CAPE TOWN – June 2, 2025 – The Professional Fighters League has finalized the lineup for the upcoming PFL Cape Town event, marking the debut of MMA in Africa with the continent’s first-ever global MMA event. Set for Saturday, Julie 19 at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town, Suid-Afrika, this landmark event marks a groundbreaking moment in PFL’s global expansion.
The event will feature the launch of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament with First Round matchups in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions, each featuring an eight-man bracket. In addition to the tournament bouts, the evening will be headlined by five high-stakes PFL Champions Series fights featuring elite global talent.
Tickets for this landmark event are on sale now via Ticketpro.
At 145-pounds, former Bellator Featherweight World ChampionOok "Mercenary" McKee (22-2) returns to the SmartCage againstAkhmed Magomedov (11-1), a rising Russian star and protégé of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Also confirmed is a Heavyweight Showcase featuring current Light Heavyweight World ChampionCorey Anderson(18-6) moving up a division to face 2024 PFL Heavyweight ChampionDenis Goltsov (36-8).
Artur Zaynukov(16-4) returns to the PFL following an impressive showing at Battle of the Giants, aiming to extend his win streak to six. He will meet RIZIN veteranTakeshi Izumi (6-3) of Japan, a decorated wrestler who earned a unanimous decision win over Spike Carlyle in his most recent outing.
These marquee matchups round out an already stacked PFL Champions Series card, showcasing some of the world’s top MMA talent on African soil. Headlining the evening is undefeated Middleweight World ChampionJohnny “Pressure” Eblen(16-0), who puts his perfect record and title on the line against Spain’s surging contenderCostello “The Spaniard” van Steenis (16-3). In die mede-hoofren, Women’s Flyweight phenom“Dangerous” Dakota Ditcheva (14-0), widely considered one of the top pound-for-pound female fighters in MMA, faces Hawaii’s elite strikerSumiko “Lady Samurai” Inaba (8-1) in a thrilling penultimate bout.
The PFL Cape Town event begin by 4:30 PM SAST / 10:30 AM ESTwith the PFL Africa portion of the card, followed byPFL Champions Series, wat begin by 8:30 PM SAST / 2:30 PM EST.A U.S. broadcast partner will be announced shortly.
Complete PFL Champions Series Card: Saterdag, Julie 19 – 8:30 PM SAST / 2:30 PM EST
Middleweight World Championship Main Event:Johnny Ebts (16-0) vs.Costello van Steenis (16-3)
Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event:Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) vs. Sumiko Inaba (8-1)
Featherweight Showcase Bout:Ook McKee (22-2) vs. Akhmed Magomedov (11-1)
Lightweight Showcase Bout:Artur Zaynukov (16-4) vs. Takeshi Izumi(6-3)
Heavyweight Showcase Bout:Corey Anderson (18-6) vs. Denis Goltsov (36-8)
Complete PFL Africa Card: SuperSport (Afrika – Engels) | Canal+ (Afrika – Franse) DAZN (Frankryk, Verenigde Koninkryk & Ierland) Saterdag, Julie 19 – 4:30 PM SAST / 10:30 AM EST
Bantamweight First Round Bout: Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) vs. Mahmoud Atef(5-2)
Heavyweight First Round Bout:Maxwell Djantou Nana(6-1) vs. Mikael Groguhe (6-2)
Bantamweight First Round Bout:Shannon Van Tonder (7-2) vs.Boule Godogo (3-0)
Heavyweight First Round Bout:Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1) vs. Justin Clarke (2-0)
Bantamweight First Round Bout:Antero Dos Santos (5-0) vs. Karim Henniene(4-0)
Heavyweight First Round Bout:Abdoullah Kane (3-0) vs. Mohammed Ben Yahia (9-4)
Bantamweight First Round Bout:Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0) vs. Alain Majorique (5-0)
Heavyweight First Round Bout:Abraham Bably(5-2) vs. Badredinne Medkouri (7-2)
Showcase Women’s Strawweight Bout:Juliet Ukah (6-0) vs. Ceileigh Niedermayr(3-2)###
Onoorwonne wêreldkampioenA.J. McKee Om Bellator MMA se wêreldtitel van 145 pond te verdedig teen die voormalige nommer een pond-vir-pond & Two-afdeling kampioenPatricio Pitbull
205-Pond kampioenVadim Germanies Om die top-gekeur te vegCorey Anderson Vir $1 Miljoen prys in Bellator ligte swaargewig wêreld Grand Prix -eindstryd
Bellator 277 Stel vir Vrydag, April 15, BY 10 Namiddag. ET / 7 pm. PTLive op Showtime in die SAP -sentrum in San Jose, CALIF.
