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Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

BELLATOR MMA 261 MEDIA DAY VIDEOS AND QUOTES

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LOS ANGELES – No. 1 ranked heavyweight Timothy Johnson and No. 3 ranked heavyweight Valentin Moldavsky previewed their monumental inaugural interim heavyweight title fight at BELLATOR 261 on SHOWTIME during a virtual media day Wednesday. Johnson vs. Moldavsky caps off an amazing main card this Friday, June 25 live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
 
The BELLATOR 261 main card also features a top-five women’s flyweight bout in the co-main event slot as the No. 2 ranked Liz Carmouche takes on the undefeated No. 3 ranked Kana Watanabe. Also, lightweights square off as No. 4 ranked Myles Juryclashes with the No. 6 ranked Sidney Outlaw in a contest holding major title implications and former title challenger No. 6 ranked featherweight Daniel Weichel battles the undefeated Keoni Diggs in a 145-pound bout. Top prospect Christian Edwards opens the action on SHOWTIME in a light heavyweight banger against Simon Biyong.
 
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:
 
Tim Johnson BELLATOR Heavyweight
 
 *Click HERE to view Johnson’s full media session
 
“I’m counting this as a title, I’ll let everyone else put interim in front of it. Moldavsky is a championship level fighter and so am I, so in my eyes this fight is to become the best heavyweight in the division.”
 
“It was easy to focus on his gameplan because it is the exact same thing I do. We both are strong wrestlers and have heavy ground and pound. I guess we are going to have see who does it better on Friday.”
 
“My resurgence in my career comes from me not doubting myself. I lost a few in a row and it was an easy excuse to quit and doubt myself, but I didn’t, and I was able to rip off three in a row and put myself in a position to win a title.”
 
Valentin Moldavsky BELLATOR Heavyweight
 
*Click HERE to view Moldavsky’s full media session
 
“Yes, there are some similarities between me and Tim. My style is a little different, though, I like to take people down and finish them there.”
 
“Now that this is a title fight, I understand that there is more on the line, but this is just another fight for me. I plan to do what I always do and that is fight my fight and come out with a victory.”
 
“It is an honor to train with Fedor and represent his team.”
 
“His wrestling is not better than mine, and my sambo is going to be more impactful than his wrestling.’
 
Liz Carmouche BELLATOR Women’s Flyweight
 
*Click HERE to view Carmouche’s full media session
 
“I plan to get a dominant finish and earn a title shot. I don’t think either of us want this to go to a decision. Weather it be me knocking her out, cutting her open or ground and pound, I plan to finish this fight in a dominating fashion.”
 
“It is really exciting to fight in front of the fans and feel that energy again. Walking in and walking out is where you feel it, but when I step foot in the cage it is just me and my opponent.”
 
“This has nothing to do with Kana and her record. I have to put on a dominant performance and show why I deserve to be the champion in this division. When I got to Bellator, I wanted to climb all the way up the rankings, and that is what I have done and plan on continuing to do.”
 
“Without giving too much away I see a lot of possibilities here. I see a lot of disabilities in her game that I can capitalize on that will enhance my game. This will allow me to put on a great performance and finish her.”
 
Kana Watanabe BELLATOR Women’s Flyweight
 
*Click HERE to view Watanabe’s full media session
 
“I am very flattered by the comparison to Rhonda, but my judo and my ground and pound is very advanced and much different than Rhonda’s.”
 
“If I have a positive showing Friday, then I believe I deserve a shot at the title.”
 
“Liz is one of the biggest names I have ever fought, but this does not change my mindset or make me feel pressure. I am honored to fight Liz and can’t wait to step foot in the cage with her.”
 
“I am honored to be the co-main event on Friday. That all means nothing, though, if I don’t put on a show and an impressive performance. I plan to do that.’
 
Myles Jury BELLATOR Lightweight
 
*Click HERE to view Jury’s full media session
 
“I try to focus on the things I can control, but a win Friday along with how I have been fighting should put me in the conversation for a title shot.”
 
“I credit my toughness for this two-fight win streak. I continue to show up and work hard. When I was on that three-fight losing streak, I did not allow for myself to get down. After Friday I will be on a three-fight win streak and in a great spot for a shot at the title, and I credit my toughness and resilience for that.”
 
Sidney Outlaw BELLATOR Lightweight
 
“I have improved in every way possible. Jury is just another guy who breathes air, so I have nothing to worry about.”
 
“Fighting guys like Michael Chandler have helped me, but at the end of the day it is me vs. me. I am confident, and that has translated to every other aspect of my life. I am prepared for this fight and am going to put on a show.”
 
Daniel Weichel BELLATOR Featherweight
 
*Click HERE to view Weichel’s full media session
 
“I think Keoni is a tough fighter, but I am looking forward to giving him his first loss. I am extremely excited for this fight and giving him his first loss is going to be a challenge for me, and I look forward to It.”
 
