Tag Archives: Bellator

Bellator, wosanganiza asilikali zaluso, MMA, Kukwera TV

ROYCE GRACIE, KIMBO SLICE EMERGE VICTORIOUS IN DOUBLE MAIN EVENT AT ‘BELLATOR 149’

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Complete Set of Photos Here

Houston, Texas (February 19) - Ndi Kumuyika kuti n'chimodzimodzi ndi masewera a karate wosakaniza zaluso — Ken utoto molimbana ndi Royce Gracie — and on Friday night at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas during "Bellator 149: Utoto vs. Gracie," it was Gracie who went home with a second victory over Shamrock in the third fight of their classic rivalry.

 

After landing a knee to the body of Shamrock, Gracie pounced, raining down hammerfists to the temple of “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” that forced the referee to call a stoppage to the action at 2:22 wa kutsegula chimango. Will this victory lead to more fights for Gracie inside the Bellator MMA cage? Stay tuned.

Kimbo kagawo (6-2) emerged victorious after an all-out brawl with his old nemesis Chifuwa 5000, sending the South Florida resident facefirst into the mat at 1:32 wa kuzungulira atatu. The win ends a longstanding beef between the two men that began in the streets of Perrine, and wound up being settled inside the Bellator MMA cage.

Derek M'minda (16-6) upset Melvin Guillard (32-16-2) with vicious strikes only 32 masekondi mu kwachiwiri. Ndi Nkhata, “The Stallion” bounced back from two consecutive defeats against Michael Chandler ndipo Brandon Girtz.

A light heavyweight rematch between Emanuel Newton ndipo Linton Vassell featured multiple low blows, which ultimately cost “The Hardcore Kid” the bout on the scorecards, with judges’ giving scores of (30-26, 29-27, 29-27). Ndi chigonjetso, “The Swarm” snapped a one-fight skid and moves one-step closer to the top at 205-pounds.

Emmanuel Sánchez (13-2) grinded out another split decision at "Bellator 149: Utoto vs. Gracie," akugonjetsa Daniel Pineda (21-12) ndi zambiri (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Ndi chigonjetso, “El Matador” has now won three consecutive bouts at featherweight and continues his pursuit of trying to become the “Oscar De La Hoya” of mixed martial arts.

Kuyambirira Results:

Isaac Villanueva (9-7) anagonjetsa Richard Knepp (3-3) kudzera TKO (nkhonya) pa :42 Mahon (5-4) anagonjetsa Davis Sylvester (5-4) via TKO at 4:22 of R2

Adrian Yanez (4-1) anagonjetsa Ryan Hollins (10-8) kudzera akamakambirana (29-28 x3)

Jason Langellier (3-0) anagonjetsa Anthony Ivy (1-1) kudzera kugonjera (anaconda choke) pa 2:09 or R1

Justin Wren (12-2) anagonjetsa John Torres (4-5) kudzera akamakambirana (30-27 x3)

Mike Trinh (3-3) anagonjetsa Angel Zamora kudzera kugonjera (armbar) pa 3:49 of R

C.J. Hancock (1-0) anagonjetsa Ruben Esparza (1-1) kudzera kugonjera (kumbuyo-maliseche Choke) pa 1:26 of R3

Manny Lozoya (1-0) anagonjetsa Jacob Norsworthy (1-6) kudzera kugonjera (inanyongedwa) pa 2:33 of R1

Bellator, wosanganiza asilikali zaluso, MMA

MMA LEGENDS KEN SHAMROCK & ROYCE GRACIE SET FOR ‘BELLATOR 149’ SHOWDOWN TOMORROW

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Complete Weigh-In Photos Here

 

Houston, Texas (February 18, 2016) – After weigh-ins Lachinayi inside the Toyota Center, the main card competitors of "Bellator 149: Utoto vs. Gracie " are set to enter the cage and fight mawa night LIVE and FREE on Spike.

