Jon Fitch vs. Paul Daley set for Bellator 199 in San Jose
(https:)Bellator’s newest addition has his first assignment.
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Jon Fitch signed an exclusive contract with the promotion earlier this week, and on Friday night’s Bellator 195 card, it was announced that Fitch would be facing welterweight standout Paul Daley when the organization heads to San Jose for Bellator 199 on May 12.
Jon Fitch signs with Bellator
(https:)Jon Fitch is headed to Bellator.
The promotion has signed the MMA veteran to an exclusive multi-fight, multi-year deal, MMA Fighting has learned. Fitch’s signing and debut is expected to be announced in the very near future.
Bellator trims roster, parts ways with 13 fighters
(https:)Thirteen fighters are no longer under contract with Bellator.
The list includes names like Fernando Gonzalez, Kendall Grove, Francis Carmont, Georgi Karakhanyan and Kevin Casey, a Bellator official confirmed to MMA Fighting following a report by Jason Floyd.
The combined record of the 13 athletes in Bellator was 39-31-1. In some cases, contracts expired and the fighters are now free agents.
Wanderlei Silva cites condition for fourth fight with ‘fat’ ‘Rampage’ Jackson
(https:)Quinton Jackson wants to even the score with his longtime rival Wanderlei Silva, and “The Axe Murderer” is open to fighting him a fourth time — with one condition.
Silva, who beat “Rampage” twice by knockout inside the PRIDE ring, but lost their third fight under the UFC banner almost a decade ago, heard Jackson’s recent comments on The MMA Hour, promising “another ass whooping” against the Brazilian.
Both Silva and “Rampage” are coming off decision losses to Chael Sonnen, and the Brazilian told Gazeta do Povo that he wants to have the home field advantage this time.
Joe Warren vs. Joe Taimanglo booked for Bellator 195
(https:)Joe Warren has his first fight set for 2018.
The three-time Bellator titleholder returns to action in a bantamweight bout vs. Joe Taimanglo at Bellator 195 on March 2 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackervile, Okla. Officials announced the bout on Friday’s Bellator 193 broadcast.
Liam McGeary vs. Vadim Nemkov official for February's Bellator 194
(mmajunkie.com)A light heavyweight matchup between a former champion and a contender on the rise is now official for next month’s Bellator 194 event.
MMAjunkie today learned from Bellator officials that Liam McGeary (12-2 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) will indeed take on Vadim Nemkov (8-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) at the event, which takes place Feb. 16 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Frank Mir set for Bellator 196
(https:)Two of the heavyweight division’s all-time greats will finally meet.
On Monday, officials announced that the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix opening round matchup between Fedor Emelianenko and Frank Mir will take place at Bellator 196 on April 28 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. The event will air live on the Paramount Network.
Chael Sonnen vs. ‘Rampage’ Jackson will headline Bellator 192
(https:)Bellator will be going with big names over a highly anticipated title fight as the final bout of its big show in Los Angeles next week.
Chael Sonnen vs. Quinton Jackson will act as the headliner of Bellator 192 on Jan. 20 in Inglewood, Calif., MMA Fighting confirmed with the promotion Friday. Bellator president Scott Coker told The Sporting News earlier Friday that Sonnen vs. “Rampage” will be the main event. Previously, it was expected that a welterweight title fight between champion Douglas Lima and Rory MacDonald would be at the top of the bill.
James Thompson fails test for drostanalone
(mixedmartialarts.com)Veteran heavyweight James Thompson has failed a test for the steroid drostanolone, administered by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation director Mike Mazzulli at Bellator 191 in Newcastle, England, on December 15. Thompson, 39, lost to Philip De Fries at the event, via submission in Round 1.
Thompson, 39, faces a one-year suspension and $2,000 fine. In order to be licensed to fight again after the suspension, which is retroactive to the event date, he will have to test clean. Thompson has the right to appeal.
Heavyweight prospect Tyrell Fortune meets Joe Hernandez at Bellator 193
(https:)With the Bellator heavyweight division set to crown a new champion next year, one of its brightest prospects will aim to stay on the winning path in February.
Undefeated wrestling specialist Tyrell Fortune (3-0) is set to face Joe “2 Gunz” Hernandez (4-2) at Bellator 193 on Jan. 26 at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif., officials confirmed with MMA Fighting on Thursday.
Aaron Pico to fight Shane Kruchten at Bellator 192
(https:)Top prospect Aaron Pico will look to capitalize on his first win when he returns at Bellator 192.
On Thursday, officials confirmed that the 21-year-old featherweight’s third professional bout has been booked against nine-year veteran Shane Kruchten.
