This week on the FNU Combat Sports show, טאָם, Tony and Rich discuss a slow week for boxing and recap two huge MMA cards in the United Kingdom last weekend. We also talk about Michael Bisping deciding to retire, weight cutting issues in the UFC, and a cop nicknamed “Blade” getting his 15 seconds of fame in a viral video where he boxes a teen in full uniform and comes out on top. Listen to the whole show below:
RAFAEL CARVALHO DEFENDS MIDDLEWIGHT TITLE AGAINST GEGARD MOUSASI IN NEW HEADLINER, WHILE ‘MVP’ TAKES ON DAVID RICKELS IN CO-MAIN
לאס אנדזשעלעס – Due to injury, Mirko Cro Cop can no longer compete in his highly anticipated Bellator debut atבעללאַטאָר 200 קעגן רוי נעלסאָן. ווי אַ רעזולטאַט, די בעללאַטאָר 200 main event now sees reigning middleweight champראַפאַעל קאַרוואַלהאָ (15-1) defend his title against top contender געגאַרד מאָוסאַסי (43-6-2) in a five-round affair, while the co-main event features undefeated British striker מיכאל "ווענאָם" Page (12-0), better known as “MVP,” againstדוד ריקקעלס (19-4, 2 נק) בייַ וועלטערווייט. בעללאַטאָר 200 takes place Friday, מייַ 25 at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London and will air on Paramount Network at 9 פּ.ם. עט / 8 פּ.ם. קאָרט.
The main card also includes former titleholder פיל דייוויס (18-4) גענומען אויף לינטאָן וואַססעלל (18-6) in a light heavyweight matchup and reality star turned MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers (3-0) making his promotional debut against fellow BritAsh Griffiths (4-5). The remainder of the main card will be announced later this week.
Prior to the main card on Paramount Network, בעללאַטאָר 200 will also feature plenty of exciting preliminary matchups showcasing many of the U.K.’s top young talent. די אַנדיפיטיד Anastasia Yankova (5-0) returns against the always-tough Kate Jackson (9-3-1), while a trio of former BAMMA champions are in action when former middleweight champion Mike Shipman (11-1) פייץ Carl Noon (7-2), former BAMMA featherweight kingpin Daniel Crawford (10-1) challenges Pedro Carvalho (6-3) and former BAMMA lightweight titlist Ryan Scope (11-1) פנימער Martyn Harris(4-4). Fans will see Bellator veteran Anatoly Tokov (25-3) clash with Vladimir Filipovic (10-2), SBG Ireland-productCharlie Ward (4-3) in action against Louis King (1-1) and Mousasi-trained prospect Costello van Steenis (9-1) באַגעגעניש Kevin Fryer (6-2).
Tickets for the event are on sale now at The SSE Arena, Wembley box office (0844 815 0815), Ticketmaster.com,ssearena.co.uk און axs.com. בעללאַטאָר 200 will be broadcast on Paramount Network at 9 פּ.ם. עט / 8 פּ.ם. קאָרט, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App beginning at 12:30 פּ.ם. ET/9:30 אַ.ם. פּט.
*Card subject to change.
WILL TAKE ON ASH GRIFFITHS IN MAIN CARD BOUT ON קען 25 AT THE SSE ARENA, WEMBLEY
לאס אנדזשעלעס – Bellator is proud to announce that reality star turned MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers (3-0) will make his promotional debut on the main card of historic בעללאַטאָר 200 קעגן Ash Griffiths (4-5) at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London on פרייַטיק, מייַ 25.
Fighting out of Newcastle, ענגלאַנד, Chalmers steps inside the Bellator cage following three first-round stoppage victories under the direction of BAMMA. Chalmers is a well-known cast member of MTV’s British reality television series “Geordie Shore,” having appeared for 10 seasons beginning in 2014, as well as MTV’s “Ex on the Beach.” He would go on to make his MMA debut in 2017, winning his first bout via submission in the first round. “The Joker” has since defeated two other opponents in under a minute and now looks to take the next step in his professional career.
Griffiths turned pro in 2013, fighting regionally in England, prior to making his debut with Bellator last year during the main card of בעללאַטאָר 191 אין Newcastle. Hailing from Willington, ענגלאַנד, the nine-fight veteran provides a tough test for the newcomer. Fans can expect fireworks, when these two compete for bragging rights in front of their U.K. crowd.
