Bellator 86: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 5:19 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jan 252013
 
Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren (top) successfully defended his title against Season 6 tourney winner Karl Amoussou (bottom) in impressive fashion with a third-round TKO. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren (top) successfully defended his title against Season 6 tourney winner Karl Amoussou (bottom) in impressive fashion with a third-round TKO. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

The WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma played host to Bellator’s most recent effort Thursday night as the Chicago-based promotion ushered in its Season 8 Welterweight Tournament, put the 170lbs. division championship title up for grabs, and debuted a promising light heavyweight to its growing roster. UFC veteran “Killa B” Ben Saunders (15-5) and Bellator  newcomer “The Lion King” Koffi Adzitso (18-10) kicked off the Bellator 86 main card on Spike TV, followed by another welterweight tourney quarter-final match-up between former MFC Welterweight Champion and Season 5 tournament winner “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (23-5) and two-time tournament contender “The Lonely Wolf” Michail Tsarev (24-4). Former Strikeforce 205lbs. ruler “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal (9-1) met Polish import and Bellator newcomer “Misiek” Przemyslaw Mysiala (16-8) in the co-main event. The marquee bout of the evening witnessed Bellator welterweight champ ”Funky” Ben Askren (11-0) make a successful third title defense against Season 6 tourney winner “Psycho” Karl Amoussou (16-5). Continue reading »

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Bellator 86 Live Results

 Posted by at 6:04 PM  Bellator  1 Response »
Jan 242013
 
(Photo courtesy of Bellator Fighting Championships)

(Photo courtesy of Bellator Fighting Championships)

—MAIN CARD (on Spike TV @ 10:00pm ET)—

Bellator Welterweight Championship Fight
Ben Askren vs. Karl Amoussou: Askren via TKO (Doctor Stoppage), Round 3, 5:00

Season 8 Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarter-Final Fight
Przemyslaw Mysiala vs. Muhammed Lawal: Lawal via TKO (Punches), Round 1, 3:52

Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Final Fight
Douglas Lima vs. Michail Tsarev: Lima via TKO (Leg Kicks), Round 2, 1:44

Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Final Fight
Koffi Adzitso vs. Ben Saunders: Saunders via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Final Fight
Marius Zaromskis vs. Brent Weedman: Weedman via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27), Round 3, 5:00 Continue reading »

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Bellator 86: Main Card Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 7:01 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jan 212013
 
Title challenger and headliner Karl Amoussou (red trunks) will have to avoid takedowns and rely on his powerful striking and killer instinct to take home the championship belt at Bellator 86. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Title challenger and headliner Karl Amoussou (red trunks) will have to avoid takedowns and rely on his powerful striking and killer instinct to take home the championship belt at Bellator 86. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

Bellator Fighting Championships brings mixed martial arts action to the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma January 24 to present the sophomore effort of both its eighth season and of its new partnership with Spike TV, Bellator 86. A pair of Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Finals match-ups start off the night, as UFC and Bellator veteran “Killa B” Ben Saunders (14-5) looks to make a rude return to the cage against “The Lion King” Koffi Adzitso (18-9), and former MFC 170lbs. king and Season 5 tourney winner “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (22-5) takes on returning Russian submission ace “The Lone Wolf” Michail Tsarev (24-3). The co-main event sees former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal (8-1) make his first appearance in the Bellator cage against a fellow debutee in the Polish submission crafted “Misiek” Przemyslaw Mysiala (16-7). Another title will be on the line as Bellator Welterweight Champion “Funky” Ben Askren (10-0) faces off against Season 6 winner “Psycho” Karl Amoussou (16-4) in a style-versus-style fight that will see one combatant walk away with bragging rights and the 170lbs. division strap. Continue reading »

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Bellator 74: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 7:24 AM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Sep 292012
 

Former Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good (black shorts) dominated “Judo” Jim Wallhead (white trunks) en route to a decision victory which puts him one step closer to redemption against current champ Ben Askren. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

