Category Archives: mixed martial arts

The FNU Combat Sports Show With MMA Referee Kevin MacDonald

Kevin MacDonald is one of the most knowledgeable and professional referees in Mixed Martial Arts. Just last Sunday he was the third man in the cage for three fights on the UFC Fight Night 81: Dillashaw vs. Cruz card. Our interview covers a wide range of topics, from rule and weight class changes on the horizon to a few behind-the-scenes glimpses into the UFC’s operations. Psychic Tom Padgett and Rabble Rousin’ Rich Bergeron also recap the past week’s combat sports events (including Szpilka vs. Wilder and Cruz vs. Dillashaw) and preview the next UFC event headlined by Anthony Johnson vs. Ryan Bader.

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING AND TALK2LEGENDS PARTNER TO PROVIDE AN UNRIVALED FAN-ATHLETE INTERACTION EXPERIENCE

Chael Sonnen, Bas Rutten, Ray Sefo, Jon Fitch, Jake Shields and nearly 20 other MMA icons will be available for mobile video chats during WSOF27 on Saturday, Jan. 23, live on NBCSN

LAS VEGAS (January 21, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) and Talk2Legends (Talk2Legends.com) today announced an unprecedented partnership that will allow fans to chat live on their iPhone devices with some of their favorite Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes and other celebrity talent, using the latter company’s new mobile app.

The partnership will commence on Saturday, Jan. 23 when over two dozen figures from the World Series of Fighting universe will be available for video chat sessions with fans during the WSOF27: Firmino vs. Fodor event that will air live on NBCSN at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT from the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Available for download in the App Store, the Talk2Legends app also allows fans to share completed chat sessions with friends on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“The partnership between World Series of Fighting and Talk2Legends will enable a fan experience that is unmatched in sports, for a reasonable cost,” said Talk2Legends CEO Ryan Hermansky.

“On January 23, continued Hernansky, “fans will be able to simultaneously watch WSOF27 and get opinions from legends, such as Bas Rutten and Chael Sonnen, and world champions like David Branch and Marlon Moraes.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Talk2Legends and be able to give fans the opportunity to get to know their favorite fighters on a very personal, one-on-one basis,” said World Series of Fighting President, six-time world champion and two-time Hall of Famer Ray Sefo.

Using the Talk2Legends app, fans can purchase credits for video chat sessions, review the list of MMA celebrities that will be available for a five-minute, one-on-one video chat session on January 23, and book sessions based on the talent’s availability that is provided on screen.

The athletes and other celebrity participants have the option of donating revenue they earn in exchange for their participation, to a charity or non-profit foundation of their choice.

The following talent will be available for video chat sessions during WSOF27:

On-air and other talent

Chael Sonnen – Color commentator and retired MMA superstar
Bas Rutten – Color commentator and legendary MMA champion
Ray Sefo – World Series of Fighting President and six-time world champion
Jacob “Stitch” Duran – World Series of Fighting cutman and
Andrea Lowell – Playboy Radio hostess and World Series of Fighting round card girl
Joey Varner – World Series of Fighting roving reporter
Jazz Securo – World Series of Fighting ring announcer
Emily Miller – World Series of Fighting round card girl

World Series of Fighting athletes

David Branch – Reigning light heavyweight and middleweight champion
Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje – Reigning, undefeated lightweight champion
Lance Palmer – Reigning featherweight champion
Marlon Moraes – Reigning bantamweight champion
Jon Fitch – Welterweight superstar
Jake Shields – Welterweight superstar
Jason High – Lightweight superstar
Phoenix Jones – Lightweight rising star
Robbie “Problems” Peralta – Featherweight knockout artist
“Notorious” Nick Newell – Retired lightweight phenom
Mike “Mak” Kyle – Former light heavyweight championship challenger
Joseph Barajas – WSOF28 main event competitor
Patrick Walsh – Light heavyweight prospect
Clifford Starks – Middleweight star
Colton Smith – Lightweight standout and The Ultimate Fighter winner
Mike Corey – Featherweight star
Steve Kozola – Undefeated lightweight star

The Talk2Legends app is expected to be available for Android devices in February.