The catchweight contest joins a stacked card that already includes a Bellator middleweight title matchup pitting current champ ראַפאַעל קאַרוואַלהאָ (15-1) קעגן געגאַרד מאָוסאַסי (43-6-2), a rematch betweenheavyweight fan-favorites Mirko Cro Cop (36-11-2, 1 נק) און רוי נעלסאָן (23-15), while former titleholder פיל דייוויס (18-4) נעמט אויף לינטאָן וואַססעלל (18-6) in a light heavyweight matchup and undefeated British striker מיכאל "ווענאָם" Page (12-0) מיץ דוד "דער קאַוועמאַן" ריקקעלס (19-4, 2 נק) בייַ וועלטערווייט.
Tickets for the event are on sale now at The SSE Arena, Wembley Box Office (0844 815 0815), Ticketmaster.com, ssearena.co.uk און axs.com. בעללאַטאָר 200 will be broadcast on Paramount Network at 9 פּ.ם. און/8 פּ.ם. קאָרט, בשעת פּרילימאַנערי אַקציע וועט טייַך אויף Bellator.com און גלאָובאַלי אויף די בעללאַטאָר מאָביל אַפּ. The main card is now complete, additional preliminary contests will be announced in coming weeks.
Complete בעללאַטאָר 200 הויפּט קאַרד:
Middleweight World Title Bout: ראַפאַעל קאַרוואַלהאָ (15-1) ווס. געגאַרד מאָוסאַסי (43-6-2)
Heavyweight Main Card Bout: Mirko Cro Cop (36-11-2, 1 נק) ווס. רוי נעלסאָן (23-15)
Light Heavyweight Main Card Bout: פיל דייוויס (18-4) ווס. לינטאָן וואַססעלל (18-6)
Welterweight Main Card Bout: מיכאל Page (12-0) ווס. דוד ריקקעלס (19-4, 2 נק)
163-Pound Catchweight Main Card Bout: Aaron Chalmers (3-0) ווס. Ash Griffiths (4-5)
*Card subject to change
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
טיקאַץ אויף SALE איצט
לאס אנדזשעלעס – An exciting battle between heavyweight fan-favorites Mirko Cro Cop (36-11-2, 1 נק) און רוי נעלסאָן (23-15) has been added to historic בעללאַטאָר 200 at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London on פרייַטיק, מייַ 25.
The two renowned fighters join a stacked card that already includes a Bellator middleweight title matchup pitting current champ ראַפאַעל קאַרוואַלהאָ (15-1) קעגן געגאַרד מאָוסאַסי(43-6-2), while former titleholder פיל דייוויס (18-4) נעמט אויף לינטאָן וואַססעלל (18-6) in a light heavyweight matchup and undefeated British striker מיכאל "ווענאָם" Page (12-0) מיץ דוד "דער קאַוועמאַן" ריקקעלס (19-4, 2 נק) בייַ וועלטערווייט.
Tickets for the event are on sale now at The SSE Arena, Wembley Box Office (0844 815 0815), Ticketmaster.com, ssearena.co.uk און axs.com. בעללאַטאָר 200 will be broadcast on Paramount Network at 9 פּ.ם. און/8 פּ.ם. קאָרט, בשעת פּרילימאַנערי אַקציע וועט טייַך אויף Bellator.com און גלאָובאַלי אויף די בעללאַטאָר מאָביל אַפּ. Additional contests will be announced in coming weeks.
The man synonymous with head kick knockouts, Mirko Cro Cop makes his way to Bellator in the midst of an eight-fight win streak that includes TKO victories over "מלך מאָ" לאַוואַל, Gabriel Gonzaga and Satoshi Ishii. The proud Croatian famously won the PRIDE 2006 Openweight Grand Prix championship, as well as the RIZIN World Grand Prix 2016 title and K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 Final in kickboxing. One of the most feared strikers in MMA history, Cro Cop owns additional career wins over וואַנדערלעי סילוואַ, דזשאָש באַרנעט (קס 3), Pat Barry, Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman.
קאַמף פון לאַס וועגאַס, Roy Nelson made his Bellator debut at בעללאַטאָר 183 in September with a hard-fought victory over דזשאַווי אַיאַלאַ following an eight-year, 19-fight run with UFC that saw him earn wins over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, "Bigfoot" סילוואַ, טשעיקק קאָנגאָ and Mirko Cro Cop. “Big Country” also memorably defeated the late קימבאָ רעפטלand later went on to win season 10 פון די לעצט פייטער. Having recently fought מאַט מיטריאָנע in the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix, Nelson is looking for a big win over one of the sport’s true legends.