Kaartjies te koop hierdie Vrydag
LOS ANGELES (Februarie. 16, 2022) -Twee uitstekende wêreldkampioenskapsverblyf. Vier van Bellator MMA se beste pond-vir-pond vegters. Een hoogs verwagte heruitsending. The promotion’s all-time greatest athlete striving to avenge a highlight-reel loss to the company’s homegrown superstar. A tournament final awarding a seven-figure jackpot to the victor.
BELLATOR’s fourth phenomenal fight card of 2022 promises to be one for the ages.
Fresh off a 117-second destruction of his upcoming opponent and claiming the $1 million bounty at the BELLATOR MMA Featherweight World Grand Prix Finale, unbeaten BELLATOR Featherweight World TitleholderA.J. McKee (18-0) hopes to take the next step toward becoming the sport’s greatest fighter as he battles former top pound-for-pound and two-division championPatricio Pitbull (32-5) for the second time in less than nine months on Friday, April 15, by10 namiddag. ET / 7 pm. PT woon op Showtime.
In the co-feature ofBELLATOR 277: McKee vs. Pitbull 2 by die SAP Center in San Jose, Kalifornië., current 205-pound BELLATOR MMA World ChampionVadim Nemkov (15-2) will defend his title for the third time and aims to take home the $1 million prize three days before U.S. Tax Day when he squares off against the surging No. 1-ingedeel aanspraakmakerCorey Anderson(16-5)in the BELLATOR MMA Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix final.
Kaartjies virBellator MMA 277: McKee vs. Pitbull 2 gaan hierdie Vrydag te koop, Februarie. 18 at bothTicketmaster.com enBellator.comwith a special presale starting the day prior.
Daarbenewens, four preliminary bouts have been announced including a mouthwatering matchup between two highly ranked heavyweights as No. 5-ingedeelTim Johnson (15-8) faces surging No. 6-ingedeelTyrell fortuin(11-2, 1 NC) in a rematch fromBELLATOR 239.Their first fight ended with Johnson securing a win that earned great consideration for the 2020 KO of the Year. The preliminary bouts will stream live three hours earlier at7 namiddag. ET / 4 pm. PT Op die Bellator MMA YouTube -kanaal, Showtime Sports YouTube -kanaal en Pluto TV.
In their historic initial matchup at the Forum in Inglewood, Kalifornië., McKee stunned Pitbull by landing a punishing left leg kick to the head at 1:40 of the opening stanza atBELLATOR MMA 263Julie 31, 2021. Die kampioen het daarna die aanslag voortgesit deur 'n reeks wrede onbeantwoorde kopskote te ontketen wat die Brasiliaanse legende laat val het.
Oomblikke later terwyl McKee voortydig sy arms ter viering opsteek, Pitbull het opgestaan uit die dieptes van die nederlaag net om begroet te word deur 'n vegter wat sy kroon gesteel het en die eis van die $1 miljoen prys. Met die 25-keer Bellator MMA-veteraan wat teen die heining gerugsteun is, MMA se helderste jong brawler is toegesluit in 'n guillotine -verstikking. Dit lyk asof Pitbull bewussyn verloor, skeidsregter Mike Beltran het sake by 1:57 van die opening raam.
