Bellator 65 Main Card: Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 7:33 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Apr 122012
 

Alexis Vila (right) has the speed and power to end his foe's night early, but should be fail to pull the trigger, he risks being dragged into the later rounds where Luis Nogueira has the advantage. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

Bellator hits the Jersey Shore again this Friday night with a four-fight main card and a golden belt on the line at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The Bellator 65 main event sees bantamweight champ “Fun Size” Zach Makovsky (14-2) take on Season 5 tournament winner, 22-year-old “Dudu” Eduardo Dantas (13-2), in Makovsky’s first ever title defense. “The Polar Bear” Cole Konrad (8-0) was scheduled to put his heavyweight strap on the line against “The American Soldier” Eric Prindle (7-1), but Prindle was struck by a last-minute injury and the title bout has been rescheduled for Bellator 70. The second 145lbs. tournament semi-final match-up will take place as well when Daniel Straus (18-4) faces the underdog and upset artist Mike Corey (12-2) with the winner to face  former Sengoku champion Marlon Sandro (22-3) in the finale. WEC veteran and Bellator tough man “Loro” Marcos Galvao (10-5) takes on the colorful wrestler “Wild” Ed West (17-6) in a Season 6 Bantamweight Tournament Quarter-Finals match-up while the opposing bracket sees returning Season Five 135lbs. finalist “The Exorcist” Alexis Vila (11-1) face Bellator veteran “Betao” Luis Alberto Nogueira (12-2). Continue reading »

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Bellator Featherweight Tournament Stacked for Season 6

 Posted by at 6:03 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Dec 222011
 
Shark Fights 145lbs. champion “Kid Ninja” Ronnie Mann (white trunks) is one of eight competitors taking to the cage for the Bellator Season 6 Featherweight Tournament next spring. (Photo courtesy of Shark Fights)

With the bantamweight roster close to completion for the upcoming Bellator Season 6 tournament starting in March on an all new Friday night schedule, the Bellator brass is now compiling a stacked list of 145lbs. competitors to go to battle  for a shot at championship gold. Eight men will enter the Bellator Season 6 Featherweight Tournament but only one will be declared tournament champion. With current champion Joe Warren (7-2) scheduled to face Summer Series winner Pat Curran (15-4) in the first defense of the 145lbs. division championship and “Pitbull” Patricio Freire (9-1) awaiting the winner of that bout, it seems the featherweight belt will be up in the air for the time. Continue reading »

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Bellator 53: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 4:02 PM  Bellator, MMA Gospel Young Guns, MMA News  No Responses »
Oct 092011
 

Nearly locking in several Omoplata shoulder locks, "Killa B" Ben Saunders (right) shocked the fans by giving Jiu-Jitsu black belt Luis Santos (left) all he could handle from the bottom before finishing the fight with an Americana submission in the third. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

In the race to the tournament finals, it was the welterweights to reach the mountain top first, as four men entered the Bellator cage to fight for their claim towards the $100,000 payday and title shot against the winner of the upcoming bout between welterweight champion Ben Askren (8-0) and “The Thoroughbred” Jay Hieron (19-4). “Killa B” Ben Saunders (12-3) met Brazilian bomber Luiz Santos (48-7) in a Muay Thai slug fest that ended in an unforeseen fashion and MMA Gospel Young Gun “The Cleveland Assassin” Chris Lozano (9-2) stood across the cage from former MFC Welterweight Champion “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (18-4) to determine the final two 170-pounders of the season. Featherweights “The Tooth Fairy” Kenny Foster (9-4) and “Kid Ninja” Ronne Mann (21-3) battled it out in a bout to determine who would take the first spot in the Bellator Season 6 145lbs. tournament and late addition heavyweight bout Josh Burns (5-3) and “Big Monster” Thiago Santos (5-1) started off the night with hopes of being a fill in for the heavyweight tournament on the line. Continue reading »

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Bellator 53, Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Semi-Finals Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 7:26 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Oct 072011
 

"Kid Ninja" Ronnie Mann (white trunks) will bring his high powered offense back to the Bellator cage to open the main card as he looks for redemption for his recent loss to Pat Curran. (Photo courtesy of Shark Fights)

The Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament semi-finalists are set to drop bombs in Miami, Oklahoma’s Buffalo Run Casino, where tomorrow night only two men will walk away with their hand raised to move on to the finals. Destruction’s right hand “Killa B” Ben Saunders (11-3) will battle it out the old school way of Muay Thai against the exerienced and aggressive “Sapo” Luis Santos (48-6). The torch carrier for MMA Gospel’s Young Guns and heavy handed striker “The Cleveland Assassin” Chris Lozano (9-1) will meet former MFC Welterweight Champion and ever improving contender “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (17-4). With supporting bouts featuring middleweight Strikeforce alum Darryl Cobb (6-3) and Elite XC veteran “The Arm Collector” Givalindo Santana (16-1) going to battle in their Bellator debuts and former featherweight semi-finalist “The Tooth Fairy” Kenny Foster (9-3) and Shark Fights champion “Kid Ninja” Ronnie Mann (20-3) taking their recent tournament frustrations out on each other, this Bellator card could hardly promise more action. Continue reading »

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Bellator 48, Featherweight Tournament Finals Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 12:33 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Aug 202011
 

The winner of the Bellator Summer Series Featherweight Tournament will be decided tonight as Pat Curran (left) takes on Marlon Sandro in the main event. (Photo courtesy of Keith Mills)

The Bellator Summer Series Featherweight Tournament is coming to a close tonight in Uncasville, Connecticut as  finalists Pat Curran (14-4) and Marlon Sandro (19-2) meet in the main event to decide who will take on the winner of Bellator Featherweight Champion Joe Warren (7-1) vs. “Pitbull” Patricio Freire (9-1). Supporting the main event is a match-up in the heavyweight division that was originally scheduled to take place several months ago but was forced  back due to injury as Bellator Heavyweight Champion “The Polar Bear” Cole Konrad (7-0) makes his return to the cage after capturing the title last fall against UFC and Strikeforce veteran “The Headhunter” Paul Buentello (28-13) in a non-title bout. Buentello is 1-3 in his past four fights while Konrad is coming in undefeated with the hunger to defeat a veteran like Buentello. “The Headhunter” will have to pull the rabbit out of his hat and gain a win in order to breathe life back into his career. In the 205lbs. division former UFC Heavyweight Champion and re-amped “Suave” Ricco Rodriguez (47-11), will meet King of the Cage, EliteXC, and UFC veteran “The Silverback” Seth Petruzelli (13-6). With Rodriguez riding a 12-fight win streak and Petruzelli finally snapping his recent two-fight skid with a first-round TKO victory this match has all the makings of a “Fight of the Night”. Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: RETURNS!

 Posted by at 5:48 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  2 Responses »
Aug 012011
 

Did you miss me? Well, dry your tears icemigos. I have returned. There was a rough few weeks with no MMA events – at least none that I was able to see. And now… now… I have three events to draw from. Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson, Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III, and Bellator 47.

Let’s start from the top. What’s up with Fedor? Sure, anyone can get knocked out by Dan Henderson but before that Fedor was swinging wildly.  Yes, Fedor is known to try and finish a fight when he has someone hurt but there was an almost desperate recklessness in Fedor’s attempt to finish – not the precision timing that KO’d Andrei Arlovski in mid-air. Continue reading »

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Bellator 47: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 2:34 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jul 242011
 

Pat Curran (white trunks) went the distance with Sengoku and Shark Fights veteran "Kid Ninja" Ronnie Mann (black shorts) to stamp his ticket to the Bellator Featherweight Tournament finals. (Photo courtesy of Al Quintero and Sherdog)

Featherweight firepower lit up the Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario last night with both tournament semi-finals of the stacked Summer Series 145lbs. bracket. Former Bellator lightweight title challenger Pat Curran (14-4) took on British top featherweight “Kid Ninja” Ronnie Mann (20-3) in the main event supported by the action packed co-main event between former Sengoku Featherweight Champion “Monster of Rio” Marlon Sandro (19-2) and young gun Jiu-Jitsu fighter “Naza” Nazareno Malegarie (18-2). Along side the semi-finals were two feature fights in the heavyweight and lightweight divisions. WEC and IFL veteran and London, Ontario’s own “The Polish Hammer” Chris Horodecki (18-3) took on “The So Cal Kid” Chris Saunders (9-2). Beginning the main card on MTV2 was returning heavyweight striker “Goliath” Neil Grove (11-3) against the high octane finisher Zak Jensen (10-7). Continue reading »

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Bellator 47, Featherweight Tournament Semi-Finals Live Results

 Posted by at 6:12 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jul 232011
 

