Former RIZIN champion Kyogi Horiguchi has ended his free agency and has found a home with Bellator MMA. Horiguchi recently relinquished his bantamweight RIZIN title and in a short span of time made the move to the US-based promotion. Bellator MMA President Scott Coker took to social media and announced the signing to the MMA community at large. Chiefly, Horiguchi subtly let it be known that he wanted to sign on with Bellator by talking about fighting their champion, Sergio Pettis. This was an obvious nod by the 29-3 fighter that he wants to test himself against the best bantamweights on the Bellator roster. His wish has come true, and he’s now set to begin yet another exciting chapter in his career. Also Read: Jake Paul Says He Won’t Make Fun of Khabib Nurmagomedov if they Fight [https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-boxing-news-jake-paul-says-he-wont-make-fun-of-khabib-nurmagomedov-if-they-ever-fight/] KYOGI HORIGUCHI: ONE OF THE BEST TO DO IT Hardcore fans of the sport would know that this isn’t the first time that Kyogi Horiguchi is fighting under the Bellator MMA banner. Back in 2019 at Bellator 222: MacDonald vs Gracie, he faced Darrion Caldwell in a cross-over fight. He was still under contract with RIZIN but was able to come over defeat Caldwell in a dominant display. [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/kyo.jpg] The win further legitimized his standing amongst the very elite bantamweights of the world and it’s clear that he belongs. Not to mention, the Japanese fighter had a prolific run with the UFC that saw him go 7-1. His only loss came to arguably the best fighter of all time in Demetrious Johnson back in April 2015 at UFC 186. After his uber-successful stints in the UFC and RIZIN, it’s only logical that Horiguchi tests his mettle in Bellator MMA. There are plenty of exciting fights to make apart from the one with the current champion, Sergio Pettis. Names like Juan Archuleta, Patchy Mix, Leandro Higo and Magomed Magomedov are just some viable opponents for his debut. Not to mention, former champion Darrion Caldwell who sits at number 10 in the rankings will want revenge against Horiguchi. All in all, the signing of the former RIZIN champion is set to be beneficial to both parties in the long-run. Read this story: Top 5 Biggest Rivalries in the History of the UFC [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/ufc-mma-news-top-5-biggest-rivalries-in-the-history-of-ufc-conor-mcgregor-khabib-nurmagomedov-daniel-cormier-jon-jones-ronda-rousey-miesha-tate-anderson-silva-chael-sonnen/] 

Former RIZIN bantamweight champion Kyogi Horiguchi inked a deal with Bellator
MMA and will be fighting for the US-based promotion.

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Bellator Announces Huge News- Former RIZIN Champion Signs the Contract

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Marcus Freeman’s Woes

<h2><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-335454" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200807182845/bellatot-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="630" /></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">History</h2>
Bellator MMA is one of the world's largest mixed martial arts promotions and is recognised as the closest competitor to the UFC. The term Bellator has its origin in Latin language which translates to 'warrior' in English.

Bjorn Rebney founded the company in 2008 and ran it until 2014, before departing and handing the reins to Scott Coker. Presently, the company has successfully hosted 242 numbered events. 
<h2><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-257245" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200425201918/cokr.jpg" alt="Scott Coker" width="1200" height="675" /></h2>
The former Strikeforce executive made the move after his contract with Zuffa expired. Following Coker’s arrival, Bellator MMA pivoted to a more traditional North American approach to the sport. This is a <a href="https://www.si.com/mma/2014/09/04/scott-coker-bellator-format-changing">departure</a> from the organization's tournament format during its initial phase. 
<h2>Bellator's tournament format</h2>
Bellator MMA has played host to a variety of tournaments under its older format, with 11 seasons of Bellator Fighting Championship held in 4 years from 2009 to 2014. The tournaments saw fighters of specific weight classes compete for a shot at the divisional title. 

Also in 2013, the promotion aired a single-season series called <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/4/23/4257460/bellator-books-june-19-summer-series-start-with-king-mo-reality-show">Fight Master: Bellator MMA</a> where Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, Greg Jackson, and Joe Warren served as coaches. 

Like all American martial arts organizations, the rules for fights in the Bellator promotion are exactly the same with eye gouges and groin strikes deemed as illegal offenses for which fighters can incur point penalties or be disqualified. 

Along with MMA, Bellator has a kickboxing promotion which has hosted 12 events since its <a href="http://www.bellator.com/articles/43lpt8/scott-coker-launches-bellator-kickboxing">inception</a> in 2016.
<h2>Some big names who are part of Bellator MMA</h2>
At present, the company is home to some of the biggest MMA names including former UFC Champions like Cris Cyborg, Frank Mir, and Lyoto Machida. Current Bellator Champions include Ryan Bader, Douglas Lima, Patricio Freire, and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. Additionally, the promotion is home to big names such as Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, and Cat Zingano.

