Tag: Bellator News

Cris Cyborg: Dana White Never Respected Me

Cris CyborgCris Cyborg believes UFC president Dana White never respected her. Cyborg departed the UFC last year following a public spat with White which led to her release. She has since joined Bellator where she became the women’s featherweight champion in January following her impressive TKO win over Julia Budd. Reflecting on her time with the […]

Cris Cyborg

Cris Cyborg believes UFC president Dana White never respected her.

Cyborg departed the UFC last year following a public spat with White which led to her release. She has since joined Bellator where she became the women’s featherweight champion in January following her impressive TKO win over Julia Budd.

Reflecting on her time with the UFC, the Brazilian believes she never truly earned the respect of White before or after she joined the Las Vegas-based promotion.

“Before I went to the UFC, Dana White did not respect me,” Cyborg told MiddleEasy. “My fans put me (in the UFC). I think, with everything I did outside the UFC, before I went to the UFC I was already Cyborg. Everyone already knew me, everyone in the world knew who I am. I got the opportunity to fight in the UFC after this, but still they had problems.

“I always thought things were going to change. You know, maybe one day, if people met me in person, I thought that would change (their minds). But it didn’t change. I’m still doing my job. I fought before they had my division in the UFC. I fought at catchweight, and I had a lot of struggles but (support from my fans) made me keep going.”

Although things never improved relationship-wise with White, Cyborg has no regrets about her time with the UFC.

Instead, she is happy to have moved on and has no problems at Bellator where she already had a positive relationship with president Scott Coker from their Strikeforce days.

“I don’t know (where things went wrong with Dana White), and I don’t have to know,” Cyborg added. “I’m glad I worked with him, but it’s just business, you know? If he doesn’t like me personally or whatever, I’m not the first and I’m not the last one he’s had problems with. I’m just glad I don’t have to deal with this everyday anymore.

“(Scott Coker) treats his fighters different. You never see Scott blame any fighters online, or his team. You never see Bellator do that, because they know they need us for the events. The fighters make the events happen, and that deserves respect.”

What do you make of Cyborg’s latest comments?

EXCLUSIVE | Douglas Lima: Rory MacDonald Trilogy Could Still Happen

Douglas LimaBellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima thinks he could still complete his trilogy with Rory MacDonald despite the fact the Canadian has signed with PFL. Lima and MacDonald shared a rivalry in Bellator that saw them fight twice. The Brazilian lost his title in his first bout against MacDonald at Bellator 192 in January 2018. Lima […]

Douglas Lima

Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima thinks he could still complete his trilogy with Rory MacDonald despite the fact the Canadian has signed with PFL.

Lima and MacDonald shared a rivalry in Bellator that saw them fight twice. The Brazilian lost his title in his first bout against MacDonald at Bellator 192 in January 2018. Lima was able to reclaim the 170lb title by beating ‘The Red King’ over five rounds at Bellator 232 in October 2019.

The two men were far and away the best welterweights on the Bellator roster and looked set for a trilogy fight in the near future. Late last year MacDonald opted to leave Bellator and sign with the Professional Fighter’s League (PFL) scurppering those plans.

Speaking exclusively to LowKickMMA, Lima admits he was surprised to see MacDonald leave Bellator but insists the trilogy fight may still happen, he said.

“I was really hoping that fight would happen again in the future you know a trilogy. It was a surprise. It really was a surprise that he moved to PFL but good for him. He’s looking out for himself. He’s probably got a great deal and he’s probably looking for the $1 million tournaments there as well. So you know, good for him. You never know with MMA, that’s why it might happen in the future who knows?”

Lima also took time out to reflect on his rivalry with MacDonald. The 33-year-old champion believes facing off against someone of that level taught him a lot and made him confident heading into the rematch, he explained.

“I learned a lot from fights you know. Pretty much every fight that I’ve rematch, that I’ve lost, I’ve won. I knew it wasn’t going to be different. Once I fight somebody, I really get to know their style a lot more. It wasn’t as exciting as the first fight, but still a technical battle. I was really confident I was going to beat him in the rematch. He did a much better job in defending the low kicks in the second fight. So, it was good. I still got the victory unanimous decision. (I was) happy I got the rematch in the tournament final, it was a big night for me.”

Lima is expected to move up to middleweight and challenge Gegard Mousasi for the vacant title soon. The pair were due to meet at Bellator 242 on May 9 but the ongoing global pandemic halted those plans. Lima is now hoping to get the fight in July when Bellator begins hosting events again.

Do you think Douglas Lima and Roy MacDonald will fight for a third time?

