Bellator 165 Medical Suspensions: Chandler & Henderson Earn Long Stints

With every decision comes a consequence and for those fighters who took part in battle at Bellator 165, it’s their time to faces those consequences in the form of medical suspensions. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) released the event’s medical suspension list on Tuesday. 10 fighters received extended medical suspensions in the aftermath of

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With every decision comes a consequence and for those fighters who took part in battle at Bellator 165, it’s their time to faces those consequences in the form of medical suspensions. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) released the event’s medical suspension list on Tuesday. 10 fighters received extended medical suspensions in the aftermath of the event.

Some of the more notable suspensions include Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson being suspended for 180 days.

This event was headlined by Chandler vs. Henderson for the Bellator lightweight title. A key welterweight bout between Michael Page and Fernando Gonzalez served as the co-main event. Rounding out the main card was Linton Vassell vs. Francis Carmont in a light heavyweight bout, Adam Piccolotti vs. Brandon Girtz in a lightweight bout and Keri Melendez vs. Sheila Padilla in a women’s flyweight bout.

Here are the entire medical suspensions:

* Michael Chandler: 180 day medical suspension for right fibular fracture, must be cleared by physician; 60 day medical suspension for hard bout and right eyelid laceration, 45 days no contact
* Benson Henderson: 180 day medical suspension for right ankle fracture, must be cleared by physician
* Sheila Padilla: 180 day medical suspension for fractured nose, must be cleared by physician;45 day medical suspension due to KO, 30 days no contact
* Nick Pica: 180 day medical suspension for right wrist fracture, must be cleared by physician;45 day mandatory suspension for KO, 30 days no contact
* Dominic Sumner: 180 day medical suspension for right fourth metacarpal fracture, must be cleared by physician
J.J. Okanovich: 180 day medical suspension for fractured nose, must be cleared by physician
* Luis Vargas: 180 day medical suspension for hyperextended right elbow, must be cleared by physician; 60 day medical suspension for cut lip, must be cleared by physician.
* Justin Baesman: 60 day medical suspension for left eyelid laceration.
* Beau Hamilton: 60 day medical suspension for scalp laceration
* Cesar Gonzalez: 60 day medical suspension for left eye and scalp lacerations
* Brandon Girtz: 45 day medical suspension for hard bout, 30 days no contact
* Kevin Ferguson Jr.: 45 day medical suspension for exhaustion and dizziness, 30 days no contact; fighter had to be transported by ambulance to hospital after fight, must be cleared by physician
* Carrington Banks: 45 day medical suspension for hard bout, 30 days no contact
* Justin Roswell: 45 day mandatory suspension for TKO, 30 days no contact
* Danasabe Mohammed: 45 day medical suspension for hard bout, 40 days no contact
* Steve Ramirez: 45 day mandatory rest due to KO, 30 days no contact
* Victor Jones: 45 day mandatory suspension for TKO, 30 days no contact; fighter had to be transported by ambulance to hospital due to nausea and severe dehydration, concern for cardiac vs. vasovagal
* Michael Page: 7 day mandatory rest
* Fernando Gonzalez: 7 day mandatory rest
* Adam Piccolotti: 7 day mandatory rest
* Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez: 7 day mandatory rest
* Linton Vassell: 7 day mandatory rest
* Francis Carmont: 7 day mandatory rest
* Aaron Hamilton: 7 day mandatory rest
* Jake Roberts: 7 day mandatory rest
* Diego Herzog: 7 day mandatory rest
* James Terry: 7 day mandatory rest
* Dwight Grant: 7 day mandatory rest
* Sarah D’Alelio: 7 day mandatory rest
* Jaimelene Nievera: 7 day mandatory rest
* Jeremiah Labiano: 7 day mandatory rest
* Vince Murdock: 7 day mandatory rest
* Alvin Cacdac: 7 day mandatory rest
* Hugo Lujan: 7 day mandatory rest

Bellator 165 took place on November 19, 2016 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The prelims aired on SpikeTV.com while the main card kicked off on Spike TV at 9:00 pm EST.

