‘Smooth’ Snaps Mamedov’s 20-Fight Unbeaten Streak, Teases Retirement

Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images

Coming into his fortieth pro fight at Bellator 273, Benson Henderson was riding the worst-losing streak of his career after dropping his previous three fights inside the Bellator cage….


Bellator 153: Koreshkov v Henderson
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images

Coming into his fortieth pro fight at Bellator 273, Benson Henderson was riding the worst-losing streak of his career after dropping his previous three fights inside the Bellator cage. And getting back into the win column wasn’t going to be a cakewalk because he was taking on a man who hadn’t tasted defeat in over a decade.

But after 15 minutes of back-and-forth action, “Smooth” proved that he is far from done, pulling off a huge split-decision win over Islam Mamedov, snapping the Dagestani wrestler’s 20-fight win streak.

It was far from easy because Mamedov has Henderson in some precarious positions throughout the fight, trapping him in some air-tight submission attempts which “Smooth” was able to fight his way out of.

After the fight, Henderson alluded that it could have very well been his final fight, and going out on top in from of his hometown crowd could be the perfect ending of his storied combat career. For now, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion will enjoy the win and ponder his future.


For complete Bellator 273 play-by-play updates and results click here

Highlights! Homasi Submits Willis Via First-Round Triangle!

Coming into his fight against Jaleel Willis on the main card of Bellator 273 — which went down from inside Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ — Sabah Homasi was in desperate need of a victory after dropping his last two fights.
An…



Coming into his fight against Jaleel Willis on the main card of Bellator 273 — which went down from inside Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ — Sabah Homasi was in desperate need of a victory after dropping his last two fights.

And he didn’t disappoint.

After a brief exchange on the feet, Homasi managed to get a hold of Willis’ back and proceeded to suplex slam him to the canvas. Once there, “The Sleek Sheik” was trying his best to sink in a rear-naked choke. Once he realized it wasn’t available, Homasi transition into an arm-triangle. And that was all he needed to forced Willis tap or risk taking a nap.

Homasi improves to 4-2 under the Bellator MMA banner and will surely look for a quick turnaround after earning his first win in over 1.5 years in lightning-quick fashion against “The Realest,” who is now on a two-fight losing streak.


For complete Bellator 273 play-by-play updates and results click here

Ngannou Not Worried About Title Being Vacated: “It’s Just A Belt”

Francis Ngannou knows that if the UFC takes his belt, he will be just fine. Francis Ngannou is sitting at the top of the UFC heavyweight division. Fresh off his first title defense win over Ciryl Gane should be putting him in a safe place in terms of his career. However, Ngannou has been having […]

Continue Reading Ngannou Not Worried About Title Being Vacated: “It’s Just A Belt” at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou knows that if the UFC takes his belt, he will be just fine.

Francis Ngannou is sitting at the top of the UFC heavyweight division. Fresh off his first title defense win over Ciryl Gane should be putting him in a safe place in terms of his career. However, Ngannou has been having some contract disputes with the UFC over the past year. Now that he is still the champ, should he be worried about the UFC taking his title away?

Ngannou beat Gane by unanimous decision at UFC 270. Inside the Octagon when the decision was read, UFC President Dana White was nowhere to be found. White is typically the one to wrap the belt around a champion’s waist, but he claims he was dealing with an issue backstage. Many believe that the strained relationship between White and Ngannou was the true reason White was MIA after UFC 270, and some have warned Ngannou to be wary.

When Ngannou won his title, he began his quest for more money and opportunities. Unable to come to an agreement in a hypothetical bout against Jon Jones, the UFC created an interim title just months after Ngannou was crowned.

Francis Ngannou Unworried About Potentially Being Stripped

Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou, Photo Credit: Getty Images

Following UFC 270, Nagnnou is saying he will need an extended break in order to fix a lingering knee injury. If the UFC were to require him to vacate the belt, Ngannou thinks he’ll be just fine.

“No, I’m not worried about that because at the end of the day, it’s just a belt, you know?” Ngannou told Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour. “As soon as they take the belt away, I’m a free agent [LAUGHS]. But I earned the belt; it’s not the belt that will make me champion. With or without it, I’m still a champion. So, let’s be clear about that. Nothing will change my status of being the champion.”

Ngannou has been looking for opportunities outside the UFC. He has mentioned wanting to box with Tyson Fury. He will not be able to seek this kind of boxing match while he is under the UFC contract. If he were to be forced out, he would most likely transition over to boxing.

Do you think the UFC will try and strip Francis Ngannou if he is out too long?

Continue Reading Ngannou Not Worried About Title Being Vacated: “It’s Just A Belt” at MMA News.

