Ex-UFC champion Cris Cyborg pens new multi fight deal to remain under Bellator MMA banner

Cris Cyborg signs new multi fight deal with Bellator MMAFormer undisputed UFC featherweight champion and current Bellator MMA division gold holder, Cris Cyborg has put to bed speculation regarding her fighting future under the Scott Coker-led banner this week, penning a new, multi-fight deal with the North American-based promotion. Cyborg, a former UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC featherweight champion to boot, saw her contractual […]

Cris Cyborg signs new multi fight deal with Bellator MMA

Former undisputed UFC featherweight champion and current Bellator MMA division gold holder, Cris Cyborg has put to bed speculation regarding her fighting future under the Scott Coker-led banner this week, penning a new, multi-fight deal with the North American-based promotion.

Cyborg, a former UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC featherweight champion to boot, saw her contractual obligations with Bellator MMA come to an end back in April of this year, defeating Arlene Blencowe in a one-sided unanimous decision win in the pair’s rematch.

Joining the Bellator MMA banner back in January 2020, Cyborg, a former undisputed featherweight champion under the scrutiny of the UFC, managed to mint herself as Bellator gold holder with an eventual fourth round TKO win over Julia Budd. 

Successfully four consecutive defenses of her featherweight crown, Cris Cyborg first defeated the above-mentioned, Blencowe, before then finishing both Leslie Smith, and Sinead Kavanagh with knockout victories. 

Cris Cyborg officially pens new multi-fight deal to remain under Bellator MMA banner

With her future with the promotion up in the air, Cyborg, who has been linked with a return to the cage in a featherweight title defense against fellow UFC alum and former bantamweight championship challenger, Cat Zingano, the Brazilian reached a deal on a new multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.

“The G.W.O.A.T. re-signs,” Bellator MMA tweeted. “Featherweight world champion @criscyborg pens a BRAND NEW multi-fight contract to continue making history exclusively with Bellator MMA!” 

In the midst of a six-fight winning run, Cyborg, a native of Curitiba, Brazil – moved to Bellator MMA following a decision win over Felicia Spencer at UFC 240 in July 2019. 

During his tenure atop the featherweight throne during her stint with the UFC, Cris Cyborg landed successful title defenses against Yana Kunitskaya, and former undisputed bantamweight champion, Holly Holm

Bellator MMA welterweight Dillon Danis targeting return to grappling after 4 year layoff through injury

Dillon Danis targeting grappling return this year with Polaris Bellator MMAFormer Bellator welterweight Dillon Danis is set to make his grappling competitive, ending a four year absence. Since Danis joined the training camp of Conor McGregor, ultimately becoming involved in the infamous post-fight brawl between McGregor and Nurmagomedov, the American has held an odd place in the combat sports space. following an accomplished Brazilian ji […]

Dillon Danis targeting grappling return this year with Polaris Bellator MMA

Former Bellator welterweight Dillon Danis is set to make his grappling competitive, ending a four year absence.

Since Danis joined the training camp of Conor McGregor, ultimately becoming involved in the infamous post-fight brawl between McGregor and Nurmagomedov, the American has held an odd place in the combat sports space.

following an accomplished Brazilian ji jitsu career, Danis turned to professional MMA, racking up just two fights (two wins) since turning professional under the Bellator banner back in 2018. However, even with underwhelming performances, Danis has somehow kept his name relevant.

Danis’ unrelenting social media campaign has kept his name in the headlines, and even contributed to him signing a bout to fight YouTuber turned ‘boxer’ KSI. However, even after throwing coffee in the social media stars face and taunting him, Danis would pull out of the fight with KSI.

Dillon Danis is returning to grappling

While Danis is most well known for is out-of-competition antics, the 29-year-old is an accomplished athlete in his own right. A black belt under Marcelo Garcia, ‘El Jefe’ won several prestigious competitions at brown belt, including the IBJJF World Champions in Gi and No-Gi – as well as Abu Dhabi World Pro and an IBJJF Pan championship.

Danis was tipped for much success at blackbelt, but would never achieve what he did a grade bellow. However, Danis did compete at the ADCC World Championships and took on the likes of Gordon Ryan, Jake Shields and AJ Agazarm.

Via their Instagram, Polaris Grappling teased Danis’ return to grappling, saying that he was planning to make his comeback later this year

‘[Dillon Danis] is aiming to make his highly anticipated return to grappling in 2023 with Polaris.

‘Who would you like to see Dillon face?’

Who would you like to see Dillon Danis make his return against?

UFC alum Benson Henderson admits to fighting with toothpick in mouth, reveals he swallowed it accidentally

Benson Henderson, UFC, BellatorRetired MMA star Benson Henderson revealed that he fought with a toothpick in his mouth during a number of his fights.  In an interview with Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour last month, Henderson shared how he managed to fight with a toothpick inside the octagon. “For a lot of fights, I had the toothpick, […]

Benson Henderson, UFC, Bellator

Retired MMA star Benson Henderson revealed that he fought with a toothpick in his mouth during a number of his fights. 

In an interview with Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour last month, Henderson shared how he managed to fight with a toothpick inside the octagon.

