Tag: Bellator

Former Champion Files Lawsuit Against PFL-Owned Bellator Shortly After His Release

Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi has filed a complaint against the promotion, and the PFL, after being released from his contract in May. The 39-year old was granted his release earlier this year after he spoke incredibly negatively of the promotion in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. In that interview, […]

Continue Reading Former Champion Files Lawsuit Against PFL-Owned Bellator Shortly After His Release at MMA News.

Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi has filed a complaint against the promotion, and the PFL, after being released from his contract in May.

The 39-year old was granted his release earlier this year after he spoke incredibly negatively of the promotion in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. In that interview, he said that if it was up to him, he would like to just leave and move on with his career but his team wanted to pursue legal action after the way he had been treated.

The breakdown in relationship between the two parties stems from Mousasi’s Bellator contract and the PFL being unhappy to honor it after they acquired the promotion and it’s roster last year. This is explained in the documents, including several interactions between Mousasi’s team and the PFL regarding his expensive contract.

This saga appeared to have come to an end when PFL’s Mike Kogan, who previously worked with Mousasi at Bellator, announced that he had been released, writing: “We wish him all the best fighting in his next chapter.”

However, as Mousasi stated back in May, his team wanted to progress things even further with John S. Nash reporting that the complaint alleges a breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, a claim for relief for Monopsonizaton.

The detailed complaint provides lots of information about Mousasi’s Bellator contract and how the PFL did not want to pay him that much money to fight considering that he wasn’t a champion or a PPV draw.

It also goes into the other issues, including a claim that Mousasi was misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee.

All of the information, including the conversation back and forth from Mousasi’s management and the PFL can be found via Nash’s X account below:

Continue Reading Former Champion Files Lawsuit Against PFL-Owned Bellator Shortly After His Release at MMA News.

Yaroslav Amosov Planned To Join The UFC While Still Being In Bellator

Last month, former Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov announced that he is now a free agent. He posted on Instagram to share the news and reflect on his time in Bellator where he spent the best part of six years with the promotion. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Amosov provided more in details […]

Continue Reading Yaroslav Amosov Planned To Join The UFC While Still Being In Bellator at MMA News.

Last month, former Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov announced that he is now a free agent.

He posted on Instagram to share the news and reflect on his time in Bellator where he spent the best part of six years with the promotion. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Amosov provided more in details about the decision to leave Bellator and what his next steps will be.

Having teased a potential move over to the UFC in his initial post, whether we will see him step inside the Octagon was always going to be the question that everyone had on their minds.

Yaroslav Amosov Says The UFC Has Been On His Mind For Quite Some Time

Amosov detailed to Nolan King how he had been waiting to for his Bellator contract to expire after not being offered any fights by the promotion. However, leaving them to pursue his dreams of fighting in the UFC was already something that he had made clear, which he thinks may be why there was a longer period of waiting.

“Maybe 2023, one maybe two years ago, we said to Bellator that we had a plan, we don’t want to continue on, we don’t want to sign new contract and after finishing contract, we go outside and I think that’s why continue my contract in one year. Maybe that’s why but yeah, we have plan, we will go to UFC.”

– Yaroslav Amosov

The plan that Amosov speaks about is fairly simple, he wants to sign a one-fight deal elsewhere, potentially looking at January as an ideal time frame, and then move into the UFC.

This is somewhat similar to the path that former ONE Championship fighter Reinier de Ridder took recently where after getting one win on UAE Warriors, he was announced to have signed with the UFC shortly after. Amosov has clearly had his sights set on the MMA leader for some time but now he can put his plan into action.

“Now we have plan. We sign contract to just one fight and after one fight, we want go to UFC.”

– Yaroslav Amosov

Continue Reading Yaroslav Amosov Planned To Join The UFC While Still Being In Bellator at MMA News.

Bellator Champions Series: Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins Results & Highlights (1 PM ET)

The fifth Bellator Champions Series event goes down on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action. After taking the newly created Bellator Champions Series to Belfast, Paris, Dublin, and San Diego thus far since acquiring its rival promotion late last year, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has brought the brand back […]

Continue Reading Bellator Champions Series: Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins Results & Highlights (1 PM ET) at MMA News.

