Category Archives: MMA

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

BELLATOR MMA 257 VIRTUAL MEDIA AVAILABILITY QUOTES

Plaub Hlis Ntuj 16, 2021 FNU47 Cia ib saib

“I want to be the first one to finish Phil Davis in his life,” – Nemkov

“He’s coming to make a statement that he is the rightful champion. And I am coming to say, ‘No you not!’” – Davis

“The plan is to go out there and dominate, win in the best fashion and get to him before he gets to me,” – Anderson

“I can fight with anybody in this tournament,” – Yagshimuradov

NEW YORK – April 14, 2021 – Newly-crowned light heavyweight kingVadim Nemkov thiab tsis. 2 Nyob Ruaj NtsegPhil Davis previewed their BELLATOR MMA on SHOWTIME main event fight during a virtual media availability Wednesday. In an anticipated rematch three years in the making, Nemkov and Davis will battle for both the light heavyweight strap and to advance to the semifinals of the BELLATOR MMA Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix live on SHOWTIME on Friday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 17 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

BELLATOR MMA 257: Nemkov vs. Davis 2 is the third of three straight weeks of BELLATOR MMA action on SHOWTIME and begins live at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Completing the stacked main card are three other must-watch bouts, including No. 3 ranked Tus tub rog thiab Anderson welcoming the highly-touted Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov to the BELLATOR cage in a Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal matchup, a 175-pound contract weight bout between MMA legend Paul Daley and the always-exciting Sabah Homasi and a women’s flyweight contest matching Veta Arteaga tiv thaiv Desiree Yananez.

SHOWTIME is offering viewers who are new to the SHOWTIME streaming service a 30-day free trial, followed by a discounted monthly subscription fee of $4.99/month for the next six months. Viewers can sign up atSHO.com/BellatorMMA.

Ntawm no yog li cas rau neeg tua hluav taws yuav tsum tau hais Wednesday:

Vadim Nemkov, BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Champion

NyemNTAWM NO to view Nemkov’s full media session

“Yes, I am entering the Grand Prix as a champion but I try to move those things out of my head, so I’m entering the tournament like a regular fighter and I just want to win. Rau kuv, it’s much more important to win this tournament right now. Not the belt.

“I want to win this tournament. I want to prove myself to everybody. I’m in my prime age right now. I already have a lot of experience. I’m well prepared for this tournament and because I’m younger, that’s even more of a plus for me.

“I’m very glad that I have three fights this year to defend my title. That’s really good for me to fight a lot and to prove that I am the best. That I am a champion. Not wasting any time. I’m really happy that these other legends in the tournament want my belt and I have a chance to fight with them and prove that I am better.

“I’m ready to fight with Phil Davis for five rounds. I’m prepared for it. But I want to finish it. I don’t want to spend five rounds with Phil Davis and I want to be the first one to finish him in his life.”

Phil Davis, BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Competitor

*NyemNTAWM NO to view Davis’ full media session

"Ua siab ncaj, it’s sort of cliché but the toughest test in this tournament would be Nemkov. He’s champion for a reason. He’s a tough cat and he’s the guy to beat. I want to get this light heavyweight belt and then after that, clean up the rest of the tournament.

“This fight is going to be crazy. I can promise you that. With Nemkov, you know when you skate by with a win. Lub sij hawm no, he’s coming to make a statement that he is the rightful champion. And I am coming to say, ‘No you not!’ It’s definitely going to be a very aggressive and exciting fight.

“I look back at that loss and I never would wish I would lose, tab sis nyob rau tib lub sij hawm, I do feel like it adds a little more theatrics to this moment and how sweet it would be to win the belt back from a very close decision in such an amazing light heavyweight tournament.

“All of those matchups [rematches with Nemkov, Johnson, Bader] are freaking awesome. I am definitely motivated to avenge a loss but I am just more motivated about winning this tournament because it has some of the who’s who of the sport and of the light heavyweight division. Whoever wins this, the fans will say, ‘That guy is freaking awesome. You went head-to-head with all the killers in this division.’

“I think it’s a mistake to think that you know a guy or think that you know what he’s going to do. I approach it almost as a brand-new fighter, brand-new fight. It keeps me from falling into the trap of underestimating him or maybe thinking he didn’t improve in certain areas. I have limited knowledge of what you like to do and what I think your plan of attack will be and my job is just to come at you with a blank slate because a lot of times, especially with rematches, they tend to be completely different from the first one.”

Tus tub rog thiab Anderson, BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix competitor

*NyemNTAWM NO to view Anderson’s full media session

“The re-focus is back. I spent so much time with my son during the quarantine. Watching him grow and building that relationship and just remembering that every move I make is for my family so I can give them a better life. I need to go out there and be smart about it. Now that I have two with my baby girl, and not only having her as a baby but delivering the baby myself, it just put a whole different aspect on everything.

“The moment I got the release and everything settled from UFC and signed with BELLATOR, I knew I was valued more over here already before even meeting anybody. My manager let people know that we got out of UFC and within an hour, hour-and-a-half, BELLATOR hit us with a huge offer that we couldn’t pass. The people I was with at the time were like, ‘Yo, if you don’t take that money you are stupid.’ So, we took that and that showed me how much they valued me as a fighter. In a matter of 24 teev, a new promotion had offered me my worth in money, actually reached out and talked to me and then they wanted to meet with my face-to-face. That’s something that in my seven years in UFC, I still hadn’t had a face-to-face meeting with Dana White.

