Voltooi hier evenementfoto's / Full Event Highlights Here

Uncasville, Conn. (November. 4, 2016) – It’s a wonderful life for Phil Davis (17-3), who dethroned Liam McGeary (11-1) op vrijdag nacht in “Bellator 163,” taking home the light heavyweight championship.

As has been the case plenty of times throughout Davis’ illustrious career, his wrestling pedigree was the deciding factor, nullifying the world-class jiu-jitsu of the Renzo Gracie-trained former champion. For nearly 25-minutes, “Mr. Wonderful” maintained top pressure on the New York-native, frustrating McGeary and putting him into desperation mode in the fifth and final round. McGeary fought valiantly to both stop and submit the longtime Alliance MMA-product, maar op het einde, Davis took home the unanimous decision with scorecards of 50-43, 50-45, 50-44.

McGeary, who suffered the first loss of his young career, was humble in defeat, admitting that while Davis was the better man throughout their main event fight, he will be back to reclaim what he feels is rightfully his.

Returning home to Southern California with a new belt in tow, Davis now sets his sights on his pregnant wife, who is due to give birth to his second son op maandag.

Brennan Ward & Saad Awad Provide 90 Seconds of Pure Violence

In an absolute barnburner, Brennan Ward en Je Awad went toe-to-toe for the 86 seconds they shared the Bellator MMA cage together, doing their best imitation of Rock Em’ Sock Em’ Robots until “Iers” gevangen “Moordenaar” with an uppercut that sent the Palestinian face first into the canvas. With the knockout, Ward moves into sixth place on the all-time list of KO’s under the promotion’s banner, and now sets his sights on a future matchup against the elite at 170-pounds.

Neiman Gracie Tells the MMA World, ‘Gracie Jiu-Jitsu’ is Back

After finding out they would be competing live on SPIKE less than 24 hours before entering the Bellator MMA cage, Neiman Gracie (5-0) maakte snel werk van Rudy Bears (16-15), latching on to an arm bar 4:39 into the opening frame and forcing the tap from “Bad News.” Gracie was able to add to his impressive submission record, which has now been stretched to three victories in three Bellator MMA appearances, including a pair of first-round submissions. The 27-year-old was also able to please Royce Gracie, who was cornering his bout for the evening.

Javy Ayala Spoils Return of Sergei Kharitonov in 16 seconden

In what many people thought would be a triumphant return to the sport of MMA for Sergei Kharitonov (23-6), Javy Ayala (10-5) spoiled that, sending the Russian heavyweight to the canvas in a heap following an overhand right 16 seconds into the matchup. Met de overwinning, “Eye Candy” immediately inserted himself into further big-time match-ups, namedropping both Bobby Lashley en Matt Mitrione during his post-fight interview. In his last two outings, the Northern California-native has finished his foe in the opening round via stoppage.

Voorlopige Card Resultaten:

En Ruth (1-0) verslagen Dustin Collins-Miles (0-1) via TKO (stoten) bij 3:19 van de eerste ronde

Tyrell Fortune (1-0) verslagen Cody Miskell (0-1) via TKO (stoten) bij 2:22 van de eerste ronde

Tim Caron (6-0) verslagen Steve Skrzat (8-9) via TKO op 1:22 van de eerste ronde

Hannah Regina (1-0) verslagen Sarah Betalen (1-4) via voorlegging (arm bar) bij 4:51 van de eerste ronde

Tim Caron (6-0) verslagen Steve Skrzat (8-9) via TKO op 1:22 van de tweede ronde

Blair Tugman (9-6) verslagen Walter Smith-cotito (4-5, 1 NC) via unaniem besluit (29-28)

Christopher Foster (10-4) verslagen Thomas English (6-7) via unaniem besluit (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Tyler Koning (12-4) verslagen Josh Diekmann (15-8, 1 NC) via voorlegging (achter-naakte vernauwing) bij 1:39 van de tweede ronde

Carlos Corriea (2-0) verslagen Ilya Kotau (1-2) via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Vinicius De Jesus (5-1) verslagen James Boran (6-1) via voorlegging (achter-naakte vernauwing) bij 1:55 van ronde 2

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Oktober. 25, 2016) - Hey America! As we near the 2016 Presidential Election, Bellator MMA is headed to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn on Vrijdag, November 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 November 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. Bovendien, 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” bij "Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo” eerder dit jaar. 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.

"Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” Fight Card

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

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

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

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

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

Voorlopige Card

Middengewicht Voorlopige aanval: En Ruth (Debuut) vs. Mark Mangiardi (Debuut)

Zwaargewicht voorronde: Tyrell Fortune (Debuut) vs. Cody Miskell (Debuut)

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

Zwaargewicht voorronde: Josh Diekmann (15-7, 1 NC) vs. Tyler Koning (11-4)

Vedergewicht voorlopige wedstrijd: Blair Tugman (8-6) vs. Walter Smith-cotito (4-4, 1 NC)

Middengewicht Voorlopige aanval: Michael Zichelle (8-4) vs. Tim Caron (5-0)

Weltergewicht Voorlopige aanval: Ilya Kotau (1-1) vs. Carlos Corriea (1-0)

Vlieggewicht Voorlopige aanval: Sarah Betalen (1-3) vs. Hannah Regina (Debuut)

Weltergewicht Voorlopige aanval: Keenan Raymond (3-3) vs. Kastroit Xhema (Debuut)

Weltergewicht Voorlopige aanval: James Boran (6-0) vs. Vinicius De Jesus (4-1)

Vedergewicht voorlopige wedstrijd: Thomas English (6-6) vs. Christopher Foster (9-4)

UNDEFEATED NEIMAN GRACIE CHALLENGES 30-FIGHT VETERAN RUDY BEARS IN CATCHWEIGHT BOUT

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (Oktober 6, 2016) –Two of Bellator’s highly touted wrestling prospects En Ruth en Tyrell Fortune will make their eagerly anticipated mixed martial arts debuts against Mark Mangiardi (Debuut) en Cody Miskell (Debuut) during the stacked card of "Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis" op November 4 in Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Bovendien, Neiman Gracie (4-0) will look to remain undefeated to begin his professional career in a catchweight bout against Rudy Bears (16-14). All three of these contests will air on the Bellator.com-streamed preliminary card beginning at 7:50 p.m. EN/5:50 p.m. CT.

The newly announced tilts complete a card headlined by a light heavyweight world title fight that pits champion Liam McGeary (11-0) tegen Phil Davis (16-3). In de co-main event, a welterweight showdown pitting Je Awad (19-8) tegen Brennan Ward (13-4) will go down, while a heavyweight bout between Sergei Kharitonov (23-5) en Javy “Eye Candy” Ayala (9-5) will also be featured on the main card. Ten slotte, Paul Daley (38-14-2) en het altijd opwindende Derek Anderson (14-2) faceoff in a welterweight clash, while female featherweights Marloes Coenen (23-7) en Talita Nogueira (6-0) round out the live and free action on SPIKE.

Tickets voor "Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis " zijn nu te koop bij Bellator.com, as well as the Mohegan Sun Box Office and Ticketmaster. The event can be seen live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. EN/8 p.m. CT, terwijl de voorbereidende actie wordt gestreamd op Bellator.com en de Bellator Mobile App.

When looking up the word “prospect” in the dictionary, there should be a photo of Ed Ruth placed next to the definition. The three-time national champion joined a plethora of blue-chip amateur wrestling prospects on the Bellator MMA roster last year and now will make his long-awaited debut at 185-pounds on Nov. 4. An attendee of the world-renown Blair Academy in Susquehanna Township, PA, where he was the top-ranked recruit in the nation for his weight class, Ruth elected to stay local and attend wrestling powerhouse Penn State University where he went on to add three National Championships and four All-American accolades to his trophy room while wrestling with the Nittany Lions. Nu, Ruth’s chase for mixed martial arts gold begins –

Fighting out of Pennsylvania, Mark Mangiardi will have his hands full when he makes his professional debut against Ruth. With four amateur bouts already under his belt, the 28-year-old has tasted competition on the MMA scene unlike his November. 4 tegenstander. With his first sanctioned bout taking place in 2012, this will be the first bout outside of his home state of Pennsylvania.

