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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Bellator 72 Video Highlights

 Posted by at 7:19 AM  Bellator  No Responses »
Jul 212012
 

(Video courtesy of Bellator Fighting Championships)

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Bellator 72 Live Results

 Posted by at 3:50 PM  Bellator  No Responses »
Jul 202012
 

(Photo courtesy of Bellator Fighting Championships)

—MAIN CARD (on MTV2 and Bellator.com)—

Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Final Fight
Bryan Baker vs. Karl Amoussou: Amoussou via Submission (Inverted Heel Hook), Round 1, 0:56

Welterweight Feature Fight
Paul Daley vs. Rudy Bears: Daley via TKO (Strikes), Round 1, 2:45

2012 Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Final Fight
Emanuel Newton vs. Attila Vegh: Vegh via Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

2012 Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Final Fight
Tim Carpenter vs. Travis Wiuff: Wiuff via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Welterweight Feature Fight
Waachiim Spiritwolf vs. Marius Zaromskis: Zaromskis via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29), Round 3, 5:00 Continue reading »

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Bellator 72: Main Card Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 11:20 AM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jul 202012
 

Marius Zaromskis (black trunks) and Waachiim Spiritwolf (white trunks) will try a third time to finish a bout without controversy at Bellator 68. (Photo courtesy of Bellator Fighting Championships)

Bellator will drop anchor at the USF Sun Dome, in Tampa, Florida for Bellator 72 presenting a stacked card that features the Season 6 Welterweight Tournament finale between “Psycho” Karl Amoussou (15-4) and “The Beast” Bryan Baker (18-3). Former Strikeforce title contender and UFC veteran “Semtex” Paul Daley (29-12) bowed out from Strikeforce to sign with Bellator Fighting Championships and will make his debut against Bellator veteran Rudy Bears (14-10). The 2012 Summer Series light heavyweight semi-finals kick off as “The Hardcore Kid” Emanuel Newton (18-6) faces “Pumukli” Attila Vegh (26-4) and Tim Carpenter (9-1) takes on “Diesel” Travis Wiuff (67-14). A special feature fight and rubber match between bitter rivals opens the card as former DREAM Welterweight Champion “The Whitemare” Marius Zaromskis (17-6) and Waachiim Spiritwolf (9-10) look to settle the score after the past two bouts ended less than definitively. Continue reading »

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Bellator 69: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 8:49 AM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
May 192012
 

"Big Rig" Maiquel Falcao (blue shirt) defeated heavy-handed Swede Andreas Spang in a three-round battle to become Bellator Season 6 Middleweight Tournament Champion. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

Friday night marked the conclusion of another star studded tournament in Lake Charles, Louisiana as “Big Rig” Maiquel Falcao (31-4) faced “Sweet Swede” Andreas Spang (8-2) for the Season 6 Middleweight Tournament Finals and the right to face Season 5 185lbs. tourney winner and former title challanger “The Storm” Alexander Shlemenko (45-7) for the now-vacant middleweight belt. “Pyscho” Karl Amoussou (15-4) and “The Caveman” David Rickels (10-1) brought the fight in their semi-finals bout to determine who would move on to face “The Beast” Bryan Baker (19-3) in the welterweight tournament championship finale. A special attraction fight in the Bellator women’s division featured top 115lbs. star ”Mega Megu” Megumi Fujii (25-2) taking on another of the division’s best in “JAG” Jessica Aguilar (13-4) with one to earn the coveted title of best female fighter in the world. A heavyweight bout between “The Monster” Ron Sparks (8-1) and “Concrete” Kevin Asplund (15-1) was cancelled after Sparks was not granted medical clearance to fight, however, Bellator 69 still delivered in a big way despite its shortened main card on MTV2. Continue reading »

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Bellator 69 Main Card: Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 5:51 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
May 172012
 

Ron Sparks (red trunks) will return to the Bellator cage Friday night to pit his size and knockout power against Kevin Asplund. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

