לאס אנדזשעלעס— BELLATOR MMA has announced that its fifth participant for the New Year’s Eve spectacle against RIZIN Fighting Federation opponents will be No. 10-ranked lightweight, גאַדזשי ראַבאַדאַנאָוו(18-4-2), taking on 27-year-old Japanese standoutKoji Takeda(15-3) in a compelling matchup between two competitors riding high on the strength of consecutive victories.
A first-of-its-kind blockbuster co-promotion, BELLATOR MMA vs. סיבהtakes place inside the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Saturday, דעצעמבער 31, and can be seen in the United States on SHOWTIME at 8 פּ.ם. ET/PT on New Year’s Eve.
Rabadanov versus Takeda will join a star-studded five-fightBELLATOR MMA vs. סיבההויפּט קאָרט, which is stacked from top to bottom with current and former champions competing in the four-sided ring under RIZIN’s unique rules. Headlining the event will be a dream matchup between RIZIN lightweight championRoberto “Satoshi” de Souza(14-1) against No. 3 BELLATOR pound-for-pound talentAJ “Mercenary” McKee(19-1), with BELLATOR and RIZIN featherweight championsפּאַטריסיאָ פּיטבולל(34-5) אוןKleber Koike(31-5-1) co-headlining the must-see event.
Former BELLATOR championsJuan “The Spaniard” Archuleta(26-4) אוןKyoji Horiguchi(30-5) will round out the unparalleled main card, facing off with RIZIN’sSoo Chul Kim(18-6-1) אוןHiromasa Ougikubo(25-6-2), ריספּעקטיוולי.
גאַדזשי ראַבאַדאַנאָוו, 29, signed with BELLATOR in 2021 after capturing the Eagle FC lightweight title, and has made an immediate impact on the promotion’s remarkably deep lightweight division. He announced his arrival in thunderous fashion atBELLATOR 263with an emphatic viral knockout of Daniel Carey, which he followed up with back-to-back dominant unanimous decision victories over Jay Jay Wilson and Bobby King in 2022. The product of the renowned Club Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s School in Dagestan and the prestigious American Kickboxing Academy, Rabadanov’s pedigree is world-class. On New Year’s Eve, Rabadanov will look to continue building upon his momentum with an impressive performance against Koji Takeda.
“It is a childhood dream come true to fight in Japan at the legendary Saitama Super Arena,” said Rabadanov. “I’m very excited and I know I have a tough opponent, who always leaves everything in the ring. Expect a masterpiece from me, it will be a memorable fight.”
A former DEEP lightweight champion, Japan’sKoji Takedahas been an active fighter since his 2017 פאַכמאַן דעבוט. Takeda boasts a compelling case for inclusion on this historic fight card, winning seven of his last ten and three of his last four outings under the RIZIN and DEEP banners. Takeda is also familiar with BELLATOR foes; he has previously fought Spike Carlyle and submitted Zach Zane by armbar, both of whom fought recently for the Scott Coker-led promotion. Takeda will look to add a third straight win to his resume against the highly-touted Rabadanov in his hometown of Saitama, דזשאַפּאַן, אויף דעצעמבער 31.
BELLATOR MMA VS. RIZIN MAIN CARD:
שאָוטיים
שבת, דעצעמבער 31 — 8 PM ET/PT
Lightweight Non-Title Main Event: AJ McKee(19-1) vs.Roberto de Souza(14-1)
Featherweight Non-Title Main Event: פּאַטריסיאָ פּיטבולל(34-5) vs.Kleber Koike(31-5-1)
Bantamweight Feature Bout: Juan Archuleta(26-4) vs.Soo Chul Kim(18-6-1)
TOP FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDERS CAT ZINGANO AND PAM SORENSON WILL BATTLE ON PRELIMINARY CARD, ALONG WITH PIVOTAL WELTERWEIGHT CLASH BETWEEN DEREK ANDERSON VS. GOITI YAMAUCHI
TOP PROSPECTS ROMERO COTTON, CODY LAW, ROMAN FARALDO ALSO SET FOR ACTION
LOS ANGELES –A plethora of fantastic fighters armed with world-title aspirations have joined the stackedBELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellcard on Saturday, מאַרץ 12. SHOWTIME will televise the mammoth main card live from inside the Family Arena in St. טשאַרלעס, מאָ., בייַ9 פּ.ם. עט / 6 פּ.ם. פּט.