“Hosting the world’s best mixed martial artists in the great city of San Jose is something that has been important to me during my career as a fight promoter and I’m happy to continue that with our card on April 15,” BELLATOR President Scott Coker said. “The rematch between A.J. McKee and Patricio Pitbull for the featherweight title, as well as our Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Final featuring Vadim Nemkov against Corey Anderson are two fights that could headline any event on their own, but we are bringing both to SAP Center at San Jose on the same night to show the fans here that we truly value their support throughout the years.”
A native of Long Beach, Kalifornië., BELLATOR’s top-rated pound-for-pound fighter has exceeded the lofty expectations placed on him since his professional debut three days following his 20ste verjaarsdag. Armed with six knockouts and seven submissions, the Team Bodyshop product, wat sal draai 27 eight days before his rematch against Pitbull, has shown a knack for securing lightning-fast finishes with 10 coming in the first round. “Mercenary” has earned dominant victories over every fighter who has opposed him, including former World Champions Pitbull, Pat Curran, and Darrion Caldwell, who McKee submitted with a rare-modified neck crank that was later dubbed the “McKee-otine.” The winner of the 2020 Submission of the Year Award for his 71-second annihilation of Caldwell has fought a total of 33 rounds across 18 loopbaan wedstryde (1.8 rounds per bout), while logging less than 41 total minutes in the BELLATOR cage since turning pro in August 2012.
One half of the vaunted Pitbull Brothers duo, Patricio has long been considered the crown jewel of BELLATOR MMA, where he currently sits at No. 3 in the BELLATOR MMA men’s pound-for-pound rankings. Holding a remarkable 32-5 record with wins over elite competition, including the likes of former World Champions Pat Curran, Juan Archuleta, and Daniel Straus (twee keer). In 2019, the 34-year-old Brazilian captured the BELLATOR Lightweight World Championship from Michael Chandler, becoming only the second BELLATOR athlete to hold two titles simultaneously. Met 23 finishes in 37 professionele gevegte, Pitbull has shown repeatedly that he possesses the well-rounded skillset required to reign over multiple weight classes.
Currently BELLATOR MMA’s second-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, Nemkov captured the BELLATOR MMA light heavyweight crown by defeating Ryan Bader via second-round TKO atBellator MMA 244in August 2020. Riding a nine-fight winning streak dating back to June 2016, the ferocious 29-year-old sports seven first-round knockouts, with two in the initial minute of action. After successfully defending his light heavyweight belt by earning a tough unanimous decision over Phil Davis, the pride of Belgorod, Russia and Fedor Emelianenko protégé scored a fourth-round submission of late replacement Julius Anglickas in the semifinals of the BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix during his last outing on Oct. 16, 2021.
Anders, of Robbinsville, N.J., has ascended to the top of the BELLATOR 205-pound rankings by vanquishing seven of his past eight opponents, insluitend 'n derde ronde stop van Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov byBellator MMA 257 April 16, 2021. Presies ses maande later omBellator MMA 268, Die Rockford, Siek., inheemse in die hok stap na die spellbindende klanke van die deure se “vyf tot een,”En het die liedtitel letterlik geneem deur die stoei -legende Ryan Bader in Arizona State University uit te slaan 51 Sekondes voor Bader se tuisdorpskare in die Footprint Centre in Phoenix, Ariz. In sy eerste promosieverskyning, “Overtime” het 'n tweede ronde TKO oor die Nederlandse kickboxing-legende Melvin Manhoef byBellator MMA 251 in November 2020. Voordat hy by Bellator aangesluit het, Anderson het 'n 10-5 rekord met 'n mededingende promosie, wen “The Ultimate Fighter 19” -toernooi in 2014, en spog met indrukwekkende oorwinnings oor Glover Teixeira, Jan Błachowicz en Johnny Walker, onder andere.
Bykomende aanvalle sal binnekort bekend gemaak word.