“I go into training camp and I look at my training partners like I’m going to look at my opponent. Pom zoo, I’m not going out there to hurt them. I don’t plan on hurting my opponent if I don’t have to in the fight. But the plan is to go out there and dominate and win in the best fashion and get to him before he gets to me. It can be the No. 1 ranked guy or the lowest ranked guy in the world, but the plan is to go out there and fight like Corey Anderson fights. Go out there and be the mixed martial artist that you train to be every day.

“He was the champ somewhere else. He is legitimate enough to be in this tournament with the other seven fighters. Nrog cov uas raug hais tias, I’m not going in there and looking past him because he’s not a name we know. I’m not looking in there thinking that I because I was in the UFC and I fought at the top that this guy is not ready. I’m going out there thinking this guy is as dangerous as anybody else. He has two fists. He has two legs, two eyes and two ears. He can hear, see and throw whatever he wants to throw when he sees it.

“BELLATOR’s light heavyweight division has all the numbers. We have all the skills. We have all the names. Nyob rau hauv 205 over there in UFC, all you really have right now is the champ and Glover. People over here already beat both of those guys. It’s kind of like, it shouldn’t even be a question.”

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Competitor

NyemNTAWM NO to view Yagshimuradov’s full media session

“Sometimes I don’t even know how to describe my own fighting style. It’s some kind of weird style. Usually, I start adapting to my opponent during the fight. If the guy tries to wrestle, I strike with him. If the guy tries to strike, I wrestle with him.

“I don’t like to predict the fights, especially my own fights. It’s easier to predict somebody else’s fight but it’s hard to say what’s going to happen. Everything about what is going to happen is going to be shown Friday night in the cage. The only thing I can tell you about what I’m going to do is I’m going to go out there and fight with the guy.

“I don’t feel any kind of pressure because there are a lot of big names in this tournament. It’s only names. They are still fighters even though they may be more known fighters and more promoted fighters than me. In my career, I’ve fought competition that’s not worse and, in some moments, even better than these guys. I have really good experience so I can fight with any of them.

“I think Yoel Romero would the guy I’d like to fight. It’s not like I really want to fight him or there’s something special about this fight, but I was always a fan of his fight style and the way he acts in the public. I kind of respect this guy so if you ask me who I would like to fight from this tournament, it would be Yoel Romero.”

Paul Daley, BELLATOR Welterweight

*NyemNTAWM NO to view Daley’s full media session

“In regards to Homasi saying he’s not fazed by my record, I think he has to say that for his confidence. I know already that he’s nervous. He’s already doubting himself. It’s a big change from the interview when we were supposed to fight pre-COVID when he was saying that he was a fan of me and he’s been watching me fight for a while. That just tells me that he’s nervous about the fight and it’s just for his confidence that he’s saying stuff like that. Just to reassure him that he deserves to be in there with me.

“Who knows what’s next. I’m just here to fight Friday night and put on a fantastic performance. Stop the guy. Take him out of there and leave no questions to my ability and just put on a great show.

“I’m just looking forward to fighting regardless of who’s in there with me on Friday night. It just so happens that it’s going to be Sabah. Rau ntawm daim ntawv, he should bring it. It should be a standup war but I don’t think it’s going to be as much of a war while standing and I think there’s going to be quite a few takedown attempts.

“Very few people who meet me have the same idea as prior to meeting me. Everybody thinks I’m this psychotic fighting machine but deep down I’m a martial artist. What brought me to martial arts was ninjas. That is what got me into martial arts. It wasn’t the fact that I was some kind of street fighter. I just wanted to be a ninja. I wanted to disappear. I wanted to do the meditation things. Intertwine my fingers and summon a dragon or something like that. Deep down, I’m a martial artist and that’s what keeps me going. It’s the endless search of perfection that drives me. I just want to be the best martial artist I can be. I’ve just recently been awarded my black belt in Brazilian jiujutsu and I’m still here in BELLATOR competing against these guys after so many fights and so many years in the game.”

Sabah Homasi, BELLATOR Welterweight

*NyemNTAWM NO to view Homasi’s full media session

“After this win, I see myself just climbing the ladder. Getting closer to a title shot.

“It’s more of a mental state with me. Something mentally clicked for me and I’m putting everything together now. I have the skillset. Everything is coming together and it’s perfect timing for me.

“I just have to respect his power. But he has to respect mine too. Lwm yam tshaj li ntawd, I see myself beating him everywhere. I don’t care how many fights he has. I fought people with more fights than him. I do it every day in the gym and to me this is just a fight.”

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

UPDATED OFFICIAL BELLATOR MMA™ FIGHTER RANKINGS

Plaub Hlis Ntuj 14, 2021 FNU47 Cia ib saib

MAJOR SHAKEUP IN RANKINGS FOR MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT, WOMEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND DIVISIONS

Nyem no for additional information detailing fighter eligibility, as well as additional voting criteria.

MEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND 1. Patricio Pitbull (32-4)2. Vadim Nemkov (12-2)3. Gegard Mousasi (47-7-2)4. Ryan Bader (28-6, 1 NC)5. Juan Archuleta (25-2)6. Douglas Lima (32-8)7. AJ McKee (17-0)8. Phil Davis (22-5)9. Tus tub rog thiab Anderson (14-5)10. Yaroslav amosov (25-0)	WOMEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND 1. Cis Cyberg (23-2, 1 NC)2. Juliana Velasquez (11-0)3. Ilima-Lei MacFarlane (11-1)4. Julia Budd (14-3)5. Arlene Blencowe (13-8)6. Liz Carmouche (15-7) ∆17. Denise Kielholtz (6-2) ∇18. Cat Zingano (12-4) ∆19. Kana Watanabe (10-0-1) ∇110. Leslie Smith (12-8-1)	MEN’S HEAVYWEIGHT C. Ryan Bader (28-6)1. Timothy Johnson (15-6)2. Cheick Kongo (30-11-2)3. Valentin Moldavsky (10-1)4. Tyrell hmoov (10-1)5. Fedor Emelianenko (39-6)6. Linton Vassell (20-8)7. Steven Mowry (8-0)8. Matt Mitrione (13-8)9. Sergei Kharitonov (32-8)10. Javy Ayala (11-8)
MEN’S LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTC. Vadim Nemkov (12-2)1. Ryan Bader (28-6, 1 NC)2. Phil Davis (22-5, 1 NC)3. Tus tub rog thiab Anderson (14-5)4. Lyoto Machida (26-11)5. Julius Angickas (9-1)6. Pab Neal (5-0)7. Christian Edwards (4-0)8. Tyree Fortune (5-0)9. Melvin Manhoef (32-15-1)10. Alex Polizzi (7-1)	MEN’S MIDDLEWEIGHTC. Gegard Mousasi (47-7-2)1. John Salter (18-4)2. Anatoly Tokov (29-2)3. Austin Vanderford (10-0)4. Fabian Edwards (9-1)5. Costello van Steenis (13-2)6. Johnny Eblen (7-0)7. Charlie Pawg (9-4)8. Mike Shipman (14-3)9. Romero Cotton (5-0)10. Thiab Ruth (8-3)	MEN’S WELTERWEIGHTC. Douglas Lima (32-8)1. Yaroslav amosov (25-0)2. Michael Page (18-1)3. Jason Jackson (14-4)4. Neiman Gracie (10-2)5. Logan Storley (11-1)6. Derek Anderson (17-3)7. Joey Davis (8-0)8. Sabah Homasi (15-8)9. Oliver Enkamp (10-2)10. Jaleel Willis (14-2)
MEN’S LIGHTWEIGHTC. Patricio Pitbull (32-4)1. Brent Primus (10-1)2. Patricky Pitbull (23-9)3. Yamauchi li (25-5)4. Benson Henderson (28-10)5. Sidney Outlaw (15-4)6. Myles Jury (19-5)7. Adas Piccolot (12-4)8. Alfie Davis (14-3)9. Dan Moret (15-6) NR10. Aviv Gozali (5-0) ∇1	MEN’S FEATHERWEIGHTC. Patricio Pitbull (32-4)1. AJ McKee (17-0)2. Emmanuel Sanchez (20-5)3. Adam Borics (17-1)4. Pedro Carvalho (11-4)5. Daniel Weichel (40-12)6. Aaron Pico (7-3)7. Jay Jay Wilson (7-0)8. Jeremy Kennedy (16-3, 1 NC)9. Tywan Claxton (6-2)10. Mads Burnell (14-3)	MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTC. Juan Archuleta (25-2)1. Sergio Pettis (20-5)2. PUASDRY MIX (13-1)3. Magomed Magomedov (18-1) ∆14. Raufeon Stots (15-1) ∇15. James Gallagher (11-1)6. Leandro Higo (20-5)7. Josh Hill (20-3)8. Jornel Lugo (6-0) ∆29. Cass Bell (5-2) ∇110. Brian moore (13-7) NR
WOMEN’S FEATHERWEIGHTC. Cis Cyberg (23-2, 1 NC)1. Julia Budd (14-3)2. Arlene Blencowe (13-8)3. Cat Zingano (12-4)4. Leslie Smith (12-8-1)5. Sinead kavanua (7-4)6. Janay Harding (6-4)7. Amanda Bell (7-7) ∆18. Leah McCourt (4-1) ∇19. Olga Rubin (6-2)10. Jessy Miele (9-5)	WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHTC. Juliana Velasquez (11-0)1. Ilima-Lei MacFarlane (11-1)2. Liz Carmouche (15-7)3. Kana Watanabe (10-0-1) ∆14. Denise Kielholtz (6-2) ∇15. ALEJANDRA LARA (9-4)6. Kate Jackson (11-5-1)7. Veta Arteaga (5-4)8. Mandy Böhm (7-0)9. Valerie Loureda (3-0)10. Brown Ellen (5-3)

Thov mus saibBellator.com rau cov lus qhia ntxiv.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR 256: BADER VS. MACHIDA 2

