2022 is the Year of the BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix
HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EIGHT-MAN TOURNAMENT SET TO DETERMINE 135-POUND WORLD CHAMPION AND $1 MILLION DOLLAR GRAND PRIZE WINNER
YEARLONG TOURNAMENT BEGINS IN FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR, EXCLUSIVELY ON SHOWTIME
WATCH TONIGHT’S ANNOUNCEMENT BY CLICKING HERE
LOS ANGELES -It was officially announced at tonight’sBellator 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi event that next year’s prestigious BELLATOR World Grand Prix will take place in the promotion’s incredibly stacked bantamweight division. The winner of tonight’s 135-Pound World Championship fight betweenSergio Pettis iKyoji Horiguchi will defend their title next year in the Bantamweight World Grand Prix featuring a gauntlet of the eight best athletes the weight class has to offer.
In addition to both Pettis and Horiguchi, the Bantamweight World Grand Prix is set to feature former divisional championJuan Archuleta, No. 2 classificat-Raufeon Stots, No. 3 classificat-Patchy Mix, No. 4 classificat-Magomed Magomedov, No. 5 classificat-Leandro Figa, i n. 6 classificat-James Gallagher, who will all vie for the right to be named the next BELLATOR Bantamweight World Champion and take home a grand prize of one-million-dollars.
First-round matchups and additional details such as dates, locations and tournament alternates will be revealed soon.
All tournament bouts will be five-round contests and will be telecast in the United States exclusively on SHOWTIME.
Former BELLATOR Bantamweight World Champion Kyoji Horiguchi enters tonight’s contest unranked due to inactivity within the promotion. Official BELLATOR Rankings will be updated and distributed on Monday, Desembre. 6.
Campió – Sergio Pettis (21-5):
Fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.,Sergio Pettis captured the BELLATOR bantamweight crown in May 2021 by outpointing former championJuan Archuleta in a fast-paced contest atBELLATOR 258.During a nearly six-year, 14-fight UFC stint, the Roufusport-product competed in both the flyweight and bantamweight classes, collecting nine victories and a pair of “Fight of the Night” honors against Alex Caceres and Matt Hobar in 2014. Prior to his UFC tenure, Pettis, the younger brother of former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, earned world titles in Resurrection Fighting Alliance’s flyweight division and North American Fighting Championship’s 135-pound class. Following a trio of impressive triumphs over some of the division’s elite, BELLATOR’s bantamweight champion is set to protect his belt and an unblemished 3-0 promotional mark entering the tournament.
Former BELLATOR Bantamweight Champion – Kyoji Horiguchi (29-3):
Hailing from Takasaki, Japó, el jugador de 31 anys d'edat,Kyoji Horiguchi is the reigning RIZIN bantamweight champion who notoriously became a simultaneous, two-promotion champion in 2019 after taking down and upsetting then-BELLATOR champion Darrion Caldwell at Madison Square Garden. Desafortunadament, an injury would force Horiguchi to relinquish his BELLATOR title in 2019, and he now looks to reclaim his belt in a main event clash with current championSergio Pettis aBellator 272. While with RIZIN, the American Top Team-product amassed an impressive 10-1 promotional mark, highlighted by eight finishes and five first-round knockouts. Més, more than half of Horiguchi’s career victories have come via knockout. Ara, after reclaiming his RIZIN bantamweight strap and avenging only his third loss in 32 outings with a highlight-reel, opening-round knockout over Kai Asakura on New Year’s Eve 2020, the Japanese sensation fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla., aims to get his hands back on BELLATOR’s title
No. 1 Ranked Bantamweight – Juan Archuleta (25-3):
With the Bantamweight World Grand Prix set, former BELLATOR World Champion and No. 1-classificatJuan Archuleta sees a clear path toward regaining the 135-pound crown. Armed with 25 professional victories, Incloent 12 by way of K.O. o submissió, the “Spaniard” has no issues stopping opponents inside the BELLATOR cage. The former four-division King of the Cage world champion, who holds victories over Patchy Mix, Henry Corrals, and Ricky Bandejas, strives to keep that trend going throughout the Grand Prix.
