Tag: Bellator News

Champion Johnny Eblen Calls Out Jake Paul for MMA Fight Under Modified Rules

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake PaulJohnny Eblen, Bellator’s undefeated Middleweight Champion, is targeting none other than Jake Paul. In a bold statement on social…

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake Paul

Johnny Eblen, Bellator’s undefeated Middleweight Champion, is targeting none other than Jake Paul. In a bold statement on social media, Eblen directly challenged ‘The Problem Child’ Paul, the popular social media star and boxer.

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake Paul

In a comment directed at Jake Paul, Johnny Eblen said:

“@jakepaul fight me in MMA with modified rules. We both signed to the @pflmma, why not. Let’s run it.”

johnny eblen vs Jake Paul

The challenge carries weight, as both athletes are currently under contract with the PFL. While Eblen’s MMA credentials are unquestionable, boasting a perfect 16-0 record and a dominant wrestling background, Paul has primarily made waves in boxing. However, Paul’s involvement with PFL suggests he’s open to competing in mixed martial arts.

Johnny Eblen has cemented his status as one of the world’s top middleweights, thanks to his dominant title reign in Bellator. Known for his aggressive and technical style, he has successfully defended his title multiple times since capturing it in 2022.

Jake Paul, 27, has carved a unique path in combat sports. After achieving fame as a social media influencer, he transitioned to professional boxing, amassing an 11-1 record. His fights often spark controversy but draw massive attention, with his latest victory over Mike Tyson in November 2024 generating the largest boxing gate in U.S. history outside Las Vegas.

A potential Eblen-Paul fight would bring together two figures in MMA and boxing. While Eblen has proven himself in the cage, Paul’s willingness to explore MMA, especially under modified rules, could bring even more intrigue to the matchup.

Whether this challenge materializes into an actual bout remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Johnny Eblen isn’t afraid to mix it up. Now, the ball is in Jake Paul’s court.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai – Bellator vs. PFL

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai - Bellator vs. PFLHeavyweights Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija has just been announced as a PFL vs. Bellator showdown. The PFL is…

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai - Bellator vs. PFL

Heavyweights Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija has just been announced as a PFL vs. Bellator showdown. The PFL is hosting a major MMA event, Champions Series Dubai, on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. This event marks the start of a new partnership to establish Dubai as a key destination for MMA. The show will feature two marquee fights: a lightweight title bout and a heavyweight clash.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija

In the main event, undefeated lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) from Dagestan will defend his title against Ireland’s rising star Paul Hughes (13-1). Hughes is coming off the biggest win of his career after defeating AJ McKee at the PFL’s Battle of the Giants.

Meanwhile, the co-main event pits former Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov (18-2) from Russia against Ante Delija (24-6) from Croatia. Nemkov, riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak, is a dominant finisher with victories over Yoel Romero and Corey Anderson. He is a protege of all-time great Fedor Emelianenko. Delija, a former PFL champion, is known for his knockout power and submission skills, carrying on Croatia’s heavyweight MMA legacy alongside names like Mirko Cro Cop and Stipe Miocic.

This event is part of the “Road to Dubai” series, an initiative developed through a partnership between the PFL, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, and the Dubai Sports Council. The partnership between PFL and Dubai authorities also creates opportunities for local Emirati fighters to rise through the ranks. This event kicks off a multi-year push to make Dubai a global MMA hotspot while showcasing the sport’s top athletes and promoting new talent.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai Bellator vs. PFL 2

Conor McGregor Sparks Social Media War with World Champion: “Holding on bum b**ch nobody”

Conor McGregor Sparks Social Media War with World Champion: "Holding on bum b**ch nobody"Conor McGregor may not be doing much fighting inside the cage these days, but he’ll throw some verbal jabs…

Conor McGregor Sparks Social Media War with World Champion: "Holding on bum b**ch nobody"

Conor McGregor may not be doing much fighting inside the cage these days, but he’ll throw some verbal jabs on social media.