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Game-Changing Announcement Reportedly Coming From Major Stars Including GSP

Former Bellator head man Bjorn Rebney might not be a name you expected to be associated with Georges St-Pierre as he attempts to finally make his way back into the UFC Octagon (or any MMA cage), but apparently that’s what will go down. According to a report from MMA Fighting, the two will spearhead an

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Former Bellator head man Bjorn Rebney might not be a name you expected to be associated with Georges St-Pierre as he attempts to finally make his way back into the UFC Octagon (or any MMA cage), but apparently that’s what will go down.

According to a report from MMA Fighting, the two will spearhead an ‘industry re-defining’ announcement this Wednesday that also includes major MMA stars Cain Velasquez, TJ Dillashaw, Donald Cerrone, and Tim Kennedy. The announcement was revealed today and will take place on a conference call on November 30.

It can’t be denied that it is entirely possible the announcement will be about the initial creation of a fighter’s union, as St-Pierre, Cerrone, Dillashaw, and Kennedy have all been extremely forthright in their stance about better fighter treatment and pay in the UFC, one of the hottest topics in all of MMA. Things got worse in that regard when the UFC was sold to talent giant WME-IMG for a record-setting $4.2 billion this summer, making fighters realize their worth compared to what they were getting paid.

St-Pierre recently revealed WME-IMG had taken an offer from previous UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta off the table. They then allegedly drug their feet on offering him a realistic fight, leading St-Pierre and his legal team to declare he was a ‘free agent’ while still under UFC contract. Dillashaw has been heard speaking out against the UFC’s practice of paying fighters, and fan favorite Cerrone recently said he was willing to head a potential fighter’s union.

What Rebney’s role in the potentially game-changing announcement remains unclear, but one thing is crystal: fighters have needed effective representation for far too long now, and the growing anti-establishment sentiment amongst fighter needs to be quelled for an athlete base that puts their health and future on the line each and every time out to the cage.

It should be noted that all fighters named in the press release except Cerrone are clients of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), WME-IMG’s main competition in the MMA representation business. The fact St-Pierre is represented by CAA has been whispered about as a reason why WME-IMG has been unwilling to meet the legendary former champion on his terms, instead calling it a ‘great financial risk’ to re-introduce him to fans.

GSP may have taken that as an insult, and it now looks he’s decided to do something about it. Is this the change so many fighters have been striving for?

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New Co-Main Event For Bellator 166 Announced

Bellator MMA has announced some changes to the cards for this weekend’s events, Bellator 166 and Bellator 167. Undisclosed injuries to both Emmanuel Sanchez and Patricky “Pitbull” Freire have forced them to withdraw from their fights at the events. Sanchez was supposed to fight AJ Mckee but now with his injury, Ray Wood (7-2) has

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Bellator MMA has announced some changes to the cards for this weekend’s events, Bellator 166 and Bellator 167. Undisclosed injuries to both Emmanuel Sanchez and Patricky “Pitbull” Freire have forced them to withdraw from their fights at the events. Sanchez was supposed to fight AJ Mckee but now with his injury, Ray Wood (7-2) has agreed to face McKee at the event. This will now be the co-main event for Bellator 166 while a bantamweight world title fight rematch pitting Eduardo Dantas (18-4) against Joe Warren (14-5) will serve as the main event.

The original co-main event of Saturday’s card, Darrion Caldwell (9-1) versus Joe Taimanglo (23-6-1) has been promoted to the featured bout of Bellator 167 due to Freire pulling out of his main event fight with Derek Campos.

Bellator 166: Dantas vs. Warren 2 airs live and free Friday on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT., while Bellator 167: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo 2”airs live and free Saturday on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Preliminary bouts for both events will stream live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App. Tickets for the unique doubleheader event start at just $45 and can be purchased at the WinStar World Casino & Resort Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.