“Honestly, I don’t want to look ahead of this fight. It was easy to do that in the Grand Prix, and I did not like it. Keoni is a tough opponent, and my focus has been on him. I had a great camp and look forward to showing that Friday night.”
 
Keoni Diggs BELLATOR Featherweight
 
*Click HERE to view Diggs full media session
 
“I’m stoked for the challenge. This is my toughest fight to date, and it’s against the toughest opponent. I am looking forward to making a statement and solidifying myself in this division.”
 
“My game plan never changes. I am going to take what he gives me and beat him. I believe I am better than him everywhere, I am not really looking forward to wins and losses, but I just want to put on a great performance and show what I am capable of.”
 
“Just because he has more fights doesn’t mean he has mystical powers. I train with some very tough people, and I am a veteran myself. I have a lot of confidence in myself and don’t see him doing anything that will shock me when we step in the cage.”
 
Christian Edwards BELLATOR Light Heavyweight
 
*Click HERE to view Edward’s full media session
 
“Simon is very tough, and it is definitely the toughest opponent of my career. I know my skill set, though, and I know what I can do, and I expect to show that Friday.”
 
“I know Simon is very powerful and athletic. It is his first fight in the United States, so I expect him to come out flying. I plan to weather the storm and then take him into deep waters where I can finish the fight.”
 
Simon Biyong BELLATOR Light Heavyweight
 
*Click HERE to view Biyong full media session
 
“It is a dream to fight in the United States and making my debut here is a huge opportunity. I was originally on the prelims and now I am on the main card, what more could I ask for?”
 
“I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for Edwards, but it doesn’t matter because at the end of the day it is a fight. It is short notice for me, and it is short notices for him. I will be ready and can’t wait to show my skills.”
 
“I am here to put myself in a position to get a ranked opponent, and Christian Edwards is in my way. I think he looked good in his last fight, but I am not his last opponent. I hope he is ready because I am.”
  
****
About BELLATOR
BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter 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. In the United States, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
 
About SHOWTIME
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc., owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS, and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple®, Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku®, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One and PlayStation®4. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Sling TV and YouTube TV. Viewers can also watch on computers at Showtime.com. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR MMA 263: PITBULL VS. MCKEE VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

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 FULL PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO HERE
 
LOS ANGELES – June 17, 2021 – BELLATOR MMA’s Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion Patricio Pitbull (32-4) and undefeated top-ranked challenger AJ McKee (17-0) previewed their must-watch Featherweight World Grand Prix Final and 145-pound title fight during a virtual press conference Wednesday. Both fighters’ head coaches, Eric Albarracin of Team Pitbull Brothers, and Antonio McKee of Team Bodyshop, also chimed in with a look at the final preparations both fight camps are taking as we approach the massive event.
 
BELLATOR 263: Pitbull vs. McKee will emanate from the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., and will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Tickets for the event go on sale tomorrow, Friday, June 18 at BELLATOR.com and Ticketmaster.com.
  
Here is what the fighters and their coaches had to say Wednesday:
 
Patricio Pitbull, BELLATOR Featherweight World Champion & BELLATOR Lightweight World Champion
 
“I’m a little bit older and faster than the rest of my division and I’m going to use this in my favor. (22:47)
 
“Of all the opponents I’ve faced, AJ is the most dangerous, and I know that. With that being said, I know that I’m going to win this fight and prove his father wrong. (26:18)
 
“At the beginning of his career, he faced very low-level guys. He has a few wins over tough opponents, but he’s never fought anyone like me. He claims that he is ready for me, but he isn’t, and he’ll learn that very quickly in front of his home crowd.” (38:48)
 
AJ McKee, No. 1 Ranked BELLATOR Featherweight & Featherweight World Grand Prix Finalist 
 
“It’s been a great journey and this is something I’ve dreamed of my entire career. Like I said, I’ve been calling Pitbull’s name since I first stepped into that cage and he’s ignored me, pretending like he doesn’t know who I am. At the end of the day, there is nowhere else for him to run and he has to look me in my eyes. I’m looking forward to it. Everyone says I haven’t been tested and I agree. But, when you do see me get tested, a whole different animal will come out. (23:22)
 
“After I beat Pitbull and become the face of BELLATOR, we can run it back for that second belt too. Becoming champ-champ is something that I said I was always going to do, and that I will do. I went through the trials and tribulations of not wanting to fight, to then having my passion for this come back and me seeing all my goals be within reach. It’s going to be fun, especially after the long break due to my knee surgery. I can’t wait to get in there again. The Mercenary does one thing: he signs the contract and then takes the person out. (24:22)
 
“I’ve been preparing for this fight for six years because Pitbull has been at the top for so long. Once again, I have a foot longer reach on him, so he has to come to me. He says he is training with gold medal wrestlers, but I will do the same thing to him that I did to Pat Curran and Darrion Caldwell. I’m comfortable off my back. Just because he’s Brazilian, that doesn’t mean anything in terms of Jiu jitsu. I have that evolved Jiu jitsu and that’s what I get people with when they don’t see it coming.” (31:45)
 