[caption id="attachment_256194" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]<img class="wp-image-256194 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200423224443/patricio-freire-bellator-221-4.png" alt="" width="1000" height="667" /> Patricio Freire after becoming a two-division Bellator MMA champion[/caption]

Currently, there are 7 divisions for male fighters in Bellator. These are heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight. The promotion offers 2 divisions for its female talent at Featherweight and flyweight. 
<h2>List of Champions at Bellator MMA</h2>
Bellator MMA has 5 <a href="http://www.bellator.com/fighters">world champions</a> across 9 divisions. 2 fighters are double champions and 2 divisional titles are vacant at present. 

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-335406" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200807180128/cris-c.jpg" alt="Cris Cyborg" width="1200" height="800" />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Division</td>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Date Won</td>
<td>Title Defenses</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Heavyweight</td>
<td>Ryan Bader</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/m3b3su/bellator-214-fedor-vs-bader">January 26, 2019</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2335530/ryan-bader">1</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Light Heavyweight</td>
<td>Ryan Bader</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/65su78/bellator-180-davis-vs-bader">June 24, 2017</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Middleweight</td>
<td>Vacant</td>
<td>Since February 10, 2020</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Welterweight</td>
<td>Douglas Lima</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/a7efkd/bellator-232-macdonald-vs-lima-2">October 26,2019</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2500691/douglas-lima">0</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lightweight</td>
<td>Patricio Freire</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/jjumh6/bellator-221-chandler-vs-pitbull">May 11, 2019</a></td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Featherweight</td>
<td>Patricio Freire</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/8t7jed/bellator-178-straus-vs-pitbull-4">April 21,2017</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2532870/patricio-freire">3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bantamweight</td>
<td>Vacant</td>
<td>Since November 27, 2019</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Women’s Featherweight</td>
<td>Cris Cyborg</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/5r5vxq/bellator-238-budd-vs-cyborg">January 25, 2020</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2354564/cris-cyborg">0</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Women’s Flyweight</td>
<td>Ilima-Lei Macfarlane</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/v1400o/bellator-186-bader-vs-vassell">November 3,2017</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/3924103/ilima-lei-macfarlane">4</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Bellator MMA

History Bellator MMA is one of the world&#8217;s largest mixed martial arts promotions and is recognised as the closest competitor to the UFC. The term Bellator has its origin in Latin language which translates to &#8216;warrior&#8217; in English. Bjorn Rebney founded the company in 2008 and ran it until 2014, before departing and handing the reins to Scott Coker. Presently, the company has successfully hosted 242 numbered events.  The former Strikeforce executive made the move after his contract with Zuffa expired. Following Coker’s arrival, Bellator MMA pivoted to a more traditional North American approach to the sport. This is a departure from the organization&#8217;s tournament format during its initial phase.  Bellator&#8217;s tournament format Bellator MMA has played host to a variety of tournaments under its older format, with 11 seasons of Bellator Fighting Championship held in 4 years from 2009 to 2014. The tournaments saw fighters of specific weight classes compete for a shot at the divisional title.  Also in 2013, the promotion aired a single-season series called Fight Master: Bellator MMA where Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, Greg Jackson, and Joe Warren served as coaches.  Like all American martial arts organizations, the rules for fights in the Bellator promotion are exactly the same with eye gouges and groin strikes deemed as illegal offenses for which fighters can incur point penalties or be disqualified.  Along with MMA, Bellator has a kickboxing promotion which has hosted 12 events since its inception in 2016. Some big names who are part of Bellator MMA At present, the company is home to some of the biggest MMA names including former UFC Champions like Cris Cyborg, Frank Mir, and Lyoto Machida. Current Bellator Champions include Ryan Bader, Douglas Lima, Patricio Freire, and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. Additionally, the promotion is home to big names such as Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, and Cat Zingano. Patricio Freire after becoming a two-division Bellator MMA champion Currently, there are 7 divisions for male fighters in Bellator. These are heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight. The promotion offers 2 divisions for its female talent at Featherweight and flyweight.  List of Champions at Bellator MMA Bellator MMA has 5 world champions across 9 divisions. 2 fighters are double champions and 2 divisional titles are vacant at present.    Division Name Date Won Title Defenses  Heavyweight Ryan Bader January 26, 2019 1  Light Heavyweight Ryan Bader June 24, 2017 1  Middleweight Vacant Since February 10, 2020 &#8211;  Welterweight Douglas Lima October 26,2019 0  Lightweight Patricio Freire May 11, 2019 0  Featherweight Patricio Freire April 21,2017 3  Bantamweight Vacant Since November 27, 2019 0  Women’s Featherweight Cris Cyborg January 25, 2020 0  Women’s Flyweight Ilima-Lei Macfarlane November 3,2017 4

Bellator MMA Archives

Bellator MMA Archives - EssentiallySports

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Former RIZIN bantamweight champion Kyogi Horiguchi inked a deal with Bellator MMA and will be fighting for the US-based promotion.

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Bellator Announces Huge News- Former RIZIN Champion Signs the Contract

Kyogi Horiguchi: One of the best to do it