Here are the updated cards:

Complete “Bellator 166: Dantas vs. Warren 2” Main Card

  • Bantamweight World Title Main Event: Eduardo Dantas (18-4) vs. Joe Warren (14-5)
  • Featherweight Co-Main Event: AJ McKee (5-0) vs. Ray Wood (7-2)
  • Bantamweight Feature Bout: Marcos Galvao (17-7-1) vs. L.C. Davis (23-7)
  • Middleweight Feature Bout: Chris Honeycutt (8-1, 1 NC) vs. Ben Reiter (17-1-1)

Preliminary Card

  • Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Treston Thomison (9-4) vs. TBD
  • Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Chris Jones (10-4) vs. Derrick Adkins (7-2)
  • Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Chance Rencountre (8-2) Levi Queen (8-3)
  • Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Gregory Babene (17-11) vs. Emiliano Sordi (14-5)
  • Catchweight Preliminary Bout (210 lbs.): Kinny Spotwood (2-2) vs. John King (4-3)

Complete “Bellator 167: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo 2” Main Card

  • Bantamweight Main Event: Darren Caldwell (9-1) vs. Joe Taimanglo (23-6-1)
  • Featherweight Co-Main Event: John Teixeira (19-1-2) vs. Justin Lawrence (9-3)
  • Flyweight Feature Bout: Ilima MacFarlane (4-0) vs. Emily Ducote (4-1)
  • Welterweight Feature Bout: Chidi Njokuani (15-4, 1 NC) vs. Andre Fialho (7-0)

Preliminary Card

  • Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Jarod Trice (Debut) vs. Tommie Britton (Debut)
  • Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Jonathan Gary (11-6) vs. Aaron Roberson (5-4)
  • Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Brandon Philips (6-2) vs. Stephen Banaszak (5-5)
  • Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Justin Patterson (7-1) vs. Codale Ford (11-8)
  • Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Fernando Gonzalez (Debut) vs. Chris Hicks (3-8)
  • Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Joey Soto (0-1) vs. Bronson St. Romaine (Debut)

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Patricky Freire Withdraws From Bellator 167 Main Event

The Bellator 167 event has lost its main event. According to a report from MMAfighting.com, Patricky Freire (16-8 MMA, 9-7 BMMA) is out of his lightweight main event against Derek Campos (17-6 MMA, 6-3 BMMA). Bellator MMA officials have yet to confirm the news, but it’s expected that the promotion will soon. Freire (16-8) is

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The Bellator 167 event has lost its main event. According to a report from MMAfighting.com, Patricky Freire (16-8 MMA, 9-7 BMMA) is out of his lightweight main event against Derek Campos (17-6 MMA, 6-3 BMMA). Bellator MMA officials have yet to confirm the news, but it’s expected that the promotion will soon.

Freire (16-8) is 3-3 n his last six bouts and is coming off a loss to Michael Chandler at Bellator Dynamite 2 by first round KO. If Bellator does not find an opponent for Campos, then Emily Ducote vs. Ilima MacFarlane will be the main event.

Bellator 167 takes place Dec. 3 at WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, Okla. The previous day, Bellator 166 takes place at the same location. Here is the updated card for the event:

MAIN CARD (Spike, 9 p.m. ET)

Emily Ducote vs. Ilima MacFarlane
Andre Fialho vs. Chidi Njokuani
Justin Lawrence vs. John Teixeira
Darrion Caldwell vs. Joe Taimanglo

PRELIMINARY CARD (Online, 7 p.m. ET)

Brandon Lee vs. Jarod Trice
Jonathan Gary vs. Aaron Roberson
Stephen Banaszak vs. Brandon Phillips
Codale Ford vs. Justin Peterson

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Bellator 165 Salaries: Benson Henderson & Michael Chandler Top List

The California State Athletic Commission released the Bellator 165 salaries on Tuesday. This event was headlined by two of the world’s top lightweights as two-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler ($50,000) met former UFC champion Benson Henderson ($50,000). A key welterweight bout between Michael Page ($40,000) and Fernando Gonzalez ($20,000) served as the co-main event. Rounding

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The California State Athletic Commission released the Bellator 165 salaries on Tuesday. This event was headlined by two of the world’s top lightweights as two-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler ($50,000) met former UFC champion Benson Henderson ($50,000). A key welterweight bout between Michael Page ($40,000) and Fernando Gonzalez ($20,000) served as the co-main event. Rounding out the main card was Linton Vassell vs. Francis Carmont in a light heavyweight bout, Adam Piccolotti ($24,000) vs. Brandon Girtz ($14,000) in a lightweight bout and Keri Melendez ($20,000) vs. Sheila Padilla ($2,500) in a women’s flyweight bout.

