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BELLATOR 295MAIN CARD GETS AN UPDATED MAIN CARD START TIME OF 11 P.M. ET / 8 P.M. PT
FRIDAY’S SHOW IS FREE TO ALL FIRST RESPONDERS, MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES, WHILE TICKETS FOR SATURDAY’S EVENT ARE CURRENTLY ON SALE
LOS ANGELES –The two main cards for BELLATOR MMA’s annual doubleheader on the Hawaiian island of Oahu are complete with the addition of today’s confirmed bouts.
Honolulu’sNeal S. Blaisdell Arenawill play home to a pair of events on back-to-back nights withBELLATOR 294 elaliqhutshwaFriday, April 21 futhiBELLATOR 295 elaliqhutshwaSaturday, April 22.
BELLATOR 294: Carmouche vs. Bennett 2 - Friday, April 21
Main card airs live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT/4 p.m. local HST
BELLATOR 294: Carmouche vs. Bennett 2on Fridayhas two new main card contests, bringing Friday’s slate to five fights in total. Former BELLATOR bantamweight title challenger and No. 5-zibalwaDanny Sabatello (13-2) will return to action for the first time since his shot at the world championship, when he competes againstMarcos Breno (15-2), who surprised many people when he bested Josh Hill on the scorecards in his BELLATOR debut. A welterweight contest pittingLevan Chokheli (11-2) and American Top Team’sMichael Lombardo (13-3) is also official for the SHOWTIME-aired portion of the event.
Ikhadi zokukwaziBELLATOR 294currently features four fights, including No. 4-ranked heavyweightTyrell Fortune(12-3), who looks to get back to his winning ways against Russia’sSergei Bilostennyi(10-2). Ungenzi. 5-ranked light heavyweightAlex Polizzi (10-2) returns to the BELLATOR cage and will compete against a streakingKarl Moore (11-2), who holds the No. 8 simo. A lightweight tilt between five-fight BELLATOR veteranKillys Mota(14-3) and promotional newcomerKenneth Cross(13-3) is official, as is a 145-pound bout between Oregon’sCris Lencioni (10-3) tangling withBlake Smith (7-3). Rounding out the preliminary card is a middleweight affair between Colorado’sAnthony “Sugafoot” Adams(9-3) and Tajikistan’sSharaf “Sherkhan” Davlatmurodov(18-4-1).
The card is headlined by a Women’s Flyweight World Championship main event rematch pitting current champion and U.S. MarineLiz Carmouche(18-7) against No. 4 ranked flyweight challenger, DeAnna Bennett (13-7-1). In umcimbi co-main kusihlwa sika, Ungenzi. 6-ranked heavyweight and Minnesota National GuardsmanTim Johnson(15-9) will compete againstSaid Sowma (8-4). A women’s featherweight contest featuring former UFC title challengerSara McMann (13-6), who makes her highly anticipated BELLATOR debut against former No. 1 Olwa, Arlene Blencowe (15-9).
Friday night’s event is being held in honor of America’s Military, Veterans and First-Responders, all of whom are eligible to attend the event with a guest for free entry the day of with valid proof of ID. Free admission is based on a limited capacity and available on a first come-first serve basis.
TheBELLATOR 294preliminary card will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT/2 p.m. HST.The complete bout listing for both events can be found below.
BELLATOR 295: Stots vs. Mix – Saturday, April 22
Updated Start Time – Main card airs live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT/5 p.m. local HST
The main card for Saturday’sBELLATOR 295: Stots vs. Mixevent has also been sweetened with the addition of homegrown BELLATOR talent and No. 3-zibalwaAaron Pico (10-4), who returns from his highly publicized shoulder injury to square off against Brazil’sOtto Rodrigues (13-1), who makes his BELLATOR debut.
The preliminary portion of Saturday’s event also features multiple new, high-profile additions confirmed including a marquee bout pitting two top-ten contenders against each other at featherweight, when No. 6-zibalwaMads Burnell(16-4) tests his skills against No. 7-zibalwaJustin Gonzales (14-1). Ungenzi. 8-zibalwaIlara Joanne(11-6) meets fellow BrazilianBruna Ellen(6-4) in a women’s flyweight contest, and a welterweight tilt betweenAlexey Shurkevich(13-5) and Japan’sMasayuki Kikuiri(8-2-1).
BELLATOR 295on Saturday is main evented by the Finals of the BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix, which will see current Interim ChampionRaufeon Stots (19-1) face No. 2-zibalwaPatchy Mix(17-1). In the umcimbi co-main, the pride of Honolulu, Ungenzi. 3-zibalwaIlima-Lei MacFarlane (12-2) looks to defend home turf against Japan’s No. 2-zibalwaKana Watanabe (11-1-1). Futhi, at 125-pounds, former BELLATOR World ChampionUKyoji Horiguchi (31-5) moves down a division to welcome former UFC Title ChallengerRay Borg (16-5) to the Paramount-owned promotion.