No. 2 Ranked Bantamweight – Raufeon Stots (17-1):
Considered one of the world’s best 135-pound fighters, Raufeon “Supa” Stots has been in the title conversation since his 2019 BELLATOR debut. Currently riding a nine-fight winning streak, el No. 2-ranked bantamweight has defeated some of BELLATOR’s finest, including Magomed Magomedov and Josh Hill, by smothering opponents with top-tier grappling ability. Sporting a near-perfect 17-1 registre, the Roufusport product and two-time NCAA Division II Champion now has an opportunity to compete for a long-awaited crown.
No. 3 Ranked Bantamweight – Patchy Mix (15-1):
Set to make his sixth promotional appearance under the BELLATOR umbrella, the pride of Angola, N.Y., has collected two-first round submission victories while compiling a 4-1 record with the Scott Coker-led promotion. The 28-year-old Buffalo, N.Y. native looks to build off his most recent win atBellator 270 over James Gallagher in his opponent’s hometown of Dublin, Irlanda, mes passat. Prior to his time with BELLATOR, Mix dominated the competition while on the regional scene by collecting nine of his 15 professional victories, including five first-round finishes. Ara, the submission specialist will face the toughest challenge of his career, a shot at the tournament’s $1 million prize and BELLATOR’s 135-pound strap.
No. 4 Ranked Bantamweight – Magomed Magomedov (18-2):
After capturing belts in different organizations, Dagestani phenomMagomed Magomedov hopes to add to his collection by taking home BELLATOR gold. Amassing an impressive 18-2 career record with 12 via finish, “Tiger” has made a swift impact on the BELLATOR 135-pound division since his December 2020 promotional debut by climbing to No. 4 in the rankings. Possessing both a blistering pace and superior grappling, Magomedov has the potential to be a nightmare matchup for anyone in the BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix.
No. 5 Ranked Bantamweight – Leandro Figa (21-5):
After dropping in weight to 135-pounds, Leandro Higo has been on a tear by winning three consecutive fights and putting the entire bantamweight division on notice. Under the tutelage of the famed Pitbull Brothers camp, the Brazilian is coming off a hard-fought, split-decision victory over former Bantamweight World Champion Darrion CaldwellatBellator 259 al maig 2021. Com 12 of Higo’s 21 pro victories have come by submission, the entire bracket knows that the No. 5-ranked bantamweight will not be an easy out.
No. 6 Ranked Bantamweight – James Gallagher (11-2):
Hailing from Strabane, Irlanda, one of MMA’s brightest young fighters strives to notch his 12th career victory in a tournament stacked with 135-pound talent. Following a finish over Anthony Taylor atBellator 169 al desembre 2016 and a pair of first-round submissions the following year, “The Strabanimal” has tallied four victories over his past six contests, including three first-round finishes and a highlight reel 35-second win atBellator 227. Poised for the biggest test of his young career, the former SBG Ireland-product aims to shed the shadow of former training partner, Conor McGregor, and add to his own legacy with a shot at BELLATOR bantamweight gold.
Si us plau visitaBellator.com per obtenir informació addicional.
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GRIMARD AND VASTA SET TO GO PRO AT NEF 46
PER PUBLICACIÓ IMMEDIATA: Portland, Maine (Novembre 30, 2021) - Lluites de Nova Anglaterra (NEF) returns with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) esdeveniment, "NEF 46: Decade of Dominance,” on Saturday, Febrer 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. The leading regional promotion launched on February 11, 2012. El dia d'avui, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the fight card. Former NEF Amateur Featherweight ChampionNathaniel Grimard (0-0) is scheduled to take onAnthony Vasta (0-0) amb un pes de baralla de 145 lliures-.
Nathaniel Grimard made his NEF MMA debut in September 2019 at “NEF 40: School of Hard Knocks.” That night, Grimard submitted Justin Kangas (0-3) via armbar in the first round. During the pandemic lockdown, Grimard competed twice in Florida and improved his record to 3-0. His unbeaten record positioned Grimard to challenge for the then vacant NEF Featherweight Championship. A l'agost, Grimard stopped Brandon Maillet-Fevens (3-2) in the second round at “NEF 44: Back in Black” to become the 145-pound titleholder. Grimard got right back in the cage at “NEF 45: Uprising” to defend his strap against Billy Wilson (7-1) from the famed Jackson Wink MMA camp in New Mexico. Grimard lost a laborious five-round decision that made Wilson the new champion. Ara, Grimard hits the reset switch as he plans to turn professional against NEF newcomer, Anthony Vasta. Grimard represents Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire where he trains under UFC and Bellator veteran, and former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, Devin Powell (10-5).
