Los Angeles — Bellator MMA is proud to announce that undefeatedValerie Loureda(3-0) will continue to compete inside the Bellator cage after signing an exclusive multi-year, multi-fight extension to remain with the ViacomCBS-owned promotion.
“I am pleased to have re-signed with Bellator,” Loureda said. "Kamar yadda na ce a koyaushe, I am here to show the world the true martial artist that I am and chase the flyweight belt. I was born for this, I am a natural born fighter.”
Undefeated to start her mixed martial arts career, a run that has been spent entirely with Bellator, the 22-year-old Loureda has immediately made a mark on the flyweight division by emphatically winning all three of her fights. A 4th dan taekwando black belt who was a former member of the U.S. Olympic team, “Master” Loureda is a proud Miami resident who spends a great deal of her time training at American Top Team. Mafi kwanan nan, Loureda made her 2020 debut inside Bellator’s “FightSphere” atBellator 243, stopping Tara Graff in the second round, a finish that garnered worldwide media attention and that earned over 11 million views through Bellator’s social media platforms.
Loureda competes in Bellator MMA’s flyweight division, a weight class currently championed byIlima-Lei Macfarlaneand includes other top athletes the likes ofLiz Carmouche, Juliana Velasquez, Alejandra Lara, Denise Kielholtz, Malin Hermansson, daga wasu.
BELLATOR 244 AIRS LIVE ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK AND DAZN AT 10 P.M. ET FROM MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
KARA, FORMER TITLEHOLDER JULIA BUDD RETURNS TO ACTION AGAINST JESSY MIELE IN THE CO-MAIN EVENT
Los Angeles– On Friday, August 21, Bellator’s “FightSphere” atMohegan Sun Arena a Uncasville, Conn. will host a light heavyweight world title main event bout featuring two-division Bellator champRyan Bader(27-5, 1 NC) defending his 205-pound championship against Russia’sVadim Nemkov (11-2).
The evening’s co-main event sees fomer world championJulia Budd(13-3) take on Connecticut’sJessy Miele (9-3) in a featherweight clash.
Bellator 244: Bader vs.. Nemkovairs live onParamount hanyar sadarwa da kumaDAZN Jumma'a, Agusta 21 a 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. Preliminary action will stream onBellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming days.
A winner of seven out of eight contests at both heavyweight and light heavyweight, Bellator’s double champ Ryan Bader will make his first light heavyweight title defense since defeating “King Mo” Lawal, Matt Mitrione da kumaFedor Emelianenkoen route to winning Bellator’s 2018 Heavyweight World Grand Prix and becoming world heavyweight champ. Fighting out of Chandler, Ariz., the former two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler out of Arizona State University began his professional career by winning season eight ofA Ultimate mai fada. “Darth” continued his path of dominance by collecting victories over some of the 205-pound division’s top talent, including career wins overPhil Davis(x2), Linton Vassell, “Rampage” Jackson, Rashad Evans, Rafael “Feijão” Cavalcante and Ovince Saint Preux. Mafi kwanan nan, Bader fought heavyweightCheick Kongoto a no contest following an accidental eye poke.
The 28-year-old Russian powerhouse Vadim Nemkov, who is undefeated over his last six fights and a perfect 4-0 in Bellator since signing in 2017, will enter his first-ever title shot in MMA fresh off a submission win against former middleweight world championRafael Carvalho. With that victory, Nemkov has defeated some of the best athletes Bellator has to offer, including three former champions consecutively in Carvalho, Phil Davis da kumaLiam McGeary. A three-time Russian national sambo champion, Nemkov trains alongside the legendary Fedor Emelianenko in Stary Oskol, Russia for the standout Team Fedor.