(Photo courtesy of Bellator)

 

—MAIN CARD—

Bellator Season 5 Featherweight Tournament Semi-Final Bout
Pat Curran vs. Ronnie Mann: Curran via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Bellator Season 5 Featherweight Tournament Semi-Final Bout
Marlon Sandro vs. Nazareno Malegarie: Sandro via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Heavyweight Feature Fight
Neil Grove vs. Zak Jensen: Grove via TKO (Strikes), Round 1, 2:00

Lightweight Feature Fight
Chris Horodecki vs. Chris Saunders: Horodecki via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Continue reading »

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Bellator 47, Featherweight Tournament Semi-Finals Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 2:36 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jul 222011
 

Chris Horodecki (left) looks to prove to the world that Zuffa made a huge mistake in choosing not to sign him as he makes his Bellator debut on the promotion's 47th card. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

Canada will be getting another dose of high octane MMA from its third American promotion this Saturday, July 23 as Bellator 47 drops anchor in Rama, Ontario at the Casino Rama. The event still promises not to disappoint despite having taken a hit in early July; formerly headlining the event was the somewhat heated rematch between Bellator Featherweight Champion Joe Warren (7-1) and Brazilian powerhouse “Pitbull” Patricio Freire (9-1). Freire, however, suffered an injury that will force him to sit out and Warren bowed out to wait for Freire. Now headlining the event is former Bellator lightweight title challenger Pat Curran (13-4), who looked better than ever with his improved ground game when he moved to featherweight, as he takes on the young and talented British featherweight Ronnie Mann (20-2). This fight has fireworks written all over it – both men are game to stand their ground wherever the fight goes. “Naza” Nazareno Malegarie (18-1) is a man with a never-give-up attitude when it comes to his submissions, as he showed in his return fight against Jacob Devree (10-2) with a fight-ending choke in the third round. Malegarie will put his impressive record against the former Sengoku champion “Monster of Rio” Marlon Sandro (18-2). The heavy-handed Sandro’s Bellator debut was far from what the world wanted to see, but he will look to bring the cold serving of a knockout when he steps in the cage against Malegarie. Supporting the main and co-main events is a heavyweight tilt highlighting the return of the human wrecking ball “Goliath” Neil Grove (10-3) against Zak Jensen (10-6). These two were slated to meet several months ago but an injury to Jensen caused the fight to be put on hold. Now the men will be looking to get a invitation into the upcoming season’s heavyweight tournament. Kicking off the Bellator 47 main card is a special attraction fight between WEC veteran “The Polish Hammer” Chris Horodecki (17-3) and “The So Cal Kid” Chris Saunders (9-1). Continue reading »

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Bellator Summer Series Featherweight Tournament Semi-Finals Set in Motion July 23

 Posted by at 10:36 AM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jul 172011
 

Pat Curran (left) ended his last Bellator bout with a rare Peruvian Necktie submission. Does he have another slick trick in his bag to finish the dangerous KO artist Ronnie Mann on July 23? (Photo courtesy of Keith Mills and Sherdog)

The Bellator 2011 Summer Series Featherweight Tournament semi-final match-ups have been announced and already fans are clinging to the edge of their seats waiting for fight night come July 23.

British featherweight and Shark Fights champion “Kid Ninja” Ronnie Mann (20-2) is looking for another first-round knockout when he meets Pat Curran (13-4) in the main event of the night. Mann is a triple threat striker; he’s got the defense, the crisp pinpoint punches, and solid knockout power that he showed when he dropped Adam Schindler (9-2) at the end of the first round. Curran is coming off a first-round win of his own by way of the rare Peruvian Necktie submission over “Baboon” Luis Palomino (16-7). A fight pitting Curran and Mann will serve as a strong main event and the best man of the night will be left standing. Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: The Iceys

 Posted by at 8:06 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  1 Response »
Jun 272011
 

Hello, Icemigos. How was your blah, blah, blah? Yeah and how’s that thing that you do going? Really? That’s interesting. You know how I feel about that. I mean it should go without saying, right?