דערהייַנטיקט בעללאַטאָר 200 Fight Card:
Middleweight World Title Bout: ראַפאַעל קאַרוואַלהאָ (15-1) ווס. געגאַרד מאָוסאַסי (43-6-2)
Heavyweight Main Card Bout: Mirko Cro Cop (36-11-2, 1 נק) ווס. רוי נעלסאָן (23-15)
Light Heavyweight Main Card Bout: פיל דייוויס (18-4) ווס. לינטאָן וואַססעלל (18-6)
Welterweight Main Card Bout: מיכאל Page (12-0) ווס. דוד ריקקעלס (19-4, 2 נק)
*Card subject to change
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
LONDON TO HOST HISTORIC בעללאַטאָר 200 אויף קען 25
טיקאַץ אויף SALE דאס איז פרייטאג
לאס אנדזשעלעס – Bellator is pleased to announce its anticipated return to London for בעללאַטאָר 200 אויף פרייַטיק, מייַ 25. The landmark event will emanate from The SSE Arena, Wembley and will air on Paramount Network.
The first two fights, of what promises to be one of the most exciting event in company history, features middleweight champion ראַפאַעל קאַרוואַלהאָ (15-1) defending his crown against געגאַרד מאָוסאַסי (43-6-2) and the return of London’s own מיכאל "ווענאָם" Page (12-0), ווער נעמט אויף דוד "דער קאַוועמאַן" ריקקעלס (19-4, 2 נק). Additional main card bouts will be announced shortly.
Tickets for the event will be available to the general public on פרייַטיק, מאַרץ 2 at The SSE Arena, Wembley Box Office (0844 815 0815), Ticketmaster.com, ssearena.co.uk און axs.com. A special SSE pre-sale will take place מיטוואָך, פעברואַר 28, while all other pre-sales, including Bellator Nation, will begin דאָנערשטיק, מאַרץ 1.
“Bellator continues to place a huge emphasis on its expansion into markets around the globe and creating a strong presence in the U.K. is a very important part of that,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “Our fans are going to be excited about the card we put together for this monumental event, as Bellator 200 will be one of our greatest to date.”
Quietly flying under the radar as Bellator’s current longest-reigning champion, Rafael Carvalho receives his toughest challenge to date when he meets Mousasi in London. A product of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Carvalho joined the Bellator roster in 2014, garnering the attention of fans who tuned into בעללאַטאָר 125 by emphatically finishing Brian Rogers in the first round. The run hasn’t stopped there, as the 31-year-old has gone onto defeat דזשאָו שילינג, אַלעססיאָ סאַקאַראַ, מעלווין מאַנהאָעף (2רענטגענ) and Brandon Halsey, tying the record for most title defenses in the division’s history in the process.
Gegard Mousasi impressed in his promotional debut over former Bellator middleweight champion אלכסנדר שלעמענקאָ, a win that pushed his current unbeaten streak to six fights. “The Dreamcatcher,” who currently trains out of The Netherlands, holds one of the most impressive resumes in all of the sport, at one time winning the STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight title, as well as the DREAM light heavyweight and middleweight titles. With victories against some of the sport’s best, including Chris Weidman, וויטאָר בעלפאָרט, וריאַה האַלל, Dan Henderson, “Jacare” Souza, Mark Hunt and Ovince Saint-Preux, the Judo black belt will now set his sights on Bellator gold when he enters the cage on May 25.
There are few fighters who in such a short span of time have provided the type of highlight-reel entertainment that Michael Page has. איצט, “MVP” returns to the Bellator cage for the first time since 2016, a year that saw Page go viral for his perfectly-timed flying knee finish against 40-fight-veteran “Cyborg” Santos and the well-orchestrated celebration that included the toss of a Pokéball. 2017 saw Page successfully enter the realm of boxing, where he won his debut via TKO. בייַ בעללאַטאָר 200, the London native will make his ninth appearance for Bellator, going unbeaten and finishing his opponent in the opening frame on five occasions.
David Rickels has competed under the Bellator banner more times than anyone in promotional history with 19 and will extend the record when he returns to 170-pounds for the first time since the Bellator Season Six Welterweight Tournament in 2012. The fighting pride of Derby, Kansas is coming off a unanimous decision victory against אד"ם פּיקקאָלאָט דעם פאַרגאַנגענהייַט דעצעמבער, improving his current winning streak to two. Never one to shy away from a scrap, this matchup should produce fireworks when “The Caveman’s” style clashes with the unorthodox swagger of “MVP.”
