Category Archives: Bellator

Bellator MMA Welterweight World Champion Douglas Lima meets Russian knockout artist Andrey Koreshkov on July 17 at Mohegan Sun Arena

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Santa Monica, Calif. (April 20, 2015) – Bellator MMA Welterweight World Champion Douglas “I-Phenom” Eluhlaza (26-5), one of the most talented and well-rounded 170-pound fighters on the planet today, puts his title on the line against Russian knockout artist Andrey “Spartan” Koreshkov (17-1) on Friday, July 16, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

 

“Douglas Lima is an incredible champion who is in for one of the toughest fights of his life against Koreshkov,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “When the rest of this card is announced, we’ll have put together one of the greatest showcases of welterweight talent ever assembled on one night.”

 

The two elite combatants headline the newly announced “Bellator MMA: Lima vs. Koreshkov” umcimbi, lapho Akazikhukhumezi bukhoma and free on Spike at 9 p.m. KANYE / 8 p.m. CT.

 

Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, April 24th at 10 a.m. KANYE, futhi ayatholakala eMohegan Sun Arena Box Office noma Ticketmaster.com. Bellator Nation presale begins lokhu ngoLwesibili. Joyina Incwajana yeBellator uhlu noma silandele ezinkundleni zokuxhumana (Twitter / Facebook) ukuthola ikhodi yokuqala kanye nemininingwane.

 

Additional information, including ticketing details and the night’s full lineup of world-class MMA action, uzobe umemezele maduze.

 

The 27-year-old Lima is a Brazilian-born athlete who now makes his home in Atlanta. Fighting under the Bellator MMA banner since 2011, Lima is an impressive 8-1 in the promotion and an incredible 14-1 in esidlule yakhe 15 overall appearances. Lima earned his way to the Bellator MMA Welterweight World Title with an eight-man tournament victory that included knockout wins over Ben Saunders, Bryan Baker and Michail Tsarev. Lima then claimed the title with an April 2014 knockout win over Rick Hawn. Overall, Lima boasts five consecutive knockout victories and now looks to defend his belt for the first time.

 

Koreshkov is also fresh off an eight-man tournament win, claiming a decision victory over Adam McDonough after previously registering knockouts of Justin Baesman and Nah-Shon Burrell. The 24-year-old Koreshkov is a Russian national medalist in both pankration and hand-to-hand combat and has lost just once in 18 professional MMA appearances. He owns 10 wins by knockouts and three by submission and also owns a 2012 victory over former Bellator MMA Welterweight World Champion Lyman Good.

 

Expect fireworks when Lima and Koreshkov collide.

 

Imincintiswano eyengeziwe ye- “Bellator MMA: Lima vs. Koreshkov” uzobe umemezele maduze.

“Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” finalizes action-packed 13-fight lineup with additions of A.J. Jenkins vs. Arlene Blencowe, Shawn Bunch vs. Rolando Perez and John Yoo vs. Albert Morales

Santa Monica, Calif. (April 16, 2015) – A thrilling 13-bout lineup for May’s “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” is now complete with the addition of women’s featherweights A.J. Jenkins (17-5) vs. Arlene “Angerfist” Blencowe (5-4), bantamweights Shawn “Bunch the GreatBunch (3-1) vs.Rolando Perez (7-4) futhi John Yoo (0-0) vs. Albert “The WarriorMorales (1-0) to the evening’s preliminary card.

 

The three new additions finalize a nine-fight preliminary card scheduled in support of “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” four main card contests.

 

The night’s featured matchups include undefeated Bellator MMA World Middleweight Champion Brandon “Bull” Halsey (8-0) ngokumelene emide scrapper Hawaiian Kendall “The Spyder” Grove (21-14), former Bellator MMA World Champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike “The Marine” Richman (18-5), welterweights Fernando “The Menifee Maniac” Gonzalez (23-13) vs. “Curtious” Curtis Millander (7-1) futhi bantamweightsDarrionThe WolfCaldwell (6-0) vs. Rafael “Morcego” Silva (22-4).

