Tag: Bellator

Bellator Kickboxing: Torino Results – Karim Ghajji Becomes First Ever Champion

karim-ghajji-bellator-kickboxing

Earlier this weekend, the first-ever Bellator Kickboxing event was held at The Pala Alpitour, Italy’s largest indoor arena, and aired on Spike TV.

Bellator officials issued the following press release on Saturday, which features a complete recap of the Bellator Kickboxing: Torino event from Torino, Italy.

KARIM GHAJJI BECOMES THE FIRST KICKBOXING CHAMPION IN PROMOTIONAL HISTORY AT INAUGURAL ‘BELLATOR KICKBOXING: TORINO’ EVENT

TORINO, ITALY. (April 22, 2016) – Italy’s largest indoor arena, The Pala Alpitour was packed with over 13,000 fans for the historic, inaugural “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” event. The kickoff event was one for the ages with fierce competitors making a name for themselves with their world-class kickboxing on display. The card aired tonight on SPIKE through a delayed broadcast following “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson.”

Melvin Manhoef (37-13) was upset by Milan’s Alexandru Negrea (9-2) via decision in the evening’s main event. Negrea, also known as “The Volcano,” erupted in the second round, scoring a knockdown that forced an eight-count for Manhoef. The closely contested bout resulted in a decision victory for the Romanian-born fighter (30-25, 29-26, 29-26).

Mustapha Haida (40-5-2) and Karim Ghajji (96-12) battled it out for five hard-fought, exciting rounds of action for the ISKA and Bellator Kickboxing World Titles. At the culmination of the bout, France’s Ghajji emerged victorious with the scorecards reading (50-44, 50-44, 46-48).

Los Angeles native Raymond Daniels (11-3) has a knack for producing highlight-reel finishes, and he was back at it again during the “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” event, flooring Francesco Moricca (15-3-1) with a spinning heel liver kick just 30 seconds into round one.

Here is the answer to a future trivia question: Veronica Vernocchi (31-7-1) was the first fighter to ever step into a Bellator Kickboxing ring. Denise Kielholtz (44-2), however, was all business from the very beginning. The Dutch striker made her historic walk to the ring to Rihanna’s hit song, “B*tch Better Have my Money,” and she fought as though her opponent showed up with empty pockets, winning a decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 28-29). With the win, Kielholtz became the first fighter to have their hand raised in a Bellator Kickboxing contest.

karim-ghajji-bellator-kickboxing

Earlier this weekend, the first-ever Bellator Kickboxing event was held at The Pala Alpitour, Italy’s largest indoor arena, and aired on Spike TV.

Bellator officials issued the following press release on Saturday, which features a complete recap of the Bellator Kickboxing: Torino event from Torino, Italy.

KARIM GHAJJI BECOMES THE FIRST KICKBOXING CHAMPION IN PROMOTIONAL HISTORY AT INAUGURAL ‘BELLATOR KICKBOXING: TORINO’ EVENT

TORINO, ITALY. (April 22, 2016) – Italy’s largest indoor arena, The Pala Alpitour was packed with over 13,000 fans for the historic, inaugural “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” event. The kickoff event was one for the ages with fierce competitors making a name for themselves with their world-class kickboxing on display. The card aired tonight on SPIKE through a delayed broadcast following “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson.”

Melvin Manhoef (37-13) was upset by Milan’s Alexandru Negrea (9-2) via decision in the evening’s main event. Negrea, also known as “The Volcano,” erupted in the second round, scoring a knockdown that forced an eight-count for Manhoef. The closely contested bout resulted in a decision victory for the Romanian-born fighter (30-25, 29-26, 29-26).

Mustapha Haida (40-5-2) and Karim Ghajji (96-12) battled it out for five hard-fought, exciting rounds of action for the ISKA and Bellator Kickboxing World Titles. At the culmination of the bout, France’s Ghajji emerged victorious with the scorecards reading (50-44, 50-44, 46-48).

Los Angeles native Raymond Daniels (11-3) has a knack for producing highlight-reel finishes, and he was back at it again during the “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” event, flooring Francesco Moricca (15-3-1) with a spinning heel liver kick just 30 seconds into round one.

Here is the answer to a future trivia question: Veronica Vernocchi (31-7-1) was the first fighter to ever step into a Bellator Kickboxing ring. Denise Kielholtz (44-2), however, was all business from the very beginning. The Dutch striker made her historic walk to the ring to Rihanna’s hit song, “B*tch Better Have my Money,” and she fought as though her opponent showed up with empty pockets, winning a decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 28-29). With the win, Kielholtz became the first fighter to have their hand raised in a Bellator Kickboxing contest.

