Tag: Bellator News

Report: Paul Daley/Andrey Koreshkov In The Works For Bellator London

A Bellator welterweight showdown between the retiring Paul Daley and rising contender Andrey Koreshkov is in the works for Bellator London. News of the booking was reported by MMA journalist Michael Martin. Daley has recently said in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that he intends to retire after one more fight…

Continue Reading Report: Paul Daley/Andrey Koreshkov In The Works For Bellator London at MMA News.

A Bellator welterweight showdown between the retiring Paul Daley and rising contender Andrey Koreshkov is in the works for Bellator London.

News of the booking was reported by MMA journalist Michael Martin.

Daley has recently said in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that he intends to retire after one more fight in the Bellator cage. He most recently lost to Jason Jackson at Bellator 260 after winning three in a row.

The Bellator London card is scheduled to take place at The SSE Arena on May 13.

Koreshkov is just days removed from his first-round knockout over Chance Rencountre at Bellator 274. He landed a heavy spinning back kick before finishing the fight with a flurry of ground-and-pound punches.

Koreshkov hasn’t lost since his controversial split decision defeat to Lorenz Larkin at Bellator 229.

Daley looked to be back in the welterweight title picture in Bellator after back-to-back wins over Saad Awad and Erick Silva in 2019. He followed it up with an impressive knockout over Sabah Homasi before the loss to Jackson.

Daley made his Bellator debut back in 2015 at Bellator 134, earning a unanimous decision win over Andre Santos. This was after he received a lifetime ban from the UFC for sucker-punching Josh Koscheck at UFC 113.

The Bellator London card will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between the champion Yaroslav Amosov against Michael Venom Page. If Koreshkov can get past Daley, he may move one step closer to a potential title shot in 2022.

What is your prediction for Paul Daley vs. Andrey Koreshkov?

Continue Reading Report: Paul Daley/Andrey Koreshkov In The Works For Bellator London at MMA News.

Coker Explains Why Zingano Isn’t Next For Cyborg As Originally Planned

Scott Coker has explained why Cat Zinagno is not fighting Cris Cyborg next. Things are getting a little gray in the Bellator featherweight division. In recent months, title contender Cat Zingano was gunning for a title shot against champion Cris Cyborg. Then, it was announced that Zingano will actually not be facing Cyborg next but…

Continue Reading Coker Explains Why Zingano Isn’t Next For Cyborg As Originally Planned at MMA News.

Scott Coker has explained why Cat Zinagno is not fighting Cris Cyborg next.

Things are getting a little gray in the Bellator featherweight division. In recent months, title contender Cat Zingano was gunning for a title shot against champion Cris Cyborg. Then, it was announced that Zingano will actually not be facing Cyborg next but will instead be facing Pam Sorenson.

The reason behind the switch-up was not given at first and many theories began to pour in. Now, Bellator President Scott Coker is ready to shed some light on the situation.

“So basically Cat wanted to have one more fight before she fought Cris,” Coker told MMA Fighting. “I don’t even think she was the one that really made that call; it was her manager.”

Zingano was the one calling for the fight with Cyborg. Following her last win over Olivia Parker, Zingano proposed the title fight. She had a time and location picked out for the fight. She even offered to meet Cyborg in LA to fight at an upcoming event, but that never happened. Zingano also accused her of dodging drug tests in order to delay the fight. Cyborg and her team claim that did not happen.

Cyborg accepted Zingano’s challenge and seemed ready to fight—that is until the announcement of Zingano vs. Sorenson. After that news came out, Cyborg tweeted and deleted a message accusing Zinagno of running.

“So the manager said ‘we want one more fight.’ So we said ‘OK’ and we put together the fight for her. From there if she wins, she can fight Cris,” Coker explained.

Zingano has won two fights in the Bellator featherweight division since joining the organization following the end of her UFC run. If she wins this third fight Coker claims that she will get Cyborg next, however, if she loses it could be Sorenson who leapfrogs into the title shot.

At this time, Cyborg does not have another option in the works. She could just wait for the winner of this bout featuring Zingano and Sorenson.

Do you think Cat Zingano really wanted to face Cris Cyborg next?