“For a lot of fights, I had the toothpick, yeah,” Henderson said. “For a lot of fights. It was just a bad habit. I would literally, like, go out to lunch or dinner or breakfast, whatever — you know, you have the toothpicks from the restaurant. I would just forget I have it in, I would practice, I would do whatever. I’d leave it in for fights.”

Henderson revealed his toothpick habit led to an accidental injury.

“I’d graduated college, and then I went home to surprise my mom,” Henderson said. “I surprised her when she was coming down the stairs, and I had a toothpick in like I always do, and I was a little bit older. I was mature enough to realize how dumb that was, how not smart that was, how crazy that was. But I scared her — and I swallowed my toothpick. (h/t MMA Fighting)

Benson Henderson Retired at Bellator 292

Henderson, a former UFC and WEC lightweight champion, announced his retirement from MMA at Bellator 292, where he failed to capture the 155-pound title from Usman Nurmagomedov. 

“I told myself if I lose any of [my] last four fights then it’s about that time,” Henderson said post-fight at Bellator 292. “I’ve had a nice long run, I’ve done a lot of great things [and] was able to do a lot of amazing accomplishments.”

During his career, Henderson (30-12) fought multiple MMA stars, including Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal, Frankie Edgar, Michael Chandler and Donald Cerrone, to name a very select few. The Colorado Springs, Colorado native defended the WEC and UFC lightweight titles once and three times, respectively. 

After a five-year stint with the UFC, Henderson signed with Bellator MMA in February 2016 and went 7-7 in 14 fights. The former title challenger competed for Bellator gold three times against Nurmagomedov, Chandler and Andrey Koreshkov. 

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt was ESPN’s 2012 MMA Fighter of The Year. He earned three UFC Fight of The Night bonuses.

Chael Sonnen discusses head trauma suffered against Fedor Emelianenko: ‘I got hit with a missile five seconds into my fight’

Chael Sonnen brain trauma Fedor Emelianenko I was hit with a missile UFCFormer UFC title contender Chael Sonnen speaks on the reality of head trauma and the punishment he took in his career. The issue of fighter safety and more specifically the brain trauma that they are subject to, still looms large over the sport, just as it does in every contact sport. For every dramatic moment […]

Chael Sonnen brain trauma Fedor Emelianenko I was hit with a missile UFC

Former UFC title contender Chael Sonnen speaks on the reality of head trauma and the punishment he took in his career.

The issue of fighter safety and more specifically the brain trauma that they are subject to, still looms large over the sport, just as it does in every contact sport. For every dramatic moment and stunning knockout, there are equally just as scary examples of what this violence does.

 Talking on True Geordie’s podcast, Sonnen discussed the issue of CTE and head trauma, an issue that he had not considered up until recently.

“I do, yes [think about head trauma] and I didn’t use to”, Chael Sonnen said. “Somebody I looked up to, could have even been my father said that’s a guy looking for an excuse, having a concussion and thing likes this then that movie came out called concussion with will smith it was based on a true story and impacted me and it made me start thinking in that direction, I did see several fighter – a lot of boxers that were slowing down and having a hard time.

“So, you start to see this a real thing, guys in the NFL some even led to suicide they were talking about the pains and the depression they were having from CTE”, said Sonnen. I’m very aware of it, I don’t believe that I took some of those shots but I appreciate that it’s a very real thing and coaches are monitoring it, hat doctors now know what to look for. For the longest time we didn’t even know what to look for, I was in college wrestling and you head butted and you were seeing stars as they say, get back in there shake it off.”

Chael Sonnen talks Fedor Emelianenko ‘missile’

Chael Sonnen has had close to 50 professional MMA fights and has taken on some of the most dangerous men that middleweight to heavyweight had to offer over his career. It’s no surprise then that Sonnen has taken a big shot, or two, over his career. However the 45-year-old recalls one delivered from Fedor Emelianenko that shook him to his boots.

“I got hit with a missile five seconds into my fight with Fedor, I mean this thing was a missile, I would have quit that fight right there”, described Chael Sonnen. “As I was falling to the canvas I knew if this fight gets stopped it’ll be the fastest knockout ever and I’m just windmilling my legs trying to get a couple of seconds.

“I felt as though after that fight, for a couple of months that something was amiss, my memory wasn’t quite there or maybe I would be speaking and I was having a hard time finding the word.”

Chael Sonnen on the True Geordie podcast

What’s your favorrite Chael Sonnen fight?

Cris Cyborg expected to remain under Bellator banner amid links to UFC rematch with Amanda Nunes

Cris Cyborg expected to sign with Bellator link to UFC rematch Amanda NunesUndisputed Bellator MMA featherweight champion, Cris Cyborg is currently negotiating terms with the promotion as per president, Scott Coker, amid links with a return to the UFC to score a title rematch with compatriot, Amanda Nunes, with the long-time Bellator leader confident of retaining the Curitiba veteran on his roster. Undefeated since her move to […]

Cris Cyborg expected to sign with Bellator link to UFC rematch Amanda Nunes

Undisputed Bellator MMA featherweight champion, Cris Cyborg is currently negotiating terms with the promotion as per president, Scott Coker, amid links with a return to the UFC to score a title rematch with compatriot, Amanda Nunes, with the long-time Bellator leader confident of retaining the Curitiba veteran on his roster.