Former title challenger and No. 2 ראַנגקט-יוחנן סאָלטער (18-5), as well as undefeated BELLATOR MMA No. 3-ראַנגקטJohnny Eblen(10-0), and women’s No. 2 פעאַטהערוועיגהטCat Zingano(12-4) hope to take the next step toward BELLATOR MMA gold as they join the four co-headline brawlers currently ranked among the upper echelon of their respective divisions.
Featured among the magnificent MMA melees will be three of the top-ten middleweights, five undefeated and one unblemished amateur, four top-two contenders, and ten fighters ranked along with BELLATOR MMA’s elite.
אין די הויפּט געשעעניש פון די אָוונט, Adam Borics (17-1) אוןMads Burnell(16-3), two featherweights currently tied at No. 2 in the official BELLATOR MMA rankings, will square off for a future shot at the BELLATOR 145-pound world title. אין די קאָ-Featured באַוט, former BELLATOR Light Heavyweight Champion, 13-time BELLATOR veteran, און ניט קיין. 2-ראַנגקטפיל דייוויס (23-6, 1 נק) will open his 2022 campaign against No. 4 Julius Anglickas(10-2), who most recently challenged for the 205-pound title. אַדדיטיאָנאַללי, the main card will spotlight an international lightweight extravaganza as undefeated New Alliance Jiu-Jitsu team memberJay-Jay Wilson (8-0) of Auckland, ניו זילאַנד, moves up in weight to meet Dagestan, רוסלאַנד סגאַדזשי ראַבאַדאַנאָוו(16-4-2), who is coming off a first-round knockout in his promotional debut atBELLATOR MMA 263 אין יולי 2021.
Prior to the consequential co-featured contests, a pair of top middleweights will round out the main card as Salter and Eblen square off for a shot at the winner of the upcoming world title bout pitting 185-pound Championגעגאַרד מאָוסאַסיagainst No. 1-ראַנגקט Austin Vanderford בייַ BELLATOR MMA 275later this month in Dublin, ירעלאַנד.
Armed with an 8-2 BELLATOR record, Salter, a 15-year pro MMA veteran out of Nashville, Tenn., holds the promotional record for most submissions in BELLATOR MMA middleweight history, and has stopped 17 פון זיין 23 קעגנערס. Nicknamed “Diamond Hands” due to his love for crypto currency and willingness to hold onto his investments, Eblen is coming off a 71-second annihilation of Collin Huckbody atBELLATOR MMA 272אין דעצעמבער 2021. The six-time BELLATOR MMA veteran and American Top-Team product, who recently signed a six-fight BELLATOR contract extension, has secured six opening-round stoppages, including two of his three 2021 קעגנערס.
In addition to the magnificent main card, a veritable cornucopia of pulsating preliminary punch ups will commence the preeminent night of action, including a Minnesota midwestern melee pitting former UFC title challenger and Winona, פון., native Zingano against No.7-ranked lightweightPam Sorenson(9-4) of Blaine, פון.
Set to make her third straight BELLATOR MMA appearance with aspirations of challenging BELLATOR MMA Women’s Welterweight World ChampionCris Cyborg, Zingano has had a decorated fighting career. The former NCAA Division III All-American wrestler became the first mother to compete in the UFC and initial woman to capture the company’s “Fight of the Night” award, counting victories over Miesha Tate, אַמאַנדאַ נונז, Marion Reneau, and Gabrielle Holloway. לעצטנס, “Alpha” was featured in the series “Double Duty” that chronicled the attempts to maintain a balance between the daily responsibilities of parenthood and earning a living as a pro athlete.
A former Invicta FC women’s featherweight champion, Sorenson started kickboxing after the passing of her best friend. After vacating her crown and requesting a release from Invicta in July 2021, the Minneapolis mauler signed a multi-fight deal with BELLATOR MMA in mid-2021. Soon after joining the pioneering company, the 35-year-old recorded a hard-fought split decision over Roberta Samad atBELLATOR MMA 264 אין ונקאַסוויללע, קאַן.