Scott Coker, BELLATOR President
 
“We’re excited to be back in California and we are excited to be back in the Forum, a place where we have had so many great fights. It’s going to be an amazing event. My staff is excited and the fighters are excited. When you think about live sports, it needs fans. We got a taste of it last week at the Mohegan Sun, which has been an amazing partner for us, but it’s time to travel and get back to what BELLATOR does best. That is putting on great fights touring from city-to-city, starting with this amazing fight on July 31. (4:10)
 
“This is the fight that everyone wanted to see. We have so many amazing athletes in this division that we went through the lottery system for matchups, which provided us with amazing fights. But at the beginning, I was wishing that the final would be McKee versus Pitbull. When we signed McKee, he had zero fights to his name. Now, look at where he is today. Back then, Pitbull was our champion and obviously still is today, so this fight is the “OG” vs. the new guard and we’ll have to see what happens.” (5:13)
 
Eric Albarracin, Team Pitbull Brothers Head Coach
 
“Patricio’s had a bullseye on his back since he became the champ in 2014, when he beat Pat Curran and this run has gone exactly as we planned. We were the matchmakers, we sent Darrion Caldwell to the other side of the bracket to take out some of the young bucks and he did. Then, AJ took him out and here we are. I think this is the perfect matchup for the finals. We have a young, up-and-coming, undefeated fighter and the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet, Patricio Pitbull. This is going to be the greatest fight in BELLATOR history. (7:20)
 
“Even at 17-0, AJ is still very young in the game. He’s very unpredictable. But, at the end of the day it’s Pitbull who is the pound-for-pound best on the planet, it’s Pitbull who is the double champ, it’s Pitbull who has the best coaches in the game and they don’t know how to prepare for that.” (8:18)
 
Antonio McKee, Team Bodyshop Head Coach
 
“I lived a different life, one where it wasn’t all good. I was dealing with a lot of stuff that a lot of African American men deal with. No mother and no father, growing up in the streets of Los Angeles. It was what it was, but I made the right decisions and never got caught for anything that I did that could have put me away for the rest of my life and found my drive and motivation through my son. The things that AJ would say as a kid, like ‘Daddy if you die, can I die with you?’ I didn’t care about living and I didn’t have a problem with killing either. And then one day AJ says ‘Dad, whatever you do and wherever you go, I want to come with you.’ I was ready to clock out, but then I realized that I needed to be here for him. He had nothing but me, so that gave me the drive and the strength to find a better way out.
 
“I made it this far, did my thing as a wrestler and was the best in the world. I did what I was doing, but I didn’t have the right mindset, so I had to check my mental and learn how to be a respectable human being. Once I did that, things started to shift for me and now here we are. I did things to keep AJ in private school, not to buy cars, music, and jewelry. I did it all to pay for his school tuition.” (14:36)
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

Featherweight World Champion Patricio Pitbull Meets AJ McKee in the BELLATOR Featherweight World Grand Prix Finals on Saturday, July 31 — Live on SHOWTIME

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BELLATOR 263 TAKES PLACE AT THE FORUM IN LOS ANGELES ON SATURDAY, JULY 31 – LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

TICKETS FOR THIS MASSIVE EVENT GO ON SALE TOMORROW AT BELLATOR.COM

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LOS ANGELES — And then there were two…

What began with 16 featherweight athletes vying for a one-million-dollar grand prize and the BELLATOR Featherweight World Championship has been narrowed to the greatest BELLATOR athlete in the history of the promotion Patricio Pitbull (32-4) and the company’s best-ever homegrown fighter in No. 1 ranked AJ McKee (17-0).

The culmination of the BELLATOR Featherweight World Grand Prix takes place Saturday, July 31 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., and marks the company’s first domestic event hosted away from “The Fightsphere” since February 2020.

BELLATOR 263: Pitbull vs. McKee airs live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and tickets for the event go on sale this Friday, June 18 at BELLATOR.com and Ticketmaster.com with a pre-sale taking place on Thursday.

“This is without a doubt going to be the biggest BELLATOR fight of all time,” said BELLATOR President Scott Coker. “AJ McKee has been calling for a shot at Pitbull’s title since his very first professional victory inside our cage six years ago. Now he’s finally getting the opportunity to realize his dream of becoming a world champion against the winningest fighter in BELLATOR history. For Pitbull a win over McKee in this tournament final would be a statement piece to add to his long list of accolades and legacy as the best 145-pounder on the planet.” 

One half of the vaunted Pitbull Brothers duo, Patricio has long been considered the crown jewel of BELLATOR MMA, where he sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. Holding a remarkable record of 32-4 with wins over elite competition including the likes of Pat Curran, Juan Archuleta, Daniel Weichel (x2) and most recently a second triumph over Emmanuel Sanchez, the 33-year-old stands alone as the featherweight king. Additionally, he was able to capture the Lightweight World Championship in a 2019 contest opposite Michael Chandler, becoming only the second BELLATOR athlete to hold two titles simultaneously. With 23 finishes in 36 professional fights, Pitbull has shown time and time again that he possesses the well-rounded skillset required to reign over multiple weight classes.