It’s back to Cajun country as Bellator returns to the L’Auberge du Lac Casino and Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana with a loaded card featuring heavy hitters and dynamic finishing artists. Season 6 Middleweight Tournament finalist and owner of 23 first-round (T)KOs “Big Rig” Maiquel Falcao (30-4) will face submission specialist “Sweet Swede” Andreas Spang (8-1). Lightning fast French import “Psycho” Karl Amoussou (14-4) takes on “The Caveman” David Rickels (10-0) in a welterweight semi-final match-up that will determine who will face “The Beast” Bryan Baker (19-3) later this season. Former female tournament finalist and long-time top female fighter in the world “Mega Megu” Megumi Fujii (25-1) steps back into the Bellator cage after a lengthy hiatus to face the recharged and surging “JAG” Jessica Aguilar (13-4). Kentucky countryboy “The Monster” Ron Sparks (8-1) hopes to make a successful return to the bayou as he welcomes Brutaal fight veteran “Concrete” Kevin Asplund (15-1) and his 15-fight win streak to the Bellator cage. Continue reading »

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Bellator 67: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 8:02 AM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
May 052012
 

Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler (blue gloves) stamped out Akihiro Gono's (red gloves) hopes for a successful Bellator debut, TKOing the JMMA star in less than a minute. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Casino Rama and the Canadian fans of Ontario welcomed Bellator and its warriors with open arms for Bellator  67 Friday, May 4 and in return the fighters gave them a show. The main event featured the Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler (10-0), fresh off his fourth-round submission win against former champion and top lightweight Eddie Alvarez (22-3), taking on the most experienced opponent of his career in Japanese superstar Akihiro Gono (32-18-7). Two welterweight semi-finalists faced off in an all-out war as “Killa B” Ben Saunders (13-5) and former middleweight finalist “The Beast” Bryan Baker (18-3) tangled. Heavyweight finishers from two different worlds clashed as submission specialist “Polish Pitbull” Damian Grabowski (16-1) took on knockout artist “Bad Man” David Huckaba (17-5) and Canada’s own finishing machine, “The Real Deal” Ryan Ford (18-4), made his Bellator debut against Brazilian prestige fighter “Sapo” Luis Santos (50-8) in a welterweight match-up that started of the main card for MTV2. Continue reading »

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Bellator 67 Live Results

 Posted by at 5:29 PM  Bellator  1 Response »
May 042012
 

(Photo courtesy of Bellator)

—MAIN CARD (on MTV2)—

Lightweight Feature Fight
Michael Chandler vs. Akihiro Gono: Chandler via TKO (Punches), Round 1, 0:56

Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Semi-Final Fight
Bryan Baker vs. Ben Saunders: Baker via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Heavyweight Feature Fight
Damian Grabowski vs. Dave Huckaba: Grabowski via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Welterweight Feature Fight
Luis Santos vs. Ryan Ford: Ford via TKO (Knee and Punches), Round 2, 1:24 Continue reading »

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Bellator 67 Main Card: Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 6:58 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
May 032012
 

The "Polish Pitbull" Damian Grabowski (black trunks) is known for his aggressive style and will use that style to his distinct advantage at Bellator 67. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

It’s back to Rama, Ontario, Canada for a second time as Bellator 67 docks at Casino Rama tomorrow night. Returning to the cage to begin his newly minted championship reign is relentless lightweight king Michael Chandler (9-0). Chandler will take on the most experienced fighter of his career when he welcomes long-time Japanese superstar and Pancrase, Shooto, PRIDE, Sengoku, and UFC veteran Akihiro Gono (32-17). One of the Season 6 Welterweight Tournament semi-finals will take place as finishing machine  ”Killa B” Ben Saunders (13-4) takes on the reborn giant “The Beast” Bryan Baker (17-3). MFC veteran and Edmonton native “The Real Deal” Ryan Ford (17-4) makes his Bellator debut against powerhouse “Sapo” Luis Santos (50-7). Two-time Bellator veteran “Polish Pitbull” Damian Grabowski (15-1) returns to Bellator against heavy-handed newcomer “Bad Man” Dave Huckaba (17-4). Continue reading »

