Tag: bellator 279

Yancy Medeiros Hopes To Get Bellator Contract: “I’m Here To Put On A Show”

Yancy MedeirosMMA veteran Yancy Medeiros’ return to his homeland of Hawaii with Bellator proved to be a victorious affair. Yancy Medeiros returned to action as a fan favorite against Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 279 in his home state of Hawaii this past Saturday. After being let go by the UFC following four losses in a row, […]

Yancy Medeiros

MMA veteran Yancy Medeiros’ return to his homeland of Hawaii with Bellator proved to be a victorious affair.

Yancy Medeiros returned to action as a fan favorite against Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 279 in his home state of Hawaii this past Saturday. After being let go by the UFC following four losses in a row, Medeiros won his Bellator debut in impressive fashion against the sixth-ranked contender.

Having won bonuses for Fight of the Night twice and Performance of the Night thrice during his time in the UFC, Medeiros has made a name for himself as one of the most exciting fighters out there. Making his return to fighting in Hawaii after 13 years, Medeiros put on a show for the fans that saw him outscore the former Bellator title challenger Sanchez in a thrilling contest.

In the Bellator 279 post-fight press conference, Yancy Medeiros spoke to MMA Junkie about one of the best wins of his career.

“It’s been five fights since a victory, so it was good to break that losing streak and be at home,” Medeiros said. “Everything happened for a reason last year and Bellator gave me this opportunity to fight in Hawaii.

“Honestly, this was probably one of the worst fight camps with injuries and everything but it was the best fight week for me. Everything was meant to be together. I had injuries, I was sick throughout fight camp, but the aloha and the mana of Hawaii just kept me going. … This week was surreal for me because I got to represent. Thank you, Bellator, for letting me do this for Hawaii. I really appreciate this. .. I hope to give you guys a show again.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

Yancy Medeiros was on a one-fight deal

In an interview with LowKick MMA ahead of Bellator 279, Yancy Medeiros revealed that he had a one-fight deal with Bellator for April 23. As a seasoned pro of the game, Medeiros competed for the UFC for eight years from 2013 to 2021 after starting his career in 2007.

Medeiros was a favorable draw in his former promotion and headlined a show along with the multiple performance bonuses he earned. During his stint in the Las Vegas-based organization, he racked up notable wins against John Makdessi, Erick Silva, and Alex Oliveira.

Given his popularity in the sport, Bellator may be better off getting a new deal signed with ‘The Kid’ that extends his current agreement to a few more fights. He’s expressed his desire to stay and hopes to get a new contract with the company.

“Bellator, I’m here to put on a show everywhere I go, in any venue,” Medeiros said. “I’m always going to promote this love and aloha so come hire this kid.”

Do you want Bellator to sign Yancy Medeiros?

Cris Cyborg Eager on Making Transition Over to Boxing Following Bellator 279 Victory

Cris CyborgFollowing a five-round battle with Arlene Blencowe, Cris Cyborg finally feels the time’s right to transition to boxing. It’s been no secret that the women’s Grand Slam champion wanted to test her credentials between the ropes, but following her victory at Bellator 279, Cyborg doubled down on her interest in making her professional boxing debut […]

Cris Cyborg

Following a five-round battle with Arlene Blencowe, Cris Cyborg finally feels the time’s right to transition to boxing.

It’s been no secret that the women’s Grand Slam champion wanted to test her credentials between the ropes, but following her victory at Bellator 279, Cyborg doubled down on her interest in making her professional boxing debut in her next outing.

Cris Cyborg on Boxing Debut

“For me, my next fight I’d like to do a boxing fight,” Cris Cyborg told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference. “It’s been one of my dreams. Maybe it’s going to be the next one I’m working on. I don’t know. I don’t know who is going to be next or who Bellator will put in front of me – Cat Zingano, Amanda Nunes, Kayla Harrison. I like to be (on) the big shows for my fans and enjoy every time I step in there for the title.

“… I’ve been coaching and training boxing for one fight. I’m looking for one fight. I’ve done everything. I did wrestling. I did jiu-jitsu. I did a muay Thai fight. It’s the only one I haven’t done, is boxing. It’s one of my dreams.”

Cyborg told the media that talks have begun, and for now, it’s just a case of ironing out those details before making a move. The 36-year-old intends to compete at 147lbs or 155lbs.