BELLATOR 277: McKee VS. PITBULL 2MAIN CARD:
Vrydag, April 15 - Leef aanShowtime
10 namiddag. ET / 7 pm. PT
Featherweight World Championship: C–A.J. McKee (18-0) vs. No. 1-Patricio Pitbull (15-5)
Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Final: C-Vadim Nemkov (15-2) vs. Moenie. 1-Corey Anderson (16-5)
Los Angeles - Vandag, BELLATOR officials confirmed a must-see main event pitting hard-hitting heavyweightsCheick Kongo (30-11-2) en Sergei Kharitonov (32-8) against one another topsBellator MMA 265 Vrydag, Augustus 20 from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. and airs live on SHOWTIME at 9 namiddag. ET / 6 pm. PT.
The card has also confirmed top featherweights No. 3 Adam Borics (17-1) en Geen. 4 Jay-Jay Wilson (8-0) will meet for the right to face the winner of the BELLATOR Featherweight World Grand Prix Final betweenGabriël Vega (32-4) en Ook McKee (17-0), which takes place on Saturday, Julie 31.
Tickets for the event go on sale this Thursday at 10 voormiddag. CT and are available at Sanford Pentagon Box Office & Ticket.
The preliminary portion ofBellator MMA 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov currentlyfeatures a flyweight bout pitting No.5-rankedAlejandra Lara (9-4) teen Deanna Bennett (10-7-1) and willbegin at 6:00 namiddag. En / 3:00 namiddag. PT and stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, Showtime Sports YouTube -kanaal en Pluto TV. Additional preliminary bouts will be announced in the near future.
Holding an impressive MMA record of 30-11-2, 1 NC, Moenie. 3-ranked Cheick Kongo returns to action for the first time since headlining the first-ever major MMA event in his native France last October. The former kickboxer remains a force to be reckoned with and holds records for the most fights (16) and wins (12) in BELLATOR heavyweight history. With high-profile victories overVitaly Minakov, Mirko Cro Cop, Antoni Hardonk, and Matt Mitrione, the Parisian is keen to pad his current promotional records, set new ones, and earn his shot at BELLATOR gold.
The man nicknamed “The Paratrooper,” Kharitonov is the owner of an equally notable MMA resume, with the Russian scoring vicious wins against some of the sport’s marquee names, such as Fabricio Werdum, Andrei Arlovski, Pedro Rizzo, Murilo “Ninja” Rua, Matt Mitrione, and Alistair Overeem. Nou, fresh off two championship victories on the regional circuit, Kharitonov returns to the BELLATOR cage with the intention of climbing the heavyweight rankings and asserting himself as a BELLATOR title contender.
28-year-old Hungarian Adam “The Kid” Borics has won 17 van 18 fights to begin his professional career, bouncing back from his only loss with three straight victories. Training out of South Florida’s Sanford MMA gym, Borics has firmly established himself as a true threat to anyone in the 145-pound division, where he is currently ranked third.
Undefeated in his first eight fights as a professional, New Zealand’s Wilson has won in style, accumulating six finishes in those eight wins. Following a split decision win against Tywan Claxton, Wilson scored a violent knockout of Sergio DeBari, then followed that victory up with an equally vicious spinning backfist stoppage over SBG’s Pedro Carvalho in April. The Kiwi fighter will be looking to secure a high-stakes victory over Borics with a world title shot awaiting the winner.