 

The big night features a double main event that pits Ken utoto (28-16-2) motsutsa Royce Gracie (14-2-3) kwa kachitatu, Kimbo kagawo (5-2) fights the man who has been calling him out since their friendship ended years ago, Dhafir Harris, better known as “Dada 5000.” Also fin action is former light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton (25-9-1) ndipo Linton Vassell (15-5, 1 NC), who will look to top their epic 2014 slugfest. In catchweight action,Emmanuel Sánchez (12-2) looks to build on his impressive young career, pamene iye amakhala Daniel Pineda (21-11). Ndipo, Melvin Guillard (35-15-2) returns to the cage to take on Derek M'minda (15-6), as the two lightweights go to battle.

"Bellator 149: Utoto vs. Gracie " takes place at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX, and airs live on SPIKE at 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, pamene kuyambirira ayi adzakhala akukhamukira pa Spike.com pa 6 p.m. CT. Full weigh-in results can be found below.

Main Khadi: (Live on SPIKE – 9 p.m. AND/8:00 p.m. CT)

Bellator Openweight Main Event: Ken utoto (201.2) vs. Royce Gracie (190.8)

Bellator Heavyweight Main Kadamsanayu: Kimbo kagawo (232) vs. “Dada 5000” (265)

Bellator opepuka Nkhani podwala: Melvin Guillard (156) vs. Derek M'minda (155)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Emanuel Newton (205) vs. Linton Vassell (205.4)

Bellator Catchweight Feature Bout: Emmanuel Sánchez (149.2) vs. Daniel Pineda (148.2)

 

Kuyambirira Khadi: (Spike.com - 6 p.m. AND/5:00 p.m. CT)

 

Bellator Heavyweight Mbali Nkhondo: Justin Wren (247) vs. John Torres (259.8)

Bellator Featherweight Mbali Nkhondo: Davis Sylvester (144.2) vs. Jeremy Mahon (144.4)

Bellator Middleweight Mbali Nkhondo: Ruben Esparsa (184.2) vs. C.J. Hancock (185.6)

Bellator Bantamweight Mbali Nkhondo: Adrian Yanez (134.6) vs. Ryan Hollis (134.8)

Bellator Middleweight Mbali Nkhondo: Isaac Villanueva (185.8) vs. Richard Knepp (184.8)

Bellator Catchweight Feature Fight: Mike Trinh (128.8) vs. Angel Zamora (129.4)

Bellator opepuka Mbali Nkhondo: Jason Langellier (158.4) vs. Anthony Ivy (154)

Bellator Featherweight Mbali Nkhondo: Manny Lozoya (142) vs. Jacob Norsworthy (141.8)

Bellator, kickboxing, wosanganiza asilikali zaluso, MMA

SCOTT COKER LAUNCHES BELLATOR KICKBOXING ADDITIONAL DETAILS REVEALED ABOUT THE PREMIERE BELLATOR KICKBOXING MEGA EVENT IN ITALY APRIL 16

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Houston, TX, (February 18, 2016) – Scott Coker, President of Bellator MMA and one of combat sport’s most accomplished promoters, will launch “Bellator Kickboxing” this April with his partners at Spike. The announcement was made today at a press conference ahead of “Bellator 149: Utoto vs. Gracie,” which airs mawa night on Spike at 9e/8c.

Bellator Kickboxing will feature many of the world’s best kickboxers including Joe Schilling, Raymond Daniels, Kevin Ross, Keri Melendez ndipo Anastasia Yankova, who were in attendance at today’s press conference. The current Bellator MMA team based out of Santa Monica, CA will run the new league.

 

Coker has over 30 years of experience promoting combat sports, overseeing both K-1 and Strikeforce Kickboxing leagues during his illustrious career. “Kickboxing is a thrilling, non-stop action-packed sport that I believe will resonate with MMA fans,"Anati Coker. “Our first goal is to develop stars and showcase these incredible athletes on the #1 home for combat sports, Spike TV.”

 

The first event for Bellator Kickboxing will be a co-promoted show with Bellator MMA and Oktagon Kickboxing on April 16 pa Pala Alpitour ku Turin, Italy.

 

The Bellator Kickboxing event’s headliner will feature Melvin Manhoef vs. Alexandru Negrea as well as a 5-round title fight when current ISKA 72kg champion Mustapha Haida will move up in weight to challenge Karim Ghajii for his ISKA 75 KG belt. Other participants competing at the inaugural Bellator Kickboxing extravaganza include Ross, Daniels and Denise Kielholtz. Opponents for these participants will be announced in the near future.

