Tag Archives: Bellator

Bellator, fanka legdinta isku qasan, MMA, Spike 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) - Waa ka garab ah in uu macnihiisu yahay sport ee fanka legdinta isku qasan — Ken Shamrock oo ay kasoo horjeeddo Royce Gracie — and on Friday night at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas during "Bellator 149: Shamrock 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 yiilleen furitaanka. Will this victory lead to more fights for Gracie inside the Bellator MMA cage? Stay tuned.

Kimbo jeex (6-2) emerged victorious after an all-out brawl with his old nemesis Laab 5000, sending the South Florida resident facefirst into the mat at 1:32 wareegsan saddex. 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 Fields (16-6) upset Melvin Domenech (32-16-2) with vicious strikes only 32 seconds galay wareegii labaad. Iyadoo kaga badiyeen, “The Stallion” bounced back from two consecutive defeats against Michael Chandler iyo Brandon Girtz.

A light heavyweight rematch between Emanuel Newton iyo 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). Iyadoo guusha, “The Swarm” snapped a one-fight skid and moves one-step closer to the top at 205-pounds.

Emmanuel Sanchez (13-2) grinded out another split decision at "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie," adkaadeen Daniel dalka Honduran (21-12) iyadoo tiro (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Iyadoo guusha, “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.

Natiijooyinka hordhaca ah:

Isaac Villanueva (9-7) adkaaday Richard Knepp (3-3) via TKO (qaad) at :42 Mahon (5-4) adkaaday Davis Sylvester (5-4) via TKO at 4:22 of R2

Adrian Yanez (4-1) adkaaday Ryan Hollins (10-8) via go'aan loo dhan yahay (29-28 x3)

Jason Langellier (3-0) adkaaday Anthony Ivy (1-1) via soo gudbinta (anaconda choke) at 2:09 or R1

Justin Wren (12-2) adkaaday Juan Torres (4-5) via go'aan loo dhan yahay (30-27 x3)

Mike Trinh (3-3) adkaaday Angel Zamora via soo gudbinta (armbar) at 3:49 of R

C.J. Hancock (1-0) adkaaday Ruben Esparza (1-1) via soo gudbinta (gadaal qaawan ceejiya) at 1:26 of R3

Manny Lozoya (1-0) adkaaday Jacob Norsworthy (1-6) via soo gudbinta (guillotine) at 2:33 of R1

Bellator, fanka legdinta isku qasan, 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 on Thursday inside the Toyota Center, the main card competitors of "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie " are set to enter the cage and fight berri night LIVE and FREE on Spike.

 

The big night features a double main event that pits Ken Shamrock (28-16-2) ka dhanka ah Royce Gracie (14-2-3) markii seddexaad iyo Kimbo jeex (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) iyo Linton Vassell (15-5, 1 NC), who will look to top their epic 2014 slugfest. In catchweight action,Emmanuel Sanchez (12-2) looks to build on his impressive young career, marka uu ku Daniel dalka Honduran (21-11). Markaasuu, Melvin Domenech (35-15-2) returns to the cage to take on Derek Fields (15-6), as the two lightweights go to battle.

"Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie " takes place at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX, and airs live on SPIKE at 9 p.m. IYO/8 p.m. CT, halka roonaadaan hordhac sii qulquli doonaan on Spike.com at 6 p.m. CT. Full weigh-in results can be found below.

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

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

Bellator culus Main Event: Kimbo jeex (232) vs. “Dada 5000” (265)

Bellator Feature khafiif xumad: Melvin Domenech (156) vs. Derek Fields (155)

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

Bellator Catchweight Feature Bout: Emmanuel Sanchez (149.2) vs. Daniel dalka Honduran (148.2)

 

Card hordhac ah: (Spike.com - 6 p.m. IYO/5:00 p.m. CT)

 

Bellator culus Feature Fight: Justin Wren (247) vs. Juan Torres (259.8)

Bellator featherweight Feature Fight: Davis Sylvester (144.2) vs. Jeremy Mahon (144.4)

Bellator dhexe Feature Fight: Ruben Esparsa (184.2) vs. C.J. Hancock (185.6)