Amathikithi forBELLATOR 295: Stots vs. Mixare on sale now and are available at Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.
TheBELLATOR 295preliminary card will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT/1 p.m. HST.The complete bout listing for both events can be found below.
BELLATOR 294: CARMOUCHE VS. BENNETT 2IKHADI MAIN:
Friday, April 21 – live onISIKHATHI SOMBUKISO
10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT/4 p.m. HST (local)
Flyweight World Title Bout: C-Liz Carmouche(18-7) vs. #4-DeAnna Bennett (13-7-1)
Dublin –BELLATOR 291sawYaroslav Amosov (27-0) mark his return to the BELLATOR cage in perfect fashion, as he unified the BELLATOR Welterweight World Title with a victory overLogan Storley. Amosov also continues to boast the longest active win streak in MMA, adding to his record for the first time since returning to Ukraine to defend his country in 2022.
In the umcimbi co-mainJeremy Kennedysilenced the home crowd as he defeatedPedro Carvalhonge ngazwi-linye isinqumo ukunqoba. ‘JBC’ will be hoping to move closer to a title shot as he continues to climb the featherweight rankings following his statement victory in the Irish capital.
BELLATOR announced its return to the ‘Emerald Isle’ will come on Saturday, September 23 with what will undoubtedly be a stacked card at the3Arenain Dublin. More information will be announced soon. BELLATOR returns to action on Friday, March 10 ngobaBELLATOR 292: Nurmagomedov vs. Hendersonat theSAP Center San Jose, NJENGE. The card airs in the U.S. on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
Amosov quotes:“I feel very good because I waited for this for a long time. I train hard training, and I feel a lot of motivation and responsibility. Manje, I khululeka. I’ll relax after the fight, and I’m happy because I think I gave my country a good day. It’s the first time I’ve had big support in the cage. In America, I’ve had support, but not like today. Many Ukrainian flags, many Ukrainian people. My uncle, abangani bami; I see many people. It was a big support, and it gave me very good energy.”
On His Message to the People of Ukraine: “Thank you for my country, thank you for my army and the fans. It was for my country. Today I think it is a very good day for my country. To hold two gold belts.”
On If He’s the Best Welterweight on the Planet: “I think yes, [that was my best performance]. Kunjalo [I think I’m the best welterweight in the world]. I am here. If a UFC champion wants to fight, come to BELLATOR. Scott Coker will give the contract, and we’ll make the fight.”
On His First Match with Logan Storley: “Before this fight, I said this fight was different. I have many kilograms that I cut for my first match with Logan [Storley]. Now I had a very good camp and recovery as well as different training. Every day I train hard and become better. I have the best team with me. Muhle [Logan Storley] a very good fighter, and I knew this. All people who enter the cage are strong, so if you go in the cage, you’re a high-level fighter. It’s not a surprise to me, kodwa Sengilungele [for everything]."
On Training with BELLATOR Middleweight World Champion Johnny Eblen: “He’s my friend [Johnny Eblen]. I train with him every time, he’s very high level. He’s a very good fighter and a real champion. Uma senza Spar, many people watch and I think it’s beautiful.”
Kennedy quotes: “I’m happy with the win, regardless. I would’ve liked to get the finish, but there’s a lot of circumstances whenever you travel across the world. I’m just ready for the next one. It was my rehydration, Ngiyacabanga. I made mistakes on the rehydration. I was really dry – I wasn’t sweating, but I felt exhausted there; my gas tank’s [ngokujwayelekile] much better than that. He had a tight squeeze right at the beginning but he jumped for it too early but I think I am the best grappler in the division. He had a little bit of a squeeze but it ultimately got me the takedown. I wanted to really hurt him with some hands, but he’s a pressure fighter. I thought I could sit him down, but as soon as I got ahold of him, I was like, ‘This is my path to victory.’”
On Fighting for the Title Next: “I believe so, I don’t know who else is there for me to fight. Three wins in a row. Sanchez, Pico, and Carvalho and they have all been dominant victories.. I’ve been all around the world; it’s a cool way to see the world. In a perfect world, I get to fight somewhere in the United States, but I’d fight ‘Pitbull’ in a WalMart. I’m coming. I’ve been on his heels the whole time. When I was fighting Borics and I was fighting Pico, I was like: I can’t wait to get the opportunity to fight him. Now there’s talk of him going down to 135; he’s probably calling his nutritionist right now because he doesn’t want this fight. Asikwenze. We can go ASAP. I’ll fight him in any corner of the world, in any timeframe.”
Bryce Logan(12-8) wanqoba #10-Peter Queally(12-8) via TKO (punches) at 2:32 round amabili
Kavanagh quotes: “I feel good. It feels good to get back in there. It was a nice win. I went and put on a show, and that’s all I needed to do. I kept in one piece; I can go again soon, which is great. I put on a clinic. I knew she was a striker, so I showed in there what I’ve done for the last 12 weeks. All is good.”
