Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. MixMain Card: Juan Archuleta(25-2) defeatedPatchy Mix(13-1) via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) Neiman Gracie(10-1) defeatedJon Fitch(32-8-2, 1 NC) via submission (heel hook) tom 4:47 of round two Liz Carmouche (14-7) defeatedDeAnna Bennett(10-7-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) tom 3:17 of round three Keoni Diggs(9-0) defeatedDerek Campos(20-11) via technical submission (rear-naked choke) tom 4:59 of round three
Preliminary Card: Daniel Madrid(18-6) defeatedPat Casey(6-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) Ty Gwerder(5-1) defeatedTuco Tokkos(4-2) via TKO at 1:05 of round three Davion Franklin (2-0) defeatedRas Hylton(6-5) via technical decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bellator 245: Davis vs. Machida 2 Main Card: Phil Davis (22-5, 1 NC) defeatedLyoto Machida (26-10) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Cat Zingano(11-4) defeatedGabby Holloway(6-6) via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26) Taylor Johnson(6-1) defeatedEd Ruth (8-3) via submission (heel hook) tom :59 of round one Raymond Daniels(2-1, 1 NC) thiab Peter Stanonik(5-4, 1 NC)endedin a no content (accidental low blow)
Preliminary Card: Alex Polizzi(7-0) defeatedRafael Carvalho(16-5) unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Leslie Smith(12-8-1) defeatedAmanda Bell(7-7) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28. 29-28) Tyrell Fortune(8-1, 1 NC) thiab Jack May(11-6, 1 NC) ended in a no content (accidental low blow) Keith Lee(7-3) defeatedVinicius Zani(11-7) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
COVERAGE KICKS OFF THURSDAY, OCT. 1 WITHBELLATOR 247 LIVE FROM MILAN, ITALY PLUS, CHAMPION CRIS ‘CYBORG’ AND ARLENE BLENCOWE MEET IN EPIC WORLD TITLE BOUT IN PRIMETIME ON OCT. 15
LOS ANGELES–Bellator MMA, a leading mixed martial arts promotion owned by ViacomCBS,thiabCBS Sports Networkhave announced an exciting new partnership that will see the organization’s live events featured on the 24-hour home of CBS Sports beginning this fall.
CBS Sports Network will televise Bellator events, both domestic and international, LIVE in all U.S. markets, while preliminary matchups will stream on CBSSports.com and Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
To kick off the new partnership, CBS Sports Network will air Bellator events live from Europe, includingBellator 247on Thursday, Oct. 1 (4 p.m. LI) in Milan, Italy, as well as the monumentalBellator PariseventRau hnub Saturday, Oct. 10 (11:30 a.m. LI) in France.Bellator 247is headlined by a welterweight battle between veteranPaul Daley (42-17-2) thiabDerek Anderson(16-3, 1 NC), thaum lubBellator Parissees“MVP” Michael Page(17-1) take onRoss Houston (8-0, 1 NC) at welterweight andCheick Kongo (30-10-2, 1 NC) faceTim Johnson(14-6) in a heavyweight bout.
The first primetime event live from the U.S. takes place Thursday, Oct. 15 (9 p.m. LI) with a massive card anchored by the first world title defense of current championCris “Cyborg”(22-2, 1 NC), who takes on Australia’sArlene Blencowe (13-7), tomBellator 249from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
“We’re excited to have CBS Sports Network serve as the new home of live Bellator MMA events. It’s a great opportunity to showcase some of the best events and biggest names in the sport,” said CBS Sports Executive Vice President of Programming Dan Weinberg. “Adding Bellator MMA to the CBS Sports portfolio will allow for greater promotion, engagement and exposure across all our platforms and assets including CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports HQ as well as our various social accounts.”
“I am thrilled that Bellator live events will be coming to CBS Sports Network beginning on Oct. 1, as well as the unique opportunities the partnership creates across all CBS Sports platforms,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “CBS Sports is synonymous with iconic sports broadcasting and it is incredible to now have Bellator MMA included in that family. I would like to thank Paramount Network, formerly Spike TV, for the years of support that helped build Bellator into the organization that it is today, and this news marks yet another exciting relationship between two ViacomCBS properties. I look forward to bringing the biggest fights, featuring the top athletes in the world, live to CBS Sports Network and introducing Bellator to an entirely new audience this fall.”
CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is available through all major cable, satellite and telco distributors as well as via OTT streaming service providers YouTube TV, fuboTV, DirecTV and Hulu.
Bellator will continue to produce all of its own live events, led by Executive Producer Scott Fishman.
The second Bellator woman’s featherweight champion in the company’s history, Cris “Cyborg” is coming off of a dominant performance over Julia Budd in January to win the 145-pound world title. Already 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 meets Arlene Blencowe on Oct. 15. After winning the Bellator belt in her 12th career title fight, “Cyborg” made history by becoming a world champion in her fourth major promotion, previously holding belts in both the UFC and Strikeforce. With a professional record of 22-2, 1 NC, including 18 wins by way of finish, the Brazilian-born fighter holds victories over tough competition such as Budd, Holly Holm, Felicia Spencer and Gina Carano.
With wins in six of her last seven fights, including five knockouts, “Angerfist” has put herself in position to challenge for the women’s featherweight title. Coming off a unanimous decision victory over Leslie Smith, the former two-time boxing world champion will look to keep her momentum rolling and claim her first MMA title. Tied for the most knockouts in Bellator woman’s featherweight history, the fighter out of New South Wales, Australia aims to claim sole possession of that record, as she takes on her toughest challenge to date in Cris “Cyborg.”
A longtime MMA veteran, Paul Daley has competed professionally since 2003, amassing over 60 career fights. Throughout his tenure, “Semtex” has been one half of some of the most memorable bouts in MMA history, including aknockout of the year over Brennan Ward in 2017. Most recently, the Nottingham, England native notched consecutive wins over Erick Silva and Saad Awad, running his record in Bellator MMA to 8-4. Fighting out of San Diego, Calif., the 30-year-old Derek Anderson will be making his 11th appearance for Bellator MMA in search of his third consecutive victory. Nrog 11 of his 16 career wins coming by way of finish, “The Barbaric” hopes to earn his eighth promotional victory and first of his 2020 campaign.
Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Michael “Venom” Page, better known to fans as “MVP,” returns with the intention of spoiling the debut of European welterweight prospect, Ross Houston. Holding a career record of 17-1, nrog 14 wins coming by way of stoppage, the pride of London Shootfighters looks to remind people why he is one of the most exciting strikers in all of MMA. After signing with Bellator in February, Scotland’s Houston will make his promotional debut against one of Bellator’s biggest stars in Page. “The Hitman” plans on keeping his 8-0, 1 NC undefeated record intact and improve on the three submission victories already to his name by using his known Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills.
Holding an impressive MMA record of 30-10-2, 1 NC, France’s Cheick Kongo returns to action following a title fight against heavyweight champion Ryan Bader last September. The former kickboxer remains unbeaten since 2015 and will enter the Bellator cage on home soil for a rematch against a familiar opponent in heavyweight contender in Tim Johnson. Coming off a dominant TKO victory over veteran Matt Mitrione atBellator 243in August, Johnson is set to compete for the third time in 2020 seeking revenge in a rematch from 2018 against Kongo. Now training out of Las Vegas, Johnson has quickly earned his place near the top of the Bellator heavyweight division with his recent wins, including a viral knockout over top prospect Tyrell Fortune in February.
WITH FANS IN ATTENDANCE, FRANCE’S CHEICK KONGO FACES TIM JOHNSON AT HEAVYWEIGHT, WHILE MICHAEL ‘VENOM’ PAGE TAKES ON THE DEBUTING ROSS HOUSTON Tickets on sale Tuesday, Sept. 15!
LOS ANGELES –France has approved the practice of mixed martial arts and has placed the sport under the supervision of the French Boxing Federation (FFB). With these recent government approvals, Bellator is pleased to announce that it will become the first promotion to hold a major MMA event in France with a monumental show on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Accor Arena in Paris. Bellator Pariswill feature 13 MMA bouts and three boxing matchups.
