It seems as if Bellator has signed yet another former UFC star, as President Scott Coker announced on last night’s (February 5, 2016) edition of AXS TV’S Inside MMA that previously retired middleweight slugger Chris “The Crippler” Leben has signed on with the promotion. A TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) 1 alumni, Leben has been around the
It seems as if Bellator has signed yet another former UFC star, as President Scott Coker announced on last night’s (February 5, 2016) edition of AXS TV’S Inside MMA that previously retired middleweight slugger Chris “The Crippler” Leben has signed on with the promotion.
A TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) 1 alumni, Leben has been around the fight game for a long time, and has always been a fan favorite due to his bright red hair, and never say die fighting style.
That being said, the 35 year old hit some rough times towards the tail end of his UFC tenure. Losing four straight between 2011 and 2014, “The Crippler” last competed at UFC 168, dropping a TKO loss to Uriah Hall in which he retired soon after.
The struggles didn’t stay inside of the cage for Leben, however, as he was recently released from jail after pleading guilty to multiple charges regarding a break-in last June involving his now ex-wife. “The Crippler” has also dealt with substance issues in the past, but is now apparently clean, motivated, and hungry to fight again.
With 12 of his 22 career wins coming by way of knockout, Leben has always been a treat to watch. Some of his notable victories have come over Patrick Cote, Alessio Sakara, Yoshihiro Akiyama, and Wanderlei Silva.
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson also signed on with Bellator earlier this week, and it was rumored that the promotion was interested in signing free agent Alistair Overeem as well.
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson made some big headlines this week when he announced that he was officially making the move to Bellator MMA after Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta chose to waive the matching rights on his contract offer, which apparently included more money up front. True to previous form, White said he
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson made some big headlines this week when he announced that he was officially making the move to Bellator MMA after Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta chose to waive the matching rights on his contract offer, which apparently included more money up front.
True to previous form, White said he had nothing personal against Henderson, but also got in one last parting shot by declaring that he was looking for “top 5 guys, guys that are going 15 to 1, not the other way around,” after Henderson lost his lightweight belt in August 2013 and the majority of his 155-pound ranking after fighting (and winning) his last two UFC bouts at welterweight.
While that could be considered a bit of a low blow, Henderson instead took White’s comments in stride in a recent spot with MMA Junkie Radio, noting that he was the only fighter aso ranked in two divisions and that White has obviously said outlandish statements before:
“We know Dana. You know Dana. I know Dana. We’ve heard some other things he said. That was the worst he said? He didn’t say my momma was ugly; he didn’t say I was the worst fighter in history? If that’s all he said, that’s not too bad, considering his history of outlandish quotes.”
As for the move to Bellator, which earned Henderson an immediate title shot at 170-pound champ Andrey Koreshkov at April 22’s Bellator 153 from Uncasville, Connecticutt, ‘Smooth’ said it’s already piqued the interest of fellow fighters wanting to know what it’s like outside the confines of the UFC’s strict uniform deal with Reebok:
“I can’t even say how many texts and calls from other fighters asking me, ‘What did the UFC bring to the table? What did Bellator bring to the table? How did they treat you? Was (UFC Chairman) Lorenzo (Fertitta) mad? Did Dana get all mad?’” Henderson said. “A ton of fighters hit me up and asked me that and asked for advice.”
Henderson obviously has at least some problems with how the UFC does business, and there were few aspects of the world’s biggest fight promoters that he didn’t agree with.
Read on to the next page to find out how he blasted his former employers…
Benson Henderson signed with Bellator MMA on Monday, and explained in a recent interview with ESPN that the Reebok deal with UFC had a lot to do with it. The heavily-critcized Reebok deal restricts fighters’ outside sponsorships from UFC events.
“I won’t lie, it was a very big deal,” Henderson said. “The ability to get sponsors on your own and not have to rely on the amount that Reebok dictates to you was a huge factor. I’d be straight up lying if I said it wasn’t a very big part of my decision to go to Bellator.