Another one of Scott Coker’s high profile wrestling signings, Fortune attended high school at Lakeridge in Oregon, where he won state championships in nearly every national age-group in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. The accolades didn’t stop there, with Fortune accepting an offer to wrestle at Ohio State University, before ultimately settling in at the highly acclaimed Grand Canyon Universities program. Since graduating college, Fortune represented Team USA in Olympic style wrestling, where he also experienced success. Splitting time between wrestling training in Arizona alongside fellow “Bellator 163” competitor Ed Ruth and mixed martial arts training with the Blackzilians in Florida, Fortune has spent a great deal of time honing his striking talents and submission defense.

Miskell has competed in both heavyweight and super heavyweight contests during his seven-fight amateur stint, toekomende een record van 5-2. Nu, the Kentucky native – who’s finished each of victories – looks to parlay his success into a run under the bright lights of Bellator MMA’s heavyweight division. It’s safe to say that Miskell’s wrestling pedigree will be challenged early and often when he meets Fortune during the Bellator.com-streamed prelims.

The Gracie name is synonymous with the sport of mixed martial arts, and once again another Gracie will now take center stage for Bellator MMA. This time it is Royce Gracie’s cousin Neiman, who will compete for the third time under the promotion’s banner. After beginning his career with back-to-back submission victories, Gracie made his Bellator MMA debut at “Bellator 134,” where he defeated Bobby Flynn with a first round submission. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt followed up the win with a win over Roger Carroll, and now looks to remain undefeated when he enters the Mohegan Sun Arena for the second time of his budding MMA career.

A 37-year-old Missouri native, Bears began his combat sports training in high school. Fighting professionally since 2007, Bears has appeared eight times previously under the Bellator MMA banner and now returns to the promotion after his appearance against Michael Pagina bij "Bellator 140: Koreshkov vs. Lima.” Nicknamed “Bad News,” Bears has competed against MMA notables the likes of Zak Cummings, Paul Daley, Jason High, Ryan Jensen, Isaac Vallie-Flagg and Tyron Woodley, and the aforementioned “MVP.”

Complete "Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” Main Card:

Licht zwaargewicht wereldtitelgevecht: Liam McGeary (11-0) vs. Phil Davis (16-3)

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

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

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

Vedergewicht voorlopige wedstrijd: Marloes Coenen (23-7) vs. Talita Nogueira (6-0)

Complete Preliminary Card:

Middengewicht Voorlopige aanval: En Ruth (Debuut) vs. Mark Mangiardi (Debuut)

Zwaargewicht voorronde: Tyrell Forune (Debuut) vs. Cody Miskell (Debuut)

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

Zwaargewicht voorronde: Josh Diekmann (15-7, 1 NC) vs. Tyler Koning (11-4)

Vedergewicht voorlopige wedstrijd: Blair Tugman (8-6) vs. Walter Smith-cotito (4-4, 1 NC)

Middengewicht Voorlopige aanval: Michael Zichelle (8-4) vs. Tim Caron (5-0)

Weltergewicht Voorlopige aanval: Ilya Kotau (1-1) vs. Carlos Corriea (1-0)

Vlieggewicht Voorlopige aanval: Sarah Betalen (1-3) vs. Hannah Regina (Debuut)

Weltergewicht Voorlopige aanval: Keenan Raymond (3-3) vs. Kastroit Xhema (Debuut)

Vedergewicht voorlopige wedstrijd: Thomas English (6-6) vs. Christopher Foster (9-4)

Weltergewicht Voorlopige aanval: James Boran (6-0) vs. Vinicius De Jesus (4-1)