On a Potential Rematch with Cris Cyborg: “That’s two great wins, and I put on a show both times. Ngikulungele. Ngifuna [Cris] ‘Cyborg’ in Dublin. That’s what I want. Fight the best in Ireland, Sinead Kavanagh. I’ve been well-prepared for Cris ‘Cyborg.’ I won’t rush into things. I’ll be ready.”
“I got a good 15 amaminithi [in] lapho. Good strikes. My power was there. I do want ‘Cyborg’ here. I want her in Dublin. But that’s in September, that’s too long. I want another one and then ‘Cyborg.’”
On Rectifying the Outcome from First Harding Fight: “It feels good; I got me win back. It’ll be on my record forever. I did win, and I am better.”
Clarke quotes: "It was a clean performance. I obviously would’ve liked the finish. [Opponent Leonardos Sinis has] fought at welterweight and lightweight before; he’s a big lad.”
On his Opponent’s Size Advantage, Weight Miss: “I thought he was a good actor. Bheka, I didn’t think that mattered at all because I knew I was giving up a few kilos anyways. It was a catchweight and he missed weight. I knew he was coming big.”
On What He Wants Next: “Two Dublin shows every year. Get better for the next one, end of June, July. Those decisions, all of my decisions, I had 10-8 emahlandla. 7-0. I think that’s right up there with the win streaks in the company. It’s a bit gray with BELLATOR; the rankings are solid, then it’s gray underneath that. People are mentioning the rankings — I’m trying to gradually get to that point. If they offer it, I’ll accept it because that’s just who I am, but as long as it makes sense and its progression. I’m here in BELLATOR; whatever they say I’m worthy of.”
On a Potential Matchup with Khasan Magomedsharipov: “I think we match up well and like said I will fight anyone. They’re all getting behind me: the whole town, the whole country, ngizwa. They’re bringing buses up. I really feel like a winner already. I’ve brought the whole town here. People talk. That buzz in the town, everyone gets behind me. It’s unreal.”
I-Los Angeles— 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, Gadzhi Rabadanov(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. RIZINtakes place inside the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Saturday, December 31, and can be seen in the United States on SHOWTIME at 8 p.m. ET/PT on New Year’s Eve.
Rabadanov versus Takeda will join a star-studded five-fightBELLATOR MMA vs. RIZINikhadi main, 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 championsPatricio Pitbull(34-5) futhiKleber Koike(31-5-1) co-headlining the must-see event.
Former BELLATOR championsJuan “The Spaniard” Archuleta(26-4) futhiUKyoji Horiguchi(30-5) will round out the unparalleled main card, facing off with RIZIN’sSoo Chul Kim(18-6-1) futhiHiromasa Ougikubo(25-6-2), ngokulandelana.
Gadzhi Rabadanov, 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 DEBUT professional. 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, Japan, ngoDisemba 31.
BELLATOR MMA VS. RIZIN MAIN CARD:
ISIKHATHI SOMBUKISO
Saturday, December 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: Patricio Pitbull(34-5) vs.Kleber Koike(31-5-1)
Bantamweight Feature Bout: Juan Archuleta(26-4) vs.Soo Chul Kim(18-6-1)
RYAN BADER DEFENDS HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST NO. 2 RANKED CHEICK KONGO IN MAIN EVENT REMATCH IN PARIS
MELVIN MANHOEF’S FAREWELL BOUT DELAYED AFTER THE DUTCHMAN WITHDRAWS DUE TO INJURY, YOEL ROMERO NOW MEETS NO. 7 RANKED LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT ALEX POLIZZI IN CO-MAIN EVENT
PARIS –A massive night of championship-level MMA guaranteed to bring fireworks is set for this Friday, May 6 from the Accor Arena in Paris and airs live at a special time of4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on Showtime.
Anchoring the card will be a heated rematch between BELLATOR Heavyweight World ChampionRyan Bader (29-7, 1 NC) against French combat sports legend and No. 2-ranked heavyweightCheick Kongo (31-11-2, 1 NC). Both Bader and Kongo will be looking for closure when they run it back inside the BELLATOR cage, following a controversial no-contest stemming from a disputed eye-poke during their first meeting in 2019.
In an equally action-packed co-feature event, Yoel Romero (13-6) who was originally slated to take on Melvin Manhoef at 205-pounds, has agreed to meet No. 7 zibalwa-Alex Polizzi(10-1) on less than a week’s notice. Polizzi has won three consecutive contests en route to his opportunity in Paris against one of the sport’s most popular athletes.