Conor McGregor Wanted To Fight Ben Henderson With One Weird Catch

Although UFC president Dana White continuously denies it, it appears as if there could be a hole in the relationship of the promotion and their biggest star, reigning 145-pound title holder the “Notorious” Conor McGregor. This theory was never more evident than it was earlier this week when the UFC pulled McGregor from his scheduled

The post Conor McGregor Wanted To Fight Ben Henderson With One Weird Catch appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Although UFC president Dana White continuously denies it, it appears as if there could be a hole in the relationship of the promotion and their biggest star, reigning 145-pound title holder the “Notorious” Conor McGregor.

This theory was never more evident than it was earlier this week when the UFC pulled McGregor from his scheduled UFC 200 (July 9, 2016) headliner against Nate Diaz after McGregor refused to participate in all of the company’s promotional demands.

The brash and outspoken Irishman has repeatedly spoken on his drawing power, also constantly noting that he’s on course to be ‘neck and neck’ with the UFC brass in terms of promotional hierarchy.

On top of that, the “Notorious” has also tossed around the idea of self-promoting his own fight at some point, a simply outlandish idea.

In fact, according to former fighter turned analyst Chael Sonnen, McGregor’s ultimate goal is to self-promote.

“The American Gangster” even went as far as to say that the “Notorious” one was interested in fighting former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland prior to Henderson’s signing with Bellator:

“I don’t know what his future is. I can tell you what he wants it to be. I can tell you what his vision is. Everyone’s got a vision and a dream, all you people do too. He’s no different. He wants to do self-promotions. He wants to become a promoter. He believes that he could book Croke Park and sell it out. There was a time even when there was a little bit of discussion going on (about) that. Sonnen said on a recent episode of Beyond the Fight.

“I believe he reserved some name, ‘McGregor Promotions’ or something silly like that. And Ben Henderson was floating around, he wasn’t under contract with anybody. Now he’s under contract with Bellator, but for a minute he wasn’t. Conor thought ‘well look, I’m gonna do my own promotion, I can sell out Croke Park right in my hometown. I can find some TV sponsor to partner up with me, and I’ve got an opponent, his name is Ben Henderson.’

While Sonnen’s claims likely aren’t too realistic, nothing can be counted out for McGregor, who has changed the game of mixed martial arts in just a few years.

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Michael Page-Fernando Gonzalez, Linton Vassell-Francis Carmont Set For Bellator 158

Michael Page will indeed face off with Fernando Gonzalez after earning his 10th straight win to start his MMA career.

Page and Gonzalez, along with Linton Vassell-Francis Carmont, were made official by Bellator for the upcoming event in London, Bell…

Bellator 158

Michael Page will indeed face off with Fernando Gonzalez after earning his 10th straight win to start his MMA career.

Page and Gonzalez, along with Linton Vassell-Francis Carmont, were made official by Bellator for the upcoming event in London, Bellator 158. That card features a main event between Kimbo Slice and James Thompson.

Page (10-0) scored a victory over Jeremie Holloway Friday night with a toe hold submission for his ninth career finish. Gonzalez (25-13) picked up a split decision over veteran Gilbert Smith recently, pushing his win streak to five.

The two welterweights were scheduled for March before an injury knocked Page out.

Vassell (16-5) bested former Bellator champion Emanuel Newton at Bellator 149 earlier this year and is 11-2 over his last 13. He’ll also have the home-crowd advantage being a native of England vs. Carmont (24-11), who is a former UFC fighter.

The other bout announced previously will feature Josh Koscheck taking on Paul Daley.

Matt Mitrione-Carl Seumanutafa Scheduled For Bellator: Dynamite 2

Matt Mitrione’s Bellator debut was announced a few weeks back for the upcoming “Dynamite” card this June.

Friday night, it was revealed that Mitrione will take on Carl Seumanutafa at Bellator 157: Dynamite 2. The card features Quinton “Rampage” Jack…

matt-mitrione

Matt Mitrione’s Bellator debut was announced a few weeks back for the upcoming “Dynamite” card this June.

Friday night, it was revealed that Mitrione will take on Carl Seumanutafa at Bellator 157: Dynamite 2. The card features Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Satoshi Ishii in the headliner on June 24 from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Mitrione (9-5) has spent his entire MMA career fighting for the UFC, including a stint on The Ultimate Fighter. He is a former NFL player who competed for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings before embarking on mixed martial arts.

The 37-year-old “Meathead” has bested the likes of Gabriel Gonzaga, Derrick Lewis and Shawn Jordan during his career. All three of those victories came in 2014 and were first round finishes.

Seumanutafa, nicknamed “Badwater,” is 10-6 in his career. Nine of his victories have been finishes, including five inside of the first round.

Bellator 153: Henderson vs. Koreshkov Results (IN PROGRESS)

On Friday, April 22, 2016, Bellator MMA held their Bellator 153 event, which featured the promotional debut of former UFC Lightweight Champion and world-ranked 170-pound contender Benson Henderson.

In the evening’s main event, “Smooth” Henderson mak…

bellator-153-benson-henders

On Friday, April 22, 2016, Bellator MMA held their Bellator 153 event, which featured the promotional debut of former UFC Lightweight Champion and world-ranked 170-pound contender Benson Henderson.

