Feature bout: Yamauchi fihlela (146) vs.. Bubba Jenkins (146)

 

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

 

Selelekela Card: (Spike.com - 6:45 p.m. LE/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 Featherweight Feature Ntoa: Chris Jones (152.4) vs.. Ray Wood (145.4)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Ntoa: Derek Palmer (194) vs.. Jermayne Barnes (202.4)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature Ntoa: 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 (Mokitlane: 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 "The Axe molai" 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 ya Year (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 le Anastasia Yankova on a roster with champions the likes of: Marcos Galvao, Daniele Straus, Tla Brooks, Zhenya Koreshkov, E rafael Carvalho, Liam McGeary leVitaly Minakov,

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

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 "Hrithik Roshan" Freire (24-3) will compete against John "Macapa" Teixeira (19-1-2) in featherweight action on April 22 ka Mohegan Sun Arena a Uncasville, Conn.

 

Holim'a moo, Connecticut ka boeena "Irish" Brennan Ward (13-3) returns to action in his home state fresh off an impressive victory in Japan, ha a ne a amohela Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (20-16) ho kena ka har'a Bellator MMA pipe pelaez nakong 170-liponto.

 

The two bouts join a main event that features the highly anticipated Bellator debut of Benson "Smooth" Henderson (23-5), ha a ntse a phephetsa 'mampoli welterweight Zhenya Koreshkov (18-1) etsoe lebanta la hae. Four preliminary bouts were also announced; additional contests will be added in the coming weeks.

 

Tickets for "Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs.. Henderson " qala ka feela $30 'me ba tsa rekisoa joale Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com le Mohegan Sun Box Office. Ketsahalo ena e e ikhohomoselitse e phelang 'me mahala mabapi le Spike nakong 9 p.m. LE/8 p.m. CT, ha a ntse a linako selelekela tla phallela phelang ho lona Bellator.com le The 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: Le Phetetso A. " Ka 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 Daniele 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. Located 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. Morao ka ho fetisisa, 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, le Melvin Manhoef (2X). Hona joale, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt will turn his attention to one of Bellator MMA’s fastest rising stars.

"Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs.. Henderson "Updated Card Ntoa:

Bellator MMA Welterweight World Title bout: Zhenya Koreshkov (18-1) vs.. Benson Henderson (23-5)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Co-Main Event: Patricio Freire (24-3) vs.. John Teixeira (19-1-2)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature bout: Brennan Ward (13-3) vs.. Evangelista Santos (20-16)

 

Selelekela Card:

Bellator MMA bobebe selelekela bout: Sam Watford (1-0) vs.. Modini Hancock (2-0)

Bellator MMA Featherweight selelekela bout: Chris Foster (8-4) vs.. Felipe Lavandoski (5-0)

Bellator MMA bobebe selelekela bout: Jason Bakanowski (3-2) vs.. T.J. Hepburn (4-2)

Bellator MMA Featherweight selelekela bout: Pete Rogers (2-3) vs.. Mike Mangan (0-3)

'BELLATOR 151: Warren VS. 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 & Resort 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).

Ditekete tsa "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. Mamati bakeng sa ketsahalo butsweng ka 5:00 p.m. CT nako ya lehae, with the first contest taking place 45 ka mor'a metsotso e.

"Bellator 151: Warren vs.. Caldwell” airs phela 'me a lokolle ka Spike ka 9 p.m. LE/8 p.m. CT, ha a ntse a linako selelekela tla phallela phelang ho lona Bellator.com le The 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. Hona joale, Warren has his sights set on another run with the 135-pound title, a belt he lost during an intense encounter with Marcos Galvao 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, loane.

 

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 Bunch 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: Dynamite 1 " event in September, losing a tightly contest decision to world-renowned striker Pauluse o ile a "Semtex" Daley. 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. "Har'a mp'a bosiu 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 fihlela (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, le Isao Kobayashi. The 23-year-old Japanese fighter has only lost once in six appearances under the Bellator MMA banner and has notched 15 ea hae 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, morao ka ho fetisisa, an impressive offensive display against a promising prospect in Jordane 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 lintoa. 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.

