Tag: Bellator

Nate Diaz unable to talk with fight promotions about potential signing: ‘It’s illegal’

Nate DiazFormer UFC lightweight and welterweight contender, Nate Diaz is currently unable to discuss potential deals with promotion’s and organizations following the recent completion of his contractual obligations, as the UFC hold a period of three months in which they can exclusively decide whether or not to offer Diaz a new contract. The Stockton favorite headlined […]

Nate Diaz

Former UFC lightweight and welterweight contender, Nate Diaz is currently unable to discuss potential deals with promotion’s and organizations following the recent completion of his contractual obligations, as the UFC hold a period of three months in which they can exclusively decide whether or not to offer Diaz a new contract.

The Stockton favorite headlined UFC 279 earlier this month in a reshuffled, short-notice main event against former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson, nabbing an eventual fourth round guillotine choke win.

Nate Diaz was initially scheduled to share the main event bracket with the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev, however, the Chechen fighter missed the welterweight limit by a whopping seven and a half pounds.

Diaz would go on to submit Ferguson and snap his two-fight losing skid, while Chimaev would be dropped the event’s co-headliner against Kevin Holland, where he moved to 12-0 with a straightforward first round D’Arce choke win.

Since Nate Diaz’s final contracted Octagon appearance, the one-time UFC lightweight title challenger has been the target of moves for both Bellator MMA and the David Feldman-led, BKFC, with the former’s president, Scott Coker claiming ahead of the promotion’s Dublin card, how they were “in dialogue” with Diaz’s camp. 

“Well, we’re definitely talking to him (Nate Diaz),” Scott Coker told BBC Sport ahead of Bellator 285. “We’ve reached out and I know he’s probably talking to everybody. He’s, I think, in a pretty good situation. I know he wants to fight Jake Paul. Jake Paul’s fighting, you know, against Anderson Silva on Showtime pay-per-view, which is our home network, so there’s some synergies here.” 

“We’re just hoping that we could have some type of deal to at least have his MMA fights with Bellator,” Scott Coker continued. “We are in dialogue.

Nate Diaz currently unable to discuss contract terms with other promotions

However, according to Ariel Helwani, it would be illegal for Diaz to speak with other organizations at the moment, following the completion of his contractual obligations with the UFC.

“A note on any story about a promotion/promotion talking to Nathan Diaz right now, don’t believe it,” Ariel Helwani tweeted. “Not true. It’s actually illegal. Diaz is in an exclusive three-month negotiation period with the UFC. Meaning he can’t talk to anyone. And he hasn’t talked to anyone.”

“This is standard procedure, btw,” Helwani tweeted. “Every UFC deal has this baked in. So, unless they wave it, which they have in the past, there’s no talking to anyone out there. And they haven’t waived it.”

Benson Henderson lands unanimous decision win over Peter Queally in headliner – Bellator 285 Highlights

Benson HendersonFormer UFC lightweight champion, Benson Henderson continues his purple patch toward the end of his professional career, managing to land a unanimous decision win over Peter Queally in the main event of Bellator 285 in Dublin, Ireland. A blistering opening start to tonight’s main event as Queally marches Henderson down and lands a couple of […]

Benson Henderson

Former UFC lightweight champion, Benson Henderson continues his purple patch toward the end of his professional career, managing to land a unanimous decision win over Peter Queally in the main event of Bellator 285 in Dublin, Ireland.

A blistering opening start to tonight’s main event as Queally marches Henderson down and lands a couple of early strikes in close.

Grappling at the fence during the opening round, Henderson managed to close the opening frame well in front of a hugely hostile enemy crowd, slashing a cut upon on the head of Queally with a sharp, step-in elbow.

In the early goings of the second round, however, Henderson managed to land an inadvertent groin strike, causing a lengthy stoppage in the action, as Queally gathered himself. For his low strike, Henderson was deducted a point by cage official, Kevin MacDonald. And another one of those slashing step-in elbows lands for Henderson in the setup to more clinch work at the fence in the second frame.

A well-timed double leg in the third from Henderson catches Queally on the entry as he overextends, with the Waterford veteran put to his backside. Some excellent pocket fighting from Henderson as well as Queally makes his way to his feet. The ex-UFC champion lands a knee, and a series of elbows before again shooting a double-leg takedown. Prolonged clinch work and most importantly, damage and output for Henderson land him the third frame.

Henderson lands himself a knockdown in the fourth via another one of those elbows, and momentarily looks for a front choke before wearing on Queally once again. We see a fifth and final round. Queally needs a finish most certainly — even considering the point deduction.

Some more heavy clinch work from Henderson in the fifth frame — as to be expected with the well-rounded, savvy veteran. And that is it, Benson Henderson emerges with a unanimous decision win over Peter Queally.

Catch the highlights from Benson Henderson’s unanimous decision win over Peter Queally, below

Yoel Romero lands brutal ground strikes KO win against Melvin Manhoef – Bellator 285 Highlights

Yoel RomeroFormer multipe time UFC middleweight title challenger, Yoel Romero lands his second consecutive victory under the Bellator MMA banner — sending veteran Suriname striker, Melvin Manhoef into retirement with a series of brutal third round ground elbows in the co-main event of Bellator 285. Romero, who was originally slated to feature against Manhoef back in […]

Yoel Romero

Former multipe time UFC middleweight title challenger, Yoel Romero lands his second consecutive victory under the Bellator MMA banner — sending veteran Suriname striker, Melvin Manhoef into retirement with a series of brutal third round ground elbows in the co-main event of Bellator 285.