Former Bellator featherweight world champion Julia Budd has won 11 of her last 12 iyakar, including seven victories since signing with Bellator in 2015. After defeating Dutch legend Marloes Coenen for the inaugural Bellator women’s featherweight world title atBellator 174, the Gibson MMA-product and Port Moody, British Columbia native has gone on to collect victories over top contendersOlga Rubin, Arlene Blencowe da kumaTalita Nogueira. With seven of her 13 career victories coming by way of knockout or submission, “The Jewel” will look to jump back into title contention with a statement win on August 21.
With an impressive career mark of 9-3, Jessy Miele will look to parlay her most recent win over former Bellator title contenderTalita Nogueirawhen she competes atBellator 244.Hailing from Waterbury, Conn. the 35-year-old is currently in the midst of a four-fight unbeaten streak and was slated to compete againstLeslie Smith aBellator 241before it was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. Fighting professionally since 2014, and competing against the likes of Nogueira and Charmaine Tweet along the way, “The Widowmaker” will undoubtedly face the stiffest test of her nearly six year-career when she meets Budd on August. 21.
KARA, HEAVYWEIGHTS MATT MITRIONE AND TIMOTHY JOHNSON SQUARE OFF IN EXPLOSIVE CO-MAIN EVENT
Los Angeles – Bellator is pleased to announce multiple upcoming events set to take place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., duk da Bellator 243 a ranar Jumma'a, Aug. 7, Bellator 244 a ranar Jumma'a, Aug. 21 da kuma Bellator 245 a ranar Jumma'a, Bakwai. 11.
Bellator 243 sees former world championsMichael Chandler(20-5) da kuma Benson Henderson(28-8) face off once again inside the Bellator cage nearly four years after their first unforgettable meeting, The highly anticipated lightweight main event rematch airs live Friday, Aug. 7 a kan Paramount Network and DAZN at 10 p.m. DAfrom Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
In the card’s co-main event, perennial heavyweight contenderMatt Mitrione (13-7, 1 NC) will take on the hard-hittingTimoti Johnson(13-6) in an exciting matchup that will likely not go to the judges’ scorecards.
Bellator 243: Chandler vs. Henderson 2 airs live on Paramount Network and DAZN on Friday, Agusta 7 a 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. The event will also air live on Sky Sports in the UK. Preliminary action will stream onBellator MMA’s YouTube channel.
Making his 23rd promotional appearance for Bellator, “Iron” Michael Chandler will have the opportunity to silence his critics and prove that his November 19, 2016 split decision-win over Henderson was no fluke. Following victories in each of his first 12 masu sana'a bouts, highlighted by his first Bellator lightweight world title win and a pair of successful title defenses, the High Ridge, Missouri-native quickly made a name for himself in a stacked 155-pound class. The 34-year-old would eventually go on to collect a promotional record three lightweight title reigns that included three successful title defenses. Having won three of his previous five career rematches, including a pair of lightweight world title victories overPatricky Lucenzo, Daddy Yankee da kuma Brent Primus, da 2009 NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri will look to add to that total and remind everyone what the former champion is capable of.
Fighting out of Glendale, Ariz., “Smooth” will once again have a shot at revenge with his longtime rival Chandler, following multiple attempts to schedule the fight over the past year. The highly anticipated rematch was originally slated to take place on New Year’s Eve atRizin.20 a Japan, before Henderson was forced to withdraw due to an injury suffered during training. A few months later, the two former lightweight world champions were set to face off in the main event of Bellator’s return to the Windy City on June 6, before the global pandemic led to yet another postponement. Yanzu, the MMA Lab-product will look to settle the score and collect his fifth consecutive victory en route to a final push at Bellator’s 155-pound strap. With half of his 28 aiki ya lashe zuwa ta hanyar knockout ko biyayya, the 36-year-old former UFC and WEC lightweight world champion will aim to put all doubts to rest and finish his nemesis in emphatic fashion on August 7.