‘Mystic Mac’ did exactly that last weekend following Johnny Elblen’s successful defense of the Bellator middleweight title at the PFL’s ‘Battle of the Giants’ pay-per-view in Saudi Arabia. Eblen secured a win over Fabian Edwards in one of the evening’s more anticipated bouts. Unfortunately, the fight failed to live up to any kind of hype as Eblen leaned heavily on his wrestling and grinded out a fairly uneventful unanimous decision.

Conor McGregor

McGregor was immediately critical of the performance which caught the attention of Eblen.

“Conor McGregor went from ‘The face of the fight game’ to ‘The disgrace of the fight game.’ He embodies everything I don’t want to be as a man or as a human. What an embarrassment,” Eblen wrote on X in response to the Irishman’s criticism.

Unsurprisingly, McGregor snapped back telling Eblen that his fight with Edwards was “absolute poo.”

Conor McGregor

“Bro watching your downfall has been poo,” Eblen wrote in another message to McGregor. “You give me second hand embarrassment. You suck the life out of any inspiration you’ve sprung. Money and fame is not what it’s cut out to be eh?”

Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor Tells Johnny Eblen to ‘Suck My balls’

McGregor offered up one more response to Eblen in an attempt to end their back-and-forth.

“Suck my balls thru my drawers bro you are a holding on bum b*tch nobody,” McGregor wrote in a since-deleted post. “Smell ya later.”

Of course, that didn’t stop Eblen from trying to get the last word in.

“Oh no, not the smell ya later,” Eblen replied. “Struck a nerve did I? You TRT, HGH sausage lookin’ ass.”

Conor McGregor

Johnny Eblen kept his undefeated record intact with the win over Edwards, moving to 16-0 in his mixed martial arts career.

Johnny Eblen Blames Conor McGregor for Surge in Retired Fighters Returning After PED Use

Johnny Eblen Blames Conor McGregor for Surge in Retired Fighters Returning After PED UseJohnny Eblen thinks Conor McGregor is responsible for an unsettling trend in the world of MMA. Earlier this month,…

Johnny Eblen Blames Conor McGregor for Surge in Retired Fighters Returning After PED Use

Johnny Eblen thinks Conor McGregor is responsible for an unsettling trend in the world of MMA.

Earlier this month, UFC Hall of Famer Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone announced his plans to come out of retirement for two more fights inside the Octagon, his goal being to reach 50 fights under the Zuffa (WEC and UFC) banner. However, his declaration of intent has been met with very little excitement. In fact, practically everyone is of the opinion that it’s a bad idea, including UFC CEO Dana White.

Following his fight at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ pay-per-view in Riyadh over the weekend, Bellator middleweight titleholder Johnny Eblen expressed his disdain for the idea of a ‘Cowboy’ return and placed blame on McGregor for the recent trend of fighters coming out of retirement after getting juiced up.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea to retire, take a bunch of steroids, and then come back and fight again,” Eblen said, speaking to the media at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ press conference. “It’s not a good look. I think Conor [McGregor] paved the way, I think he’s influencing a lot of other people to do it, and I think people are trying to fight past their prime and use all these substances and it’s just not natural, it’s not good.

“Your brain doesn’t heal from steroids. So all that CTE just adds up. I’m very against steroids, I’m very against people fighting past their prime.”

Conor McGregor wasn’t as upfront about his alleged PED use as ‘cowboy’ was

While on the red carpet for the UFC 2023 Hall of Fame ceremony, Cerrone was very open about his use of banned substances following his retirement from the sport a year earlier.

“I mean, right now, all the good sh*t after the non-USADA approved sh*t, I feel like I’m f*cking 21 again,” Cerrone told reporters last year on the UFC Hall of Fame red carpet. “You know what I’m saying? I’m telling you, guys — any of you fighters when you’re done, go ahead and get on the TRT and put your wife in a bind because that’s when you’ll feel like an 18-year-old boy again” (h/t MMA Junkie).

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Though Conor McGregor was not nearly as open about his alleged PED use while recovering from the broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, ‘Mystic Mac’ certainly didn’t deny using additional substances to help with the healing process.

That on top of the flood of pictures featuring an absolutely jacked McGregor on social media led almost everyone to believe that he was on the juice while out of the USADA testing pool.

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On Saturday, Eblen successfully defended his Bellator middleweight championship against Fabian Edwards for the second time in 13 months. After finishing Edwards via TKO in the third round of their first meeting, the champ needed the full 25 minutes to ensure he walked away with his title intact in Saudi Arabia.

