Los Angeles— BELLATOR MMA has announced that its fifth participant for the New Year’s Eve spectacle against RIZIN Fighting Federation opponents will be No. 10-ranked lightweight, Eryayeen Rabadanov(18-4-2), taking on 27-year-old Japanese standoutKoji Takeda(15-3) in a compelling matchup between two competitors riding high on the strength of consecutive victories.
A first-of-its-kind blockbuster co-promotion, BELLATOR MMA vs. RIZINtakes place inside the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Saturday, December 31, and can be seen in the United States on SHOWTIME at 8 p.m. ET/PT on New Year’s Eve.
Rabadanov versus Takeda will join a star-studded five-fightBELLATOR MMA vs. RIZINKaarka ugu weyn, which is stacked from top to bottom with current and former champions competing in the four-sided ring under RIZIN’s unique rules. Headlining the event will be a dream matchup between RIZIN lightweight championRoberto “Satoshi” de Souza(14-1) against No. 3 BELLATOR pound-for-pound talentAJ “Mercenary” McKee(19-1), with BELLATOR and RIZIN featherweight championsPatricio Pitbull(34-5) iyoKleber Koike(31-5-1) co-headlining the must-see event.
Former BELLATOR championsJuan “The Spaniard” Archuleta(26-4) iyoKyoji Horiguchi(30-5) will round out the unparalleled main card, facing off with RIZIN’sSoo Chul Kim(18-6-1) iyoHiromasa Ougikubo(25-6-2), siday u kala horreeyaan.
Eryayeen Rabadanov, 29, signed with BELLATOR in 2021 after capturing the Eagle FC lightweight title, and has made an immediate impact on the promotion’s remarkably deep lightweight division. He announced his arrival in thunderous fashion atBELLATOR 263with an emphatic viral knockout of Daniel Carey, which he followed up with back-to-back dominant unanimous decision victories over Jay Jay Wilson and Bobby King in 2022. The product of the renowned Club Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s School in Dagestan and the prestigious American Kickboxing Academy, Rabadanov’s pedigree is world-class. On New Year’s Eve, Rabadanov will look to continue building upon his momentum with an impressive performance against Koji Takeda.
“It is a childhood dream come true to fight in Japan at the legendary Saitama Super Arena,” said Rabadanov. “I’m very excited and I know I have a tough opponent, who always leaves everything in the ring. Expect a masterpiece from me, it will be a memorable fight.”
A former DEEP lightweight champion, Japan’sKoji Takedahas been an active fighter since his 2017 saftay. Takeda boasts a compelling case for inclusion on this historic fight card, winning seven of his last ten and three of his last four outings under the RIZIN and DEEP banners. Takeda is also familiar with BELLATOR foes; he has previously fought Spike Carlyle and submitted Zach Zane by armbar, both of whom fought recently for the Scott Coker-led promotion. Takeda will look to add a third straight win to his resume against the highly-touted Rabadanov in his hometown of Saitama, Japan, on December 31.
BELLATOR MMA VS. RIZIN MAIN CARD:
SHOWTIME
Saturday, December 31 — 8 PM ET/PT
Lightweight Non-Title Main Event: AJ McKee(19-1) vs.Roberto de Souza(14-1)
Featherweight Non-Title Main Event: Patricio Pitbull(34-5) vs.Kleber Koike(31-5-1)
Bantamweight Feature Bout: Juan Arcleta(26-4) vs.Soo Chul Kim(18-6-1)
Horyaalka Adduunka ee aan laga fiirsanA.J. Mckee Si loo difaaco Beartor Mma 145-rodol oo ah hanashada horyaalka adduunka & Laba-qaybood oo horyaal ahPitricio pitbull
205-Tuhunka PoundVadim Jarmalka In la dagaalamo kaalinta koowaadCorey anderson Loogu tala-galay $1 Mill Abaalmarin ka dhex taal Bellotor Cool Khatarta Dunida Khatarta Grand Priz
Bellotor 277 U dejiso Jimcaha, APRIL 15, AT 10 P.M. ET / 7 P.M. PTKu noolow waqtiga show-ga gudaha Xarunta SAP ee San Jose, Message.
Tigidhada iibka Jimcaha
Los Angeles (Feb. 16, 2022) -Laba ka mid ah bandhiga horyaallada adduunka ee ugu sareeya.. Afar ka mid ah Bellotor MMA ee ugu fiican-rodol-rodol-rodol. Hal saxaafadda sare ee la filayo. Ciyaartoyda ugu weyn ee xayeysiinta waqtiga ugu weyn ee ku dadaalaya inuu ka aargudayo luminta iftiinka ugu sarreeya ee dib-u-dhiska shirkadda 'Placewn superstar'. Tartanka Fikirka Fikirka Abaalmarinta Toddoba-Sawir Jackpot ah Victor.
Kaarka Dagaal ee Afaraad ee Labaad ee Iftiinka 2022 ballanqaadyo inuu noqdo mid ka mid ah da'da.
Fresh Frease Burburkii 117-ka-labaad ee ka soo horjeedda soo socda iyo sheegashada $1 Milyan Fadliga oo ku sugan bellotor Mma Ferathiright World Prik Finale, aan laga badin beltor pellwether worlder worlderA.J. McKee (18-0) Waxaan rajeynayaa inuu u qaado talaabada xigta ee ku saabsan inuu noqdo dagaalyahankii ugu weynaa isboorti isagoo ku dagaalamaya dagaalo hore ee rodolkiisii hore ee Ronol-rodol iyo labo-qeybinPatricio Pitbull (32-5) Markii labaad in ka yar sagaal bilood Jimcaha, April 15, at10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT ku nool yihiin SHOWTIME.