With a perfect record of 17-0, AJ McKee has exceeded the lofty expectations placed on him since his professional debut at the ripe age of 20-years-old. With an even six knockouts and six submissions, the now-26-year-old McKee has shown a knack for securing finishes—and fast—with nine coming in the first round. “Mercenary” has earned dominant victories over every man who has opposed him including former champions Pat Curran, Georgi Karakhanyan, and Darrion Caldwell, who McKee submitted most-recently with a rare, modified neck crank that was later dubbed the “McKee-otine.” Finally, the Long Beach native will face the man he has called for since signing with BELLATOR, as he takes on Patricio Pitbull in the much-anticipated Featherweight World Grand Prix Final.

The preliminary portion of the event streams live at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel, as well as Pluto TV and features former featherweight title challenger and No. 2 ranked Emmanuel Sanchez (20-5) versus Denmark’s No. 8 ranked Mads Burnell (15-3), a bantamweight tilt between No. 3 ranked Magomed “Tiger” Magomedov (18-1) and No. 4 Raufeon “Supa” Stots (16-1) and a lightweight affair pitting undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov (12-0) against Manny Muro (12-6).

BELLATOR 263: Pitbull vs. McKee Main Card:

Saturday, July 31 – Live on SHOWTIME

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT 

Featherweight World Title Main Event: C-Patricio Pitbull (32-4) vs. #1-AJ McKee (17-0)

Preliminary Card:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube Channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel | Pluto TV

7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Featherweight Bout: #2-Emmanuel Sanchez (20-5) vs. #8-Mads Burnell (15-3)

Bantamweight Bout: #3-Magomed Magomedov (18-1) vs. #4-Raufeon Stots (16-1)

Lightweight Bout: Usman Nurmagomedov (12-0) vs. Manny Muro (12-6)

*Card subject to change.

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

Official Fight Night Results, Quotes & Photos for BELLATOR MMA 260: Lima vs. Amosov

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COMPLETE FIGHT NIGHT PHOTOS HERE – (PLEASE CREDIT: BELLATOR MMA / LUCAS NOONAN)
 
POST-FIGHT VIDEO INTERVIEWS HERE   
 
#1-Yaroslav Amosov (26-0) defeated c-Douglas Lima (32-9) via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
 
Yaroslav Amosov after winning the title:
 
“I am happy because this is my life. It’s been a long time in training. It’s the result I wanted and I am happy. Now I must recover. But, it doesn’t matter, I have my undefeated record.”
 
#3-Jason Jackson (15-4) defeated #6-Paul Daley (43-18-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
 
Jason Jackson following his unanimous decision win:
 
“It’s not easy to come out here and do what me and Paul Daley just did. We came out here, we fought our ass off. 
 
“I needed to prove to myself that I could go in there and fight the champ. This guy went five rounds with Douglas Lima. So, I knew if I take this opportunity to fight him and go and fight the way I trained, then I could beat Douglas Lima and win the championship.”
 
#6-Aaron Pico (8-3) defeated Aiden Lee (9-5) via submission (anaconda choke) at 1:33 of round three
 
Aaron Pico speaks post victory: 
 
“He’s a warrior, first of all. My team and I put in a lot of work, but I feel like I could’ve done a little bit better. Thank God I have no injuries, I can fight next month if I needed to. And I just want to say thank you to all of the fans.”
 
“I’ll fight anybody in the top ten honestly. I’ll fight anybody. I feel like I’m ready. I’m sorry I didn’t get the knockout tonight but I’m happy with the submission.”
 
Mark Lemminger (12-3) defeated Demarques Jackson (11-6) via TKO (punches) at 3:30 of round two
 
Mark Lemminger on his win:
 
“He’s strong. He was slowing down [as the fight went on], but he still felt pretty strong. I was able to control my position. I didn’t make the same mistake I made last time I was here and I put him belly down and I got the stoppage.”
 
Preliminary Card: 
Kyle Crutchmer (7-1) defeated Levan Chokheli (9-1, 1 NC) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Justin Gonzales (12-0) defeated #9-Tywan Claxton (6-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Bobby King (10-3) defeated Nick Newell (16-4) via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Lucas Brennan (5-0) defeated Matthew Skibicki (4-4) via submission (anaconda choke) at 1:54 of round one
Marina Mokhnatkina (5-2) defeated #8-Amanda Bell (7-8) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alex Polizzi (8-1) defeated Gustavo Trujillo (3-2) via submission (straight armbar) at 4:22 of round one
 
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

LIZ CARMOUCHE MEETS UNDEFEATED KANA WATANABE IN THE CO-MAIN EVENT OF BELLATOR MMA 261 ON FRIDAY, JUNE 25 – LIVE ON SHOWTIME AT 9 P.M. ET/6 P.M. PT

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LOS ANGELES – Liz Carmouche (15-7), who is No. 5 in the BELLATOR women’s pound-for-pound rankings, will face the promotion’s No. 3 ranked flyweight Kana Watanabe (10-0-1) during the co-main event of BELLATOR MMA 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky on Friday, June 25.
 
