More Bellator MMA News
Reinier de Ridder Returns to Defend Middleweight Gold Against Russian Vitaly Bigdash in a Massive Clash at ONE 159
ONE double champion Reinier de Ridder and Vitaly Bigdash will lock horns for the middleweight championship in the main event of ONE 159.
“Stealing From the Fighters”- Heinous Accusations Leveled at Dana White’s UFC as Brand Replaced by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Comes to Light
Gegard Mousasi reveals the reasons the UFC couldn't keep him in under contract, as he made some allegations against Dana White & company.
“I Had a Choice of Leaving the Country”- Ukrainian Bellator Champion Breaks Silence on Skipping Title Defense to Fight for His Country
The Ukrainian champion Yaroslav Amosov sends a message to MMA fans, sharing the reason behind his absence at Bellator 281: MVP vs. Storley.
“Thank for Allowing Islam Fight at EagleFC”- Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Manager Rejoices After UFC’s Rival Announces Collaboration With Eagle FC
Ali Abdelaziz thanked the new Khabib Nurmagomedov ally in Bellator's Scott Coker, as Eagle FC invite a Bellator MMA fighter on their show.
“The Faster We Get Him Off Twitter, the Better” – Conor McGregor’s Friend React as Elon Musk Bans Him
Elon Musk makes first move after buying out Twitter and bans Conor McGregor's friend Dillion Danis. However, there is a big catch.
ONE Championship Beats the UFC and Multiple Other Sports for Global Viewership and Engagement in 2021 With Staggering Numbers
The ever-expanding Home of Martial Arts – ONE Championship, showed its global prowess in terms of sheer growth across all platforms.
“Nuked A Yoga Pants Soccer Mom”: MMA World Reacts To Former Bellator Champion KO’ing A ‘Soccer Mom’ In 2015
An MMA knockout video went viral because of the choice of the matchup. Here's what Twitter users had to say about the odd fight!
Adult Movie Star Kendra Lust Promotes UFC’s Rival Promotion’s Event Bellator 279
Bellator 279: Cyborg vs. Blencowe 2, had a crazy co-main event bout, Juan Archuleta vs. Raufeon Stots, which got even Kendra Lust engaged.
Joe Rogan Inspired Digital Token Marshall Inu Thanked by Aaron Pico During Bellator 277 Post-Fight Octagon Interview
Joe Rogan inspired digital token has made strides in the MMA community. At Bellator 277, Aaron Pico thanked Marshall Inu for standing by him.
“If Dana White Have Some B*lls… “ – Bellator MMA Champ Calls Out Alexander Volkanovski for UFC Crossover
Can a cross promotional super fight take place? Bellator MMA champ Patricio Pitbull calls out Alexander Volkanovski asking Dana White for a fight.
Paige VanZant Reacts to Ukrainian Bellator MMA Champion Showing Off His Title Strap at Ground Zero Amidst Russian Crisis
Ex-UFC star Paige VanZant praises Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov's, indomitable spirit during the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Bellator President Details Supposed “Red Square” Retirement Plans for MMA Legend Fedor Emelianenko Amid Russian Crisis
Bellator President Scott Coker reveals the grand sendoff he had initially planned for MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko in Moscow, Russia.
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 |
