Tag Archives: Bellator

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

Bellator 200: GEGARD MOUSASI CHALLENGES RAFAEL CARVALHO FOR MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE AND BRITAIN’S MICHAEL ‘VENOM’ PAGE RETURNS AGAINST DAVID ‘CAVEMAN’ RICKELS

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LONDON TO HOST HISTORIC BELLATOR 200 ON MAY 25

 

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TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY

 

LOS ANGELES – Bellator is pleased to announce its anticipated return to London for Bellator 200 on Friday, May 25. The landmark event will emanate from The SSE Arena, Wembley and will air on Paramount Network.

 

The first two fights, of what promises to be one of the most exciting event in company history, features middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho (15-1) defending his crown against Gegard Mousasi (43-6-2) and the return of London’s own Michael “Venom” Page (12-0), who takes on David “The Caveman” Rickels (19-4, 2 NC). Additional main card bouts will be announced shortly.

 

Tickets for the event will be available to the general public on Friday, March 2 at The SSE Arena, Wembley Box Office (0844 815 0815), Ticketmaster.com, ssearena.co.uk and axs.com. A special SSE pre-sale will take place Wednesday, February 28, while all other pre-sales, including Bellator Nation, will begin Thursday, March 1.

 

“Bellator continues to place a huge emphasis on its expansion into markets around the globe and creating a strong presence in the U.K. is a very important part of that,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “Our fans are going to be excited about the card we put together for this monumental event, as Bellator 200 will be one of our greatest to date.”

 

Quietly flying under the radar as Bellator’s current longest-reigning champion, Rafael Carvalho receives his toughest challenge to date when he meets Mousasi in London. A product of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Carvalho joined the Bellator roster in 2014, garnering the attention of fans who tuned into Bellator 125 by emphatically finishing Brian Rogers in the first round. The run hasn’t stopped there, as the 31-year-old has gone onto defeat Joe Schilling, Alessio Sakara, Melvin Manhoef (2x) and Brandon Halsey, tying the record for most title defenses in the division’s history in the process.

 

Gegard Mousasi impressed in his promotional debut over former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko, a win that pushed his current unbeaten streak to six fights. “The Dreamcatcher,” who currently trains out of The Netherlands, holds one of the most impressive resumes in all of the sport, at one time winning the STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight title, as well as the DREAM light heavyweight and middleweight titles. With victories against some of the sport’s best, including Chris Weidman, Vitor Belfort, Uriah Hall, Dan Henderson, “Jacare” Souza, Mark Hunt and Ovince Saint-Preux, the Judo black belt will now set his sights on Bellator gold when he enters the cage on May 25.

 

There are few fighters who in such a short span of time have provided the type of highlight-reel entertainment that Michael Page has. Now, “MVP” returns to the Bellator cage for the first time since 2016, a year that saw Page go viral for his perfectly-timed flying knee finish against 40-fight-veteran “Cyborg” Santos and the well-orchestrated celebration that included the toss of a Pokéball. 2017 saw Page successfully enter the realm of boxing, where he won his debut via TKO. At Bellator 200, the London native will make his ninth appearance for Bellator, going unbeaten and finishing his opponent in the opening frame on five occasions.

 

David Rickels has competed under the Bellator banner more times than anyone in promotional history with 19 and will extend the record when he returns to 170-pounds for the first time since the Bellator Season Six Welterweight Tournament in 2012. The fighting pride of Derby, Kansas is coming off a unanimous decision victory against Adam Piccolotti this past December, improving his current winning streak to two. Never one to shy away from a scrap, this matchup should produce fireworks when “The Caveman’s” style clashes with the unorthodox swagger of “MVP.”

 

Updated Bellator 200 Fight Card:

Middleweight World Title Bout: Rafael Carvalho (15-1) vs. Gegard Mousasi (43-6-2)

Welterweight Main Card Bout: Michael Page (12-0) vs. David Rickels (19-4, 2 NC)

 

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Bellator, boxing, FNU Combat Sports Show, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show: News, Recaps and Previews

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This week on the FNU Combat Sports Show we recap a packed weekend of fights, including world class boxing on Saturday and excellent Bellator (Friday) and UFC Fight Night (Sunday) cards to review. We also take a look ahead to this weekend’s UFC on Fox card and the upcoming boxing matches. We also cover some recent combat sports news and update listeners on the latest Conor McGregor/Floyd Mayweather talks. Listen to the whole show below:

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

MONSTER ENERGY BELLATOR MMA FIGHT SERIES OPENS 2018 AT MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS IN ATLANTA

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ALSO, APPEARANCES BY FAN-FAVORITE AND MONSTER ENERGY ATHLETE ROY ‘BIG COUNTRY’ NELSON AND MMA LEGEND DAN HENDERSON

 

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LOS ANGELES — The Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series returns for its first event of 2018 in Atlanta when Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, visits Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, March 3. The series kicks off its second season with fights set to take place just hours before Round 9 of the premier indoor off-road motorcycle racing championship.