The Caesars Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey was the place to be Friday night as Bellator Fighting Championships introduced the world to its seventh season, kicking it off with Bellator 74. Eight welterweights stepped into the Bellator cage to begin a three-month journey with the title of tournament champion and a shot at 170lbs. division king “Funky” Ben Askren (10-0) on the line. Twenty-two-year-old finishing machine “Spartan” Andrey Koreshkov (11-0) fought his most experienced opponent yet in “Mata Ele” Jordan Smith (17-4) in the main card opener on MTV2. Russian fight veteran and submission wizard “The Lonely Wolf” Michail Tsarev (24-2) made his USA and Bellator debut against the heavy-handed and strong willed “Cheapshot” Tim Welch (9-4). Former DREAM champion “The Whitemare” Marius Zaromskis (19-6) and fellow Bellator veteran Nordine Taleb (8-2) gave the fans a style versus style strikeout until the dust settled. Bellator’s first and former welterweight champion “Cyborg” Lyman Good (13-2) took a big step in his journey to reclaim the title he says belongs to him  against the unsurrendering Brit “Judo” Jim Wallhead (23-7). Continue reading »

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Bellator 74, Season 7 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Finals Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 5:07 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Sep 272012
 

Former Bellator 170lbs. king Lyman Good (black trunks) returns to his old stomping grounds, the Bellator welterweight tournament, in hopes of making his way to a rematch with the man who stripped him of his title, current champion Ben Askren. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Bellator returns to the MMA world Friday night with a stacked welterweight tournament. To start Season 7, Bellator 74 will take place at Caesars Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Two men will make their promotional debut as “The Lonely Wolf” Michail Tsarev (23-2), owner of 18 submission wins, will look for his nineteenth when he faces ICF veteran “Cheapshot” Tim Welch (9-3) who is also well versed in the submission game. A two-time Bellator veteran who has never seen the judges’ scorecards, “Spartan” Andrey Koreshkov (10-0), will welcome returning tournament fighter “Mata Ele” Jordan Smith (17-3) back to the Bellator cage. Former DREAM champion “The Whitemare” Marius Zaromskis (18-6) recently closed the trilogy against Waachiim Spiritwolf (9-11), earning his place in this season’s tournament against Nordine Taleb (8-1), a two-time Bellator veteran who will look to make a name for himself as he takes on the dynamite-handed southpaw. Hometown favorite and former Bellator Welterweight Champion “Cyborg” Lyman Good (12-2) returns to the cage and the tournament format following a chilling 13-second knockout of “Da Maynman” Levon Maynard (12-9). Standing across the cage from Good will be Bellator veteran “Judo” Jim Wallhead (23-6) who is riding a two-fight win streak that took place at 185lbs. in BAMMA. Continue reading »

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MMA Gospel Exclusive: Round Two With Bellator Tourney Champ “Psycho” Karl Amoussou

 Posted by at 2:31 PM  Bellator, MMA Gospel Exclusives, MMA News  1 Response »
Aug 162012
 

Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Champion Karl Amoussou’s (red trunks) striking skill set has played a large role in his success as a top competitor. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

M-1 Global, DREAM, and Strikeforce veteran “Psycho” Karl Amoussou (16-4-2) started off his tenure in Bellator Fighting Championships at 0-1 after a controversial Split Decision loss to “Smiling” Sam Alvey (19-4) at Bellator 45 in May 2011. Many might have been deterred by such a disappointing start in one of the world’s most prominent mixed martial arts promotions, but that wasn’t the case for the Frenchman. A fire was lit under Amoussou, who then went on to amass four consecutive victories over the course of nine months, along the way dropping from middleweight to the 170lbs. division. Amoussou’s long-awaited move to welterweight began with a catchweight bout at 175 against “Chavo” Jesus Martinez (6-3). It took Amoussou only 2:20 to destroy Martinez with lighting quick strikes and the victory earned him a spot in the Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament. From there the “Psycho” would tear through the opponents within the tourney ranks and earn the title of Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Champion, with the trail of devastation left in his wake catching the MMA world’s attention. Between his rigorous training to dethrone Bellator Welterweight Champion “Funky” Ben Askren (10-0) in a title fight this fall, Amoussou chats with MMA Gospel Staff Writer Cole Moorman about his journey through the promotion’s ranks. Continue reading »

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UFC on Fuel TV 3 Undercard Sleeper: “The Prospect” Marcus LeVesseur

 Posted by at 6:54 PM  UFC  No Responses »
May 142012
 

Marcus LeVesseur (right), record-breaking collegiate wrestler turned well-rounded mixed martial artist, makes his national debut in the UFC on Fuel TV 3 prelims Tuesday night. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