After initially being scheduled to faceRonny Markes a Bellator 241 in March prior to the pandemic, Matt Mitrione is now slated to meet Johnson, a competitor who also prefers to keep the fight upright. Prior to his MMA career, the 41-year old Illinois-native was a standout defensive end at Purdue University who subsequently earned his way into the NFL, playing six seasons as a member of the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. He ultimately found his way into MMA where he became the high-level competitor he is today, defeating the likes of the lateKimbo yanki, Derrick Lewis,Roy Nelson da kuma Fedor Emelianenko.
A heavy betting underdog coming into his last matchup withTyrell Fortune a Bellator 239, Timothy Johnson shocked many when he finished the undefeated competitor five years his junior viahighlight reel-knockout in the opening frame. The win was the first for the Xtreme Couture-fighter inside the Bellator cage, who signed with the promotion in 2018 following seven outings in the UFC. With an impressive finishing mark of 10 stoppages in his 13 ya lashe a matsayin sana'a, Johnson will be looking to deliver another impressive outing when he returns to action next month.
Updated Bellator 243: Chandler vs. Henderson 2 Babban Card: Paramount Network and DAZN 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT
Lightweight Main Event: Michael Chandler (20-5) vs. Benson Henderson (28-8) Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Matt Mitrione (13-7, 1 NC) vs. Timoti Johnson (13-6)
UNCASVILLE, Conn.– The full slate of bouts for Bellator’s return toMohegan Sun Arena wannan Jumma'a, Maris 13is official with a stacked six-fight main card, headlined by current two-division champPatricio Lucenzo, Daddy Yankee (30-4) defending his 145-lb. title in the Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinals against upstart SBG-product and tournament dark horsePedro Carvalho (11-3).
Bellator 241: Lucenzo, Daddy Yankee vs. Carvalho will stream live exclusively onDAZN a 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. Santa, while preliminary action will stream onBellator MMA’s YouTube channel, har da DAZN, farko a 7:30 p.m. DA / 4:30 p.m. Santa.
The exciting main card will also see a Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal take place in the co-main event,a lokacin da Daniel Weichel (40-11) rematchesEmmanuel Sanchez (19-4) for a future shot at the world title. Bugu da kari, former New York Giants linemanMatt Mitrione (13-7, 1 NC) will be taking onRonny Markes (19-7) in a heavyweight main card bout, while England’sBulus Daley (42-17-2) and heavy-handedSabah Homasi (13-8) go toe-to-toe in a 170-pound matchup that is sure to produce fireworks. Rounding out the main card will see Connecticut’s ownNick Newell (16-3) shan a kan Zach Zane (14-9) of Hawaii at lightweight and a must-see middleweight contest showcasingAnatoly Tokov (29-2) vs. Fabio Aguiar (17-1).
EVENT SET FOR FRIDAY, Mayu 29 AT 10 P.M. ET/9 P.M. CT ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK & DAZN
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, MARIS 13!
Los Angeles– Bellator officials today announced that the eagerly anticipated promotional debut ofLizCarmouche(13-7) will take place on Friday, Mayu 29 at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. against undefeated SBG Ireland’s flyweight prospectMandy Böhm (6-0, 1 NC).
Tikiti ga Bellator 243: Carmouche vs. Böhmgo on sale March 13 a 3 p.m. PT and are available at the Pechanga box office, har daBellator.com, Ticketmaster.com da kuma Pechanga.com.
The event will be broadcast live Friday, Mayu 29 a kan Paramount hanyar sadarwa da kuma DAZN a 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream onBellator’s MMA YouTubechannel. Ƙarin bouts za a sanar a makonni masu zuwa.
A United States Marine Corps veteran and established flyweight competitor, Carmouche joined Bellator’s women’s flyweight division this past December following a six-year run in UFC – a tenure that includes world title bouts in both the bantamweight and flyweight divisions, as well as notable wins over Katlyn Chookagian and Jessica Andrade.