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Bellator 63: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 12:03 PM  Bellator  No Responses »
Mar 312012
 

Karl Amoussou (right), Bryan Baker, David Rickels, and Ben Saunders are the four men moving on to represent the 170lbs. division in the Bellator Season 6 tourney semi-finals. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

The welterweights went to war last night at the popular Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut in front of a welcoming crowd. Eight men entered the Bellator circle as part of the Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Finals, but only four were allowed to move up the ladder to the semi-finals. “Killa B” Ben Saunders (13-4) took on “Smash Mode” Raul Amaya (9-1) in the opening tournament match-up. “The Caveman” David Rickels (10-0) put his undefeated record on the line against veteran “Mata Ele” Jordan Smith (17-3). Former 185lbs. tourney contender “The Beast” Bryan Baker (17-3) faced Brazilian fight ciruit journeyman and Bellator newcomer “Indio” Carlos Alexandre Pereira (33-10) in a battle of the strongmen of the 170 lbs. division. In the main event MMA Gospel Young Gun and Bellator gladiator “The Cleveland Assassin” Chris Lozano (9-3) took on M-1 veteran “Pyscho” Karl Amoussou (14-4) in a bad blood fight that finally came to a head when they faced off in the cage. Continue reading »

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Bellator 63, Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Finals Live Results

 Posted by at 3:52 PM  Bellator  2 Responses »
Mar 302012
 

(Photo courtesy of Bellator)

—MAIN CARD (on MTV2)—

Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Final Fight
Chris Lozano vs. Karl Amoussou: Amoussou via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1, 2:05

Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Final Fight
Ben Saunders vs. Raul Amaya: Saunders via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Final Fight
Bryan Baker vs. Carlos Pereira: Baker via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29), Round 3, 5:00

Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Final Fight
David Rickels vs. Jordan Smith: Rickels via TKO (Punches), Round 1, 0:22 Continue reading »

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Bellator 63, Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Finals: Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 2:06 PM  Bellator, MMA Gospel Young Guns, MMA News  No Responses »
Mar 292012
 

"The Beast" Bryan Baker (black trunks) has the wrestling abilities to completely control his Bellator 63 bout if he so chooses. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

It’s back to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut Friday night for another Bellator tournament bracket to get underway, this time with eight explosive welterweights hitting the cage for Bellator 63. Featuring a returning cast of warriors that have literally rocked the Bellator cage with their previous performances, the tourney also includes several newcomers more than willing to step up and engage in the firefights Bellator’s tournaments have become known for, all in the hopes of getting a shot at championship gold. Brazilian journeyman with nearly 45 fights to his credit “Indio” Carlos Alexandre Pereira (33-9) makes his Bellator debut against former WEC and Bellator 185lbs. contender turned oversized welterweight, “The Beast” Bryan Baker (16-3). Submission specialist and Bellator veteran “The Caveman” David Rickels (9-0) meets well-rounded promotion newcomer “Mata Ele” Jordan Smith (17-2), who steps in as a late replacement for UFC veteran Brian Foster (18-5). Season 5 Welterweight Tournament finalist “Killa B” Ben Saunders (12-4) is slated to pit his lethal striking and BJJ credentials against undefeated finishing machine “Smash Mode” Raul Amaya (9-0). The main event features original MMA Gospel Young Gun and heavy-handed Bellator 170lbs. tournament vet “The Cleveland Assassin” Chris Lozano (9-2) teeing off against former 185lbs. French wrecking machine “Psycho” Karl Amoussou (13-4), in a fight that has had both men chomping at the bit for weeks. As in previous seasons, the Bellator welterweight tourney match-ups are sure to add a few more clips to the promotion’s highlight reels. 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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