Plaub Hlis Ntuj 14, 2021 FNU47 Cia ib saib

Ib daim duab muaj cov ntawv nyeem, tus neeg

Kev piav qhia cia li tsim tawm — Complete Fight Night Photos Here
Post-Fight Interviews available on the BELLATOR PR YouTube Channel

**UNCASVILLE, Conn. -** *Bellator 256: Bader vs. Machida 2* is officially in the books.

The BELLATOR MMA Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix rolls on as *Bellator MMA* returns next Friday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 16 on SHOWTIME, thaum **Vadim Nemkov** defends his light heavyweight world title against former championPhil Davis thiab **Tus tub rog thiab Anderson** welcomes **Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov** to the BELLATOR Cage in the event’s co-headliner. The opening round culminates on SHOWTIME on May 7 thaum **Anthony “Rumble” Johnson** thiab **Yoel Romero** square off at *BELLATOR MMA 258*, a massive event headlined by a bantamweight world title fight featuring **Juan Archuleta** vs. **Sergio Pettis**.

*BELLATOR MMA 256: Bader vs. Machida 2* Main Card:
#1-**Ryan Bader** (28-6, 1 NC) yeej #4-**Lyoto Machida** (26-11) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (49-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Bader “I don’t know who I’d rather face next. I don’t know much about [Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov] but I know Corey [Anderson] really well. I brought him in for training camps for Phil Davis. He’s a good guy so I’m rooting for him. But if I have to fight him, I know he’s tough. I’m in this tournament and I ran through another tournament before. I had fun so that’s why I came down here. It doesn’t matter who’s in my way. I want that belt back and this was the first step right here.

“There’s redemption this whole tournament. I got one back on Machida but I’ve lost to Nemkov and I’ve lost to Anthony Johnson, so I would like to meet one of them in the finals. But honestly, to make it to the finals and fight for the belt, I’d be happy with whoever it is.”

#2-**Liz Carmouche** (15-7) yeej **Vanessa Porto** (22-8) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Carmouche: “As soon as they say I’m clear and I’m good, I’m ready to get right back into fighting camp and go for the belt. If I don’t get a title shot, I’d be disappointed of course. I came in here with the hopes that I would work up the ranks to fight for the title. I just need to know what I need to do. You tell me who I need to beat to get that fight and I’ll do it. I certainly hope that taking somebody who has more fights than I do and beating her tonight would put me in contention for that belt.”

#3-**Adam Borics** (17-1) swb # 8-**Jeremy Kennedy** (16-3, 1 NC) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Borics: “I don’t care who my next opponent is, but just give me the winner of the [Featherweight World Grand Prix] kev sib tw. I’m definitely next in line. My goal is to get the winner but let’s see what BELLATOR wants. I am really happy I got this opportunity to fight during these crazy times. I feel that I am ready for a title. I have eight or nine fights with BELLATOR so yes, I would like to fight for the title next.”

#3-**Cat Zingano** (12-4) yeej **Olivia Parker** (4-2) ntawm cuav (armbar) ntawm 2:56 ntawm puag ncig ib
Zingano: “I want to go against the best. I know who’s the best. I know these two girls [Cris Cyborg and Leslie Smith] have a fight coming up in a couple months and I’d love to get a shot at the belt over here in BELLATOR. That would mean a lot to me.”

**Dan Moret** (15-6) yeej #3-**Yamauchi li** (25-5) ntawm cais kev txiav txim siab (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Rising welterweight star **Jaron “Boots” Ennis** was interviewed on the telecast ahead of his SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event debut tomorrow night against former 140-pound world champion Sergey Lipinets.

“You’re going to see a lot of speed, hwj chim, and me having fun. It’s about making statements and getting knockouts at the end of the night,” said the 23-year-old Ennis, who will be taking on the toughest challenge of his career in Lipinets as he pursues a world title shot. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for me to headline my first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and it’s the start of me being a pay-per-view star. It’s only up after this. It’s time for me to do my thing tomorrow night.”

**Preliminary Card:**
**Dalton Rosta** (5-0) yeej **Tony Johnson** (9-3) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
**Talita Nogueira** (8-2) yeej **Jessica Borga** (3-3) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
#10-**Jornel Lugo** (6-0) yeej #8-**Cass Bell** (5-2) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
**Cody Txoj Cai** (3-0) yeej **Nathan Ghareeb** (2-1) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
**Jaylon Bates** (2-0) yeej **Jeffrey Glossner** (2-2) ntawm cuav (guillotine) ntawm 1:27 ntawm round ob
**Nainoa Dung** (4-2) yeej **Izzy William** (4-4) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
**Diana Avsaragova** (3-0) yeej **Tara Graff** (1-3) ntawm knockout (punches) ntawm :29 ntawm puag ncig ib
**John Douma** (5-2) yeej **Will Smith** (3-3) ntawm cais kev txiav txim siab (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Thov mus saib Bellator.com rau cov lus qhia ntxiv.