 

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” ithatha indawo Friday, May 15, at Pechanga Resort & Ikhasino in Temecula, Calif. The night’s main card airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. KANYE (6 p.m. PT isikhathi sendawo), kanti iziqubu zokukwazi usakaze on Spike.com.

 

Amathikithi for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove,” okuyinto ukuqala at nje $50, Okwamanje ukudayisa mhlaka Pechanga.com kanye Pechanga Resort & Casino box office.

 

Doors for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” evulekile at 4 p.m. PT Isikhathi sendawo, futhi emncintiswaneni lokuqala luthatha 45 Ngemva kwemizuzu.

 

Jenkins, of Oceanside, Calif., is one of the most experienced competitors in women’s MMA. Ukulwa ngokomsebenzi kusukela 2004, Jenkins now makes her Bellator MMA debut. The 33-year-old boasts past tussles with MMA notables Shayna Baszler, Tonya Evinger, Jan Finney, Kelly Kobold and Sarah Schneider, phakathi kwabanye.

 

An Australian native, Blencowe is a world-class athlete and former Women’s International Boxing Association World light welterweight champion. After turning her attention to MMA in 2013, Blencowe initially garnered only mixed results as she adjusted to life in the sport. Nokho, she has racked up three-consecutive stoppage wins as of late, and that run earned her a call from Bellator MMA.

 

Bunch is one of MMA’s most elite-level wrestlers as a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and two-time U.S. Olympic Team alternate. He now trains with the famed American Kickboxing Academy banner and has spent his entire professional MMA career under the Bellator MMA banner.

 

Khonamanjalo, Alliance MMA product Perez is a 10-year veteran of the sport who made his Bellator MMA in November and fought to a rarely-seen split draw. Still, Perez is unbeaten in his past four contests and now looks to get his first win in the promotion.

 

Yoo, of Irvine, Calif., makes his professional debut. He meets Morales, of Carson, Calif., who picked up a submission victory in the Bellator cage in his first professional contest.

 

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” - Friday, May 15, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, Calif.

IKhadi Main (9 p.m. KANYE)

 

Bellator middleweight Title Fight: Champ Brandon Halsey (8-0) vs. Kendall Grove (21-14)

Bellator Okufakiwe Bantamweight Fight: Eduardo Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike Richman (18-5)

Bellator Okufakiwe Welterweight Fight: Fernando Gonzalez (23-13) vs. Curtis Millender (7-1)

Bellator Okufakiwe Bantamweight Fight: Darrion Caldwell (6-0) vs. Rafael Silva (22-4)

IKhadi Preliminary (7:45 p.m. KANYE)

 

Bellator middleweight Prelim Fight: A.J. Matthews (7-3) vs. Ben Reiter (14-0)

Bellator Light wesibhakela Prelim Fight: Virgil Zwicker (13-4-1) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (12-4)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Joe Taimanglo (20-6-1) vs. Antonio Duarte (18-5)

Bellator featherweight Prelim Fight: Jordan Parsons (10-1) vs. Julio Cesar Neves Jr. (30-0)

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Jesse Juarez (22-9) vs. Ricky Rainey (10-3)

 

Dark Fights (ngu. 11 p.m. KANYE)

 

Bellator Esilula Dark Prelim: John Yoo (0-0) vs. Albert Morales (1-0)

Bellator Esilula Dark Prelim: Shawn Bunch (3-1) vs. Rolando Perez (7-4)

Bellator Esilula Dark Prelim: Steve Kozola (5-0) vs. Ian Butler (1-1)

Bellator Esilula Dark Prelim: A.J. Jenkins (17-5) vs. Arlene Blencowe (5-4)

 

Three-for-one, Wednesday Matinee

“Bellator MMA: Uncut” returns with a focus on this past week’s “Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” card. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the main card competitors before and after they go to war inside the cage. The eight minute video showcases all the hard work and personal sacrifice these individuals put into their craft.