Among the athletes competing atBellator Paris, 10 French fighters will appear on the card, including the renownedCheick Kongo (30-10-2, 1 NC), who will face off againstTim Johnson (14-6) in a heavyweight clash. Additionally, an exciting welterweight bout betweenMichael “Venom” Page (17-1), better known to fans as “MVP,” and the debuting undefeatedRoss Houston (8-0,1 NC) is also booked for the event.
A limited number of fans will be allowed in attendance for this historic event. Tickets will be available beginning at 10 a.m. CEST on Tuesday, September 15 tomaccorarena.com thiabbellator.fr.
Following the governmental decree, the French Boxing Federation is responsible for the implementation of MMA in France. “If I made the choice to initiate a delegation procedure for MMA, it was for its recognition; it is to liberate, supervise and develop its practice,” indicates the Minister of Sports, Roxana Maracineanu. This is a turning point in the history of French sport, as MMA is a discipline that is enjoying growing success, proven by these events capable of bringing together thousands of people and attracting millions of spectators.
“This is a monumental moment in the history of the sport, as well as our organization, and I am honored that Bellator will promote the very first MMA event in France by a major promotion,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “Many people have worked tirelessly to bring this to fruition, and it would not have been possible without the support of the Minister of Sports, Roxana Maracineanu, as well as the French Kickboxing Federation sanctioning body. I would also like to thank Accor Arena, who have been an incredible venue partner, and I cannot wait for the French fans to be in attendance and join us live for what will be an unforgettable night of action in Paris on Oct 10.”
Holding an impressive MMA record of 30-10-2, 1 NC, France’s Cheick Kongo returns to action following a title fight against heavyweight champion Ryan Bader last September. The former kickboxer remains unbeaten since 2015 and will enter the Bellator cage on home soil for a rematch against a familiar opponent in heavyweight contender, Tim Johnson. With the most fights (15) and wins (12) in Bellator heavyweight history, as well as victories over Vitaly Minakov, Mirko Cro Cop, Antoni Hardonk and Matt Mitrione, the Parisian is planning for a successful homecoming on Oct. 10.
On the heels of a dominant TKO victory over veteran Matt Mitrione atBellator 243in August, Tim Johnson is set to compete for the third time in 2020 seeking revenge in a rematch from 2018 against Cheick Kongo. Now training out of Las Vegas, Johnson has quickly earned his place near the top of the Bellator heavyweight division with his recent wins, including a viral knockout over top prospect Tyrell Fortune in February. Boasting a career record of 14-6, nrog 11 coming by way of finish, the Minnesota-born military veteran looks to carry his momentum into a fight that has future world title implications.
Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Michael “Venom” Page, better known to fans as “MVP,” returns with the intention of spoiling the debut of European welterweight prospect, Ross Houston. Holding a career record of 17-1, nrog 14 wins coming by way of stoppage, the pride of London Shootfighters looks to remind people why he is one of the most exciting strikers in all of MMA. In addition to his MMA accolades, Page is a 10-time kickboxing world champion and also undefeated as a professional boxer.
After signing with Bellator in February, Scotland’s Ross Houston will make his promotional debut against one of Bellator’s biggest stars in Michael Page. “The Hitman” plans on keeping his 8-0, 1 NC undefeated record intact and moving one step closer to Bellator gold in the toughest test of his career to date. With three submission victories to his name, Houston’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills make him a viable threat if the fight goes to the ground against one of Bellator’s most feared strikers.
FORMER CHAMPS PHIL DAVIS AND LYOTO MACHIDA COLLIDE IN LONG-AWAITED REMATCH ATBELLATOR 245ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 JUAN ARCHULETA FACES UNDEFEATED PATCHY MIX FOR THE VACANT BELLATOR BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ATBELLATOR 246 RAU HNUB SATURDAY, SEPT. 12
PLUS, THE BELLATOR DEBUTS OF FORMER TITLE CHALLENGERS CAT ZINGANO AND LIZ CARMOUCHE
LOS ANGELES— For the first time, Bellator MMA’s “FightSphere” atMohegan Sun Arena nyob rau hauv Uncasville, Conn. will host a stacked doubleheader weekend on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12. On night one, Bellator 245is headlined by former world champsPhil Davis(21-5, 1 NC) thiabLyoto Machida (26-9) in a light heavyweight rematch, thaum lubBellator 246on night two sees a bantamweight world championship fight featuring top contenderJuan Archuleta(24-2) taking on the undefeatedPatchy Mix (13-0) for the vacant title.
