SPIKE TV TO RE-BROADCAST BELLATOR 131 ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 AT 9:00 ET/PT

Spike TV will re-broadcast the record-setting Bellator 131 event on Friday, November 21 at 9:00pm ET/PT where fans who missed last Saturday's thrilling fight card could check out firsthand Joe Schilling's scintillating knockout, Will Brooks' impressive TKO, and Tito Ortiz's hard-fought win over his arch nemesis, Stephan Bonnar. Bellator 131 was the most watched fight card in franchise history, and the Ortiz-Bonnar fight was the most watched MMA fight this year on cable.

The Ortiz-Bonnar fight delivered 2 million viewers, peaking with 2.2 million viewers (including +3 dvr ratings).

Bellator 131 also delivered the highest gate and attendance (8,243) in franchise history.

All of the athletes who scored victories at #Bellator131 will be watching the re-broadcast and live tweeting and interacting with fans from their personal accounts. You can follow all of their individual accounts (below), as well as the official @Bellatormma account, and use the #bellator131 hashtag.

Tito Ortiz (@TitoOrtiz)

Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86)

Mike Richman (@MikeUSMCRichman)

Joe Schilling (@JoeSchilling3)

King Mo (@KingMoFH)

AJ Matthews (@AJ_MMA)

Bellator Hosts Live Weigh-Ins Friday, November 14 from San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center

San Diego, Calif. (November 13, 2014) – The weigh-in for #Bellator131 will take place Friday, November 14 at 5 p.m. PST from San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center (3500 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110). #Bellator131 will take place from the Valley View Casino Center on Saturday, November 15^th with first fight taking place at 3:45 p.m. PST and streaming live on Spike.com. The main card will begin at 6 p.m. PST (9 p.m. EST) live on Spike TV.

All participants from Saturday night’s event will be on hand, as well as Bellator President Scott Coker.

The event will be emceed by Bellator cage announcer Michael C. Williams and Bellator color commentator Jimmy Smith.

As always the weigh-in is open to both the public and media.

MAIN CARD:
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Tito Ortiz (17-11) vs. Stephan Bonnar (15-8)

Lightweight Title Fight: Michael Chandler (12-2) vs. Will Brooks (14-1)

Middleweight Feature Fight: Melvin Manhoef (29-11 MMA, 37-12 Kickboxing) vs. Joe Schilling (1-3 MMA, 17-7 Kickboxing)
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Mike Richman (17-5) vs. Nan Phan (20-13)

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: King Mo (13-4) vs. Joe Vedepo (17-8)

PRELIMINARY CARD:Middleweight Feature Fight: AJ Matthews (6-3) vs. Kyle Bolt (8-3)
Flyweight Feature Fight: Ron Henderson (3-0) vs. Jonathan Santa Maria (2-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Jordan Bailey (4-1) vs. Alex Higley (2-1)
Flyweight Feature Fight: Matt Ramirez (1-0) vs. Nick Garcia (7-3)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Andy Murad (8-2) vs. Bubba Pugh (3-2)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Rolando Perez (7-4-1) vs. Mark Vorgeas (5-2)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Ian Butler (1-0) vs. Joao Faria (debut)

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA         

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Newport Beach, California. Bellator’s majority owner is entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV's press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

Bellator 131: Tito vs. Bonnar To Air On Viacom’s 5* In The United Kingdom

Newport Beach, Calif. (November 6, 2014) – The highly-anticipated “Bellator 131: Tito vs. Bonnar” fight card will air in the U.K. on Sunday, November 16 at 9pm on Viacom’s 5*. This marks the first time a Bellator event will air on the popular British broadcast network.

“We are very pleased to have one of the UK’s most popular free-to-air networks airing one of the biggest fights of the year,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “With Tito Ortiz, Stephan Bonnar, Michael Chandler, Will Brooks, King Mo and Melvin Manhoef all featured on this card, our friends in the UK are in for an unforgettable, action-packed night. We look forward to making Bellator an MMA fixture for our fans in the UK.”

“Bellator 131: Tito vs. Bonnar”  will feature one of the biggest grudge matches in the sport as MMA icons Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz and “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar battle at light heavyweight, while San Diego’s own Michael Chandler faces Will Brooks for the Bellator Lightweight Title.  The event takes place at the San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center and will broadcast LIVE in the U.S. on Saturday, November 15 at 9:00pm.

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA   

With Tom DeBlass Injured, Joe Vedepo Steps In To Face King Mo At Bellator 131 Live On Spike TV Saturday, November 15

Newport Beach, Calif. (November 3, 2014) – After an injury knocked Tom DeBlass out of his first scheduled fight with King Mo on September 5, DeBlass was eager to finally get his chance against the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion on November 15 from San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center. That chance will once again have to wait as a major cut suffered in training has forced DeBlass out of action. With the change, San Diego’s own and Alliance MMA’s Joe Vedepo will now take on King Mo live on Spike TV.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and are available at the Valley View Casino Center Box Office, axs.com or Bellator.com.