“I also want to be a trailblazer for the betterment of fighters. Bellator is open to a fighters union – fighters binding together to see what’s in our best interest. That’s something you can’t even breathe about elsewhere. I think it’s a good thing for myself and other fighters to have that.”
Henderson will fight Andrey Koreshkov for the Bellator MMA welterweight title at Bellator 153. The event takes place on April 22, 2016 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut and will air on Spike TV.
Benson Henderson signed with Bellator MMA on Monday, and explained in a recent interview with ESPN that the Reebok deal with UFC had a lot to do with it. The heavily-critcized Reebok deal restricts fighters’ outside sponsorships from UFC events.
“I won’t lie, it was a very big deal,” Henderson said. “The ability to get sponsors on your own and not have to rely on the amount that Reebok dictates to you was a huge factor. I’d be straight up lying if I said it wasn’t a very big part of my decision to go to Bellator.
“I also want to be a trailblazer for the betterment of fighters. Bellator is open to a fighters union – fighters binding together to see what’s in our best interest. That’s something you can’t even breathe about elsewhere. I think it’s a good thing for myself and other fighters to have that.”
Henderson will fight Andrey Koreshkov for the Bellator MMA welterweight title at Bellator 153. The event takes place on April 22, 2016 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut and will air on Spike TV.
Bellator MMA is making big moves to start off the new year. As reported earlier on the site, former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson completed his UFC contract in late 2015 and decided to join Bellator. The news was announced on Monday. Henderson will be getting inside the Bellator cage soon as he challenges Andrey
Bellator MMA is making big moves to start off the new year. As reported earlier on the site, former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson completed his UFC contract in late 2015 and decided to join Bellator. The news was announced on Monday.
Henderson will be getting inside the Bellator cage soon as he challenges Andrey Koreshkov for the Bellator MMA welterweight title at Bellator 153. ESPN.comconfirmed the news with Bellator MMA officials on Tuesday. Bellator MMA is expected to issue a press release shortly to officially announce the news.
Henderson (23-5) is currently on a two-fight winning streak. In his last five bouts, he’s 4-2 In his last bout, Henderson beat Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night 79 by split decision.
Koreshkov (18-1) is currently on a five-fight win streak and is coming off a unanimous decision win over Douglas Lima at Bellator 145 on July 17th, 2015.
Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson will take place April 22, 2016, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The event will air on Spike TV. The prelims will be airing on Spike.com and on the Bellator MMA app. Bellator officials will be announcing additional bouts to the event shortly.
Bellator wasted no time beginning their promotion for their most recent talent acquisition, as the company announced on Tuesday their plans for former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson’s debut fight.
Henderson, a former 155-pound champion in…
Bellator wasted no time beginning their promotion for their most recent talent acquisition, as the company announced on Tuesday their plans for former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson’s debut fight.
Henderson, a former 155-pound champion in the WEC and UFC, has compiled a 2-0 record in his last two fights, which were his first two fights in the 170-pound welterweight division. Once he straps on the Bellator gloves for the first time, “Smooth” Benson will look to continue his winning ways in the welterweight division, as he will be challenging for the Bellator 170-pound title in his first fight with the promotion.
Benson Henderson (23-5) will challenge Bellator welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) in his debut fight for the company in April. Tickets for the fight go on sale this Friday, February 5th and a special pre-sale for Bellator Nation members begins on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Bellator 153: Henderson vs. Koreshkov is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 22nd from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
A few years ago, when it was time for free agency in the NBA, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all decided to each take a little less money and play together for the Miami Heat. How did that turn out? Oh, not too bad. While they failed to live up to the expectations placed upon them, they still managed to win back-to-back championships and made the NBA Finals four years in a row.
What does this have to do with mixed martial arts?
Much like James, Wade and Bosh are considered three of the very best players in the NBA, there are currently three MMA fighters on the free agent market that have the opportunity to introduce a sea change to the sport.
A few years ago, when it was time for free agency in the NBA, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all decided to each take a little less money and play together for the Miami Heat. How did that turn out? Oh, not too bad. While they failed to live up to the expectations placed upon them, they still managed to win back-to-back championships and made the NBA Finals four years in a row.