Ciyaarta ka muuqataBELLATOR 277: Mckee vs. Pitbull 2 Xarunta SAP ee San Jose, Message., Jaranjarada 205-rodol ee MMA horyaalnimadaVadim Nemkov (15-2) difaaci doona cinwaankiisa markii saddexaad oo ujeedadiisu tahay inuu guriga ka qaado $1 Mill abaalmarin saddex maalmood ka hor u.s. Maalinta Canshuuraha Markuu Squares ka soo horjeedo ma jiro. 1-tartamaya kaalintaCorey anderson(16-5)ee blatorator mma khafiifka culus ee dunida culayska culus.
Qiimaha tikidhadaBeltor Mma 277: Mckee vs. Pitbull 2 Iibka Tag Jimcaha, Feb. 18 LabadabaTicketmaster.com iyoBellator.com Iyada oo la raacayo qaabab gaar ah oo laga bilaabayo maalinta ka hor.
Intaa waxaa dheer, Afar Good ah oo hordhac ah ayaa lagu dhawaaqay oo ay ku jiraan isbarbardhiga afka ah ee u dhexeeya laba si aad u culus oo miisaan culus ah oo aan ahayn. 5-kaalintaTim Johnson (15-8) wajiga wax yar. 6-kaalintaTylell nasiib(11-2, 1 NC) Meel laga soo galoBELLATOR 239. Dagaalkoodii ugu horreeyay ayaa ku dhammaaday Johnson xaqiijinta guushii ay sii waday tixgelin weyn 2020 Koreys sanadka. Bixinta hordhaca ah waxay ku noolaan doontaa seddex saacadood ka hor7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on blatorator Mma Youtube kanaalka, Show Edusit Sports YouTube Channel iyo TV TV.
Ciyaartoodii ugu horreeyay ee bilowga ah ee madasha ku taal godka Ingled, Message., McKele ayaa la yaabay in uu ku soo degay ciqaabta lugta bidix ee lugta bidix madaxa 1:40 ee Stanza furitaanka atBeltor Mma 263on July 31, 2021. Horyaalka ayaa markaa ku sii waday qulqulka iyadoo la xayeysiisto iyada oo aan la xareyneyso taxane ah rasaas aan si xun u xarixin oo ay dabaqsanaadeen halyeeyga reer Brazil.
Daqiiqado ka dib markii Mckee uu gacmihiisii si ka mid ah gacmihiisa ku soo dejiyey dabaaldega, Pitbull ka soo kacay qoto dheer ee guuldaradii kaliya waa in lagu salaamaa cadaabta dagaal ee foorarsata inay xadaan taajkiisa oo ay sheegtaan $1 Milyan abaalmarin. Markii uu jiro 25-jeer ee Beltor Mma ayaa taageeray xayndaabka, MMA ugu iftiimaya ee yar yar ee dhalisay ee ku xidhan guntitine choke. Oo ay la socdaan PitBull oo umuuqda mid lumaya, Garsoore Mike Peltran ayaa joojiyay arrimaha at 1:57 yiilleen furitaanka.
"Marti-gelinta farshaxanka ugu wanaagsan ee adduunka ee magaalada San Jose waa wax muhiim ii ah intii aan ku gudajiray shaqadeyda oo aan ku faraxsanahay in aan ku sii wado arintaas Abriil 15," Madaxweynaha Bellotor Scott ayaa yiri. "Dib-u-habeyn u dhexeysa A.J. Mckee iyo Patricio Pumpull oo loogu tala galay horyaalka Featherweanta, iyo sidoo kale adduunkeena culus ee qarka u weyn ee qadka dhexe ee ciyaarta ee muuqaalka weyn ee Vadim Nemkov ee ka dhanka ah Corey Anderson ayaa ah labo dagaal oo cinwaankooda ah, Laakiin waxaan u soo qaadaneynaa labadaba sareeyo SAP San Jose isla isla maalintaas si aan u tusno taageerayaasha halkan oo aan si dhab ah u qiimeyno taageeradooda sannadihii oo dhan.”
Hooyo xeeb dheer, Message., Dagaalyahankii Round-round-round-round ayaa dhaaftay rajooyinka dhaadheer ee la saaray isaga tan iyo kulankiisii ugu horeysay ee xirfadiisa seddex maalmood ka dib 20th dhalashadiisa. Ku hubaysan lix guntin iyo todobo soo gudbinta, Alaabta Companshop-ka kooxda, kuwaas oo noqon doona 27 sideed maalmood ka hor intaanu demi ka soo gaarin PitBull, waxay muujisay lugta oo ay ku sugan tahay sugida hillaaca 10 Imaatinka wareegga koowaad. "Qabanqaade" ayaa kasbatay guulo badan oo ka sarreeya dagaalyahan kasta oo ka soo horjeeday, oo ay ku jiraan pitbull horyaalkii hore ee adduunka, Pat Curran, iyo Drion Caldwell, YCKEE KU SAABSAN MCKEES CLASS XULASHADA MADAXWEYNE EE LAGU SAMEEYAY IN AY KA SAMEEYSAA "MCKEE-OTINE." Ku guuleystaha 2020 Soo gudbinta abaalmarinta sanadka ee ku saabsan baabi'inta 71-ka-labaad ee baabi'inta Caldwell waxay la dagaallantay wadarta 33 wareegyada guud 18 Tartanka Xirfadaha (1.8 wareegyada halkii), In kasta oo ay ka yaraanayaan wax ka yar 41 Isugeyn daqiiqado ka mid ah qafiska Barator ee ka dib markii loo beddelay Pro bishii Ogosto 2012.