The BELLATOR 261 main card airs live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. A limited number of tickets starting at $60 are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.
 
Newly announced preliminary matchups feature a bantamweight tilt pitting Jaylon Bates (2-0) against Cody Matthews (1-1) and middleweight matchup between Taylor Johnson (6-2) and Lance Wright (5-1).
 
The preliminary portion of BELLATOR 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky begins at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT and will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.
 
BELLATOR 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky is anchored by an interim heavyweight title bout between No. 1 ranked Timothy Johnson (15-6) and No. 3 ranked Valentin Moldavsky (10-1). A featherweight fight featuring former title challenger No. 5 ranked Daniel Weichel (40-12) against Hawaii’s undefeated Keoni Diggs (9-0) and a light heavyweight re-booking between No. 10 ranked Christian Edwards (4-0) and Ben Parrish (4-1) have also been confirmed for the main card.
 
Additional prelims include a lightweight bout featuring No. 6 ranked Myles Jury (19-5) versus No. 7 ranked Sidney Outlaw (15-4), a women’s strawweight fight pitting Lena Ovchynnikova (12-6, 1 NC) against Kyra Batara (8-4), a light heavyweight contest seeing Lee Chadwick (26-15-1) versus Simon Biyong (7-1), and a lightweight affair between Søren Bak (14-1) and Bobby Lee (12-5).
 
Carmouche is a highly skilled veteran of the sport who joined BELLATOR’s women’s flyweight division in 2019 following a six-year run in the UFC. Fighting out of San Diego, the 37-year-old Team Hurricane Awesome-product also formerly competed for Strikeforce, notching a pair of victories with the promotion. Since signing with BELLATOR, “Girl-Rilla” has rallied off two straight wins, defeating Vanessa Porto and DeAnna Bennett. Prior to Carmouche’s days as a professional athlete, the Lafayette, Louisiana-native spent five years serving as an aviation electrician in the United Stated Marine Corps, where she completed three tours of duty in the Middle East.
 
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the cage. I plan to end this fight with a dominant finish that stamps my name as the top contender for the belt,” Carmouche said.
 
Undefeated through 11 professional fights, Japan’s Watanabe steps into the BELLATOR MMA cage for the third time in as many years. With frying-pan-bending strength, the 32-year-old judoka boasts an impressive 60% finishing rate and has bested fellow BELLATOR flyweights Alejandra Lara and Ilara Joanne since joining the promotion’s ranks. The No. 3 ranked flyweight is looking to make a statement of her own and stake her claim to a shot at BELLATOR’s coveted 125-pound championship.
 
“I am very grateful to be given another opportunity to fight during these hard times. Liz Carmouche has tons of experience and has constantly been fighting the best which makes her without a doubt one of the best in the world,” Watanabe said. “I fully respect her in every aspect and am truly honored to face such an athlete. With that being said, I am excited to take on this challenge to prove to everybody and myself that I have what it takes to become the best in the world. I want to win this fight in a convincing way, to open up the doors for a title challenge shot.”
 
****
 
BELLATOR MMA 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky Main Card:
SHOWTIME
9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT 
 
Interim Heavyweight Title Main Event: #1-Tim Johnson (15-6) vs. #3-Valentin Moldavsky (10-1)
Flyweight Co-Main Event: #2– Liz Carmouche (15-7) vs. #3-Kana Watanabe (10-0-1)
Featherweight Main Card Bout: #5- Daniel Weichel (40-12) vs. Keoni Diggs (9-0)
Light Heavyweight Main Card Bout: #10– Christian Edwards (4-0) vs. Ben Parrish (4-1)
 
Preliminary Card: 
BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV
5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT
 
Strawweight bout: Lena Ovchynnikova (12-6, 1 NC) vs. Kyra Batara (8-4)
Lightweight bout: #6-Myles Jury (19-5) vs. #7-Sidney Outlaw (15-4)
Lightweight bout: Søren Bak (14-1) vs. Bobby Lee (12-5)
Bantamweight Bout: Jaylon Bates (2-0) vs. Cody Matthews (1-1)
Middleweight Bout: Taylor Johnson (6-2) vs. Lance Wright (5-1)
Light Heavyweight Bout: Lee Chadwick (26-15-1) vs. Simon Biyong (7-1)
 
 
*Card subject to change.
 
For more information on upcoming BELLATOR MMA events, visit BELLATOR.com.
 