 

The event will also include “Bellator 152,” a mixed martial arts card will feature Alessio Sakara vs. Brian Rogers, and also features Bellator MMA stars Patricky "Pitbull" Freire, Brent Primus, Anastasia Yankova ndipo A.J. McKee.

 

Bellator Kickboxing’s debut event will air on Spike Loweruka, April 16 pa 9:00madzulo neri/PT on brief tape delay. Kale kuti tsiku, Spike will broadcast Bellator MMA’s first international show, “Bellator 152,” LIVE at 3:00madzulo neri.

 

Details on future events will be announced in the near future.

 

Bellator, wosanganiza asilikali zaluso, MMA, Kukwera TV

PHOTOS AND VIDEO FROM “BELLATOR 149: Utoto vs. GRACIE” PRESS CONFERENCE

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CLICK HERE FOR FULL SELECTION OF PHOTOS

(Mawu a: BELLATOR MMA / LUCAS NOONAN)

CLICK ABOVE FOR FULL PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO

 

HOUSTON – (Feb. 17, 2016) – The four combatants of the “Bellator 149: Utoto vs. Gracie " double-main event joined Bellator MMA President Scott Coker on stage for the official press conference on Wedneday afternoon, ndi Ken utoto (28-16-2), Royce Gracie (14-2-3), Kimbo kagawo (5-2) ndi "Chifuwa 5000” each contributing to the highly entertaining press conference with great soundbites, that you can find in the video above.

 

The highly anticipated event takes place izi Friday at the Toyota Center in Houston and airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT. Preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.comndipo The Bellator Mobile App .

Also fighting at "Bellator 149: Utoto vs. Gracie " will be former light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton (25-9-1) ndipo Linton Vassell (15-5, 1 NC), who will look to recreate their epic 2014 barnburner. In featherweight action, Emmanuel Sánchez (12-2) will attempt to continue his torrid pace when he meets Daniel Pineda (21-11) and a pair of lightweight assassins go to battle, liti Melvin Guillard (35-15-2) returns to meet Derek M'minda (15-6).

 

Matikiti ili losanganikirana asilikali luso Motani Zimene Zimakhala Zofunikadi chiyambi panthawi $50 ndipo pa malonda tsopano pa Bellator.com, komanso HoustonToyotaCenter.com, the Toyota Center Box Office and Houston area Randall’s locations.

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Bellator, wosanganiza asilikali zaluso, MMA, Kukwera TV

PHOTOS FROM “BELLATOR 149: Utoto vs. GRACIE” OPEN WORKOUTS

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CLICK HERE FOR FULL SELECTION OF PHOTOS

(Mawu a: BELLATOR MMA / LUCAS NOONAN)

 

The four combatants from the “Bellator 149: Utoto vs. Gracie " double-main event took part in an open workout this afternoon at the beautiful, state-of-the-art O Athletik gym in Houston prior to their fights pa Lachisanu usiku.

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Chochitika mbali Ken utoto (28-16-2) in action against Royce Gracie (14-2-3) kwa kachitatu, Kimbo kagawo (5-2) fights the man who has been calling him out since their friendship ended years ago, Dhafir Harris, imadziwika kuti "Chifuwa 5000."

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Also fighting at "Bellator 149: Utoto vs. Gracie " will be former light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton (25-9-1) ndipo Linton Vassell (15-5, 1 NC), who will look to recreate their epic 2014 barnburner. In featherweight action, Emmanuel Sánchez (12-2) will attempt to continue his torrid pace when he meets Daniel Pineda (21-11) and a pair of lightweight assassins go to battle, liti Melvin Guillard (35-15-2) returns to meet Derek M'minda (15-6).

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Matikiti ili losanganikirana asilikali luso Motani Zimene Zimakhala Zofunikadi chiyambi panthawi $50 ndipo pa malonda tsopano pa Bellator.com, komanso HoustonToyotaCenter.com, the Toyota Center Box Office and Houston area Randall’s locations.

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"Bellator 149: Utoto vs. Gracie " akudzitukumula moyo ndi ufulu pa kukwera pa 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, pamene ayi kuyambirira idzakhamukira moyo pa Bellator.com ndipo The Bellator Mobile App.