The fifth Bellator Champions Series event goes down on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.

After taking the newly created Bellator Champions Series to Belfast, Paris, Dublin, and San Diego thus far since acquiring its rival promotion late last year, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has brought the brand back to English soil for the first time in 2024.

And headlining inside the OVO Arena Wembley in London on September 14 is nine-fight Bellator veteran Leah McCourt. After the cancellation of a championship rematch between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards, her clash with Australia’s Sara Collins has been promoted to main event status.

Also of note is the return of England’s own Simeon Powell, who will co-headline in his first fight since falling short of PFL Europe title glory in late 2023, the debut of former UFC athlete Marc Diakiese, and the latest outing for undefeated American prospect Archie Colgan.

Ahead of today’s event, see below for the full card and broadcast information, and be sure to check back later for live results and all the highlights.

Bellator Champions Series: McCourt vs. Collins Results & Highlights

Full Card (1 PM ET, MAX):

  • Women’s Featherweight: Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins
  • Light Heavyweight: Simeon Powell vs. Rafael Xavier
  • Light Heavyweight: Luke Trainer vs. Laurynas Urbonavicius
  • Lightweight: Tim Wilde vs. Marc Diakiese
  • Lightweight: Archie Colgan vs. Manoel Sousa
  • Middleweight: Mike Shipman vs. Eslam Abdel Baset
  • Catchweight (170lbs): Joseph Luciano vs. Steven Hill
  • Catchweight (140lbs): Ciaran Clarke vs. Tuomas Gronvall
  • Lightweight: Darragh Kelly vs. Dmytrii Hrytsenko

Continue Reading Bellator Champions Series: Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins Results & Highlights (1 PM ET) at MMA News.

Bellator Champions Series Results & Highlights: Sara Collins Submits Leah McCourt

The fifth Bellator Champions Series event went down on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action. After taking the newly created Bellator Champions Series to Belfast, Paris, Dublin, and San Diego thus far since acquiring its rival promotion late last year, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) brought the brand back to […]

Continue Reading Bellator Champions Series Results & Highlights: Sara Collins Submits Leah McCourt at MMA News.

The fifth Bellator Champions Series event went down on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.

After taking the newly created Bellator Champions Series to Belfast, Paris, Dublin, and San Diego thus far since acquiring its rival promotion late last year, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) brought the brand back to English soil for the first time in 2024.

And headlining inside the OVO Arena Wembley in London on September 14 was nine-fight Bellator veteran Leah McCourt. After the cancellation of a championship rematch between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards, her clash with Australia’s Sara Collins was promoted to main event status.

The Melbourne native remained undefeated, submitting McCourt inside the opening round to secure top contender status for Cris Cyborg’s Bellator women’s featherweight title.

Also of note was the return of England’s own Simeon Powell, who overcame two knockdowns in the opening round to fall on the right side of a split decision against Rafael Xavier in the co-headliner. Beforehand, former UFC athlete Marc Diakiese made a successful debut and unbeaten American prospect Archie Colgan continued his winning ways.

With that said, see below for the full results, followed by all the highlights.

Bellator Champions Series: McCourt vs. Collins Results & Highlights

Full Card:

  • Women’s Featherweight: Sara Collins def. Leah McCourt via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 2:25
  • Light Heavyweight: Simeon Powell def. Rafael Xavier via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Light Heavyweight: Luke Trainer def. Laurynas Urbonavicius via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 4:15
  • Lightweight: Marc Diakiese def. Tim Wilde via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Lightweight: Archie Colgan def. Manoel Sousa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Middleweight: Mike Shipman def. Eslam Abdul Baset via TKO (knee and punches): R2, 2:32
  • Catchweight (170lbs): Joseph Luciano def. Steven Hill via submission (anaconda choke): R2, 1:22
  • Catchweight (140lbs): Ciaran Clarke def. Tuomas Grönvall via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Lightweight: Darragh Kelly def. Dmytrii Hrytsenko via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Darragh Kelly Def. Dmytrii Hrytsenko

Ciaran Clarke Def. Tuomas Grönvall

Joseph Luciano Def. Steven Hill

Mike Shipman Def. Eslam Abdul Baset

Archie Colgan Def. Manoel Sousa

Marc Diakiese Def. Tim Wilde

Luke Trainer Def. Laurynas Urbonavicius

Simeon Powell Def. Rafael Xavier

Sara Collins Def. Leah McCourt

Continue Reading Bellator Champions Series Results & Highlights: Sara Collins Submits Leah McCourt at MMA News.