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING

“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a worldwide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com and follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries.  WSOF and World Series of Fighting are registered trademarks of MMAWC, LLC.

 

WMMAA Pan-American Congress Feb. 5-8 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

 
WMMAA: The future of MMA
MONTE CARLO, Monaco (January 21, 2016) – The second annual World MMA Association (WMMAA) Pan-American Congress will be held February 5–7 at The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Pan-Am Congress focuses on structure to continue building the introduction and rollout of the WMMAA worldwide officials licensing and database with more than 56 countries participating in the Licensing of MMA Officials. The Congress will touch on calendar roll out of the first bachelor’s and master’s degree program for Combat Sports Administration.

The PANAM Multi-Media Committee, led by Univision’s Carlos Fourzan, is working with Communications Director Edgar Camposand Fernando Cuscuela, Co-Founder of EveryPost, on the launch of “ENLACE,” the exclusive correspondent network program through communication faculties around the globe. The WMMAA PANAM has a very unique and progressive way by working with areas of government, sports, tourism, education and national defense.
“The Pan-American Congress is about the WMMAA movement,” WMMAA Pan-American Division President Tomas Yu explained.   It is essentially an education movement and it is for this reason that we encourage efforts to promote the development of MMA at its grassroots. The common denominator of every single/standalone marital art is respect, honor and loyalty. The mixture of martial arts shouldn’t be any different.”
(L-R) – Ernie C’da Baca, Vice President of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, and Tomas Yu, President of the WMMAA Pan-American Division
The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce is located at 1309 4th St. SW in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
 
“We are honored and excited to be able to host the WMMAA and be part of history once again,” Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ernie C’ de Baca said.  “New Mexico has been notorious for its fighting champions in different combat sports, but we also have many business champions! Here at The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, we are the camp behind that business champion.”
 
The Pan-American Congress is held in conjunction with the 2016 PANAM CAMP, where athletes from all of Latin America will be training in Albuquerque from Jan. 27Feb. 8. Leading the MMA Camp is world known Coach Chris Luttrell (The Fight Authority) and conditioning by Curt Chavez (eVOLV Strong).
For additional information or to inquire about participating in this event, please contact Edgar Campos at press.panam@wmmaa.org.
 
The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce President Alex Romero
 
  
(L-R) – The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Alex Romero and WMMAA Pan-American Division President Tomas Yu
 
 
Information
ABOUT WMMAA:  Its goal is to provide proper structure to guardrail the growth of MMA inside & outside the cage.  A non-profit organization founded in 2012, WMMAA is on a mission to develop a standardized and regulated governing organization, including competition, training, officiating, testing and growth when necessary. Its not an easy process, but more than 50 countries have been granted WMMAA membership.

M-1 Grand Prix Tournament relaunched

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 20, 2016) – M-1 Global President Vadim Finkelchtein recently announced the relaunching of its popular series, M-1 Grand Prix Tournament.
“We’ve been preparing this a long time and now we’re happy to officially announce our 2016 M-1 Grand Prix Tournament,” Finkelchtein said.  “This has been a very popular format and fans are always excited about it.  This time we will feature a 4-man tournament, rather than the usual 8-man pairings, because the 4-man version is faster and more entertaining.  We don’t want to bore people with long expectation periods and lessen the risk of occasional injuries and fighter changes in the tournament.”
The first M-1 Grand Prix match of 2016 is set in the middleweight division as three-time Bellator champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko (51-9-0, M-1: 2-0-0) takes on former M-1 Challenge middleweight and light heavyweight titlist Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (27-3-0, M-1: 10-1-0)at M-1 Challenge 64, February 19 at Olympic Stadium in Moscow.
“Well, we were choosing between several offers from different promotions,” explained Shlemenoko’s manager Alexey Zhernakov.  “In the end, we came to the conclusion that M-1 Grand Prix participation is the most interesting option for us at the moment.  Alexander is still under Bellator’s exclusive contract.  Therefore, we had to negotiate with Bellator, which kindly allowed us to sign with M-1 Global.  We expect Alexander Shlemenko to take part in major M-1 Challenge events as they are always organized at a high level and broadly covered by the media.”
M-1 Challenge 64 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register atwww.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

WSOF28: MORAES VS. BARAJAS WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP HITS ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, LIVE ON NBCSN

TICKETS GO ON SALE TOMORROW

LAS VEGAS (January 19, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that reigning bantamweight (135 pounds) champion Marlon Moraes will make the third defense of his coveted title against fast-rising starJoseph Barajas at Next Level Sports Complex in Garden Grove, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 20, live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

In the bantamweight co-main event at WSOF28, Timur “Lucky” Valiev will put his 10-fight win streak on the line against fellow rising star Chris “El Guapo” Gutierrez, who is unbeaten in his last 7 starts.