 

Arguably one of the best fights on the “Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” card didn’t air on television, but instead took place during the preliminary portion of the event. Joey Beltran shined in his middleweight debut against Brian Rogers in a fight that featured a little bit of everything including a ferocious slugfest, a comeback as well as a showcase of toughness and will all rolled into one.

 

Ngaphezu kwalokho, our post-lims featured Chad George’s sekugcineni of Mark Vorgeas with a Von Flue choke, making it only the second time in Bellator history this technique was used to end a fight.

The two fights took place on the Spike.com-streamed preliminary card of “Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen,” which aired this past Friday night during a Spike telecast that peaked with over 900K viewers.

EASY TWEETS:

Relive the oohs and aahs from last Fridays #BellatorMMA event with #BellatorUncut https://youtu.be/e26WvI7Eczk

.@Mexicutioner760 looked to be the first fighter to win in 3 different weight classes. In his way: @BRogthePredator! #Bellator136 https://youtu.be/l6L_acDCNd8

Watch hometown scrapper @Savage135’s rare Von Flue choke win from last Friday’s #Bellator136! https://youtu.be/XttOuAopLRA

 

Click on the images below to view the videos

 

 

“Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” adds top bantamweights DarrionThe WolfCaldwell vs. Rafael “MorcegoSilva to evening’s Spike-televised main card

 

EASY TWEET: #BellatorMMA adds @morcego_mma and @thewolf_mma to the May 15 Event headlined by @BrandBullHalsey & @kendallgrovemma

 

Santa Monica, Calif. (April 15, 2015) – A four-fight Spike-broadcast main card for May’s “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” has received another thrilling contest, as undefeated bantamweight prospect DarrionThe WolfCaldwell (6-0) liba Rafael “Morcego” Silva (22-4).

 

The new addition finalizes the four-bout main card for “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove,” which includes undefeated Bellator MMA World Middleweight Champion Brandon “Bull” Halsey (8-0) ngokumelene emide scrapper HawaiianKendall “The Spyder” Grove (21-14), former Bellator MMA World Champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike “The Marine” Richman (18-5), futhi welterweights Fernando “The Menifee Maniac” Gonzalez (23-13) vs.“Curtious” Curtis Millander (7-1).

 

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” ithatha indawo Friday, May 15, at Pechanga Resort & Ikhasino in Temecula, Calif. The night’s main card airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. KANYE (6 p.m. PT Isikhathi sendawo), kanti iziqubu zokukwazi usakaze on Spike.com.

 

Amathikithi for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove,” okuyinto ukuqala at nje $50, Okwamanje ukudayisa mhlaka Pechanga.com kanye Pechanga Resort & Casino box office.

 

Doors for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” evulekile at 4 p.m. PT Isikhathi sendawo, futhi emncintiswaneni lokuqala luthatha 45 Ngemva kwemizuzu.

 

Two new bouts have also been added to the night’s preliminary card, with middleweights A.J. “The MercenaryMatthews (7-3) vs. Ben “The Hunter” Reiter (15-0) futhi lightweights Steve “ThunderbeastKozola (5-0) vs. Ian Butler (1-1).

 

Ukwengeza, a light heavyweight matchup of Virgil “Rezdog” Zwicker (13-4-1) vs. “Razor” Razak Al-Hassan (12-4) that was initially announced as a main-card matchup will now be featured on the night’s preliminary card, instead.

 

Iziqubu engeziwe uzobe umemezele maduze.

 

A New Jersey native now fighting out of Arizona, Caldwell was a Division I wrestler at North Carolina State. Caldwell made his MMA debut in 2012 and has kept his record perfect through the first six fights of his career, including Bellator MMA wins over Anthony Dizy, Joe Pingitore and Lance Surma. Previously competing as a featherweight, the 27-year-old Caldwell now moves down to the bantamweight division.

 

He now facesMorcego” Silva, a battle-tested 30-year-old fighter with championship-level experience in the Bellator MMA cage. With nearly a decade of professional fights to his name, Silva is an incredible 14-1 in esidlule yakhe 15 overall appearances. His only loss during that run was a 25-minute decision against former Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Champion Joe Warren. Seventeen of Silva’s 22 career kwi sebefikile by stoppage, including eight knockouts and nine submissions.

