Tag Archives: MMA

FNU Combat Sports Show For November 3, 2016

Tom, Tony and Rich get back to action this week to discuss upcoming fight cards, including two big MMA events: UFC Fight Night Dos Anjos vs. Ferguson and Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis. We preview both events and talk about the matchups. We then move to the boxing schedule where there are multiple belts on the line this week all over the globe. We spend a bit of time discussing the big Manny Pacquiao bout against Jessie Vargas. Is Manny fighting for the right reasons? Does he have enough left in the tank? We’ll know the answer Saturday night. Rich also breaks down his suspicions about vocal UFC fighters trending toward starting some type of powerful fighters union. Could the astronomical selling price of the UFC actually be the main handicap for the new owners? Did putting such a high premium on the UFC unintentionally give griping fighters more incentive to sue the company? Only time will tell.

 

Four fights added to solid M-1 Challenge 72 ntsiab card

Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 18 nyob rau hauv Moscow

ST. Petersburg, Russia (Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 3, 2016) – The M-1 Challenge 72 main card is set with the recent announcement of four interesting bouts, headlined by M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko‘s title defense against former title-holder Murad “Hunter” Abduleav, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 18 nyob rau hauv Moscow, Russia.
M-1 sib tw 72 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition onwww.M1Global.TV. Cas rau cov neeg yuav tsum tau mus saib qhov ua nteg fights thiab cov ntsiab card los txiav rau sau npe rau hauv www.M1Global.TV. Kiv cua yuav saib tag nrho cov txiav txim rau lawv computers, raws li tau zoo raws li nyob rau hauv thiab kua ntse xov tooj thiab cov ntsiav tshuaj.
In addition to the rematch between Kunchenko (14-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0) and Abdulaev (15-4-0, M-1: 3-1-0), the lightweight fight between former champion Artiom Damkovsky thiab Alexey “Assignment” Makhno had already been announced by M-1 Global.
Undefeated Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), a strong striker and Combat Sambo master, faces American opponent Luigi “Lub Italian Tank” Fiorvanti (26-14-0, M-1: 4-3-0) battle with future title fight implications on the line for the winner.
Frolov is coming off a three-round unanimous decision over Rafael Xavier ntawm M-1 sib tw 70, while Fiorvanti is considered a good all-around fighter who is a former M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenger.
In a featherweight bout, fully recovered Kurbaneli Abdusalamor (6-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0) faces fellow Russian Timur Nagibin (7-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0). Abdusalamov has won four fights in a row, including his last 13 months ago against American Lee Morrison, which ended in a 3-round majority decision for the Russian fighter before he was sidelined with injuries.
Sib Damir Ismagulov (8-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0), a native of Kazakhstan fighting out of Russia, meets Brazilian Rubenilton “Rubinho” Txiv moj coos (16-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0). Ismagulov has won his last three fights, xws li ib tug 3rd-puag ncig knockout ntawm Raul Tutarauli nyob rau hauv lub M-1 sib tw 66 Sib ntaus ntawm cov Hmo ntuj. Pereira is coming off a non-title fight loss by decision to M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Alexander Butenko.
Croatian middleweight Kristijan “Klitschko” Nyiaj (9-3-1, M-1: 0-2-1) returns to action against Talekh “Lub Azerbaijan Terminator” Nadzhafzads (4-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0). Perak is seeking his first M-1 victory, Nadzhafzads hopes to improve his unbeaten M-1 record to 3-0.
Yavtom ntej txheej xwm:
Nov. 18 – M-1 sib tw 72: Kunchenko vs. Abdulaev in Moscow, Russia
Dec. 9 – M-1 sib tw 73: Emeev vs. Tokov in Ingushetia, Russia
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BELLATOR MMA LEGEND ROYCE GRACIE JOINS ‘BELLATOR 170’ MAIN EVENT HEADLINERS CHAEL SONNEN AND TITO ORTIZ AT EXCLUSIVE AUTOGRAPH SIGNING TO TAKE PLACE FRIDAY NIGHT PRIOR TO ‘BELLATOR 163’ MAIN CARD

