Tag: Bellator News

Bellator 244 Weigh-In Results

Bellator 244Bellator 244 takes place this Friday (August 21) at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. In the main event, dual-weight Bellator champion Ryan Bader defends his light-heavyweight title against Vadim Nemkov. Before that, former featherweight queen Julia Budd will look to bounce back from her loss to Cris ‘Cyborg’ Santos last time out. Check out the […]

Bellator 244

Bellator 244 takes place this Friday (August 21) at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. In the main event, dual-weight Bellator champion Ryan Bader defends his light-heavyweight title against Vadim Nemkov. Before that, former featherweight queen Julia Budd will look to bounce back from her loss to Cris ‘Cyborg’ Santos last time out.

Check out the full Bellator 244 weigh-in results below…

MAIN CARD

Ryan Bader (204) vs. Vadim Nemkov (203.9)

Julia Budd (145.8) vs. Jessy Miele (147) – Miele missed weight by 1lb.

Valentin Moldavsky (234.6) vs. Roy Nelson (264.9)

Andrew Kapel (185.1) vs. John Salter (186)

PRELIMS

Sidney Outlaw (156) vs. Adam Piccolotti (155.3)

Josh Hill (136) vs. Erik Perez (135.6)

Lucas Brennan (145.8) vs. Will Smith (143.7)

Chris Gonzalez (156) vs. Vladimir Tokov (155.3)

Weber Almeida (147.5) vs. Salim Mukhidinov (147.8) – 148lb catchweight

Yaroslav Amosov (174.4) vs. Mark Lemminger (174.6) – 175lb catchweight

John de Jesus (149.1) vs. Vladyslav Parubchenkno (149.6) – 150lb catchweight

Ryan Bader Believes Bellator 244 Could Determine Best Light Heavyweight

Ryan Bader knows the stakes are high for his light heavyweight title defense against Vadim Nemkov this Friday at Bellator 244. Bader is dropping back down to 205-pounds for the first time since 2017 to battle the surging contender in Nemkov. It is a very intriguing matchup, and for Bader, he believes the winner is […]

Ryan Bader knows the stakes are high for his light heavyweight title defense against Vadim Nemkov this Friday at Bellator 244.

Bader is dropping back down to 205-pounds for the first time since 2017 to battle the surging contender in Nemkov. It is a very intriguing matchup, and for Bader, he believes the winner is the best light heavyweight in the world.

With Daniel Cormier retiring and Jon Jones moving to heavyweight, Bader is confident another win here cements his case.

“Arguably, right now you can say the winner of this fight is one of the best light heavyweights right now that’s out there,” Bader told MMA Junkie. “DC retired and had a great career. He was always up there. Then, obviously, Jon Jones was one of the greatest of all time. I think that the whole division was in his shadow. Him moving up definitely opens it up.

“With my accomplishments, it’s not like I haven’t been there,” he added. “I was a top-five guy consistently in there. I’ve grown as a fighter since I came over here – tremendously. Yeah, you can argue the winner of this fight is the best light heavyweight right now.”

In his career, Ryan Bader does have notable wins over Ovince Saint Preux, Ilir Latifi, Rashad Evans, and Phil Davis at light heavyweight. Yet, one person he never got the chance to fight is Daniel Cormier. They were scheduled to fight in which ‘DC’ called ‘Darth’ the easiest fight in the division.

Years later, Bader still hopes that fight can happen as he believes he is a completely different fighter.

“You look at fights you wish you woulda, shoulda, coulda,” Bader said. “That was a big fight. I was in training camp for it, and he got pulled out to fight for the title. I’d like to have that fight now where I am in my career now – how I am mentally (and) physically rather than back then. I’m a totally different fighter, a complete fighter, so now would be the time.”

Do you agree with Ryan Bader?

Ryan Bader Says Corey Anderson Is Deserving Of Bellator Light-Heavyweight Title Shot

Ryan BaderThe addition of Corey Anderson to Bellator’s roster after his departure from the UFC has raised many questions regarding who he should face in his debut for the organization. Bellator Light-Heavyweight champion Ryan Bader who is set to face Vadim Nemkov to defend his title has shared that he would be willing to take a […]

Ryan Bader

The addition of Corey Anderson to Bellator’s roster after his departure from the UFC has raised many questions regarding who he should face in his debut for the organization.

Bellator Light-Heavyweight champion Ryan Bader who is set to face Vadim Nemkov to defend his title has shared that he would be willing to take a fight against Anderson for his debut.

Speaking to MMA Junkie, Bader said he see’s Anderson as a future title contender possibly after his next victory.

“Yeah, I was happy for Corey, I’ve trained with him before. It’s a great pickup for Bellator you know, 205-pound division needs some talent and he brings, you know he’s a top-five guy in the world you know,” said Bader.

“That’s a huge pickup and a couple guys I was looking at 205 you know one being Machida after this fight and Corey Anderson is right there too, so I assume they’ll fight and then potentially be next in line for a title so I look forward to that matchup.”

After being asked if he needed a win to earn the title shot Bader said that it does not really matter.

“You know it doesn’t really matter, I stepped in and had a title fight first fight, you know because my opponent got hurt so I got to step right into the title and he’s deserving so I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

When speaking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Anderson was asked if he though a matchup against Bader would be the right first fight for him at Bellator.

“I mean it could be. If it is if it’s Ryan Bader or if it’s the kid that he’s fighting. If it is the winner of that I’m with it, if its Phil Davis I’m with it, if it’s Lyoto Machida I’m with it.” Said Anderson.

