Tag: Bellator News

Michael Page Aims To Be First Boxing & MMA Simultaneous World Champ

Michael Venom Page (MVP) wants to become the first fighter to hold a world title in both mixed martial arts and boxing simultaneously. Page recently spoke to MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun ahead of his interim title fight with Logan Storley at Bellator 281 in London this weekend. During the interview, Page was asked about his…

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Michael Venom Page (MVP) wants to become the first fighter to hold a world title in both mixed martial arts and boxing simultaneously.

Page recently spoke to MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun ahead of his interim title fight with Logan Storley at Bellator 281 in London this weekend. During the interview, Page was asked about his boxing career and if he plans on fighting inside the squared circle again.

From 2017 to 2018 Page competed in professional boxing, currently holding a record of 2-0, with both victories coming via finish. Page initially left the boxing world due to politics, but seeing that it’s becoming more and more common for MMA fighters to box, he’d love to give it another go.

“Yeah, to be fair, the only reason I stopped back then was because there was a lot of politics surrounding boxing,” Page said. “Noting to do with Bellator. They were really happy for me to go and do it.

“But now there is a lot more opportunities and it seems to be a lot more common that people are doing it, 100 percent I’d like to get to go and — you’ll definitely see me in a boxing ring again at some point.”

While most MMA fighters may be interested in boxing for the money, Page has bigger plans. He’d like to become the first fighter to hold World Championships in both MMA and boxing at the same time.

“Yeah, but for me, I’d love to be the first person to hold a world title in MMA and hold a world title in boxing. So the Logan Pauls and that kind of — that’s nothing. That has nothing to do with my goal.

“Don’t get me wrong, if it’s placed on the table and you see those zeros, and rub your eyes a couple of times, you’d probably say yes, but the goal is more taking it seriously.”

Do you think Michael Page has what it takes to become the first-ever simultaneous MMA and boxing champion? Sound off in the comments!

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Ouabbas Turns Near-KO Loss Into Finish Of His Own At Bellator 280

Youcef Ouabbas and Matthieu Letho Duclos laid it all on the line in the opening minutes at Bellator 280, but it was Ouabbas who earned the victory. Ouabbas knocked down Duclos with a big punch from the outside, before charging in and getting caught with a punch from Duclos as he recovered. As both fighters…

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Youcef Ouabbas and Matthieu Letho Duclos laid it all on the line in the opening minutes at Bellator 280, but it was Ouabbas who earned the victory.

Ouabbas knocked down Duclos with a big punch from the outside, before charging in and getting caught with a punch from Duclos as he recovered. As both fighters appeared badly wobbled, Ouabbas was able to compose himself and earn the standing TKO finish as the first round closed.

Check out Ouabbas and Duclos’ wild exchanges below.

Ouabbas is now 3-0 in his professional MMA career after wins in other promotions over Lois Laurent and Petru Gancear. The French fighter put the Paris crowd into a frenzy with his incredible victory.

The loss to Ouabbas snapped a two-fight winning streak for Duclos, who was making his Bellator debut.

Ouabbas’ win got the Bellator 280 card off to a great start. The event is headlined by a heavyweight title rematch between Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo.

What is your reaction to Youcef Ouabbas’ wild finish?

Continue Reading Ouabbas Turns Near-KO Loss Into Finish Of His Own At Bellator 280 at MMA News.

Bellator 280 Results & Highlights: Bader And Romero Earn Statement Wins

Bellator 280: Bader vs. Kongo 2 took place live tonight from the Accor Arena in Paris, France, and MMA News has you covered with the results and highlights! In tonight’s main event, Bellator fans witnessed a rematch between heavyweight champion Ryan Bader and his opponent, Cheick Kongo. Their first bout ended in controversy, with the fight…

Continue Reading Bellator 280 Results & Highlights: Bader And Romero Earn Statement Wins at MMA News.

Bellator 280: Bader vs. Kongo 2 took place live tonight from the Accor Arena in Paris, France, and MMA News has you covered with the results and highlights!

In tonight’s main event, Bellator fans witnessed a rematch between heavyweight champion Ryan Bader and his opponent, Cheick Kongo. Their first bout ended in controversy, with the fight being declared a no-contest after an accidental eye poke from Bader.

Bader last competed in a heavyweight title unification victory over Valentin Moldavsky in January. As for Kongo, he last fought in August 2021 with a submission victory over Sergei Kharitonov.

The co-main event featured “The Soldier of God” himself, the ageless Yoel Romero facing Alex Polizzi in a light heavyweight bout. Romero lost his Bellator debut to Phil Davis last year via split decision. Tonight, he faced Polizzi, who entered with a record of 10-1 and a three-fight winning streak.

You can check out the Bellator 280 highlights below followed by the quick results!