TSEEM: 'BELLATOR 170: ORTIZ VS. SONNEN’ PRESS RELEASE TO TAKE PLACE AT MOHEGAN SUN Thursday AFTER ‘BELLATOR 163: MCGEARY VS. DAVIS’ WEIGHINS

(MORE INFORMATION)

 

Who: Bellator MMA Legend Royce Gracie (15-2-3)

“Bellator 170” Main Event Competitors Tito Ortiz (18-12-1) thiab Chael Sonnen (28-14-1)

 

Yuav ua li cas: Fan Autograph Signing

*Rau “Bellator 163” Ticket Holders Only

 

Thaum: Friday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 4

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

 

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena Concourse

1 Mohegan Sun Blvd.

Uncasville, I 06382

 

Event Info: One of the true pioneers of mixed martial arts, Royce Gracie is synonymous with the sport and its growth over the years. The 20-fight veteran has been a part of some of the most memorable contests in MMA history during his tenure with the UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championships. Gracie also headlined his most recent bout, a main event clash with fellow legend Ken Shamrock (28-17-2) at the record-shattering Bellator 149” kev tshwm sim, where Gracie came out on top with a TKO victory. Royce’s nephew Neiman Gracie competes for Bellator Friday night at Mohegan Sun.

While with the UFC, the 43-fight veteran Chael Sonnen competed against powerful opponents the likes of Jon Jones, Anderson Silva (2x), Rashad Evans, “Shogun” Rua, Demian Maia, Brian Stann, and current middleweight champion Michael Bisping. For Ortiz, the phenom’s unmatched rivalries came at the expense of MMA legends Ken Shamrock, Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, and Randy Couture.

Before they face off on Jan. 21 at the Forum in Los Angeles, Tito Ortiz and Sonnen will host a once-in-a-lifetime meet and greet fan experience leading up to “Bellator 163” at Mohegan Sun Arena. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” and “The American Gangster” inside Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday hmo ntuj.

 

M-1 Challenge Featherweight title fight Added to M-1 Challenge 73: Sib ntaus sib tua ntawm Narts

Ivan Buchinger defends vs.
Undefeated Magomed Idrisov
Kaum Ob Hlis Ntuj 9 nyob rau hauv Ingushetia
ST. Petersburg, Russia (Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 2, 2016) – Lub 2016 M-1 Challenge season will be going out with a bang as M-1 Global has announced a second title fight, M-1 kev sib tw featherweight zus John “Qhov no yog qhov” Buchinger versus undefeated challenger Magomed Idrisov, rau lub December 9th M-1 sib tw 73: Sib ntaus sib tua ntawm Nartsnyob rau hauv Ingushetia, Russia.
The previously announced main event is a super showdown between M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Ramadan Emeev (14-3-0, M-1: 8-1-0) and knockout specialist Anatoly Tokov (24-2-0, M-1: 9-1-0).
M-1 sib tw 73 will be streamed live from Ingushetia in high definition onwww.M1Global.TV. Cas rau cov neeg yuav tsum tau mus saib qhov ua nteg fights thiab cov ntsiab card los txiav rau sau npe rau hauv www.M1Global.TV. Kiv cua yuav saib tag nrho cov txiav txim rau lawv computers, raws li tau zoo raws li nyob rau hauv thiab kua ntse xov tooj thiab cov ntsiav tshuaj.
Buchinger (31-4-0, M-1: 6-0-0), sib ntaus sib tua tawm ntawm Slovakia, is riding a 10-fight win streak into M-1 sib tw 73 since he lost to Conor McGregor nyob rau hauv 2012. He captured the vacant M-1 Challenge title October 17, 2014 ntawm M-1 sib tw 52, siv ceev xwmphem Tural Nizami (see picture below) in the fourth round on punches in their Fight of the Night. Buchinger made a successful title defense 13 months ago at M-1 sib tw 62, taking a 5-round unanimous decision over Mansour Korobkov. Nyob rau hauv nws cov nag sib ntaus, this past June against Mikhail Korobkov ntawm M-1 sib tw 67, Buchinger needed only 4:41 of the opening round to choke his opponent into a submission in their non-title fight.
Idrisov is a strong striker and Russian Whu-Shu Sanda champion. He knockout current M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Alexander Butenko in his professional MMA debut, back in 2013 in a non-M-1 Global fight. His three M-1 Global victories have been against Yuri Maia (KO1 – punches) nyob rau hauv lub M-1 sib tw 49 Knockout ntawm lub hmo ntuj, Max Coga (DEC3) thiab Sergei Grecicho (DEC3) in his last fight September 20, 2015 ntawm M-1 sib tw 51 (see picture below).
Additional M-1 Challenge 73 fights will soon be announced. All fights subject to change.
Yavtom ntej txheej xwm:
Nov. 18 – M-1 sib tw 72: Kunchenko vs. Abdulaev in Moscow, Russia
Dec. 9 – M-1 sib tw 73: Emeev vs. Tokov in Ingushetia, Russia
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ITALY’S OWN PIETRO CAPPELLI LOOKS TO DEFEND HOME TURF IN LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT WITH PHILIPE LINS DURING MMA PORTION OF ‘BELLATOR 168’

MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT PITTING JOHN SALTER AGAINST CLAUDIO ANNICCHIARICO ADDED TO MAIN CARD OF BELLATOR MMA’S RETURN TO ITALY

Raug Monica, California (Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 1, 2016) – A light heavyweight bout pitting Philipe Lins (10-1) tiv thaiv Pietro Cappelli (2-1) and a middleweight fight between John Salter (12-3) thiab Claudio Annicchiarico (1-4) have been added to "Bellator 168: Carvalho vs. Manhoef 2,” which will feature both Bellator MMA and Bellator Kickboxing brands emanating from the Mandela Forum in Florence on Dec. 10.

The evening is highlighted by a main event middleweight world title rematch pitting Rafael Carvalho (13-1) tiv thaiv Melvin Manhoef (30-13-1, 2 NC). Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, Italy’s own Alessio Sakara (18-11, 2 NC) thiab Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran (17-13, 1 NC) will duke it out in a light heavyweight feature fight. "Bellator 168: Carvalho vs. Manhoef 2” will air on SPIKE at 4pm ET/PT.

A native of Florence, Ltalis, Cappelli has made an immediate splash in MMA, earning consecutive victories following his professional debut in 2015. Cappelli’s first career win came at the expense of Andrzej Kulik, when the 32-year-old delivered a brutal first round knockout. He then parlayed the emphatic victory with another first round finish, displaying his noteworthy ground game with a keylock submission just one minute and one second into the bout. With a noticeable message reading “unscarred” across his stomach, the Italian competitor prepares to dive in head first with a challenging matchup against the veteran Lins in his Bellator MMA debut.

The 31-year-old Lins will enter the cage for the 12th time in his career and fifth since making his Bellator MMA debut in 2014. Hailing los ntawm Brazil, Lins began his professional career on a nine-fight winning streak, finishing opponents in seven of the victories. “Monstro” has recorded a trio of significant victories since joining the Scott Coker-led promotion, including two first round finishes and his most recent knockout win over fellow Brazilian competitor William Viana ntawm "Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo.” Lins hopes to build off of his big win and silence a crowd that will be heavily in favor of his Italian opponent Cappelli.

Fresh off of his first career victory, a first round knockout over Ilyrian Hoxhay, the 32-year-old Annicchiarico looks to continue his success when he enters the cage for the first time under the direction of Bellator MMA. The Italian middleweight will face a difficult first test in Salter, a 15-fight veteran that hasn’t been defeated since 2012. With a pair of submission defeats to Salter’s name, look for Annicchiarico to take the fight to the ground and grind it out there.