Two former world title challengers also make their long-awaited Bellator debuts, raws liCat Zingano(10-4)takes onGabby Holloway(6-5)in a featherweight matchup atBellator 245,thaum lubLiz Carmouche (13-7) meets the newly signedDeAnna Bennett(10-6-1) at flyweight during the main card ofBellator 246.
Bellator 245: Davis vs. Machida 2on Friday, Sept. 11 thiabBellator 246: Archuleta vs. MixRau hnub Saturday, Sept. 12 air live onParamount Network thiabDAZN tom 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. I. Preliminary action will stream onBellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming days.
A former Bellator light heavyweight world champion, Phil Davis returns to the Bellator cage for the first time since stoppingKarl Albrektsson tomBellator 231in October of last year.A four-time NCAA D-I All-American wrestler at Penn State University, “Mr. Wonderful” has earned professional victories over Brian Stann, Alexander Gustafsson, Antônio Rogério Nogueira, and the man he will face again on Sept. 11, Lyoto Machida. With eight Bellator appearances already, the San Diego-based fighter has his sights set on reclaiming his world title in the sport’s toughest light heavyweight division.
After signing with Bellator in 2018, Lyoto Machida made his highly anticipated promotional debut with a victory over former champRafael CarvalhotomBellator 213and would later go on to defeat the now-retiredChael Sonneninside the famed Madison Square Garden atBellator 222. The former UFC light heavyweight champ, known to fans around the globe as “The Dragon,” owns notable career wins over Tito Ortiz, “Shogun” Rua, Dan Henderson, Rashad Evans and Randy Couture. Having lost to Davis in the first matchup in Brazil, the native ofSalvador, Bahia, Brazil is looking for redemption and a future shot at Bellator gold.
Fresh off of an impressive victory overHenry Corrales tomBellator 238earlier this year, Juan Archuleta will look to capture the promotion’s vacant bantamweight strap. Fighting out of Hesperia, Calif., the 32-year-old knockout artist will once again drop down a weight class for a shot at the world title, something he successfully accomplished on four separate occasions while competing for regional promotion King of the Cage (lub teeb welterweight, khaub-ncaws nyias, flyweight and bantamweight). Following a hard-fought featherweight world title bout withPatricio Pitbulllast September, “The Spaniard” returns to bantamweight, where he has been undefeated for over five years.
Currently fighting out of Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., Patchy Mix will make his fourth appearance for Bellator, where he has tallied three first-round submission victories. The 26-year-old Buffalo, N.Y.-native hopes to remain undefeated and build off of his most recent win on New Year’s Eve, which saw “No Love” earn a guillotine choke-submission over Yuki Motoya at Bellator’s co-promotional event with Rizin atRizin.20in Japan. Prior to his time with the Scott Coker-led promotion, Mix dominated his competition in all nine of his fights with King of the Cage, collecting five first round finishes. Now, the submission specialist will face the toughest test of his young career, a matchup with the former Bellator featherweight world title contender and a shot at Bellator’s vacant 135-pound strap.
Also announced forBellator 245…“Easy” Ed Ruth (8-2) returns to middleweight against the debutingTaylor “Tombstone” Johnson (5-1) on the main card; current Bellator Kickboxing welterweight world champRaymond “The Real Deal” Daniels(2-1) returns to MMA againstPeter Stanonik(5-4); former middleweight champRafael Carvalho(16-4) squares off with undefeatedAlex “Easy” Polizzi(6-0) at light heavyweight; hard-hitting heavyweightsTyrell Fortune(8-1) thiabJack May(11-6) collide; “Killa” Keith Lee (6-3) facesDominic “The Honey Badger” Mazzotta (15-3) in a 140-lb. contract weight preliminary matchup.