Bellator president Scott Coker stated he would allow his featherweight champion to compete in boxing and confirmed that her contract indicates she can do so:

“I think that’s really going to be up to her,” Coker told MMA Junkie. “I’ll be honest with you and I don’t want to get into too much detail, but it’s always been an agreement that we’ve had with her that she can box at any time in our contract with her. She (could) box whether it was a year ago or eight months ago. She’s always had the ability to box in her agreement.”

Do you think the next time we see Cris Cyborg is in a boxing ring?

Cris Cyborg Defends Title, Defeats Arlene Blencowe In Rematch Battle – Bellator 279 Highlights

Cris CyborgCount it four successful Bellator MMA featherweight title defences for Brazilian veteran, Cris Cyborg — who successfully defeats challenger, Arlene Blencowe for the second time in her career, rounding out a Bellator 279 card in Honolulu, Hawaii with a unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45) victory. Cris Cyborg, who most recently dispatched Dublin native, Sinead Kavanagh […]

Cris Cyborg

Count it four successful Bellator MMA featherweight title defences for Brazilian veteran, Cris Cyborg — who successfully defeats challenger, Arlene Blencowe for the second time in her career, rounding out a Bellator 279 card in Honolulu, Hawaii with a unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45) victory.

Cris Cyborg, who most recently dispatched Dublin native, Sinead Kavanagh back in November of last year in her last appearance in the Bellator cage, secured her first successful defense of the featherweight crown with an October 2020 submission win over Australian contender, Blencowe.

Standing and trading with Blencowe for almost the entire 25 minute limit of tonight’s headliner in Hawaii, Cyborg dropped Blencowe with a massive straight right hand in the opening round, before landing an illegal knee to a downed Blencowe, resulting in a one-point deduction against the Curitiba native.

Bloodying and battering Blencowe from there on out for the remainder of the headlining contest, Cyborg listed a trio of potential next opponents for her as her reign as Bellator queen continues — including contender, Cat Zingano, former foe, Amanda Nunes, as well las the undefeated PFL lightweight best, Kayla Harrison.

Below, catch the highlights from Cris Cyborg’s unanimous decision win over Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279

Raufeon Stots Stops Juan Archuleta With High Kick, Wins Interim Title – Bellator 279 Highlights

Raufeon StotsSurging Bellator bantamweight contender, Raufeon Stots has advanced to the Bellator MMA World Grand Prix semi final bracket — as well as minting himself as the interim division gold holder — stopping former undisputed bantamweight best, Juan Archuleta with a stunning third round high kick in the co-main event of Bellator 279 in Honolulu, Hawaii. […]

Raufeon Stots

Surging Bellator bantamweight contender, Raufeon Stots has advanced to the Bellator MMA World Grand Prix semi final bracket — as well as minting himself as the interim division gold holder — stopping former undisputed bantamweight best, Juan Archuleta with a stunning third round high kick in the co-main event of Bellator 279 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Stots, who entered tonight’s re-shuffled bantamweight Grand Prix quarter final bracket against Archuleta off the back of an impressive unanimous decision win over Magomed Magomedov, managed to utilize his wrestling in the opening round in response to some wrestling offense from Archuleta, before successfully defending a slew of takedown attempts in the second frame.

However, early in the third round, Stots managed to find his target with a high-kick-come-knee — catching Archuleta and becoming the first to finish the former undisputed champion with strikes in the process. Stots is now slated to move onto the semi-final bracket where he is joined by fellow surging grappling ace, Patchy Mix who turned in an impressive five round unanimous decision win over Kyoji Horiguchi earlier tonight.

Below, catch the highlights from Raufeon Stots’ stunning high kick win over Juan Archuleta

Bellator 279 Results & Highlights: Cyborg Retains Title For Fourth Time

Bellator 279: Cyborg vs. Blencowe 2 took place live tonight on SHOWTIME, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! In tonight’s main event, Cris Cyborg defended her women’s featherweight championship against Arlene Blencowe in a rematch of their 2020 bout in which Cyborg earned a second-round submission victory. The co-main…

Continue Reading Bellator 279 Results & Highlights: Cyborg Retains Title For Fourth Time at MMA News.

Bellator 279: Cyborg vs. Blencowe 2 took place live tonight on SHOWTIME, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!

In tonight’s main event, Cris Cyborg defended her women’s featherweight championship against Arlene Blencowe in a rematch of their 2020 bout in which Cyborg earned a second-round submission victory.

The co-main event featured former bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta taking on Raufeon Stots in an interim bantamweight championship.