The former Strikeforce competitor Salter will make his third appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, after recording victories in his first two bouts with the promotion. He is riding a recent string of success, having won four consecutive contests and seven of his past eight. Over his seven-year career, the 31-year-old Nashville, Tenn., native has collected a dozen professional victories, recording finishes in all. With nine of his 12 career wins coming in the opening round of action, Salter is known to be one of the quickest strikers in the division and most recently finished former middleweight champion Brandon Halsey.

 

Sau kom tiav "Bellator 168: Carvalho vs. Manhoef 2” Card:

Middleweight World Title Bout: Rafael Carvalho (13-1) vs. Melvin Manhoef (30-13-1, 2 NC)

Teeb Heavyweight Feature sib ntaus: Alessio Sakara (18-11, 2 NC) vs. Joey Beltran (17-13, 1 NC)

Teeb Heavyweight Feature sib ntaus: Philipe Lins (10-1) vs. Pietro Cappelli (2-1)

Middleweight Feature Fight: John Salter (12-3) vs. Claudio Annicchiarico (1-4)

FORMER DIVISION CHAMP MARCOS GALVAO RETURNS TO FACE L.C. DAVIS DURING OPENING NIGHT OF BELLATOR MMA DOUBLEHEADER AT WINSTAR WORLD CASINO & RESORT

 

CHRIS HONEYCUTT-BEN REITER MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT PUTS STAMP ON STACKED MAIN CARD

Raug Monica, California. (Lub kaum hli ntuj 31, 2016) – A bantamweight feature fight pitting Marcos Galvao (17-7-1) tiv thaiv C.R.. Davis (23-7) and a middleweight clash between Chris Honeycutt (8-1, 1 NC) thiab Ben Reiter (17-1-1) tau ntxiv rau lub ntsiab card ntawm "Bellator 166: Dantas vs. Warren 2” inside WinStar World Casino & Resort nyob rau hauv Thackerville, OK., rau Kaum Ob Hlis Ntuj 2.

The first night of entertainment – "Bellator 166: Dantas vs. Warren 2”will feature a bantamweight world title rematch between current champion Eduardo Dantas (18-4) and former belt holder Joe Warren (14-5). Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, a featherweight clash pitting undefeated prospect A.J. McKee (5-0) tiv thaiv Emmanuel Sanchez (13-3) will also air live and free on the SPIKE-televised card.

Tickets for the unique doubleheader event start at just $45 and can be purchased at the WinStar World Casino & Resort Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.

"Bellator 166: Dantas vs. Warren 2” airs live and free on Friday on SPIKE at 9 p.m. THIAB/8 p.m. I. “Bellator 167” airs live and free nyob rau hnub Saturday on SPIKE at 9 p.m. THIAB/8 p.m. I. Preliminary bouts for both events will stream live on Bellator.com thiab Lub Bellator Mobile App. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Brazilian superstar Marcos Galvao returns to action having won seven of his last nine and is ready for another push at the division’s belt. Hailing from Amazonas, Brazil, the illusive “Loro” has only been finished once in the past seven years, while conversely finishing his opponent in five of his 11 wins over that same period. Now Galvao returns to WinStar World Casino & Resort, the same venue where he fought and defeated Joe Warren for bantamweight gold at “Bellator 135.” Subsequently, Warren will also prepare to compete at "Bellator 166: Dantas vs. Warren 2,” as he and Eduardo Dantas will face off in the main event. Needless to say, the 34-year-old Galvao will have tremendous motivation to win, as the division he once championed dominates a stacked main card in Thackerville.

Davis enters the contest for the fifth time under the Bellator MMA banner, earning victories in three of his first four bouts with the promotion. The 35-year-old bantamweight has finished his opponent in 15 ntawm nws 23 career wins, kuj muaj 11 nyob rau hauv lub qhib puag ncig. A winner in seven of his last nine contests, the Kansas City, Missouri native consistently finds himself amid conversation with the division’s top contenders. Davis hopes to replicate the same success that he had in his most recent victory over Hideo Tokoro at "Bellator 135," where his split decision win was labeled Yahoo! Sports’ “Best Fight of the Half-Year.” The former Pratt Community College wrestling coach now faces an opportunity to climb the ranks in a tasty matchup against one of the game’s best.

