Tūtohu Archives: Austin Vanderford

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Showtime

Former Title Challenger John Salter Meets Undefeated Johnny Eblen During Main Card of BELLATOR 276 i runga i Maehe 12

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TOP FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDERS CAT ZINGANO AND PAM SORENSON WILL BATTLE ON PRELIMINARY CARD, ALONG WITH PIVOTAL WELTERWEIGHT CLASH BETWEEN DEREK ANDERSON VS. GOITI YAMAUCHI

TOP PROSPECTS ROMERO COTTON, CODY LAW, ROMAN FARALDO ALSO SET FOR ACTION

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Nga anahera - A plethora of fantastic fighters armed with world-title aspirations have joined the stackedBELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellcard on Saturday, March 12. SHOWTIME will televise the mammoth main card live from inside the Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo., i9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Former title challenger and No. 2 runga-John Salter (18-5), as well as undefeated BELLATOR MMA No. 3-rungaJohnny Eblen(10-0), and women’s No. 2 tekau māCat Zingano(12-4) hope to take the next step toward BELLATOR MMA gold as they join the four co-headline brawlers currently ranked among the upper echelon of their respective divisions.

Featured among the magnificent MMA melees will be three of the top-ten middleweights, five undefeated and one unblemished amateur, four top-two contenders, and ten fighters ranked along with BELLATOR MMA’s elite.

I roto i te hui matua o te ahiahi, Adam Borics (17-1) aMads Burnell(16-3), two featherweights currently tied at No. 2 in the official BELLATOR MMA rankings, will square off for a future shot at the BELLATOR 145-pound world title. I roto i te a'ee tahi-ngā, former BELLATOR Light Heavyweight Champion, 13-time BELLATOR veteran, a No. 2-rungaPhil Davis (23-6, 1 NC) will open his 2022 campaign against No. 4 Julius Anglickas(10-2), who most recently challenged for the 205-pound title. I tua atu, the main card will spotlight an international lightweight extravaganza as undefeated New Alliance Jiu-Jitsu team memberJay-Jay Wilson (8-0) of Auckland, Aotearoa, moves up in weight to meet Dagestan, Russia oGadzhi Rabadanov(16-4-2), who is coming off a first-round knockout in his promotional debut atBELLATOR MMA 263 i roto i te Hōngongoi 2021.

Prior to the consequential co-featured contests, a pair of top middleweights will round out the main card as Salter and Eblen square off for a shot at the winner of the upcoming world title bout pitting 185-pound Champion Gegard Mousasi against No. 1-runga Austin Vanderford i BELLATOR MMA 275 later this month in Dublin, Ireland.

Armed with an 8-2 BELLATOR record, Salter, a 15-year pro MMA veteran out of Nashville, Tenn., holds the promotional record for most submissions in BELLATOR MMA middleweight history, and has stopped 17 o tona 23 hoariri. Nicknamed “Diamond Hands” due to his love for crypto currency and willingness to hold onto his investments, Eblen is coming off a 71-second annihilation of Collin Huckbody atBELLATOR MMA 272i roto i te Hakihea 2021. The six-time BELLATOR MMA veteran and American Top-Team product, who recently signed a six-fight BELLATOR contract extension, has secured six opening-round stoppages, including two of his three 2021 hoariri.

In addition to the magnificent main card, a veritable cornucopia of pulsating preliminary punch ups will commence the preeminent night of action, including a Minnesota midwestern melee pitting former UFC title challenger and Winona, Mai., native Zingano against No.7-ranked lightweightPam Sorenson(9-4) of Blaine, Mai.

Set to make her third straight BELLATOR MMA appearance with aspirations of challenging BELLATOR MMA Women’s Welterweight World ChampionCris Cyborg, Zingano has had a decorated fighting career. The former NCAA Division III All-American wrestler became the first mother to compete in the UFC and initial woman to capture the company’s “Fight of the Night” award, counting victories over Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, Marion Reneau, and Gabrielle Holloway. Aita i maoro a'e, “Alpha” was featured in the series “Double Duty” that chronicled the attempts to maintain a balance between the daily responsibilities of parenthood and earning a living as a pro athlete.

A former Invicta FC women’s featherweight champion, Sorenson started kickboxing after the passing of her best friend. After vacating her crown and requesting a release from Invicta in July 2021, the Minneapolis mauler signed a multi-fight deal with BELLATOR MMA in mid-2021. Soon after joining the pioneering company, the 35-year-old recorded a hard-fought split decision over Roberta Samad atBELLATOR MMA 264 i roto i te Uncasville, Conn.