Diagram

Description automatically generated — Complete Fight Night Photos Here
Post-Fight Interviews available on the BELLATOR PR YouTube Channel

**UNCASVILLE, Conn. -** *Bellator 256: Bader vs. Machida 2* is officially in the books.

The BELLATOR MMA Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix rolls on as *Bellator MMA* returns next Friday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 16 on SHOWTIME, thaum **Vadim Nemkov** defends his light heavyweight world title against former championPhil Davis thiab **Tus tub rog thiab Anderson** welcomes **Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov** to the BELLATOR Cage in the event’s co-headliner. The opening round culminates on SHOWTIME on May 7 thaum **Anthony “Rumble” Johnson** thiab **Yoel Romero** square off at *BELLATOR MMA 258*, a massive event headlined by a bantamweight world title fight featuring **Juan Archuleta** vs. **Sergio Pettis**.

*BELLATOR MMA 256: Bader vs. Machida 2* Main Card:
#1-**Ryan Bader** (28-6, 1 NC) yeej #4-**Lyoto Machida** (26-11) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (49-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Bader “I don’t know who I’d rather face next. I don’t know much about [Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov] but I know Corey [Anderson] really well. I brought him in for training camps for Phil Davis. He’s a good guy so I’m rooting for him. But if I have to fight him, I know he’s tough. I’m in this tournament and I ran through another tournament before. I had fun so that’s why I came down here. It doesn’t matter who’s in my way. I want that belt back and this was the first step right here.

“There’s redemption this whole tournament. I got one back on Machida but I’ve lost to Nemkov and I’ve lost to Anthony Johnson, so I would like to meet one of them in the finals. But honestly, to make it to the finals and fight for the belt, I’d be happy with whoever it is.”

#2-**Liz Carmouche** (15-7) yeej **Vanessa Porto** (22-8) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Carmouche: “As soon as they say I’m clear and I’m good, I’m ready to get right back into fighting camp and go for the belt. If I don’t get a title shot, I’d be disappointed of course. I came in here with the hopes that I would work up the ranks to fight for the title. I just need to know what I need to do. You tell me who I need to beat to get that fight and I’ll do it. I certainly hope that taking somebody who has more fights than I do and beating her tonight would put me in contention for that belt.”

#3-**Adam Borics** (17-1) swb # 8-**Jeremy Kennedy** (16-3, 1 NC) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Borics: “I don’t care who my next opponent is, but just give me the winner of the [Featherweight World Grand Prix] kev sib tw. I’m definitely next in line. My goal is to get the winner but let’s see what BELLATOR wants. I am really happy I got this opportunity to fight during these crazy times. I feel that I am ready for a title. I have eight or nine fights with BELLATOR so yes, I would like to fight for the title next.”

#3-**Cat Zingano** (12-4) yeej **Olivia Parker** (4-2) ntawm cuav (armbar) ntawm 2:56 ntawm puag ncig ib
Zingano: “I want to go against the best. I know who’s the best. I know these two girls [Cris Cyborg and Leslie Smith] have a fight coming up in a couple months and I’d love to get a shot at the belt over here in BELLATOR. That would mean a lot to me.”

**Dan Moret** (15-6) yeej #3-**Yamauchi li** (25-5) ntawm cais kev txiav txim siab (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Rising welterweight star **Jaron “Boots” Ennis** was interviewed on the telecast ahead of his SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event debut tomorrow night against former 140-pound world champion Sergey Lipinets.

“You’re going to see a lot of speed, hwj chim, and me having fun. It’s about making statements and getting knockouts at the end of the night,” said the 23-year-old Ennis, who will be taking on the toughest challenge of his career in Lipinets as he pursues a world title shot. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for me to headline my first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and it’s the start of me being a pay-per-view star. It’s only up after this. It’s time for me to do my thing tomorrow night.”

**Preliminary Card:**
**Dalton Rosta** (5-0) yeej **Tony Johnson** (9-3) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
**Talita Nogueira** (8-2) yeej **Jessica Borga** (3-3) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
#10-**Jornel Lugo** (6-0) yeej #8-**Cass Bell** (5-2) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
**Cody Txoj Cai** (3-0) yeej **Nathan Ghareeb** (2-1) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
**Jaylon Bates** (2-0) yeej **Jeffrey Glossner** (2-2) ntawm cuav (guillotine) ntawm 1:27 ntawm round ob
**Nainoa Dung** (4-2) yeej **Izzy William** (4-4) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
**Diana Avsaragova** (3-0) yeej **Tara Graff** (1-3) ntawm knockout (punches) ntawm :29 ntawm puag ncig ib
**John Douma** (5-2) yeej **Will Smith** (3-3) ntawm cais kev txiav txim siab (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Thov mus saib Bellator.com rau cov lus qhia ntxiv.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR MMA 255: PITBULL VS. SANCHEZ 2

Plaub Hlis Ntuj 3, 2021 FNU47 Cia ib saib

Ib daim duab uas muaj tus neeg muaj, kev ua si

Kev piav qhia cia li tsim tawm

COMPLETE FIGHT NIGHT PHOTOS

BELLATOR MMA 255: Pitbull vs. Sanchez 2Main Card:

C-Patricio Pitbull (32-4) defeated #2-Emmanuel Sanchez(20-5) via technical submission (guillotine caj pas) ntawm 3:35 ntawm puag ncig ib

#6-Jason Jackson(14-4) yeej #3-Neiman Gracie(10-2) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

#6-Tyrell hmoov(10-1) yeejJack May (11-8) ntawm TKO (punches) ntawm 3:16 ntawm puag ncig ib

USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV(12-0) yeejMike Hamel(7-5) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

5-Kana Watanabe(10-0-1) yeej #4-ALEJANDRA LARA(9-4) ntawm cais kev txiav txim siab (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Preliminary Card:

#6-Magomed Magomedov (18-1) yeejCee Jay Hamilton (15-8) ntawm cuav (rear-liab qab caj pas) ntawm 1:22 ntawm round ob

Mandel Nallo (8-1) yeejRicardo Seixas (9-3) ntawm knockout (ntaus) ntawm 3:23 ntawm puag ncig ib

Khalid Murtazaliev (15-2) yeejFabio Aguiar (17-2) ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Chris Gonzalez (6-0) yeejRoger Huerta (24-13-1) ntawm cuav (ntaus) ntawm 3:01 ntawm puag ncig peb

Jose Augusto (17-1) yeejJonathan Wilson (9-3) ntawm cuav (head and arm choke) ntawm 4:58 ntawm puag ncig ib

Roman faraldo (5-0) yeejTrevor Gudde (2-2) ntawm TKO 1:30 ntawm puag ncig ib

Jordan Newman (3-0) yeejBranko Busick (2-2) ntawm TKO (ntaus) ntawm 2:30 ntawm round ob

Ib daim duab uas muaj tus neeg muaj, person, boxing, crowd

Description automatically generated

THE FINALS OF THE BELLATOR MMA FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD GRAND PRIX – CHAMPION PATRICIO “PITBULL” VS. #1-RANKED AJ MCKEE

Quotes:

Patricio “Pitbull:"“I am ready to fight AJ McKee right now, please just tell SHOWTIME, I will get in the cage and we can take care of this tomorrow.”

“I want to be the first man to defeat McKee, he has been opening his mouth about me for a very long time, this will be the biggest fight in BELLATOR history.”

AJ McKee: “Patricio Pitbull has been the man. Nothing against him. He’s got great accolades. I already said I’m going to be the champ-champ. Rau kuv, it’s the new era. He said my time is over. My time has just begun. Peb mam li pom.

“It’s a fight the fans have wanted for the longest. On to top ntawm hais tias, he’s underrated. He’s an outstanding champ. His accolades, his credentials, his record is phenomenal. Tiam sis thaum kawg ntawm lub hnub, nobody has a win over me. Nobody has a belt with my name on it and nobody is going to get a belt with my name on it.”

Thov mus saibBellator.com rau cov lus qhia ntxiv.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

BELLATOR MMA™ CHAMP CRIS ‘CYBORG’ DEFENDS FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE IN REMATCH AGAINST LESLIE SMITH ON SHOWTIME®

Plaub Hlis Ntuj 3, 2021 FNU47 Cia ib saib

BELLATOR MMA 259AIRS LIVE ON FRIDAY, Tej zaum yuav 21 FROM MOHEGAN SUN ARENA

LOS ANGELES– BELLATOR MMA and SHOWTIME Sports today announcedBELLATOR MMA 259 on Friday, Tej zaum 21, will be headlined by a featherweight championship rematch pitting current 145-pound titleholder and the top-ranked women’s pound-for-pound fighterCris "cyborg" (23-2, 1 NC) against Northern California’sLeslie Smith (12-8-1). The event airs live exclusively on SHOWTIMEntawm 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and emanates from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

In addition to the main event, two matchups are confirmed, as No. 7 sibAdam “The Bomb” Piccolotti (12-4) takes on No. 10 Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan (30-11-1, 1 NC), while the undefeated No. 7Christian “Pain” Edwards (4-0) raws liBen “Big Tuna” Parrish(4-1) in a light heavyweight contest. Additional bouts will be announced at a later date.

“I believe in five years she’s going to be a better fighter. More training, more working and fighting. More experience. The first fight was very fast, so I think this one is going to be a longer fight. She’s a warrior. She likes to fight and it’s going to be nice to fight somebody like this," said Cyborg, who appeared on tonight’sBELLATOR 255broadcast to confirm the event.

“Of course, I want this fight. Everyone’s goal is to get a title in the premiere organization, which this is. This is the best organization for my weight class, and the best possible place I can be. I can guarantee it will be an entertaining fight,” added Smith.

Just the second BELLATOR woman’s featherweight champion in the company’s history, Cris “Cyborg” is coming off the first defense of her BELLATOR title, a victory againstArlene Blencowe, that also marked the first submission win of her illustrious career. An MMA legend at 35-years-old, “Cyborg” will be looking to further her legacy as the greatest woman’s mixed martial artist of all-time when she faces Leslie Smith for the second time on May 21. After winning BELLATOR gold in the 12th title fight of her career, the native of Curitiba, Brazil made history by becoming a world champion in her fourth major promotion, previously holding belts in both the UFC and Strikeforce. With a pro record of 23-2, 1 NC, kuj muaj 19 wins by finish, the Brazilian-born fighter who now calls Southern California home, holds victories over tough competition, kuj muajJulia Budd, Holly Holm, Marloes Coenen and Gina Carano.