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

BELLATOR MMA Confirms Full Fight Card for BELLATOR 260 on SHOWTIME Next Friday, June 11 at 9 p.m. ET

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DOUGLAS LIMA DEFENDS WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE AGAINST NO. 1 RANKED YAROSLAV AMOSOV IN MAIN EVENT

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LOS ANGELES – BELLATOR MMA has confirmed the full fight card for BELLATOR MMA 260: Lima vs. Amosov on Friday, June 11 at Mohegan Sun Arena. The event is the promotion’s first show in America with fans in attendance since the start of the pandemic and airs LIVE on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

BELLATOR’s 170-pound kingpin Douglas Lima (32-8) returns to the welterweight division to put his title on the line against undefeated and No. 1 ranked Yaroslav Amosov (25-0) in a must-watch main event clash.

In addition to the headliner, the entirety of the BELLATOR 260 main card on SHOWTIME is stacked, including a 175-pound contract weight co-main event pitting legendary No. 6 ranked welterweight Paul Daley (43-17-2) against the streaking No. 3 ranked welterweight Jason Jackson (14-4). Also, a featherweight feature fight between the hard-hitting No. 6 ranked Aaron Pico (7-3) versus Birmingham’s Aiden Lee (9-4) and a welterweight showdown between Demarques Jackson (11-5) and Mark Lemminger (9-0, 1 NC). The newly announced fifth and final main card bout features a showdown between No. 10 ranked Vanessa Porto (5-3) and Pitbull Brothers-product Ilara Joanne (9-5) in a 128-pound contract weight bout.

The preliminary card is locked in with six action-packed fights, highlighted by a featherweight battle between No. 9 ranked Tywan Claxton (6-2) and the undefeated Justin Gonzales (11-0), who is making his BELLATOR debut. Meanwhile, hometown hero and fan-favorite Nick Newell (16-3) is set to square off against Bobby King (9-3) in a lightweight bout and 20-year-old phenom Lucas Brennan (4-0) prepares for a 150-pound contract weight clash with Matthew Skibicki (4-3). Also, two-time NCAA All-American wrestling standout Kyle Crutchmer (6-1) will take on undefeated welterweight Levan Chokheli (9-0, 1 NC) to cap off this stacked preliminary card.

All BELLATOR 260 prelims will stream live at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.

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, followed by a discounted monthly subscription fee of $4.99/month for the next six months. Viewers can sign up at SHO.com/BellatorMMA. Subscribers will be delivered two premier BELLATOR MMA events per month throughout 2021 and beyond, with all events scheduled to air live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT anywhere the SHOWTIME service is available.

Full bout listings are below:

 BELLATOR MMA 260: Lima vs. Amosov Main Card:

Friday, June 11 – Live on SHOWTIME

9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT 

Welterweight World Title Main Event: c-Douglas Lima (32-8) vs. #1-Yaroslav Amosov (25-0)

175-pound Contract Weight Co-Main Event: #6-Paul Daley (43-17-2) vs. #3-Jason Jackson (14-4)

Featherweight Bout: #6-Aaron Pico (7-3) vs. Aiden Lee (9-4)

128-pound Contract Weight Bout: #10-Vanessa Porto (22-9) vs. Ilara Joanne (9-5)

Welterweight Bout: Demarques Jackson (11-5) vs. Mark Lemminger (11-3)

Preliminary Card:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube Channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel | Pluto TV

6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT

Welterweight Bout: Kyle Crutchmer (6-1) vs. Levan Chokheli (9-0, 1 NC)

Featherweight Bout: #9-Tywan Claxton (6-2) vs. Justin Gonzales (11-0)

Lightweight Bout: Nick Newell (16-3) vs. Bobby King (9-3)

150-pound Contract Weight Bout: Lucas Brennan (4-0) vs. Matthew Skibicki (4-3)

Featherweight Bout: #8-Amanda Bell (7-7) vs. Marina Mokhnatkina (4-2)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Alex Polizzi (7-1) vs. Gustavo Trujillo (3-1)

*Card subject to change.

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

Featherweight Sensation Aaron Pico Meets Birmingham’s Aiden Lee During Main Card of BELLATOR 260 on Friday, June 11 – Live on SHOWTIME

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TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR BELLATOR’S FIRST FAN-ATTENDED EVENT STATESIDE IN OVER A YEAR

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LOS ANGELES — Today, BELLATOR MMA confirmed that No. 6 ranked featherweight Aaron Pico (7-3) has been added to the BELLATOR MMA 260: Lima vs. Amosov main card on Friday, June 11, where he will oppose grappling ace Aiden Lee (9-4), in a 145-pound bout. The fight will take place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

BELLATOR 260 will be headlined by welterweight world champion Douglas Lima (32-8), who will defend his 170-pound title against the undefeated and top-ranked Yaroslav Amosov (25-0).

The event marks BELLATOR’s first fan-attended event in the United States since BELLATOR 239 took place on February 21, 2020. A limited number of tickets starting at $60 are available now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at Bellator.com.