Also featured will be a bruising brawl pitting two hard-hitting heavyweights with seven career stoppages apiece as No. 8-rungaAlex “Eazy” Polizzi (9-1) o Madison, Wisc., clashes with Team Pitbull’sJose “Guru” Augusto (7-3, 1 NC). I tua atu, San Diego, Calif. taketake, 11-time BELLATOR MMA veteran, a No. 6-runga“Barbaric” Derek Anderson(17-4, 1 NC) will mix it up with submission specialist, BELLATOR Brazilian bruiser, and Japanese-bornGoiti Yamaguchi (26-5), in a worldwide welterweight war.

I tua atu, added toBELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellis a memorable middleweight match pitting undefeated, Kaua e. 6-ranked 185-pounder and owner of three consecutive stoppagesRomero Cotton (5-0) of Hutchinson, Kansas, who will bravely battle the horrors of“The Boogeyman” Lance Wright (5-2). Ano, former Division II All-American wrestler and fantastic featherweightCody Law(5-0), fresh off his third opening-round finish, strives to avoid being scared off by“Phantom” Johnny Soto (5-2) o Escondido, Calif.

Continuing the unforgettable night of amazing action, undefeated welterweight and American Top-Team memberRoman Faraldo (6-0) will make his fourth consecutive promotional appearance when he challenges BELLATOR MMA rookieKelvin Rayford (5-3), while local combatantJordan Howard (10-5) of Jefferson City hopes to thrill the Missouri faithful against Athens, Illinois’ ownTrevor Ward(5-5). Two flyweights will test their skills as well, kaDiana Avsaragova(4-0) of Russia welcomesAshley Deen (5-6) to BELLATOR. Te mutunga, a Show-Me State lightweight showdown between BELLATOR beginnerDan Busch (4-1) makes his sixth straight Missouri appearance by confronting St. Louis’Josh Augustine (5-2).

The thrilling preliminary fights will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at6 p.m. AND / 3 p.m. PT.

Tikiti hokiBELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellare on sale now at bothTicketmaster.com aBellator.com

BELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnell Main Card:

Rāhoroi, March 12 – live on SHOWTIME

9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT

Featherweight Main Event: #2-Adam Borics (17-1) vs. #2-Mads Burnell (16-3)

Light taumahamaha Co-Main Takahanga: #2-Phil Davis (23-6, 1 NC) vs. #4-Julius Anglickas (10-2)

Whitu a'ee: #2-John Salter (18-5) vs. #3-Johnny Eblen (10-0)

Kōmāmā a'ee: Jay-Jay Wilson (8-0) vs.Gadzhi Rabadanov (16-4-2)

KĀRI PRELIMINARY:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube hongere | SHOWTIME Sports hongere YouTube | Pouaka Pouaka Whakaata

6 p.m. AND / 3 p.m. PT

Mā whitu a'ee: #2-Cat Zingano (12-4) vs. #7-Pam Sorenson (9-4)

Light taumahamaha a'ee: #8-Alex Polizzi (9-1) vs.Jose Augusto (7-3, 1 NC)

Welterweight a'ee: #6-Derek Anderson (17-4-1) vs.Goiti Yamaguchi (26-5)

Whitu a'ee: #6-Romero Cotton (5-0) vs.Lance Wright(5-2)

mā a'ee: Diana Avsaragova (4-0) vs.Ashley Deen (5-6)

Mā whitu a'ee: Cody Law (5-0) vs. Johnny Soto (4-2)

Welterweight a'ee: Roman Faraldo (6-0) vs.Kelvin Rayford (5-3)

Whā a'ee: Jordan Howard (10-5) vs.Trevor Ward (5-5)

Kōmāmā a'ee: Dan Busch (4-1) vs.Josh Augustine (5-2)

*Ka whakarerekehia te kaari.

Updated schedule of BELLATOR events

Hatarei, Feb. 19 / / BELLATOR MMA 274: Gracie vs. Storley // Mohegan Sun Arena // Uncasville, Conn.

Free. Feb. 25 // BELLATOR MMA 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford // 3Arena // Dublin, IRE

Ho. March 12 // BELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnell //The Family Arena // St. Louis

Free. Kia 6 // BELLATOR PARIS: Bader vs. Congo 2 // Accor Arena // Paris, FRA

Free. Kia 13 // BELLATOR LONDON: Amosov vs. MVP // The SSE Arena, Wembley // London

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About BELLATOR

BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. I raro i te aronga o te kaiwhakatairanga whawhai hōia Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. I roto i te United States, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, rōpū takahanga ora, whanaketanga whawhai / whanaunga, ähua wāhi, i hanga e tautoko / whanaketanga, raihana ao, marketing, pānuitanga, publicity me te kōmihana whanaunga. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, home ki rama pirimia whakangahau o te ao e hono ki te hunga i roto i te ihirangi mālohi puta noa i te pouaka whakaata, nekehanga pikitia, ipurangi me te pūkoro tüäpapa.