Gregory Babene def. Mike Shipman

Lorenz Larken def. Kyle Stewart

Davy Gallon def. Benjamin Brander

Yoel Romero def. Alex Polizzi

Ryan Bader def. Cheick Kongo

BELLATOR 280 MAIN CARD (SHOWTIME, 4:00 PM ET)

  • Bellator Heavyweight Championship Bout: Ryan Bader (c) def. Cheick Kongo via unanimous decision (50-45×3)
  • Yoel Romero def. Alex Polizzi via TKO: R3, 4:59
  • Davy Gallon def. Benjamin Brander via TKO: R2, 3:18
  • Lorenz Larkin def. Kyle Stewart via TKO: R1, 4:44
  • Gregory Babene def. Mike Shipman via knockout (punches): R1, 2:11

PRELIMINARY CARD (YouTube/Pluto TV, 1:00 PM ET)

  • Piotr Niedzielski def. Pedro Carvalho via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Thibault Gouti def. Lewis Long via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
  • Jordan Barton def. Fabacary Diatta via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Soren Bak def. Charlie Leary via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Yves Landu def. Gavin Hughes via TKO (body kick) – Round 1, 3:01
  • Lucie Bertaud def. Katarzyna Sadura via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Youcef Ouabbas def. Matthieu Letho via TKO (punches): R1, 4:17
  • Bourama Camara def. Victor Verchere via knockout (punches): R1, 3:06

Continue Reading Bellator 280 Results & Highlights: Bader And Romero Earn Statement Wins at MMA News.

Kayla Harrison Trolls Cris Cyborg With Fashion Choice Ahead Of PFL 3

Kayla Harrison still has time to troll an inter-promotional rival Cris Cyborg ahead of her PFL season debut tomorrow night. At PFL 3, Kayla Harrison will set off on her quest to three-peat as the PFL lightweight “queenpin” when she takes on 6-2 Marina Mokhnatkina. It wasn’t long ago that many fans didn’t think we’d…

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Kayla Harrison still has time to troll an inter-promotional rival Cris Cyborg ahead of her PFL season debut tomorrow night.

At PFL 3, Kayla Harrison will set off on her quest to three-peat as the PFL lightweight “queenpin” when she takes on 6-2 Marina Mokhnatkina. It wasn’t long ago that many fans didn’t think we’d see Harrison compete in the PFL again at all after word spread about both the UFC’s and Bellator’s interest in acquiring her services.

Should the judoka have signed with Bellator, there was only one fight that everyone would have instantly clamored for, that against the self-proclaimed “fucking legend” and reigning Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion, Cris “Cyborg” Justino.

Prior to her most recent victory at Bellator 279 over Arlene Blencowe, Cyborg wore a t-shirt with the aforementioned phrase “fucking legend” attached in big, bold letters.

Wednesday, as Harrison attended her own pre-fight media day scrum, she shared her adaptation of Cyborg’s fashion arrangement while also sending a message to her hypothetical rival.

While she didn’t go the lengths of Kim Kardashian who channeled her inner Marilyn Monroe at this year’s Met Gala at the expense of 16 pounds, she instead tapped into her inner Randy Orton in a not-so-subtle response to Cyborg’s self-praise.

Naturally, Harrison was asked about her t-shirt that read “Legend Killer,” and here is how the Olympic judoka responded:

“I don’t know. I just heard a lot of people are calling themselves ‘fucking legends,’ so…” she stated sarcastically.

Harrison Claims She Had Agreed To Fight Cyborg In Hawaii

Later in the media scrum, Harrison was asked directly about Cyborg and the comments she made about knowing that Harrison would re-sign with PFL.

Harrison finds that to be an interesting piece of information given that she herself didn’t know. In fact, at one point, she claims things were going in the opposite direction that was leading straight to a fight against Cyborg in Hawaii instead of the Blencowe rematch.

“I mean, I think it’s funny that she ‘knew’ because I accepted a contract with Bellator to fight her on April 22nd in Hawaii, and PFL matched the offer.

“And there was no negative things towards the PFL or anything like that. I’ve made it very clear that I want to test myself against the best while they’re the best. PFL had the right to match; they did. I’m super happy with the contract, I’m super-happy being back home, I’m excited for this season, I think next year we’re gonna do really big things, but my focus, for now, is Marina Mokhnatkina,” Harrison said.

Indeed, Harrison will be taking on Marina Mokhnatkina in her season debut tomorrow night on ESPN. And one person who will likely be tuning in is the “fucking legend” herself, Cris Cyborg.

What are your thoughts on Kayla Harrison’s fashion dig at Cris Cyborg?

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Holly Holm ‘Super Intrigued’ By Potential Boxing Return, Fight Against Katie Taylor

Holly HolmFormer UFC bantamweight champion, Holly Holm has admitted that a potential return to professional boxing in the future, appeals to her – as does a possible fight against recent big winner, lightweight champion, Katie Taylor – amid constant speculation regarding a bout between the two. Holm, a former UFC bantamweight champion and two-time featherweight title […]

Holly Holm

Former UFC bantamweight champion, Holly Holm has admitted that a potential return to professional boxing in the future, appeals to her – as does a possible fight against recent big winner, lightweight champion, Katie Taylor – amid constant speculation regarding a bout between the two.