Since his professional MMA debut in 2017, Aaron Pico has widely been considered one of the brightest prospects in the sport. The Jackson Wink fighter has showcased a wrestling acumen that stacks up with the best in the world, coupled with vicious punching power that has earned him stunning KO victories with both his left and right hand. The 24-year-old has shown steady growth each time out in the BELLATOR cage and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak.

Fighting for the first time on American soil, the 26-year-old Lee looks to secure his third straight victory inside the BELLATOR cage. An underrated submission specialist, the Englishman earned his fourth career victory via rear-naked choke against Damian Frankiewicz and a stunning head-kick knockout against Jeremy Petley in the first round of their matchup last September.

Additionally, a welterweight fight between BELLATOR veteran Kyle Crutchmer (6-1) and promotional debutant Levan Chokheli (9-0, 1 NC) has been added as a preliminary bout. Crutchmer, who trains out of AKA in San Jose, wrestled at Oklahoma State University, where he became a two-time All-American and two-time Big 12 champion. Meanwhile, Chokheli looks to keep his record flawless while making a sound first impression in his BELLATOR debut. The 24-year-old Georgian boasts an impressive 100% finishing rate, having never seen the final bell in all nine of his fights.

Also added to the preliminary card, “The Boogeyman,” Lance Wright (5-1) will be making his BELLATOR debut after an impressive showing on the American regional scene. He will be tasked with fighting Taylor “Tombstone” Johnson (6-2), a two-fight veteran of the BELLATOR cage.

All prelims will stream live at 5:30 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 260: Lima vs. Amosov Main Card:

Friday, June 11 – Live on SHOWTIME

9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT 

Welterweight World Title Main Event: c-Douglas Lima (32-8) vs. #1-Yaroslav Amosov (25-0)

175-pound Contract Weight Co-Main Event: #6–Paul Daley (43-17-2) vs. #3-Jason Jackson (14-4)

Featherweight Bout: #6-Aaron Pico (7-3) vs. Aiden Lee (9-4)

Welterweight Bout: Demarques Jackson (11-5) vs. Mark Lemminger (11-3)

Preliminary Card:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube Channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel | Pluto TV

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

Welterweight Bout: Kyle Crutchmer (6-1) vs. Levan Chokheli (9-0, 1 NC)

Featherweight Bout: #9-Tywan Claxton (6-2) vs. Justin Gonzales (11-0)

Lightweight Bout: Nick Newell (16-3) vs. Bobby King (9-3)

Featherweight Bout: Lucas Brennan (4-0) vs. Matthew Skibicki (4-3)

Featherweight Bout: Amanda Bell (7-7) vs. Marina Mokhnatkina (4-2)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Alex Polizzi (7-1) vs. Gustavo Trujillo (3-1)

Middleweight Bout: Taylor Johnson (6-2) vs. Lance Wright (5-1)

*Card subject to change.

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS, QUOTES & 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) defeated #4-Leslie Smith (12-9-1) via TKO (strikes) at 4:51 of round five
 
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 years, 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) defeated Darrion Caldwell (15-5) via split decision (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) defeated #4-Fabian Edwards (9-2) via unanimous decision (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. Unfortunately, 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) defeated Maycon Mendonca (11-5) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  
Hannah Guy (3-1) defeated #8-Valerie Loureda (3-1) via unanimous decision (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 (choke), honestly. 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.”
 
Preliminary Card: 
Saad Awad (24-13, 1 NC) defeated Nate Andrews (16-4) via KO (strikes) at 3:16 of round one
 #7-Grant Neal (6-0) defeated #8-Tyree Fortune (5-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:20 of round one
Sumiko Inaba (2-0) defeated Kristina Katsikis (1-2) via TKO (strikes) at 3:35 of round three
Aviv Gozali (6-0) defeated Sean Felton (5-3-1) via submission (heel hook) at 1:17 of round one
#9-Davion Franklin (3-0) defeated Tyler King (12-10) via KO at 2:02 of round one
#7-Leah McCourt (5-1) defeated 6-Janay Harding (6-5) via submission (triangle choke) at 2:42 of round two
Danny Sabatello (11-1) defeated Brett Johns (17-3) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alexander Shabliy (20-3) defeated #9-Alfie Davis (14-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
 
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
 
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

UNDEFEATED WORLD CHAMP VELASQUEZ DEFENDS HER TITLE AGAINST KICKBOXING WORLD CHAMP KIELHOLTZ FRIDAY, JULY 16 AT BELLATOR 262

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LOS ANGELES – The main event of BELLATOR 262 on Friday, July 16 will feature undefeated 125-pound world champion Juliana Velasquez (11-0) making the first defense of her title against BELLATOR Kickboxing’s Flyweight World Champion and No. 4 ranked Denise Kielholtz (6-2). The card emanates from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. and airs live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
 
A limited number of tickets starting at $60 go on sale beginning Friday, June 4, with a special presale starting on Thursday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, and can be purchased at Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.
 