Priced from $39.99, tickets for WSOF28: Moraes vs. Barajas go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 10 a.m. PT, at WSOF.com.

“Beginning with Marlon Moraes, the top dog in the division, the 135-pound superstars are going to be out in full force with a lot at stake at WSOF28,” saidWorld Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

Marlon Moraes vs. Joseph Barajas

The prolific, 27-year-old Moraes (15-4-1) of Nova Friburgo, Brazil retained his crown for the second time on August 1, 2015, submitting Sheymon Moraes with a rear-naked choke in the third round (3:46) of their matchup.

Since the inaugural World Series of Fighting event on November 12, 2012 when he earned a split decision over decorated superstar Miguel Torres, Moraes, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and former Muay Thai champion,  has been unstoppable defeating several seasoned adversaries along the way, includingTyson Nam, Cody Bollinger, Josh Hill and Josh Rettinghouse, whom Moraes defeated by way of unanimous decision to become the first-ever World Series of Fighting bantamweight kingpin on March 29, 2014.

Barajas (12-1) of Vista, Calif. is coming off his World Series of Fighting debut on November 20, when he scored a third round (4:06) TKO (punches) on Erik Villalobos at WSOF25.

Beginning with his professional debut on February 20, 2011 when he submittedRobert Carlos with a triangle choke in the first round (1:32) of action, Barajas was perfect for over two years, running to 10 consecutive wins, a streak that culminated with his explosive, first round (:51) TKO (punches) of Leonte King on September 21, 2013.

Timur Valiev vs. Chris Gutierrez

Fighting out of the famed Jackson-Winklejohn camp, the 26-year-old Valiev (10-1) of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia has remained undefeated since his second professional start on July 22, 2011, and has racked up four consecutive wins under the World Series of Fighting banner in his last four efforts.

In the first of two appearances in the decagon cage in 2015, Valiev scored a devastating, first round (1:39) TKO on Ed West with a barrage of elbow strikes and punches at WSOF19 on March 28.  Valiev closed out the year with a unanimous decision victory over Tito Jones at WSOF23 on September 18.

The number one ranked bantamweight in the state of Oklahoma, Gutierrez (8-1-1) of Greenville, Texas is a ferocious, 24-year-old striker who has earned five of his eight professional career wins by way of TKO, with each of the five finishes having come with an onslaught of punches.

Gutierrez is coming off his second straight, unbeaten year as a professional, claiming two wins in 2015.  In his last start, he earned a unanimous decision overBendy Casimir on August 22.

Additional WSOF28 bouts will be announced soon.

West Coast Fighting in Sacramento this Saturday

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – This Saturday mixed martial arts fans will pour into the McClellan Conference Center in Sacramento for West Coast Fighting Championship 16.

 

The 13-bout card features a main event that’s been dubbed “King of Sacramento” pitting local favorites Max Griffin and David Mitchell.

 

“It wasn’t easy, but we were able to put it together,” West Coast Fighting Championship matchmaker Jeremy Luchau said. “There was a lot that had to be negotiated between Max and David, but ultimately I feel like both guys were able to concede in some areas to make the fight happen.”

 

The showdown will take place at a catch weight of 175 pounds and although a non-title affair will be contested with a possible five rounds.

 

Griffin (11-2) is the current West Coast Fighting 170-pound champ and former Tachi Palace Fights welterweight kingpin. Meanwhile, Mitchell (19-5) has held titles for the promotion at middleweight and heavyweight.

 

“I’m not sure there’s been a more significant fight booked in that region in a long time,” said Luchau, who has served as the West Coast Fighting matchmaker since early 2015. “I really believe that with a victory, one of these guys should get the call.”

