Tag: Bellator News

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:

Usman Nurmagomedov retains title in decision win over Alexandr Shabily – Bellator Champions Series 4 Highlights

Usman Nurmagomedov retains title in decision win over Alexandr Shabily - Bellator Champions Series 4 HighlightsIn his return to competition following an anti-doping issue, unbeaten Russian star, Usman Nurmagomedov managed to retain his undisputed…

Usman Nurmagomedov retains title in decision win over Alexandr Shabily - Bellator Champions Series 4 Highlights

In his return to competition following an anti-doping issue, unbeaten Russian star, Usman Nurmagomedov managed to retain his undisputed lightweight title in last night’s Bellator Champions Series 4 headlining fight against contender, Alexandr Shabily in a unanimous decision effort.

Nurmagomedov, who had been sidelined since he saw an initial unanimous judging win over ex-champion, Brent Primus overturned to an official ‘No Contest‘ result, was embroiled in a high-profile anti-doping issue.

usman nur

Testing positive for a banned substance, Nurmagomedov remained the undisputed lightweight kingpin under the Bellator MMA banner due to the reported “unintentional” use of the substance in question, remaining champion for last night’s anticipated fight with Shabily.

usman khabib

And landing a unanimous decision shutout against Rostov contender, Shabily — which included a near-finish via submission, Nurmagomedov was heralded by his coach and relative, former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov — who praised him as well as current Octagon star, Islam Makhachev.

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Below, catch the highlights from Usman Nurmagomedov decision win over Alexandr Shabily

“This Is Dynasty” Khabib Nurmagomedov Reflects on Family MMA Success After Another Title Win

Khabib Nurmagomedov Usman Nurmagomedov Bellator Champion SeriesKhabib Nurmagomedov was front and center for his cousin Usman’s hard-fought victory at Bellator Champion Series last night. The…

Khabib Nurmagomedov Usman Nurmagomedov Bellator Champion Series

Khabib Nurmagomedov was front and center for his cousin Usman’s hard-fought victory at Bellator Champion Series last night.

The former UFC champion was ecstatic to see more MMA success come to the family, and he was very proud of his cousin Usman for defending his Bellator lightweight championship. This win marks the 18th in a row for the young Dagestani fighter, who remains undefeated just like his older cousin and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Usman Nurmagomedov defended his title against Alexander Shabliy, who was on a nine-fight win streak before getting defeated last night via unanimous decision. Shabliy presented a lot more of a challenge than many expected. However, he lost almost every round as far as the judges were concerned, with scores of 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46 to seal his defeat.

Khabib Nurmagomedov takes to the cage and speaks on the family dynasty

“I think Usman (Nurmagomedov) is right now one of the best lightweights in the world,” Khabib Nurmagomedov said, standing in the Bellator octagon. “I was before; now it’s our brother Islam (Makhachev), and Usman is next. This is dynasty.”

“I think many, many years people gonna talk,” Nurmagomedov continued. “And they don’t even understand why (our family is so dominant in MMA). Because we work so hard, we believe in Allah, and we believe in ourselves.”

With that, the Nurmagomedov tribe would leave yet another event victorious. The dynasty is indeed in full effect, with Khabib’s lasting legacy on the UFC and his family’s continued work in the MMA world. Islam Makhachev is dominating the UFC’s lightweight division, and Usman Nurmagomedov is doing the same to Bellator’s. Shoot, even Umar Nurmagomedov is on the verge of a title shot!

What do you think about this MMA dynasty that Khabib and his father created?

Video: Lorenz Larkin Gets a Speedy KO to Earn Bellator Title Shot

Lorenz LarkinLorenz Larkin is at the top of his game 15 years into his MMA career, as he demonstrated at…

Lorenz Larkin

Lorenz Larkin is at the top of his game 15 years into his MMA career, as he demonstrated at Bellator Champions Series: San Diego on Saturday.

Larkin and Levan Chokheli clashed in a No. 1 welterweight contender fight in front of a raucous crowd in San Diego. The matchup preceded the highly-anticipated lightweight title matchup between Usman Nurmagomedov and Alexandr Shabliy.

Larkin wasted no time in proving he deserves to fight for the Bellator welterweight championship. Just under two minutes into the fight, Larkin swarmed Chokheli with his boxing, dropping his opponent and finishing with ground-and-pound.

Lorenz Larkin Clinches Ramazan Kuramagomedov Title Clash

Watch Larkin’s TKO finish below.