Kala badh ka mid ah bowdada wanaaga ee masterbull, Patricio waxaa muddo dheer loo tixgaliyay in dahabiga ah ee 'Bele peltor Mma', halkaasoo uu hadda fadhiyo maya. 3 Darajada Bellotor Mma Dacwerka Pound-rodol. Qabashada wax cajiib ah 32-5 Rikoor ku saabsan guulaha tartan rasmi ah, oo ay ku jiraan kuwa ka mid ah kuwa la mid ah kuwa hore ee kooxda heysata horyaalka adag ee kooxda Pat Curran, Juan Arcleta, Daanyeel Stuus (laba jeer). In 2019, 34-jirka reer Brazil ee reer Brazil ayaa qabtay ciyaaryahanka garabka uga ciyaara kooxda Bellocher ee khamiirka ciyaariyahanka adduunka ee Michael Chandler, Noqoshada ciyaartooydii labaad ee Bell Metor-ka inuu isku mar qabto laba koob isku mar. Iyadoo 23 ku dhammeeyaan 37 dagaal xirfad, Pitbull ayaa si isdaba joog ah u muujisay inuu leeyahay xirfadaha si fiican ugu wareegsan ee looga baahan yahay inuu xukumo fasallo miisaan badan.
Waqtigan xaadirka ah ee loo yaqaan 'Benator MMA' ee Daan-maroodi ee Daar Dabayaajada, Nemkov wuxuu qabtay blator Mma taaj culusi culus oo culus isagoo ka adkaanaya Ryan Badder iyada oo loo marayo wareega labaad ee TKOBeltor Mma 244 Bishii Agoosto 2020 2016, Ciyaartoyda 29-sano jirka ah ee ciyaaraha ayaa todobadii wareega ugu horreeyay ee wareega wareega wareega, oo leh laba daqiiqada ugu horeysa ee ficil. Ka dib markii ay si guul leh u difaacday suunkiisii khafiifka ah ee qafiifka ah ee uu kasbaday go'aan adag oo isku mid ah Phil Davis, kibirka Belgor, Russia iyo Felian Emeliancé ayaa dhaliyay goolkiisii afaraad ee wareega dambe ee Julius Anglius Anglickas ee semi-finalka Bellotor Strifity Strifightrive Well Prix inta lagu gudajiray Oct. 16, 2021.
Anderson, ee Robbinsville, N.J., ayaa u soo baxay dusha sare ee qiimeynta beltor 205-rodol iyadoo lagu dhawaaqayo toddobo ka mid ah sideedii qof ee soo horjeeday, oo ay ku jiraan joojinta wareega saddexaad ee loo yaqaan 'dvletdzhan yagshimuradov'Beltor Mma 257 on April 16, 2021. Waa sax lix bilood ka dibBeltor Mma 268, Rockford, Jirrado., Dhaladka u dhex galay qafiska dhawaqa dhawaaqa albaabka albaabada "shan ilaa mid,"Oo wuxuu qaatay galka heesta suulka gacanta si dhab ah u garaacaya Arizona Jaamacadda Arizona State Legend Ryan Ryan Bader gudaha 51 ilbidhiqsiyo hortiisa ee boqolaal ee magaalada Bader ee badhtamaha fiidka ee Phoenix, Ariz. Muuqaalkiisii ugu horreeyay ee xayeysiinta koowaad, "Waqti dheeri ah" ayaa ka diiwaangashan wareega labaad ee TKO ee kubadyada Dutch-ka ee lugta ee Melvin Manhof atBeltor Mma 251 ee November 2020. Kahor intaadan ku biirin blator, Anderson oo dheereeya a 10-5 Ku diiwaan geli xayeysiinta iska soo horjeeda, Ku guuleysiga "dagaalyahankii ugu dambaysa ee 19ka" Tartanka " 2014, oo ku faanaya guul aaddan oo aad u wanaagsan oo ka dhasha glaver Teixeira, Jan Błachowicz iyo Johnny Walker, kuwo kale.
Roonaadaan dheeraad ah ugu dhakhsaha badan lagu dhawaaqi doono.
BELLATOR 277: Mckee vs. Pitbull 2KAARKA MAIN:
Friday, April 15 - Ku noolaadaSHOWTIME
10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
Horyaalka Adduunka ee Featherweanta: C–A.J. McKee (18-0) vs. maya. 1-Patricio Pitbull (15-5)
Dunida ugu culus ee qafiifka ah ee ganaax culus: C-Vadim Nemkov (15-2) vs. Ha. 1-Corey anderson (16-5)
KAARKA hordhac ah:
Bellotor Mma Youtube kanaalka | Show ESTOME Sports YouTube Channel | Pluto TV
7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Saadaalinayaa in xumad: Ha. 5-Tim Johnson(15-8) vs. maya. 6-Tylell nasiib(11-2, 1 NC)
Welterweight xumad: Ha. 10-Kyle Chatchmer(8-1) vs.Michael Lombardo(12-2, 1 NC)
Welterweight xumad: Shane kefe(2-0) vs.Tyson Miller (2-0)
DUBLIN –It was announced today that former two-division championPatricio “Pitbull”has made the decision to relinquish his BELLATOR Lightweight World Championship. Sidaas darteed, BELLATOR MMA PresidentScott Cokerconfirmed that the hotly anticipated rematch between Waterford, Ireland ee Peter “The Showstopper” Queally (13-5-1) iyo Patricky “Pitbull” (23-10) will be elevated to the main event ofBELLATOR 270with the newly vacated 155-pound world title on the line.