 

 

Bellator, wosanganiza asilikali zaluso, MMA, Kukwera TV

Rampage Coming Back to Bellator MMA

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Rampage-Jackson-Bellator

Following an amicable agreement to settle the litigation between the two parties, the always entertaining and exciting Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is returning to Bellator.

 

Bellator MMA is thrilled to have “Rampage,” one of the most recognizable fighters in the history of the sport, joining a very competitive light heavyweight division featuring champion Liam McGeary, Phil Davis, Mfumu Mo, Tito Ortiz, Emanuel Newton, Linton Vassell among others.

Bellator, wosanganiza asilikali zaluso, MMA, Kukwera TV

BELLATOR MMA SIGNS LIGHTWEIGHT STANDOUT ‘IRON’ MICHAEL CHANDLER TO MULTI-YEAR, MULTI-FIGHT CONTRACT EXTENSION

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Click for fight highlights: Michael Chandler vs. Eddie ALVAREZ

Santa Monica, Calif. (February 12, 2015) – When sifting through a list of Bellator MMA’s greatest fights, few names appear as often as "Iron" Michael Chandler (14-3).

 

Today, Bellator MMA is proud to announce that Chandler will be continuing to compete for the promotion for the foreseeable future, with the news that the former 155-pound champion has signed an exclusive multi-year, multi-fight extension to remain with the Scott Coker-led promotion.

 

“Michael Chandler is synonymous with our brand and doubles as an incredibly talented and exciting mixed martial artist,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “Not every fighter or free agent aligns with our future plans, but when looking at Chandler’s resume, inking him to a long-term extension was a no-brainer. I look forward to getting him back in action as soon as possible.”

 

Chandler was also pleased with his extension, ponena: “I’m ecstatic to continue my career with Scott Coker and Bellator MMA. It’s obvious that good things are continuing to happen for this promotion and it’s correlating to big opportunities for myself as well,"Chandler anati. “I can’t wait to get back in action and test myself against some of these new guys coming in and move back up through the ranks. Monga mwa nthawi zonse, my eyes are on that belt, and it will be back around my waist soon.”

 

A 14-fight Bellator MMA veteran, Chandler has been a member of the Viacom-owned promotion since 2010. Prior to joining the Bellator ranks, the Missouri native competed for Strikeforce. Amongst his notable victories, Chandler bested Eddie Alvarez via submission at “Bellator 58” in what many fans and pundits alike considered the fight of 2011.

 

Further along the way, Chandler defeated the likes of Patricky "Pitbull" Freire, Marcin Lichitika, Rick Hawn, ndipo David Rickels (2×). Of his 14 Umapeza katswiri, Chandler has amassed 12 victories before reaching the judges’ scorecards.

 

Chandler remains in Bellator’s lightweight division, which includes kingpin Will Brooks, pamodzi ndi Josh Thomson, Brandon Girtz, Melvin Guillard, Benson Henderson, Brent Primus, Derek Anderson, ndipoInu Awad.

 

Bellator, wosanganiza asilikali zaluso, MMA, Kukwera TV

MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT PITTING KENDALL GROVE AGAINST FRANCISCO FRANCE COMPLETES ‘BELLATOR 150’ MAIN CARD

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Santa Monica, Calif. (February 11, 2015) – A fifth and final main card fight has been added to “Bellator 150: Galvao vesi. Dantas 2” at Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas on February 26, with the news that Kendall Grove (22-15) has agreed to fight Francisco “Kiko” France (13-3-1).

 

Kuphatikiza apo, Bellator MMA’s Bantamweight Championship will be on the line in a rematch pitting Marcos "Loro" Galvao (17-6-1) motsutsa kale ngwazi Eduardo "Dudu" Dantas (17-4) and hometown favorite, David Rickels (16-4, 1 NC) will return to action against Bobby Cooper (12-5). "Bellator 150: Galvao vesi. Dantas 2 " also features the Bellator MMA debut of newly signed women’s flyweight Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3), when she meets Rebecca Ruth (5-1) and a heavyweight co-main event of Cheick Kongo (23-10-2) motsutsa Vinicius Queiroz (8-3)

 

The contests make up the televised portion of “Bellator 150: Galvao vesi. Dantas 2,” amene akudzitukumula moyo kukwera pa 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, pamene ayi kuyambirira idzakhamukira moyo pa Bellator.com ndipo The Bellator Mobile App.