 

 

 

 

Prior to the start of the race on Saturday, March 3, the Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series will feature mixed martial arts action throughout the afternoon beginning at 4 p.m. ET at the Pit Party inside the Georgia World Congress Center, located next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Monster Energy Pit Party Passes are $20 each and are available through Ticketmaster. A valid event ticket is also required along with the Pit Pass for entry. Fans can also recycle an empty can of Monster Energy at the entrance to the Pits for free entry into the Pit Party.

 

 

 

 

Additionally, fans will have the opportunity to meet Bellator heavyweight and Monster Energy athlete Roy “Big Country” Nelson, as well as former PRIDE and STRIKEFORCE titleholder Dan “Hendo” Henderson, on Saturday, March 3 at the Pit Party at 2 p.m. ET. Pit Party access is required.

 

 

 

 

“Following the success of the Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series last year, we knew that we wanted to continue hosting these unique shows in 2018,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “We had the opportunity to put on exciting fights at Monster Energy NASCAR Cup races last season, and now, we look forward to entertaining fans at Monster Energy Supercross events as well. The entire team at Monster Energy has been instrumental in making Bellator MMA a great part of the fan experience and helping to build crossover interest between MMA and motorsports.”

 

 

 

 

Through Bellator MMA, alongside longstanding partner Monster Energy, mixed martial arts will be included as a pre-race activation exclusively for fans in attendance. The lineup on Saturday will consist of four MMA bouts featuring some of the best regional up-and-coming talent, with the main event prospects in consideration to be signed to a multi-fight Bellator MMA contract.

 

 

 

 

Monster Energy Supercross at Mercedes-Benz Stadium takes place Saturday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the Pit Party beginning at 12 p.m. ET. Tickets to the race and Pit Party are available at Tickemaster.com or by visiting www.SupercrossLive.com/tickets.

 

 

 

 

Updated Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series Atlanta Fight Card:

 

 

 

Featherweight Main Event: Lawson McClure (12-7, Atlanta, Ga.) vs. Josh Blyden (6-2, Savannah, Ga.)

 

 

 

Middleweight Bout: Devorius Tubbs (4-1, 1 NC, Atlanta, Ga.) vs. Joseph Creer (4-0-1, Columbus, Ga.)

 

 

 

Bantamweight Bout: Zac Cooper (4-4, Athens, Ga.) vs. Devante Sewell (4-2, Atlanta, Ga.)

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout: Mike Galitello (1-1, Atlanta, Ga.) vs. John Vaughan (Pro Debut, McDonough, Ga.)

 

Please visit Bellator.com for details.

 

*Event schedule subject to change.

Bellator, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show: Is UFC Using Boxing as a Lifeline; CM Punk vs. Floyd?; Event Recaps and Previews

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This week, Tom, Tony and Rich start our weekly broadcast with a discussion on the latest news on Floyd Mayweather Jr. teasing the idea of fighting in the cage. Even though Rich has been talking about this match-up on our show for weeks now, a recent article described the idea of CM Punk facing Mayweather as a rumor started by the
“Money Team.” Either Mayweather’s listening to our show or great minds think alike. We also touch on the subject of why the UFC may need to diversify with the addition of boxing cards and special events. We also recap last week’s boxing action and a spectacular UFC 221 card headlined by Yoel Romero’s TKO of Luke Rockhold. We then look forward to Roy Nelson’s fight with Matt Mitrione, set to go down later tonight on the Paramount Network. Finally, we preview UFC Fight Night 126, with a main event of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone facing Yancy Medeiros.

Listen to the show below:

 

Bellator, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

UNDEFEATED PROSPECTS JAMES GALLAGHER & ADAM BORICS HEADLINE  BELLATOR 196 IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY ON APRIL 6

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BOK HALL TO HOST BELLATOR MMA AND KICKBOXING EVENTS

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES – Bellator will hold its third event in Budapest, Hungary on Friday, April 6, bringing along a battle of young guns looking to remain undefeated early in their mixed martial arts careers. The pride of Strabane, Northern Ireland, James Gallagher (7-0) meets Budapest’s Adam Borics (10-0) in an exciting Bellator 196 featherweight main event matchup.

