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        

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        

Don’t Blink: “No Mercy” Melvin Manhoef Meets Joe Schilling From San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center On Saturday, November 15th

Middleweight Clash Joins Ortiz-Bonnar, Chandler-Brooks, Mo-DeBlass

Newport Beach, Calif. (October 3, 2014) – When Melvin Manhoef joined Bellator in July, fans instantly began creating their own dream matchups for the Dutch finisher. Bellator President Scott Coker wasted no time putting Manhoef in a fight fans couldn’t wait to see, pitting “No Mercy” against “The Rhino” Doug Marshall, and Manhoef didn’t disappoint, delivering a violent one punch blow that ended Marshall’s night in under two minutes. With momentum on his side, Manhoef is set to meet his next challenger, #1 Ranked GLORY Kickboxing Middleweight Joe Schilling. Nicknamed “Stich ‘Em Up” for his devastating fight style, Schilling returns to the MMA cage for the first time in since 2008 and is very clear on his expectations for November 15^th.

“My name is Joe Schilling. You might not know it today but you will very soon. I'm one if the best strikers on the planet, and if you want to see people get laid the hell out, just watch me fight on November 15^th.”

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.

“I’ve said since the day I began my career in combat sports that styles make fights,” Coker said. “I came to Bellator to create the most compelling fights possible, and Manhoef vs. Schilling has the chance to be fight of the night on November 15th. When you put together guys like Manhoef and Schilling, records sort of go out the window. You know when that cage door shuts, these two guys are going to stand up and engage in what should be an insanely entertaining fight. We’ve just added this fight to a card that already features Tito and Bonnar, Chandler and Brooks, and Mo and DeBlass. November 15^th is going to be a very fun night, and we’ve got more coming.”

In addition to Manhoef and Schilling, the night will also feature one of the biggest grudge matches in the sport as MMA icons clash when Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz returns to the Bellator cage to face “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar in a light heavyweight affair, while Michael Chandler and Will Brooks will battle for the vacant Bellator Lightweight Title.

With the addition, Bellator 131 now features:

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

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

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: King Mo (13-4) vs. Tom DeBlass (9-2)

Middleweight Feature Fight: Melvin Manhoef (29-11 MMA, 37-12 Kickboxing) vs. Joe Schilling (1-3 MMA, 17-7 Kickboxing)

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

King Mo vs. Tom DeBlass Added To Bellator 131 Fight Card On Saturday, November 15th From San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center

Light Heavyweight Showdown Joins Tito vs. Bonnar, Chandler vs. Brooks

Newport Beach, Calif. (September 22, 2014) –  The fight card for Bellator 131 continues to grow as one of the most controversial figures in MMA returns to the Bellator cage as King Mo will take on Tom DeBlass in a light heavyweight affair live on Spike TV on Saturday, November 15^th from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California. 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.

The night will also feature one of the biggest grudge matches in the sport as MMA icons clash when Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz returns to the Bellator cage to face “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar in a light heavyweight affair, while Will Brooks and Michael Chandler will battle for the vacant Bellator Lightweight Title.

Originally scheduled to meet in September, DeBlass withdrew from the fight against Mo after suffering an injury that forced the New Jersey native out of the fight. Mo went on to fight Dustin Jacoby at Bellator 123, and earned an impressive knockout victory over Jacoby. Now finally scheduled to clash, both Mo and DeBlass are ready to finally settle the score. 

“Tom has been talking since we were supposed to fight in September. He’s a good fighter, but my jab is going to erase his teeth and swell up his eyes. My right is going to make him see stars and bright lights. Another fight, another win.”

“Listen, I respect Mo and I think he’s a world class athlete,” DeBlass said. “That being said, I know what I’m capable of, and I not only believe that I will win the fight, but I’m going to finish him. Bellator has treated me incredible, and I’ve been asking for big fights. Let Mo do his talking. His mouth is his best weapon.”

With the addition, Bellator 131 now features:

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

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

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: King Mo (13-4) vs. Tom DeBlass (9-2)

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