Known for an exciting in-your-face striking style, Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith will enter the BELLATOR cage on May 21 for the fifth time in her nearly 11-year MMA career. She gets a second shot at defeating “Cyborg,” following their first meeting at UFC 198 in Brazil on May 14, 2016. Txij li ntawd bout, Smith has won four out of five fights with victories over Irene Aldana andSinead kavanua among them. A teammate of fellow BELLATOR athleteKeri Taylor Melendez, Smith trains out of El Nino Training Center in San Francisco.

Lub sij hawm luag card rauBELLATOR MMA 259: Cyberg VS. Smith2 yuav pa ya LIVE in all U.S. markets on the BELLATOR and SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channels, raws li lub pluto tv.

As part of the launch of BELLATOR MMA on SHOWTIME, the network is offering viewers who are new to the SHOWTIME streaming service a 30-day free trial, followed by a discounted monthly subscription fee of $4.99/month for the next six months. Viewers can sign up atSHO.com/BellatorMMA. Subscribers will be delivered two premier BELLATOR MMA events per month throughout 2021 thiab tshaj, with all events scheduled to air live at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT anywhere the SHOWTIME service is available.

TshiabBELLATOR MMA 259: Cyberg VS. Smith 2Fight Card:

Featherweight Ntiaj Teb Cov Ntawv: C-Cris "cyborg"(23-2, 1 NC) vs. #4-Leslie Smith (12-8-1)

Hnav Bout: #7-Adas Piccolot(12-4) vs. #10-Georgi Karakhanyan (30-11-1, 1 NC)

Lub teeb Heavyweight Bout: #7-Christian Edwards (4-0) vs.Ben Parrish(4-1)

*Daim npav yuav hloov pauv.

Thov mus saibBellator.com rau cov lus qhia ntxiv.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

SHOWTIME® TO DELIVER A FLURRY OF BELLATOR MMA™ CONTENT ACROSS PLATFORMS IN ADVANCE OF LIVE BELLATOR DEBUT ON APRIL 2

Lub peb hlis ntuj 19, 2021 FNU47 Cia ib saib

Exclusive Fight Content Includes Past Events, Highlights, And In-Depth Analysis of Featherweight And Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix

Ib pawg txiv neej

Kev piav qhia cia li tsim nrog nruab nrab kev ntseeg siab

NEW YORK – MARCH 19, 2021 – BELLATOR MMAis launching on SHOWTIME on Friday, April 2 withBELLATOR MMA 255: Pitbull vs. Sanchez 2 followed by two consecutive Friday nights of live championship MMA fight action. In anticipation of the launch, SHOWTIME will air a collection of BELLATOR specials and fight replays across its distribution platforms to set the stage for the April 2 live event featuring theBELLATOR MMA Featherweight World Grand Prix Semifinal, as well as the beginning of the highly anticipatedBELLATOR MMA Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix set to begin on Friday, April 9 and Friday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 16.

Starting this week, both SHOWTIME subscribers and non-subscribers have access to an exclusive collection of fights that have paved the way for the compelling upcoming matchups in each of these premier mixed martial arts tournaments featuringPatrick "Pitbull", Emmanuel Sanchez, AJ McKee, Vadim Nemkov, Ryan Bader thiab ntau yam ntxiv.

Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, SHOWTIME Sports will present a pair of highlight-driven specials hosted byMorning Kombat’sBrian Campbell and Luke Thomas to preview the Pitbull vs. Sanchez featherweight semifinal and the start of the eight-man Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix tournament. TitledROAD TO BELLATOR MMA, bothspecial programs will consist of highlights, analysis, and fight predictions, as SHOWTIME Sports’ dynamic combat sports duo prepares viewers for the live debut of BELLATOR MMA on SHOWTIME.

ROAD TO BELLATOR MMA: Pitbull vs. Sanchez 2 will debut on Monday, March 22 whileROAD TO BELLATOR MMA: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prixwill premiere one week later on Monday, Lub peb hlis ntuj 29 nyob rau hauv lubSHOWTIME kev ua si thiabBELLATOR MMA YouTube channels.Both programs also will beavailable to subscribers on all SHOWTIME On Demand platforms, on SHOWTIME EXTREME, as well as to SHOWTIME distributors for their free-on-demand and online portals.

Nyob rau hnub Saturday, Lub peb hlis ntuj 27, a replay ofBELLATOR MMA 253: Caldwell vs. McKee will air on SHOWTIME at 8 p.m. ET / PT. The four-fight card, includingMcKee’s iconic “McKee-otine” finish over former BELLATOR Bantamweight World ChampionDarrion Caldwell that propelled the young star into the Featherweight World Grand Prix Final, will also replay onSHOWTIME on Sunday, Lub peb hlis ntuj 28 ntawm 12 Midnight ET/PT, and again on Thursday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 1 ntawm 9 p.m. ET / PT.

Bellator 253, along with several past events which featured the world-class fighters in the upcoming tournaments, will be scheduled on SHOWTIME EXTREME weeknights at 10 p.m. ET/PT and are now available on SHOWTIME On Demand platforms. Select events will be available for free to non-subscribers via SHOWTIME distributor platforms and on Pluto TV’s SHOWTIME Selects and BELLATOR MMA channels.