Beltor Mma 270: Queally vs. Pitbull 2 takes place at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, on Friday November 5th.
Maraykanka, the main card action will air live on SHOWTIME at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. BELLATOR fans in Ireland can watch the eagerly anticipated event on both Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport, whilst UK fight fans can watch the event live on BBC iPlayer.
The preliminary card will stream live beginning at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, Show Edusit Sports YouTube Channel iyo TV TV.
BELLATOR’s return to the Irish capital will be co-headlined by an explosive bantamweight fight between two grappling wizards in No. 6 kaalinta James “The Strabanimal” Gallagher (11-1) and the No. 2 kaalinta Patchy Mix(14-1).
Qiimaha tikidhada BELLATOR 270: Queally vs. Pitbull 2are on sale now and can be purchased online fromTicketmaster.ie iyo Bellator.com.
Also announced today – heavyweight hostilities featuringGokhan Saricam (5-1) iyo Rob Beech (5-2) has been added to the preliminary card. Please find an updated bout listing below:
Beltor Mma 270: Queally vs. Pitbull 2 MainCard: SHOWTIME (US) / BBC iPlayer (UK) / Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND) Friday, October 1 - 9 p.m. GMT/5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT
Lightweight World Title Main Event: #4-Peter Queally (13-5-1) vs. #1-Patricky “Pitbull”(23-10) Bantamweight Co-Main Event: #6-James Gallagher (11-1) vs. #2-Patrick Mix (14-1) Dhexe xumad: #6-Charlie Ward (9-4) vs. #9-Nobert NovenyiJr. (5-0) Featherweight xumad: #6-Daniel Weichel (41-6) vs. #7-Pedro Carvalho (11-5)
Card hordhac ah: Bellotor Mma Youtube kanaalka | Show ESTOME Sports YouTube Channel | Pluto TV (US) BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND) 6 p.m. GMT/2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT
Featherweight xumad:Ciaran Clarke (3-0) vs. Jordan Barton (6-1-1) Featherweight xumad:Ilias Bulaid(2-0) vs. Georges Sasu(5-2) Welterweight xumad: Ashley Reece(8-2) vs. Luca Poclit (6-1) Khafiif xumad: Daniele Scatizzi (10-5) vs. Brian Hooi (16-8, 1 NC) Light la saadaalinayaa in xumad: Lee Chadwick(26-15-1) vs. Arunas Andriuskevicus(15-4) Saadaalinayaa in xumad: Gokhan Saricam(5-1) vs. Rob Beech(5-2) Welterweight xumad:Nicolò Solli (3-1) vs. Bobby Pallett (5-0) Strawweight xumad: Danni Neilan(4-0) vs.Audrey Kerouche(7-5, 2 NC) Featherweight xumad:Junior Morgan(3-0) vs. Darragh Kelly(Pro ugu horeeyay) Welterweight xumad:Stephen Costello (Pro ugu horeeyay) vs. Joe Nazokatov(Pro ugu horeeyay)
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*Kaarka la beddelo.
Fadlan booqo Bellator.com Wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah. Jadwalka la cusbooneysiiyay ee dhacdooyinka berator Sat. Oct. 16 // BELLATOR 268: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinals// Footprint Center // Phoenix, THE Sat. Oct. 23 // BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson // VTB Arena // Moscow, Russia Free. Nov. 5 // BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix// 3Arena // Dublin, Ireland Free. Nov. 12 // BELLATOR 271: Cyborg vs. Kavanagh // Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino // Hollywood, FL
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About BELLATOR BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under jihada of halyeeyga dagaalka horumariyaha Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. Maraykanka, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, dhacdo orchestration live, horumarinta dagaalka / xiriirka, iibsiga goobta, abuuridda taageeradu / horumarinta, liisan caalami ah, marketing, advertising, xiriirka sumcad iyo Komishanka. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Message. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, guriga si aad caanka madadaalo ugu horeeyey dunida ee isku xidha leh dhageystayaasha marayo content qasab ah guud ahaan television, sawir soconaya, online iyo mobile.
LOS ANGELES – Maanta, BELLATOR officials confirmed a must-see main event pitting hard-hitting heavyweightsCheick Kongo (30-11-2) iyo Sergei Kharitonov (32-8) against one another topsBeltor Mma 265 on Friday, August 20 from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. and airs live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
The card has also confirmed top featherweights No. 3 Adam Borics (17-1) iyo No. 4 Jay-Jay Wilson(8-0) will meet for the right to face the winner of the BELLATOR Featherweight World Grand Prix Final betweenPatricio “Pitbull”(32-4) iyo AJ McKee (17-0), which takes place on Saturday, July 31.
Tickets for the event go on sale this Thursday at 10 a.m. CT and are available at Sanford Pentagon Box Office & Ticketmaster.