In the evening’s main event, “Smooth” Henderson makes his Bellator debut, as he gets an immediate shot at the Bellator Welterweight Champion Andrei Koreshkov. Also on the card is fan-favorite Michael “Venom” Page (aka “M.V.P.”) vs. Jeremie Holloway, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire vs. Henry Corrales, Brennan Ward vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos and Brent Primus vs. Gleristone Santos.

Bellator 153: Henderson vs. Koreshkov took place live from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Below are quick-match results of the entire event.

Bellator 153 Preliminary Card Results

Mike Zichelle vs. Joe Cronin (In Progress Now …)
Chris Honeycutt def. Matt Secor via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
Djamil Chan def. Richard Patishnock via KO (strike) at 3:09 of round 1

STILL TO COME …

Bellator 153 Preliminary Card

Sam Watford vs. Dean Hancock
Chris Foster vs. Vovka Clay
Matt Bessette vs. Keith Richardson
Tim Caron vs. Justin Sumter
Blair Tugman vs. Jay Perrin

Bellator 153 Main Card

Andrey Koreshkov (c) vs. Benson Henderson
Patricio Freire vs. Henry Corrales
Brennan Ward vs. Evangelista Santos
Michael Page vs. Jeremie Holloway
Brent Primus vs. Gleristone Santos

Bellator 153 Results: Andrey Koreshkov Defeats Benson Henderson

It was once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display tonight (Friday, April 22nd, 2016) will come in the form of Bellator 153. Headlining the card are Andrey Koreshkov and Benson Henderson, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the rest of the main card. Andrey

The post Bellator 153 Results: Andrey Koreshkov Defeats Benson Henderson appeared first on LowKick MMA.

It was once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display tonight (Friday, April 22nd, 2016) will come in the form of Bellator 153. Headlining the card are Andrey Koreshkov and Benson Henderson, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the rest of the main card.

Andrey Koreshkov and Benson Henderson met in a welterweight title bout. The first round was telling. Koreshkov caught a kick and dropped Henderson. However, Henderson got to his feet. At the end of the round, Koreshkov dropped him with a knee strike and swarmed him with strikes until the bell sounded. In the second round, Henderson tried to take the fight to the ground but was stuffed. Henderson started to land his jabs repeatedly. In the third round, Henderson worked for a takedown for most of the round but couldn’t get it. Koreshkov took him down and landed some nasty knees to the body. In the fourth round, Koreshkov dropped him with under a minute to go and swarmed him on the ground with strikes. Koreshkov went for a guillotine choke but let it go, and the round ended. In the fifth and final round, Koreshkov was avoiding taking downs and owning Henderson the feet. Koreshkov was stalking him while Henderson was throwing bombs. The judges gave Koreshkov the decision victory.

Henderson could never find an answer in this fight. When things weren’t going his way on the feet, he tried to take it to the ground, and that wasn’t working. Koreshkov was just the better man on this night.

Patricio Freire and Henry Corrales met in the co-main event. Freire dominated the fight not only on the feet but on the ground as well. Freire was trying to submit him in the first round but couldn’t. However, that all changed in the second round when he took him down and locked in the guillotine choke for the win.

Brennan Ward and Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos met in a welterweight bout. This one did not last long at all. Ward got a very early takedown and got on top. However, Santos grabbed his leg and locked in the heel hook submission for the win.

Brent Primus and Gleristone “Toninho Furia” Santos met in a lightweight bout at Bellator 153. In round one, both guys come out swinging, and Primus took him down in the first thirty seconds. However, Santos got to his feet and recovered. In the second round, the fight turned into a kickboxing match as both guys were changing up their strikes and kicks nicely. Primus was chasing after him for most of the round and missing. There was a lot of shots exchanged but nothing damaging. In the third round, Primus dominated the round with his takedowns. After three rounds, the judges gave the win to Primus by decision.

Michael Page and Jeremie Holloway met in a welterweight bout. This was a one-sided fight, to say the least. Holloway charged at him and Page rocked him with a hook and dropped him. Page backed up and was doing a lot of movement. A few minutes went by and then Page dropped him again and then got on top of him. Page locked in a reverse toe lock and won the fight.

Here are the results for this event:

Main Card:

Andrey Koreshkov def. Benson Henderson via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

Patricio Freire def. Henry Corrales via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 4:09

Evangelista Santos vs. Brennan Ward via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 0:30

Brent Primus def. Gleristone Santos via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Michael Page def. Jeremie Holloway via submission (toehold) at 2:15 of R1.

Preliminary Card:

Mike Zichelle defeats Joe Cronin by submission (rear-naked choke) R1 1:25

Chris Honeycutt defeats Matt Secor by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27 x2)

Djamil Chan defeats Richard Patishnock by TKO (punch) R1 3:09

You can watch the prelims here:

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