דערהייַנטיקט בעללאַטאָר 200 Fight Card:
Middleweight World Title Bout: ראַפאַעל קאַרוואַלהאָ (15-1) ווס. געגאַרד מאָוסאַסי (43-6-2)
Welterweight Main Card Bout: מיכאל Page (12-0) ווס. דוד ריקקעלס (19-4, 2 נק)
****
EVENT TAKES PLACE מאָרגן AT THE SSE ARENA, WEMBLEY IN LONDON — AIRS AT 9 PM עט/8 PM CT ON SPIKE
באַאַמטער בעללאַטאָר 179: דיילי ווס. MacDonaldMain Card Weights:
וועלטערווייט הויפּט געשעעניש: רory MacDonald (170.1) ווס. פאולוס דיילי (170.8)
ליכט כעוויווייט קאָ-הויפּט געשעעניש: לינטאָן וואַססעלל (205) ווס. ליאַם מקגעאַרי (205.5)
Heavyweight Feature Bout: אַוגוסטאָ סאַקאַי (263.75) ווס. טשעיקק קאָנגאָ (244)
Catchweight Feature Bout: D.J. Griffin (164) ווס. קevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr. (165)
Welterweight Feature Bout: Dan Vinni (169.4) ווס. Alex Lohore (170)
Bellator.com-Streamed פּרעלימינאַרי קאַרד:
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Jay Dods (154.75) ווס. Alfie Davis (155)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Dan Konecke (227.5) ווס. Stav Economou (260.75)
Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Jamie Powell (125.2) ווס. Amir Albazi (125.5)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Umer Kayani (168.75) ווס. Nathan Jones (169)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Fabian Edwards (184.5) ווס. Rafal Cejrowski (185)
Catchweight Preliminary Bout: Jeremy Petley (148.75) ווס. Chase Morton (149.75)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Marcin Prostko (185.25) ווס. Mike Shipman (185.75)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout:Salih Kulucan (135.5) ווס. Diego Barbosa (136)
בעללאַטאָר 179 PRELIMINARY MATCHUPS SET
לאס אנדזשעלעס — A newly announced heavyweight bout featuring טשעיקק קאָנגאָ (26-10-2) קעגן אַוגוסטאָ סאַקאַי (9-0-1) has been added to the already-electric בעללאַטאָר 179: דיילי ווס. MacDonald געשעעניש, which emanates from The SSE Arena, Wembley on May 19.
קאָנגאָ, the French-born heavyweight, is currently riding a four-fight win streak that includes wins over Oli Thompson and Alexander Volkov, while the 25-year-old Sakai looks to stay unbeaten and make a name for himself in the division.
אַדדיטיאָנאַללי, preliminary matchups featuring some of the U.K.’s best up-and-coming talent have been finalized for the event.
בעללאַטאָר 179: דיילי ווס. MacDonald will be broadcast on SPIKE at 9 פּ.ם. און/8 פּ.ם. קאָרט. Tickets for the event are on sale now at The SSE Arena, Wembley Box Office (0844 815 0815), ssearena.co.uk און axs.com.
דערהייַנטיקט בעללאַטאָר 179: דיילי ווס. MacDonald הויפּט קאַרד:
וועלטערווייט הויפּט געשעעניש: פאולוס דיילי (39-14-2) ווס. ראָרי מאַקדאַנאַלד (18-4)
Welterweight Feature Bout: מיכאל Page (12-0) ווס. דערעק אַנדערסאָן (14-3)
Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: ליאַם מקגעאַרי (12-1) ווס. לינטאָן וואַססעלל (17-5)
Heavyweight Feature Bout: טשעיקק קאָנגאָ (26-10-2) ווס. אַוגוסטאָ סאַקאַי (9-0-1)
פּרעלימינאַרי קאַרד:
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Jay Dods (6-0) ווס. Alfie Davis (6-1)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Rob Beech (4-1) ווס. Stav Economou (17-5)
Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Jamie Powell (6-1) ווס. Amir Albazi (8-0)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Umer Kayani (4-3) ווס. Nathan Jones (10-5)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Dan Vinni (14-14) ווס. Alex Lohore (10-1)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Liam Etebar (6-1) ווס. Rafal Cejra Cejrowski (2-0)
Catchweight Preliminary Bout (150 לבס.): Jeremy Petley (10-8) ווס. Chase Morton (6-3)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Marcin Prostko (4-5) ווס. Mike Shipman (9-1)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Salih Kulucan (4-5) ווס. Diego Barbosa (3-0)
בעללאַטאָר 179: DALEY VS. MacDONALD EMANATES FROM THE SSE ARENA, WEMBLEY ON קען 19 – TICKETS ON SALE מאַרץ 3
לאָנדאָן — (פעברואר. 9, 2017) - Paul "סעמטעקס" דיילי (39-14-2) is getting what he asked for. אויף מייַ 19, the explosive fighter from Nottingham, England will meet ראָרי מאַקדאַנאַלד(18-4) אין די הויפּט געשעעניש פון בעללאַטאָר 179: דיילי ווס. MacDonald at The SSE Arena, Wembley.