A six-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, Honeycutt made a lasting impression in his first two appearances under the promotion, recording back-to-back knockouts. Fighting out of Fresno, California., the 28-year-old knockout artist began his professional career with an impressive streak of six consecutive victories, including five finishes and four knockouts. “The Cutt” made a successful transition to the welterweight division in his Bellator MMA debut in 2014, before returning to the middleweight class in his most recent win over Mikkel Parlo ntawm “Bellator 156.”

After making his professional debut in 2011, Reiter collected sixteen wins before surrendering his first career loss. The 29-year-old New Yorker competed mainly in Peru early in his career, fighting under the direction of Inka Fighting Championship, before joining the Bellator MMA fray in 2014. Since making his promotional debut for the Scott Coker-led organization, “The Hunter” has added three more victories to his already impressive résumé, as he quickly finds himself among the division’s elite. With nine of his 17 hauj lwm yeej los ntawm txoj kev ntawm knockout los yog kev mloog lus, Reiter hopes to add to that total with another finish in the first of a two-night special doubleheader in Thackerville, OK. Standing at six feet three inches, Reiter will look to expose his opponent Honeycutt with a significant advantage in both height and reach.

 

Sau kom tiav "Bellator 166: Dantas vs. Warren 2” Main Card:

Bantamweight World Title Main Event: Eduardo Dantas (18-4) vs. Joe Warren (14-5)

Featherweight Co-Main Event: A.J. McKee (5-0) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (13-3)

Bantamweight Feature Bout: Marcos Galvao (17-7-1) vs. C.R.. Davis (23-7)

Middleweight Feature Bout: Chris Honeycutt (8-1, 1 NC) vs. Ben Reiter (17-1-1)

 

Updated Preliminary Card:

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Treston Thomison (9-4) vs. Ray Ntoo (7-2)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Chris Jones (10-4) vs. Derrick Adkins (7-2)

Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Kennedy Nzechukwu (Debut) vs. Jon Lair (2-0)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Chance Rencountre (8-2) Levi poj huab tais (8-3)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Gregory Babene (17-11) vs. Emiliano Sordi (14-5)

FAAMM on a roll as new WMMMA Argentina

 

(L-R) – WMMAA Argentina president Diego Fernandez &
WMMAA Pan-American Division president Tomas Yu
Monte Carlo, Monaco (Lub kaum hli ntuj 27, 2016)- The future of the new World MMA Association (WMMAA) Argentina is bright with unlimited opportunities for future growth, largely due to Argentina’s youths continuing to drive increased consumption of healthier lifestyles.
FAAMM, the Argentinean MMA Federation, restructured its organization under the leadership of president Diego Fernandez to earn WMMAA Pan-American Division’s fastest growing federation to date.
One of my main objectives was to share the organization’s (FAAMA) story with the government and the private sector community to bring its competitive advantages to light,” Fernandez explained in an interview with ENLACE. “I also leveraged the WMMAA skills and resources to help guide the due diligence and restructing to emerge with the proudly earned name, WMMAA ARGENTINA.
Transforming the organization from an association to a federation and now known to the world as WMMAA Argentina was the largest progressive step we’ve completed to date in the organization’s history. The business model as the new WMMAA Argentina is very straightforward: our job to help our nation’s athletes.
The new Argentina has a prominent footprint with many qualified board members. The new WMMAA Argentina is well positioned to offer customized solutions that drive increased value, developed from a mere structure provider into a services and solutions organization for the sport in all aspects.
WMMAA Argentina has solid reporting, industry-leading analytics and repeatable methodologies, plus hard-working members, collogues and full support from the WMMAA Pan-American Division.
NTAUB NTAWV:
Twitter: @theWMMAA
Instagram: @worldmmaa