Also on tonight’s lineup was former RIZIN & Bellator bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi taking on submission ace Patchy Mix.

You can view all the highlights from the Bellator 279 main card below followed by the quick results of the full card!

Yancy Medeiros def. Emmanuel Sanchez

Justine Kish def. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane

Patchy Mix def Kyoji Horiguchi

Raufeon Stots def. Juan Archuleta

Cris Cyborg def. Arlene Blencowe

MAIN CARD (SHOWTIME, 10:30 PM ET)

Cris Cyborg def. Arlene Blencowe via unanimous decision (49-45 x3)

Interim Bantamweight Title Bout: Raufeon Stots def. Juan Archuleta via knockout: R3, 0:16

Justine Kish def. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)

Bantamweight Grand Prix: Patchy Mix def. Kyoji Horiguchi via unanimous decision (48-47×3)

Yancy Medeiros def. Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2)

PRELIMINARY CARD (YouTube, 8:00 PM ET)

Goiti Yamauchi def. Levan Chokheli via submission (armbar): R1, 3:49

Bobby King def. Keoni Diggs via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Dayana Silva def. Janay Harding via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

Justin Gonzales def. Kai Kamaka via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

Lance Gibson Jr. def. Nainoa Dung via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25×2)

Continue Reading Bellator 279 Results & Highlights: Cyborg Retains Title For Fourth Time at MMA News.

EXCLUSIVE | Yancy Medeiros Reveals Nate Diaz Wants Free Agency over Conor McGregor Trilogy

Yancy Medeiros, Nate Diaz, Conor McGregorYancy Medeiros reveals Nate Diaz wants free agency more than a potential third fight with Conor McGregor. Ahead of his fight with Emmanuel Sanchez on April 23 at Bellator 279, Yancy Medeiros spoke to LowKick MMA about his debut fight in Bellator. He’ll be competing in his hometown of Hawaii for the first time after […]

Yancy Medeiros, Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor

Yancy Medeiros reveals Nate Diaz wants free agency more than a potential third fight with Conor McGregor.

Ahead of his fight with Emmanuel Sanchez on April 23 at Bellator 279, Yancy Medeiros spoke to LowKick MMA about his debut fight in Bellator. He’ll be competing in his hometown of Hawaii for the first time after 13 years and is excited to put on a show for the fans. Filled with positive energy, Medeiros personifies volumes about what it means to be a true Hawaiian as he shares the addictive Aloha energy with us.

Medeiros revealed that he’s on a one-fight deal with Bellator for the bout and the two parties will need to negotiate a new deal to keep him in the promotion. Amidst the fighter pay debate and contract controversies, ‘The Kid’ shared that Nate Diaz wants to be a free agent first and foremost.

Talking about the importance of brand and approaching the fight game from a business angle, Medeiros said that Diaz poked fun at the organization in a recent series of tweets where he suggested he wants to fight in Bellator and even retire after completing the last bout on his contract.

Diaz indicated an interest in fighting Dustin Poirier who also seemed willing for the showdown. However, UFC president Dana White shut down the talks of a possible fight between the two even when both are considered to be big draws in the sport.

When asked about a potential match against Conor McGregor, Medeiros explained that Nate Diaz would rather fight his way out of the contract than get a third fight with the Irishman, for whom he will need to wait a few months and possibly have less leverage in negotiations from a business standpoint.

Yancy Medeiros shares the Aloha energy and talks Nick Diaz relationship

Yancy Medeiros developed a bond with Nick Diaz that only got stronger over the years. Although both fighters have different personalities, the jubilant Hawaiian struck a friendship with the straight-up Stockton native with his friendliness and genuine way of carrying himself. As authentic as they come, Medeiros spread a message of love and peace, of being a killer with the biggest smile on.

He spoke highly of Nick Diaz and compared his wisdom to the likes of Gracies, the single most influential family in mixed martial arts. Diaz played the role of a mentor in Medeiros’s life educating him in the gym and outside of it to reach optimal levels. He got Medeiros into following a plant-based diet, helped him cut weight to compete at lightweight instead of light heavyweight, and coached him about attaining peak condition.

Nick Diaz has remained a fan favorite in the sport despite a six-year hiatus following his suspension after the Anderson Silva fight, and his brother Nate Diaz enjoys similar status due to their charismatic personalities. Medeiros believes Diaz to be a savant and reinforced how much he learns from him.

Will Yancy Medeiros get the win at Bellator 279? Should Nate Diaz get free agency or should he wait for the trilogy bout?