Newly announced, No.6-ranked middleweightLorenz Larkin(23-7, 1 NC) manje babhekeneKyle Stewart(15-5) during theBellator 280ikhadi main. France’sDavy Gallon(20-7-2) will go to battle in front of his fellow countrymen and women when he faces Switzerland’sBenjamin Brander(13-8) at lightweight. Opening theBellator 280televised card, English middleweightMike Shipman(14-3) will clash with proud ParisianGregory Babene(21-11, 1 NC).
Nine titillating preliminary matchups have been announced, including a smash between former featherweight title challengerPedro Carvalho(12-5) futhinewly signed Polish standoutPiotr Niedzielski(16-4), plus a 160-pound contract weight clash between “The True Viking”Søren Bak(15-1) futhi yeNgilandiCharlie Leary(17-12-1).
The preliminary bouts will stream live three and a half hours earlier at12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PTon the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.
BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Ngaphansi kokuqondisa esingumakadebona impi umgqugquzeli Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries by 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 umcimbi orchestration, ukuthuthukiswa fighter / ubudlelwano, kwempahla kwenkundla yokudlalela, Indalo uxhaso / ukuthuthukiswa, kwamalayisensi international, marketing, ukukhangisa, emphakathini kanye nobudlelwane ikhomishana. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant Paramount, ekhaya UNdunankulu ukuzijabulisa brand zezwe ukuxhuma izilaleli kokuqukethwe esicindezelayo yonkana ithelevishini, motion picture, intanethi and mobile.
AboutISIKHATHI SOMBUKISO
Showtime Networks Inc. (Sni), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount, owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ futhi Flix®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. Sni nezimakethe futhi isakaze ezemidlalo kanye nemicimbi ukuzijabulisa for embukisweni ababhalisile ngesisekelo pay-per-umbono nge Showtime PPV®. Ukuze uthole ukwaziswa okwengeziwe, iya kuwww.SHO.com.
MHLAKA, APRIL 23 - BELLATOR 279 BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD GRAND PRIX QUARTERFINALS Champion Sergio Pettis vs. Raufeon Stots Patchy Mix vs. UKyoji Horiguchi OKUNINGI, BELLATOR FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Champion Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe 2 And Hawaii’s Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Justine Kish DETAILS FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 22 TO BE ANNOUNCED LOS ANGELES –BELLATOR MMA has announced its return to the Hawaiian island of Oahu, where Honolulu’s Neal S. Blaisdell Arena will play home to an extremely stacked duo of events on back-to-back nights Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23.
Friday night’sBELLATOR 278 will be a special event free for current military, Veterans, and first responders. Matchups and additional details for the event will be announced shortly.
Saturday night’sBELLATOR 279 will feature the launch of the highly anticipated one-million-dollar BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix. The headliner will see current bantamweight world championSergio Pettis (22-5) take on No. 3-zibalwa Raufeon Stots (17-1), while the co-main event features a rematch between the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, Cris Cyborg (25-2, 1 NC) and Australia’s No. 1-zibalwa Arlene Blencowe (15-8), who will look to claim gold in her third attempt at a world title.
NgoMgqibelo BELLATOR 279: Pettis vs. Stots / Cyborg vs. Blencowe 2 will air live on SHOWTIME at4:30 p.m.HST Isikhathi sendawo, 10:30 p.m. KANYE / 7:30 p.m. PT. The preliminary fights will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at2 p.m. HST Isikhathi sendawo, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
Tickets for Saturday night’sBELLATOR 279: Pettis vs. Stots / Cyborg vs. Blencowe 2go on sale this Friday, March 11 and can be purchased throughBellator.com, kanye ne Ticketmaster.comor the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena Box Office. A special presale will take place on Thursday, March 10.
Also scheduled for a return to action, Honolulu’s own former Women’s Flyweight World ChampionIlima-Lei MacFarlane (11-1) will return home to compete againstJustine Kish (7-5) as the No. 1 ranked women’s flyweight looks to start her journey back to a world title in the same arena two of the most memorable BELLATOR main events in recent memory took place. Opening the four-fight main card is another BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix quarterfinal matchup between No. 2-ranked bantamweightPatchy Mix (15-1) and former BELLATOR and Rizin Bantamweight World ChampionUKyoji Horiguchi (29-4).
Current BELLATOR Bantamweight World Champion Sergio “The Phenom” Pettis sits at No. 7 on the promotion’s pound-for-pound list. He successfully defended his belt for the first time against former BELLATOR 135-pound titleholder Kyoji Horiguchi with a “knockout of the year” style finish atBELLATOR 272 ngoDisemba. The hard-hitting Midwesterner out of Milwaukee originally captured the crown by outpointing former champion Juan Archuleta. The younger brother of former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will be in for one of the toughest fights of his career when he takes on Raufeon Stots. Stots, who used to train alongside Pettis for several years, has been flawless since making his promotion debut in December 2019. He most recently scored a dominant unanimous decision victory over Magomed Magomedov atBELLATOR 264.