Rising undefeated British sensation, Michael “Venom” Page (12-0), better known to Bellator fans as “MVP,” is also expected to make his in-cage return in front of a hometown crowd.
בעללאַטאָר 179: דיילי ווס. MacDonald will be broadcast on SPIKE at 9 פּ.ם. און/8 פּ.ם. קאָרט. Tickets for the event will be available פרייַטיק, מאַרץ 3 at The SSE Arena, Wembley Box Office (0844 815 0815), ssearena.co.uk און axs.com. A special SSE pre-sale will take place מיטוואָך, מאַרץ 1 through Thursday, מאַרץ 2. A pre-sale for The SSE Arena, Wembley will be available דאָנערשטיק, מאַרץ 2.
Immediately following his flying-knee knockout of ברעננאַן קעסטקינד בייַ בעללאַטאָר 170: Ortiz vs. Sonnen, Daley took the microphone during his post-fight interview and made the most of his time, emphatically calling for his מייַ 19 opponent by name. איצט, a little more than 100 miles from his home, “Semtex” will attempt to spoil the Bellator MMA debut of MacDonald. A 55-fight veteran of the sport, with six appearances under the direction of the Scott Coker-led promotion, the British heavy hitter has recorded victories in 10 פון זיין לעצטע 12 bouts with 31 פון זיין 39 victories coming via finish.
After signing MacDonald to an exclusive, multi-year, multi-fight contract in 2016, the must-see talent returned to the gym where he carefully honed his craft and readied himself for an eagerly-anticipated return to MMA. The former No. 1 contender to the UFC welterweight crown now sets his sights on the always-exciting Daley, looking to add to a list of strong career wins, which includes current UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, ב.דזש. פּען, Demian Maia and Nate Diaz. “The Red King” is clearly the most popular active Canadian mixed martial artist since Georges St-Pierre, whom MacDonald has trained under for years at the world-renowned TriStar Gym in Montreal. At only 27-years-old, MacDonald joins Bellator’s welterweight fray poised to immediately make an impact in the division, as he looks to defeat Daley and shock the London crowd.
דערהייַנטיקט בעללאַטאָר 179: דיילי ווס. MacDonald הויפּט קאַרד:
וועלטערווייט הויפּט געשעעניש: פאולוס דיילי (39-14-2) ווס. ראָרי מאַקדאַנאַלד (18-4)
CLICK HERE FOR CONFERENCE CALL AUDIO
סאַנטאַ מאָניקאַ, קאַליף (נאָוועמבער 15, 2016) – Before the cage door closes דעם שבת אין די זאַפט צענטער אין סאַן דזשאָסע, the main and co-main event fighters from "בעללאַטאָר 165: טשאַנדלער ווס. הענדערסאָן "participated in a media conference call. If you weren’t on the line, you can listen to it דאָ, or read a couple of the quotes below.
"בעללאַטאָר 165: טשאַנדלער ווס. הענדערסאָן " features current champion מיכאל טשאַנדלער (15-3) קעגן בענסאָן הענדערסאָן (24-6) אין די העאַדלינינג ראָלע, while co-main event action will have undefeated British phenom מיכאל "ווענאָם" Page (11-0) and California’s own פערנאַנדאָ גאָנזאַלעז (25-13) duke it out in a welterweight thriller. Bay Area’s own Keri Melendez makes her professional MMA debut, as does Kevin Ferguson Jr. better known as Kimbo Slice Jr.