Continue Reading Coker Explains Why Zingano Isn’t Next For Cyborg As Originally Planned at MMA News.

VIDEO | Rampage Jackson Son Scores Anaconda Choke Win, Moves To 2-0

Rampage JacksonFormer UFC light heavyweight champion, Rampage Jackson has shared footage of his son, Raja Jackson competing at a Global Legion FC event on the regional circuit in the United States – with his son wrapping up a slick anaconda choke win. Jackson, who is best known for his stints under the Japanese-based Pride FC banner […]

Rampage Jackson

Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rampage Jackson has shared footage of his son, Raja Jackson competing at a Global Legion FC event on the regional circuit in the United States – with his son wrapping up a slick anaconda choke win.

Jackson, who is best known for his stints under the Japanese-based Pride FC banner as well as his time with the UFC – where he landed the undisputed light heavyweight title, last competed professionally back in December 2019 under the Bellator banner, dropping a one-sided first round knockout loss to Fedor Emelianenko. 

Rampage Jackson embarked on a 5-3 record during his eight-fight run with Bellator MMA

Improving to 2-0 as an amateur, Raja Jackson managed to eventually set up an expertly applied anaconda choke, patiently setting up the finish before forcing a tap from his opponent. Sharing the footage of his son’s second amateur victory, Rampage Jackson posted the finish on his official Twitter account.

“A little footage from my son’s fight (at) Global Legion FC,” Rampage Jackson tweeted with accompanying footage.

In his first amateur outing, Raja Jackson, who plys his trade under Quinton and Bellator MMA alum, Antonio McKee – the father of undefeated featherweight kingpin, A.J. McKee – stopped Zalimkhan Shakhrudinov with second round ground strikes back in November of last year.

For Rampage Jackson, the sport pioneer boasts a 38-14 professional record, scoring a notable 20 career knockout wins.

The veteran has defeated the likes of Igor Vovchanchyn, Kevin Randleman, Murilo Bustamante, Chuck Liddell, Ricardo Arona, and Murilo Rua during his time under the Pride FC banner, before an eventual UFC move back in 2007.

Landing in the organization with a knockout win over Marvin Eastman, Rampage Jackson would go on to score a second career win over Liddell to win the undisputed light heavyweight championship, before then besting Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva, Keith Jardine, Lyoto Machida, Matt Hamill, and then Fabio Maldonado in his final Octagon walk in 2015.

Chance Rencountre Hospitalized After A Kick At Bellator 274

Chance RencountreChance Rencountre had to be hospitalized due to a spinning kick to his body after his Bellator debut against Andrey Koreshkov. The Rencountre and Koreshkov bout was the co-main of the card, but it ended quickly as it only took Koreshkov 38 seconds to end the fight. He landed a spinning kick to the right […]

Chance Rencountre

Chance Rencountre had to be hospitalized due to a spinning kick to his body after his Bellator debut against Andrey Koreshkov.

The Rencountre and Koreshkov bout was the co-main of the card, but it ended quickly as it only took Koreshkov 38 seconds to end the fight. He landed a spinning kick to the right side of Recountre’s body and sent him to the canvas.

According to his managers Instagram, Rencountre broke five of his ribs and also punctured his lung from that spinning kick he took. He requires surgery as well, but he is currently in high spirits and excited to be able to fight again in the future. According to MMA Junkie, Recountre was able to get up and walk out of the arena under his own strength.

Going into Bellator 274, Chance Rencountre had a record of 16-4 before being beat by Andrey Koreshkov.

Koreshkov now has a record of 25-4 and has won three fights in a row. He has finished two of those three fights, last night’s via TKO and a win over Adriano Rodrigues de Oliveira via armor at AMC- Fight Nights: Sochi.

Rencountre had a brief stint with the UFC as well a few years ago. he finished his UFC career with a record of 2-2. He had wins over Kyle Stewart and Ismail Naurdiev in 2019. He also went up against Belal Muhammad in a bout he ultimately lost via unanimous decision.

This is also Rencountre’s second run with Bellator, as he was with them before his UFC career. In three fights with Bellator he went 2-1, winning one fight via decision and the other via decision. A speedy recovery is hopeful for Rencountree, as he looks to build on a couple wins in his second appearance with Bellator.