The preliminary portion ofBeltor Mma 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov currentlyfeatures a flyweight bout pitting No.5-rankedAlejandra Lara (9-4) ka dhanka ah DeAnna Bennett (10-7-1) and willbegin at 6:00 p.m. IYO / 3:00 p.m. PT and stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, Show Edusit Sports YouTube Channel iyo TV TV. Additional preliminary bouts will be announced in the near future.
Holding an impressive MMA record of 30-11-2, 1 NC, Ha. 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. Hadda, 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 of 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.
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Beltor Mma 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov Card Main: SHOWTIME Friday, August 20 - 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. 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)
LOS ANGELES – June 17, 2021– BELLATOR MMA’s Featherweight and Lightweight World ChampionPatricio Pitbull (32-4) and undefeated top-ranked challengerAJ McKee (17-0) previewed their must-watch Featherweight World Grand Prix Final and 145-pound title fight during a virtual press conference Wednesday. Both fighters’ head coaches, Eric Albarracinof Team Pitbull Brothers, iyo Antonio McKeeof Team Bodyshop, also chimed in with a look at the final preparations both fight camps are taking as we approach the massive event.
BELLATOR 263: Pitbull vs. McKee will emanate from the Forum in Inglewood, Message., and will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Tickets for the event go on sale tomorrow, Friday, June 18 at BELLATOR.com and Ticketmaster.com.
Here is what the fighters and their coaches had to say Wednesday:
Patricio Pitbull, BELLATOR Featherweight World Champion & BELLATOR Lightweight World Champion
“I’m a little bit older and faster than the rest of my division and I’m going to use this in my favor. (22:47)
“Of all the opponents I’ve faced, AJ is the most dangerous, and I know that. Iyadoo in lagu sheegay, I know that I’m going to win this fight and prove his father wrong. (26:18)
“At the beginning of his career, he faced very low-level guys. He has a few wins over tough opponents, but he’s never fought anyone like me. He claims that he is ready for me, but he isn’t, and he’ll learn that very quickly in front of his home crowd.” (38:48) AJ McKee, Ha. 1 Ranked BELLATOR Featherweight & Featherweight World Grand Prix Finalist
“It’s been a great journey and this is something I’ve dreamed of my entire career. Like I said, I’ve been calling Pitbull’s name since I first stepped into that cage and he’s ignored me, pretending like he doesn’t know who I am. Dhammaadka maalinta, there is nowhere else for him to run and he has to look me in my eyes. I’m looking forward to it. Everyone says I haven’t been tested and I agree. Laakiin, when you do see me get tested, a whole different animal will come out. (23:22)
“After I beat Pitbull and become the face of BELLATOR, we can run it back for that second belt too. Becoming champ-champ is something that I said I was always going to do, and that I will do. I went through the trials and tribulations of not wanting to fight, to then having my passion for this come back and me seeing all my goals be within reach. It’s going to be fun, especially after the long break due to my knee surgery. I can’t wait to get in there again. The Mercenary does one thing: he signs the contract and then takes the person out. (24:22)
“I’ve been preparing for this fight for six years because Pitbull has been at the top for so long. Mar labaad, I have a foot longer reach on him, so he has to come to me. He says he is training with gold medal wrestlers, but I will do the same thing to him that I did to Pat Curran and Darrion Caldwell. I’m comfortable off my back. Just because he’s Brazilian, that doesn’t mean anything in terms of Jiu jitsu. I have that evolved Jiu jitsu and that’s what I get people with when they don’t see it coming.” (31:45)
Scott Coker, BELLATOR President “We’re excited to be back in California and we are excited to be back in the Forum, a place where we have had so many great fights. It’s going to be an amazing event. My staff is excited and the fighters are excited. When you think about live sports, it needs fans. We got a taste of it last week at the Mohegan Sun, which has been an amazing partner for us, but it’s time to travel and get back to what BELLATOR does best. That is putting on great fights touring from city-to-city, starting with this amazing fight on July 31. (4:10)
“This is the fight that everyone wanted to see. We have so many amazing athletes in this division that we went through the lottery system for matchups, which provided us with amazing fights. But at the beginning, I was wishing that the final would be McKee versus Pitbull. When we signed McKee, he had zero fights to his name. Hadda, look at where he is today. Back then, Pitbull was our champion and obviously still is today, so this fight is the “OG” vs. the new guard and we’ll have to see what happens.” (5:13)
“Patricio’s had a bullseye on his back since he became the champ in 2014, when he beat Pat Curran and this run has gone exactly as we planned. We were the matchmakers, we sent Darrion Caldwell to the other side of the bracket to take out some of the young bucks and he did. Markaas, AJ took him out and here we are. I think this is the perfect matchup for the finals. We have a young, up-and-coming, undefeated fighter and the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet, Patricio Pitbull. This is going to be the greatest fight in BELLATOR history. (7:20)
“Even at 17-0, AJ is still very young in the game. He’s very unpredictable. Laakiin, at the end of the day it’s Pitbull who is the pound-for-pound best on the planet, it’s Pitbull who is the double champ, it’s Pitbull who has the best coaches in the game and they don’t know how to prepare for that.” (8:18)
“I lived a different life, one where it wasn’t all good. I was dealing with a lot of stuff that a lot of African American men deal with. No mother and no father, growing up in the streets of Los Angeles. It was what it was, but I made the right decisions and never got caught for anything that I did that could have put me away for the rest of my life and found my drive and motivation through my son. The things that AJ would say as a kid, like ‘Daddy if you die, can I die with you?’ I didn’t care about living and I didn’t have a problem with killing either. And then one day AJ says ‘Dad, whatever you do and wherever you go, I want to come with you.’ I was ready to clock out, but then I realized that I needed to be here for him. He had nothing but me, so that gave me the drive and the strength to find a better way out.
