Brian Rogers Now Set To Face Brazilian Striker Rafael Carvalho At Bellator 125 From California’s Save Mart Center

Brett Cooper Suffers Injury, Replaced By Carvalho

Newport Beach, Calif. (September 9, 2014) – The opponent changes continue for Brian Rogers, as the Ohio native is now set to take on Brazilian striker Rafael Carvalho after Brett Cooper has withdrawn from the fight due to a back injury suffered in training, After originally preparing to face James Irvin at Bellator 125 on September 19^th, Rogers will once again prepare for a new opponent. The night will be headlined by a middleweight clash as Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef squares off against Doug “The Rhino” Marshall.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at the Save Mart Center Box Office, Ticketmaster.com or Bellator.com.

Rogers is coming off another highlight reel victory after a vicious flying knee knockout over Adrian Miles at Bellator 119. Carvalho is currently riding an eight fight winning streak that includes seven finishes, all by knockout.

With the change, the current fight card for Bellator 125 is listed below:

MAIN CARD: 

Middleweight Feature Fight: Doug Marshall (18-7) vs. Melvin Manhoef (28-11-1)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Rafael Carvalho (9-1) vs. Brian Rogers (11-6)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Martin Stapleton (13-3) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (17-2)
Heavyweight Feature Fight:  Javy Ayala (7-3) vs. Raphael Butler (8-0-1)

PRELIMINARY CARD: 

Welterweight Feature Fight: Ron Keslar (11-6) vs. Jesse Juarez (21-9)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Aaron Wilkinson (11-6) vs. Chris Honeycutt (4-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Julio Cesar Neves (29-0) vs. Poppies Martinez (29-10)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Granson Clark (2-1) vs. George Zuniga (2-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Jonny Bonilla-Bowman (2-0) vs. Sergio Cortez (9-8)
Flyweight Feature Fight: Oscar Ramirez (3-1) vs. Matt Ramirez (debut)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Joe Neal (3-0) vs. Paul Ruiz (5-1)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Nate James (13-8) vs. Anthony Ruiz (33-18)

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

Brian Rogers Now Set To Face Brett Cooper At Bellator 125 From California’s Save Mart Center

James Irvin Suffers Injury, Replaced By Cooper

Newport Beach, Calif. (August 29, 2014) – After originally preparing to face James Irvin at Bellator 125 on September 19^th, Brian Rogers will now turn his attention to Bellator veteran Brett Cooper as Irvin has suffered a leg injury that will force the California native out of the fight. The night will be headlined by a middleweight clash as Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef squares off against Doug “The Rhino” Marshall.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at the Save Mart Center Box Office, Ticketmaster.com or Bellator.com.

Rogers is coming off another highlight reel victory after a vicious flying knee knockout over Adrian Miles at Bellator 119. Cooper is looking to bounce back after suffering a submission loss to Brandon Halsey at Bellator 122 that secured a title shot for Halsey against Alexander Shlemenko.

With the change, the current fight card for Bellator 125 is listed below:

MAIN CARD: 

Middleweight Feature Fight: Doug Marshall (18-7) vs. Melvin Manhoef (28-11-1)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Brett Cooper (20-10) vs. Brian Rogers (11-6)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Martin Stapleton (13-3) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (17-2)
Heavyweight Feature Fight:  Javy Ayala (7-3) vs. Raphael Butler (8-0-1)

PRELIMINARY CARD:Welterweight Feature Fight: Ron Keslar (11-6) vs. Jesse Juarez (21-9)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Aaron Wilkinson (11-6) vs. Chris Honeycutt (4-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Julio Cesar Neves (29-0) vs. Poppies Martinez (29-10)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Granson Clark (2-1) vs. George Zuniga (2-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Jonny Bonilla-Bowman (2-0) vs. Sergio Cortez (9-8)
Flyweight Feature Fight: Oscar Ramirez (3-1) vs. Matt Ramirez (debut)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Joe Neal (3-0) vs. Paul Ruiz (5-1)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Rafael Carvalho (9-1) vs. Anthony Ruiz (33-18)

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

Full Card Finalized for Bellator 125 Friday, September 19thFrom Fresno’s Save Mart Center

Newport Beach, Calif. (August 28, 2014) – With a near 40 KO’s between the two, a middleweight clash between Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef and Doug “The Rhino” Marshall will be can’t miss television on Friday, September 19^th as the two square off in the main event of the evening at Bellator 125 live on Spike.  The night will also showcase a full preliminary card featuring some of California’s top talent. Tickets for the event are available at the Save Mart Center Box Office, Ticketmaster.com or Bellator.com.