 

Ho feletseng "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 Featherweight Feature bout: Yamauchi fihlela (19-2) vs.. Bubba Jenkins (10-2)

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

 

Selelekela Card:

Bellator MMA Welterweight selelekela bout: Roger Carroll (16-13) vs.. Neiman Gracie (3-0)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight selelekela bout: Steve Garcia (6-0) vs.. Ricky Turcios (5-0)

Bellator MMA Welterweight selelekela bout: Justin Patterson (6-1) vs.. Chance Rencountre (8-1)

Bellator MMA Featherweight selelekela bout: Chris Jones (10-3) vs.. Ray Wood (5-1)

Bellator MMA Middleweight selelekela bout: Derek Palmer (Qalo) vs.. Jermayne Barnes (0-1)

Bellator MMA Featherweight selelekela bout: Steven Peterson (13-4) vs.. Stephen Banaszak (5-5)

Bellator MMA Featherweight selelekela bout: 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, Se eka. (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.

 

Ka shoalane ka sehloohong e ketsahalo, Cheick Kongo (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. Empa qetellong, 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 David 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) ile a khaotsa ho Francisco France (13-4-1) with a vicious punch 35 metsotsoana e ka ea bobeli pota, 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) a ile a fa 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 metsotso e, 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) hlōla Lena Ovchynnikova (10-4) ka tsela ntsoe-leng qeto (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.

 

Selelekela Card Results:

 

Kyle Noblitt (2-0) hlōla David Hammons (1-2) ka TKO (punches)

Rome Lindsay (5-5) hlōla Marcio Navarro (14-12) ka TKO (punches) 2:30, R1

Chris Harris (5-0) hlōla Julian Marquez (2-1) ka tsela ntsoe-leng qeto (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Andre Fialho (6-0) hlōla Manny Meraz (7-2) ka knockout (punches) :29, R1

Gregory Babene (17-11) hlōla Brandon Farran (12-11) ka tsela ho ikokobelletsa (ka morao-hlobotse a bipetsa) 3:37, R1

Thai Clark (6-0) hlōla Deron Carlis (4-2) ka tsela ntsoe-leng qeto (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) - E rafael Carvalho (12-1) will make his first defense of the Bellator MMA Middleweight Championship against heavy-handed Melvin "Ha ho Mohau" Manhoef (30-12-1) e kholo ea ho ketsahalo ea "Bellator 155: Carvalho vs.. Manhoef " ka la 20 nakong CenturyLink Arena a Boise, Idaho.

 

A ho sebdisana ka sehloohong ketsahalo, former Bellator MMA Featherweight Titlist Pat Curran (21-7) e tla khutlela ho nka khato ka lekhetlo la pele ho tloha ka June, when he faces the always-dangerous Georgi Karakhanyan (24-5-1).

 

Ditekete tsa "Bellator 155: Carvalho vs.. Manhoef " qala ka feela $25 and go on sale next Labohlano, March 4 ka Bellator.com, the CenturyLink Arena Box Office, CenturyLinkArenaBoise.com or by phone at 208-331-TIXS.

 

"Bellator 155: Carvalho vs.. Manhoef " airs phela 'me a lokolle ka Spike ka 9 p.m. LE/8 p.m. CT, ha a ntse a linako selelekela tla phallela phelang ho lona Bellator.com le The Bellator Mobile App. Additional contests will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Carvalho’s second-round body kick knockout of Brandon Halsey ka "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 lekholong.

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 ka "Bellator 146: Manhoef vs.. Kato” ka November. 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 Daniele Straus, Patricio Freire, Daniele Weichel, le 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, choking tsoa Bubba Jenkins in his first fight for the Viacom-owned promotion since 2011. Hona joale, 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

Bellator MMA Middleweight World Title Ntoa: E rafael Carvalho (12-1) vs.. Melvin Manhoef (30-12-1)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Co-Main Event: 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, Se eka. (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 hoo, Cheick Kongo (23-10-2) khahlanong le Vinicius Queiroz (8-3) will now serve as the headliner and David Rickels (16-4) khahlano 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) khahlanong le Kiko France (13-3-1), the Bellator MMA debut of Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3), when she fights Rebecca Ruth (5-1) le 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,” airs phela ka ho Spike ka 9 p.m. Et / 8 p.m. CT, ha a ntse a linako selelekela tla phallela phelang ho lona Bellator.com le The Bellator Mobile App.

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

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Main Event: Cheick Kongo (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 Featherweight Feature bout: Gaston Reyno (5-0) vs.. Chuka Willis (6-2)

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

 

Selelekela Card:

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature bout: 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 Feature bout: 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 bobebe Feature bout: Marcio Navarro (14-11) vs.. Henry Lindsay (4-5)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature bout: Thai Clark (5-0) vs.. Deron Carlis (4-1)

Bellator MMA bobebe Feature bout: Jason Witt (7-2) vs.. Jonathan Gary (11-6)