 

A former cast member on Bellator MMA’sFight Master” series, Matthews fought most recently in November, earning a decision win over Kyle Bolt. He now meets undefeated prospect Reiter, an intriguing individual who left Wall Street to pursue a career in MMA and now fights for the second time under the Bellator MMA banner after spending much of his early career in Peru.

 

Kozola, of San Diego, Calif., fights for the second time under the Bellator MMA banner after debuting with a knockout victory over Jonathan Rivera in January. He now meets Butler, who returns to the promotion after a November Bellator MMA debut that saw him suffer a submission loss to Joao Paulo Faria.

 

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” - Friday, May 15, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, Calif.

IKhadi Main (9 p.m. KANYE)

 

Bellator middleweight Title Fight: Champ Brandon Halsey (8-0) vs. Kendall Grove (21-14)

Bellator Okufakiwe Bantamweight Fight: Eduardo Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike Richman (18-5)

Bellator Okufakiwe Welterweight Fight: Fernando Gonzalez (23-13) vs. Curtis Millender (7-1)

Bellator Okufakiwe Bantamweight Fight: Darrion Caldwell (6-0) vs. Rafael Silva (22-4)

IKhadi Preliminary (7:45 p.m. KANYE)

 

Bellator middleweight Prelim Fight: A.J. Matthews (7-3) vs. Ben Reiter (14-0)

Bellator Light wesibhakela Prelim Fight: Virgil Zwicker (13-4-1) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (12-4)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Joe Taimanglo (20-6-1) vs. Antonio Duarte (18-5)

Bellator featherweight Prelim Fight: Jordan Parsons (10-1) vs. Julio Cesar Neves Jr. (30-0)

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Jesse Juarez (22-9) vs. Ricky Rainey (10-3)

 

Dark iziqubu (ngu. 11 p.m. KANYE)

 

Bellator Esilula Dark Prelim: Steve Kozola (5-0) vs. Ian Butler (1-1)

Ungenzi. 6 Light Heavyweight in the World Phil Davis joins Bellator MMA

 

Phil Davis Signing

Santa Monica, Calif. (April 15, 2015) – Bellator MMA is pleased to announce the signing of the sixth* ranked Light Heavyweight in the world, Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis (13-3, 1 NC), i okukhethekile, multi-impi deal.

 

“I can’t wait to be fighting in Bellator and wreck shop on everyone,"Kusho Davis. “I am the absolute best and most dominant grappler to ever fight in MMA and I’m excited to get in there and compete at my new home.”

Born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phil attended college close to home at Penn State University, where he became a four-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler for the Nittany Lions.

 

Davis had his first professional MMA fight in 2008 and accrued nine wins in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, including victories against the likes of Antônio Rogério Nogueira, Lyoto Machida, Alexander Gustafsson, Brian Stann and Glover Teixeira.

A member of Alliance MMA in San Diego, Calif., where he trains alongside Bellator stars like Michael Chandler and Joey Beltran, "Mr. Wonderful” joins the promotions Light Heavyweight division, which is currently upheld by champion Liam McGeary.

 

“Phil is a world class Mixed Martial Artist and we are very happy to be adding him to OUR roster of some of the best Light Heavyweights in the world,"Kusho umengameli ukukhuthazwa sika, Scott Coker. “Bellator remains fully committed to building its world-class roster by signing top free agents like Davis, as well as grooming up-and-coming stars. We’ve got some amazing matchups in mind for ‘Mr. Wonderful’ that we will be announcing in the weeks to come.”


Bellator’s Light Heavyweight division is one of the deepest in the promotion, with stars like McGeary, Tito Ortiz, "INkosi Mo" Lawal, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Emanuel Newton and Linton Vassell.

 

*Ranking according to www.sherdog.com

Bellator MMA continues to strengthen its roster with addition of Brazilian featherweight GleristoneToninho Furia” Santos

Santa Monica, Calif. (April 14, 2015) – Bellator MMA officials are proud to announce the addition of exciting Brazilian featherweight prospect GleristoneToninho Furia” Santos (27-4), who has signed an exclusive, multi-impi deal.