Also featured will be a bruising brawl pitting two hard-hitting heavyweights with seven career stoppages apiece as No. 8-ראַנגקטAlex “Eazy” Polizzi (9-1) of Madison, וויסק., clashes with Team Pitbull’sJose “Guru” Augusto (7-3, 1 נק). אַדדיטיאָנאַללי, סאַן דיעגאָ, קאַליף. געבוירן, 11-time BELLATOR MMA veteran, און ניט קיין. 6-ראַנגקט“Barbaric” Derek Anderson(17-4, 1 נק) will mix it up with submission specialist, BELLATOR Brazilian bruiser, and Japanese-bornGoiti Yamaguchi (26-5), in a worldwide welterweight war.
דערצו, added toBELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellis a memorable middleweight match pitting undefeated, צי ניט. 6-ranked 185-pounder and owner of three consecutive stoppagesRomero Cotton (5-0) of Hutchinson, קאַנסאַס, who will bravely battle the horrors of“The Boogeyman”Lance Wright (5-2). דערצו, former Division II All-American wrestler and fantastic featherweightCody Law(5-0), fresh off his third opening-round finish, strives to avoid being scared off by“Phantom”Johnny Soto (5-2) פון Escondido, קאַליף.
Continuing the unforgettable night of amazing action, undefeated welterweight and American Top-Team memberRoman Faraldo (6-0) will make his fourth consecutive promotional appearance when he challenges BELLATOR MMA rookieKelvin Rayford (5-3), while local combatantJordan Howard (10-5) of Jefferson City hopes to thrill the Missouri faithful against Athens, Illinois’ ownTrevor Ward(5-5). Two flyweights will test their skills as well, וועןDiana Avsaragova(4-0) of Russia welcomesAshley Deen (5-6) to BELLATOR. Lastly, a Show-Me State lightweight showdown between BELLATOR beginnerDan Busch (4-1) makes his sixth straight Missouri appearance by confronting St. Louis’Josh Augustine (5-2).
The thrilling preliminary fights will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at6 פּ.ם. ET/3 p.m. פּט.
Sat. מאַרץ 12 // BELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnell //The Family Arena // סט. לוי
פּאָטער. מייַ 6 // BELLATOR PARIS: Bader vs. קאָנגאָ 2 // Accor Arena // Paris, FRA
פּאָטער. מייַ 13 // BELLATOR LONDON: Amosov vs. MVP // The SSE Arena, Wembley // לאָנדאָן
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About BELLATOR
BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. אונטער דער ריכטונג פון וועטעראַן קעמפן פאַרשפּרייטער סקאַט קאָקער, 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. אין די פאַרייניקטע שטאַטן, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, לעבן געשעעניש אָרקאַסטריישאַן, פייטער אַנטוויקלונג / באַציונגען, וועניו ייַנשאַפונג, שותפות שאַפונג / אַנטוויקלונג, אינטערנאַציאָנאַלער ליסענסינג, אָפּזעצערייַ, גאַנצע, פּירסעם און קאָמיסיע באַציונגען. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, קאַליף. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, היים צו די וועלט 'ס פּרעמיער פאַרווייַלונג בראַנדז אַז פאַרבינדן מיט אַדיאַנסאַז דורך קאַמפּעלינג צופרידן אַריבער טעלעוויזיע, באַוועגונג בילד, אָנליין און רירעוודיק פּלאַטפאָרמס.
LOS ANGELES –A future shot at the BELLATOR Featherweight World Championship will be on the line when No. 2-ראַנגקט Adam Borics (17-1) meets a man also ranked No. 2 in the Official BELLATOR Rankings, Mads Burnell(16-3) אין די הויפּט געשעעניש פון בעללאַטאָר 276 אויף שבת, מאַרץ 12 at The Family Arena in St. לוי.
In the co-main event former BELLATOR Light Heavyweight Champion and No. 2-ראַנגקט פיל דייוויס (23-6) will return to action and open his 2022 campaign against No. 4-ראַנגקט Julius Anglickas(10-2), who most recently challenged for the 205-pound title. The main card will also see a pair of skilled lightweights compete, when undefeatedJay-Jay Wilson (8-0) moves up in weight to meet Dagestan’sגאַדזשי ראַבאַדאַנאָוו (16-4-2).