Featherweight world champion and top-ranked women’s pound-for-pound fighter Cris “Cyborg” has made three straight title defenses including a second-round submission of Arlene Blencowe in 2020, which surprisingly is the lone submission victory of her storied career. The Brazilian native who currently fights out of Las Vegas, Nev. is a “Grand Slam Champion” having won belts in four different organizations. She sports 20 wins by finish with victories over elite competition including Holly Holm, Leslie Smith (kabili), Gina Carano and aims to further her legacy as the greatest women’s mixed martial artist of all time in the rematch versus Blencowe. Australia’s Blencowe is BELLATOR’s No. 6 pound-for-pound female fighter and the No. 1 featherweight zibalwa. She has won five of her last six fights and earned her shot at the world title rematch with a unanimous decision over Pam Sorenson at BELLATOR 271 in November.
Currently BELLATOR’s No. 2 ranked bantamweight, Patchy Mix recently defeated James Gallagher via submission in his last outing at BELLATOR 270 in Dublin. Mix has made a name for himself in the BELLATOR cage by displaying impressive submissions and his lone professional loss came to former champion Juan Archuleta. He now faces Horiguchi, another former world champion who hails from Takasaki, Japan. The American Top Team prodigy Horiguchi became a simultaneous, two-promotion champion in 2019 after he upset then-BELLATOR champion Darrion Caldwell while also holding the RIZIN Championship. After he was forced to relinquish his BELLATOR title due to an injury, Horiguchi nearly got his hands back on BELLATOR’s title but was stopped by current champion Sergio Pettis in December. The No. 5 ranked bantamweight now aims to get back in the winning column and recapture his belt, along with the million-dollar prize that awaits the winner of the BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix.
BELLATOR MMA 279: Pettis vs. Stots / Cyborg vs. Blencowe 2 IKhadi Main: Saturday, April 23 – live onISIKHATHI SOMBUKISO 10:30 p.m. KANYE / 7:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. HST (local)
Bantamweight World Title Bout: C-Sergio Pettis (22-5) vs. #3-Raufeon Stots(17-1) Featherweight World Title Bout: C-Cris “Cyborg” (25-2, 1 NC) vs. #1-Arlene Blencowe (15-8) Flyweight Bout: #1-Ilima-Lei MacFarlane (11-1) vs. Justine Kish(7-5) Bantamweight World Grand Prix Bout: #2-Patchy Mix(15-1) vs. #5-UKyoji Horiguchi (29-4)
UNDEFEATED WORLD CHAMPIONA.J. MCKEETO DEFEND BELLATOR MMA 145-POUND WORLD TITLE IN REMATCH AGAINST FORMER NUMBER ONE POUND-FOR-POUND & TWO-DIVISION CHAMPIONPATRICIO PITBULL
205-POUND CHAMPIONVADIM NEMKOVTO BATTLE TOP-RANKEDCOREY ANDERSONFOR $1 MILLION PRIZE IN BELLATOR LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD GRAND PRIX FINAL
BELLATOR 277SET FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 15, AT 10 P.M. ET / 7 P.M. PTLIVE ON SHOWTIME INSIDE THE SAP CENTER IN SAN JOSE, Calif.
TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY
I-LOS ANGELES (Feb. 16, 2022) -Two outstanding world-championship showdowns. Four of BELLATOR MMA’s best pound-for-pound fighters. One highly anticipated rematch. The promotion’s all-time greatest athlete striving to avenge a highlight-reel loss to the company’s homegrown superstar. A tournament final awarding a seven-figure jackpot to the victor.
BELLATOR’s fourth phenomenal fight card of 2022 promises to be one for the ages.
Fresh off a 117-second destruction of his upcoming opponent and claiming the $1 million bounty at the BELLATOR MMA Featherweight World Grand Prix Finale, unbeaten BELLATOR Featherweight World TitleholderA.J. McKee (18-0) hopes to take the next step toward becoming the sport’s greatest fighter as he battles former top pound-for-pound and two-division championPatricio Pitbull (32-5) for the second time in less than nine months on Friday, April 15, at10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT bephila Showtime.
In the co-feature ofBELLATOR 277: McKee vs. Pitbull 2 at the Center SAP in San Jose, Calif., current 205-pound BELLATOR MMA World ChampionVadim Nemkov (15-2) will defend his title for the third time and aims to take home the $1 million prize three days before U.S. Tax Day when he squares off against the surging No. 1-Olwa zibalwaCorey Anderson(16-5)in the BELLATOR MMA Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix final.
Amathikithi forBELLATOR MMA 277: McKee vs. Pitbull 2go on sale this Friday, Feb. 18 at bothTicketmaster.com futhiBellator.comwith a special presale starting the day prior.