The event airs LIVE and FREE at 9 פּ.ם. און/8 פּ.ם. CT on Spike and completes three consecutive weeks of championship fights on the Viacom-owned network. Tickets for the event remain on sale and can be purchased at Bellator.com, as well as SAP Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.
ק: For Benson…Is there any extra motivation to prove yourself in this fight after the way the last fight ended?
בענסאָן הענדערסאָן: I would say that there’s not a whole lot of extra motivation this fight. I’m a pretty highly self-motivated individual. I want to win all of my fights. I don’t need any extra incentives. I want to have my hand raised in every single fight.
ק: This is your second title fight in Bellator. Is there anything you learned from the first go-around that you’re bringing into this fight?
בענסאָן הענדערסאָן: I don’t know if there’s anything that I learned from the last title fight, just being more comfortable inside the Bellator cage and getting used to the walkout and finding my rhythm.
ק: You’re fighting for the title now. Do you think of yourself as a lightweight? Is this where you intend to stay or is another trip to welterweight a possibility in the future?
בענסאָן הענדערסאָן: I wouldn’t say that I think of myself as a lightweight necessarily. פֿאַר מיר, עס ס 155 לבס. אָדער 170 לבס., just wherever the more interesting and fun matchups are. אָבער, first things first, I have to take care of business אויף שבת נאַכט.
ק: You mentioned fun and interesting fights. Is the title something you think about as well? The story line of the week is a two-division champion in the other promotion. Is that a dream that you have for yourself in your career or do you just want to stay and be the most dominate lightweight champion that you can be?
בענסאָן הענדערסאָן: I’m going to go get this belt at 155 לבס., but after that I wouldn’t say that belts offer a whole lot of extra incentive. Obviously belts are great and the meaning behind the belt is that you are the best in the planet and that means a lot to say that you are the best at that weight class, but I don’t fight necessarily just for the belt. You do want the belt, but right now all I’m concentrating on is four days from now and a man named Michael Chandler.
ק: For Michael…Have you ever thought about trying for another belt? I know it’s early in your title reign, but has that ever crossed your mind? און, if you did go for another belt, would it be for welterweight or featherweight?
מיכאל טשאַנדלער: I haven’t put a lot of thought into it. פֿאַר מיר, I’m just looking for the biggest fight I can get. I know there’s no way I could make 145 לבס., since I walk around at about 190 לבס., between fights. אַזוי, I’m not interested in losing the muscle mass that I’ve worked so hard to build. אויב עפּעס, I would jump up to 170 לבס., but right now I’m focused on my fight דעם שבת night and I’m excited to get out there and perform.
ק: Why is Henderson an important opponent for your career?
מיכאל טשאַנדלער: Every opponent is important. Every single time we fight, we’re putting ourselves, our livelihood, our records, and our reputation on the line. It just so happens for me, I get an opportunity to fight a guy who’s been a champion and has done some great things in the sport. But luckily, it’s the right time for me and the wrong time for him. I’m extremely excited to go out there and make a statement with this fight אויף שבת נאַכט. He’s definitely a great, willing opponent, but I’m excited to go out there and get the finish.
ק: For MVP…Obviously, it’s been a fantastic year for you in Bellator, especially your performance in London. Have you got your finger on the pulse of pop culture right now and is there something out there that you’re drawing inspiration from that you’re looking to utilize in some entertainment factor on fight night?
MVP: יאָ, I’m always socially aware, but I have to get the job done first and that’s the most important thing.
ק: At the moment, fighting at multiple weight classes and fighting in multiple divisions seems to be the rage right now and I know in the past you’ve mentioned the possibility of dropping down to 155 לבס., is that something that you’re still interested in?
MVP: At the moment, טאָן ניט. רעכט איצט, I’m just focused on fighting in the welterweight division.
ק: If you can record a win over Fernando Gonzalez, how many more fights and how many more wins do you think before you are in that title picture and fighting for a title shot?
MVP: That’s not really my main concern. I just go out there and entertain and I’ll keep doing that until I end up in the position I’m supposed to be in.
ק: For Michael Chandler…With you watching Benson from a far for a long time, what did you think of him as his career progressed?
