Bellator News
PFL officially acquires Bellator MMA: “Our fighter roster is equal to UFC”
Susan Cox - November 20, 2023
The PFL has officially acquired Bellator MMA, and in doing so has stated, ‘Our fighter roster is equal to UFC’. The news of the merger has been in the works for months, but now is a done deal and the Professional Fighters League has officially acquired Bellator MMA.
Patchy Mix reflects on tough upbringing after Bellator 301 title win: “I come from absolutely nothing, man”
Zain Bando - November 18, 2023
Friday night at Wintrust Arena was Patchy Mix’s crowing achievement. In what was likely the final Bellator event ever, Patchy Mix, the Bellator interim bantamweight champion, made good on his dream.
Sergio Pettis reacts following title loss to Patchy Mix at Bellator 301: "It's your time now"
Chris Taylor - November 18, 2023
Sergio Pettis has reacted after losing his bantamweight world title to Patchy Mix at last night’s Bellator 301 event. Pettis (23-6 MMA) was looking to defend his Bellator bantamweight championship for a third time when he squared off with Mix (19-1 MMA) Friday night in Chicago, Illinois.
Patricky Pitbull unsure Bellator lightweight tournament will continue after PFL sale: "Losing $2 million"
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2023
Former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull is just as unsure of the company’s future as anyone. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Roberto de Souza in July. That was a nice rebound win for Patricky Pitbull, having lost his lightweight gold to Usman Nurmagomedov in his prior outing. With the win at Bellator X RIZIN 2, he advanced to the lightweight Grand Prix semifinals.
Bellator 301: 'Amosov vs. Jackson' Weigh-In Results: 1 fighter misses weight
Zain Bando - November 16, 2023
Bellator 301 takes place Friday night from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill., as it is the promotion’s third trip back to “The Windy City” in one year and its second of 2023. The 16-fight Bellator 301 card features many huge names from top-to-bottom, including two world title fights and a Grand Prix lightweight semifinal bout.
Sergio Pettis sends message to aspiring athletes: “I just want to be an example for everyone"
Zain Bando - November 15, 2023
Sergio Pettis and Patchy Mix will meet in the co-main event of Bellator 301 on Friday night in Chicago to unify the promotion’s bantamweight titles. Pettis, who turned 30 in August, said Wednesday that his return to the cage is more than just about completing the journey. “I just want to be an example for everyone who is a late bloomer,” Sergio Pettis said. “I feel like I am a late bloomer, and it took me time to develop my game, skill, and confidence. Growing up, I was not a confident individual and had a lot of anxiety. With that, I was also under my brother’s shadow, but in those dark times, I was able to learn who I am.”
Danny Sabatello plans to "dominate, motherf****r" Raufeon Stots at Bellator 301: "We know he has a brittle chin"
Cole Shelton - November 15, 2023
Danny Sabatello called for a rematch with Raufeon Stots ever since they fought in October of 2022. Sabatello and Stots fought in the semi-finals of the bantamweight Grand Prix, and Stots ended up winning a split decision. Since then, Sabataello was adamant he won the fight and called for a rematch.
Raufeon Stots calls out “little boy” Danny Sabatello: "Who have you beaten that's worth any note?"
Zain Bando - November 15, 2023
Raufeon Stots and Danny Sabatello picked up right where they left off ahead of their Bellator 301 bantamweight rematch in Chicago. Amid their trash talk amongst each other, emotions ran high. The fued began ahead of Bellator 289 in December last year, where Raufeon Stots was able to secure a decision victory before ultimately losing to Patchy Mix in his next fight.
Dillon Danis announces retirement from fighting
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
Dillon Danis appears to be walking away from the fight game. Danis returned to combat sports back in October when he fought and lost to Logan Paul in his boxing debut. It was his first fight since June of 2019 when he fought at Bellator 222.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 146 with Patchy Mix, Chase Hooper, Danny Sabatello, and Chad Anheliger
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
The 146th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 82 and Bellator 301. We’re first joined by the interim Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix (2:01). Next, UFC featherweight Chase Hooper (18:59) comes on. Sixth-ranked Bellator bantamweight Danny Sabatello (42:49) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Chad Anheliger (1:01:35).