# # #
Bellator MMA 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov Main kaart: Showtime Vrydag, Augustus 20 - 9 namiddag. ET / 6 pm. PT
Heavyweight Main Event: #3-Cheick Kongo (30-11-2) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (32-8) Featherweight No. 1 Contender’s Bout: #3-Adam Borics(17-1) vs. #4-Jay-Jay Wilson (8-0)
Bellator and the USO Present: Salute the TroopsMain kaart:
Josh Barnett (35-8) vs. Ronny Markes (19-7) was cancelled by the Hawaii State Boxing Commission deeming Barnett unable to compete tonight due to severe illness
Toby Misech(12-7) verslaan Perez (19-7) via KO (stoot) by 0:54 van die eerste ronde
Alejandra Lara (9-3) verslaan Veta Artega(5-3) via 'n eenparige besluit (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Tywan Claxton (6-1) verslaan Braydon Akeo (3-1) via 'n eenparige besluit (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Joey Davis(7-0) verslaan Chris Cisneros (19-11) via TKO (stoot) by 3:55 van die eerste ronde
Voorlopige Card:
Hunter Ewald (1-0) verslaan Brysen Bolohao (0-2)via voorlegging (agter-naak verstik) by 1:42 van die eerste ronde
Joseph Creer (7-1-1) verslaan Ty Gwerder (4-1) via 'n eenparige besluit (30-27, 30-27, 29-26)
Cass Bell (5-0) verslaan Pierre Daguzan(5-4, 1 NC) via 'n eenparige besluit (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
JOSH BARNETT AND RONNY MARKES HEADLINEBELLATOR & THE USO PRESENT: SALUTE THE TROOPSOP Vrydag, Desember. 20
BELLATOR 236 OP Saterdag, Desember. 21 SEES ILIMA-LEI MACFARLANE DEFEND HER WORLD TITLE AGAINST KATE JACKSON
LOS ANGELES– The full slate of bouts for Bellator’s return to Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii this Friday, Desember. 20 and Saturday, Desember. 21 is official with a stacked doubleheader featuring something for every mixed martial arts fan.
Bellator and the USO Present: Salute the Troopswill air on Paramount Network on Friday, Desember 20 by 10 namiddag. En / 9 p.m. CT. The entire event will also stream on DAZN, while preliminary bouts will stream onBellator.com, DAZNand globally on theBellator Mobile App.
Bellator 236: Macfarlane vs. Jackson –one of the star-powered, year-end highlights of fight season on DAZN – will stream Saturday, Desember 21 live exclusively onDAZN by 10 namiddag. ET / 7 pm. PT, while preliminary action will stream onBellator.com, DAZNand globally on theBellator Mobile App.
The main event of Friday’s card on Paramount Network will see a heavyweight headliner, featuring the Bellator debuts of former world championJosh Barnett (35-8) en Ronny Markes (19-7). Rounding out the stacked main card will see another Bellator debut, as Perez (19-6) enters the cage to meet Hawaii’s ownToby Misech (11-7), former flyweight No. 1 aanspraakmakers Alejandra Lara (8-3) en Veta Arteaga (5-3) return to action and Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix participantTywan Claxton (5-1) takes on the undefeated prospect out of Maili, Hawaii, Braydon Akeo (3-0). Ook, undefeated teammate of A.J. McKee Joey Davis (6-0) returns to the Bellator cage when he faces the “Big Island’s” 29-fight MMA veteran, Chris Cisneros (19-10).
The prelims forBellator and the USO Present: Salute the Troopswill feature an appearance from undefeated Bay Area-fighter fighterCass Bell (4-0), as well as undefeated Hawaiian prospectTy Gwerder (4-0).
A mere 24-hours later, Bellator 236 will take place exclusively on DAZN and will be headlined by a flyweight world title bout between Honolulu’sIlima-Lei Macfarlane (10-0) en Engeland se Kate Jackson (11-3-1). The co-main event is a quarterfinal matchup of the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix withA.J. McKee (15-0)neem op Derek Fields (20-9.).
Daarbenewens, recently signed Bellator welterweightJason Jackson (10-4) van Hollywood, Fla. returns to the Bellator cage on short notice to take onKiichi Kunimotoof Osaka, Japan. Juliana Velasquez (9-0) looks to remain undefeated with Bellator when she meetsBrown Ellen (10-6) at flyweight, while local Hawaiian standoutsCheyden Leialoha(7-1) en Nainoa Dung (3-0) go to battle againstRaufeon Stots (12-1) enZach Zane (13-9), onderskeidelik, to complete the main card.