 

In the co-main event, an equally impressive tilt takes place pitting Sacramento’s Josh Emmett against Sothern California’s Christos Giagos.

 

“Emmett has been the man in the region for a long, long time,” Luchau said of the 8-0 Team Alpha Male product. “He has pretty much run the course of competition in the region, defeated all comers and is now looking to make that jump to the next level.”

 

He will have to do so against the well-versed Giagos (11-4), who held titles at both Tachi Palace Fights and Resurrection Fighting Alliance, before being cut from the Ultimate Fighting Championship after going 1-2.

 

“Giagos is a game opponent and was just the what the Emmett camp was looking for to give them that boost to the next level,” Luchau said. “It’s another fight where I feel like the UFC could be the next step for either guy.”

 

A pair of local heavyweights will vie for the newly vacant strap, as Josh Appelt (11-5) takes on Roy Boughton (12-6).

 

A pair of UFC vets will also be featured on the undercard, as Turlock welterweight and UFC vet Lewis Gonzalez (10-2) fights Ty Freeman (9-4) and hard-hitting, UFC vet Scott Smith (18-10) clashes with Bellator vet Baesman (17-8).

 

For ticketing and streaming information visit www.westcoastfighting.com

 

M-1 Grand Prix 2016 Alexander Shlemenko vs. Vyacheslav Vasilevsky To headline M-1 Challenge 64, Feb. 19 in Moscow

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 17, 2016) – M-1 Global has officially announced the launching of the 2016 M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Tournament series. The first match will be a showdown at M-1 Challenge 64, February 19 at Olympic Stadium in Moscow between three-time Bellator champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko and former M-1 Challenge middleweight and light heavyweight titlist Vyacheslav Vasilevsky
The dream battle between Russian favorites Shlemenko (51-9-0, M-1: 2-0-0) and Vasilevsky (27-3-0, M-1: 10-1-0), featuring two of the most respected strikers in the middleweight division, strengthens an already explosive M-1 Challenge 64 card that includes an M-1 Challenge heavyweight title fight.
M-1 Global’s newly-signed Alexander “Drago” Volkov (24-6-0, M-1: 8-3-0), of Russia, battles powerful Estonian challenger Denis Smoldaraev (11-1-0, M-1: 7-1-0) for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship.
Known as one of the strongest and most popular fighters in Russia, Schlemenko has knocked out 29 opponents, while the equally dangerous Vasilevsky is a five-time combat Sambo World Champion.
 
M-1 Challenge 64 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register atwww.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
 
Another previously announced main card match is a M-1 Challenge bantamweight semifinal eliminator, Pavel Vitruk(12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0) facing Sergey Morozov (4-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0) with the winner advancing to fight for the vacant M-1 Challenge bantamweight title with the victor of a soon-to-be announced second title eliminator
Information

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INJURY TO AUGUSTO SAKAI ALTERS ‘BELLATOR 150: GALVAO VS. DANTAS 2’ CO-MAIN EVENT

 

 

ALSO: LENA OVCHYNNIKOVA SET FOR BELLATOR MMA DEBUT

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (January 15, 2015) – An injury to Augusto Sakai has derailed his previously announced pairing with Cheick Kongo (23-10-2) during “Bellator 150: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” at Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas. As a result, Vinicius Queiroz (8-3) has agreed to fight Kongo in the co-main event on February 26.

 

In addition, the main card will feature the Bellator MMA debut of newly signed women’s flyweight Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3), when she meets Rebecca Ruth (5-1).

 

Bellator MMA’s Bantamweight Championship will be on the line at “Bellator 150: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” in a rematch pitting Marcos “Loro” Galvao(17-6-1) against former champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas (17-4) and hometown favorite, David Rickels (16-4, 1 NC) will return to action against Bobby Cooper (12-5).

 

The contests make up the televised portion of “Bellator 150: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” which airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App.

 

Tickets for “Bellator 150: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” which start at just $27, are on sale now at KansasStarEventCenter.com or Ticketmaster.com, as well as the Kansas Star Arena box office.