“I can’t imagine a better way to start my pro career than on NEF’s 10th anniversary card,” Grimard stated. “I have big goals for myself and I’m ready to take on anybody in my way. I have nothing but respect for Vasta and his martial arts skills, but I have never been more focused.”
Anthony Vasta will also be making his professional debut at NEF 46. Vasta and Grimard made their respective MMA amateur debuts within a couple of months of each other. Vasta and Grimard share another common tie, as both competed on the same card in Florida during the pandemic. Vasta has a 1-1 amateur record and trains at Defensive Edge Martial Arts Academy in Wakefield, Massachusetts.
“Being able to make my professional debut against another rising New England fighter that I respect is exciting,” Vasta stated. “It’s time to take the next step in my career, put my skills to the test, and seize the opportunity. My style is really unorthodox and hard to prepare for. I plan to go out there and put on a dominant performance against another tough prospect of this division.”
"NEF 46: Decade of Dominance” takes place on Saturday, Febrer 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. Les portes obren a 6 pm with first fight at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now atwww.Ticketmaster.com.
BELLATOR MMA Confirms Full Fight Card for BELLATOR MMA 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi on SHOWTIME This Friday, Desembre. 3 a 10 P.m. ET/PTBELLATOR MMA Confirms Full Fight Card for BELLATOR MMA 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi on SHOWTIME This Friday, Desembre. 3 a 10 P.m. ET / PT
BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE IS ON THE LINE AS BELLATOR CLOSES OUT THE YEAR AT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA WITH A FLURRY OF ACTION-PACKED FIGHTS
LOS ANGELES - BELLATOR MMA has confirmed the full fight card forBELLATOR MMA 272: Pettis vs Horiguchicard at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The event puts a stamp on the 2021 calendar year and is set to begin on SHOWTIME at10 p.m. ET / PT.
The stacked preliminary card will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at7 p.m. ET / 4 pm. PT.
En l'esdeveniment principal de la nit, current BELLATOR Bantamweight World ChampionSergio Pettis (21-5) puts his belt on the line against former BELLATOR 135-pound titleholder and current RIZIN championKyoji Horiguchi (29-3). The co-main event features former featherweight world title challenger No. 4-classificatEmmanuel Sánchez (20-6) versus former UFC standout and No. 9-classificatJeremy Kennedy (16-3, 1 NC).
Also anchoring the main card will be a bantamweight bout between UFC veteranJared Scoggins (10-1) i n. 7-classificatJosh Hill (20-4), as well as undefeated American Top Team-product, i n. 5-ranked middleweightJohnny Eblen (9-0), who looks to protect his unblemished record against BELLATOR newcomerCollin Huckbody (10-3).
With seven thrilling fights in total, laBELLATOR MMA 272 preliminary card is highlighted by a pair of welterweight contests between Swedish submission specialist No. 10-classificatOliver Enkamp (10-2) and former Oklahoma State University wrestling standoutKyle Crutchmer (7-1) així comLevan Chokheli (9-1, 1 NC) iVinicius de Jesus (9-4).
Hawaii’sKai Kamaka III (8-4-1) returns to the Scott Coker-led promotion, as he prepares for battle withJohn de Jesus (14-9) en l'acció de pes ploma, mentreDan Moret(15-6) iSpike Carlyle (12-3) meet in a 160-lb contract weight matchup.
Three additional lightweight matchups have also been announced with Russian sensationAlexander Shabliy (20-3) taking on Utah’sBobby King (10-3), Killys Mota (12-2) lluitantMike Hamel (8-5), iJustin Montalvo(3-0) squaring up withJacob Bohn (10-7)
Les entrades perBELLATOR MMA 272 are on sale now and can be purchased atTicketmaster.com iBellator.com.