Holm, a former UFC bantamweight champion and two-time featherweight title challenger, is slated to headline UFC Vegas 55 later this month in a potential 135lb title eliminator against Brazilian contender, Ketlen Vieira.

The Albuquerque fan-favorite has been sidelined through injury since October 2020, most recently landing a unanimous decision win over Mexican striker, Irene Aldana in the main event of UFC Fight Island 4 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Holm was penned to fight now-current bantamweight titleholder, Julianna Pena since her win over Aldana, however, has been forced to limit activity due to numerous injury setbacks.

Holly Holm and Katie Taylor have been linked with a boxing clash for countless years

Linked with a potential fight against the aforenoted, Taylor off the back of her stunning 2015 knockout upset win over Ronda Rousey, a pairing of the Bray native, and Holm failed to ever come to fruition.

However, off the back of Olympic gold medalist, Taylor’s split decision win over Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden last weekend, a potential matchup with Holm has surfaced again.

“We had talked, (Katie) Taylor and myself, before I wound up going to MMA,” Holly Holm said during an interview on The MMA Hour. “We had talked about a possible fight there. I always want to do something that hasn’t been done. I always get super intrigued by things, and I fought at three weight division, ‘40, ‘47, ‘54, and I never got to fight at ‘35. But I’ve done most of my MMA career at ‘35, and that’s what their fight was at. So it makes me like, ‘I want to go back in and show what I can do at a whole different weight class.’”

“I never even fought at that weight class when I was in boxing and I think I’m bigger and stronger than a lot of the 135ers, and I still have conditioning and I still have a lot of that ring experience behind me,” Holly Holm continued. 

According to Holm, a return to the squared circle – in tandem with an allusive Taylor tangle would be intriguing to her.

“It does intrigue me, a lot,” Holly Holm said. “To the point where before, I was like, ‘I’ll never box again,’ and I’m not saying that. There’s been a lot of people that have been able to transition back and forth, but nobody’s really been able to do it successfully, and that drives me. I want to show people I was able to come to MMA from boxing but I can also go back. It does get me excited.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

Yoel Romero vs. Alex Polizzi Set For Bellator 280 On May 6

Yoel Romero will now face Alex Polizzi at Bellator 280 following the late withdrawal of his original opponent, Melvin Manhoef. The light heavyweight bout was initially reported by Dutch outlet Redactie Telesport. It will feature as the co-main event of Bellator 280, which will take place on May 6 at AccorHotels Arena in Paris. Rising…

Continue Reading Yoel Romero vs. Alex Polizzi Set For Bellator 280 On May 6 at MMA News.

Yoel Romero will now face Alex Polizzi at Bellator 280 following the late withdrawal of his original opponent, Melvin Manhoef.

The light heavyweight bout was initially reported by Dutch outlet Redactie Telesport. It will feature as the co-main event of Bellator 280, which will take place on May 6 at AccorHotels Arena in Paris.

Rising light heavyweight Polizzi is stepping in on short notice due to an injury sustained by Romero’s original opponent, Manhoef. According to Redactie Telesport, Manhoef was injured while apprehending three alleged attempted burglars.

Polizzi will go into the bout riding a three-fight win streak. The 30-year-old has lost just once since making his Bellator debut in 2020. In March this year, Polizzi defeated Jose Augusto Azevedo via rear-naked choke, and in September 2021, earned a split-decision win over Grant Neal.

Romero Davis
PHOTO: BELLATOR

Meanwhile, Romero will be attempting to achieve his first win in Bellator. The 43-year-old lost to Phil Davis via split decision in his promotional debut in September last year. Romero is now riding a four-fight losing streak, having previously lost to Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa, and Robert Whittaker as a UFC middleweight.

With the change to the co-main event, the Bellator 280 lineup now includes:

Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo

Yoel Romero vs Alex Polizzi

Lorenz Larkin vs. Kyle Stewart

Davion Franklin vs. TBA

Soren Bak vs. Charlie Leary

Gavin Hughes vs. Yves Landu

Pedro Carvalho vs. Piotr Niedzielski

Gregory Babene vs. Mike Shipman

Thibault Gouti vs. Lewis Long

Fabacary Diatta def. Jordan Barton

Joel Kouadja vs. Nicolo Solli

Lucie Bertaud vs. Katarzyna Sadura

Bourama Camara vs. Victor Verchere

Mathieu Ducios vs. Youcef Ouabbas

Who do you think will have their hand raised at Bellator 280, Yoel Romero or Alex Polizzi?

Continue Reading Yoel Romero vs. Alex Polizzi Set For Bellator 280 On May 6 at MMA News.