Video |Highlights Bellator 243: Chandler vs. Henderson 2

Bellator 243: Chandler vs. Henderson 2 went down last Friday (August 7) inside the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Headlining the four-bout main card was a lightweight rematch between Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson. The two men last clashed in 2016 at Bellator 165, with Chandler winning via split decision. In the co-main event, […]

Bellator 243: Chandler vs. Henderson 2 went down last Friday (August 7) inside the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Headlining the four-bout main card was a lightweight rematch between Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson. The two men last clashed in 2016 at Bellator 165, with Chandler winning via split decision.

In the co-main event, heavyweight’s Timothy Johnson and Matt Mitrione locked horns. Opening the main event portion of the card was a 175 lbs catchweight bout between Sabah Homasi and Curtis Millender, followed by a lightweight clash featuring Myles Jury and Brandon Girtz.

Here is a highlight video if you missed any of the action from Bellator 243.

VIDEO| Valerie Loureda Scores 2nd Round KO At Bellator 243

LouredaLast night at Bellator 243 Valerie Loureda walked off with her most impressive victory to date. Scoring a second-round KO over Tara Graf to improve her professional record to 3-0 with 2 KOS and 1 decision, leaving her as a great prospect to keep your eye out for. Tara Graf on the other side is […]

Loureda

Last night at Bellator 243 Valerie Loureda walked off with her most impressive victory to date. Scoring a second-round KO over Tara Graf to improve her professional record to 3-0 with 2 KOS and 1 decision, leaving her as a great prospect to keep your eye out for. Tara Graf on the other side is now 1-2 and at a peculiar place, how will she bounce back from this upsetting knockout loss?

Loureda stuns her opponent with a huge right hand dropping her, then following up to the ground to finish the fight with ground and pound as the round ends.

Check out the amazing knockout below:

The Stunning Knockout

Following her emphatic win, Valerie Loureda told explained to reporters why she was so eager to smash Graff’s face.

“You’re telling me I’m being demoralizing to the sport… I waited until I got this opportunity to destroy her face.”

Loureda has faced criticism in the past for her activity on social media. However, the budding star has made it clear she is not trying to attract the wrong type of attention.

“I don’t do anything for social media,” Valerie Loureda told reporters at the Bellator 243 virtual media day. “I do things for myself. For example, I am an extreme girly-girl outside of the cage. So the way that I market myself, it’s not for social media and it’s not for men. This is the way that I look. I’ve worked my whole life to have this body, to have this figure—I was a ballerina, I’ve been a martial artist.”

Loureda continued:

“I think that’s where people mistake. It’s not for social media. I am the way that I look like, but I’m also a fighter. What does one thing have to do with the other? Just because I look different than other martial artists doesn’t make me any different. It’s my identity, this is why Valerie Loureda is different.” (R/T BJPenn.com)

VIDEO | Michael Chandler Sleeps Benson Henderson Inside One Round

Michael ChandlerFormer Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler squared off against Benson Henderson last night in an eagerly anticipated rematch. The pair previously met at Bellator 165 in November 2016 – Chandler picked up a split decision victory in that fight. Three years on and the former UFC champion Henderson was riding an impressive four-fight win streak […]

Michael Chandler

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler squared off against Benson Henderson last night in an eagerly anticipated rematch. The pair previously met at Bellator 165 in November 2016 – Chandler picked up a split decision victory in that fight.

Three years on and the former UFC champion Henderson was riding an impressive four-fight win streak into his Bellator 243 main event against Chandler who is on the verge of becoming a free agent. The 34-year-old has spoken with excitement about the prospect of competing in the UFC or ONE Championship now that his Bellator contract is done.

Chandler clearly wanted to make a statement to any potential employers watching last night and did so by picking up a huge first-round knockout victory against the usually tough Henderson – check it out below.

Do you think Michael Chandler can become a champion outside of Bellator?

Corey Anderson Signs With Bellator

Corey AndersonLong-time UFC light-heavyweight contender Corey Anderson has left the promotion and signed with Bellator. The top-10 ranked 205lb fighter is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC Rio Rancho back in February. Ariel Helwani of ESPN reported earlier today that Anderson has asked for and been granted his release from the […]

Corey Anderson

Long-time UFC light-heavyweight contender Corey Anderson has left the promotion and signed with Bellator. The top-10 ranked 205lb fighter is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC Rio Rancho back in February.

Ariel Helwani of ESPN reported earlier today that Anderson has asked for and been granted his release from the UFC. The 30-year-old has opted to immediately signed with Bellator.

“Corey Anderson has signed with Bellator. Anderson, who was not a free agent, recently asked for his release from the promotion and was granted it, according to sources. He still had multiple fights left on his deal, sources say. Shortly thereafter, he signed with Bellator.”