TICKETS FOR TITO ORTIZ VS. CHAEL SONNEN AT ‘BELLATOR 170’ GO ON SALE FRIDAY

 

B170_1920x1080_tuneinEXCLUSIVE PRESALES BEGIN Tag kis AT 12 PM PST

KICKOFF PRESS CONFERENCE TAKING PLACE Nov. 3 AT MOHEGAN SUN PRIOR TO BELLATOR 163

Raug Monica, California (Lub kaum hli ntuj 27, 2016) – It’s a fight that many mixed martial arts fans thought they’d never see, tab sis nyob rau Lub ib hlis ntuj 21, 2017, both Tito Ortiz (18-12-1) thiab Chael Sonnen (28-14-1) will return to action inside the beautifully renovated Forum in Inglewood, California., rau xov xwm "Bellator 170: Ortiz vs. Sonnen.” In college, the two met on the wrestling mat, in a matchup that Sonnen won by pinning Ortiz on his birthday. Tam sim no, Ortiz will have the opportunity to avenge that loss when the compete in the Bellator MMA cage on SPIKE.

Tickets for this massive event go on sale to the general public Tag kis, Friday, Oct. 28 ntawm Bellator.com, as well as Ticketmaster.com, but if you are a member of Bellator Nation, you’ll have exclusive access to seats TODAY if you use the code “Bellator” when checking out.

 

The event will be broadcast live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. THIAB/8 p.m. I, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and the Bellator Mobile App. Additional main and preliminary card bouts will be announcing in the coming weeks.

 

Since shocking the world with his surprise signing with Bellator MMA last month, Sonnen has made it clear he wants to fight anyone and everyone – regardless of weight class, or anything else that could stand in his way. Sitting atop that list, is a name that has sat atop the sport of MMA practically since its inception, Tito Ortiz.

 

Not one to shy away from any sort of challenge, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” wasted zero time welcoming “The American Gangster” to the fray as only he can, los ntawm responding to Sonnen’s call-out with open arms on his social media account.

 

Sonnen spent a vast majority of his 43-fight career with the UFC, a run where he competed against names the likes of Jon Jones, Anderson Silva (2x), Rashad Evans, “Shogun” Rua, Demian Maia, Brian Stann, and current middleweight champion Michael Bisping. In addition to his exploits inside the cage, the West Linn, Teev., native has mastered the art of being in front of the camera, doing major broadcasting work for both ESPN and Fox Sports. Tam sim no, after a three-year hiatus from active MMA competition, Sonnen looks to add to his impressive resume by defeating Ortiz.

 

Known to the masses as “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” or “The People’s Champion” Tito Ortiz is a fan-favorite all over the world. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion has always been one of the toughest competitors in the cage, utilizing his wrestling background; Ortiz is a grinder who defended his title an impressive five times. Always with a flair for the dramatic, Ortiz muaj khaus rivalries nyob rau hauv lub tawb nrog hais mav zoo li Ken Shamrock, Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, and Randy Couture. Uas nyuam qhuav, Ortiz challenged current Bellator MMA 205-pound champion Liam McGeary ntawm"Bellator: Dynamite 1. "

 

Tshiab "Bellator 170: Ortiz vs. Sonnen” Main Card:

Light Heavyweight Main Event: Tito Ortiz (18-12-1) vs. Chael Sonnen (28-14-1)

RALEK GRACIE SET TO RESUME MMA CAREER WITH BELLATOR

 

Raug Monica, California. — (Lub kaum hli ntuj 26, 2016) - Bellator MMA yog txaus siab ncha moo lub kos npe rau ntawm Ralek Gracie (3-0) to an exclusive multi-fight, multi-year contract.

Ralek is the third son of Rorion, the nephew of Royce, Rickson, and Royler Gracie and received his black belt from Grand Master Helio Gracie. The Gracie Family is famous for putting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on the map around the globe.