Fighting out of San Diego, the 36-year-old Team Hurricane Awesome-product also formerly competed for Strikeforce, notching a pair of victories with the promotion. She also earned a win over Valentina Shevchenko earlier in her career. Prior to “Girl-Rilla’s” days as a professional athlete, the Lafayette, Louisiana-native spent five years serving as an aviation electrician in the United Stated Marine Corps, where she completed three tours of duty in the Middle East.
Fresh off a flyweight title victory on the regional MMA scene last May, Mandy Böhm is ready to bring her undefeated mark as a professional to the highest levels of the sport when she meets former two-division title challenger Liz Carmouche on May 29. Hailing from Germany, but training under the tutelage of John Kavanagh at SBG Ireland in Dublin, “Monster” is a force to be reckoned with on the feet, but showcased her strong submission skills when she handed top Canadian prospect Jade Masson-Wong the first loss of her career in 2019.
Updated Bellator 243: Carmouche vs. Böhm Katin yaƙi:
Flyweight Main Event: Liz Carmouche (13-7) vs. Mandy Böhm(6-0, 1 NC)
MAIN CARD TO AIR ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK & DAZN AT 9 P.M. DA
Los Angeles– The full slate of bouts for Bellator’s return to WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla. wannan Jumma'a, Fabrairu 21 has been finalized with a stacked four-fight main card airing at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on Paramount Network and DAZN. Bugu da žari, a total of 13 preliminary fights will stream on Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel and DAZN beginning at 6:15 p.m. PT/5:15 p.m. CT.
Babban taron na Bellator 239will feature an exciting welterweight clash between two of the division’s best prospects, as three-time NCAA National Wrestling ChampionDa kuma Ruth (8-1) takes on undefeated Ukrainian strikerYaroslav Amosov(22-0). Har ila yau, a kan katin, a premiere lightweight matchup between Minnesota’s ownBrandon Girtz (16-8) and recent Bellator free agent signingMyles Jury(17-5), as well as two pivotal matchups in the heavyweight division asTyrell Fortune(8-0) is set to meet UFC-veteranTimoti Johnson (12-6) da kuma saman contender Javy Ayala (11-7) goes to battle against a member of Fedor Emelianenko’s team in Russia, Valentin Moldavsky(8-1).
Preliminary action forBellator 239: Ruth vs. Amosovwill be highlighted by a number of young undefeated prospects returning to the cage, including Oklahoma’sKyle Crutchmer(5-0), Christian Edwards(2-0), Chris Gonzalez (3-0), Grant Neal(2-0) and Texas’Lucas Brennan(2-0), while familiar names inCris Lencioni(5-2), Gaston Bolanos (5-2) da kuma Shawn Bunch (9-4) are also scheduled to compete on the card.
Bugu da žari, the prelims will feature appearances by two Bellator Kickboxing champions in flyweight champDenise Kielholtz(4-2) and featherweight titleholderGabriel Varga (1-0) as they both return to the Bellator MMA cage.
BATTLE FOR VACANT BELLATOR MMA MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE AIRS LIVE ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK AND DAZN AT 10 P.M. ET/9 P.M. CT
Tickets go on sale this Friday, Feb. 14
Los Angeles– A middleweight superfight for the vacant 185-pound title, pitting former divisional championGegard Mousasi (46-7-2) against current Bellator welterweight titleholderDouglas Lima (32-7),has been added to Bellator’s exciting return to SAP Center at San Jose on Saturday, Mayu 9 – LIVE on Paramount Network and DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT.
The event is anchored by a previously announced heavyweight world title bout, featuring two-division Bellator champRyan Bader(27-5, 1 NC) defending his 205-pound title against Russia’sVadim Nemkov (11-2).
Bellator: Bader vs.. Nemkov airs live on Paramount Network and DAZN on Saturday, Mayu 9 a 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. Preliminary action will stream on DAZN, Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Tickets can be purchased at the LexisNexis Risk Solutions Ticket Office at SAP Center, through Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.