Also announced forBellator 246…top welterweight contendersJon Fitch (32-7-2, 1 NC) thiabNeiman Gracie (9-1) square off in the co-main event; Derek “The Stallion” Campos(20-10) thiabRoger “El Matador” Huerta(24-12-1, 1 NC) go toe-to-toe in a lightweight battle; Jackson Wink MMA heavyweight prospectDavion “The Don” Franklin (1-0) takes onRas “The Jamaican Shamrock” Hylton (6-4) on the prelims; Hawaii’sTy “Savage” Gwerder(4-1) meets London’sGeorge “Tuco” Tokkos(4-1) in a middleweight contest.
UpdatedBellator 245: Davis vs.Machida 2Main Card:
Paramount Network and DAZN
Hnub vas Xuv, Sept. 11 – 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. I
Light Heavyweight Main Event: Phil Davis(21-5, 1 NC) vs.Lyoto Machida (26-9)
Aaron Jeffrey punches-out Bruno Assis in 3rd round
MIAMI (Lub yim hli ntuj 15, 2020) – The long-awaited American debut of SFT MMA & Xtreme(Standout Fighting Tournament), delayed several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finally happened this past Thursday night with a “closed show” at Wynwood Studios in Miami, Florida.
“SFT 23 VR: Jeffrey vs. Assis” was streamed live and exclusively worldwide on pay per view via the FITE app and website (www.FITE.tv), as well as taped live to air at future dates on regional television throughout the U.S. on United Fight Alliance (UFA), as well as on Brazilian television.
“Putting this event together was the most difficult thing I’ve done in SFT,” SFT presidentDavid Hudson Hais. “The fight card feels like it changed daily. At some point we had 12 fights with a very international main card, made up of highly ranked athletes. We probably signed around 20 matches and ended up with five. It was also our first time promoting in the U.S. and without everybody at full force made things very difficult, as well as the production side. We ended up with a much inferior show, as far as production goes, compared to what SFT always puts out. However, the fights where really good, and at the end of the day, it’s all about the fight. I’m glad we did it. It’s not the start I had hoped for, but now we are ready to return in full force. We are looking at end of November, early December, for the next USA show.
We want to bring back Jeffrey and Jornel as soon as possible. With flight restriction to and from Brazil, along with restrictions to promoting an open-door event, I’m not exactly sure about getting them on our cards but, hopefully, we can still get it done still this year in Brazil.”
Canadian middleweightAaron Jeffrey (8-2-0) took a step closer to reaching his dream of fighting in the UFC, registering a sensational knockout on punches of his Brazilian opponent, Bruno “Brunao” Assis (9-5-0) in the opening round. The 27-year-old Jeffrey, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, unleashed a barrage of lethal punches to end the fight for his sixth victory in his last seven fights. This was the SFT debut for both of these main event fighters. Jeffrey vs. Assis was selected as Fight of the Night and each fighter was awarded a $1000 bonus.
In the co-featured event, Luiz “Buscape” Firminowon a 3-round decision over fellow BrazilianMarkus “Maluco” Perezin a grappling match contested at a 198-pound catchweight.
Undefeated Floridian lightweightsJornel “Ai” Lugo (4-0-0), representing West Palm Beach, and Missouri’sCortaviousRomiuous (4-1-0) put on an entertaining show in their SFT debuts and Lugo emerged with a tough victory by way of a 3-round split decision.
In a battle of Puerto Rican lightweights, James Hay (3-1-0) locked in a Rear Naked Choke to submitOrlando Santana (2-2-0) in the second round.
Miami light heavyweightJoshua Da Silveira (2-0-0) remained unbeaten in spectacular fashion, knocking out pro-debutingCody Rolling, fighting out of Banner Elk, North Carolina, with a perfectly placed kicked to the head in the opening round. Da Silveira received a $1000 bonus because his was selected as Knockout of the Night.
The official weights are below:
“SFT 23” OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN EVENT – SFT MMA – MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Aaron Jeffrey (8-2-0, SFT: 1-0-0), Canada
WTKO3 (Punches – 1:26
Bruno Assis (9-5-0, SFT: 0-1-0), Brazil
CO-FEATURE — GRAPPLING – CATCHWEIGHT (198 lbs.)