So with the niceties out of the way let’s get right to the awards! What awards? The first ever SBoI Awards for the week of MMA fights that I saw! “The Iceys®” as they’re called – as of now. Continue reading »

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Bellator 46: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 1:43 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jun 262011
 

Pat Curran (left) came out on top in his featherweight debut at Bellator 46 with a rare Peruvian Neck Tie submission win over Luis Palomino (right) in the night's final bout. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

Hollywood, Florida played host to Bellator Fighting Championships as a stacked Bellator 46 card kicked off the Season 5 Featherweight Tournament. “Kid Ninja” Ronnie Mann (20-2) and Adam Schindler (9-2) opened the night at the Seminole Hard Rock while the rest of the featherweights followed. Jacob Devree (10-2) and returning 145lbs. competitor Nazareno Malegarie (20-1) each had a statement to make to prove they have what it takes to be in Bellator. Former Sengoku Featherweight Champion Marlon Sandro (18-2) made his Bellator debut against fellow Brazilian Genair Da Silva (9-4). The main event and closing act of the night featured former lightweight title challenger Pat Curran (14-4) and Luis Palomino (16-7). It was a night of action that the fans have come to expect from Bellator, and the new Summer Series did not disappoint. Continue reading »

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Bellator 46, Season 5 Featherweight Tournament Quarter-Finals Results

 Posted by at 11:10 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jun 252011
 

(Photo courtesy of Bellator)

—MAIN CARD—

Luis Palomino vs. Pat Curran: Curran via Submission (Peruvian Necktie), Round 1, 3:49

Genair da Silva vs. Marlon Sandro: Sandro via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29), Round 3, 5:00

Jacob Devree vs. Nazareno Malegarie: Nazareno via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 3, 1:25

Adam Schindler vs. Ronnie Mann: Mann via KO (Punch), Round 1, 4:14 Continue reading »

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Bellator 46 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Season 5 Featherweight Tournament Quarter-Finals

 Posted by at 4:38 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Jun 242011
 

Jacob Devree (white trunks) will have to use solid wrestling and constant pressure against Nazareno Malegarie if he hopes to achieve victory at Bellator 46. (Photo courtesy of De Orta Photography)

It’s the official start of the Bellator Fighting Championships Season 5 Tournament series at the famed Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The promotion already promises fireworks with the featherweights going to war for a shot at Bellator gold. Eight fighters will battle each other in the Bellator cage for the right to challenge the winner of current champion Joe Warren (7-1) and “Pitbull” Patricio Freire (9-1) that takes place at Bellator 47 on July 23. With the signings of two international superstars in Cage Rage veteran and Shark Fights 145lbs. champion Ronnie Mann (19-2), who looked nothing but dominant in his Bellator debut, and former Sengoku Featherweight Champion Marlon Sandro (17-2) who not only brings experience to the cage but also insane knockout power, US fans are sure to be on the edge of their seats while observing the first installment of another killer season of MMA action courtesy of the country’s only remaining national promotion outside of the Zuffa banner. Another notable 145er is former lightweight title challenger Pat Curran (13-4) who decided to drop down after his one-sided decision defeat at the hands of 155lbs. king Eddie Alvarez (21-2). Alongside these men are five other explosive featherweights that are looking to make their mark in Bellator history. Returning from Season 4 is the experienced Jiu-Jitsu wizard Nazareno Malegarie (19-1) taking on Jacob Devree (10-1) in the opening match-up of the night. Bellator veteran Luis Palomino (16-6) will have his hands full as he goes against the aforementioned Pat Curran and submission specialist Adam Schindler (9-1) will look to continue his six-fight win streak with an upset over Ronnie Mann in the opening match-ups. Fury FC veteran and heavy handed Genair da Silva Jr. (9-3) will meet Marlon Sandro in the main event of the evening and seek to knockout one of the top ten featherweights in the world. Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: GOSH!

 Posted by at 5:13 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  3 Responses »
Apr 252011
 

I’ll tell ya what, Icemigos… So far, I’m not feeling this season of The Ultimate Fighter. I mean, I’ll keep watching it but how I miss people getting KOS’d. Plunger fights. A Male Nurse. Jean-Charles: The French kickboxing badass who liked to get drunk before sparring. Cody McKenzie and his “McKenzietine”. Those were the days! When the most entertaining thing that happens is Ramsey Nijem whipping his junk around and Brock Lesnar saying “chickenshit” again, you start to curse fate for not letting Chael Sonnen be one of the coaches this season. Seriously, Dana, you owe us one. Next season better have Chael and Michael Bisping as the coaches. Or “Mayhem” Miller and Nick Diaz. Here’s what I’ve learned thus far from this season of TUF: Continue reading »

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