 

Santos’s debut date and opponent will be announced in the near future.

 

Long njengelinye lamazwe amathemba Brazil phezulu, the Santos oneminyaka engu-26 ubudala wangenela in 2005, lapho eneminyaka nje 16 engamashumi zokunqoba zuza ayisishiyagalolunye neziqubu yakhe yokuqala professional. Wazalelwa Campina Grande, Paraíba, Santos okwamanje inama nine-impi ngokuwina streak futhi kuyinto Amazing 16-1 in esidlule yakhe 17 Ukubonakala. "

 

Toninho” joins several other talented Brazilian fighters on the Bellator roster including Featherweight World Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, Welterweight World Champion Douglas Lima, Bantamweight World Champion Marcos Galvao, Eduardo "Dudu" Dantas, Patricky "Pitbull" Freire, Rafael Carvalho, Neiman Gracie, Goiti Yamauchi amongst others.

Two new fights featuring St. Louis scrappers added to “Bellator: Unfinished Business” at the Scottrade Center on June 19

Santa Monica, Calif. (April 13, 2015) – On the heels of this morning’s announcement of the Bobby Lashley vs. James Thompson rematch, "Bellator: Unfinished Business” adds a pinch of local flavor with the addition of welterweights Steve Mann (10-1) vs. Justin Guthrie (17-8) and strawweights Dan O'Connor (5-4) vs. Miles McDonald (0-1). The two fights will are the first announced fights of the preliminary card, which can be viewed on Spike.com starting at 4 p.m. PT.

 

The main card is headlined by a long overdue matchup between street-fighting legend and YouTube sensation Kimbo Slice futhi “Emhlabeni Iningi Dangerous Man,” Ken Shamrock, which kicks off Live and Free on Spike at 9 p.m. KANYE/ 8 p.m. CT.

 

Amathikithi for “Bellator: Unfinished Business” ukuqalisa at $30 and go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 27, at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com and the Scottrade Center Box Office. Online presales begin on Wednesday, March 25.

 

Iowa’s Mann is an intriguing welterweight prospect who has never fought past the opening round in 11 career contests. Eight of his 10 career wins have come by way of submission, including five by rear-naked choke. Mann makes his Bellator MMA debut on this major stage.

 

The Pain TrainGuthrie, a Colorado Fight Factory product, also fights under the Bellator MMA banner for the first time. Ukulwa ngokomsebenzi kusukela 2007, Guthrie boasts past clashes with MMA notables Jesse Forbes, Jorge Santiago, Lumumba Sayers, Gilbert Smith and Bobby Voelker. Guthrie has shown a well-rounded approach in previous contest, earning five victories by knockout, six by submission and six by decision, including two 25-minute contests.

 

In strawweight action, bothJohnny IrishO’Connor and McDonald make their Bellator MMA debuts. Interestingly, St. Louis’ O’Connor owns four of his five career victories by submission but has also been tapped out in three of his four defeats to date. Khonamanjalo, McDonald suffered an armbar loss in his May 2014 professional debut and now looks to rebound in his return to the cage.

 

“Bellator: Unfinished Business” - Friday, June 19, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, You.

Main Card on Spike (9 p.m. KANYE)

 

Bellator wesibhakela Main Indawo: Kimbo Slice (4-2) vs. Ken Shamrock (28-15)

Bellator Featherweight Championship: Patricio Pitbull (23-2) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-4)

Bellator wesibhakela Isici Fight: Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)

Bellator Esilula Isici Fight: Michael Chandler (12-3) vs. Derek Fields (15-4)

Preliminary Card on Spike.com (7 p.m. KANYE)

 

Bellator welterweight prelim fight: Steve Mann (10-1) vs. Justin Guthrie (17-8)

Bellator strawweight prelim fight: Dan O'Connor (5-4) vs. Miles McDonald (0-1)

“Bellator: Unfinished Business” gets a monster rematch with heavyweights JamesThe ColossusThompson vs. Bobby “The Dominator” Lashley

 

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Santa Monica, Calif. (April 13, 2015) – The most-watched MMA fight of all time was between Kimbo Slice and James Thompson, and on June 19, both men will be competing against different opponents at “Bellator: Unfinished Business” at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, You.