מיכאל טשאַנדלער: Benson’s had a phenomenal career. צוריק אין דעם טאָג, he was the UFC champion and I was the Bellator champion. He was ranked number one and I was ranked number three in the world and it was always that “what if” matchup. What if these two guys could fight…and now we finally get to see. He’s continued to impress. He’s continued to win. Great careers and great legacies can’t be had without great opponents. I look at Benson Henderson as exactly that, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to step into that cage אויף שבת night and lose this belt. I’ve trained my tail off, I’ve gone through some of the toughest hardships that anyone can go through in this sport…losing three fights in a row, coming back, and believing that no matter what, my next big breakthrough is right around the corner. I never once thought about quitting, where I think a lot of people in that situation would. Where I’ve been and where I am now, I’m confident and I’m excited to just go out there and put it all on the line against one of the best in the world and one of the biggest names in the sport. This is a great opportunity on Spike TV, לעבן און פֿרייַ.
ק: For Fernando…question regarding the video packages that Michael Page has produced and released this year, most recently during Halloween. Did you watch them and what was your reaction to the video packages?
פערנאַנדאָ גאָנזאַלעז: I watched both of the videos and thought it was kind of funny, especially the last one. Bad choice of food products I guess. He’s basically eating balls and drinking milk, while cupping and savoring the taste. אַזוי, I don’t know if I should take that as a call out, but I think the victory alone will be enough for me.
ק: With Michael (בלאַט) on the line right now, does Fernando have any sort of message for him leading up to the fight?
פערנאַנדאָ גאָנזאַלעז: It’s the same message that I gave before. Just show up. I respect the fighter, but after this he’ll congratulate me and thank me for making him a better fighter. ער ס האַרט, but he hasn’t been tested and I’m going to give him his first loss.
ק: Michael do you have a response to that?
MVP: I’m allergic to bullshit, so there’s no point in responding.
ק: For Benson Henderson…In the title eliminator fight in Anaheim, you had a calm and deliberate demeanor throughout that fight and before we could really see you explode, Pitbull was taken away with an injury. Are you going to look to set a faster pace with Chandler, or are we going to see a more measured response?
בענסאָן הענדערסאָן: We’ll see how it plays out. It’s hard to dictate and say exactly what I’m going to do. If I was an NFL coach, I would not be one of those coaches that has the first 15 plays of the game scripted out and no matter what happens, we’re sticking to these 15 plays. פֿאַר מיר, I have to feel it out and go with the flow. אָבער, for me I don’t think this is going to be a slow pace fight. I’m expecting this to be one of the most high paced, action-packed fights you’ve seen in the Bellator cage.
גאַנץ "בעללאַטאָר 165: טשאַנדלער ווס. Henderson” Main Card:
Lightweight World Title Main Event: מיכאל טשאַנדלער (15-3) ווס. בענסאָן הענדערסאָן (24-6)
Welterweight Co-Main Event: מיכאל Page (11-0) ווס. פערנאַנדאָ גאָנזאַלעז (25-13)
Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: לינטאָן וואַססעלל (16-5) ווס. פראַנסיס קאַרמאָנט (25-11)
Lightweight Feature Bout: אד"ם פּיקקאָלאָט (8-0) ווס. בראַנדאָן גירטז (14-4)
Flyweight Feature Bout: Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez (דעבוט) ווס. Sheila Padilla (2-0)
Complete Preliminary Card:
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kevin Ferguson Jr. (דעבוט) ווס. Aaron Hamilton (0-2)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Carrington Banks (5-0) ווס. Jake Roberts (7-0)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Diego Herzog (3-2) ווס. ניק פּיקאַ (5-0)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: ירמיהו Monaghan (9-5) ווס. Vince Murdock (8-2)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: יעקב טערי (17-9) ווס. Justin Baesman (19-10-1)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: אַלווין קאַקדאַק (16-12) ווס. סטיוו ראַמירעז (5-1)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: J.J. Okanovich (2-1) ווס. Luis Vargas (דעבוט)
Featherweight Preliminary Bout: וויקטאָר דזשאָנעס (0-2) ווס. Beau Hamilton (1-7)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Hugo Lujan (0-1) ווס. Cesar Gonzalez (דעבוט)
Welterweight “VOW” Preliminary Bout: Dominic Sumner (דעבוט) ווס. Justin Roswell (1-0)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Danasabe Mohammed (5-0) ווס. Dwight Grant (6-1)
Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Sarah D’Alelio (10-6) ווס. Jaimelene Nievera (4-1)
סאַנטאַ מאָניקאַ, קאַליף. (נאוועמבער. 7, 2016) – One week ahead of "בעללאַטאָר 165: טשאַנדלער ווס. הענדערסאָן " ביי זאַפט צענטער אין סאַן דזשאָסע, קאַליף., Bellator MMA is pleased to announce the highly anticipated professional mixed martial arts debut of Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr. will come against Aaron Hamilton in a welterweight bout during the preliminary portion of the card on Nov. 19.