Undefeated since her move to the Bellator back in 2020, Cyborg, 37, most recently defeated Arlene Blencoewe in a unanimous decision victory back in Bellator 279 in April of last year in a Hawaii rematch.

Completing her contractual obligations with the organization in her rematch win over the New Zealander, Cris Cyborg, who still remains under the banner of Bellator as per Coker, is expected to return to the promotion later this year, upon the conclusion of negotiations.

Scott Coker confident of signing Cris Cyborg to Bellator MMA contract

Last night in the co-main event of Bellator 293, former UFC bantamweight title challenger, Cat Zingano appeared to stamp her ticket to a featherweight title fight against Cyborg next, taking out Northern Ireland contender, Leah McCourt in a close decision victory.

“I’m not sure what Cat (Zingano) heard [regarding a vacant title fight with Leah McCourt], because I didn’t talk to her directly, but from the company’s standpoint, this was always a three-round [title] elimination fight for the number one contender spot,” Scott Coker told assembled media following Bellator 293. “Cris Cyborg is still the current champion, we still have her under contract right now. We have her under a matching rights provision, we are negotiation with her. And we expect to bring her back at some point this year.”

“Now, it’s going to be a great fight [between Cris Cyborg and Cat Zingano],” Coker explained. “Hopefully we’ll put this together with Cris in the next couple of weeks and her and Cat can work on a big fight for the two of them to fight for Cris’ belt. Somewhere along the line, between my fight team and Ed Soares, and the dialogue, I told them, ‘I don’t know where this got lost,’ but from our perspective, it’s always been a three round [title] elimination fight.” 

Linked with a return to the UFC in an attempt to avenge a December 2018 featherweight title loss to fellow Brazilian favorite, Nunes following the completion of her contractual obligations with Bellator last year, Cyborg suffered a first round KO loss to the Bahia native.

In the time since, Cyborg has defeated Julia Budd, Arlene Blencowe (x2), Leslie Smith, and Sinead Kavanagh during her time under the scrutiny of Bellator.

Francis Ngannou flirts with PFL, ONE Championship moves, reveals ‘Serious’ talks have taken place

Francis Ngannou UFC returnFrancis Ngannou revealed that he has “serious” offers from multiple combat sports promotions including the Professional Fighters League and ONE Championship. In January, UFC president Dana White revealed that the promotion was parting ways with its then-heavyweight champion after nearly two years of negotiations hit a stalemate. Since then, the UFC has crowned a new […]

Francis Ngannou UFC return

Francis Ngannou revealed that he has “serious” offers from multiple combat sports promotions including the Professional Fighters League and ONE Championship.

In January, UFC president Dana White revealed that the promotion was parting ways with its then-heavyweight champion after nearly two years of negotiations hit a stalemate. Since then, the UFC has crowned a new heavyweight king in the returning Jon Jones. After more than three years away from the Octagon, ‘Bones’ returned to deliver a showstopping two-minute submission of Ciryl Gane to capture the vacant heavyweight championship.

As for Francis Ngannou, ‘The Predator’ is hoping to secure his first foray into professional boxing this summer, but during an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Ngannou revealed that he is in serious talks with multiple combat sports organizations, including one set to make their North American debut this May.

“I have been having some serious conversations with PFL. Also with ONE [Championship],” Ngannou revealed. Not so much with Bellator, but there’s not a rush since my first fight has to be in boxing so that’s where my focus is at right now. If I have some good conditions, if I have a reason, I think there is a right contract with the right terms, maybe. I have no problem making an agreement before I step into a boxing fight.”

Who Will Win the Francis Ngannou Lottery?

Those words from Francis Ngannou are likely a sting to the eardrums of Bellator CEO Scott Coker who, by all accounts, has made a strong play for Ngannou’s services following his departure from the UFC. Appearing on The MMA Hour, Coker said that it was “50/50” as to whether or not they would be able to sign ‘The Predator’ to a mutually-beneficial contract. Based on Ngannou’s own words, it sounds like Bellator may be forced to walk away from the negotiating table.

Francis Ngannou has been previously tied to talks with the PFL. Given its tournament format and the million-dollar top prize, it would likely be a perfect fit for the Cameroonian.

With ONE Championship scheduled to make its long-awaited U.S. debut on May 5 at the 1stBank Center in Colorado, the promotion’s founder and CEO Chatri Sityodtong is likely to make a strong play for ‘The Predator’ in order to boost its North American profile and take a chunk of the pie that the UFC has been hoarding for three decades. ONE Championship would also provide Francis Ngannou with some genuinely intriguing matchups.

The promotion is currently home to 17-time BJJ world champion Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almedia who is 4-0 in his still-developing MMA career. There is also a potential meeting with ONE Championship’s Fighter of the Year, Anatoly Malykhin. The Russian juggernaut stunned fans with a first-round knockout of former ONE light heavyweight world champion Reinier de Ridder in December and currently sits as a two-division titleholder.