 

Former WWE superstar Bobby “The Dominator” Lashley looks to avenge a 2012 split decision loss to James “The Colossus” Thompson (20-14). The unfinished business between the two giant heavyweights was originally scheduled to be settled at “Bellator: The British Invasion,” but an injury sustained by Lashley caused the fight to be rescheduled to June 19.

 

Thompson, a specialist 6-foot-5 yesiteleka, ekudumisa kusuka eNgilandi lowanilwela efanele kusukela 2003. A zangaphambili lombhoxo futhi wayohlala, Thompson found his true calling in MMA and has been competing around the globe ever since. Ukulwa ezinye heavyweights best sport, including Slice, Alexander Emelianenko, Don Frye, Alistair Overeem, UMariusz Pudzianowki, Brett Rogers, Bob Sapp, Dan Severn and Hidehiko Yoshida, phakathi kwabanye, “The Colossus” has racked up 11 wins by knockout and seven by submission.

 

A 6-foot-3 wrestling standout, Bobby “The Dominator” Lashley (12-2) uqale ukuzilolonga in the ubuciko kulokho kubambana at age 12 futhi uzohamba ukuwina izihloko eziningana kuhlanganise Championships ezintathu National at Missouri Valley College, an naia National Championship, a CISM World Championship Silver Medal futhi Armed Forces Wrestling Championships ababili ngesikhathi sakhe e-US. Army. In addition to a professional wrestling career with stints in the WWE, ECW and TNA, Lashley waqala MMA career yakhe 2008, futhi uye wakha i career uphawu umxhwele lokho kuhlanganisa Bellator MMA ukuzithoba iwina phezu Karl Etherington and Josh Burns.

 

“Bellator: Unfinished Business” - Friday, June 19, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, You.

IKhadi Main (9 p.m. KANYE)

 

Bellator wesibhakela Main Indawo: Kimbo Slice (4-2) vs. Ken Shamrock (28-15)

Bellator Featherweight Championship: Patricio Pitbull (23-2) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-4)

Bellator wesibhakela Isici Fight: Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)

Bellator Esilula Isici Fight: Michael Chandler (12-3) vs. Derek Fields (15-4)

 

WILL BROOKS RETAINS TITLE IN A STATEMENT 5-ROUND VICTORY

DSC_1699Bellator / Eric Coleman – Select Fight Photos / Scorecards

IRVINE, Calif. (April 10, 2015)An energetic Southern Californian crowd was on hand tonight at the Bren Event Center enjoying a spectacular night of fights at Bellator 136.

 

With celebrities and MMA legends the likes of Tommy Lasorda, Charlie Hough, Jermaine Dye, Tito Ortiz, Ken Shamrock, Don Frye and Frank Shamrock cageside, the Scott Coker-led promotion emphatically returned to the arena for the first time since its debut on Spike at Bellator 85.

 

In addition to a lightweight title fight in the main event, 12 other exciting contests helped continue the trend of exciting cards on Spike TV thus far in 2015.

 

It took the full five rounds, but Will Brooks (16-1) made the first defense of his Bellator Lightweight strap, defeating Dave Jansen (20-3) nge isinqumo ngazwilinye [49-46, 49-46, 49-46]. After a clear cut opening frame that saw “The Fugitive” surprise “Ill Will” with his explosive kicking and punching, Brooks slowly turned the tide in his favor, slowing the pace and using his world renown grappling to remain the 155-pound kingpin.

 

“Dave Jansen is exactly what people consider him to be,” said Brooks. “He’s got that warrior spirit and he’s really intelligent. He fought hard, I just fought harder. I’m still young in this sport, and there were definitely a lot of things that I wanted to do in the fight that he neutralized. I’m looking to stay busy and get back to putting on exciting fights for the fans.”