Bellator and the USO Present: Salute the TroopsMain kaart:
Paramount Network & DAZN
10 namiddag. En / 9 p.m. CT/5 p.m. HST
Heavyweight Main Event:Josh Barnett (35-8) vs. Ronny Markes (19-7)
Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Toby Misech(11-7) vs. Perez (19-6)
Flyweight Main Card Bout: Alejandra Lara (8-3) vs. Veta Artega(5-3)
Featherweight Main Card Bout: Tywan Claxton (5-1) vs. Braydon Akeo (3-0)
Welterweight Main Card Bout: Joey Davis(6-0) vs. Chris Cisneros (19-10)
Voorlopige Card:
DAZN, Bellator.com & the Bellator Mobile App
8:45 namiddag. EN / 7:45 namiddag. CT/3:45 namiddag. HST
Bantamgewig voorlopige aanval: Cass Bell (4-0) vs. Pierre Daguzan(5-3, 1 NC)
Middelgewig voorlopige aanval: Ty Gwerder (4-0) vs.Joseph Creer (6-1-1)
JOSH BARNETT MAKES HIS BELLATOR DEBUT AGAINST RONNY MARKES IN HEAVYWEIGHT MAIN EVENT ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK
Los Angeles -To honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, Bellator MMA has once again partnered with the USO to present a special live event free for the troops, along with their friends and families, Vrydag, Desember 20. Emanating from Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii, this unique show will be headlined by a heavyweight bout featuring the Bellator debuts of “The Warmaster”Josh Barnett (35-8) en Ronny Markes (19-7).
For a second year, the USO and Bellator team up to honor the men and women who fight for our freedom and to bring entertainment and a piece of home to service members based in Hawaii during the holiday season. Dit Salute the Troopsevent will bring Bellator athletes and personalities to the military community and provide a live free event as a thank you for their sacrifices and dedication to our country, especially for those who are separated from family and home during the holidays. Much like last year, Bellator and the USO will also partner for a week of special events in Hawaii leading up to the big weekend of exciting fights on December 20 en 21.
As the leading military support organization, the USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. This holiday season, hundreds of thousands of service members will remain on duty, away from home. The USO, through its programs, services and entertainment tours, is committed to bringing a piece of home to our nation’s service men and women. MMA fans and military supporters can help keep troops strong and connected to home by visitingwww.USO.org/Holidaysand by using the hashtag#USOHolidayswhen sharing how they have helped the USO’s critical mission to make the holidays special for our military heroes.
Bellator and the USO Present: Salute the Troopswill air on Paramount Network on Friday, Desember 20 by 10 namiddag. En / 9 p.m. CT. The entire event will also stream on DAZN, while preliminary bouts will stream onBellator.comand globally on theBellator Mobile App. Details for exclusive ticket distribution will be announced in the coming days.
This unforgettable night will be part of an historic weekend culminating with the previously announcedBellator Hawaii: Macfarlane vs. Jackson Saterdag, Desember 21. This highly-anticipated fight card includes undefeated Bellator women’s flyweight champIlima-Lei Macfarlanedefending her title againstKate Jackson, en A.J. McKee neem op Derek Fieldsin a quarterfinal matchup of the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix.
After signing with Bellator in April, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett will make his return to MMA competition for the first time since 2016. A second-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Barnett has remained prevalent in the combat sports realm, competing in jiu-jitsu events, promoting and performing at his own professional wrestling shows and working as a color commentator for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Barnett is no stranger to the devoted MMA fanbase in Hawaii, fighting for regional Hawaiian promotion Superbrawl in 1999 en 2000, a stint that included three fights in one night to win the Superbrawl 13 heavyweight tournament. One of the top heavyweights of all-time, the Strikeforce, Pride, UFC, K-1, NJPW, Pancrase, and Affliction mainstay owns victories over legendary stars, including Dan Severn (2x), Semmy Schilt (2x), Randy Couture, Mark Hunt, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Pedro Rizzo, Sergei Kharitonov, Frank Mir, Roy Nelsonand Andrei Arlovski.
Fighting professionally since 2007, Ronny Markes will join the Bellator ranks following 26-fights all over the globe including three wins in UFC. Competing for a majority of his nearly 13-year career at middleweight, the 31-year-old will now lace up the gloves as a Bellator heavyweight. Hailing from Natal, Brasilië, Markes is coming off a TKO victory in June, and will add another big-name fighter to his list of opposition, a list that includes fights against Yoel Romero, Thiago Santos, Aaron Simpson and Paulo Filho.