Vedepo enters the fight riding a three fight win streak including a knockout victory over Davin Clark at Bellator 129 in October. While Vedepo currently holds a 4-2 record inside the Bellator cage, those victories have come at middleweight, and Vedepo is well aware of the challenges of fighting up a weight class. Concern aside, Vedepo now has his sights set on earning the biggest victory of his career on November 15.

“This is just an absolutely blessing,” Vedepo said. “When I got the phone call to fight on November 15, I didn’t even need to hear who the opponent was, I was all in. Mo’s tough as hell, he’s one of the best wrestlers in the sport, but I haven’t stopped training in months and I know this is a chance of a lifetime. I always thrive on coming into the fight as an underdog, and while I have all the respect in the world for a guy like King Mo, underestimating what I bring to the cage would be a huge mistake.”

With the change, the full fight card for Bellator 131 can be found below:

MAIN CARD:
 

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Tito Ortiz (17-11) vs. Stephan Bonnar (15-8)

Lightweight Title Fight: Michael Chandler (12-2) vs. Will Brooks (14-1)

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: King Mo (13-4) vs. Joe Vedepo (17-8)

Middleweight Feature Fight: Melvin Manhoef (29-11 MMA, 37-12 Kickboxing) vs. Joe Schilling (1-3 MMA, 17-7 Kickboxing)
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Mike Richman (17-5) vs. Nam Phan (20-13)

PRELIMINARY CARD:Middleweight Feature Fight: AJ Matthews (6-3) vs. Kyle Bolt (8-3)
Flyweight Feature Fight: Ron Henderson (debut) vs. Jonathan Santa Maria (debut)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Jordan Bailey (2-1) vs. Alex Higley (debut)
Flyweight Feature Fight: Matt Ramirez (1-0) vs. Nick Garcia (1-1)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Andy Murad (8-2) vs. Bubba Pugh (3-1)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Rolando Perez (7-4-1) vs. Mark Vorgeas (5-2)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Ian Butler (1-0) vs. Joao Faria (1-1)

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA        

2012 OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST YAMAGUCHI FALCAO GETS REMATCH WITH MARTIN FIDEL RIOS ON NOVEMBER 15

GLOBOSAT TO TELEVISE CARD FROM SAO PAULO, BRAZIL LOS ANGELES (October 27, 2014) - Golden Boy Promotions returns to the airwaves of Globosat in Brazil on Saturday, November 15 with an exciting card featuring several clashes between Brazil and Argentina, as well the latest bout of Olympic Bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao. Making a special appearance will be former WBO and WBA Super Featherweight Champion, and two-time WBO Lightweight Champion, Acelino "Popo" Freitas. The future hall of famer looks forward to supporting his fellow countrymen as they enter the ring on November 15. In an eight-round middleweight matchup, Vitoria, Brazil's Falcao puts his unbeaten record on the line in a rematch against Argentina's Martin Fidel Rios. In January, the two met for the first time, with a controversial no contest verdict being rendered. Next month, they get the chance to face off again at the Ginasio Municipal Falcao - Praia Grande in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The main event on November 15th will be contested over 10 rounds for the WBO Latino Super Welterweight Title, as Santos' unbeaten Patrick Teixeira faces off with Argentina's Ulises "Cloroformo" Lopez. In the 10-round televised opener, Brazil's own Carlos "Falcao" Nascimento battles Argentina's Alejandro "Mojarra" Valori. "PRAIA GRANDE, BOXE GRANDE" is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arano Box Promotions and sponsored by IBG. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. UTC/GMT and the first fight begins at 9:00 p.m. UTC/GMT. The Globosat broadcast begins at 10:30 p.m. UTC/GMT. One of the most accomplished amateurs in Brazilian boxing history, 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao (2-0, 1 KO, 1 NC) is currently unbeaten as a professional, but the 26-year-old southpaw has one blemish on his record that he wants to clear up on November 15. In his professional debut in January against La Pampa's Martin Fidel Rios (13-2-2, 7 KOs, 1 NC), the two showed up to fight and were on their way to an entertaining bout when they were both controversially disqualified for hitting after the bell. The result was later ruled a no contest, but next month the two will battle it out once more to settle the score. 23-year-old southpaw Patrick Teixeira (23-0, 19 KOs) is considered to be Brazil's top candidate for world title honors in the coming year, but his performance against Ulises Lopez(28-4, 16 KOs) will be key in finding out if he's ready for the 154-pound elite. A ferocious puncher with 13 wins coming in two rounds or less, Teixeira will be pushed by Lopez, who has won eight of his last 10 bouts. Hometown Sao Paulo favorite Carlos Nascimento (14-0, 13 KOs) has garnered a significant fan following since he began fighting professionally in 2013, and he will have the crowd on his side in his showdown with 31-year-old veteran Alejandro Valori (17-3, 11 KOs) of Buenos Aires, a fighter who has no problem stepping into his opponent's backyard in search of victory. # # #   For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow on Twitter at@GoldenBoyBoxing, follow on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing.