Did you watch Bellator 274? What did you think of it?

Scott Coker Open To Bringing Francis Ngannou To Bellator

Scott CokerBellator president Scott Coker has refused to rule out bringing UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to his fight promotion. ‘The Predator’ is currently at odds with the MMA leader and it seems he could be on the verge of leaving the UFC to become one of the biggest free agents in sport. Ngannou was paid […]

Scott Coker

Bellator president Scott Coker has refused to rule out bringing UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to his fight promotion.

‘The Predator’ is currently at odds with the MMA leader and it seems he could be on the verge of leaving the UFC to become one of the biggest free agents in sport.

Ngannou was paid just $600,000 for his latest fight, a unanimous decision win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. The fight was the last on Ngannou’s current contract, which has been extended due to a championship clause in the deal that ties ‘The Predator’ to the UFC for one year or three fights – whatever comes first.

The Cameroonian knockout artist has often expressed his desire to pursue big boxing fights and wants the freedom to do so before re-signing with the UFC.

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is ready to welcome Ngannou to the squared circle. ‘The Gypsy King’ says he will square off against the UFC heavyweight king in the first quarter of 2023.

Scott Coker Wants To Sign The Best Free Agents

In the aftermath of Bellator 274, Coker spoke with the media and was asked if wanted to bring Ngannou to his promotion.

“We haven’t talked to him because he’s still under contract, he still has championship fights but if he’s a free agent one day and you know the timing’s right, we feel it’s a good fit and you know we’ll decide that time,” Coker said. “The philosophy is still the same, look, if you’re a free agent and you want to come shop your wares and your brand and your business, come talk to us because we are in the business of signing the biggest and the best free agents on the planet.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda)

Do you think Scott Coker could convince Francis Ngannou to join Bellator?

VIDEO | Andrey Koreshkov Wrecks His Opponent With Spinning Back Kick To The Body

Andrey KoreshkovFormer welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov continued to impress in his third straight win at Bellator 274 on Saturday night. The Russian uncorked a nasty spinning back kick to the body of his opponent Chance Rencountre, who fell to the floor in crippling pain before the fight was waved off just 38 seconds into the first […]

Andrey Koreshkov

Former welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov continued to impress in his third straight win at Bellator 274 on Saturday night.

The Russian uncorked a nasty spinning back kick to the body of his opponent Chance Rencountre, who fell to the floor in crippling pain before the fight was waved off just 38 seconds into the first round.

Andrey Koreshkov Calls Out Paul Daley

Post-fight, Koreshkov expressed his desire to fight Paul Daley at Bellator London in May. Speaking to the press after the event Koreshkov explained why he wants ‘Semtex’ next.

“Paul Daley is higher than me in the rankings,” Koreshkov said. “Right now, he is the last one who doesn’t have an opponent. I think it’s a good idea because his style, my style are very impressive, very spectacular.”

The English KO artist has since expressed his willingness to accept Koreshkov’s call out.

“I’m calling for it to be signed. ASAP,” Daley told Michael Morgan. “I’ve messaged all the right people and it looks like it will happen. At 170lbs. Not 175lbs.”

Bellator 274 Results

Logan Storley def. Neiman Gracie via unanimous decision
Andrey Koreshkov def. Chance Rencountre via TKO in Round 1  
Adam Piccolotti def. Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous
Brennan Ward def. Brandon Bell via TKO (punches) in Round 2 
Davion Franklin def. Said Sowma via split decision
Nick Browne def. Mandel Nallo via TKO in Round 2
Jaylon Bates def. Chris Disonell via submission in Round 3
Bobby King def. Aviv Gozali via TKO in Round 1
DeAnna Bennett def. Justine Kish via unanimous decision
Jordan Newman def. Cody Herbert via unanimous decision
Justin Montalvo def. Corey Samuels via TKO in Round 1
Isaiah Hokit def. Theodore Macuka via submission in Round 1
Jonathan DiLorenzo def. Orlando Mendoza via submission in Round 1

Do you want to see Andrey Koreshkov take on Paul Daley at Bellator London on May 13?