The Bellator middleweight title was recently relinquished byRafael Lovato Jr.due to ongoing medical complications.
Yin gwagwarmaya daga Leiden, Kudancin Holland, Netherlands, Mousasi has cemented legendary status within the sport, having won titles with multiple promotions across a 55-fight career. Mafi kwanan nan, Mousasi defeatedLyoto Machida via tsaga yanke shawara, clearing his path to a shot at a second Bellator middleweight title run. With victories in his storied career against Machida, Rory MacDonald, Chris Weidman, Rafael Carvalho, Vitor Belfort, Jacare Souza, Dan Henderson and Mark Hunt, a victory over Douglas Lima will add to his already-impressive resume.
Looking to join the ranks ofRyan Bader da kuma Patricio “Pitbull”as two-division champions, Lima moves up 15-pounds to try his hand against Mousasi. Since making his promotional debut in 2011, “The Phenom” has earned 14 nasarori, including a trio of world titles and 10 finishes, making the American Top Team-product one of the most dominant fighters in the 170-pound division. Tare da 26 da ya 32 career victories coming by way of knockout or submission, including consecutive dominant finishes overYanina Koreshkov da kuma Michael “Venom” Page”in the first two rounds of the World Grand Prix tournament, Lima most recently capped of his 2019 with a win over Rory MacDonald to regain the welterweight world title.
TICKETS ON SALE FEB. 14 FOR CARD SET INSIDE SAP CENTER AT SAN JOSE
Los Angeles– On Saturday, Mayu 9, SAP Center at San Jose will host Bellator with an event headlined by a light heavyweight world championship bout featuring two-division Bellator championRyan Bader(27-5, 1 NC) defending his 205-pound title against Russia’sVadim Nemkov (11-2).
Bellator San Jose: Bader vs.. Nemkov airs on Paramount Network and DAZN on Saturday, Mayu 9 a 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. Santa. Preliminary action will stream on DAZN, Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Ƙarin bouts za a sanar a makonni masu zuwa.
Tikiti na Bellator San Jose: Bader vs.. Nemkov are available early through an exclusive Bellator Nation pre-sale beginning Wednesday, Feb. 12 through Thursday, Feb. 13. Tickets will go on sale to the general public Friday, Feb. 14. Tickets can be purchased at the LexisNexis Risk Solutions Ticket Office at SAP Center, through Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.
A winner of seven out of his last eight fights at both heavyweight and light heavyweight, Bellator’s two-division champion Ryan Bader will make his first light heavyweight title defense since defeating"Sarki Mo" Lawal, Matt Mitrione da kuma Fedor Emelianenko en route to winning Bellator’s 2018 Heavyweight World Grand Prix and becoming world heavyweight champ. Fighting out of Chandler, Ariz., the former two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler from Arizona State University began his professional career by winning season eight ofA Ultimate mai fada. “Darth” continued his path of dominance by collecting victories over some of the 205-pound division’s top talent, including wins over former world champions“Rampage” Jackson, Rashad Evans, Phil Davis (x2) and Rafael “Feijão” Cavalcante, as well as Ovince Saint Preux and Vinny Magalhães, before signing with Bellator in 2017.
Vadim Nemkov, who is undefeated over his last six fights and a perfect 4-0 in Bellator since signing in 2017, will come into his first-ever title shot in MMA fresh off a submission win against former middleweight championRafael Carvalho. Tare da nasara, Nemkov has unequivocally defeated some of the best athletes Bellator has to offer, including three former champions in Carvalho, Phil Davis da kuma Liam McGeary. A three-time Russian national sambo champion, Nemkov trains alongside Fedor Emelianenko in Stary Oskol, Rasha.