 

Kongo will be making his eighth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, looking to add to his impressive promotional mark of 5-2. The Paris native has fought a who’s who in the mixed martial arts landscape, with notable wins against Mirko Cro Cop, Pat Barry, Matt Mitrione, and Alexander Volkov already on his record. In his last outing – which just so happened to be inside the Kansas Star Arena — Kongo impressively defeated Volkov via unanimous decision.

 

After nearly two years out of action, Queiroz returned to the Bellator MMA cage against Ewerton Teixeira at “Bellator 139: Kongo vs. Volkov,” defeating his Brazilian opponent via second round arm-triangle choke. “Spartan” hopes to plant the seeds for a busy 2016 with the matchup against Kongo, where a win can undoubtedly place him in the midst of the heavyweight title picture.

 

Hailing from Ukraine, Ovchynnikova will enter the fray fresh off a new exclusive, multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. “Hunter” has previously fought the likes of Joanne Calderwood and at only 28-years-old has already competed professionally since 2006. Now, Ovchynnikova looks to solidify herself as a top contender in the budding women’s flyweight division on February 26 against a tough foe in Ruth.

 

“Becky” Ruth was undefeated in 2015, winning all three of her matchups by echnical knockout under the Shamrock Fighting Championships banner. The lone loss on the Missouri native’s record came against Resurrection Fighting Alliance champion Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger, via controversial split decision.

 

The “Bellator 150: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” undercard has also nearly been completed, with the announcement of eight pairings which are listed below. An undefeated Bellator MMA prospect will be in action during the preliminary portion of the event, when Gaston Reyno (5-0) returns to the cage with the intent of keeping his unblemished record intact.

 

Updated “Bellator 150: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” Fight Card:

 

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title Main Event: Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Cheick Kongo (23-10-2) vs. Vinicius Queiroz (8-3)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Feature Bout: Dave Rickels (16-4, 1 NC) vs. Bobby Cooper (12-5)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Feature Bout: Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3) vs. Rebecca Ruth (5-1)

 

Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Gregory Babene (16-11) vs. Trey Houston (11-3)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature Bout: Gaston Reyno (5-0) vs. Chuka Willis (6-2)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Daniel Gallemore (4-3) vs. Frederick Brown (3-2)      

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Chris Harris (4-0) vs. Julian Marquez (2-0)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Feature Bout: Marcio Navarro (14-11) vs. Henry Lindsay (4-5)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature Bout: Thai Clark (5-0) vs. Deron Carlis (4-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Bout: Manny Meraz (7-1) vs. Andre Fialho (5-0)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Feature Bout: Jason Witt (7-2) vs. Jonathan Gary (11-6)

BELLATOR MMA AND OKTAGON KICKBOXING ANNOUNCE MULTIPLE STAR ATHLETES WHO ARE SET TO COMPETE DURING CO-PROMOTED EVENT AT PALA ALPITOUR IN TORINO, ITALY ON APRIL 16, 2016

OKTAGON-2016---RogersvSakara_La-Sfida-3

Jan15TorinoPresser_fighters

Above (L to R): Belluardo, Sakara, Yankova, Rogers, Manhoef

CLICK FOR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

TORINO (Jan. 15, 2015) – New details were revealed this afternoon regarding the co-promotion between Bellator MMA and Oktagon Kickboxing. The partnership is set to take place on April 16, 2016, when the two combat sports promotions join forces at the Pala Alpitour in Torino, Italy.

Oktagon Kickboxing President Carlo Di Blasi was joined at Comune Di Torino this afternoon by several of the world-class fighters slated to take part in the highly anticipated event including Alessio Sakara and Brian Rogers who will face one another in a light heavyweight MMA match up.  Also in attendance this afternoon was Dutch knockout machine Melvin Manhoef, who will be competing in a kickboxing match up, and mixed martial artists Danilo Belluardo of Milan and Anastasia Yankova of Russia.

Although they were not in attendance at today’s press conference, it was announced that one of MMA’s most promising young prospects, A.J. McKee will be fighting Belluardo, and kickboxing standouts Raymond Daniels and Kevin Ross will be competing as well on April 16.

The event will feature both Bellator MMA and Oktagon Kickboxing bouts, with the Bellator MMA portion airing in the United States on SPIKE. Exact broadcast information and fight card will be announced in the near future.