UFC on Fuel TV: Zombie vs. Poirier is set to take place Tuesday night with a card that looks to bring a lot of exciting free fights to the masses yet again. Headlining the third installment of mixed martial arts action on Fuel TV courtesy of the UFC is a featherweight match-up between “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (12-3) and “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier (12-1). Rounding out the main card are the likes of TUF alum Amir Sadollah (5-3), Tachi Palace Fights vet “Lil’ Monster” Jorge Lopez (11-2), lightweight mainstay and multiple-time fight bonus winner “Lil’ Heathen” Jeremy Stephens (20-7), Muay Thai aficionado “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (17-4), 145lbs. submission artist “Hellbound” Jeff Hougland (10-4), heavy-handed Croatian “The Duke” Igor Pokrajac (24-8), Team Nogueira fighter Fabio Maldonado (18-4), seasoned veteran “The Athlete” Jason MacDonald (25-15), and middleweight jokester “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (7-4). While there certainly will be plenty of entertainment afforded by the main card on Fuel TV, the prelims streamed on Facebook certainly should not be overlooked, as once again they are chock full of young hungry fighters ready to showcase their skills on the big stage. Continue reading »

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NAFC “Colosseum”: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 3:31 PM  MMA News  No Responses »
May 052012
 

NAFC's most recent effort, "Colosseum", delivered an action packed evening to the MMA fans of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday night. (Photo courtesy of NAFC)

Last night’s NAFC: Colosseum card showed a lot of excitement, from the first bout of the four-fight undercard till the finale of the main event. There was a packed house with the onlookers flowing in early to the Potawatomie Bingo and Casino Hall in Milwaukee so as not to miss any of the action being offered, including the full gamut of fighters, from those young and hungry and with something to prove as they try to make their way to MMA stardom, to veteran fighters that have the skills to compete in any organization. It was a night full of slick submission attempts and stellar strikes. From the moment the card kicked off the seats were filled with fans expressing their approval of the non-stop action. Fans were even fortunate enough to have several UFC and Bellator stars in attendance, including  former WEC Lightweight Champion “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (15-2), UFC top featherweight contender “New Breed” Erik Koch (13-1), newcomer to the UFC “King” Chico Camus (11-3), and Bellator welterweight champ “Funky” Ben Askren (10-0), all of whom interacted with the audience and at one point addressed them from within the cage to talk about what’s next in their own exciting careers. Continue reading »

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Bellator 64: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 8:26 AM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Apr 072012
 

Marlon Sandro (pictured) defeated young Brazilian bomber Alexandre Bezerra in the Bellator 64 co-main event, and moves on to the featherweight tourney finals. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

It was a successful launch for Bellator’s Season 6 Bantamweight Tournament with two action packed chess matches of fights opening up the main card at Friday night’s Bellator 64 event held at the The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Promotional debutees 20-year-old Brazilian finishing machine “Ratinho” Rodrigo Lima (10-1) and DEEP and Shooto veteran “Iron” Hiroshi Nakamura (15-5) started off the 135lbs. tourney with a competitive three-round affair, followed up by a match between submission expert “T-Train” Travis Marx (19-3) and former Shooto champion Masakatsu Ueda (15-2). Featherweight “Monster of Rio” Marlon Sandro (22-3) took on fellow countryman “Popo” Alexandre Bezzera (13-2) and his blazing eight-fight win streak for a spot in the tourney finals. In the main event, Bellator Welterweight Champion “Funky” Ben Askren (10-0) made his second title defense against former MFC king and Season 5 tournament champion “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (21-5). Continue reading »

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Bellator 64 Video Highlights

 Posted by at 7:21 AM  Bellator  No Responses »
Apr 072012
 

(Video courtesy of Bellator)

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Bellator 64 Live Results

 Posted by at 4:25 PM  Bellator, MMA News  1 Response »
Apr 062012
 

(Photo courtesy of Bellator)

—MAIN CARD (on MTV2)—

Welterweight Tournament Champion Fight
Ben Askren vs. Douglas Lima: Askren via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45), Round 5, 5:00

Season 6 Featherweight Tournament Semi-Final Fight
Marlon Sandro vs. Alexandre Bezerra: Sandro via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29), Round 3, 5:00

Season 6 Bantamweight Tournament Quarter-Final Fight
Travis Marx vs. Masakatsu Ueda: Marx via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Season 6 Bantamweight Tournament Quarter-Final Fight
Rodrigo Lima vs. Hiroshi Nakamura: Nakamura via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27), Round 3, 5:00 Continue reading »

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Bellator 64: Main Card Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 5:40 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Apr 052012
 