The following fight replays are scheduled for the weeks ahead as fans prepare for the launch of BELLATOR MMA on SHOWTIME:

· BELLATOR MMA 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho- (Original air date 11/12/2020)

·BELLATOR MMA 251: Manhoef vs. Anderson- (Original air date 11/05/2020)

·BELLATOR MMA 245: Davis vs. Machida 2- (Original air date 09/11/2020)

·BELLATOR MMA 244: Bader vs. Nemkov- (Original air date 08/21/2020)

·BELLATOR MMA 222: MacDonald vs. Gracie- (Original air date 06/14/2019)

·BELLATOR MMA 220: MacDonald vs. Fitch- (Original air date 04/27/2019)

·BELLATOR MMA 214: Fedor vs. Bader- (Original air date 01/26/2019)

·BELLATOR MMA 186: Bader vs. Vassell- (Original air date 11/03/2017)

·Ntau, two individual bouts from BELLATOR MMA 209: - (Original air date 11/16/2018)

BELLATOR MMA: Davis vs Nemkov
BELLATOR MMA: Pitbull vs. Sanchez

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuaswww.bellator.com los yogwww.SHO.com, follow on Twitter @BellatorMMA and @ShowtimeSports, on Instagram @BellatorMMA and @ShoSports, los yog los ua ib tug kiv cua nyob rau Facebook ntawmwww.Facebook.com/BellatorMMA.

iKon Ntaus Sib Tw, mixed martial arts, MMA

Jason “The Kid” Knight to headline iKON 5

Lub ob hlis ntuj 20, 2021 FNU47 Cia ib saib

iKON 5 STREAMING LIVE & EXCLUSIVELY ON UFC FIGHT PASS^®

MARCH 5th FROM BILOXI, Mississippi

Las Vegas (Lub ob hlis ntuj 18, 2021) – Mississippi featherweightJason “The Kid” Knight yuav tawm xov xwmiKON 5, streaming live and exclusively March 5th on UFC FIGHT PASS^®, pib thaum 8 p.m. THIAB / 5 p.m. PT, from Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, thov mus saibwww.ufcfightpass.comor download the UFC app.

iKON 5 is presented by iKON Fighting Federation in association with Roy Jones Jr. Boxing.

“We’re thrilled to return to where iKON Fighting Federation started last September,” iKON presidentKeith Veltre said. “We’ve improved each show from then and are prepared for a breakout year in 2021. We were able to successfully launch a new MMA company during a pandemic, despite all of the challenging restrictions, and we’re moving forward full force this year as we continue growing.”

The 28-year-old Knight (20-6-0), fighting out of Lucedale (Tus ms), is coming off an impressive bare knuckle fighting victory last November, when he stopped former UFC fighterArtem Lebov in the fifth round. A Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai specialist, Knight fought in the UFC between 2015 and 2018. He is matched againstTaurean Boggues (15-11-0) in the main event.

Undefeated Louisiana welterweight“The Ghost” AJ Fletcher (6-0-0) will face an opponent to be determined in the co-featured event.

Tallahassee (IBCE) WelterweightSocrates “The Sounds of Kaos” Pierre (11-6-0), who is matched against local favoriteHarris “Sandman” Stephenson (6-2-0), another fighter with a bare-knuckle fighting background.

Also slated to be in action isCharlie Decca (2-0-0), ntawm Miami, who will throw-down with Alabama’sKyle McDonough (0-1-0) at a catchweight.

Three female strawweight matches are scheduled: California lubValerie “The Violator” Wong (0-1-0), who made her pro debut in Invicta, vs. Denver’sKathryn Paprocki (2-1-0)), Louisiana’s pro-debutingMacy Breaux vs. Orlando lub (IBCE) Shawna “Bam Bam” Ormsby (2-2-0), and West Palm Beach’s (IBCE) Kayla “K-Rock” Hracho (3-2-0, iKON: 2-0-0) vs. Knoxville’s (TN) Emilee King (4-4-0). There is another female fight on tap between pro-debuting Alabama flyweightGriffin Fisk vs. Connecticut’sAlexandra Ballou (1-0-0), who won her pro-debut in Bellator competition.

Card subject to change.

NTAUB NTAWV:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre

Twitter: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @Keith_Veltre, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial

Instagram: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. RJJ has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years. Creating exhilarating content for UFC Fight Pass, CBS kev ua si, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in some of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.

Based in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, NV, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable: NABF super flyweight champion, IBF #8 thiab Qhov # 15 Jade “Hurricane” Bornea (15-0, 10 Kos); two-time world title challenger, WBO #11 bantamweight “Mighty” Aston Palicte (26-4-1, 22 Kos); NABF welterweight champion, Qhov #14 and Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (24-0, 18 Kos); former NABA welterweight champion Kendo “Tremendo” Castaneda (17-2, 8 Kos), former Interim World middleweight title challenger John “The Phenom” Vera (19-1, 11 KO), unbeaten super middleweight prospect Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0-1, 7 Kos), and former WBC World Youth heavyweight titlist Alexander “The Great” Flores (18-3-1, 16 Kos).

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS^®: UFC sib ntaus PASS^® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Kua TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xyoo, Samsung Smart TVs, Lg Smart TV, and Sony TVs with Android TV. Yog xav paub ntxiv, thov mus saibwww.ufcfightpass.com.