“I made it this far, did my thing as a wrestler and was the best in the world. I did what I was doing, but I didn’t have the right mindset, so I had to check my mental and learn how to be a respectable human being. Once I did that, things started to shift for me and now here we are. I did things to keep AJ in private school, not to buy cars, music, and jewelry. I did it all to pay for his school tuition.” (14:36)
BELLATOR 263TAKES PLACE AT THE FORUM IN LOS ANGELES ON SATURDAY, JULY 31 – NOOSHAHAY ON SHOWTIME®
TICKETS FOR THIS MASSIVE EVENT GO ON SALE TOMORROW ATBELLATOR.COM
Los Angeles— And then there were two…
What began with 16 featherweight athletes vying for a one-million-dollar grand prize and the BELLATOR Featherweight World Championship has been narrowed to the greatest BELLATOR athlete in the history of the promotionPatricio Pitbull (32-4) and the company’s best-ever homegrown fighter in No. 1 kaalintaAJ McKee (17-0).
The culmination of the BELLATOR Featherweight World Grand Prix takes place Saturday, July 31 at Forum ee Inglewood, Message., and marks the company’s first domestic event hosted away from “The Fightsphere” since February 2020.
BELLATOR 263: Pitbull vs. McKeeairs live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and tickets for the event go on sale this Friday, June 18 at BELLATOR.com and Ticketmaster.com with a pre-sale taking place on Thursday.
“This is without a doubt going to be the biggest BELLATOR fight of all time,” said BELLATOR President Scott Coker. “AJ McKee has been calling for a shot at Pitbull’s title since his very first professional victory inside our cage six years ago. Now he’s finally getting the opportunity to realize his dream of becoming a world champion against the winningest fighter in BELLATOR history. For Pitbull a win over McKee in this tournament final would be a statement piece to add to his long list of accolades and legacy as the best 145-pounder on the planet.”
Kala badh ka mid ah bowdada wanaaga ee masterbull, Patricio waxaa muddo dheer loo tixgaliyay in dahabiga ah ee 'Bele peltor Mma', where he sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. Holding a remarkable record of 32-4 with wins over elite competition including the likes ofPat Curran, Juan Arcleta, Daniel Weichel (x2) and most recently a second triumph over Emmanuel Sanchez, the 33-year-old stands alone as the featherweight king. Intaa waxaa dheer, he was able to capture the Lightweight World Championship in a 2019 contest opposite Michael Chandler, Noqoshada ciyaartooydii labaad ee Bell Metor-ka inuu isku mar qabto laba koob isku mar. Iyadoo 23 ku dhammeeyaan 36 dagaal xirfad, Pitbull has shown time and time again that he possesses the well-rounded skillset required to reign over multiple weight classes.
With a perfect record of 17-0, AJ McKee has exceeded the lofty expectations placed on him since his professional debut at the ripe age of 20-years-old. With an even six knockouts and six submissions, the now-26-year-old McKee has shown a knack for securing finishes—and fast—with nine coming in the first round. “Mercenary” has earned dominant victories over every man who has opposed him including former champions Pat Curran, Georgi Karakhanyan, iyo Drion Caldwell, who McKee submitted most-recently with a rare, modified neck crank that was later dubbed the “McKee-otine.” Finally, the Long Beach native will face the man he has called for since signing with BELLATOR, as he takes on Patricio Pitbull in the much-anticipated Featherweight World Grand Prix Final.
The preliminary portion of the event streams live at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, Show ESTOME Sports YouTube Channel, as well as Pluto TV and features former featherweight title challenger and No. 2 kaalintaEmmanuel Sanchez(20-5) versus Denmark’s No. 8 kaalintaMads Burnell(15-3), a bantamweight tilt between No. 3 kaalintaMagomed “Tiger” Magomedov(18-1) iyo No. 4 Raufeon “Supa” Stots(16-1) and a lightweight affair pitting undefeatedUsman Nurmagomedov (12-0) ka dhanka ahManny Muro(12-6).
C-Patricio Pitbull (32-4) defeated #2-Emmanuel Sanchez(20-5) via technical submission (ceejiya guillotine) at 3:35 ka mid ah wareega
#6-Jason Jackson(14-4) adkaaday #3-Neiman Gracie(10-2) via go'aan loo dhan yahay (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#6-Tylell nasiib(10-1) adkaadayJack May (11-8) via TKO (qaad) at 3:16 ka mid ah wareega
Usman Nurmagomedov(12-0) adkaadayMike Hamel(7-5) via go'aan loo dhan yahay (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
5-Kana Watanabe(10-0-1) adkaaday #4-Alejandra Lara(9-4) via go'aan ku daatay (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Card hordhac ah:
#6-Magomed Magomedov (18-1) adkaadayCee Jay Hamilton (15-8) via soo gudbinta (gadaal qaawan ceejiya) at 1:22 wareegsanaa laba
Mandel Nallo (8-1) adkaadayRicardo Seixas (9-3) via knockout (weerarada) at 3:23 ka mid ah wareega
Khalid Murtazaliev (15-2) adkaadayFabio Aguiar (17-2) via go'aan loo dhan yahay (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Chris Gonzalez (6-0) adkaadayRoger Huerta (24-13-1) via soo gudbinta (weerarada) at 3:01 wareegsan saddex
Jose Augusto (17-1) adkaadayJonathan Wilson (9-3) via soo gudbinta (head and arm choke) at 4:58 ka mid ah wareega
Roman Faraldo (5-0) adkaadayTrevor Gudde (2-2) via TKO 1:30 ka mid ah wareega
Jordan Newman (3-0) adkaadayBranko Busick (2-2) via TKO (weerarada) at 2:30 wareegsanaa laba
\
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. Aniga ahaan, it’s the new era. He said my time is over. My time has just begun. We’ll see.