SHOWTIME will televise theBELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellmain card live at9 פּ.ם. עט / 6 פּ.ם. פּט אַדדיטיאָנאַללי, the thrilling preliminary fights will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at6 פּ.ם. ET/3 p.m. פּט.
טיקקעץ פֿאַר BELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellwill go on sale this Friday, פעברואר. 11 at bothTicketmaster.com און Bellator.com, with a special presale taking place the day prior.
א BELLATOR MMA 276 preliminary battle between two heavy-handed light heavyweights No. 8-ראַנגקט Alex “Easy” Polizzi(9-1) and Team Pitbull’sJose “Gugu” Augusto(7-3, 1 נק) is also official. נאָך קאַנטעס וועט זיין מודיע באַלד.
A multi-faceted fighter with tremendous success in two different combat sports, Adam Borics knocked out all 25 of his amateur opponents en route to compiling 10-0 (קיקקבאָקסינג) און 15-0 (ממאַ) records. Holding a three-inch height advantage and tied with upcoming opponent Mads Burnell as the No. 2 featherweight in the BELLATOR rankings, the Ft. Lauderdale featherweight commenced his pro career with 14 straight triumphs, including ten by KO or submission.
Much like his upcoming foe, the nine-time BELLATOR veteran, armed with an 8-1 promotional record, prefers to dispose of his counterparts quickly as evidenced by ten of his 18 career wins culminating in knockout or submission. אַדדיטיאָנאַללי, the former Hungarian Fight Championship Featherweight kingpin has fought only 41 rounds since turning professional in Aug. 2014, an average of only 2.3 per outing.
Nicknamed “The Kid,” the former Thai and Hungarian Thai Boxing World Titleholder, who lives by the adage “Practice laborious, battle easy,” and holds knockout wins over former BELLATOR featherweight champion Pat Curran and ferocious featherweight Aaron Pico. Born in Budapest, אונגארן, the Sanford MMA fighter, who signed a multi-fight extension with BELLATOR in January 2021, launched his promotional campaign by submitting Anthony Taylor via rear-naked choke in April 2017. After dropping his lone BELLATOR bout at the hands of former bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell in the quarterfinals of the BELLATOR MMA Featherweight Grand Prix, Borics has outpointed his last three opponents under the company banner.
Currently riding a seven-bout winning streak, Mads Burnell prefers to dispatch of his opponents early. אין 19 career fights, the submission specialist has stopped more than half of his adversaries (10), including eight in the opening round. אַדדיטיאָנאַללי, the Copenhagen, דענמאַרק, native has not fought past three rounds in his professional career, while averaging a mere two per contest. The Arte Suave Copenhagen product, וואס וועט קער 28 less than one week prior to his fourth consecutive promotional appearance atBELLATOR MMA 276, opened his vocation by defeating his initial five opponents, including three via submission.
A first-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Burnell captured the Cage Warriors featherweight title by submitting then-champion Dean Trueman by Japanese necktie at 3:04 of the second round on June 29, 2019. Two months after signing with the company, the ferocious featherweight took the mixed martial arts world by storm when he recorded his lone career knockout and floored Darko Banovic at 3:13 of the first stanza in his promotional debut atBELLATOR MMA 248 אויף אקטאבער. 10, 2020, אין פּאַריז, פֿראַנקרייַך.
Following a second-round destruction of “The Ultimate Fighter: מאַנשאַפֿט McGregor ווס. Team Faber” standout Saul Rogers via rear-naked choke atBELLATOR MMA 257, the three-time BELLATOR MMA veteran returned to the cage less than four months later and upset Emmanuel Sanchez via three-round unanimous decision (29-28 און 30-27 צוויי מאָל) in a non-stop battle atBELLATOR MMA 263 אויף יולי 31, 2021, אין לאס אנדזשעלעס. A former European No-Gi champion, Burnell hopes to keep his undefeated BELLATOR record intact when he challenges fellow No. 2-ranked Adam Borics.
BELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellהויפּט קאַרד: שבת, מאַרץ 12 – live onשאָוטיים 9 פּ.ם. עט / 6 פּ.ם. פּט