The preliminary portion of BELLATOR MMA 262: Velasquez vs. Kielholtz begins at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT and will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV. Additional bouts will be announced at a later date.
 
Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the 34-year-old Velasquez makes the first defense of her flyweight title since dethroning inaugural champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane at BELLATOR 254 in December of last year. Sitting in the No. 2 slot on the BELLATOR women’s pound-for-pound rankings, Velasquez is a former Brazilian national champion in judo, a martial arts discipline she began training at age four. The Team Nogueira product has been a dominant force throughout her unblemished 11-fight professional career, including six wins under the BELLATOR banner.
 
“I’m extremely excited and happy to get back in the BELLATOR cage and defend my title for the first time,” said Velasquez. “I’ve been training really hard, and I’m fully prepared to put on an incredible performance for my fans. Denise has been a great champion in the BELLATOR kickboxing ring, but this MMA belt is mine and it will be going back to Brazil with me after the fight.”
 
Already the reigning BELLATOR Kickboxing Flyweight World Champion, Kielholtz is looking to capture the promotion’s MMA gold as well when she straps on the BELLATOR MMA gloves for the seventh time. The Dutch striking sensation, known to fans as “Miss Dynamite,” is riding a four-fight MMA winning streak, including a first round knockout over former title challenger Kate Jackson at BELLATOR 247 last October. Much like her opponent, the 32-year-old Kielholtz holds a black belt in judo with multiple titles as a member of the Dutch National Judo Team.
 
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for since I was a child,” said Kielholtz. “My journey in martial arts started when I was nine years old. I have earned multiple championships from kickboxing and judo and I feel like the universe has put everything together. All the hard work, all the sacrifices I have made in my life have all led me to this opportunity. This will be the crowning achievement of my career. This is mine.”
 
# # #
 
BELLATOR MMA 262: Velasquez vs. Kielholtz Main Card:
SHOWTIME
Friday, July 16 – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT 
 
Flyweight World Title Main Event: C-Juliana Velasquez (11-0) vs. #4-Denise Kielholtz (6-2)
 
Preliminary Card: 
BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV
5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT
 
For more information on upcoming BELLATOR MMA events, visit BELLATOR.com.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

BELLATOR MMA ANNOUNCES RETURN OF LIVE AUDIENCES AND NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH ELEVATE SPORTS VENTURES

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BELLATOR MMA TO WELCOME FANS BACK TO LIVE EVENTS BEGINNING WITH BELLATOR 260 ON JUNE 11 AND BELLATOR 261 ON JUNE 25 AT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
 
Elevate Sports Ventures Joins Bellator MMA To Support Sponsorship, Premium and Ticket Sales Strategies

NEW YORK – MAY 19, 2021 – BELLATOR MMA, a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring the world’s most dominant combat sports athletes, is set to welcome back fans in attendance to watch live events beginning with BELLATOR 260: Lima vs. Amosov on Friday, June 11, and BELLATOR 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky on Friday, June 25, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Both events will be televised live on SHOWTIME®.

To amplify the anticipated return to fan-attended events, BELLATOR has tapped Elevate Sports Ventures, an innovative and resourceful sports and entertainment marketing firm, to support sponsorship, premium and ticket sales strategies for the internationally renowned mixed martial arts brand.

A limited number tickets starting at $60 will be made available beginning this Friday, May 21 for BELLATOR 260: Lima vs. Amosov and BELLATOR 261: Johnson vs. Moldavsky for purchase at Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.

Elevate’s integration comes on the heels of BELLATOR MMA’s move to its new exclusive U.S. television partner, SHOWTIME, which began televising the promotion’s events in April. The sports agency additionally will support BELLATOR’s marketing, operational and routing strategies for events moving forward.

“We are very excited to be getting into business with Elevate,” said BELLATOR MMA President Scott Coker. “They bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to the table with a proven track record of providing consistent results for top professional sports franchises, leagues and events. It feels like our family just got bigger, and I am confident that this new relationship will lead to the continued growth of the BELLATOR brand.”

“At Elevate, we are inspired by BELLATOR’s ambition to meaningfully connect and engage with current and new fans, and aggressively route new live events to its diverse, global fanbase,” said Elevate Sports Ventures Chairman and CEO Al Guido.  

Following this Friday’s BELLATOR 259: Cyborg vs. Smith 2, BELLATOR MMA will have hosted 16 events without spectators in attendance at Mohegan Sun Arena during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the promotion held three cards in Milan, Italy, and a historic night of fights in Paris, which marked the first time a major MMA promotion held an event in France.

Elevate will leverage its “Insights” vertical, utilizing industry-leading data and analytics practices, to generate smarter sponsorship, premium and ticket-sales targets and strategies, including producing data-driven fan profile analysis, product and pricing strategies, lead-scoring modeling and more for BELLATOR MMA’s front office, global brand and future live events.

For more information on upcoming BELLATOR MMA events, visit BELLATOR.com.