“It’s a fight the fans have wanted for the longest. On top of in, he’s underrated. He’s an outstanding champ. His accolades, his credentials, his record is phenomenal. But at the end of the day, 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.”
Exclusive Fight Content Includes Past Events, Tilmaamaha, And In-Depth Analysis of Featherweight And Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix
NEW YORK – MARCH 19, 2021 – BELLATOR MMAis launching on SHOWTIME on Friday, April 2 withBeltor Mma 255: Pitbull vs. Sanchez 2followed 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 Prixset to begin on Friday, April 9 and Friday, April 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 featuringPatricio “Pitbull”, Emmanuel Sanchez, AJ McKee, Vadim Nemkov, Ryan Bader iyo in ka badan.
Waxaa intaa dheer, 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 2will debut on Monday, March 22 whileROAD TO BELLATOR MMA: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prixwill premiere one week later on Monday, March 29 ku saabsanSHOWTIME Sports iyoBeltor MmaYouTube 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.
On Saturday, March 27, a replay ofBeltor Mma 253: Caldwell vs. McKeewill 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 Caldwellthat propelled the young star into the Featherweight World Grand Prix Final, will also replay onSHOWTIME on Sunday, March 28 at 12 Midnight ET/PT, and again on Thursday, April 1 at 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.
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.
The following fight replays are scheduled for the weeks ahead as fans prepare for the launch of BELLATOR MMA on SHOWTIME:
·Beltor Mma 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho- (Original air date 11/12/2020)
·Beltor Mma 251: Manhoef vs. Anderson- (Original air date 11/05/2020)
·Beltor Mma 245: Davis vs. Machida 2- (Original air date 09/11/2020)
·Beltor Mma 244: Bader vs. Nemkov- (Original air date 08/21/2020)
·Beltor Mma 222: MacDonald vs. Gracie- (Original air date 06/14/2019)
·Beltor Mma 220: MacDonald vs. Fitch- (Original air date 04/27/2019)
·Beltor Mma 214: Fedor vs. Bader- (Original air date 01/26/2019)
·Beltor Mma 186: Bader vs. Vassell- (Original air date 11/03/2017)
·More, two individual bouts from BELLATOR MMA 209: - (Original air date 11/16/2018)
Beltor Mma: Davis vs Nemkov
Beltor Mma: Pitbull vs. Sanchez
Wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah booqowww.bellator.com amawww.SHO.com, follow on Twitter @BellatorMMA and @ShowtimeSports, on Instagram @BellatorMMA and @ShoSports, ama noqday taageere on Facebook eewww.Facebook.com/BellatorMMA.
Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho Card Main: Patricio “Pitbull” (31-4) adkaaday Pedro Carvalho(11-4) via Ko (feer) at 2:10 ka mid ah wareega Yaroslav Amosov(25-0) adkaaday Logan Storley(11-1) via go'aan ku daatay (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Emmanuel Sanchez (20-4) adkaaday Daniel Weichel (40-12) via go'aan loo dhan yahay (48-46, 49-46, 49-45)
Card hordhac ah: Haaruun Pico (7-3) adkaaday John de Jesus (13-9) via Ko (feer) at 4:12 wareegsanaa laba Keri Taylor Melendez (5-0) adkaaday Emilee King (4-4) via soo gudbinta (gadaal qaawan ceejiya) at 3:02 ka mid ah wareega Manny Muro (12-6) adkaaday Devin Powell (10-5) via go'aan loo dhan yahay (30-27, 29-28, 30-27) Jornel Lugo (5-0) adkaaday Schyler Sootho (4-1) via go'aan loo dhan yahay (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) Lucas Brennan (4-0) adkaaday Andrew Salas (6-5) via go'aan loo dhan yahay (30-27, 30-26, 30-26) Roman Faraldo (4-0) adkaaday Pat Casey (6-4) via (WHO) punches at 2:30 wareegsanaa laba Trevor Gudde (2-1) adkaaday Khonry Gracie (2-2) via TKO (jilibka) at 3:28 wareegsan saddex
CHAMP PATRICIO ‘PITBULL’ DEFENDS HIS TITLE IN QUARTERFINAL MATCHUP AGAINST PEDRO CARVALHO, WHILE DANIEL WEICHEL FACES EMMANUEL SANCHEZ
MORE, DARRION CALDWELL MEETS UNDEFEATED AJ MCKEE IN SEMIFINALS ON NOV. 19
Los Angeles — The Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix resumes Thursday, Nov. 12 with two quarterfinal matchups set to take place, as champPatricio “Pitbull” (30-14) defends his title againstPedro Carvalho (11-3), halka Daniel Weichel (40-11) iyo Emmanuel Sanchez (19-4) square off in a battle of former title contenders. Intaa waxaa dheer, the first semifinal bout is set for Thursday, Nov. 19, when former titleholderDarrion Caldwell(15-3) squares off with undefeatedAJ McKee(16-0) for a spot in the tournament finals. All the action airs LIVE onNetwork Sports CBS at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Haddii ay dhacdo ugu muhiimsan ee Bellator 252 on Nov. 12, fans will see a featherweight world title bout with two-division Bellator champion Patricio “Pitbull” defending his 145-pound crown against SBG Ireland’s Carvalho. In addition to the five-round championship headliner, a second Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix quarterfinal will go down, as two former title challengers in Weichel and Sanchez meet again following a razor-thin split decision-victory for Weichel in 2016. The winners of these two bouts can expect to see each other in the next semifinal matchup.