Bellator MMA President Scott Coker was unable to be in Italy for this announcement, but added: “We are beyond excited to be announcing the participation of these incredible athletes alongside Carlo Di Blasi.  This is an incredible indication of the amazing show that we are putting together, and there is so much more to come!”

Oktagon Kickboxing President Carlo Di Blasi said: “When Scott Coker confirmed me of the coming of Bellator MMA in the Olympic city of Turin with Oktagon kickboxing I immediately thought this is actually the biggest hit ever in European history of fighting sport.

“The expectations are really high and I am sure the spectators at venue and on TV will keep this enthusiasm during the whole show.”

 

On April 16, Italy’s own Alessio Sakara will be making his first appearance for Bellator MMA and looking to build upon his first-round TKO victory this past September. “Legionarius” has competed at 185-pounds for a majority of his nearly 14-year career but going forward the 34-year-old will be facing opponents at light heavyweight. With wins against Joe Vedepo, Thales Leites, and James Irvin already on his record, Sakara will have plenty to fight for when he enters the fray in front of a partisan crowd on April 16. It’s worth noting that Sakara has also taken professional boxing tilts, compiling a record of 8-1 with six wins coming by way of knockout.

Sakara’s opponent Rogers recently moved up in weight classes, making the jump from 185 to 205-pounds. The 31-year-old Strikeforce veteran has been competing under the Bellator MMA banner since 2011 and has had 11 fights along the way. Most recently, “The Professional Predator” finished Virgil Zwicker via arm-triangle choke, putting the exceptional roster of Bellator MMA light heavyweights on notice. Now, the Denver, CO. based slugger looks to add to his impressive record of finishing fights when competes for the first time in 2016.

 

The 20-year-old McKee undoubtedly has the attention of everyone in the MMA world after a 3-0 start to his career, and for good reason.  The son of respected MMA veteran, Antonio McKee, A.J. fights with fearlessly aggressive, unorthodox approach that results in pure excitement and has fans and media alike clamoring for more. He will be facing Belluardo (5-1), who is sure to have the Italian fans in full support of his effort.

 

With his stoppage of up-and-coming Bellator MMA middleweight contender Hisaki Kato at the conclusion of 2015, the 39-year-old Manhoef has proven once again that he has plenty left in the tank. “No Mercy” has competed in more than 100 professional bouts during his combat sports tenure, with more than 50 of his victories coming by way of knockout. Look for that trend to continue when the dangerous striker returns to action in Northern Italy.

It’s easy to classify Anastasia Yankova as “just another pretty face,” but the 24-year-old Russian Muay Thai Champion has the fighting skills to more than match her good looks. Undefeated thus far in her budding MMA career, the Moscow native has attacked the limbs of both her opponents and earned early submission stoppages, piquing the interest of promotions around the globe. Ultimately, the Akademiya Box product recently signed a long-term contract with Bellator MMA, which continues to build out its impressive women’s flyweight division.

The 35-year-old Ross is a highly regarded American Muay-Thai kickboxer. Ross has racked up a slew of championships during his 52-fight career, including the WBC Muay-Thai USA welterweight title, the WBC Muay-Thai International Super-lightweight title and the Lion Fight Super Lightweight Championship. Known also as “The Soul Assassin,” Ross is working on a transition into the sport of MMA.

Daniels is a multi-time champion karate fighter who made a name for himself under the now defunct World Combat League banner. A confident, explosive striker who owns some of the most highlight-reel worthy knockouts in kickboxing history, Daniels has only been defeated four times in over 29 appearances while competing in some iteration of combat sports. Now, “The Real Deal” looks to showcase why he proudly wears the acronym “G.O.A.T.” on the back of his tights when he fights in Torino, Italy on April 16.

2015 was a record-shattering year for the Scott Coker-led Bellator promotion. The success was powered by several major events including “Bellator 138: Unfinished Business,” which generated 2.9 million viewers and “Bellator: Dynamite 1,” which set company records for attendance and gate. The April 16 event in Torino marks Bellator’s first-ever event overseas, but it won’t be the last, as the promotion has announced plans for additional international events in London and Israel slated for later this year.