Updated Bellator San Jose: Bader vs.. Nemkov Babban Card:
DAZN/Paramount Network
10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. Santa
Light Heavyweight World Title Bout:Ryan Bader (27-5, 1 NC) vs. Vadim Nemkov (11-2)
FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD GRAND PRIX QUARTERFINALS CONTINUE AS DANIEL WEICHEL MEETS EMMANUEL SANCHEZ IN THE CO-MAIN EVENT
Tickets on sale next Friday, Janairu 17
Los Angeles– On Friday, Maris 13, Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. will host Bellator 241, an event featuring TWO quarterfinal matchups of the Featherweight World Grand Prix. A cikin babban taron, fans will see a featherweight world title bout with two-division Bellator championPatricio “Pitbull” (30-4) defending his 145-pound crown against SBG Ireland-productPedro Carvalho (11-3).
In addition to the five-round championship main event, a second Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal will also take place, as two former title challengers, Daniel Weichel (40-11) da kuma Emmanuel Sanchez (19-4), meet for the first time since their 2016 razor-thin split decision.
Tikiti na Bellator 241: Lucenzo, Daddy Yankee vs. Carvalhoare available early through an exclusive Bellator Nation pre-sale beginning Thursday, Jan. 16 a 10 a.m. DA. Tickets will go on sale to the general public Friday, Jan. 17 a 10 a.m. DA. Tickets can be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office, as well Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.
Bellator 241: Lucenzo, Daddy Yankee vs. Carvalhowill stream exclusively onDAZN a ranar Jumma'a, Maris 13 a 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. Santa. Preliminary action will stream on DAZN, Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Ƙarin bouts za a sanar a makonni masu zuwa.
Hailing from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, two-time featherweight champ Patricio “Pitbull” will enter the Bellator cage for a promotional record 23rd time on March 13. With impressive wins to his name overDaniel Straus (X3), Daniel Weichel (x2) da kuma Pat Curran, the 32-year old continues in the Featherweight World Grand Prix not far removed from his lightweight championship win overMichael Chandler in May of last year. Having earned a finish in 21 da ya 30 ya lashe a matsayin sana'a, the simultaneous two-division champion most recently bestedJuan Archuletaon the scorecards in an exciting opening round grand prix matchup and fans can certainly expect more fireworks when he meets Carvalho on March 13.
Portuguese submission specialist Pedro Carvalho will be entering the Bellator cage for just the fifth time in his eight-year professional career, looking for his seventh consecutive victory and his first world title victory. With victories in nine of his last 11 gasar, including againstDerek noman, Daniel Crawfordand a face crank submission overSam Sicilia a bude zagaye, the 23-year-old SBG Ireland-product is on the cusp of becoming an elite force in the 145-pound division – winning the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix would be the perfect way to solidify it.
Da kan 50 professional fights to his name, Germany’s Daniel Weichel is ready to make his 2020 debut in a highly anticipated grand prix quarterfinal bout with Sanchez, a fighter Weichel got the better of nearly four years ago atBellator 159. Following his Bellator debut in 2014, “Drake” has enjoyed an impressive promotional mark of 9-3, including pivotal victories over Sanchez, Pat Curran,Georgi Karakhanyan da kuma Saul Rogers.
On the heels of yet another masterful performance that ended in a submission victory overTywan Claxtonin the opening round of the grand prix, “El Matador” is ready for another title run as he prepares for the undefeated 50-fight veteran and the man who beat him once before, Daniel Weichel. Since joining forces with Bellator in 2014, the Milwaukee, Wisc. resident has collected 11 victories over a 14-fight stint, including key wins over the likes of Claxton, Daniel Straus, Marcos Galvao and Georgi Karakhanyan (2x).
Updated Bellator 241: Lucenzo, Daddy Yankee vs. CarvalhoBabban Card:
DAZN
10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. Santa
Featherweight World Title Bout/FWGP Quarterfinal:Patricio “Pitbull”Freire (30-4) vs. Pedro Carvalho (11-3)
Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal: Daniel Weichel (40-11) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (19-4)