Former Bellator Champion With 27-1 Record Enters Free Agency: ‘See You In The Octagon’

One of the most notable names on the Bellator roster has announced that, after six years with the promotion, his contract has expired. Yaroslav Amosov is the former Bellator welterweight champion and still has a lot left to give in his career at just 31 years old. Prior to losing his title to Jason Jackson […]

Continue Reading Former Bellator Champion With 27-1 Record Enters Free Agency: ‘See You In The Octagon’ at MMA News.

One of the most notable names on the Bellator roster has announced that, after six years with the promotion, his contract has expired.

Yaroslav Amosov is the former Bellator welterweight champion and still has a lot left to give in his career at just 31 years old.

Prior to losing his title to Jason Jackson in his last outing, which marked the first defeat of his professional career, Amosov compiled a staggering record of 27-0. That run included with wins over the likes of Logan Storley, Douglas Lima, and Roberto Soldi?.

The Ukrainian was inactive throughout 2022 after joining the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk, and Vasiliy Lomachenko in defending their country against the Russian invasion.

He returned in 2023 to defend his title, putting on a dominant performance in a rematch with Storley that led to conversations regarding whether he was the best in the world at his weight.

Yaroslav Amosov Announces End Of Bellator Run, Teases UFC Future

Amosov announced the news via his own Instagram account. He reflected on his time under the Bellator banner and spoke about what could be next for him.

With nine fights in the promotion, he was able to announce himself on the global stage, and despite not competing since last November, wherever he ends up is sure to produce an anticipated debut.

“Friends, my contract with @bellatormma has ended. It was an unforgettable 6 years. A time that will be etched in my heart forever. Thank you all ? soon I will announce my next actions! Unforgettable emotions during winning the title, even greater while defending it, the first defeat in 11 years, the war in the homeland… but I’m sure it’s only made me stronger ?? it’s all a small part of a big story. This is not the finish line, this is a new beginning.”

In the second part of the caption, Amosov spoke about being excited to continue his career but being “ready for a new phase.”

His final words teased that the UFC could be his next destination after he signed the post off with “See you in the octagon.”

Continue Reading Former Bellator Champion With 27-1 Record Enters Free Agency: ‘See You In The Octagon’ at MMA News.

Usman Nurmagomedov retains title in decision win over Alexandr Shabily – Bellator Champions Series 4 Highlights

Usman Nurmagomedov retains title in decision win over Alexandr Shabily - Bellator Champions Series 4 HighlightsIn his return to competition following an anti-doping issue, unbeaten Russian star, Usman Nurmagomedov managed to retain his undisputed…

Usman Nurmagomedov retains title in decision win over Alexandr Shabily - Bellator Champions Series 4 Highlights

In his return to competition following an anti-doping issue, unbeaten Russian star, Usman Nurmagomedov managed to retain his undisputed lightweight title in last night’s Bellator Champions Series 4 headlining fight against contender, Alexandr Shabily in a unanimous decision effort.

Nurmagomedov, who had been sidelined since he saw an initial unanimous judging win over ex-champion, Brent Primus overturned to an official ‘No Contest‘ result, was embroiled in a high-profile anti-doping issue.

usman nur

Testing positive for a banned substance, Nurmagomedov remained the undisputed lightweight kingpin under the Bellator MMA banner due to the reported “unintentional” use of the substance in question, remaining champion for last night’s anticipated fight with Shabily.

usman khabib

And landing a unanimous decision shutout against Rostov contender, Shabily — which included a near-finish via submission, Nurmagomedov was heralded by his coach and relative, former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov — who praised him as well as current Octagon star, Islam Makhachev.

usman 2

Below, catch the highlights from Usman Nurmagomedov decision win over Alexandr Shabily