Romero, who was originally slated to feature against Manhoef back in Paris earlier this year, instead drew Alex Polizzi on short-notice, landing a third round buzzer-beating KO win to boot, fracturing Polizzi’s jaw in the process.

Utilizing his often-underutilized grappling and wrestling in the first round against Manhoef, Romero managed to move to guard after a clever leg kick and the hook combination.

Taking Manhoef down at the cage fence early in the third frame, Romero postured up with just over a minute remaining in the third and final frame, raining down with ground strikes and a trio of brutal elbows, rendering the retiring, Manhoef unconscious.

Below, catch the highlights from Yoel Romero’s stunning KO of Melvin Manhoef

Pedro Carvalho defeats Mads Burnell in career standout win – Bellator 285 Highlights

Pedro CarvalhoIn a career standout victory, Portuguese featherweight contender, Pedro Carvalho shows a matured and technical skillset en route to a unanimous decision win over former Cage Warriors titleholder and UFC alum the #3 ranked, Mads Burnell on the main card of Bellator 285. Outlasting the Denmark tactician, Carvalho was forced to defend numerous takedowns throughout […]

Pedro Carvalho

In a career standout victory, Portuguese featherweight contender, Pedro Carvalho shows a matured and technical skillset en route to a unanimous decision win over former Cage Warriors titleholder and UFC alum the #3 ranked, Mads Burnell on the main card of Bellator 285.

Outlasting the Denmark tactician, Carvalho was forced to defend numerous takedowns throughout the 15-minute limit against Burnell, and even managed to sweep the contender in the latter round and the second frame.

Carvalho, who entered tonight’s matchup off the back of a close decision loss, last featured on home soil back in November at the 3Arena to boot, that occasion outlasting the veteran, Daniel Weichel.

Speaking with LowKick MMA ahead of his fight against Burnell, Carvalho, who has previously challenged undisputed featherweight kingpin, Patricio Pitbull, called for a number one contender’s bout against either Aaron Pico, or Jeremy Kennedy with a win over Burnell.

Below, catch the highlights from Pedro Carvalho’s decision win over Mads Burnell

Ciaran Clarke lands stunning come from behind submission win over Rafael Hudson – Bellator 285 Highlights

Ciaran ClarkeDrogheda fan-favorite, Ciaran Clarke continues his knack of rallying at the 3Arena in front of a partisan crowd in the capital, this time rebounding from an opening round knockdown to eventually force a submission win over short-notice opponent, Rafael Hudson at Bellator 285. Clarke, who entered fight week boasting an undefeated 5-0 professional record, was […]

Ciaran Clarke

Drogheda fan-favorite, Ciaran Clarke continues his knack of rallying at the 3Arena in front of a partisan crowd in the capital, this time rebounding from an opening round knockdown to eventually force a submission win over short-notice opponent, Rafael Hudson at Bellator 285.

Clarke, who entered fight week boasting an undefeated 5-0 professional record, was also scheduled to land himself a fight with Georges Sanu, however, the pairing was shelved during the week with unknown Brazilian newcomer, Hudson replacing Sanu.

Surprising Clarke and the entire 3Arena reception, Hudson managed to score a knockdown on the former in the opening frame, however, the Straight Blast Gym staple managed to rally as in almost patented fashion — forcing grappling scrambles on cue throughout the second and third round.

In a third round grappling exchange, Clarke managed to secure hooks and then transitioned to a body triangle, eventually forcing a tap from Hudson as the onlooking crowd erupted at the Drogheda man’s victory.

Below, catch the highlights from Ciaran Clarke’s submission win against Rafael Hudson

Brian Moore secures unanimous decision win over Arivaldo Silva in collected performance – Bellator 285 Highlights

Brian MooreWexford fan favorite bantamweight, Brian Moore managed to return himself to the winner’s enclosure on the preliminary card of Bellator 285 tonight in Dublin, defeating Brazilian opposition, Arivaldo Silva with a unanimous decision win after a striking showcase. Moore, who entered tonight’s matchup off the back of supremely close losses against both Nikita Mikhailov, and […]

Brian Moore

Wexford fan favorite bantamweight, Brian Moore managed to return himself to the winner’s enclosure on the preliminary card of Bellator 285 tonight in Dublin, defeating Brazilian opposition, Arivaldo Silva with a unanimous decision win after a striking showcase.

Moore, who entered tonight’s matchup off the back of supremely close losses against both Nikita Mikhailov, and then Jornel Lugo, rarely looked troubled in tonight’s matchup against American Top Team trainee, Silva, forcing a unanimous decision win with a series of expert striking exchanges on the feet.

The Wexford striker, who plys his trade out of Straight Blast Gym HQ, become the most active Bellator fighter on the island of Ireland with tonight’s walk against Silva to boot. Moore also holds victories over Jordan Winski, Simone D’Anna, Son Le Binh, Giorgie Belsanti, and Michal Horejsi.

Below, catch the highlights from Brian Moore’s win against Arivaldo Silva