Ukwengeza, four preliminary bouts have been announced including a mouthwatering matchup between two highly ranked heavyweights as No. 5-zibalwaTim Johnson (15-8) faces surging No. 6-zibalwaTyrell Fortune(11-2, 1 NC) in a rematch fromBELLATOR 239.Their first fight ended with Johnson securing a win that earned great consideration for the 2020 KO of the Year. The preliminary bouts will stream live three hours earlier at7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PTon the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.
In their historic initial matchup at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., McKee stunned Pitbull by landing a punishing left leg kick to the head at 1:40 of the opening stanza atBELLATOR MMA 263on July 31, 2021. The champion then continued the onslaught by unleashing a series of brutal unanswered head shots that floored the Brazilian legend.
Moments later as McKee prematurely raised his arms in celebration, Pitbull rose from the depths of defeat only to be greeted by a fighter hell bent on stealing his crown and claiming the $1 million prize. With the 25-time BELLATOR MMA veteran backed up against the fence, MMA’s brightest young brawler locked in a guillotine choke. With Pitbull seeming to lose consciousness, referee Mike Beltran halted matters at 1:57 ifremu wokuvula.
“Hosting the world’s best mixed martial artists in the great city of San Jose is something that has been important to me during my career as a fight promoter and I’m happy to continue that with our card on April 15,” BELLATOR President Scott Coker said. “The rematch between A.J. McKee and Patricio Pitbull for the featherweight title, as well as our Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Final featuring Vadim Nemkov against Corey Anderson are two fights that could headline any event on their own, but we are bringing both to SAP Center at San Jose on the same night to show the fans here that we truly value their support throughout the years.”
A native of Long Beach, Calif., BELLATOR’s top-rated pound-for-pound fighter has exceeded the lofty expectations placed on him since his professional debut three days following his 20th birthday. Armed with six knockouts and seven submissions, the Team Bodyshop product, ozohlanganisa 27 eight days before his rematch against Pitbull, has shown a knack for securing lightning-fast finishes with 10 coming in the first round. “Mercenary” has earned dominant victories over every fighter who has opposed him, including former World Champions Pitbull, Pat Curran, and Darrion Caldwell, who McKee submitted with a rare-modified neck crank that was later dubbed the “McKee-otine.” The winner of the 2020 Submission of the Year Award for his 71-second annihilation of Caldwell has fought a total of 33 rounds across 18 career contests (1.8 rounds per bout), while logging less than 41 total minutes in the BELLATOR cage since turning pro in August 2012.
One half of the vaunted Pitbull Brothers duo, Patricio has long been considered the crown jewel of BELLATOR MMA, where he currently sits at No. 3 in the BELLATOR MMA men’s pound-for-pound rankings. Holding a remarkable 32-5 record with wins over elite competition, including the likes of former World Champions Pat Curran, Juan Archuleta, and Daniel Straus (kabili). In 2019, the 34-year-old Brazilian captured the BELLATOR Lightweight World Championship from Michael Chandler, becoming only the second BELLATOR athlete to hold two titles simultaneously. With 23 finishes in 37 kuvelaphi ukulwa professional, Pitbull has shown repeatedly that he possesses the well-rounded skillset required to reign over multiple weight classes.
Currently BELLATOR MMA’s second-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, Nemkov captured the BELLATOR MMA light heavyweight crown by defeating Ryan Bader via second-round TKO atBELLATOR MMA 244in August 2020. Riding a nine-fight winning streak dating back to June 2016, the ferocious 29-year-old sports seven first-round knockouts, with two in the initial minute of action. After successfully defending his light heavyweight belt by earning a tough unanimous decision over Phil Davis, the pride of Belgorod, Russia and Fedor Emelianenko protégé scored a fourth-round submission of late replacement Julius Anglickas in the semifinals of the BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix during his last outing on Oct. 16, 2021.
Anderson, of Robbinsville, N.J., has ascended to the top of the BELLATOR 205-pound rankings by vanquishing seven of his past eight opponents, including a third-round stoppage of Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov atBELLATOR MMA 257 ngo-Ephreli 16, 2021. Exactly six months later atBELLATOR MMA 268, the Rockford, Ill., native walked into the cage to the spellbinding sounds of The Doors’ “Five to One,” and took the song title literally by knocking out Arizona State University wrestling legend Ryan Bader in 51 seconds in front of Bader’s hometown crowd at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz. In his first promotional appearance, “Overtime” registered a second-round TKO over Dutch kickboxing legend Melvin Manhoef atBELLATOR MMA 251 in November 2020. Prior to joining BELLATOR, Anderson tallied a 10-5 record with a rival promotion, winning “The Ultimate Fighter 19” tournament in 2014, and boasting impressive wins over Glover Teixeira, Jan Błachowicz and Johnny Walker, phakathi kwabanye.
Iziqubu engeziwe uzobe umemezele maduze.