Opgedateer Bellator and the USO Present: Salute the TroopsFight Card:
Heavyweight Main Event:Josh Barnett (35-8) vs. Ronny Markes (19-7)
*Kevin Ross het onlangs die promosie se eerste veergewiggordel by sy reeds indrukwekkende lys toekennings gevoeg
BELLATOR LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMP MICHAEL CHANDLER DEFENDS HIS TITLE AGAINST FEATHERWEIGHT KINGPIN PATRICIO ‘PITBULL’ IN LONG-AWAITED GRUDGE MATCH LIVE ON DAZN
THE WELTERWEIGHT WORLD GRAND PRIX CONTINUES WITH DOUGLAS LIMA TAKING ON MICHAEL ‘VENOM’ PAGE IN SEMI-FINAL ACTION
MEER: UNDEFEATED PROSPECT A.J. MCKEE MEETS CHICAGO’S PAT CURRAN AND THE RETURN OF FORMER WWE STAR JAKE HAGER
LOS ANGELES– Bellator’s return to Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Siek. Saterdag, Mei 11 is stacked with a must-see lineup of fights, headlined by current lightweight titleholderMichael Chandler(19-4) in his attempt to become the only man to defeat both Pitbull Brothers and put an end to their years-long rivalry, when he defends his belt against Bellator’s 145-pound champGabriël Vega (28-4) in die belangrikste gebeurtenis van Bellator 221 - which will be streamed live exclusively onDAZN.
The co-headliner will see former two-time Bellator welterweight championDouglas Lima (30-7) face undefeatedMichael "gif" Page (14-0), better known to fans as “MVP,” in the first semi-final matchup in Bellator’s Welterweight World Grand Prix. Each fighter has their eyes set on moving one step closer to becoming Bellator welterweight champ and taking home one million dollars.
Daarbenewens, arguably one of the world’s top featherweight prospectsA.J. McKee (13-0) will face the stiffest test of his young career when he fights two-time former Bellator featherweight championPat Curran(23-7) on Curran’s home turf. Uiteindelik, former WWE championJake Gardens (1-0) returns to the Bellator cage for the first time since his first-round submission victory in January looking to continue his early dominance inside the cage.
An exclusive online presale forBellator 221: Chandler vs. Pitbull takes place between Wednesday, Februarie. 20 by 10 voormiddag. CT and Thursday, Februarie. 21 by 10 namiddag. CT, with tickets going on-sale to the general public on Friday, Februarie. 22 by 12 namiddag. CT. Tickets for the event will be available at the Allstate Arena box office, sowel as Ticketmaster.comand Bellator.com.
Bellator 221: Chandler vs. Pitbull will be broadcast live onDAZN by 10 namiddag. ET / 7 pm. PT, terwyl voorlopige aksie sal stroom op Bellator.com en wêreldwyd op die Bellator Mobile App. Bykomende aanvalle sal aangekondig word in die komende weke.
One of the most-decorated fighters in Bellator history, Michael Chandler reclaimed the lightweight championship this past December to become a three-time titleholder. “Iron” has defeated a who’s who among the division’s elite, insluitend Brent Primus, Benson Henderson, Patricky Pitbull (x2), Yamauchi up and Eddie Alvarez. The former University of Missouri wrestler from High Ridge, Mo, who now calls Nashville home, has had a slow-building feud with his May 11 opponent, verbally sparring with his foe following wins over Patricio’s brother Patricky and on social media. Nou, the time for talk is over and both will enter the Bellator cage to finally settle the score.
Hailing from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasilië, two-time featherweight champ Patricio “Pitbull” will enter the Bellator cage for a promotional record 21th time. With impressive wins to his name overDaniel Straus (x3), Daniel Weichel (x2) en Pat Curran, he most recently defeatedEmmanuel Sanchez via 'n eenparige besluit op Bellator 209. Moving up a weight class for the first time sinceBellator 160when he met Benson Henderson, “Pitbull” is planning to leave his mark in a new division and go down as one of the all-time greats. Having earned a finish in 20 van sy 28 wen as 'n professionele, the reigning champion has become synonymous with excitement and fans can certainly expect more fireworks when looks to become a simultaneous two-division champion on May 11.