Knockout! Gonzalez Sets Up First Round Finish With Vicious Head Kick!

Chris Gonzales got back into the win column earlier tonight (Sat., Jan. 29, 2022) at Bellator 273, and he did in violent fashion. “CG Lion” wasted no time in coming out aggressive in his Lightweight bout against Saad Awad, pushi…



Chris Gonzales got back into the win column earlier tonight (Sat., Jan. 29, 2022) at Bellator 273, and he did in violent fashion. “CG Lion” wasted no time in coming out aggressive in his Lightweight bout against Saad Awad, pushing the pace from the opening bell.

Thirty seconds into the fight, Gonzalez channeled his inner-”Crocop” by unleashing a devastating left high kick that found its mark, dropping a stunned Awad to the canvas. From there, the wrestling standout pounced on his fallen opponent to put on the finishing touches via ground-and-pound to earn the first-round knockout win. And it took all of 36 seconds.

Here is a closer look in super low motion:

Gonzalez improves to 7-1, 6-1 under the Bellator MMA banner, with his lone loss coming in his previous fight against Goiti Yamauchi. Following the win, he wasted zero time in calling out his next opponent, challenging former 155-pound title contender, Peter Queally.


For complete Bellator 273 play-by-play updates and results click here

Bellator 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky live stream, results, play-by-play

Ryan Bader and Valentin Moldavsky at the Bellator 273 weigh-ins. | Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA kicks off its 2022 schedule with a heavyweight title fight at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
In the main event of Be…


Ryan Bader and Valentin Moldavsky at the Bellator 273 weigh-ins.
Ryan Bader and Valentin Moldavsky at the Bellator 273 weigh-ins. | Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA kicks off its 2022 schedule with a heavyweight title fight at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

In the main event of Bellator 273, reigning heavyweight champion and former light heavyweight king Ryan Bader takes on interim champ Valentin Moldavsky in a unification bout. This is Bader’s first heavyweight fight since a no contest with Cheick Kongo way back in 2019.

The co-main event is a lightweight bout between former UFC champion Benson Henderson and rising contender Islam Mamedov.

Bellator 273 kicks off with a free live stream of the prelims, which can be watched at the top of the page starting at a special early start time of 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT. Showtime has the main card at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT. You can watch the main card on Bellator’s YouTube channel if you live in certain other international jurisdictions. BBC iPlayer has this card for streaming in the United Kingdom.

Main Card (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET)

Ryan Bader vs. Valentin Moldavsky

Round 1 – Stiff jab by Bader. Big right hand! Moldavsky is rocked and he sinks to the canvas briefly. They clinch and wrestle briefly as Bader now has to defend a takedown. He throws some elbows. Moldavsky has an underhook and he is able to take Bader to the mat and in side control. Moldavsky tried to isolate an arm but Bader is wise to it. Bader back to his feet but Moldavsky gets him back down and has his back, but Bader again rises to his feet, only for the mat return to happen. Moldavsky with a hook in. He throws some short right hands to the face. Valentin with the body lock as they’re back to their feet. Bader using his right arm to posture off the cage. The action has slowed and they’re in a stalemate. Bader throws a short knee to the body. Elbow by Moldavsky and on the exit Bader lands a left hook. Now it’s Bader going for the takedown and he’s looking for the single leg and gets it. Bader with valuable top control as Moldavsky loses grip of Ryan’s left arm. 10-9 Bader.

Round 2 – Moldavsky gets in a right hand. Counter left hook by the interim champ. Slapping left from Moldavsky. Right hand and then a body lock as Bader looks for the takedown. Moldavsky staying upright for the time being. He puts Bader up against the cage. Oh god. Ball shot by Bader on the knee. Fight resumes back at the center of the cage. Bader swinging that overhand right but missing on that occasion. Level change by Bader but Moldavsky is wise to it and he puts Bader up against the fence. Trip attempt by Bader but it doesn’t work. Now Bader has a headlock but he risks getting put on his back. Moldavsky on top and throwing some strikes before Baders rises to his feet… only to be taken down. The interim champ throws some knees to the thigh. Bader now dragged away from the fence but Ryan manages to get nearer to there but is taking some shots in the process. Good right hands by Moldavsky. Clear round for the interim champ. 19-19.

Round 3 – Good jab by Bader. Moldavsky returns fire and now ducks under a Bader overhand for the body lock. Good use of the whizzer by Bader to stop the takedown but Moldavsky still has waist control. Brief dump to the mat of Bader by Moldavsky before Ryan is back up. Elbow by Bader as he tries to stop another takedown. Crowd booing. This is kinda the fight it was expected to be. Single leg takedown by Moldavsky and Bader gives up his back again. More knees to Bader’s thigh and right hands to the noggin. A lot of clinching, another round for Moldavsky. 29-28 Moldavsky.