Bellator bantamweight Feature Fight: Adrian Yanez (134.6) vs. Ryan Hollis (134.8)

Bellator dhexe Feature Fight: Isaac Villanueva (185.8) vs. Richard Knepp (184.8)

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

Bellator Fight Feature cadaa: Jason Langellier (158.4) vs. Anthony Ivy (154)

Bellator featherweight Feature Fight: Manny Lozoya (142) vs. Jacob Norsworthy (141.8)

Bellator, kickboxing, fanka legdinta isku qasan, 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: Shamrock vs. Gracie,” which airs berri 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 iyo 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,"Ayuu yiri 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 at Alpitour Pala ee 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 iyo A.J. McKee.

 

Bellator Kickboxing’s debut event will air on Spike Saturday, April 16 at 9:00pm ET/PT on brief tape delay. Horaantii maalintaas, Spike will broadcast Bellator MMA’s first international show, “Bellator 152,” LIVE at 3:00pm ET.

 

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

 

Bellator, fanka legdinta isku qasan, MMA, Spike TV

PHOTOS AND VIDEO FROM “BELLATOR 149: Shamrock VS. GRACIE” PRESS CONFERENCE

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CLICK HERE FOR FULL SELECTION OF PHOTOS

(DHIBCAHA: BELLATOR MMA / LUCAS NOONAN)

CLICK ABOVE FOR FULL PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO

 

HOUSTON – (Feb. 17, 2016) – The four combatants of the “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie " double-main event joined Bellator MMA President Scott Coker on stage for the official press conference on Wedneday afternoon, la Ken Shamrock (28-16-2), Royce Gracie (14-2-3), Kimbo jeex (5-2) iyo "Laab 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 Friday this at the Toyota Center in Houston and airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. IYO/8 p.m. CT. Preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.comiyo The Bellator Mobile App .

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

 

Tigidhada waayo, kanu fanka legdinta extravaganza bilowday isku dhafan ee kaliya $50 oo waa on sale haatan ee Bellator.com, iyo sidoo kale HoustonToyotaCenter.com, the Toyota Center Box Office and Houston area Randall’s locations.

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Bellator, fanka legdinta isku qasan, MMA, Spike TV

PHOTOS FROM “BELLATOR 149: Shamrock VS. GRACIE” OPEN WORKOUTS

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CLICK HERE FOR FULL SELECTION OF PHOTOS

(DHIBCAHA: BELLATOR MMA / LUCAS NOONAN)

 

The four combatants from the “Bellator 149: Shamrock 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 on Friday habeen.

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Muuqaalada Dhacdada Ken Shamrock (28-16-2) in talaabo ka Royce Gracie (14-2-3) markii seddexaad iyo Kimbo jeex (5-2) fights the man who has been calling him out since their friendship ended years ago, Dhafir Harris, si fiican u yaqaan "Laab 5000."

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

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Tigidhada waayo, kanu fanka legdinta extravaganza bilowday isku dhafan ee kaliya $50 oo waa on sale haatan ee Bellator.com, iyo sidoo kale HoustonToyotaCenter.com, the Toyota Center Box Office and Houston area Randall’s locations.

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"Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie " hawada live oo lacag la'aan ah ku Spike at 9 p.m. IYO/8 p.m. CT, halka roonaadaan hordhac ah qulquli doonaan live on Bellator.com iyo The Bellator Mobile App.

 

 

Bellator, fanka legdinta isku qasan, MMA, Spike 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, King Mo, Tito Ortiz, Emanuel Newton, Linton Vassell among others.

Bellator, fanka legdinta isku qasan, MMA, Spike 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, Message. (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).

 

Maanta, 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, sheegaysa: “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,"Ayuu yiri Chandler. “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. Sida had iyo jeer, 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 Haynayo, Rick Hawn, iyo David Rickels (2x). Of his 14 Ku Guuleystay sida xirfadle, Chandler has amassed 12 victories before reaching the judges’ scorecards.

 

Chandler remains in Bellator’s lightweight division, which includes kingpin Will Brooks, oo ay la socdaan Josh Thomson, Brandon Girtz, Melvin Domenech, Benson Henderson, Brent Primus, Derek Anderson, iyoWaxaad Cawad.