The full Bellator 165 payouts include:

Main Card

Michael Chandler ($50,000 + no win bonus = $50,000) def. Benson Henderson ($50,000)

Michael Page ($20,000 + $20,000 = $40,000) def. Fernando Gonzalez ($20,000)

Adam Piccolotti ($12,000 + $12,000 = $24,000) def. Brandon Girtz ($14,000)

Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez ($20,000 + no win bonus = $20,000) def. Sheila Padilla ($2,500)

Linton Vassell ($17,000 + $17,000 = $34,000) def. Francis Carmont ($21,000)

Preliminary Card

Aaron Hamilton ($2,000 + $2,000 = $4,000) def. Kevin Ferguson Jr. ($6,000)

Carrington Banks ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Jake Roberts ($6,000)

Diego Herzog ($1,500 + $1,500 = $3,000) def. Nick Pica ($1,500)

James Terry ($3,000 + $3,000 = $6,000) def. Justin Baesman ($2,500)

Dominic Sumner ($1,000 + $1,000 = $2,000) def. Justin Roswell ($1,000)

Dwight Grant ($1,500 + $1,500 = $3,000) def. Danasabe Mohammed ($1,500)

Sarah D’Alelio ($1,500 + $1,500 = $3,000) def. Jaimelene Nievera ($1,500)

Jeremiah Labiano ($2,500 + $2,500 = $5,000) def. Vince Murdock ($2,500)

Alvin Cacdac ($2,500 + $2,500 = $5,000) def. Steve Ramirez ($2,500)

J.J. Okanovich ($1,500 + $1,500 = $3,000) def. Luis Vargas ($1,000)

Beau Hamilton ($1,000 + $1,000 = $2,000) def. Victor Jones ($1,000)

Hugo Lujan ($1,000 + $1,000 = $2,000) def. Cesar Gonzalez ($1,000)

Bellator 165 took place on November 19, 2016 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The prelims aired on SpikeTV.com while the main card kicked off on Spike TV at 9:00 pm EST.

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Fallout Bellator 165: Did Michael Chandler Deserve His Win Over Ben Henderson?

Yes I’m a little late with this one but nevertheless, it’s still a topic that should be touched upon. These days it seems that judging mixed martial arts matches are getting more and more difficult. While one judge may focus on damage inflicted, others will focus on the technical aspects of the fight while yet another may be focused on how much control one fighter established over another. No matter how you slice it, things are as confusing as ever, even with the revamped judging criteria. The match up between Michael Chandler and Ben Henderson demonstrates that point perfectly.

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Yes I’m a little late with this one but nevertheless, it’s still a topic that should be touched upon. These days it seems that judging mixed martial arts matches are getting more and more difficult. While one judge may focus on damage inflicted, others will focus on the technical aspects of the fight while yet another may be focused on how much control one fighter established over another. No matter how you slice it, things are as confusing as ever, even with the revamped judging criteria. The match up between Michael Chandler and Ben Henderson demonstrates that point perfectly.

The match started out heavily in Michael Chandler’s favor, landing a bunch of solid punches on Henderson’s chin. The former UFC lightweight champion survived the onslaught to come back and arguably take the second round. By the end of third frame however, Chandler did enough to get ahead in the score cards with some well placed strikes and wrestling.

Then round four begun.

Round four saw Chandler taking down Henderson multiple times only to find himself getting beat up from the bottom and defending multiple submission attempts. While many judges score takedowns heavily, the work that Henderson put in, particularly the ground and pound, was certainly more damaging and threatening than what Chandler offered up. This is where judging criteria becomes more murky and less of a science.

With Henderson taking the last round the fight was truly a toss up. Chandler was declared the winner but not without some controversy. MMA judging will always be an issue it seems and in the case of Chandler vs Henderson it reared its ugly head once again. One thing is certain, it’s a fight that should definitely be run back. Not just for the sake of the fans and the fighters, but to build even more interest and exposure for Bellator.

How did you score Michael Chandler vs Ben Henderson?


Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.

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