BELLATOR 277: McKEE VS. PITBULL 2IKHADI MAIN:
Friday, April 15 – live onISIKHATHI SOMBUKISO
10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
Featherweight World Championship: C–A.J. McKee (18-0) vs. No. 1-Patricio Pitbull (15-5)
Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Final: C-Vadim Nemkov (15-2) vs. Ungenzi. 1-Corey Anderson (16-5)
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, March 12. SHOWTIME will televise the mammoth main card live from inside the Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo., at9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Former title challenger and No. 2 zibalwa-John Salter (18-5), as well as undefeated BELLATOR MMA No. 3-zibalwaJohnny Eblen(10-0), and women’s No. 2 featherweightCat 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.
In the umcimbi main of the kusihlwa, Adam Borics (17-1) futhiMads 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. In the iziqubu co-iyavela, former BELLATOR Light Heavyweight Champion, 13-time BELLATOR veteran, futhi No. 2-zibalwaPhil Davis (23-6, 1 NC) will open his 2022 campaign against No. 4 Julius Anglickas(10-2), who most recently challenged for the 205-pound title. Ukwengeza, the main card will spotlight an international lightweight extravaganza as undefeated New Alliance Jiu-Jitsu team memberJay-Jay Wilson (8-0) of Auckland, E-New Zealand, moves up in weight to meet Dagestan, WaseRussiaGadzhi Rabadanov(16-4-2), who is coming off a first-round knockout in his promotional debut atBELLATOR MMA 263 in July 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 ChampionGegard Mousasiagainst No. 1-zibalwa Austin Vanderford at BELLATOR MMA 275later this month in Dublin, Ireland.
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 of yakhe 23 izimbangi. 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 272ngoDisemba 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 izimbangi.
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, From., native Zingano against No.7-ranked lightweightPam Sorenson(9-4) of Blaine, Ibhayisikobho.
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, Amanda Nunes, Marion Reneau, and Gabrielle Holloway. Muva, “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 in Uncasville, Conn.
Also featured will be a bruising brawl pitting two hard-hitting heavyweights with seven career stoppages apiece as No. 8-zibalwaAlex “Eazy” Polizzi (9-1) of Madison, Wisc., clashes with Team Pitbull’sJose “Guru” Augusto (7-3, 1 NC). Ukwengeza, San Diego, Calif. bomdabu, 11-time BELLATOR MMA veteran, futhi No. 6-zibalwa“Barbaric” Derek Anderson(17-4, 1 NC) will mix it up with submission specialist, BELLATOR Brazilian bruiser, and Japanese-bornGoiti Yamaguchi (26-5), in a worldwide welterweight war.
Ngaphezu kwalokho, added toBELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellis a memorable middleweight match pitting undefeated, Ungenzi. 6-ranked 185-pounder and owner of three consecutive stoppagesRomero Cotton (5-0) of Hutchinson, Kansas, who will bravely battle the horrors of“The Boogeyman”Lance Wright (5-2). Ngaphezu kwalokho, 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) of Escondido, Calif.
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, niniDiana 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 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
Sat. March 12 // BELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnell //The Family Arena // St. Louis
Free. May 6 // BELLATOR PARIS: Bader vs. Kongo 2 // Accor Arena // Paris, FRA
Free. May 13 // BELLATOR LONDON: Amosov vs. MVP // The SSE Arena, Wembley // London
****
About BELLATOR
BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Ngaphansi kokuqondisa esingumakadebona impi umgqugquzeli 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 umcimbi orchestration, ukuthuthukiswa fighter / ubudlelwano, kwempahla kwenkundla yokudlalela, Indalo uxhaso / ukuthuthukiswa, kwamalayisensi international, marketing, ukukhangisa, emphakathini kanye nobudlelwane ikhomishana. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, ekhaya UNdunankulu ukuzijabulisa brand zezwe ukuxhuma izilaleli kokuqukethwe esicindezelayo yonkana ithelevishini, motion picture, intanethi and mobile.
LOS ANGELES –BELLATOR MMA has confirmed the full fight card forBELLATOR MMA 274: Gracie vs. Storleylokhu ngoMgqibelo, Feb. 19, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. SHOWTIME will televise the phenomenal main card live at9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Ukwengeza, nine thrilling preliminary fights will stream live three hours earlier on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at6 p.m. ET/3p.m. PT.
In the umcimbi main of the kusihlwa, Ungenzi. 4-zibalwaNeiman Gracie(11-2) will strap on the BELLATOR gloves for the 12thconsecutive time when he takes on former four-time collegiate All-American wrestler and No. 5-zibalwaLogan Storley(12-1) in a five-round clash of top-5 welterweights. In the iziqubu co-iyavela, former BELLATOR Welterweight Champion and No. 9-zibalwaAndrey Koreshkov (24-4) will return to action and open his 2002 campaign against Alliance MMA product and owner of seven first-round finishesChance Rencountre(16-4) of Pawhuska, Okla.