Markus Perez, Brazil
WDEC3
Luiz Firmino, Brazil
SFT MMA — LIGHTWEIGHTS
Jornel Lugo (4-0-0, SFT: 1-0-0), USA
WDEC3 (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Cortavious Romiuous (4-1-0, SFT: 0-1-0), USA
SFT MMA — LIGHTWEIGHTS
James Hay (3-1-0, SFT: 1-0-0), Puerto Rico
WSUB2 (Rear Naked Chole -3:16)
Orlando Santana (2-2-0, SFT: 0-1-0), USA by way of Puerto Rico
LOS ANGELES — Bellator MMA is proud to announce that undefeatedValerie Loureda(3-0) will continue to compete inside the Bellator cage after signing an exclusive multi-year, multi-fight extension to remain with the ViacomCBS-owned promotion.
“I am pleased to have re-signed with Bellator,” Loureda said. “As I have always said, I am here to show the world the true martial artist that I am and chase the flyweight belt. I was born for this, I am a natural born fighter.”
Undefeated to start her mixed martial arts career, a run that has been spent entirely with Bellator, the 22-year-old Loureda has immediately made a mark on the flyweight division by emphatically winning all three of her fights. A 4th dan taekwando black belt who was a former member of the U.S. Olympic team, “Master” Loureda is a proud Miami resident who spends a great deal of her time training at American Top Team. Most recently, Loureda made her 2020 debut inside Bellator’s “FightSphere” atBellator 243, stopping Tara Graff in the second round, a finish that garnered worldwide media attention and that earned over 11 million views through Bellator’s social media platforms.
Loureda competes in Bellator MMA’s flyweight division, a weight class currently championed byIlima-Lei Macfarlaneand includes other top athletes the likes ofLiz Carmouche, Juliana Velasquez, Alejandra Lara, Denise Kielholtz, Malin Hermansson, amongst others.
LAS VEGAS (Lub yim hli ntuj 10, 2020) – Veteran combat sports promoterKeith Veltrehas announced the debut of MMA’s newest promotional company, iKON Fighting Federation (iKON), September 24 at Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.
All iKON events, held in association with Roy Jones, ❏ Jr ❏. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions, will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports.
Veltre, who also announced the hiring ofDean Tooleas iKON’s matchmaker, is the CEO and co-founder of RJJ Boxing Promotions and Kinektic submission grappling, both streaming events exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS.
“I have always lived by the motto, when businesses are downsizing during tough times, I either acquire or expand,” Veltre said. “I take advantage of times like this to rollout new adventures and MMA has always been in my game plan. I have always attached myself to a great team and bringing in Dean Toole as lead matchmaker was a no brainer, and I promise Ikon will deliver fireworks. I am thankful to have a great broadcast partner, UFC FIGHT PASS, and we’re excited to launch our first Ikon event with UFC FIGHT PASS on September 24th.”
Toole added, “Being the founder and CEO of Island Fights, on UFC FIGHT PASS, it sometimes gets overlooked that I’m also the matchmaker for all of our professional events. I couldn’t be happier for this opportunity to continue doing what I’m best at and matchmake fights for iKON Fighting Federation.
“I had the privilege of being hired by Keith Veltre and UFC FIGHT PASS in December for the Quinet Ultra event and I think they liked working with me and my staff. I hope we made a good impression. I’m very excited to get started and do what we do best and that’s get these athletes to UFC.”
Full details and matchups will soon be announced.
To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visitwww.ufcfightpass.comor download the UFC app.
ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®: UFC FIGHT PASS®is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. Xav paub ntau ntxiv, please visitwww.ufcfightpass.com.
BELLATOR 244 AIRS LIVE ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK AND DAZN AT 10 P.M. ET FROM MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
PLUS, FORMER TITLEHOLDER JULIA BUDD RETURNS TO ACTION AGAINST JESSY MIELE IN THE CO-MAIN EVENT
LOS ANGELES– On Friday, August 21, Bellator’s “FightSphere” atMohegan Sun Arena nyob rau hauv Uncasville, Conn. will host a light heavyweight world title main event bout featuring two-division Bellator champRyan Bader(27-5, 1 NC) defending his 205-pound championship against Russia’sVadim Nemkov (11-2).
The evening’s co-main event sees fomer world championJulia Budd(13-3) take on Connecticut’sJessy Miele (9-3) in a featherweight clash.