The contest anchors an electric preliminary card and joins a Spike-televised main card that features a lightweight world title main event pitting current champion מיכאל טשאַנדלער (15-3) קעגן בענסאָן הענדערסאָן (24-6). אין די אָוונט ס גלויבנס-הויפּט געשעעניש, undefeated British phenom מיכאל "ווענאָם" Page (11-0) and California’s own פערנאַנדאָ גאָנזאַלעז (25-13) duke it out in a welterweight thriller and אד"ם פּיקקאָלאָט (8-0) נעמט אויף בראַנדאָן גירטז(14-4) in a lightweight clash. Lastly, a light heavyweight showdown pitting Linton “The Swarm” Vassell (16-5) קעגן פראַנסיס קאַרמאָנט (14-4) and female flyweight action pitting Keri Melendez (דעבוט) קעגן Sheila Padilla (2-0) are also set for the main card.
"בעללאַטאָר 165: טשאַנדלער ווס. הענדערסאָן " airs LIVE and FREE at 9 פּ.ם. און/8 פּ.ם. CT on Spike and completes three consecutive weeks of championship fights on the Viacom-owned network. Tickets for the event remain on sale and can be purchased at Bellator.com, as well as SAP Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.
After originally being slated to make his professional debut at both “Bellator 160” און "בעללאַטאָר 162,“ “Baby Slice” will now look to showcase his fine-tuned mixed martial arts repertoire on נאוועמבער. 19. The son of the late, great “Kimbo Slice,” made a splash in the world of MMA during an amateur contest in Chicopee, מאַססאַטשוסעטץ, where he delivered a brutal knockout punch just 1:23 אין דער ערשטער קייַלעכיק. In what is unquestionably one of the most talked-about debuts in promotion history, Slice hopes to parlay his amateur success with a memorable performance on the professional circuit and carry on the legacy that his father let behind. Hailing from Miami, פלאָרידאַ, the Team Body Shop product now has his eyes set on joining teammate אַ.דזש. מאַקי as one of Bellator MMA’s top young prospects.
Hamilton will once again compete in his home state of California, after previous bouts against the likes of Max Griffin. “The Snake” will be making both his Bellator MMA debut and welterweight debut, as the 185-pound slugger attempts to trim down for what is surely the biggest fight of his career. Hamilton last competed in March and hopes to spoil the long-awaited debut of Slice.
גאַנץ "בעללאַטאָר 165: טשאַנדלער ווס. Henderson” Main Card:
Lightweight World Title Main Event: מיכאל טשאַנדלער (15-3) ווס. בענסאָן הענדערסאָן (24-6)
Welterweight Co-Main Event: מיכאל Page (11-0) ווס. פערנאַנדאָ גאָנזאַלעז (25-13)
Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: לינטאָן וואַססעלל (16-5) ווס. פראַנסיס קאַרמאָנט (25-11)
Lightweight Feature Bout: אד"ם פּיקקאָלאָט (8-0) ווס. בראַנדאָן גירטז (14-4)
Flyweight Feature Bout: Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez (דעבוט) ווס. Sheila Padilla (2-0)
Complete Preliminary Card:
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kevin Ferguson Jr. (דעבוט) ווס. Aaron Hamilton (0-2)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Carrington Banks (5-0) ווס. Jake Roberts (7-0)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Diego Herzog (3-2) ווס. ניק פּיקאַ (5-0)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: ירמיהו Monaghan (9-5) ווס. Vince Murdock (8-2)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: יעקב טערי (17-9) ווס. Justin Baesman (19-10-1)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: אַלווין קאַקדאַק (16-12) ווס. סטיוו ראַמירעז (5-1)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: J.J. Okanovich (2-1) ווס. Luis Vargas (דעבוט)
Featherweight Preliminary Bout: וויקטאָר דזשאָנעס (0-2) ווס. Beau Hamilton (1-7)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Hugo Lujan (0-1) ווס. Cesar Gonzalez (דעבוט)
Welterweight “VOW” Preliminary Bout: Dominic Sumer (דעבוט) ווס. Justin Roswell (1-0)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Danasabe Mohammed (5-0) ווס. Dwight Grant (6-1)
Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Sarah D’Alelio (10-6) ווס. Jaimelene Nievera (4-1)