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Showtime, Showtime mekemeke

SEVERAL GREAT FIGHTS ADDED TO BELLATOR 275: MOUSASI VS. VANDERFORD IN DUBLIN ON FEB. 25

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NO. 5 RANKED SINEAD KAVANAGH MEETS NO. 4 RANKED LEAH ‘THE CURSE’ MCCOURT IN HUGE FEATHERWEIGHT CONTEST ATBELLATOR 275: MOUSASI VS. VANDERFORD

DUBLIN’S 3ARENA PLAYS HOST TO MASSIVE CARD ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25

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DUBLIN – Leading mixed martial arts promotion BELLATOR MMA has today added a number of explosive fights toBELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford, taking place at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, i runga i te Paraire, February 25.

In what is set to be the biggest Irish female fight ever, a women’s featherweight bout between Northern Ireland’sLeah McCourt (6-1) and Ireland’s most-recent title challengerSinead Kavanagh (7-5) is set to light up the main card. Ētahi atu, a bantamweight main card attraction between home favoriteBrian Moore (14-8), whotakes on No. 9 rungaJornel Lugo (7-0).

The promotion’s explosive return to the Irish capital forBELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs Vanderford, sees middleweight world championGegard Mousasidefend his crown against undefeated AmericanAustin Vanderford. The co-main event sees Irish star Peter Queally return to action against Manchester, Ingarangi oKane Mousah (13-4) in the lightweight division.

Broadcast details and additional fights are set to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased online fromTicketmaster.ie aBellator.com.

Sinead Kavanagh will be hoping to respond to a heartbreaking world title loss against Cyborg in her last outing in November atBELLATOR 271. A winner of her two previous BELLATOR outings before facing the pound-for-pound queen, Kavanagh will be looking to get back to her winning ways and live up to her “KO” moniker in front of the 3Arena crowd.

Currently riding a five-fight win streak, Northern Ireland’s McCourt returns to action following a dominant display in a unanimous decision victory againstJessica Borgaduring her last outing atBELLATOR 267i roto i te nuku. Now sitting at No. 4 in BELLATOR’s featherweight rankings, a win at the expense of her opponent on Feb. 25 will go a long way towards moving “The Curse” one step closer to a BELLATOR world title shot against incumbent champion, Cris Cyborg.

Brian Moore’s long-awaited Dublin return will see the Wexford fighter go toe-to-toe with No. 9 ranked bantamweight Jornel Lugo. “The Pikeman” will be hoping the home support helps him hand Lugo his first professional defeat and in doing so climb into the official bantamweight rankings for the first time. Lugo has won all four of his bouts under the BELLATOR banner, including an emphatic first round submission win against Keith Lee atBELLATOR 265 mua i tenei tau.

Several additions have been confirmed for the preliminary card including a bantamweight bout between WelshmanBrett Johns (17-3) aKhurshed Kakhorov (8-0). Johns makes his return to European soil looking to make a statement in a must-see match-up against the undefeated Kakhorov. MMA veteran Johns boasts an impressive 17 wins from his 20 whawhai ngaio, while Kakhorov has won each of his first eight bouts, including a dominant unanimous decision win in his BELLATOR debut against Jair Junior atBELLATOR 267 in October.

England’s No. 5 rungaFabian Edwards (9-2) is set to make his return to the cage in Dublin when he takes onMarian Dimitrov(10-2). “The Assassin” won his first nine professional fights and established himself as one of the rising stars in BELLATOR’s middleweight division. He will be looking to bounce back from a defeat in his last fight against Dublin title challenger Austin Vanderford atBELLATOR 259 i roto i te Mei.

Ireland oDanni McCormack (5-0) returns to action fresh from her win at the 3Arena in November against Audrey Kerouche, when she facesStephanie Page(5-3) in a strawweight bout. The preliminary card also features a welterweight bout between ItalianStefano Paterno (13-4-1) and BELLATOR debutantLuca Poclit (6-1) and a featherweight fight between Wales’Scott Pedersen(1-2) and Ireland’sNathan Kelly(3-2).

Rounding out the additions to the preliminary card is a featherweight affair between up-and-coming IrishmanCiaran Clarke (4-0) and BELLATOR debutantAbou Tounkara (7-2).