Larkin has now won three of his last four fights and will face Ramazan Kuramagomedov for the Bellator welterweight title. He’s lost one fight since 2017; a split decision loss to Andrey Koreshkov.

Larkin made his Bellator debut in 2017 following stints in the UFC and Strikeforce. He earned wins over the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Neil Magny, and Santiago Ponzinibbio during his UFC tenure.

After an up-and-down start to his Bellator tenure, Larkin has turned a new leaf at this stage of his career. He surged to the top of the division with six-straight wins before a no-contest against Mukhamed Berkhamov at Bellator 283.

Larkin knocked out Berkhamov with an elbow in their immediate rematch. After a controversial loss to Koreshkov last year, he’s bounced back with consecutive TKO wins.

The 38-year-old Larkin is one of the most electric strikers in the Bellator welterweight division and will look to cap off his run with a world title.

‘This Is Misinformation’ Chael Sonnen Reacts to Imane Khelif’s Olympic Boxing Controversy

Imane KhelifImane Khelif was the target of online abuse by bad-faith actors earlier this week. The Algerian Olympic boxer has…

Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif was the target of online abuse by bad-faith actors earlier this week. The Algerian Olympic boxer has been the leading story during these Olympic games, and the story of her gender. Chael Sonnen, former UFC fighter, has taken a step forward to try and counteract the misleading information that has been circulating.

Imane Khelif

Many people online were led to believe that Imane Khelif was a trans athlete or a man acting as a woman. This infuriated the masses who called out in uproar. The fact is Imane Khelif is from Algeria where being a trans person is illegal and transitionary surgeries are not allowed. The Algerian Olympic boxer was born a woman and still is a woman to this day. Additionally, she has never been found to have increased levels of testosterone and has been in Olympic testing for at least four years.

Last year, Imane Khelif was suspended by the IBA, an organization that is not recognized as legitimate by the Olympics. The IOC has been critical of the IBA for corruption and not following proper procedures. In a statement, the IOC explained, “The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.”

“‘Are these athletes women?’ The answer is yes, according to eligibility, according to their passports, according to their history.” IOC director Mark Adams added.

Imane Khelif
Image via: AP

Chael Sonnen Talks Imane Khelif

Those who acted too quickly, and judged without knowing more, are now taking a step back to apologize for their words. Chael Sonnen, former UFC title contender and MMA personality, has gone to X and is attempting to counteract misinformation being spread.

One Tweet claimed that two men were competing for medals in Olympic boxing. Sonnen responded simply: “This is not accurate.”

In another Tweet, people tried to explain how women were fighting men in boxing. Sonnen countered with, “Matt, you got played. Delete this. The XY talk and the testing for such was misinformation.”

‘This Is Misinformation’ Chael Sonnen Reacts to Imane Khelif’s Olympic Boxing Controversy

Imane KhelifImane Khelif was the target of online abuse by bad-faith actors earlier this week. The Algerian Olympic boxer has…

Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif was the target of online abuse by bad-faith actors earlier this week. The Algerian Olympic boxer has been the leading story during these Olympic games, and the story of her gender. Chael Sonnen, former UFC fighter, has taken a step forward to try and counteract the misleading information that has been circulating.

Imane Khelif

Many people online were led to believe that Imane Khelif was a trans athlete or a man acting as a woman. This infuriated the masses who called out in uproar. The fact is Imane Khelif is from Algeria where being a trans person is illegal and transitionary surgeries are not allowed. The Algerian Olympic boxer was born a woman and still is a woman to this day. Additionally, she has never been found to have increased levels of testosterone and has been in Olympic testing for at least four years.

Last year, Imane Khelif was suspended by the IBA, an organization that is not recognized as legitimate by the Olympics. The IOC has been critical of the IBA for corruption and not following proper procedures. In a statement, the IOC explained, “The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.”

“‘Are these athletes women?’ The answer is yes, according to eligibility, according to their passports, according to their history.” IOC director Mark Adams added.

Imane Khelif
Image via: AP

Chael Sonnen Talks Imane Khelif

Those who acted too quickly, and judged without knowing more, are now taking a step back to apologize for their words. Chael Sonnen, former UFC title contender and MMA personality, has gone to X and is attempting to counteract misinformation being spread.

One Tweet claimed that two men were competing for medals in Olympic boxing. Sonnen responded simply: “This is not accurate.”

In another Tweet, people tried to explain how women were fighting men in boxing. Sonnen countered with, “Matt, you got played. Delete this. The XY talk and the testing for such was misinformation.”