 

Matikiti "Bellator 150: Galvao vesi. Dantas 2 " amene kuyamba pa $27, are on sale now at KansasStarEventCenter.com or Ticketmaster.com, komanso Kansas Star chi bokosi ofesi.

Grove capped off 2015 with an emphatic knockout of Joey Beltran pa "Bellator 143: Warren vs. Davis," mu September. The winner of “The Ultimate Fighter: 3," has fought professionally since 2003 for promotions all around the world, notably ProElite and UFC. This will be “Da Spyder’s” sixth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner as he hopes to climb back towards a 185-pound title shot – he competed for the gold last year against Brandon Halsey.

 

A veteran of Strikeforce, “Kiko” has strung together a five-fight winning streak as of late, most recently handing the formerly undefeated Ben Reiter the first loss of his young career at "Bellator 146: Kato vs. Manhoef. " It’s safe to classify the 33-year-old Arizona native as a “submission specialist,"Ndi 12 wake 13 wins as a professional coming by way of making his opponent tap.

Complete "Bellator 150: Galvao vesi. Dantas 2” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title Main Event: Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Cheick Kongo (23-10-2) vs. Vinicius Queiroz (8-3)

Bellator MMA opepuka Mbali podwala: Dave Rickels (16-4, 1 NC) vs. Bobby Cooper (12-5)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Kendall Grove (22-15) vs. Francisco France (13-3-1)

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

 

Kuyambirira Khadi:

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Gregory Babene (16-11) vs. Brandon Farran (12-10)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Mbali podwala: Gaston Reyno (5-0) vs. Chuka Willis (6-2)

Bellator MMA katswiri woposa onse Mbali podwala: David Hammons (1-1) vs. Kyle Noblitt (1-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Chris Harris (4-0) vs. Julian Marquez (2-0)

Bellator MMA opepuka Mbali podwala: Marcio Navarro (14-11) vs. Henry Lindsay (4-5)

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

Bellator MMA Welterweight Mbali podwala: Manny Meraz (7-1) vs. Andre Fialho (5-0)

Bellator MMA opepuka Mbali podwala: Jason Witt (7-2) vs. Jonathan Gary (11-6)

Bellator, wosanganiza asilikali zaluso, MMA, Kukwera TV

GILBERT SMITH REPLACES MICHAEL PAGE, FACES FERNANDO GONZALEZ IN ‘BELLATOR 151’ CO-MAIN EVENT

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SIRWAN KAKAI MAKES PROFESSIONAL DEBUT AGAINST JOE TAIMANGLO

Santa Monica, Calif. (February 10, 2015) – The main card of "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” paMarch 4 is complete with today’s announcement that Gilbert Smith (12-4) will replace Michael Page and now face Fernando Gonzalez (24-13) in the evening’s co-main event.

 

Kuphatikiza apo, Sirwan Kakai (12-3) ake adzakhala zotsatsira kuwonekera koyamba kugulu motsutsana Joe Taimanglo (21-6) in the fourth and final main card contest. Seven preliminary scraps have also been confirmed and can be found below.

Matikiti "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” are on sale now and start at just $45. You can purchase tickets at the WinStar World Casino and Resort Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com. Zitseko za chochitika kutsegulidwa 5:00 p.m. CT m'deralo nthawi, with the first contest taking place one hour later.

"Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” akudzitukumula moyo ndi ufulu pa kukwera pa 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary boutswill stream live on Bellator.com ndipo The Bellator Mobile App.

 

Smith will be making his Bellator MMA debut against a fighter who is currently in the midst of a four-fight winning streak. "Pakati pa usiku Magic” is on a bit of a roll of his own, coming into the promotion riding a two-bout winning streak. A veteran of UFC and most recently RFA, Smith won the regional promotion’s welterweight belt in June, defending the title one time before signing with Bellator.