What does this have to do with mixed martial arts?
Much like James, Wade and Bosh are considered three of the very best players in the NBA, there are currently three MMA fighters on the free agent market that have the opportunity to introduce a sea change to the sport.
Before his victory over Junior Dos Santos in Dec. 15, Overeem stated his intent to test the free agent market when his UFC contract was up. Henderson announced just this morning that he had signed with a multi-fight deal with Bellator, while Sterling, who is represented by the same firm as Henderson, continues to mull over his options as a free agent.
The signing of Henderson to Bellator is a landmark deal for the sport, less so for the figures the former lightweight champion will making under the new promotion, but rather for what it represents in regards to the UFC’s lock on the sport’s top talent. Ever since the Fertitta brothers and The Baldfather took over the joint, the UFC has prided itself on housing “the world’s best fighters” while quickly eliminating any other promotion claiming the do the same. Following the dissolvement of Strikeforce back in 2013, the UFC’s status as the biggest game in town seemed more secure than ever, more or less forcing prospects and veteran fighters alike to sign with the promotion or start picking out their spot in the soup line.
But just as pride is the downfall of man, the UFC might have overplayed its hand (or underestimated Scott Coker) when it decided to get into business with Reebok.
From the moment the now landmark deal was signed, speculation began to arise from the UFC’s formerly contented roster. How would this affect my sponsors? Will I be making less money per fight? What the f*ck is a Fight Kit and do I have to wear it? And when the figures were released, allhellbrokeloose.
As it turns out, the only thing that motivates fighters more than championship gold is cold hard cash, so when it was revealed that they would be losing boatloads of it — all in the name of “legitimizing the sport,” mind you — well, it didn’t exactly sit well with them. Champions with exclusive sponsorship deals suddenly found themselves left out in the cold. Prominent figures in the sport suddenly found themselves making pennies to headline pay-per-views and FOX cards. Hell, even tentatively-connected MMA celebrities were taking to social media to trash Reebok, and not simply because the uniforms themselves are pieces of sh*t.
How did they do this? By not being the UFC, more or less.
The UFC might be the biggest game in town, but it’s not the ONLY game in town, and while you can debate the merits of the product that Bellator puts out vs. that of the UFC, it’s not an issue that fighters really seem to care about when money is on the line. Does Bellator continue to book ridiculous main events like Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice? They sure do, yet more and more of the world’s best fighters are preferring to call Bellator home for one simple reason: freedom.
And this is only the start. In an interview on yesterday’s MMA Hour, Coker unveiled his plans to start buying free agents “from the top down” in an effort to continue building Bellator’s brand.
“I think this is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Coker. “Fighters are fighting out their contracts. They want to negotiate. They really want to see what their value is. We’re going to help them to define what their value is. It’s always good for the industry to have more than one bidder.”
With the UFC moving closer and closer to a totalitarian state by a day, guys like Henderson, Sterling and Overeem have a real opportunity here. They have the right to make whatever choice they feel is best for their careers, and for once, that might not necessarily mean the UFC. Can you imagine if all three decided to pull a “Big Three” like James, Wade and Bosh in the NBA and sign with Bellator? The organization’s profile instantly rises 10-fold and at least enters the same neighborhood as the UFC, while the latter’s lock on “the best fighters in the world” continues to slip as a result of their own stubborn frivolousness.
Imagine Henderson facing the likes of Michael Chandler, Will Brooks or Michael “Venom” Page in Bellator. Imagine Sterling squaring off with Marcos Galvao, or WSOF bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes, for that matter. Talk about fireworks. With Bellator and WSOF’s heavyweight divisions in the state they are, Overeem would have a golden opportunity to have a division, or even an organization, revolve around him in a way in never truly has in the UFC.
While it’s likely that Sterling and Overeem will re-sign with the UFC, it is interesting to play fantasy booking and imagine the possibilities if they decide to “take their talents” elsewhere, to quote King James. I mean, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m absolutely dying to see Scott Coker announce the next Bellator “tent pole” card will feature Overeem facing Kimbo Slice in the main event. Imagine the ratings!