Full bout listings are below:
BELLATOR MMA 272: PETTIS VS. HORIGUCHITARGETA PRINCIPAL:
Divendres, Desembre. 3 – live onTEMPS DE LA FUNCIÓ
10 p.m. ET / PT
Bantamweight World Title bout: C-Sergio Pettis (21-5) vs.Kyoji Horiguchi (29-3)
Baralla de pes ploma: #4-Emmanuel Sánchez (20-6) vs. #9-Jeremy Kennedy (16-3, 1 NC)
Bantamweight bout: Josh Hill(20-4) vs.Jared Scoggins(10-1)
Baralla de pes mitjà: #5-Johnny Eblen (9-0) vs.Collin Huckbody (10-3)
TARGETA PRELIMINAR:
BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV
7 p.m. ET / 4 pm. PT
Baralla de pes lleuger: Alexander Shabliy (20-3) vs.Bobby King (10-3)
Baralla de pes ploma: John de Jesus (14-9) vs.Kai Kamaka III (8-4-1)
Baralla de pes welter: Levan Chokheli (9-1, 1 NC) vs.Vinicius de Jesus (9-4)
Baralla de pes lleuger: Justin Montalvo (3-0) vs.Jacob Bohn (10-7)
Baralla de pes lleuger: Killys Mota (12-2) vs.Mike Hamel (8-5)
160-Pound Contract Weight bout: Dan Moret (15-6) vs.Spike Carlyle (12-3)
Baralla de pes welter: #10-Oliver Enkamp (10-2) vs.Kyle Crutchmer (7-1)
*La targeta està subjecta a canvis.
Si us plau visitaBellator.com per obtenir informació addicional.
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Lliure. Desembre. 3 // Bellator 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi// Mohegan Sun Arena // Uncasville, Connecticut
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CHAMP VS FORMER CHAMP SET FOR FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT ON FEBRUARY 12TH
PER PUBLICACIÓ IMMEDIATA: Portland, Maine (Novembre 26, 2021) - Lluites de Nova Anglaterra (NEF) returns with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) esdeveniment, "NEF 46: Decade of Dominance,” on Saturday, Febrer 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. The leading regional promotion launched on February 11, 2012. El dia d'avui, NEF announced the addition of an amateur championship bout to the fight card. NEF Flyweight ChampionTyler Smythe (3-1) is scheduled to defend his title against former NEF Flyweight ChampionRyan "Gros" Burgess (3-2) at a fight weight of 125 lliura.
Tyler Smythe notched his third MMA win and captured coveted NEF gold in the process when he recently stopped previously undefeated flyweight prospect Caleb “Dr. Feelgood” Austin (5-1) in a “Fight of the Night” performance at “NEF 45: Uprising.” Down on the scorecards but not discouraged, Smythe waged a come-from-behind victory to earn the technical knockout (QUI) stoppage over Austin in the final second of the fourth round of their championship bout. Never one to slow down, Smythe, who is trained by Nate Libby out of Evolution Athletix in Saco, Maine, is anxious to make an immediate turnaround and defend his title against a former NEF Champion.
“From bell to bell, every round, I’ll be going at this kid like he owes me money,” Smythe stated. “I want a quick finish. Ryan doesn’t deserve to be in that cage with me. February 12th, I’ll show why I’m the NEF flyweight champ.”
Ryan Burgess is no stranger to championship challenges. Hailing from Rumford, Maine, Burgess is one of only four Mountain Valley High School mat men to ever win triple state crowns in wrestling. He amassed an amazing 151-23 overall high school record before graduating and turning his attention to mixed martial arts. Burgess quickly made a name for himself in MMA when he won the NEF Flyweight Championship in November 2015 with a split-decision nod over then Champion Dustin Veinott (5-4). When Burgess last competed, he displayed a dangerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) game off his back in defeating Nate Boucher (0-1) in a heated hometown rivalry. Burgess, a BJJ purple belt, trains under Jason “JB” Bell and fights out of Bell’s Famoso BJJ.