Fans can see the updated card forBELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs Vanderfordi raro:

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BELLATOR 275: MOUSASI VS. VANDERFORDKĀRI MAIN:

Middleweight World Title Main Event: #C-Gegard Mousasi (48-7, 2 NC) vs. #1-Austin Vanderford(11-0)

Kōmāmā a'ee: #5-Peter Queally(13-6, 1 NC) vs.Kane Mousah(13-4)

Women’s Featherweight Bout: #5-Sinead Kavanagh(7-5)vs. #4–Leah McCourt(6-1)

Whā a'ee: Brian Moore(14-8) vs. #9-Jornel Lugo(7-0)

BELLATOR 275: MOUSASI VS. VANDERFORDKĀRI PRELIMINARY:

Whā a'ee: Brett Johns(17-3) vs.Khurshed Kakhorov(8-0)

Kōmāmā a'ee: Charlie Leary(17-11-1) vs.Davy Gallon (19-7-2)

Mā whitu a'ee: Ciaran Clarke(4-0) vs.Abou Tounkara(7-2)

Whitu a'ee: #5-Fabian Edwards(9-2) vs.Marian Dimitrov(10-2)

Welterweight a'ee: Stefano Paterno(13-4-1) vs.Luca Poclit(6-1)

Strawweight a'ee: Danni McCormack(5-0) vs.Stephanie Page(5-3)

Kōmāmā a'ee: Junior Morgan (3-0) vs.Darragh Kelly(Tuatahi Pro)

Mā whitu a'ee: Scott Pedersen(1-2) vs.Nathan Kelly(3-2)

*Ka whakarerekehia te kaari.

Haere kiBellator.com no te tahi atu mau haamaramaramaraa.

Updated schedule of BELLATOR events

Ho. Jan. 29 // BELLATOR 273: Bader vs. Mouldavsky// Footprint Center // Phoenix, THE

Free. Feb. 19 // BELLATOR 274: Gracie vs. Storley // Mohegan Sun Arena // Uncasville, CT

Free. Feb. 25 // BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford // 3Arena // Dublin, IRE

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Showtime

FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS, Korukī & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR MMA 259: CYBORG VS. SMITH 2

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COMPLETE FIGHT NIGHT PHOTOS HERE - (PLEASE CREDIT: BELLATOR MMA / LUCAS NOONAN)

POST-FIGHT VIDEO INTERVIEWS HERE

c-Cris Cyborg (24-2, 1 NC) patua #4-Leslie Smith (12-9-1) mā TKO (aro) i 4:51 o te a tawhio rima

Cris Cyborg after retaining the title:

“I knew she was tough and I’ve fought her before. I know her and respect her and she’s a real fighter. I knew with her it would be a great match, because she’s capable and she’s tough."

“I was really working in sparring to keep going and going because I knew it was going to be this way. I noticed I enjoyed it a little more. It’s going to be 16 years as a professional fighter this month so I started to enjoy it in there."



“I’ve been working on grappling my whole life but I just feel like I’m getting better and better every day. I got a black belt, but it’s like a white belt because I’m always learning."

“I’ve been doing this 16 tau, I’ve got four titles. But before you can be a G.O.A.T. you have to fight the ‘Cat.’ So, I’d like to fight with Cat Zingano and I will ask Scott Coker. Because before you can be a G.O.A.T. you have to fight the ‘Cat.’”

#6-Leandro Higo (20-5) patua Darrion Caldwell (15-5) mā te whakatau ritua (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

“I’ve been waiting for this fight for three years now. It’s exactly how I wanted it to go. I used my wrestling and I used my jiu-jitsu. I’m a complete fighter and I’m ready for any fighter on the planet because I believe I’m the best. I knew I had lost the first round, but in the second when he was throwing all those elbows and cut me open, I’m from a poor family in Brazil and that was nothing I hadn’t seen before. I felt happy being in that cage with blood all over me.

“He ended up taking me down in the second and I went for a kimura, which is something I’m very accustomed to doing, but he reversed it but then he didn’t do anything and I hit him with a lot of strikes on bottom. A lot of elbows and strikes and I stayed very on bottom and he wasn’t doing anything. That’s why I won the second and third round.”

“I think that I deserve a title shot. I just beat three of the biggest names in the game and I just beat a former world champion. And nobody has beaten the top three guys of this world-class caliber like I have done in three consecutive wins. I’m going for that world title and that’s what’s next for me. So let’s make it fast.”

#3-Austin Vanderford (11-0) patua #4-Fabian Edwards (9-2) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Austin Vanderford following his unanimous decision win:

“I like my fights bloody, whether it’s me or my opponent. I’ll get a scab. But hats off to Fabian who cut me up a little bit. But happy to get the win.”

