It’s been an incredible year for Andrey Koreshkov, and the reigning Bellator welterweight champion hopes to cap it off in style this week.
Koreshkov, who successfully defended his title…
It’s been an incredible year for Andrey Koreshkov, and the reigning Bellator welterweight champion hopes to cap it off in style this week.
Koreshkov, who successfully defended his title vs. Benson Henderson earlier this year, meets former champion Douglas Lima in the main event of Bellator 164.
The card takes place from Israel and airs via tape-delay on Spike Friday night at 9 p.m. ET.
In the video above, go inside the training camp of Koreshkov, who is 19-1 in his career and on a six-fight win streak.
Despite the rumors that he could potentially be making his long awaited return at December 10’s UFC 206 from his home of Canada, legendary former welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre announced on yesterday’s (October 17, 2016) edition of The MMA Hour that his lawyer had terminated his contract with the UFC and that he was
Despite the rumors that he could potentially be making his long awaited return at December 10’s UFC 206 from his home of Canada, legendary former welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre announced on yesterday’s (October 17, 2016) edition of The MMA Hour that his lawyer had terminated his contract with the UFC and that he was now a free agent.
St. Pierre admitted that negotiations had stalled and that he had become tired of the drawn out process after once again finding his fire to compete. However, he didn’t say that he wasn’t going to once again fight, but he did say that he wasn’t sure what this free agency period would hold for him.
While it’s incredibly difficult to see “Rush” fighting outside of the world famous Octagon, that could indeed be a possibility once we are made aware of just how “free” St. Pierre is from his contract.
With that being said, we have compiled a list of seven fights that GSP could take if he indeed ends up leaving the world’s largest MMA promotion.
Bellator MMA announced on Wednesday that the promotion would be making its debut in Tel Aviv, Israel on November 10 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena with the “Bellator MMA in Tel Aviv” event. The event will air on SPIKE on Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Bellator has partnered with
Bellator MMA announced on Wednesday that the promotion would be making its debut in Tel Aviv, Israel on November 10 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena with the “Bellator MMA in Tel Aviv” event.
The event will air on SPIKE on Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Bellator has partnered with Ananey Communications, an Israeli television conglomerate boasting 14 channels, several of which showcase Viacom content including the EGO and EGO TOTAL channels which have broadcast Bellator in Israel since 2012.
Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) will make the second defense against Douglas Lima (27-6) in the main event. Also, announced for the event was the co-main event, which will be Noad Lahat (9-2) vs. Scott Cleve (15-5) in a featherweight bout. Additional main card and preliminary fights will be announced in coming weeks.
Koreshkov most recently dismantled former world champion Benson Henderson for 25 minutes in his first-ever title defense at Bellator 153.
Lima is coming off a dominant victory over top contender Paul Daley at Bellator 158 to earned the right to challenge for the promotion’s 170-pound title, which he once held.
Here is the updated card for the event:
– Welterweight World Title Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) vs. Douglas Lima (27-6)
– Featherweight Feature Bout: Noad Lahat (9-2) vs. Scott Cleve (15-5)
Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Bellator.com or Eventim.co.il/mma.
Bellator officials have announced plans for Andrey Koreshkov and Douglas Lima to square off once again over the welterweight title, with this rematch coming in Israel.
The event will take place November 10 and air on Spike Sports from Tel Aviv. The co-main event features Israeli Army veteran Noad Lahat against Scott Cleve.
Koreshkov won the title with a decision victory over Lima and earned his first title defense earlier this year when he bested former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.
Below is the complete press release from the promotion:
Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) will make the second defense of his belt against the man he took it from more than a year ago, Douglas Lima (27-6), in the main event of the promotion’s historic debut at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on November 10.
In addition, the card will feature one of Israel’s own in the co-headliner, when newly signed Bellator MMA featherweight Noad Lahat (9-2) meets Scott Cleve (15-5). Additional main card and preliminary fights will be announced in coming weeks.
The Viacom-owned fight promotion’s historic event will air in America on SPIKE Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Bellator has partnered with Ananey Communications, an Israeli television conglomerate boasting 14 channels, several of which showcase Viacom content including the EGO and EGO TOTAL channels which have broadcast Bellator in Israel since 2012.
Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Bellator.com or [eventim.co.il/mma]Eventim.co.il/mma.
Currently sitting atop Bellator MMA’s welterweight division, the 26-year-old champion Koreshkov most recently dismantled former world champion Benson Henderson for 25 minutes in his first-ever title defense. 19-1 as a professional, “Spartan” hasn’t tasted defeat since 2013 and has finished 13 of his opponents by either knockout or submission. It’s worth noting that Koreshkov trains under the leadership of former middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko.
Coming off of a dominant victory over top contender Paul Daley, “The Phenom” Lima has earned the right to challenge for the promotion’s 170-pound title, which he once held. The American Top Team standout has a knack for winning fights in spectacular fashion before reaching the judges’ scorecards, which he has accomplished in 23 of his 27 wins as a professional. Born in Brazil, the 28-year-old has secured victories over top competition since starting his career in 2006, tallying wins against Ben Saunders (2x), Ryan Ford, Steve Carl and Olympic competitor Rick Hawn. Now fully healthy, Lima looks to fight twice in a calendar year for the first time since 2013.