 

Ngemuva 15 minutes of co-main event action, Rafael Carvalho improved to 11-1, earning a split decision win [28-29, 30-27, 29-28] against Joe Schilling (2-4). The young Brazilian slowed the fight down throughout, nullifying the striking of “Stitch Em’ Up.” One judge did see the fight in favor of the world champion kickboxer, but it wasn’t enough as Schilling drops to .500 inside the Bellator cage.

 

In a battle of submission specialists, Marcin Held (21-3) finished Tiger Sarnavskiy (30-3) via verbal submission caused by a knee bar at 1:11 round ezintathu. With the win, Held has now won 12 of yakhe 21 professional fights via submission.

 

The first televised scrap of the evening featured heavyweights Tony Johnson (8-2) and Alexander Volkov (6-1). After three grueling rounds, “The Hulk” remained undefeated in the Bellator cage. Johnson was awarded a [29-28, 28-29, 29-28] split decision. Overall it was the wrestling of Johnson that earned him the victory. Manje, Johnson returns home to his two daughters and fiancée, where he doubles as a self-proclaimed “Mr. Mom.”

 

Joey Beltran (16-11) bounced back from a lackluster opening round to take rounds two and three, ultimately defeating Brian Rogers (11-8) via iningi isinqumo [28-28, 29-28, 29-27]. “The Mexicutioner” impressed in his Bellator MMA middleweight debut, while “The Predator” has dropped four of five scraps.

You Awad (18-6) handed Rob Sinclair (12-3) the third loss of his career, earning a unanimous decision [30-27, 30-27, 30-37]. With the win, Awad moves even closer to a trilogy fight with lightweight champion Will Brooks.

 

In the iziqubu ukuvulwa kusihlwa, John Teixeira (18-1-2) defeated Fabricio Guerreiro (20-4) nge isinqumo uqhekeko [29-28, 28-29, 29-28]. Guerreiro has now dropped two of his last three bouts, while “Macapa” has won three straight.

 

AJ McKee (1-0) made a successful professional debut ngolwesihlanu ebusuku, finishing Marcos Bonilla (1-2) with a deep rear-naked choke at 2:08 round one. The contingent that remained after the main card was heavily in favor of the Long Beach, Calif., bomdabu.

 

Chad George (16-8) finished Mark Vorgeas (5-3-1) with a head and arm choke at 3:37 of the emzuliswaneni wokuqala. There was no tap or verbal submission, as George had to inform the referee that his opponent had gone unconscious. The Los Angeles native now has nine submission wins in his young career.

 

Laguna Hills, Calif., Justin Governale (4-2) submitted hometown boy Jay Bogan (6-5) via rear-naked choke at 2:09 round amabili. It was an exciting end to a fight that was nearly finished by Governale with strikes.
Steve Ramirez (1-1) finished Jon Santa Maria (3-1) with a toehold at 3:29 eyodwa round.

 

Junior Luciano (11-5) finished Aaron Miller (14-10) with an arm bar at 4:36 round amabili.

 

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA kuyinto ekuholeni Mixed Martial Arts inhlangano enesihloko eziningi fighters best in the world. Ngaphansi kokuqondisa esingumakadebona impi umgqugquzeli Scott Coker, Bellator kuyatholakala cishe 400 amakhaya million emhlabeni kuka 120 amazwe. In the United States, Bellator kungabonwa Spike TV, the MMA umholi ithelevishini. Bellator MMA sakhiwe yiqembu executive oluhlanganisa top emkhakheni ukukhiqizwa ithelevishini, live umcimbi orchestration, ukuthuthukiswa fighter / ubudlelwano, kwempahla kwenkundla yokudlalela, Indalo uxhaso / ukuthuthukiswa, kwamalayisensi international, marketing, ukukhangisa, emphakathini kanye nobudlelwane ikhomishana. Bellator isekelwe Santa Monica, California futhi ephethwe ukuzijabulisa giant Viacom, ekhaya UNdunankulu ukuzijabulisa brand zezwe ukuxhuma izilaleli kokuqukethwe esicindezelayo yonkana ithelevishini, motion picture, intanethi and mobile.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV itholakala 98.7 amakhaya million futhi is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A iyunithi Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks ungomunye Abadali emhlabeni anothile lwezinhlelo kanye nokuqukethwe kuzo zonke izingxenyekazi media. Ikheli Internet Spike TV sika www.spike.com kanye up-to-minute the-nolwazi press ezigciniwe kanye nezithombe, vakashela Spike TV sika press indawo http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter spiketvpr yakamuva in izindaba updates, ngemuva-the-izigcawu ulwazi nezithombe.