“He was a big, strong guy. I started feeling him give me that head and arm choke. Kia aroha mai, I didn’t capitalize on it. But I knew what I was going to do. I was going to just grind it out. He’s a good striker so I had to be careful but I felt good. Wrestling … it’s my heart. I’m ready for the next step.”

Jaleel Willis (15-2) patua Maycon Mendonca (11-5) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Hannah Guy (3-1) patua #8-Valerie Loureda (3-1) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Hannah Guy following her first win inside the BELLATOR cage…

“I felt like I had really good cardio, so that was awesome because I was really worried about that a little bit. I’m so thankful she took the fight and I’m so thankful BELLATOR gave me this opportunity.

“I thought I was going to finish with the triangle (kowaowaotia iho), tika. She just slipped right out of there, so that was awesome of her. Her defense was really good. I was really impressed with that. I didn’t know what her ground game was but it was a lot better than I thought it was going to be.

“Grappling is just where I want to be if you’ve seen any of my other fights. My striking has really improved a lot though so I’m hoping to change that. But grappling has always been my strong suit. I didn’t want to just depend on my grappling, but I thought I landed some shots pretty well a few times. In this fight I thought I could see when the punches were coming. And I was able to defend a little bit better and how I’ve grown. So I’m just really proud of myself right now.”

Kāri hukihuki:
Koe Awad (24-13, 1 NC) patua Nate Andrews (16-4) mā KO (aro) i 3:16 o te tetahi a tawhio noa
#7-Grant Neal (6-0) patua #8-Tyree Fortune (5-1) mā tāpaetanga (kowaowaotia iho muri-tahanga) i 4:20 o te tetahi a tawhio noa
Sumiko Inaba (2-0) patua Kristina Katsikis (1-2) mā TKO (aro) i 3:35 o te a tawhio noa e toru
Aviv Gozali (6-0) patua Sean Felton (5-3-1) mā tāpaetanga (rekereke matau) i 1:17 o te tetahi a tawhio noa
#9-Davion Franklin (3-0) patua Tyler King (12-10) via KO at 2:02 o te tetahi a tawhio noa
#7-Leah McCourt (5-1) patua 6-Janay Harding (6-5) mā tāpaetanga (tapatoru kowaowaotia) i 2:42 o te a tawhio noa e rua
Danny Sabatello (11-1) patua Brett Johns (17-3) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alexander Shabliy (20-3) patua #9-Alfie Davis (14-4) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Haere ki Bellator.com no te tahi atu mau haamaramaramaraa.
Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Showtime

BELLATOR MMA™ CONFIRMS FULL FIGHT CARD FOR BELLATOR 259 – LIVE ON SHOWTIME® NEXT FRIDAY, MAY 21 AT 9 P.M. AND

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CRIS CYBORG SET TO DEFEND WOMEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST LESLIE SMITH IN A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED REMATCH

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Los Angeles– BELLATOR MMA has confirmed the full fight card forBELLATOR MMA 259: Cyborg vs. Smith 2teneiRāmere, Kia 21 i Mohegan Sun Arena. The event caps off an exciting month of action for BELLATOR, and airs LIVE on SHOWTIME at9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

With plans to continue her dominance over the women’s featherweight division, Cris Cyborg(23-2, 1 NC) will put her world championship on the line against No. 4 rima tekau mā whitu rungaLeslie Smith(12-8-1) in a rematch to crown the world’s top 145-pound female athlete.

Te BELLATOR MMA 259 main card on SHOWTIME is loaded from top to bottom, including former bantamweight champion Darion Caldwell (15-4) rematching Kaua e. 6 ranked bantamweight Leandro Higo (20-5) in a 135-pound contest, a top-five middleweight clash between the undefeated No. 3 runga Austin Vanderford (10-0) a No. 4 runga Fabian Edwards (9-1), and a welterweight matchup that will see the streaking Jaleel Willis (14-2) face off against former LFA champion Maycon Mendonca (11-4), who’ll be making his promotional debut. Capping off the main card action will be the undefeated Jackson Wink-product and No. 9 ranked light heavyweight Karaitiana Edwards (4-0) challenging Mississippi’s Ben Parrish (4-1).

As part of the launch of BELLATOR MMA on SHOWTIME, the network is offering viewers who are new to the SHOWTIME streaming service a 30-day free trial, Whai muri i te utu mo te utu ohaurunga mo te $ 4.99 / marama mo nga marama e ono e whai ake nei. Ka taea e nga kaitoro te haina kiSHO.com/BellatorMMA. Ka tukuna nga kaiohauru kia rua nga huihuinga BELLATOR MMA pirimia ia marama puta noa 2021 a tera taha, with all events scheduled to air live at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT anywhere the SHOWTIME service is available.