Bellator 244: Bader vs. Nemkovairs live onParamount Network thiabDAZN Hnub vas Xuv, Lub yim hli ntuj 21 tom 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. I. Preliminary action will stream onBellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming days.
A winner of seven out of eight contests at both heavyweight and light heavyweight, Bellator’s double champ Ryan Bader will make his first light heavyweight title defense since defeating “King Mo” Lawal, Matt Mitrione thiabFedor Emelianenkoen route to winning Bellator’s 2018 Heavyweight World Grand Prix and becoming world heavyweight champ. Fighting out of Chandler, Ariz., the former two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler out of Arizona State University began his professional career by winning season eight ofThe Ultimate Fighter. “Darth” continued his path of dominance by collecting victories over some of the 205-pound division’s top talent, including career wins overPhil Davis(x2), Linton Vassell, “Rampage” Jackson, Rashad Evans, Rafael “Feijão” Cavalcante and Ovince Saint Preux. Most recently, Bader fought heavyweightCheick Kongoto a no contest following an accidental eye poke.
The 28-year-old Russian powerhouse Vadim Nemkov, who is undefeated over his last six fights and a perfect 4-0 in Bellator since signing in 2017, will enter his first-ever title shot in MMA fresh off a submission win against former middleweight world championRafael Carvalho. With that victory, Nemkov has defeated some of the best athletes Bellator has to offer, including three former champions consecutively in Carvalho, Phil Davis thiabLiam McGeary. A three-time Russian national sambo champion, Nemkov trains alongside the legendary Fedor Emelianenko in Stary Oskol, Russia for the standout Team Fedor.
Former Bellator featherweight world champion Julia Budd has won 11 of her last 12 bouts, including seven victories since signing with Bellator in 2015. After defeating Dutch legend Marloes Coenen for the inaugural Bellator women’s featherweight world title atBellator 174, the Gibson MMA-product and Port Moody, British Columbia native has gone on to collect victories over top contendersOlga Rubin, Arlene Blencowe thiabTalita Nogueira. With seven of her 13 career victories coming by way of knockout or submission, “The Jewel” will look to jump back into title contention with a statement win on August 21.
With an impressive career mark of 9-3, Jessy Miele will look to parlay her most recent win over former Bellator title contenderTalita Nogueirawhen she competes atBellator 244.Hailing from Waterbury, Conn. the 35-year-old is currently in the midst of a four-fight unbeaten streak and was slated to compete againstLeslie Smith tomBellator 241before it was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. Fighting professionally since 2014, and competing against the likes of Nogueira and Charmaine Tweet along the way, “The Widowmaker” will undoubtedly face the stiffest test of her nearly six year-career when she meets Budd on August. 21.
UpdatedBellator 244: Bader vs.NemkovMain Card:
Paramount Network and DAZN
10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. I
Light Heavyweight World Title Bout: Ryan Bader (27-5, 1 NC) vs.Vadim Nemkov(11-2)
Featherweight Co-Main Event: Julia Budd(13-3) vs.Jessy Miele(9-3)
Heavyweight Feature Bout: Roy Nelson(23-19) vs.Valentin Moldavsky(9-1)
Updated Preliminary Card:
Bellator MMA’s YouTube Channel
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: John Salter(17-4) vs.Andrew Kapel(15-6)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Adam Piccolotti(12-3) vs.Sidney Outlaw(14-4)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Erik Perez(19-7) vs.Joshua Hill(19-3)
Featherweight Preliminary Bout:Lucas Brennan (2-0) vs.Will Smith (3-1)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Vladimir Tokov(7-0) vs.Chris Gonzalez(4-0)
Streaming live & exclusively onFITE.TVpay per view
MIAMI (Aug. 6, 2020) — The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered plans in combat sports, particularly for Brazil-based SFT MMA & Xtreme (Standout Fighting Tournament), which planned to make its American debut last June at Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida. Its long-awaited American debut will finally take place on Thursday, Lub yim hli ntuj 13, with “SFT 23 VR: Jeffrey vs. Assis”, in a closed show at Wynwood Studios in Miami, Florida.