Bantamweights Collide On Spike TV As Mike “The Marine” Richman Takes On Nam Phan Saturday, November 15th At Bellator 131

Newport Beach, Calif. (October 17, 2014) – Bellator 131 is set to kick off with a bang as two explosive bantamweights are set to square off to open the main card on Saturday, November 15^thfrom The Valley View Casino Center as Mike “The Marine” Richman will take on Nam Phan live on Spike TV. The fight joins a card already featuring an explosive middleweight fight between Melvin Manhoef and Joe Schilling, a light heavyweight affair between King Mo and Tom DeBlass, a lightweight title fight between Michael Chandler and Will Brooks, along with one of the biggest grudge matches in the sport as MMA icons Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” and “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar battle at light heavyweight.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased on Bellator.com, AXS.com, as well as the Valley View Casino Center.

Richman enters the fight fresh off a devastating knockout victory in his bantamweight debut against Ed West at Bellator 126 and is looking to keep the momentum going at Bellator 131 November 15^th. The fight also has a deeper meaning for the Minnesota native, as one of the largest Marine bases in the country, Camp Pendleton, is located just miles from San Diego.

“This is a fight that is going to kick off this stacked show with a bang,” Richman said. “Fans can expect two talented punchers staying in the pocket looking for the finish. I plan on seeing a bunch of Marines in attendance cheering loud, and just like we do in the Marine Corps, I'm going to locate, close width, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver.”

Phan joins Bellator currently riding a two fight finish streak and has collected victories over Cole Miller, Leonard Garcia and Saad Awad during his thirteen year career. A California native, Phan is looking forward to making his debut so close to home while keeping his finishing streak intact.

“I’m very excited to be part of the new Bellator with Scott Coker and the rest of the team,” Phan said. “This is an opportunity to fight on a huge stage once again and I’m so happy to be able to fight in front of all my friends, family and supporters in California.”

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA  

BELLATOR MMA AND SPIKE TV ANNOUNCE ROBUST SCHEDULE OF ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING TO SUPPORT “BELLATOR 131: TITO vs. BONNAR”

New York, NY, (October 15, 2014) – Spike TV and Bellator MMA have created an impressive lineup of original programming leading up to one of mixed martial arts biggest events this Fall, “Bellator 131: Tito vs. Bonnar.”  

 “Tito vs. Bonnar: Winner Take All”

Premieres on Wednesday, November 12 at 11pm ET/PT

Before they battle it out in the cage, watch MMA light heavyweights, Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar, sit down face-to-face and discuss their upcoming fight. Tension will be high as these two MMA greats discuss their keys to victory and their budding intense rivalry.

 “Unrivaled: Tito Ortiz”

Premieres on Wednesday, November 12 at 11:30pm ET/PT

MMA icon Tito Ortiz clashes on November 15th with fellow legend Stephan Bonnar in the Bellator cage. “Unrivaled” investigates the scope and magnitude of this epic battle in this look back at the career roller-coaster ride of one of mixed martial arts most controversial pioneers, Tito Ortiz.  With the chip ever planted on his shoulder, Tito plans on showing the world just how brutal the Huntington Beach Bad Boy still is.  Love him or hate him, Tito Ortiz is truly unrivaled.

 “Countdown to Ortiz vs. Bonnar”

Premieres on Friday, November 14 at 10:30pm ET/PT

Bellator’s stacked Nov 15th card will be previewed with an inside look at the heated rivalry between Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar.  The show also breaks down the rematch between Lightweight World Champion Will Brooks and the man he beat, former champion Michael Chandler along with the highly anticipated clashes between King Mo and Tom DeBlass and Melvin Manhoef and Joe Schilling.

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA    

“The Godfather of MMA” Joins Bellator As Royce Gracie Becomes Promotional Brand Ambassador

Newport Beach, Calif. (October 8, 2014) – Known simply as the pioneer of mixed martial arts, Royce Gracie is widely considered the most influential and important figure the sport has seen. Engaging in some of the most memorable fights in MMA history during his time with the UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championships, Gracie has now joined Bellator as an official brand ambassador for the Viacom-owned promotion.

“I have known Scott for a long time and have always respected him as not only a promoter but as a martial artist who has always treated fighters with respect and truly understands their value,” Gracie said. “Bellator and Viacom want to give fans exciting fights and enable fighters to continue to grow and most importantly provide for their family, and it’s something I want to be a part of. UFC has done a great job over the past twenty years in building this sport and taking it globally and I’m glad to have been part of that, but Bellator is a growing organization I am honored to be a part of, and with the dedicated and talented people already associated with the company, we can further the growth of mixed marital arts as a sport worldwide.”