The Bellator 253 headliner on Nov. 19 sees former bantamweight world champion Caldwell go toe-to-toe with rising prospect McKee on the other side of the bracket in the first semifinal. The winner earns a guaranteed spot in the finals and a shot at the Bellator world title and a chance to take home one million dollars.
All three Featherweight World Grand Prix bouts were initially slated to take place at the postponedBellator 241 iyo Bellator 244 events prior to the COVID-19 pandemic effectively putting the yearlong tournament on hiatus.
Network Sports CBS baahin doonaa Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho iyo Bellator 253: Caldwell vs. McKee LIVE in all U.S. markets at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, while preliminary matchups will stream on CBSSports.com and Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional bouts will be announced at a later date.
Hailing from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, two-time featherweight champ Patricio “Pitbull” will enter the Bellator cage for a promotional record 23rd time on Nov. 12. With impressive wins to his credit over Michael Chandler, Daniel Straus (x3), Daniel Weichel (x2) iyo Pat Curran, the 33-year old continues on in the Featherweight World Grand Prix not far removed from his lightweight championship victory in May of last year. Having earned a finish in 21 ee uu 30 Ku Guuleystay sida xirfadle, the simultaneous two-division champion most recently bested current bantamweight championJuan Arcletaon the scorecards in an exciting opening round World Grand Prix matchup and fans can certainly expect more fireworks when he finally sets his sights on Carvalho.
Portuguese submission specialist Pedro Carvalho will be entering the Bellator cage for just the fifth time in his eight-year professional career, looking for his seventh consecutive victory and his first world title victory. With victories in nine of his last 11 tartanka, including against DerekCampos, DanielCrawfordand a face crank-submission over Sam Sicilia in the opening round, the 25-year-old SBG Ireland-product is on the cusp of greatness – and winning the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix would be the perfect way to solidify it.
Iyadoo in ka badan 50 professional fights to his name, Germany’s Daniel Weichel is ready to make his 2020 debut in a highly anticipated World Grand Prix quarterfinal bout with Sanchez, a fighter Weichel got the better of four years ago atBellator 159. Following his Bellator debut in 2014, “Drake” has enjoyed an impressive promotional mark of 9-3, including pivotal victories over Sanchez, Pat Curran, Georgi Karakhanyan iyo Saul Rogers.
On the heels of yet another masterful performance that ended in a submission victory overTywan Claxtonin the opening round of the World Grand Prix, “El Matador” is ready for another title run as he prepares for the 50-fight veteran and the man who beat him once before, Daniel Weichel. Since joining forces with Bellator in 2014, the Milwaukee, Wisc.-resident has collected 11 victories over a 14-fight stint, including key wins over the likes of Claxton, Daniel Straus, Marcos Galvao and Georgi Karakhanyan (2x).
Having needed just one round to put away his last opponent via submission in the quarterfinals of the World Grand Prix, Darrion Caldwell is on a mission to regain Bellator gold. “The Wolf,” a former North Carolina State University NCAA National Champion wrestler, has looked unstoppable since moving up to the featherweight division, having defeatedAdam Borics, iyo sidoo kale Henry Corrales in the opening round of the tournament. Hadda, the former bantamweight champ sits only two victories away from holding a title in his second division – a feat very few athletes can claim.
Touted byESPNas the best fighter in MMA under the age of 25, AJ McKeelooks to back up the lofty expectations often held by the public for second generations-athletes. Undefeated in his career, “The Mercenary” has made himself known to the world through his flashy persona and trash talk, laakiin ugu muhiimsan, his work inside the Bellator cage. With every one of his pro bouts taking place with Bellator, the Long Beach-native can achieve what he set out to do beginning atBellator 146 in 2015 and become world champion with just two more wins.
Also announced forBellator 252…is a third main card bout featuring the always-excitingHaaruun Pico (6-3) of Jackson-Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, N.M., who returns for his second appearance inside Bellator’s “FightSphere, having previously defeated Solo Hatley Jr. in impressive fashion atBellator 242. He will take on Pittsburgh’sJohn de Jesus (13-8), who was most recently victorious atBellator 244 against Vladyslav Parubchenko, in what promises to an explosive featherweight contest.
For further information, fadlan booqo Bellator.com.
Updated Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho Fight Card: Network Sports CBS | DAZN 7 p.m. IYO Featherweight World Title Bout/FWGP Quarterfinal:Patricio “Pitbull”Freire (30-4) vs. Pedro Carvalho (11-3) Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal: Daniel Weichel (40-11) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (19-4) Featherweight Main Card Bout: Haaruun Pico (6-3) vs. John de Jesus (13-8)
Updated Bellator 253: Caldwell vs. McKee Fight Card: Network Sports CBS | DAZN 7 p.m. IYO Featherweight World Grand Prix Semifinal:Darrion Caldwell (15-3) vs. AJ McKee (16-0)