 

“BELLATOR: BROOKS vs. JANSENOFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR FRIDAY NIGHTS FIGHT ON SPIKE

“BELLATOR: BROOKS vs. JANSENOFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR ULWESIHLANU NIGHTS FIGHT ON SPIKE

Champ Will Brooks (155) vs. Dave Jansen (154.6)

Champ Will Brooks (155) vs. Dave Jansen (154.6)

I’m going to go out there and cut Dave Jansen down. I’m going to smoke him. I’m going to embarrass him.” – Will Brooks

“My mental edge is going to be key and me beating Will ngolwesihlanu ebusuku. I’ve always believed it’s mentality before physicality, and it’s my mentality that’s going to lead me to the world title. It’s also going to be because of my experience, determination and laser focus. All of these things are just culminating into the perfect storm.” – Dave Jansen

Additional photos available here / credit to Bellator MMA / Eric Coleman

 

IRVINE. Calif. – April 9, 2015 - 25 of the 26 fighters ukuncintisana ngoLwesihlanu luka "Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” took to the scales and successfully hit their targeted weights Thursday afternoon at the Radisson Hotel in Newport Beach, Calif. The stacked MMA card emanates from the Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif., kusasa, airing LIVE and FREE on Spike at 9 p.m. KANYE.

 

“Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” is headlined by a fight between Bellator Lightweight World Champion Will Brooks (15-1) futhi Dave Jansen (20-2). “Ill Will” has won six consecutive bouts, while “The Fugitive” has rallied off seven straight victories of his own.

 

The event also features the return of multi-combat sports star Joe Schilling (2-3), who faces Brazilian standout Rafael Carvalho (10-1) in a middleweight co-main event.

 

“Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” – Friday, April 10, Bren Events Center, Irvine, Calif.

Joe Schilling (185.6) vs. Rafael Carvalho (185.8)

Joe Schilling (185.6) vs. Rafael Carvalho (185.8)

Marcin Held (155.8) vs. Alexander Tiger Sarnavskiy (155)

Marcin Held (155.8) vs. Alexander “Tiger” Sarnavskiy (155)

Alexander grez (243) vs. Tony Johnson (264)

Alexander grez (243) vs. Tony Johnson (264)

Fabricio Warrior (145.8) vs. John Teixeira (145.2)

Fabricio Warrior (145.8) vs. John Teixeira (145.2)

Joey Beltran (184) vs. Brian Rogers (186)

Joey Beltran (184) vs. Brian Rogers (186)

You Awad (155.4) vs. Rob Sinclair (155.2)

You Awad (155.4) vs. Rob Sinclair (155.2)

A.J. McKee (144) vs. Mark Bonilla (147)

A.J. McKee (144) vs. Mark Bonilla (146

Jonathan Santa Maria (125) vs. Steve Ramirez (126)

Jonathan Santa Maria (125) vs. Steve Ramirez (126)

Chris Herrera (186) vs. Luc Bondole (185.6)

Chris Herrera (186) vs. Luc Bondole (185.6)

Chad George (136) vs. Mark Vorgeas (135.6)

Junior Luciano (150) vs. Aaron Miller (150)

Jay Bogan (147.4) vs. Justin Governale (146)

Jay Bogan (146.6) vs. Justin Governale (146)

Aaron Miller (150) vs. Junior Luciano (150)

Chad George (136) vs. Mark Vorgeas (135.6)