The nine-fight preliminary card has no shortage of action-packed bouts, featuring a top-10 light heavyweight matchup between No. 7 rungaGrant Neal(5-0) a No. 8 rungaTyree Fortune(5-0) and the return of Israeli lightweight superstarAviv Gozali (5-0), as he looks to add to his five first round finishes and record breaking 11-second submission win. Ētahi atu, the charismatic No. 8 ranked women’s flyweightValerie Loureda (3-0), the always-excitingKoe Awad(23-13, 1 NC), a No. 6 ranked Australian featherweightJanay Harding (6-4), who takes on No. 7 ranked Irish sensationLeah McCourt(4-1). Heoi, Kaua e. 9 ranked lightweightAlfie Davis (14-3) makes his sixth promotional appearance against BELLATOR newcomerAlexander Shabliy (19-3).

All prelims will stream live at5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV. Full bout listings are below:

BELLATOR MMA 259: Cyborg vs. Smith 2Kāri Main:

SHOWTIME

9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT

Featherweight World Title Main Event: c-Cris Cyborg(23-2, 1 NC) vs. #4-Leslie Smith(12-8-1)

Bantamweight Co-Main Event: Darrion Caldwell (15-4) vs. #6-Leandro Higo(20-5)

Whitu a'ee: #3-Austin Vanderford (10-0) vs. #4-Fabian Edwards (9-1)

Welterweight a'ee: Jaleel Willis (14-2) vs.Maycon Mendonca (11-4)

Light taumahamaha a'ee: #9-Karaitiana Edwards (4-0) vs.Ben Parrish (4-1)

 Kāri hukihuki: 

BELLATOR MMA YouTube Channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel | Pouaka Pouaka Whakaata

5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT

Kōmāmā a'ee: Koe Awad (23-13, 1 NC) vs.Nate Andrews (16-3)

Light taumahamaha a'ee: #7-Grant Neal (5-0) vs. #8-Tyree Fortune (5-0)

mā a'ee: Sumiko Inaba (1-0) vs.Kristina Katsikis(1-1)

Kōmāmā a'ee: Aviv Gozali (5-0) vs.Sean Felton (5-2-1)

mā a'ee: #8-Valerie Loureda (3-0) vs.Hannah Guy(2-1)

Taumahamaha a'ee: Davion Franklin (2-0) vs.Tyler King (12-9)

Mā whitu a'ee: #6-Janay Harding(6-4) vs. #7-Leah McCourt (4-1)

Kōmāmā a'ee: #9-Alfie Davis(14-3) vs.Alexander Shabliy(19-3)

*Ka whakarerekehia te kaari.

Haere kiBellator.com no te tahi atu mau haamaramaramaraa.

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Paramount Whatunga

BELLATOR 215: MITRIONE vs. KHARITONOV RESULTS & Whakaahua

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FULL PHOTOS HERE



Complete Bellator 215 Hua:

Matt Mitrione (13-6, 1 NC) a Sergei Kharitonov (29-7, 2 NC) ended in a no contest

Logan Storley (10-0) patua Ion Pascu (18-9) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (30-27 30-26, 30-26)

Eduardo Dantas (21-6) patua Toby Misech (11-7) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

John Douma (4-1) patua Mike Kimbel (2-1) mā tāpaetanga (tapatoru kowaowaotia) i 2:51 o te tetahi a tawhio noa

Austin Vanderford (7-0) patua Cody Jones (6-3) mā tāpaetanga (ringa-tapatoru kowaowaotia) i 4:49 o te tetahi a tawhio noa



Kāri hukihuki:

Steve Mowry (6-0) patua Darion Abbey (0-1) mā tāpaetanga (Kimura) i 1:27 o te tetahi a tawhio noa

Amanda Bell (6-5) patua Amber Leibrock (3-3) mā KO (nifó) i 3:52 o te tetahi a tawhio noa

Pat McCrohan (4-2) patua Jason Markland (0-1) mā TKO (nifó) i 1:11 o te tetahi a tawhio noa

Lindsey VanZandt (5-1) patua Tabatha Watkins (3-1) mā TKO (nifó) i 3:25 o te a tawhio noa e rua

Pete Rogers (4-4) patua Jason Rine (1-5) mā TKO (aro) i :50 o te a tawhio noa e rua

Matt Probin (4-0) patua Ali Zebian (1-1) mā te whakatau ritua (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Zarrukh Adashev (2-1) patua Ronie Arana (0-3) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28. 30-27, 30-27)

Billy Goff (2-0) patua Ryan Hardy (0-1) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)



Haere ki Bellator.com hoki ētahi atu mōhiohio.