“SFT 23 VR: Jeffrey vs. Assis” will be streamed live and exclusively worldwide on pay per view via the FITE app and website (www.FITE.tv), starting at 7 p.m. EDT / 4 p.m. PDT, for $14.95. It’ll also be taped live and air at future dates on regional television throughout the U.S. on United Fight Alliance (UFA), as well as on Brazilian television.
Only fighters and one corner person each, a skeleton staff including television production crew, officials, and commission members will be allowed onsite. No fans, media, or ring-card girls. SFT will provide masks and be responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and encouraging everyone to follow all COVID-19 recommendations. Everybody will be tested for COVID-19 the day prior to the weigh in, at the weight in, and during the day of the event.
“Our plan was for SFT MMA & Xtreme to have a circuit, starting in Brazil, and then promoting shows in the United States and Mexico,” SFT presidentDavid Hudson Hais. “The Coronavirus changed everything. Our show last Saturday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was canceled after we had the weigh in, but we wanted to do the right thing and paid everybody involved.
“We can’t wait for U.S. fans to watch our product to understand what they’ve been missing. SFT gives fans what they want: competitive, action-packed fights in a completely different form of entertainment. We’re having our August 13thshow in Miami because we want to increase awareness, particularly in the United States, of our unique product of combat sports entertainment. Our shows are regularly broadcast on one of the five national television networks in Brazil. We have five of the top seven pound-4-pound MMA fighters in Brazil and we want to bring some U.S. talent to fight in Brazil. Two fighters from this show will be given a chance to fight in Brazil and then, hopefully, at the Seminole Hard Rock later this year.”
The main event pits Canadian middleweightAaron Jeffrey (7-2-0, (SFT: 0-0-0) against BrazilianBruno “Brunao” Assis (9-4-0, SFT: 0-0-0) in their SFT MMA debuts. Styles make fights and Jeffrey, Tsis yog cov tsis muaj. 1 rated middleweight in the Province of Ontario, will be looking for his sixth knockout, while Assis, Tsis yog cov tsis muaj. 1-rated fighter in the State of Minas, has his sights set on his seventh submission finish.
American lightweightFrank “The Praying Mantis” Buenafuente (10-4-0, SFT: 0-0-0), fighting out of Garfield, New Jersey, takes on Mexico’s No. 4-ratedDaniel “Danger” Vega (12-3-0, SFT: 1-0-0) in the co-featured event. Buenafuente, who has a strong wrestling background, will be making his SFT MMA debut. Vega defeatedFabio Gasolinaat “SFT 12” held in Mexico.
An SFT Xtreme (striking & kicking with 4-ounce gloves, no ground fighting) match will showcase Brazilian-native kickboxing legendMaycon Oller, who now fights out of Tustin, California, against World kickboxing championJadar Alves, of Brazil, in what promises to be a sensational showdown.
A grappling match will be on tap as well, pitting two of Brazil’s leading middleweights, Markus “Maluco” PerezagainstLuis “Buscape” Firmino.
The opening bout on the main card finds American lightweightsJornel “A1” Lugo(3-0-0, SFT: 0-0-0) thiabContavious Romious (4-0-0, SFT: 0-0-0) in a well-matched battle of two undefeated prospects.
The preliminary card offers strong support. BrazilianRegivaldo “Handstone” Carvahlo (5-2-0, SFT: 0-0-0) faces AmericanRaymond “Godson” Ramos (5-4-0, SFT: 0-0-0) fighting at a 140-pound catchweight in SFT debuts for both fighters, and two other SFT debut fighters, BrazilianLucas Alexandre (0-2-0, SFT: 0-0-0) and his American opponent, Shawn Brown (2-2-0, SFT: 0-0-0), square-off in a featherweight fight.
Also fighting on the preliminary card are Puerto Rican lightweightsOrlando Santana (2-1-0, SFT: 0-0-0) thiabJames Hay(2-1-0, SFT: 0-0-0), American light heavyweightsJoshua DaSiveira (1-0-0, SFT 0-0-0) and pro-debutingCody Rolling, and American bantamweightsSal Guerriero (1-1-0, SFT: 0-0-0) versusJohn “The Baptist” Birdson (0-1-0, SFT: 0-0-0).
The card is subject to change.
SFT MMA & Xtreme is coming to America next week. Catch the revolution!