Gracie will immediately be involved with Bellator including promotion for Bellator 131, which is headlined by a light heavyweight showdown between Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar, along with a Lightweight Title fight between Michael Chandler and Will Brooks on November 15. Moving forward Gracie will host seminars, be involved in autograph and promotional appearances, as well as aiding in the International expansion of Bellator around the world. Bellator and Gracie will also be involved in a co-branded merchandise line that will debut in 2015.

“To call Royce a legend would be an absolute understatement,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “Royce and the Gracie family are directly responsible for making this sport what it is today and we are incredibly fortunate to have him be a part of the Bellator family. Royce will serve in many different capacities for Bellator and I look forward to our fighters, staff and most importantly, our fans, in having the chance to interact with one of the most iconic figures in sports.”

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA        

Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas Injured, Scheduled To Return In Early 2014

Newport Beach, CA. (October 9, 2013) – Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas has suffered an ankle injury that will sideline the Brazlian phenom until after the new year. Undefeated at 5-0 inside the Bellator cage, Dantas will now recover and prepare to face Bellator Tournament winner Rafael Silva in 2014, with the winner of Joe Warren vs. Travis Marx next in line for their rightful Bellator title shot.

Only 24, Dantas stormed through his first Bellator Tournament with victories over Wilson Reis, Ed West and Alexis Vila, and eventually collected gold with his dominating finish over then Champion Zach Makovsky before defending the title against Marcos Galvao.

“Eduardo Dantas is one of the most explosive Champions in MMA, and while this injury is a setback, we all expect Eduardo back, better than ever in 2014,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney.

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA          

FOX SPORTS LATIN AMERICA ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR DEAL WITH BELLATOR

FOX Sports will be the exclusive carrier of Bellator throughout Latin America

New agreement solidifies bellator as latin america’s most widely distributed mma promotion

Buenos Aires, September 24^th, 2013 – FOX Sports Latin America and Bellator MMA announced today a monumental, multi-year partnership agreement that will make FOX Sports the exclusive carrier of Bellator throughout the entirety of Latin America.

Through this agreement, FOX Sports Latin America has acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast Bellator MMA content in all Latin American countries, including Brazil, with a total distribution of more than 50 million households. Beginning in October of 2013, FOX Sports will air Bellator content, including Bellator 360, a large collection of previous Bellator live events and other original content. Starting in 2015, fans of mixed martial arts will have access to more than 25 live Bellator events per year as well as in-territory live events on FOX Sports and the online authenticated platform FOXSportsPlay.com.

And, to kick off this tremendous new partnership, FOX Sports will broadcast Bellator’s highly anticipated November 2^nd event as MMA icon’s “Rampage” Jackson and Tito Ortiz meet inside the Bellator cage from Long Beach, California, along with a Lightweight Title fight between two of the world’s best in Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez.

“FOX Sports Latin America has been looking for the premier mixed martial arts organization to partner with, and Bellator is the perfect fit. We are thrilled to make Bellator the widest distributed MMA promotion in Latin America and Brazil, reaching more than 50 million homes from day one” said Carlos Martinez, President of FOX International Channels Latin America. “We are also very excited to be able to work as partners with Bellator to produce large scale Bellator events throughout Latin America and to produce reality shows in key territories. This partnership is a long term relationship that has virtually unlimited potential.” added Martinez

“We’ve now taken a monumental next step forward in the evolution of the global brand that is Bellator,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “To have partnered with FOX Sports, Latin America’s largest and most powerful sports network is the perfect fit for Bellator in this incredibly vital region. This is just the beginning of what Bellator and FOX Sports International will build into the largest worldwide alliance in combat sports history. The possibilities that surround this alliance are nearly endless, including live events in key Latin American markets and the distribution of unique Bellator content exclusively for FOX Sports.”

“With this new deal, FOX Sports will be offering fans the most exciting Mixed Martial Arts fights in the world, adding great live combat content to our already prestigious lineup of the best live sporting events in the world” said Francisco Pazmiño, SVP Programming and Acquisitions, FOX Sports Latin America.

About FOX Sports Latin America

FOX Sports is the leading sports cable television network in Latin America. The 24/7 network reaches more than 50 million homes in 19 countries in Latin America. Focusing on sports-related programming including live events, sports news, sports talk shows and other original contents, Copa Bridgestone Libertadores, UEFA Champions League and Formula One are some of the network’s highlights. FOX Sports is owned by FOX International Channels (FIC) a 21st Century FOX (NASDAQ: FOX; ASX: FOX) company. For more information, please visit: www.FOXsportsla.com