 

Bellator, fanka legdinta isku qasan, MMA, Spike TV

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

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Santa Monica, Message. (February 11, 2015) – A fifth and final main card fight has been added to “Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. 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).

 

Waxaa intaa dheer, Bellator MMA’s Bantamweight Championship will be on the line in a rematch pitting Marcos "Loro" Galvao (17-6-1) wajahayaan kooxda heysata horyaalka hore 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 vs.. 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) ka dhanka ah Vinicius Queiroz (8-3)

 

The contests make up the televised portion of “Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2,” oo hawada ku nool Spike at 9 p.m. IYO/8 p.m. CT, halka roonaadaan hordhac ah qulquli doonaan live on Bellator.com iyo The Bellator Mobile App.

 

Tigidhada for "Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2 " kaas oo bilaaban doono oo kaliya $27, hadda waa iib KansasStarEventCenter.com or Ticketmaster.com, iyo sidoo kale xafiiska sanduuqa Kansas Star Arena ee.

Grove capped off 2015 with an emphatic knockout of Joey Beltran at "Bellator 143: Warren vs. Davis," ee 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,"Leh 12 ee uu 13 wins as a professional coming by way of making his opponent tap.

Buuxi "Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title Main Event: Marcos Galvão (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 Feature khafiif xumad: 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)

 

Card hordhac ah:

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

Bellator MMA featherweight Feature xumad: Gaston Reyno (5-0) vs. Chuka Willis (6-2)

Bellator MMA culus Feature xumad: 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 Feature khafiif xumad: Marcio Navarro (14-11) vs. Henry Lindsay (4-5)

Bellator MMA featherweight Feature xumad: Thai Clark (5-0) vs. Deron Carlis (4-1)

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

Bellator MMA Feature khafiif xumad: Jason Witt (7-2) vs. Jonathan Gary (11-6)

Bellator, fanka legdinta isku qasan, MMA, Spike 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, Message. (February 10, 2015) – The main card of "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” onMarch 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.

 

Waxaa intaa dheer, Sirwan Kakai (12-3) ka dhigi doonaa in uu xayaysiis ugu horeysay ee ka dhanka ah Joe Taimanglo (21-6) in the fourth and final main card contest. Seven preliminary scraps have also been confirmed and can be found below.

Qiimaha tikidhada "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. Albaabada u dhacdo furan 5:00 p.m. CT waqtiga maxalliga ah, with the first contest taking place one hour later.

"Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” hawada live oo lacag la'aan ah oo ku saabsan kororka at 9 p.m. IYO/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary boutswill stream live on Bellator.com iyo 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. "Saqda dhexe 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: Miinada 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 dagaallan. Look for the 31-year-old to make an impression against the bantamweight division’s newest commodity.

 

Updated "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 Feature xumad: Yamauchi ilaa (19-2) vs. Bubba Jenkins (10-2)

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

 

Card hordhac ah:

Bellator MMA featherweight hordhaca xumad: Chris Jones (10-3) vs. Ray Wood (5-1)

Bellator MMA bantamweight hordhaca xumad: Steve Garcia (6-0) vs. Ricky Turcios (5-0)

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

Bellator MMA featherweight hordhaca xumad: Treston Thomison (8-4) vs. Aaron Roberson (5-3)

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

Bellator MMA dhexe hordhaca xumad: Derek Palmer (Kulankiisii ​​ugu horeysay) vs. Jermayne Barnes (0-1)

Bellator MMA featherweight hordhaca xumad: Shane Peterson (13-4) vs. Stephen Banaszak (5-5)

Bellator, fanka legdinta isku qasan, 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 waa kibirsan yahay in uu ku dhawaaqo saxiixa Chris “The Crippler” Leben (22-11) si gaar ah multi-sano, heshiis multi-dagaallanka. 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, Message. and served as a coach at Victory MMA & Fitness. 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 iyo 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,"Ayuu yiri Bellator MMA Madaxweynaha Scott Coker. “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. Waan hubaa in qaabka weyn, 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, iyo 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.”