Aggressive striker and former MFC champ Douglas Lima (top) will prove a worthy challenger to current Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren's title in the Bellator 64 main event. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

On Friday, April 6 Bellator Fighting Championships makes the trek North to Windsor, Ontario, Canada to present Bellator 64 live on MTV2 from The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor. Undefeated Bellator Welterweight Champion and former Olympic wrestler “Funky” Ben Askren (9-0) takes on his most dangerous opponent to date in former MFC king and Season 5 welterweight tourney champion “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (21-4) with the 170lbs. title on the line. Season 6 Featherweight Tournament semi-final match-up number one pits former Sengoku 145lbs. champion Marlon Sandro (21-3) against a close friend in “Popo” Alexandre Bezerra (13-1) to determine who will take one of two spots in the finals. Two bouts in the latest bantamweight tournament’s quarter-finals open up the main card as “T-Train” Travis Marx (18-3) takes on Shooto veteran Masakatsu Ueda (15-1) and undefeated WOCS veteran “Ratinho” Rodrigo Lima (10-0) fights DEEP and Shooto journeyman “Iron” Hiroshi Nakamura (14-5). Continue reading »

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Bellator Welterweights Return to Action for Season 6

 Posted by at 7:15 AM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jan 082012
 
Jeet Kune Do practitioner and UFC veteran Ben Saunders (left) is one of eight welterweights competing in Bellator’s Season 6 tournament for a shot at current champ Ben Askren’s belt. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

The 170lbs. division is gearing up for another season-long Bellator tournament set to kick off in March. With a wealth of returning talent, two towering giants, a UFC veteran, and a wrecking machine all set to meet inside the Bellator cage, the fireworks are sure to fly. Eight hungry contenders will enter but only one will earn a title shot.

Returning to the cage after his tournament finale loss to eventual champion “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (19-4) is “Killa B” Ben Saunders (12-3). A Bruce Lee-inspired approach to fighting has lead the man who owns some of the deadliest knees and elbows in MMA to the finals before, and this time Saunders will make the needed adjustments to rectify the mistake. Saunders has the talent, the range, and the aggression to beat anyone at any time but in Season 6 he will have even more motivation to prove it. Continue reading »

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Bellator 57: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 11:39 AM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Nov 132011
 

"The Phenom" Douglas Lima (white trunks) reigned victorious in his main event bout against fellow Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament finalist "Killa B" Ben Saunders (black trunks). Lima will now get a crack at 170lbs. champ Ben Askren's belt in a future event. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

A pair of Season 5 Tournament finales crowned another set of tourney champions of their rightful place to fight for Bellator gold in last night’s most recent offering from the Chicago-based mixed martial arts promotion. Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario, Canada served as the witness and the battle grounds for former MFC Welterweight Champion “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (19-4) to take on UFC veteran ”Killa B” Ben Saunders (12-4) in the Season 5 Welterweight Tournament finals match-up that also served as the main event. The 170lbs. marquis affair was preceded by a battle between Season 2 Middleweight Tournament Champion “The Storm” Alexander Shlemenko (33-4) and multi-time world Jiu-Jitsu champion Vitor Vianna (12-2) in the 185lbs. tournament finals. Light heavyweights John Hawk (6-4) and Roger Hollett (12-3) faced off for a spot in the upcoming light heavyweight tournament that begins next year. Kicking off the main card on MTV2 was Shark Fights and UFC veteran Douglas Evans (12-8) versus Bellator veteran Alexandre Bezerra (12-1) fighting for a spot in the upcoming 145lbs. tournament. Continue reading »

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Brian Foster Inks Deal with Bellator

 Posted by at 8:19 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Nov 012011
 

Lethal finisher Brian Foster (white trunks) rides a three-fight win streak into his new home with Bellator Fighting Championships and brings another top level talent to the fast growing MMA promotion. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The explosive HIT Squad welterweight and UFC veteran Brian Foster (16-5) has signed with Bellator Fighting Championships after a 3-2 journey within the UFC that saw him face the likes of “Lights Out” Chris Ltyle (31-18), “The Immortal” Matt Brown (12-10), and “The Horror” Rick Story (11-3). Foster adds a lot of finishing power to the Bellator 170lbs. ranks, with eight wins by TKO and eight wins by submission, and if that doesn’t capture the attention of Bellator fans, the fact that he has never gone the distance and has been out of the first round only five times in his 21-fight career. Continue reading »

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