EXCLUSIVE | Douglas Lima Hopeful He’ll Fight Gegard Mousasi In July & Become Two Weight Champion

Douglas LimaBellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima remains hopeful he’ll fight Gegard Mousasi for the middleweight title this summer. Lima was due to face Mousasi for the vacant 185lb belt and the chance to become a dual weight world champion at Bellator 242 on May 9. Unfortunately for fight fans like most sports promotions, Bellator has postponed […]

Douglas Lima

Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima remains hopeful he’ll fight Gegard Mousasi for the middleweight title this summer.

Lima was due to face Mousasi for the vacant 185lb belt and the chance to become a dual weight world champion at Bellator 242 on May 9. Unfortunately for fight fans like most sports promotions, Bellator has postponed all their events for the foreseeable future due to the ongoing global pandemic.

Speaking exclusively to LowKickMMA Lima admitted he was sad to hear his fight had fallen through but insists it will be rearranged as soon as possible, he said.

“It sucks. I really wanted that fight in two weeks. That’s something that we couldn’t control, you know what I mean? With everything going on they had cancel. So definitely disappointed, but I understand that and I’m sure it’s going to be rebooked really soon. So as soon as this stuff is over with, we get that fight going again.

In terms of a timeframe, Lima is hopeful that he and Mousasi can square off sooner rather than later. The 170lb champ revealed Bellator are supposedly going to start hosting events again in July, he said.

“I asked and you know I heard July would be a timeframe to eventually start to shows again but I don’t’ know anything else about it. Hopefully, I’ll be one of the first fights. So if they tell me six weeks, your fighting I’ll be ready for that. I know right now is that they might be starting in July, hopefully, I’ll be one of the first shows.

“July is a great timeframe hopefully they’ll be able to do it by then. Even if it’s no crowds and I’ll be fine with that as long as I get a fight, you know, I need to work. People can watch it on the TV. I think that’s good enough for me.

For Lima, beating Mousasi and becoming a two-weight world champion is the biggest and only goal in his mind right now.

“You know two-weight champion is very important right now,” Lima explained. “I know a lot of fighters are trying to do that right now. It’s something I’ve thought about for a very long time. That’s the next goal for sure. Over such a game opponent, you know, somebody that’s really good that’s been around fighting forever. Not just the belt but a win over Mousasi would be amazing, it’d be huge for my career. So, I’m definitely taking this very seriously and I’m very looking forward to this fight. I’m going to be a double champ.”

Do you think Douglas Lima can beat Gegard Mousasi and become a two-weight Bellator champion?

EXCLUSIVE | Matt Mitrione Thinks Its Time To ‘Get Back To Work’

Matt MitrioneMatt Mitrione admits he was relieved to hear Bellator 241 was cancelled but insists he’s ready to get back to fighting amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Former NFL star turned heavyweight knockout artist Mitrione was due to face Ronny Markes at Bellator 241 on March 13. He accepted the fight on two weeks’ notice after Josh […]

Matt Mitrione

Matt Mitrione admits he was relieved to hear Bellator 241 was cancelled but insists he’s ready to get back to fighting amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former NFL star turned heavyweight knockout artist Mitrione was due to face Ronny Markes at Bellator 241 on March 13. He accepted the fight on two weeks’ notice after Josh Barnett failed his medical and was forced to withdraw from the card. Unfortunately for fight fans, the event was cancelled just a few hours before it was scheduled to begin.

Speaking exclusively to LowKickMMA Mitrione admits despite being ready to fight, he was a little bit relieved upon hearing the news, mainly due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, he said.

“We were mentally and emotionally ready to go compete and go perform. Then we found out it got cancelled. It was about three hours or so before the show was going to start. I mean, honestly, there was a little bit of a relief because there were so many more questions than answers at that time about what was happening. So as a result of that, it was kind of a breath of fresh air.

Now some time has passed Mitrione wants to get back to fighting. The 41-year-old power puncher is keen to put on a show for people during the lockdown, he explained “I think now’s the time for us to get back to work. I think if you’re cool with fighting right now and signed a name on the dotted line and let’s go ahead and make some matchups and let’s get down. Let’s let the world watch us.”

“If there’s a pay cheque involved, I am down for the cause. I don’t care if it’s in a basement with a bunch of headlights. I don’t care if it’s off in the ocean on a platform surrounded by sharks. I don’t care if there’s a paycheck on it. I’ll be there brother.”

Mitrione took time out to praise his former boss Dana White for doing everything in his power to hold events and keep the UFC relevant right now.