Tsuas 22, Ralek made his MMA debut in Japan, where he defeated his opponent, Kastuyori Shibata with a devastating armbar. Nearly a year later, Ralek returned to Japan for his second MMA fight and again was victorious, this time defeating Gahdzhiev Alavutdin with an armbar from the mount. These two bouts led to a highly anticipated matchup with Kazushi Sakuraba, where again the Los Angeles native left “The Land of the Rising Sun” with the victory. That was the last time Ralek would fight under MMA rules, until now.

“I was bred for hand-to-hand combat over generations and I simply can’t ignore that during my physical prime. My destiny is calling me and my opponent is irrelevant, nws yog lub sij hawm mus,” Gracie said. “It’s crazy to see where fighting has come since my childhood of seeing everything unfold from behind the scenes. Bellator is really stepping up the opportunities fighters have to compete more often and in different countries and I’m excited to join that movement and test my style in this modern MMA era.”

It has yet to be determined which weight class the 31-year-old will participate in, but expect to see him lace up the gloves for Bellator MMA in early 2017.

VOTE FOR PHIL DAVIS 2016 – AMERICA’S WONDERFUL CHOICE

Raug Monica, California. (Oct. 25, 2016) - Hey America! As we near the 2016 Presidential Election, Bellator MMA is headed to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn on Friday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 4 with one of the most intriguing cards of the year. Headlining the event, Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis is on the campaign trail as he prepares for one of the biggest fights of his career vs current Light Heavyweight Champion, Liam McGeary.

 

In advance of the card’s main event, Bellator’s digital team collaborated with Davis and stand-up comedian, Adam Hunter, to produce a collection of six original digital campaign videos with a clear message that there is a better choice! Complementing the digital shorts, fans can actually vote for Davis at the touch of a button at www.VoteForPhilDavis.com up until fight night on Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 4. In the meantime, watch these “wonderful” clips below and see why Davis’ stance outside the cage will make MMA great again!

 

One of the more outspoken athletes in MMA, Davis comes in having won three consecutive contests and seven of his last nine. Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, the 31-year-old has finished his opponent in half of his 16 career wins, including five submission victories. Davis earned his shot at McGeary and the highly coveted 205-pound belt with a key win over “King Mo” ntawm "Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo” nyuam qhuav pib lub xyoo. A 13-fight veteran of the UFC, Davis will likely not be fazed by the bright lights of the Mohegan Sun Arena, in what is possibly the biggest challenge of his illustrious career. Look for the former NCAA National Champion wrestler to take this contest to the canvas and display his impeccable ground game in front of a packed Connecticut crowd.

 

 

 

 

HEAR HIS PLATFORM

 

 

DEBATES

 

EQUAL PAY

 

GAS

 

Qoj

 

GUNS

"Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” Fight Card

Light Heavyweight World Title Fight: Liam McGeary (11-0) vs. Phil Davis (16-3)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Koj Awad (19-8) vs. Brennan Ward (13-4)

Welterweight Feature Bout: Paul Daley (38-14-2) vs. Derek Anderson (14-2)

Heavyweight Feature Bout: Sergei Kharitonov (23-5) vs. Javy Ayala (9-5)

Featherweight Feature Bout: Marloes Coenen (23-7) vs. Talita Nogueira (6-0)

 

Preliminary Card

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Thiab Ruth (Debut) vs. Mark Mangiardi (Debut)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Tyrell Fortune (Debut) vs. Cody Miskell (Debut)

Catchweight Preliminary Bout: Neiman Gracie (4-0) vs. Rudy Bears (16-14)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Josh Diekmann (15-7, 1 NC) vs. Tyler King (11-4)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Blair Tugman (8-6) vs. Walter Smith-Cotito (4-4, 1 NC)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Michael Zichelle (8-4) vs. Tim Caron (5-0)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Ilya Kotau (1-1) vs. Carlos Corriea (1-0)

Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Sarah Them (1-3) vs. Hannah Regina (Debut)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Keenan Raymond (3-3) vs. Kastroit Xhema (Debut)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: James Boran (6-0) vs. Vinicius De Jesus (4-1)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Thomas English (6-6) vs. Christopher Foster (9-4)