More Bellator MMA news
“Fedor Would Dispatch Prime Cain”: MMA World Engages in Greatest HW Debate Ahead of the Fedor Emelianenko Retirement Fight at Bellator 290
MMA around the world engages in a discussion on the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time ahead of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Ryan Bader fight.
MMA Fighter-Turned-TikTok Sensation, Keith Lee, Amasses 9 Million Followers & Becomes Savior of Local Food Joints
The MMA fighter turned TikTok sensation, Keith Lee, transformed his relationship with food into a 'business saving' venture within months.
“Danis Baited His Way…’: Fans Erupt As Veteran Promotor Scott Coker Provides Update on Dillon Danis’s MMA Career
Scott Coker gives an update on what the future holds for Dillon Danis, but the fans believe it's a dead-end for his fighting career.
“I Got My Money on Khabib and Dubai Investors”: MMA World in Denial As Sale of Bellator Comes To Light a Day After UFC Shares Tumble
Fans react to Ariel Helwani talking about the whispers he heard about Bellator MMA, saying Khabib Nurmagomedov might buy the promotion.
MMA Referee Exposes Dana White’s Decision After Failed Experience: “I Got Burned. I Will Not Allow Someone to Burn Me Again”
UFC president Dana White reveals why he has no interest in promoting a cross-promotional event with other MMA organizations.
Bellator CEO Reveals UFC Star Khabib Nurmagomedov Was Ironically “Freaking Out” at the Level of Production in Their Rizin Cross-Promotion Event
Bellator President Scott Coker says Khabib was 'freaking out' and excited during the Bellator MMA vs. Rizin event held in Japan.
“Uncle Dana Isn’t Going to Like This” – Furious UFC Fans Warn Bellator President After Audacious Statement
Bellator MMA President Scott Coker has made a controversial statement regarding his and UFC fighters. Dana White would not be amused by this.
“Adesanya Would Go Soo Crazy if Not for…”: UFC Fans Demand a Huge Change in Walkouts From Dana White After Bellator vs. Rizin Event
Witnessing a grandiose MMA entrance makes the fans demand the same creativity for the UFC fighters instead of it's current "lukewarm" approach
Fans React as “The Great Khabib Nurmagomedov” Congratulates His Protege After He Gives Bellator the Lead Against Rizin at Cross-Promotional Event
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov congratulated his student who gave Bellator the lead against Rizin at the cross-promotional event in Japan.
“It’s a Take-It or Leave-It”: Ronda Rousey’s Former Rival Sara McMann Opens Up on Split With Dana White’s UFC
Former UFC title contender and Olympic silver medalist Molly McCann jumped ship to rival promotion Bellator MMA due to issues with 'money.
Cris Cyborg Sends a Strong Message as Ronda Rousey’s Former Opponent & Fellow Olympian Sara McMann Signs a Multiple Fight Contract With Bellator
Ronda Rousey's former opponent has now signed with Bellator. Olympian Sara McMann has joined in the 145 lbs division alongside Cris Cyborg.
“Too Young to Go”: Pro Wrestling and MMA World Unite to Mourn Devastating Loss of UFC Legend, Who Saved Dana White’s Promotion
Pro Wrestling universe and MMA world unites to pay their respects to a UFC legend who passed away, who helped Dana White save UFC.
About Bellator MMA
History
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.
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's tournament format during its initial phase.
Bellator'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.
via Imago
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 | - |
| 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 |