“I’m super excited to make my return on NEF’s 10-year anniversary show,” Burgess stated. “It’s been a long time coming for me to return to the cage and I can’t think of a more perfect scenario than coming back and regaining my flyweight title with a finish over Smythe. It’s been three years since I’ve competed, but my coach, Jason Bell, and I have been putting in work behind the scenes. I can’t wait to showcase my skills and put on a show for the fans.
“Smythe seems like a tough opponent, and it was no easy feat for him to defeat Caleb Austin for the belt,” Burgess continued. “With that being said, I see many holes in his game that I plan to exploit come February 12th. I hope he’s not expecting the same fighter he’s watching in the three-plus-year-old film he’s researching to better understand me. Mentally and skillfully, I am a far superior fighter compared to my previous bouts and only my training partners actually know the weapons I’ll be bringing into that cage to get the job done. Smythe may rethink his entire pursuit of a professional MMA career when I’m finished with him. The pressure I’m going to bring would melt any of these amateur flyweights in New England and come February they will all be on notice.”
"NEF 46: Decade of Dominance” takes place on Saturday, Febrer 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. Les portes obren a 6 pm with first fight at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now atwww.Ticketmaster.com.
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ASSAM VS KANGAS SET TO STRIKE AT NEF 46 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY EVENT
PER PUBLICACIÓ IMMEDIATA: Portland, Maine (Novembre 24, 2021) - Lluites de Nova Anglaterra (NEF) returns with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) esdeveniment, "NEF 46: Decade of Dominance,” on Saturday, Febrer 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. The leading regional promotion launched on February 11, 2012. El dia d'avui, NEF announced the addition of an amateur welterweight bout to the fight card.Jon Assam (2-3) is scheduled to take on former lightweightJustin Kangas (0-3) amb un pes de baralla de 170 lliures-.
Jon Assam will have fought for NEF for four straight years when he steps in the cage on February 12º. The Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) staple most recently made Austin Hamilton (0-3) retire on the stool in between rounds when they faced-off at the Hampshire Dome last August at “NEF 44: Back in Black” in New Hampshire. Assam will be looking to extend his win streak to two when he shares the cage with Kangas in February.
“I’m very excited to be part of another NEF event, always good cards and good fights,” Assam stated. “I don’t like to do much talking outside of the cage, but my opponent can expect the same thing I expect from him—the best version of ourselves—and we’ll see whose best is better.”
Justin Kangas has struggled to find his first win in NEF, having dropped losses to a who’s who of young up and coming talent including Nate “The Mule White (5-0) and former NEF Featherweight Champion Nathaniel Grimard (4-1). Standing 6’3”, the cut to 155-pounds has always been a struggle for the moonlighting mixed martial artist who spends his days working as a school principal. Having finally found the rhythm between his professional life and passion for training, Kangas is confident that the move up in weight class will help him secure that elusive first win in the NEF hexagon.
“I am extremely excited to step back into the NEF cage. It has been far too long. Covid has been rough on us all in a variety of ways, but if there is a silver lining, it’s that it gave me a ton of time to work on my deficits. When I first started fighting for NEF, I was only nine months into my training, and I was a fish out of water on the ground. Each fight gave me a lot to reflect on and gave me a full picture of what needed to change. Covid may have stopped a lot of things in our country, but it didn’t stop me from training and growing as a fighter.
“My weaknesses have become new passions and strengths for me. Losing and identifying faults doesn’t break me down. It excites me. Nothing is more rewarding than improving yourself. Have no doubt, I have done just that.
“After all the time off, I made the decision to jump up a weight class. I have been working hard to put on weight the right way over the last year and a half and have come leaps and bounds in my confidence and technique on the feet, the cage and the ground. I am a far more well-rounded and skilled fighter. I look forward to showing off that work.
“Jon Assam is a veteran in the NEF cage and he always goes to war. I am excited to share the cage with him and I know the fans won’t be disappointed. I took this fight because I knew it would push me to my limits and that’s how exciting fights are made. I don’t take fights looking for an easy win to pad my record. I’m here to push and challenge myself. My past three opponents have a combined record of 12-4. Expect nothing less than a battle in that cage.”
"NEF 46: Decade of Dominance” takes place on Saturday, Febrer 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. Les portes obren a 6 pm with first fight at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now atwww.Ticketmaster.com.