Bellator, DAZN, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Paramount Whatunga

FULL FIGHT CARDS FOR BELLATOR 215: MITRIONE VS. KHARITONOV THIS FRIDAY & BELLATOR 216: MVP VS. DALEY THIS SATURDAY

Waiho he tākupu

FULL PHOTOS HERE



Los Angeles – The full slate of bouts for Bellator’s doubleheader return to Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. i runga i Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 has been completed with two stacked five-fight main cards and exciting preliminary matchups.



The main event of Friday’s card on Paramount Network, and simulcast on DAZN, will feature a heavyweight headliner, where former Bellator Grand Prix Semifinalist Matt Mitrione (13-6) faces Russian knockout artist Sergei Kharitonov (29-7, 1 NC). Rounding out the stacked main card will see undefeated Logan Storley (9-0) meet SBG Dublin’s Ion Pascu (18-9) i te Welterweight, former Bellator bantamweight champ Eduardo Dantas (20-6) return from injury to meet Hawaii’s Toby Misech (12-6) at 135-pounds, and the electric Mike Kimbel (2-0) making his main card debut against Rhode Island’s John Douma (3-1). The opener of Bellator 215 will be the promotional debut of Austin Vanderford (6-0), who looks to remain undefeated against Cody Jones (6-2), a winner of four consecutive fights.




The prelims for Bellator 215: Mitrione vs. Kharitonov will be highlighted by a women’s featherweight contest featuring Amber Leibrock (3-2) ki Amanda Bell (5-5), as well as top heavyweight prospect Steve Mowry (5-0) tango i runga i Darion Abbey (Tuatahi Pro).



A mere 24-hours later, Bellator 216 will take place exclusively on DAZN and will be headlined by one of the most intense grudge matches in MMA history. I te Rāhoroi, Feb. 16, tūturu Michael whārangi "mana'o" (13-0) will enter the Bellator cage against 58-fight professional Daley "Semtex" Paora (40-16-2) in a first-round fight of Bellator’s Welterweight World Grand Prix. The co-main event is a rematch between two heavyweights who undoubtedly will go down in the sport’s history books, ka Mirko Cro Cop (37-11-2, 1 NC) makes his Bellator debut against Roy “Big Country” Nelson (23-16).



I tua atu, a No. 1 contender’s bout to determine who will face newly crowned heavyweight kingpin Ryan Bader will pit Cheick Congo (29-10-2) ki tūturu, longtime former Bellator heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov (21-0). An intriguing welterweight encounter between Yaroslav Amosov (20-0) and the always-excitingErick Silva (20-9, 1 NC) is also official, as is the professional debut of multi-time taekwondo champion Valerie Loureda, when she meets Oklahoma’s Colby Fletcher (1-2) in the main card opener.



As if that wasn’t enough top-flight action, Tyrell Fortune (5-0), one of Bellator’s top homegrown prospects returns to the Bellator cage against Ryan Pokryfky (6-5) in the featured preliminary bout of Bellator 216: MVP vs. Daley.



Bellator: Mitrione vs. Kharitonov will be broadcast Friday, February 15 on Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT and will stream LIVE on DAZN. Bellator: MVP vs. Daley will stream exclusively on DAZN on Saturday, February 16 i 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Preliminary action for both events will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App.



Tickets for both events are available now and can be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com. Fans can save when they purchase tickets to both events through the “Back-to-Back Pack!” Please visit Ticketmaster.com for more details.




Complete Bellator 215: Mitrione vs. Kharitonov Kāri Main:

Heavyweight Main Event Bout: Matt Mitrione (13-6) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (29-7, 1 NC)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Logan Storley (9-0) vs. Ion Pascu (18-9)

Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Eduardo Dantas (20-6) vs. Toby Misech (12-6)

Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Mike Kimbel (2-0) vs. John Douma (3-1)

175-Pound Catchweight Main Card Bout: Austin Vanderford (6-0) vs. Cody Jones (6-2)



Kāri hukihuki:

Taumaha Whakatupuranga Tuatahi: Steve Mowry (5-0) vs. Darion Abbey (Tuatahi Pro)

Taumekehiko Whakatekau Mua: Amber Leibrock (3-2) vs. Amanda Bell (5-5)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Pat McCrohan (3-2) vs. Jason Markland (Tuatahi)

Atomweight Preliminary Bout: Tabatha Watkins (3-0) vs. Lindsey VanZandt (4-1)

Taumekehiko Whakatekau Mua: Pete Rogers (3-4) vs. Jason Rine (1-4)

Taumekehiko Whakatekau Mua: Matt Probin (3-0) vs. Ali Zebian (1-0)

Flyweight Tuhinga o mua: Zarrukh Adashev (1-1) vs. Ronie Arana (0-2)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Billy Goff (1-0) vs. Ryan Hardy (Tuatahi Pro)



Complete Bellator 216: MVP vs. Daley Kāri Main:

Welterweight World Grand Prix Matchup: Michael Whārangi (13-0) vs. Paora Daley (40-16-2)

Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Mirko Cro Cop (37-11-2, 1 NC) vs. Roy Nelson (23-16)

Taumaha Kāri Matua Patupatu: Cheick Congo (29-10-2) vs. Vitaly Minakov (21-0)

Welterweight Main Card Bout: Yaroslav Amosov (20-0) vs. Erick Silva (20-9, 1 NC)

Flyweight Main Card Bout: Valerie Loureda (Tuatahi Pro) vs. Colby Fletcher (1-2)



Kāri hukihuki:

Taumaha Whakatupuranga Tuatahi: Tyrell Fortune (5-0) vs. Ryan Pokryfky (6-5)

Kōmāmātanga Tuhinga o mua: Patrick Casey (4-0) vs. Nekruz Mirkhojaev (3-2)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Vinicius De Jesus (6-2) vs. Rodolpho Barcellos (1-0)

165-Pound Catchweight Bout: Kastriot Xhema (2-2, 1 NC) vs. Kemran Lachinov (7-2)

Kōmāmātanga Tuhinga o mua: Reginaldo Felix (5-2) vs. Justin Sumter (6-2)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Jesse Kosakowski (2-0) vs. Rodolfo Rocha (1-1)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Demetrius Plaza (Tuatahi Pro) vs. Andrews Rodriguez (1-0)



*Ka whakarerekehia te kaari



Haere ki Bellator.com hoki ētahi atu mōhiohio.



whakauru toi hōia, MMA

UFC Star Paige VanZant Supports Husband Vanderford at FFC 32

Waiho he tākupu
Austin “AK-47” Vanderford Remained Undefeated
With Wife, Kaihokohoko, Cheering Him On

Whakaahua: (mahue ki te matau) Paige VanZant with husband Austin Vanderford
Photo Courtesy: Sergey Baranov

 

Las Vegas, NV, (October 22, 2018) – Final Fight Championship welcomed a distinguished guest on Friday night, Oketopa. 19th, and she was sitting ringside to support her husband. UFC Flyweight Fighter, Paige VanZant, was in attendance for “FFC 32 – Graves vs. Seumanutafa” watching her spouse, Austin “AK-47” Vanderford (6-0-0), deliver a blistering knockout to Edmilson Freitas (7-3-0) in the first round of their co-main event bout.

 

 

 

Vanderford won his sixth straight fight and kept his unblemished record in tact, after landing a solid left hand to the temple of Freitas at the 1:38 mark of round one. Kaihokohoko, as you can image, was filled with excitement as she watched her hubby win in such convincing and thrilling fashion.

 

 

 

“I loved it, I am proud of him”, said VanZant “I just have so much confidence in him, in this one I wasn’t really nervous at all, he is so prepared and ready for anything.”

 

 

 

Vanderford’s first round knockout of Freitas sent the crowd at Fight Dome Las Vegas into frenzy, and it allowed Vanderford to realize that he is getting one step closer to achieving all of his professional goals.

 

 

 

“I feel that I’m getting closer and closer to making things happen for me”, said Vanderford “I want to thank the FFC and the entire organization for giving me the opportunity and the fight, and I just knew if I connected with one of my power shots he (Freitas) was going to sleep.”

 

 

 

Needless to say, “FFC 32” was both a fun and productive night for the newlywed couple. VanZant and Vanderford tied the knot recently in an oceanfront ceremony on September 29th.

 

 

 

“It was awesome, they (FFC) put on a great show here”, said VanZant “It’s cool that they (FFC) display the fighters this well and hopefully he (Vanderford) can fight here again.”

 

 

 

You can watch the video of Paige VanZant’s “FFC 32” interview here:

Paige VanZant at FFC 32 i roto i te Las Vegas
Paige VanZant at FFC 32 i roto i te Las Vegas

 

 

“FFC 32” aired nationwide on CBS Sports Network. For more information about Final Fight Championship, tirohia finalfightchampionship.com, Facebook at Facebook.com/FFCFighting, and Follow on Instagram/Twitter @FFCFighting.