 

 

A women’s flyweight bout will serve as the co-main event of the card, when the Bellator women’s 125-pound kickboxing champion Denise Kielholtz (1-1) takes on Lena Ovchynnikova (12-5, 1 NC). In addition, the April 6 card at BOK Hall will also feature world-class kickboxing action, as Bellator Kickboxing returns for another great night of fights. A main event for the kickboxing portion of the card will be announced in the coming days.

 

 

 

Bellator 196: Gallagher vs. Borics will be broadcast Friday, April 6 free on Paramount Network (formerly Spike) at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Bellator Kickboxing 9 will air immediately following at 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT. Additional bouts will be announced in coming weeks.

 

 

 

Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, Feb. 9 and are available at www.Bellator.hu.

 

 

 

 

There are few mixed martial artists that invoke the type of polarizing reaction “The Strabanimal” does when entering the Bellator cage. A longtime training partner of Conor McGregor under the tutelage of world-renowned coach John Kavanagh at SBG Ireland, the 21-year-old has been on a tear since signing with Bellator in 2016, racking up four wins in four contests. With each victory, Gallagher has showcased a growing skillset, culminating in a first-round submission of Chinzo Machida at Bellator 180 last June. Now fully recovered from injury, Gallagher has a tough test ahead in the undefeated Hungarian.

 

 

 

Adam Borics made his Bellator debut at Bellator 177, finishing Anthony Taylor via submission in the opening frame. Known as “The Kid,” Borics has competed exclusively throughout his four-year career in Europe, and this time will be no different. Having won over plenty of fans over on the heels of his promotional debut in April of last year, Borics will definitely have the home field advantage on April 6.

 

 

 

 

Bellator women’s kickboxing flyweight champ Denise Kielholtz is riding high following her first MMA victory over Jessica Middleton earlier this year at Bellator 188, while Lena Ovchynnikova will enter the Bellator cage on April 6 looking to duplicate the success she had the last time she competed in Hungary, a TKO victory over Helen Harper. When the pair of flyweights compete at Bellator 196, look for both to keep the fight on their feet, making for an exciting standup battle.

 

 

 

Updated Bellator 196: Gallagher vs. Borics Fight Card:

 

 

Featherweight Main Event: James Gallagher (7-0) vs. Adam Borics (10-0)

 

 

Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event: Denise Kielholtz (1-1) vs. Lena Ovchynnikova (12-5, 1 NC)

 

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Bellator, boxing, FNU Combat Sports Show, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show, February 1, 2018 (SUPERBOWL EDITION)

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Tom, Tony and Rich discuss the week in combat sports news. We also recap the boxing and MMA events from last week and preview upcoming events.

 

Tony (Eagles Fan) and Rich (Patriots Fan) make a friendly wager for the big game and talk football during the show, too.

Listen to the show below.

 

Bellator, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, NFL, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show: UFC & Bellator Recap/Previews, Boxing Results and Upcoming Bouts

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Tom, Tony and Rich are back together again this week to talk shop. We discuss the week’s big news, do a little Patriots vs. Eagles NFL smack talk, and recap all the past week’s boxing and MMA events, including dueling UFC and Bellator MMA cards on Saturday night. We also preview upcoming events.

 

Listen to the show here:

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tdcs95s0m6p3x6x/january252018show.mp3?dl=0

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

HEATHER HARDY AND ANA JULATON TO COMPETE IN MMA AND BOXING CONTESTS

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MIXED MARTIAL ARTS BOUT SET FOR BELLATOR 194 ON FEBRUARY 16

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES – A flyweight feature fight pitting renowned boxing champions Heather Hardy (1-1) against Ana Julaton (2-3) has been added to the main card of Bellator 194: Nelson vs. Mitrione on Friday, February 16 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The event will air live and free on Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET.

 

 

 

The bout will be the first part of a dual event scenario in which the fighters are also expected to compete in a boxing match at a later date. While the MMA bout will be held under the Bellator banner, DiBella Entertainment and Orion Sports Management will handle promotional duties for the boxing event.

 

 

 

Tickets for Bellator 194: Nelson vs. Mitrione are available now and can be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com. The event will be broadcast live and free on Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Additional contests will be announced in coming weeks.