Round 4 – Bader unable to get the takedown to start the 4th. Good shot lands for Bader. Right hand by Moldavsky. They trade punches but miss everything and now Moldavsky shoots only for Bader to sprawl. Moldavsky to his feet and Bader misses on the uppercut. Hope you like wrestling and clinching because you’re getting more of it. Bader turns Moldavsky around and now he gets a very important takedown. The champ has his opponent’s back, then Moldavsky grabs the hell out of the fence twice. Make it three times. Beltran should’ve just taken a point for that. Valentin is back to his feet but Bader wants the single leg and he snatches it and lands in half-guard. It’s up for grabs in the final round. 38-38.

Round 5 – Bader with the jab. Moldavsky left hook is blocked. Moldabsky and Bader clinched up and jostling for position. They separate a minute into the final frame. Moldavsky gets in a jab and then looks for the takedown, which Bader denies successfully. Straight right by Bader. Good combo by Moldavsky. Bader closing the distance and they’re tied up once more. Failed trip by Moldavsky but an elbow at the end. Oh takedown by Bader almost leads to him being on his back but he scrambles out of it. Then another scramble ensues and Moldavsky winds up on top with 2:30 and counting to go. Moldavsky with some knees as Bader rises but there’s the mat return and this time it’s further out from the fence. Bader explodes up to his feet following two short right hands, seemingly grabbed the fence, now puts his hand up against one of the posts but doesn’t grab it. Crowd trying to get behind the Arizona native as he throws some elbows in hopes of stopping another takedown. Not sure how many of these elbows are actually landing. Bader looking for a kimura grip. Moldavsky lifts Bader up and dumps him down to end the fight. Hmm… I think Bader had more offense and thus should win? 48-47 Bader.

Official decision: Ryan Bader def. Valentin Moldavsky by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to remain Bellator heavyweight champion

Benson Henderson def. Islam Mamedov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Henry Corrales def. Aiden Lee via unanimous technical decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Sabah Homasi def. Jaleel Willis via submission (arm triangle) at 1:42 of round 1

Preliminary Card (Online at 7:30 p.m. ET)

Enrique Barzola def. Darrion Caldwell via TKO (strikes) at 3:01 of Round 3

Chris Gonzalez def. Saad Awad via KO (head kick and punches) at :36 of Round 1

Dalton Rosta def. Duane Johnson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Nikita Mikhailov def. Blaine Shutt via TKO (strikes) at 3:23 of Round 3

Lucas Brennan def. Ben Lugo via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:27 of Round 1

Sullivan Cauley def. Ben Parrish via TKO (strikes) at 4:35 of Round 1

UFC Vegas 47: Hermansson vs. Strickland fight card

Jack Hermansson is headlining UFC Vegas 47 on February 5th. | Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

Check out the fight card and bout order for UFC Vegas 47. There is no UFC this weekend, but February will start eight shows in e…


Jack Hermansson is headlining UFC Vegas 47 on February 5th.
Jack Hermansson is headlining UFC Vegas 47 on February 5th. | Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

Check out the fight card and bout order for UFC Vegas 47.

There is no UFC this weekend, but February will start eight shows in eight weeks. The first one of this slate is on February 5th and features a middleweight bout between contenders Jack Hermansson and Sean Strickland. In the co-main event, action fighter Puna Soriano has a matchup with Nick Maximov. Also of note is a welterweight battle between Shavkat Rakhmanov and Carlston Harris.

Sam Alvey is also still on the UFC roster despite no wins in his last seven fights. He’s on the main card against Phil Hawes, who’s replacing Ian Heinisch after his recent withdrawal from the event.

Here’s the lineup for UFC Vegas 47:

Main Card (7 PM ET, ESPN+)

Jack Hermansson vs. Sean Strickland

Punahele Soriano vs. Nick Maximov

Shavkat Rakhmanov vs. Carlston Harris

Sam Alvey vs. Phil Hawes

Tresean Gore vs. Bryan Battle

Julian Erosa vs. Steven Peterson

Preliminary Card (4 PM ET, ESPN+)

Miles Johns vs. John Castaneda

Hakeem Dawodu vs. Michael Trizano

Chidi Njokuani vs. Marc-André Barriault

Alexis Davis vs. Julija Stoliarenko

Jailton Almeida vs. Danilo Marques

Jason Witt vs. Phillip Rowe

Malcolm Gordon vs. Denys Bondar