A black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, Lahat made his professional debut in 2008, where he began an impressive streak of seven consecutive victories. The 32-year-old “Neo” then decided to take his talents to the UFC, where he tacked on two more wins, rounding out his current professional record of 9-2. Hailing from Alfei Menashe, Samaria Israel, Lahat was also a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces before transitioning to his now promising MMA career. He will look to compete in a strong Bellator MMA Featherweight class that includes current titleholder Daniel Straus, Pat Curran, Patricio “Pitbull,” Daniel Weichel, and Georgi Karakhanyan.
At 34 years of age, Scott Cleve is set for his fifth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, the Colorado native has a knack for ending fights early, stopping his opponent in 11 of his 15 victories. Notable victories on the “Pariah MMA” standouts resume include wins over UFC veteran Abel Trujillo, along with Bellator competitors Derek Campos and Matt Bessette.
Bellator officials have announced plans for Andrey Koreshkov and Douglas Lima to square off once again over the welterweight title, with this rematch coming in Israel.
The event will take place November 10 and air on Spike Sports from Tel Aviv. The co-main event features Israeli Army veteran Noad Lahat against Scott Cleve.
Koreshkov won the title with a decision victory over Lima and earned his first title defense earlier this year when he bested former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.
Below is the complete press release from the promotion:
Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) will make the second defense of his belt against the man he took it from more than a year ago, Douglas Lima (27-6), in the main event of the promotion’s historic debut at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on November 10.
In addition, the card will feature one of Israel’s own in the co-headliner, when newly signed Bellator MMA featherweight Noad Lahat (9-2) meets Scott Cleve (15-5). Additional main card and preliminary fights will be announced in coming weeks.
The Viacom-owned fight promotion’s historic event will air in America on SPIKE Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Bellator has partnered with Ananey Communications, an Israeli television conglomerate boasting 14 channels, several of which showcase Viacom content including the EGO and EGO TOTAL channels which have broadcast Bellator in Israel since 2012.
Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Bellator.com or [eventim.co.il/mma]Eventim.co.il/mma.
Currently sitting atop Bellator MMA’s welterweight division, the 26-year-old champion Koreshkov most recently dismantled former world champion Benson Henderson for 25 minutes in his first-ever title defense. 19-1 as a professional, “Spartan” hasn’t tasted defeat since 2013 and has finished 13 of his opponents by either knockout or submission. It’s worth noting that Koreshkov trains under the leadership of former middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko.
Coming off of a dominant victory over top contender Paul Daley, “The Phenom” Lima has earned the right to challenge for the promotion’s 170-pound title, which he once held. The American Top Team standout has a knack for winning fights in spectacular fashion before reaching the judges’ scorecards, which he has accomplished in 23 of his 27 wins as a professional. Born in Brazil, the 28-year-old has secured victories over top competition since starting his career in 2006, tallying wins against Ben Saunders (2x), Ryan Ford, Steve Carl and Olympic competitor Rick Hawn. Now fully healthy, Lima looks to fight twice in a calendar year for the first time since 2013.
A black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, Lahat made his professional debut in 2008, where he began an impressive streak of seven consecutive victories. The 32-year-old “Neo” then decided to take his talents to the UFC, where he tacked on two more wins, rounding out his current professional record of 9-2. Hailing from Alfei Menashe, Samaria Israel, Lahat was also a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces before transitioning to his now promising MMA career. He will look to compete in a strong Bellator MMA Featherweight class that includes current titleholder Daniel Straus, Pat Curran, Patricio “Pitbull,” Daniel Weichel, and Georgi Karakhanyan.
At 34 years of age, Scott Cleve is set for his fifth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, the Colorado native has a knack for ending fights early, stopping his opponent in 11 of his 15 victories. Notable victories on the “Pariah MMA” standouts resume include wins over UFC veteran Abel Trujillo, along with Bellator competitors Derek Campos and Matt Bessette.
Not for the closeness of the final outcome, but for the amount of dominance put forth by Andrey Koreshkov on Benson Henderson back at Bellator 153, the two receive top honors so far in 2016….
Not for the closeness of the final outcome, but for the amount of dominance put forth by Andrey Koreshkov on Benson Henderson back at Bellator 153, the two receive top honors so far in 2016.
Koreshkov entered as the welterweight champion, but few outside of his camp and friends felt he would leave the Mohegan Sun Arena on April 22 with the title still around his waist.
In an effort to get closer to the UFC, Bellator MMA and president Scott Coker opened up the checkbook and signed Henderson, a former UFC lightweight champion to a multi-fight deal. Before he left the UFC, Henderson had started competing at welterweight, so the decision to pair him with Koreshkov was an easy one.
But nothing came easy for “Smooth” on this night.
Koreshkov, a 25-year-old from Russia who won gold at the 2010 World Combat Games in Pankration, picked up his sixth consecutive win since a 2013 loss to then-Bellator champ Ben Askren.
Other consideration went to Phil Davis-Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Pat Curran-Georgi Karakhanyan and Matt Mitrione-Carl Seumanutafa.