‘Pressure’ is a perfect 16-0 in his MMA career with four submission victories and three by way of KO/TKO.

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Paul Hughes wants Conor McGregor in his corner when he faces Usman Nurmagomedov “We’ll need more security” student of Khabib

Paul Hughes PFL Usman NurmagomedovIreland’s Paul Hughes got a huge win in the PFL debut as he took on the prodigy AJ McKee….

Paul Hughes PFL Usman Nurmagomedov

Ireland’s Paul Hughes got a huge win in the PFL debut as he took on the prodigy AJ McKee. Hughes was able to out-point his opponent with sharp counters and flying knees. After the victory, he wants the Bellator champion, and student of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov, but with Conor McGregor in his corner.

Paul Hughes wants Usman Nurmagomedov

The former Cage Warriors champion signed with the PFL looking to become a world champion in the organization. In his debut, he was able to defeat the top-ranked, and ultra-talented, AJ McKee via split decision. The Irish-born Paul Hughes was able to out-point his opponent in an impressive victory and showed off his striking acumen.

After the fight, he called out the Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov who is a long-time student, and cousin, of MMA legend, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Hughes is very likely to face Usman next with the title on the line and in that bout, Khabib will be in his corner. For that, Hughes has requested that Conor McGregor be in his corner for the match.

Paul Hughes PFL
2024 PFL Superfights PPV: Battle of the Giants at the Mayadeen Theater in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Jose Peñuela / 2024PFLPPV) Paul Hughes vs AJ McKee

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor had one of the most bitter rivalries in MMA history. Their blockbuster match for the UFC world title was a major event and one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport. Khabib won but then a brawl broke out after the match.

Paul Hughes wins in the PFL

Speaking to the media after his PFL win, Paul Hughes explained:

“Yeah, that’s obvious. [Usman Nurmagomedov] is what I want. I said I was here for the biggest fights, the highest-pressure moments, and to make the most money possible. Usman is next, no question. There’s a lot of hype around this fight, and I’m here for it.“

On potentially having Conor McGregor in his corner, he added:

“How crazy would that be? We might need some extra security that night, though. We’ll need more security! But I’m down for it. It’ll be fun.”

Discussing his victory over AJ McKee, Hughes said:

“When you’re in there, it’s sometimes hard to tell, but judging from the energy of the crowd and AJ’s face, it’s pretty clear I won. I smashed him, walked him down, and put punches on him. I hurt him so many times. I was close to knocking him out a few times, but I didn’t get him out of there. I’ll 100% get him next time.”

PFL Paul Hughes vs AJ McKee
Paul Hughes

Sara Collins scores epic upset, submits Leah McCourt in opening round – Bellator: London Highlights

Sara Collins scores epic upset, submits Leah McCourt in opening round - Bellator: London HighlightsSara Collins established herself as the featherweight division’s top contender with a jaw-dropping first-round submission victory over Irish fan…

Sara Collins scores epic upset, submits Leah McCourt in opening round - Bellator: London Highlights

Sara Collins established herself as the featherweight division’s top contender with a jaw-dropping first-round submission victory over Irish fan favorite Leah McCourt at the Bellator Champions Series: London event on Saturday.

McCourt looked to attack the lead leg of Collins early, but McCourt failed to set up the kicks, allowing Collins to snatch the leg and send her opponent to the mat. Collins declined to go down to the mat and allowed McCourt back to her feet.

Upright once again, Collins unleashed a massive right hand that sent McCourt crashing to the canvas. Smelling blood in the water, Collins swarmed and dropped a series of hammer fists that prompted McCourt to give up her back. Seeing her opportunity to finish things, Collins cinched her arm under McCourt’s neck and forced the tap out in round one via a rear-naked choke.

Official Result: Sara Collins def. Leah McCourt via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 or Round 1.

With the win over McCourt, Collins moves to a perfect 6-0 in her mixed martial arts career and is now the No. 1 ranked contender in Bellator’s featherweight division, lining her up for a potential title tilt with women’s MMA legend Cris Cyborg.

Check out highlights from Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins: