Tag: Bellator News

Logan Storley Responds To Scott Coker’s Criticism Of Michael Page Win

Bellator interim welterweight champion Logan Storley has responded to Bellator President Scott Coker’s criticism of his most recent performance. Storley defeated Michael ‘Venom’ Page via a split decision in the Bellator 281 headliner. He earned the interim belt and a chance to face off with welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov at a later date. While Storley’s…

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Bellator interim welterweight champion Logan Storley has responded to Bellator President Scott Coker’s criticism of his most recent performance.

Storley defeated Michael ‘Venom’ Page via a split decision in the Bellator 281 headliner. He earned the interim belt and a chance to face off with welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov at a later date.

While Storley’s wrestling was impressive, he didn’t put on a fan-friendly performance in many eyes. This includes Coker, who said Storley’s wrestling-heavy approach to the fight is “not MMA”.

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Storley gave his thoughts on Coker’s post-fight remarks.

“I mean, to each his own,” Storley said. “I think Scott scored it 48-47 Page, but which two rounds are you giving me? If you’re going to give me two rounds, why not give me the other two? You’re just guessing at this point. I respect Scott, me and him have a good relationship, but you can’t just pick and choose rounds that, ‘Oh, MVP won this.’ One, two, three, and five was clearly me, so which rounds are you giving me?

“I respect Scott and we have a good relationship and Bellator’s done a lot for me. I love working for those guys, but I get it. Neiman Gracie, that’s a big guy of theirs — I beat him up. Then you have MVP, you’ve got the U.K. draw — I beat him up. So yeah, if you want to be mad, be mad. But I don’t care. I’m a world champ, and if they’re not happy, put whoever you have in front of me next.”

Storley earned the interim title shot after back-to-back wins over Neiman Gracie and Dante Schiro. The former undefeated wrestling standout’s only loss in his MMA career came against Amosov in a No. 1 contender fight at Bellator 252.

In his win over Gracie, Storley showed off a vastly improved standup game that tended to overwhelm the Brazilian fighter. However, he resorted to a grappling-heavy approach to his fight with Page.

While it’s debatable whether or not Storley’s style has entertainment value, he and Coker seem to be on good terms despite Coker’s recent blowup.

What are your thoughts on Logan Storley’s response to Scott Coker?

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Khabib Nurmagomedov Still Confident In Booking Junior dos Santos vs. Fedor Emelianenko Despite JDS Shoulder Injury

KhabibDespite Junior dos Santos’ loss to Yorgan De Castro at Eagle FC 47: Redemption, Khabib Nurmagomedov has stated he is still interested in booking a cross-promotional fight between ‘Cigano’ and MMA legend, Fedor Emelianenko. JDS initially had great success against De Castro in their main event fight. However, in round three, dos Santos dislocated his […]

Khabib

Despite Junior dos Santos’ loss to Yorgan De Castro at Eagle FC 47: Redemption, Khabib Nurmagomedov has stated he is still interested in booking a cross-promotional fight between ‘Cigano’ and MMA legend, Fedor Emelianenko.

JDS initially had great success against De Castro in their main event fight. However, in round three, dos Santos dislocated his arm after throwing a punch, resulting in a doctor’s stoppage TKO victory for ‘The Mad Titan.’

Prior to the fight, Khabib Nurmagomedov had stated that if dos Santos won, he would be booked in a cross-promotional fight with Fedor Emelianenko, who is currently signed with Bellator MMA. If De Castro won, he would be granted a shot at the Eagle FC heavyweight title, currently held by Rizvan Kuniev.

However, it now seems that both men will receive the fight they were initially promised. In the aftermath of the fight, Khabib had the following to say on the topic of Junior dos Santos’ next fight for Eagle FC:

“I’m not a doctor, but I see a lot of injuries inside the gym like this with shoulders, with knees. I think after three or four months, he can come back to sparring, and at the end of the year we can make this fight. Next week I’m going to sit with Scott Coker and we’re going to discuss about this fight.”

He went on to state that:

“Junior was looking amazing. [For a] long time, I didn’t see [him look like] how he looked like tonight. He was looking very good. I think it was maybe his best shape in the last couple years, maybe five, six years. But it is what it is, you know? This is a very tough sport. You can’t even blink in this sport when you’re inside the cage, because I know how it is being inside the cage, standing with someone [who’s] a professional athlete in front of you. It’s very dangerous and you have to stay focused every single second.” (H/T MMA Fighting).

Khabib Nurmagomedov on the future of Yorgan De Castro at Eagle FC

Khabib Nurmagomedov also reiterated his comments in the buildup to the fight that if Yorgan De Castro would be victorious, he would be granted a shot at the title.

“He was looking good too,” Nurmagomedov said. “De Castro showed his heart. He’s mentally a very strong fighter today, and he won. It’s a question of how, but he won. And I think maybe it’s going to be a good matchup, De Castro vs. Rizvan Kuniev, fight for the title, and we work on this Junior vs. Fedor [for the] end of this year.”

Gegard Mousasi Claims UFC-Reebok Deal Was A Way Of ‘Stealing’ From Fighters

Gegard MousasiBellator MMA middleweight kingpin and former UFC contender, Gegard Mousasi has claimed that the promotion’s uniform and outfitting deal with global brand, Reebok – which initially came into effect in 2015, was a way for the promotion to “steal” from fighters on their roster. Mousasi, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to return under […]

Gegard Mousasi

Bellator MMA middleweight kingpin and former UFC contender, Gegard Mousasi has claimed that the promotion’s uniform and outfitting deal with global brand, Reebok – which initially came into effect in 2015, was a way for the promotion to “steal” from fighters on their roster.

Mousasi, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to return under the Scott Coker-led banner at Bellator 282 in June, clashing with Johnny Elben following a first round knockout win over Austin Vanderford back in February at Bellator Dublin in another successful defense of his middleweight throne.

Debuting under the scrutiny of Bellator back in October 2017, Mousasi has so far established a 7-1 promotional record from eight total fights.

Mousasi, a former Strikeforce, Cage Warriors, and Dream gold holder, made his move to the UFC back in April 2013, and despite riding a five fight winning run, including a victory over former middleweight champion, Chris Weidman, Mousasi never competed for Octagon gold before linking up with Bellator.

Gegard Mousasi shares his thoughts on the criticized Reebok deal with the UFC

Penning a contract with the organization following his win against Weidman, Mousasi has detailed how he earns a more lucrative payday per fight as a result with Bellator – in comparison to a massive dip in sponsorship money earned in the UFC, as he noted with the introduction of the Reebok deal with the organization.

“You took those away, you put Reebok,” Gegard Mousasi told Robin Black on Haymakers,” All the money went to UFC. Paying a fighter that can make $200,000 a fight, then it goes to $10,000 (with) Reebok. That’s stealing from the fighter. They could’ve said, ‘Ok, f*ck that’. And then they killed the whole sponsorships, everything.”

“They could’ve sent every fighter $10,000 checks as an employee (as a) thank you for where we are now,” Gegard Mousasi said. “$10,000 is nothing. They took the sponsorship, they put Reebok. I was making $6,000 with Reebok. (What) they were giving fighters, it wasn’t always the best. They could’ve done a better job. You don’t have to be that greedy.” 

Mousasi maintains that he was thankful for the opportunity provided to him in the UFC, and how he was not speaking negatively of the promotion.

“I’m thankful to UFC, to be honest,” Gegard Mousasi said. “After Strikeforce… they bought Strikeforce, I went there, they gave me opportunity. I’m not bashing on them. I’m still thankful. I can understand profit goes (comes first). But my thing is more – treating your employees better, and then the business. But maybe I would go bankrupt (that way).” 

Junior Dos Santos Names His GOAT Of Heavyweight MMA

Junior dos Santos respects the accomplishments of Stipe Miocic, but he still considers Fedor Emelianenko to be the best heavyweight in the history of MMA. The former UFC heavyweight champion recently spoke to The Schmo ahead of his Eagle FC main event bout against Yorgan De Castro. When the interviewer mentioned Eagle FC owner Khabib…

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Junior dos Santos respects the accomplishments of Stipe Miocic, but he still considers Fedor Emelianenko to be the best heavyweight in the history of MMA.

The former UFC heavyweight champion recently spoke to The Schmo ahead of his Eagle FC main event bout against Yorgan De Castro. When the interviewer mentioned Eagle FC owner Khabib Nurmagomedov’s suggestion that dos Santos could face Emelianenko if he wins against De Castro, “Cigano” was open to the matchup.

“I’m a big, big fan of Fedor Emelianenko. I think he’s the greatest heavyweight ever you know, in MMA. For me to be sharing that octagon with him will be something amazing.”

The 38-year old dos Santos has shared the cage with some of some the best heavyweights in the history of the sport. He won the UFC heavyweight championship in 2011 at UFC on FOX 1 in the first of three fights with Cain Velasquez, but he’s also fought current UFC champion Francis Ngannou as well as former champions Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic.

Junior dos Santos has fought some of the best heavyweights in MMA history.

Two-time UFC champion Miocic is considered by many to be the best heavyweight in the history of the sport, but dos Santos isn’t so sure.

“Yeah, Stipe Miocic is the new generation best heavyweight,” Dos Santos responded when asked how Miocic compares to Fedor. “But for the whole time you know, the guy [Fedor] who back in the day man there was kind of a magical thing in the air you know, when they were fighting back in the day there in Pride. That was so amazing, everything was so beautiful, so exciting you know. So that’s why I say you know, he’s the greatest heavyweight ever.”

Currently signed with Bellator, MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko is on a two-fight win streak following first-round finishes of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Tim Johnson. The former Pride champion has one fight left on his deal with Bellator following his win over Tim Johnson last year.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is set to face Yorgan De Castro in the main event of Eagle FC 47. dos Santos debuted in the UFC in 2008 and won the UFC heavyweight championship in 2011 but parted ways with the promotion after his fourth-straight stoppage loss in 2020.

What do you make of dos Santos’s claim that Fedor is the greatest heavyweight of all time over Stipe Miocic?

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Khabib Nurmagomedov Expresses Interest In Booking Junior dos Santos vs. Fedor Emelianenko Fight

Junior dos SantosFormer undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has noted his interest in potentially working in a cross-promotion capacity with Bellator MMA – booking a heavyweight matchup between esteemed division icons, Junior dos Santos, and Fedor Emelianenko. Khabib, the current leader of Eagle Fight Club, retired from professional mixed martial arts back in October 2020 – […]

Junior dos Santos

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has noted his interest in potentially working in a cross-promotion capacity with Bellator MMA – booking a heavyweight matchup between esteemed division icons, Junior dos Santos, and Fedor Emelianenko.

Khabib, the current leader of Eagle Fight Club, retired from professional mixed martial arts back in October 2020 – boasting an undefeated, 29-0 professional record following a successful title unification win against Justin Gaethje.

In the time since, the American Kickboxing Academy mainstay has began training and cornering fighters as well as running the operations of the aforenoted promotion, Eagle Fight Club – who have established a base in Florida. 

Speaking ahead of Eagle Fight Club 47 on Friday, Khabib noted his interest in booking former UFC heavyweight champion, Junior dos Santos against Emelianenko in the future – should the former overcome Yorgan de Castro in his promotional bow.

“If Junior dos Santos wins, I really want to make dos Santos vs. Fedor (Emelianenko) fight,” Khabib Nurmagomedov told assembled media at a press event on Wednesday. “But he has to focus on Yorgan (de Castro) for next, because this fighter here is tough opponent. I want to talk with my friend, Scott Coker, because Fedor is under Bellator contract. I don’t know what they’re gonna do next with him, but definitely, we can talk, and we can do something. We can create some story. …”

“Why not?” Khabib Nurmagomedov asked. “These two guys was long tiem the face of MMA. Fedor was the greatest fighter of all time in my opinion, and dos Santos was heavyweight champion a couple years in UFC. These two guys, I think they deserve and fans deserve. For me, it’s a very interesting matchup, too.” 

Junior dos Santos also seems receptive to a pairing with Fedor Emelianenko

As far as Santa Catarina veteran, dos Santos is concerned, a potential matchup against Emelianenko certainly appears to pique his interest.

“I’m a big, big, BIG fan of Fedor, and I really believe – like Khabib said – that is the greatest,” Junior dos Santos said. “That was a magical time in the MMA world when he did those amazing fights with ‘Big Nog’. I wasn’t even fighting at that time, but I was such a fan of them. For me, because I trained with ‘Big Nog’, as well, it was always kind of a dream, the biggest thing I would like to achieve in my career would be to fight Fedor. So to hear that may be possible now, it’s just amazing.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)

In his final Octagon appearance before his UFC release, dos Santos suffered a second round knockout loss to former interim division champion, Ciryl Gane, while Emelianenko managed to scoop a stunning first round knockout win over Timothy Johnson in a Moscow homecoming at Bellator 269 last October.

Glover Teixeira Disses Corey Anderson: I Stayed In The UFC, He Got Released

Glover Teixeira fired back at Bellator light heavyweight Corey Anderson for his recent comments. Last month, Anderson commented on Teixeira winning the UFC light heavyweight title. Anderson referred back to his decision win over Teixeira in 2018, saying he feels like the best 205-pounder in the world since he already holds a win over the…

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Glover Teixeira fired back at Bellator light heavyweight Corey Anderson for his recent comments.

Last month, Anderson commented on Teixeira winning the UFC light heavyweight title. Anderson referred back to his decision win over Teixeira in 2018, saying he feels like the best 205-pounder in the world since he already holds a win over the UFC title holder.

He also added that the victory was probably the easiest fight he’s ever had. This didn’t sit well with Teixeira, who offered his response during an interview with Trocação Franca. 

“If we have to fight again one day, of course I’m going to win, man. I’m way better now,” Glover Teixeira said. “I stayed in the organization and he was released, you know?

“He lost after that. He got knocked out by Blachowicz. He got knocked out by the man I took the belt from.

“He’s lucky he defeated me and can say it, but, man, that doesn’t bother me. I would rather watch birds sing. I won’t stress out over that, because that fight … everything is different today.

“That was four years ago, 2018. I’m the champion of the world now. Where was I ranked back then? He lost, had his lows here [in the UFC] and went to Bellator, but he’s doing fine now.”

Teixeira hasn’t lost since his defeat to Anderson in 2018. The Brazilian bounced back with a six-fight win streak, most of them coming by way of submission. His latest outing earned him the UFC light heavyweight title when he submitted Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267 this past October.

As for Anderson, he was released from the UFC in 2020 upon request. Anderson was 5-1 since his win over Teixeira, which included three knockout finishes under the Bellator banner. However, his recent outing against Vadim Nemkov for the Bellator light heavyweight title resulted in a No Contest due to a clash of heads.

Nemkov suffered a bad cut that rendered him unable to continue. Therefore, Anderson’s quest for gold will have to continue just a bit further.

What do you make of Teixeira’s response to Anderson? And who do you think is truly the best light heavyweight in the world? Sound off in the comments!

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