Fighting out of Atlanta, Ga., by way of Goiania, Brasilië, Douglas “The Phenom” Lima has been a mainstay at the top of the 170-pound division for the better part of three years. With wins against the likes ofLorenz Larkin, Andrey Koreshkov (x2), Paul Daleyand Ben Saunders, the 31-year-old advanced to the semifinals of the Welterweight World Grand Prix after a technical submission win against Koreshkov. A winner of nine out of his last 11 wedstryde, the American Top Team product remains set on showing the world how dominant he truly is.
One of the most unorthodox strikers to ever compete, “MVP” has steadily worked his way up the welterweight ranks since signing with the organization in 2013. Known for his unique style and personality both inside the cage and out, every Michael Page fight is must-see entertainment. With an undefeated record of 14-0, en 11 of those victories coming by stoppage, the 31-year-old out of London Shootfighters advanced to the semifinals following a closely contested unanimous decision win against rival Paul Daley atBellator 216.
Fighting out of Long Beach, Kalifornië., A.J. McKeeputs his undefeated record on the line against the former champ on May 11. Currently training alongside the likes ofAaron Pico,“Baby Slice”en Joey Davisat The Body Shop under the tutelage of his father, MMA veteran Antonio McKee, the second-generation fighter has been making quite the name for himself since joining the professional ranks. Teen net 23 jaar oud, “Mercenary” has set the Bellator record for consecutive wins at 13, having defeatedDaniel Crawford, Brian Moore, John “Macapa, Justin Lawrence andDominic Mazzotta langs die pad. Known for his highlight-reel finishes, McKee will look to remain unbeaten and keep his name etched in the record books when he meets Curran atBellator 221. A former two-time Bellator world featherweight champion, Pat Curranreturns to the cage near his hometown looking to earn another shot at gold. Fighting out of Crystal Lake, Siek., “Paddy Mike” is in the midst of a three-fight win streak that includes victories overEmmanuel Sanchez, John “Macapa”and Georgi Karakhanyan. The longtime Bellator veteran, who debuted atBellator 14 in 2010, owns additional wins overPatricio “Pitbull,” Joe Warren,Roger Huertaen Daniel Straus. Ook, a two-time Bellator tournament winner, the 31-year-old’s return to the top of the 145-pound division begins with a tough test against McKee.
A native of Perry, Okla., Hager emphatically showed the world that he belongs in the sport of MMA with a submission win over J.W. Kizerby Bellator 214 in Januarie. A collegiate wrestler at the University of Oklahoma, where he was an All-American and set the school record for most pins at the 285-pound weight class in a single season with 30. Following graduation and a conversation with legendary pro wrestling announcer and fellow Oklahoma Sooner, Jim Ross, Hager made the transition to professional wrestling and signed with World Wrestling Entertainment. While in WWE, Hager would go on to claim multiple coveted professional titles during his time with the organization, including the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship and WWE United States Championship. Nou, the man also known to fans around the globe as “Jack Swagger” will return to action MMA action in Chicago against a soon-to-be-announced heavyweight opponent.
Opgedateer Bellator 221: Chandler vs. Pitbull Kevin Ross het onlangs die promosie se eerste veergewiggordel by sy reeds indrukwekkende lys toekennings gevoeg:
Kevin Ross het onlangs die promosie se eerste veergewiggordel by sy reeds indrukwekkende lys toekennings gevoeg: Michael Chandler (19-4) vs. Gabriël Vega (28-4)
Welterweight World Grand Prix Semi-final: Douglas Lima (30-7) vs. Michael "gif" Page (14-0)
Featherweight Main Card Bout: A.J. McKee (13-0) vs. Pat Curran (23-7)
Heavyweight Main Card Bout:Jake Gardens (1-0) vs. TBA
*Kevin Ross het onlangs die promosie se eerste veergewiggordel by sy reeds indrukwekkende lys toekennings gevoeg