“Worth noting, Anderson has been training with DC for this Miocic fight. He can’t stop glowing about how good he is and how helpful he’s been to his training camp. Great, unexpected pickup by Bellator,” Helwani wrote on social media.

Anderson ends his UFC run with a record of eight wins and five defeats. ‘Overtime’ has several big names victories to his name including Blachowicz, Johnny Walker, Glover Teixeira and Ilir Latifi.

He joins the Bellator light-heavyweight division which is currently ruled by former UFC fighter Ryan Bader. The dual weight champion defends his 205lb belt against Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 244 on August 21.

Fabricio Werdum Wants Fedor Emelianenko Rematch As Free Agency Begins

Fabricio WerdumFabricio Werdum is eyeing a rematch with heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko after picking up a win against Alexander Gustafsson in a fight which may be the last of his long and successful UFC career. Werdum snapped a two-fight losing streak which stretched back to 2017 at UFC Fight Island 3. The BJJ specialist quickly forced […]

Fabricio Werdum

Fabricio Werdum is eyeing a rematch with heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko after picking up a win against Alexander Gustafsson in a fight which may be the last of his long and successful UFC career.

Werdum snapped a two-fight losing streak which stretched back to 2017 at UFC Fight Island 3. The BJJ specialist quickly forced Gustafsson to the floor before locking up the armbar submission.

During his post-fight interview Werdum became emotional while speaking to Dan Hardy. The fight was the final of his UFC contract and most likely his last fight with the promotion. The 42-year-old explained to reporters at the post-fight press conference why he was overcome with emotion, he said.

“The emotion was because this is my last fight in the UFC. I had many years with the UFC. I don’t know how many I had with the UFC, like 10 years (or) 12 years. You know? I’m a working individual – on Spanish commentaries. I think almost all of my life was here. I love UFC for sure. I want to say thank you to the UFC for many things.”

Werdum didn’t totally rule out staying with the UFC and no matter what happens he has vowed to keep on fighting.

“I don’t say ‘no’ because I have to talk to (my manager) Ali (Abdelaziz) first,” Werdum said. “Sometimes you lose the last fight in the UFC, and it’s like everything changes,” Werdum said. “You know? I don’t know if I’m staying in the UFC or not or maybe with a different (promotion). I won’t stop (fighting). One hundred percent I’m not stopping. I have a couple fights (left). I told you before, I’m very young. My mind is young.”

One fight Werdum is particularly interested in is a rematch with Bellator heavyweight Emelianenko he said.

“I want to fight with Fedor, 100 percent. I respect him a lot. I want to give this opportunity to him to fight with me again. This has history: Me vs. Fedor in 2010. Ten years later, everybody wants to see this fight. I don’t know where, but for sure I want to fight with Fedor because I respect him. In my mind, he is the best in the world.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)

Do you want to see Fabricio Werdum rematch Fedor Emelianenko?

Scott Coker Is ‘Serious’ About Bringing Paige VanZant To Bellator

Scott CokerBellator President Scott Coker has expressed his desire to add popular women’s fighter Paige VanZant to his roster. ‘PVZ’ is currently a free agent after allowing her contract with the UFC to run down. VanZant suffered a disappointing first-round submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 in what could be the final fight of her […]

Scott Coker

Bellator President Scott Coker has expressed his desire to add popular women’s fighter Paige VanZant to his roster. ‘PVZ’ is currently a free agent after allowing her contract with the UFC to run down.

VanZant suffered a disappointing first-round submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 in what could be the final fight of her UFC career. Prior to the bout, VanZant went on record to say she will definitely be testing the market once she becomes a free agent, she said.

“I have my heart set and nobody is going to change my mind that I’m fighting my contract out. I don’t know where my future lies – I truly don’t. I think that’s kind of an exciting thing in my life.”

After her last fight UFC boss Dana White encouraged VanZant to explore free agency, he said.

“When you talk all that stuff about not getting paid enough then you know, fighting inconsistently, one time in the last year, Injuries and then got smoked in the first round of the fight. She should definitely test free agency”

Bellator boss Coker told MMA Fighting he is very interested in bringing VanZant on board but admits he is yet to sit down and discuss the move with the fighter or her team, he said.

“You know, to be honest, I don’t think we’ve had a business conversation yet. We definitely have a relationship with her and her husband, her camp, her management, so we definitely will reach out here when she gets back and settled. She’s back but she’s probably still settling from the trip. From what I heard, it wasn’t a very fun time over there. But listen, do we want to be in the Paige VanZant business? We definitely want to have a conversation with her.

“I would say that we’re going to do our best to have a serious conversation with her in the near future.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

Do you think Scott Coker will convince Paige VanZant to sign with Bellator?