Usman Nurmagomedov fails drug test, removed from Bellator lightweight grand prix
Cole Shelton - November 11, 2023
Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov has failed a drug test. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com that Nurmagomedov tested positive for an unknown substance and his fight against Brent Primus has been overturned to a No Contest. As well, sources informed BJPENN.com that Primus will now go forward in the Bellator lightweight grand prix, while the belief is Usman Nurmagomedov will be stripped of the lightweight title. Nurmagomedov has also been handed a six month suspension.
REPORT | Bellator sale to PFL has been finalized, will take over the company in 2024
Josh Evanoff - October 30, 2023
It seems that the PFL’s sale with Bellator might be going through after all. As most MMA fans are aware, the Scott Coker-led company has had its troubles in 2023. For most of this year, Bellator has been linked to a potential sale to the PFL. The news was first reported by Todd Atkins earlier this summer. For the most part, the million-dollar deal has been played out in public, as Viacom confirmed their plans to drop combat sports from Showtime.
Johnny Eblen sounds off after Gordon Ryan suggests that MMA should allow athletes to be on steroids: “There’s a reason your health sucks”
Harry Kettle - October 18, 2023
Bellator champion Johnny Eblen has questioned Gordon Ryan after some claims he made recently regarding doping in MMA. Gordon Ryan, outside of boxing and mixed martial arts, is one of the biggest names in combat sports. His jiu-jitsu prowess speaks for itself and as we look ahead to the future, it seems as if he’ll continue to make waves for many years to come.
Dillon Danis reveals he will be appealing loss to Logan Paul due to "multiple offenses"
Cole Shelton - October 16, 2023
Dillon Danis will be appealing the DQ loss he suffered to Logan Paul on Saturday. Danis made his boxing debut against Paul on the PRIME card in Manchester, England. It was a fight that got a ton of hype due to Danis’ trash talk and antics. However, in the bout itself, Danis rarely threw many punches as Paul dominated and was cruising to a decision win.
Scott Coker believes Cris Cyborg solidified her position as GOAT of women’s MMA with win over Cat Zingano at Bellator 300
Harry Kettle - October 10, 2023
Bellator president Scott Coker believes Cris Cyborg is the female GOAT in MMA after her win over Cat Zingano. Throughout her time in mixed martial arts, Cris Cyborg has been a dominant force. Outside of a defeat to Amanda Nunes, she has been almost untouchable across a string of different promotions. Even now, at the age of 38, she’s still able to turn back the clock and put in the kind of performances that leave people feeling awestruck.
Cris Cyborg details the post-fight conversation she had with Cat Zingano at Bellator 300: “She was saying something like I was a stalker”
Harry Kettle - October 10, 2023
Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg has revealed the conversation she had with Cat Zingano after Bellator 300. At Bellator 300, Cris Cyborg made a statement by defeating Cat Zingano to successfully retain her Bellator featherweight championship. In doing so, she reminded the world of what many already knew – she is one of the greatest female fighters of all time. In terms of what’s next, nobody really knows for sure, but she’ll happily sit back and bask in the glory of what she’s just achieved for a while yet.
Scott Coker speaks out as Bellator rumors linger: "At the end of the day it’s not my company"
Fernando Quiles - October 8, 2023
Scott Coker, the Bellator president, has spoken out in the midst of constant sale rumors. There have been plenty of rumors claiming that the PFL will purchase Bellator. Rumors went from the sale being close to an agreement, to the deal being off, to the deal being back on the table. While there has been a lot to keep track of with the rumors, Coker had been mum on the situation up to this point.
Bellator 300 Fighter Salaries: Cris Cyborg takes home top payout
Chris Taylor - October 7, 2023
Women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg took home the top payout at tonight’s Bellator 300 event. Bellator held their milestone event this evening in San Diego, California.