“I think if the fighters are willing to go compete, then yes, he’s doing the right thing. I think that Dana’s a trailblazer he always has been.  Dana’s not afraid to be Dana. I think that’s what has made UFC so successful. And I think that is what he has established and shown once again that what he feels he wants to do, he is going to.

“I don’t think anybody’s going to be fighting that doesn’t feel comfortable fighting at all. I mean look at Rose. She lost a couple of people do the coronavirus and bailed and nobody gave her any slack about it whatsoever.

“Some people were uncomfortable here, but I think we understand a lot more people are comfortable and are ready to get back to work. And that’s what he wants to capitalize on. I mean, think about it. He’s the only show in town and everybody in the world is even more aware of UFC than they were beforehand because Dana keeps him in the media presence constantly.

While you wait for more fights be sure to check out Bellator MMA Recharged on CBS Sports Network and relieve some of the best fights in Bellator history.

Do you agree with Matt Mitrione? Is it time to get back to work?

Bellator Champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Sues Former Coach For Sexual Abuse

Ilima-Lei MacfarlaneBellator flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and two other women are suing a former basketball coach for sexual abuse. Hawaii News Now reported Macfarlane and two other student-athletes filed a lawsuit on Thursday in Honolulu Circuit Court. Punahou School and their former basketball coach Dwayne Yuen are named among the defendants in the case. Macfarlane claims […]

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane

Bellator flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and two other women are suing a former basketball coach for sexual abuse.

Hawaii News Now reported Macfarlane and two other student-athletes filed a lawsuit on Thursday in Honolulu Circuit Court. Punahou School and their former basketball coach Dwayne Yuen are named among the defendants in the case.

Macfarlane claims the sexual abuse began when she was a 12 year old keen to pursue a career in basketball, she said.

“I had an inappropriate relationship with an adult who was in an authoritative position and a position of power, as a 12-year old, and that has 100-percent affected what I think is a healthy relationship.”

According to the report Macfarlane and her sister Mahina Macfarlane Souza were sexually abused by Yuen aged just 12 and 14, it reads.

“The sisters allege that Yuen later forced them to touch his genitals, offered cash for sex acts and sent explicit photos of himself. He is believed to have been involved with the Punahou girls basketball program between 2003 and 2006.

“The third former student, who is not named in the lawsuit, also alleges that after she was sexually abused by the former coach, Yuen sent threatening texts and phone messages to her. Transcripts of some of those messages are attached to the lawsuit.”

Punahou School are also in the firing line as the Macfarlane sisters accuse them of ignoring their reports of abuse 15 years ago. The schools Director of Communications Robert Gelber reacted to the lawsuit, he said.

“The reports allege abuse from 2004-2005 by Dwayne Yuen, a former girls basketball coach at our school. We are currently investigating these reports and are committed to working with the survivors to find resolution and healing.”

Stay tuned to LowKickMMA for all the latest updates on Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and this sexual assault lawsuit as it breaks.

Ariel Helwani Buries Dillon Danis With Social Media Put-Down

Ariel HelwaniMMA journalist Ariel Helwani continues to prove his social media game is strong, this time taking down Bellator welterweight Dillon Danis. The jiu-jitsu black belt Danis took to Twitter to go after ESPN reporter Helwani. He posted a clip of a street fight in which one man is knocked out – Danis captioned the video, […]

Ariel Helwani

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani continues to prove his social media game is strong, this time taking down Bellator welterweight Dillon Danis.

The jiu-jitsu black belt Danis took to Twitter to go after ESPN reporter Helwani. He posted a clip of a street fight in which one man is knocked out – Danis captioned the video, “Next time I see Ariel Helwani.”  

Helwani didn’t take the dig laying and quickly came back to bury Danis, he said. “You connecting with a punch let alone dropping someone? Well, I guess there really could be a first time for everything.” 

Danis is a 2-0 profession with Bellator MMA. Both his wins have come by first-round submission against lower-level opposition. ‘El Jefe’ is clearly a talented grappler but his striking leaves a lot to be desire. Despite training with Conor McGregor, he seriously lacks hand and will need to improve this to advance his MMA career.

Right now, Danis is currently sidelined after undergoing a seven-hour surgery to reconstruct his knee. Announcing the news via Twitter, he wrote. “7 hour surgery to reconstruct my knee today This has been one of the toughest tests of my career, but i’m fully committed to take it head on and come back stronger than ever. You can break my body but never my spirit!”

What do you make of Ariel Helwani and Dillon Danis going at it on social media?