Valerie Loureda Signs Bellator Contract Extension

Fresh off her second-round victory over Tara Graff at Bellator 243, Valerie Loureda has inked a new deal with the promotion. The 22-year-old is fast becoming one of the company’s faces, and the undefeated flyweight’s new contract is a multi-year, multi-fight deal ensuring she will remain with Bellator for the foreseeable future. “I am pleased […]

Fresh off her second-round victory over Tara Graff at Bellator 243, Valerie Loureda has inked a new deal with the promotion.

The 22-year-old is fast becoming one of the company’s faces, and the undefeated flyweight’s new contract is a multi-year, multi-fight deal ensuring she will remain with Bellator for the foreseeable future.

“I am pleased to have re-signed with Bellator,” Loureda said.

“As I have always said, I am here to show the world the true martial artist that I am and chase the flyweight belt. I was born for this, I am a natural born fighter.”

There is no word about when the 4th dan taekwondo black belt will return to the cage, but after her most recent performance, it is unlikely she will be waiting too long before returning to competition.

What do you think of this news?

Corey Anderson Explains Why He Left The UFC

Corey AndersonLong-time light-heavyweight contender Corey Anderson has explained why he decided to leave the UFC and sign with Bellator. The 30-year-old credits a recent health scare and the words of former dual weight champion Daniel Cormier in helping him decide to jump ship. Anderson was granted release from his UFC contract despite the fact he had […]

Corey Anderson

Long-time light-heavyweight contender Corey Anderson has explained why he decided to leave the UFC and sign with Bellator.

The 30-year-old credits a recent health scare and the words of former dual weight champion Daniel Cormier in helping him decide to jump ship. Anderson was granted release from his UFC contract despite the fact he had two fights remaining. It came as a surprise to many as ‘Overtime’ had just headlined a UFC card in February – a knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz – and was ranked #4 in the 205lb division.

Speaking to ESPN Anderson revealed he had collapsed in a friend’s driveway and subsequently underwent multiple procedures to correct a heart condition that threatened his fight career.

“I literally came out of the last procedure, rolled into my waiting room and turned my phone on and had a contract from the UFC for a fight,” Anderson said. “I agreed to the fight, but then [the opponent] got hurt and they were doing the same thing they did in the past, offering me fights that didn’t make sense for the money I was making.

“I’m No. 4 in the world, and I’m making money like it was my fourth fight in the UFC.”

After going through such a life changing ordeal Anderson seems to be approaching his fight career with a different mindset. He was previously more motivated by being the best than making money but says he must now put his family first.

“I used to say I don’t care about the money, that I’m fighting to be the best and I don’t need the money,” Anderson said. “After hanging out with [Cormier], he broke something to me. He said, ‘You know how you say you don’t fight for money? When was the last time you got in a street fight? You don’t fight for free. You fight to pay for your family.’

“I said, ‘Let’s see if we can get a little more money for the fight.’ And the UFC wouldn’t budge. I asked for my release, and they said, ‘All right, we’ll release him,’ in 20 seconds. I’ve got no anger toward the UFC, but this is how I know my worth to them.”

Anderson is very happy to have signed a lucrative deal with Bellator and says he is willing to fight whoever they put in front of him because the money he is earning is so good.

“If it’s the Bader-Nemkov winner, I’m with that. If it’s Phil Davis-Lyoto Machida, I’m with it,” Anderson said. “I’m at the point now, they’re paying me to fight. This kind of money, it’s hard to say no to whoever they offer, whereas before, it was a calculated risk. The risk they wanted me to take wasn’t worth what was in my contract. Now this is what they’re paying me for, to go out and fight.”

Do you think Corey Anderson has made the right move?

Paige VanZant Declines Bellator, Signs With Bare Knuckle FC

VanZantPaige VanZant’s next chapter in combat sports will be in bare knuckle action. The former UFC women’s flyweight revealed on social media on Wednesday that she had signed a new deal with a promotion. “Contract Signed. About to change the game. Fight news coming soon. #bigbusiness 🙈😉” And as per ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, that promotion […]

VanZant

Paige VanZant’s next chapter in combat sports will be in bare knuckle action.

The former UFC women’s flyweight revealed on social media on Wednesday that she had signed a new deal with a promotion.

“Contract Signed. About to change the game. Fight news coming soon. #bigbusiness ??”

And as per ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, that promotion is Bare Knuckle FC.

“Paige VanZant has signed a new multi-fight, exclusive contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, according to sources.”

Bellator was also in the running for VanZant’s signature, especially as her husband Austin Vanderford is a contracted fighter with the Santa Monica-based promotion.

However, Bellator president Scott Coker revealed to MMA Fighting that she declined their offer.

VanZant became a free agent after fulfilling the last fight of her UFC contract at UFC 251 last month. She suffered a first-round submission defeat to Amanda Ribas.

After the fight, UFC president Dana White revealed VanZant should definitely test free agency based on her performance — comments that disappointed the 26-year-old.

“I feel like I thought we were closer friends and he could text me or call me,” VanZant said. “Something to have a little bit of compassion, something to communicate with me personally but maybe he will. We just don’t know. I’m sure it’s an uncomfortable situation.

“I’ve never spoken negatively about the UFC. I’m not bitter about where I am in my career, bitter about the position that the UFC has put me in whatsoever. I just felt like for myself, I wanted to test free agency and that’s not because I dislike the UFC or dislike Dana or anybody.

“Dana’s comments, what I’m hearing you say, he wants me to test free agency then hopefully they just let me go then. If that’s how they feel, then they’ll just let me be free.”

VanZant got her wish in the end as she will start a new chapter with Bare Knuckle FC.

What do you make of this move?