 

 

 

Making her third appearance inside the Bellator MMA cage, Hardy hopes to duplicate the game plan that earned her an impressive knockout win over Alice Yauger in her professional debut at Madison Square Garden. Hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y., Hardy built an imposing boxing resume prior to joining forces with Bellator, where she collected a pair of titles in multiple weight classes, including the WBC International Female Super Bantamweight belt and WBC International Female Featherweight belt. “The Heat” protected an unblemished mark of 20-0 through a five-year stint inside the boxing ring.

 

 

 

An accomplished professional boxer herself, Julaton also brings a unique style to the Bellator cage as she prepares for just her sixth career MMA bout. The former WBO and IBA super bantamweight world champion made the transition to mixed martial arts in May of 2014, collecting a convincing knockout over Aya-Saeid Saber. Since making her professional MMA debut, “The Hurricane” has competed for multiple world-renown promotions and trains alongside Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix competitor Frank Mir in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

Updated Bellator 194: Nelson vs. Mitrione Fight Card:

 

 

Heavyweight World Grand Prix First Round Bout: Roy Nelson (23-14) vs. Matt Mitrione (12-5)

 

 

Lightweight Co-Main Event: Patricky “Pitbull” (18-8) vs. Derek Campos (19-6)

 

 

Women’s Flyweight Feature Bout: Heather Hardy (1-1) vs. Ana Julaton (2-3)

 

 

 

Bellator.com and Bellator Mobile App Preliminary Card:

 

 

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Marcus Surin (4-1) vs. Dean Hancock (3-1)

 

 

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Ross Richardson (Pro Debut) vs. Nick Giulietti (Pro Debut)

 

 

165-lb. Catchweight Preliminary Bout: Peter Nascimento (Pro Debut) vs. Kastriot Xhema (1-1)

 

 

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Regivaldo Carvalho (4-2) vs. Tom English (6-8)

 

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

BELLATOR’S HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD GRAND PRIX CONTINUES WITH DREAM MATCHUP BETWEEN FEDOR EMELIANENKO AND FRANK MIR AT ALLSTATE ARENA ON APRIL 28

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TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES – The third opening round matchup in 2018’s Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix will feature the greatest heavyweight of all time Fedor Emelianenko (36-5, 1 NC) taking on former world champion Frank Mir (18-11) in Bellator’s return to Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. on Saturday, April 28.

 

 

 

An exclusive online presale for this event takes place Wednesday January 24 and Thursday January 25, with tickets going on-sale to the general public on Friday January 26 at 10 a.m. CT. Tickets for the event start at just $30 and are available at the Allstate Arena box office and Ticketmaster.

 

 

 

The event, presented by Miller Lite, will be broadcast live and free on Paramount Network (formerly Spike) at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Additional bouts will be announced in coming weeks.

 

 

 

A former PRIDE champion, “The Last Emperor” is one of the most revered and respected heavyweight fighters the sport has seen. Stone-faced and quiet, Emelianenko boasted one of the most impressive unbeaten streaks in the history of MMA, not losing a bout between 2001 and 2009. A multi-time world champion in MMA and Sambo, Fedor recently returned to the sport after a brief hiatus, accumulating two decisive wins since his return to action and taking on Matt Mitrione in an instant classic at Bellator NYC.

 

 

 

Frank Mir joined Bellator earlier this year following 15 years in the UFC where he became a two-time world champion, collected 16 victories and defeated a who’s who of heavyweight contenders, including Brock Lesnar, “Bigfoot” Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Mirko Cro Cop. Fighting out of Las Vegas, Mir set numerous records while competing with his former promotion, highlighted by the most fights (27), victories (16), and submissions (8) in heavyweight history. With 14 of his 18 career wins coming by way of knockout or submission, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will now try his hand in Bellator’s heavyweight division.

 

 

 

Updated Fight Card:

Heavyweight Grand Prix First Round: Fedor Emelianenko (36-5, 1 NC) vs. Frank Mir (18-11)

 

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Bellator, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show, Event Previews/Recaps and Celebrating Tony’s 10th Anniversary as a Host

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This episode we spend a lot of time reminiscing about Tony being part of the Fight News Unlimited team for 10 years. We also take a look back at UFC Fight Night 124 and look ahead to two huge events on Saturday: Bellator 192 headlined by Sonnen vs. Jackson and UFC 220 led by the heavyweight and light heavyweight championship fights between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou (HVY) and Daniel Cormier and Volkan Oezdemir (L.HVY). We even discuss some NFL football and some other sports. Of course we also take a look at the boxing scene. Listen to the show at the link below:

 

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fjqsgzqeltnf31z/january18show2018.mp3?dl=0