 

Gonzalez took a brief hiatus from MMA to compete in the kickboxing portion of the groundbreaking "Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1 " event in September, losing a tightly contest decision to world-renowned striker Paul "Semtex" Daley. Gonzalez now returns to his comfort zone of MMA, where he has strung together an impressive four-fight winning streak. A veteran of the Scott Coker-founded Strikeforce promotion, as well as World Extreme Cagefighting, Gonzalez has been competing professionally since 2003.

 

Kakai is one of Bellator MMA’s latest signings, joining the fray after a two-fight stint in the UFC. “Zohan," 26, hails from Sweden and owns 10 finishes in his 12 victories as a professional fighter. With a bantamweight title fight one-week prior and another marquee 135-pound pairing in the main event, it will be interesting to see what a win does for Kakai in the grand scheme of things.

 

Taimanglo will be making his seventh appearance under the Bellator MMA umbrella, and is riding a two-fight winning streak. A Guam-native, “The Juggernaut” has stopped his opponent in 21 of his victories and has only lost twice in his last 14 ndewu. Look for the 31-year-old to make an impression against the bantamweight division’s newest commodity.

 

Kusinthidwa "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Main Event: Joe Warren (13-4) vs. Darrion Caldwell (8-0)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Co-Main Event: Gilbert Smith (12-4) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (24-13)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Mbali podwala: Yamauchi pamwamba (19-2) vs. Bubba Jenkins (10-2)

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

 

Kuyambirira Khadi:

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

Bellator MMA Bantamweight kuyambirira podwala: Steve García (6-0) vs. Ricky Turcios (5-0)

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

Bellator MMA Featherweight kuyambirira podwala: Treston Thomison (8-4) vs. Aaron Roberson (5-3)

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

Bellator MMA Middleweight kuyambirira podwala: Derek Palmer (Kuwonekera koyamba kugulu) vs. Jermayne Barnes (0-1)

Bellator MMA Featherweight kuyambirira podwala: Shane Peterson (13-4) vs. Stephen Banaszak (5-5)

Bellator, wosanganiza asilikali zaluso, MMA

CHRIS ‘THE CRIPPLER’ LEBEN RETURNS TO MIXED MARTIAL ARTS, SIGNS WITH BELLATOR MMA

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Santa Monica (February 6, 2015) - Bellator MMA wonyada kulengeza Kusainirana Chris “The Crippler” Leben (22-11) kuti basi Mipikisano chaka, Mipikisano nkhondo mgwirizano. The former World Extreme Cagefighting Middleweight World Champion has fought professionally since 2002, and holds the record for most fights in the UFC at 185-pounds (22).

 

Since taking a break from the sport in 2014, Leben has resided in San Diego, Calif. and served as a coach at Victory MMA & Olimba. Known for his tendency to put on an exciting show each and every time he enters the cage, Leben was a member of the inaugural cast of “The Ultimate Fighter” alongside fellow Bellator MMA competitors Stephan Bonnar ndipo Josh Koscheck. The 35-year-old has fought elite talent throughout his mixed martial arts tenure, against names the likes of: Wanderlei Silva, Anderson Silva, Brian Stann, Michael Bisping, Patrick Cote, Mark Munoz, and Bellator MMA’s own Alessio Sakara.

 

“If I were to draw up the prototypical Bellator MMA competitor, there would be parts of Chris [Leben] in there,"Bellator MMA Pulezidenti Scott Coker anati. “The guy has never had a boring fight and as I’ve said from day one, we’re going to continue to grow from the ground up and buy from the top down. I know that Chris still has a lot of fight left in him and I’m excited to see him fight We are hoping to see his Bellator debut this Spring.”

 

“Focusing on just coaching at Victory MMA has been amazing, but recently, I started to get the itch to compete again,” Leben said. “So I extended an olive branch to the people at Bellator and here I am. Ndine kwambiri mawonekedwe, I love the possible matchups this roster has to offer and I’m ready to show the world why they call me ‘The Crippler.’”

 

Leben joins a budding roster of Bellator MMA talent, with recent signings that include: Benson Henderson, Anastasia Yankova, Lena Ovchynnikova, ndipo Sergei Kharitonov.

 

It has yet to be determined what weight class Leben will compete at, but when asked what division he hopes to settle in, Leben made it clear: “I’ll go wherever the big fights are.”