The updated and complete listing of bouts can be found below.
PARIS, FRANCE –Two iconic mixed martial artists with an undeniable track record of thrilling performances will square up asYoel Romero (13-6) liba Melvin Manhoef (32-15-1, 2 NC) in the co-main event of BELLATOR MMA’s return to Paris’ Accor Arena on Friday, May 6. BELLATOR PARIS: Bader vs. Kongo 2 will be televised live in America on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. CEST/4 p.m. KANYE.
With mixed martial arts becoming legalized in France in 2020, BELLATOR became the first promotion to hold a major MMA event withBELLATOR 248 in October of that year. The success of that historic card propelled BELLATOR to make a return to “The City of Lights” in 2022 in a big way with a main event featuring undisputed BELLATOR MMA Heavyweight Champion, Ryan Bader (29-7, 1 NC) defending his crown in enemy territory against hometown favorite and No. 2-ranked heavyweightCheick Kongo (31-11-2, 1 NC). In addition to the main and co-main event, a lightweight tilt pitting the last man to defeat media darling Paddy Pimblett, Søren Bak(15-1) against England’sSaul Rogers(15-4) is also official. Bak has only tasted defeat once in his 16 professional fights and held both the featherweight and lightweight titles in Cage Warriors before joining the BELLATOR roster. Fighting out of Denmark, “The True Viking” is riding a seven-fight win streak into battle against the SBG Manchester product, Rogers. Known as “The Hangman,” Rogers also has amassed 15 victories on his resume including wins over Artem Lobov, Ryan Hall and Georgi Karakhanyan.
The preliminary card is guaranteed to feature a showcase of French talent and has begun to take shape with the return ofYves Landu (16-9), who takes on Liverpool’sGavin Hughes (10-2) in a lightweight affair. Preliminary card action will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at 6:30 p.m. CEST/12:30 p.m. KANYE. Tickets for the fight are on sale now ataccorarena.com futhi bellator.fr. Follow Bellator France on Instagram @BellatorFrance and on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/BellatorFrance/ Ukulwa out of Miami, Florida, Romero will be making his second BELLATOR appearance on May 6 in Paris. Following a seven-year stint under the direction of the UFC, the American Top Team-product became one of the most sought-after free agents prior to signing with the Scott Coker-led promotion in 2020. With 11 of yakhe 13 career victories coming by way of knockout, including four of the first-round variety, “Soldier of God” possesses the type of knockout power that can force any opponent into submission. A three-time World Cup Freestyle Wrestling Champion, five-time Pan-American Freestyle Wrestling Champion, futhi 2000 Olympics Freestyle Wrestling Silver Medalist, the Cuban-born Romero has continuously showcased his elite talents at the highest level of competition. The only missing trophy to a near-flawless legacy is a BELLATOR world title.
Making his tenth appearance for BELLATOR MMA, Dutch superstar Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef has put together an impressive resume throughout his illustrious career in multiple combat sports disciplines that has seen him finish 29 of yakhe 32 MMA victims via knockout, okubala 26 in the first round and eight in the opening minute of action. A native of Amsterdam, Netherlands, the ageless wonder and No. 10-ranked BELLATOR light heavyweight will now look to add to a trio of impressive knockouts that he’s collected since joining the promotion back in 2014.
BELLATOR PARIS: BADER VS. KONGO 2 IKHADI MAIN: ISIKHATHI SOMBUKISO (U.S.) / RMC SPORT (FRANCE) / BBC Three & BBC iPlayer (U.K.) / Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND) Friday, May 6, 10 p.m. CEST/9 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT
Heavyweight World Title Main Event: #C-Ryan Bader (29-7, 1 NC) vs. #2-Cheick Kongo (31-11-2, 1 NC) Light wesibhakela Co-Main Indawo: Yoel Romero (13-6) vs. #10-Melvin Manhoef (32-15-1, 2 NC) Bout Esilula: Søren Bak(15-1) vs. Saul Rogers(15-4) Bout Esilula: Yves Landu (16-9) vs. Gavin Hughes (10-2)
*Card subject to change.
Sicela uvakashele www.Bellator.fr futhi Bellator.com ukuze uthole ulwazi olwengeziwe. Updated schedule of BELLATOR events Sat., Feb. 19 / / BELLATOR MMA 274: Gracie vs.Storley // Mohegan Sun Arena // Uncasville, Conn. Free. Feb. 25 // BELLATOR MMA 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford // 3Arena // Dublin, IRE Sat. March 12 // BELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnell // The Family Arena // St. Louis Free. May 6 // BELLATOR PARIS: Bader vs. Kongo 2 // Accor Arena // Paris, FRA Free. May 13 // BELLATOR LONDON: Amosov vs. MVP // The SSE Arena, Wembley // London