Kicking of the Spike.com portion of the night will be a battle of California natives as Ron Keslar faces Jesse Juarez. A former welterweight tournament finalist, Keslar has grabbed five of his 11 victories by submission and will put his skills to the test against an experienced fighter in Juarez who has tallied 30 professional fights and 13 finish victories.

Looking to maintain his undefeated record, Fresno’s own and top MMA prospect Chris Honeycutt will make his Bellator debut and fight Aaron Wilkinson on September 19^th.  Hailing from the UK, Wilkinson is making his Bellator debut and enters the cage having previously won four of his last five fights.  At 4-0 Honeycutt has recorded three of his wins by first round KO or submission and is ready to put on an explosive and exciting fight for this hometown crowd.

After recording a TKO win over Josh Arocho in his Bellator debut at Bellator 117, Julio Cesar Neves returns to the Bellator cage to face California native Poppies Martinez.  At only 20-years-old, Neves holds a strong 29-0 record, but will have to hold off the veteran Martinez, who will rely on his strong ground game and has posted 18 wins by submission, 16 coming in the first round.

Both looking to make their mark under the Bellator banner, Anthony Ruiz will fight Rafael Carvalho in a middleweight battle. A MMA veteran, Ruiz is entering the Bellator cage for the first time and has tallied 33 professional wins, 22 coming by KO or submission. With only one professional loss, Carvalho has recorded eight of his nine victories by knockout and his looking for the KO against Ruiz.

Rounding out the preliminary card will be two featherweight battles as Joel Neal faces Paul Ruiz and Jonny Bonilla-Bowman looks to improve his perfect record. Granson Clark will take on George Zuniga in a middleweight bout and California native Matt Ramirez will make his professional debut against Oscar Ramirez in front of the Save Mart Center fans.

Full fight card is listed below.

MAIN CARD:Middleweight Feature Fight: Doug Marshall (18-7) vs. Melvin Manhoef (28-11-1)
Middleweight Feature Fight: James Irvin (17-10) vs. Brian Rogers (11-6)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Martin Stapleton (13-3) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (17-2)
Heavyweight Feature Fight:  Javy Ayala (7-3) vs. Raphael Butler (8-0-1)

PRELIMINARY CARD:Welterweight Feature Fight: Ron Keslar (11-6) vs. Jesse Juarez (21-9)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Aaron Wilkinson (11-6) vs. Chris Honeycutt (4-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Julio Cesar Neves (29-0) vs. Poppies Martinez (29-10)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Granson Clark (2-1) vs. George Zuniga (2-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Jonny Bonilla-Bowman (2-0) vs. Sergio Cortez (9-8)
Flyweight Feature Fight: Oscar Ramirez (3-1) vs. Matt Ramirez (debut)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Joe Neal (3-0) vs. Paul Ruiz (5-1)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Rafael Carvalho (9-1) vs. Anthony Ruiz (33-18)

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

Manhoef vs. Marshall Headline Bellator 125 On Friday, September 19th From Fresno, California’s Save Mart Center

Newport Beach, Calif. (August 12, 2014) – With a near 40 KO’s between the two, a middleweight clash between Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef and Doug “The Rhino” Marshall will be can’t miss television on Friday, September 19^th as the two square off in the main event of the evening at Bellator 125 live on Spike.

Tickets for the event will be on sale Friday, August 15^th at 10am PST. Tickets will be available at the Save Mart Center Box Office, Ticketmaster.com or Bellator.com.

A former Strikeforce and K-1 veteran, Manhoef is on a mission to continue to provide explosive finishes. The 38-year-old Dutch native has amassed a 28-11 professional MMA record, including an astonishing 26 knockouts during his nearly 20 year career. With Marshall now presented as his next challenge, Manhoef is eager to provide fireworks on September 19^th.

Marshall enters the fight riding a 4-1 record inside the Bellator cage, with victories over Kala Hose, Andreas Spang, Sultan Aliev and Brett Cooper. Marshall met Bellator Middleweight Champion Alexander Shlemenko in 2013 and fell victim to the Russian phenom, but is looking to get back on the winning track with another notable victory in the form of Manhoef.

“This fight is like a dream come true,” Marshall said. “Two heavy hitters going for broke. It’s a classic don’t blink fight. Bet the house someone is going to sleep before the first round is over. And to be able to have this type of fight in front of all my friends and family that I grew up with makes it that much sweeter.”

The night will also feature a pair of middleweights looking to steal the show as Brian Rogers returns to Spike and takes on California’s own James Irvin. Known for his highlight reel finishes, Rogers believes Irvin is the perfect fight to continue his run of explosive fights inside the Bellator cage.

“I’m excited to welcome James Irvin to the Bellator Middleweight division,” Rogers said. “I’ve made my home in this division since 2011 and I plan on staying here for a long time. I know he’s probably planning on coming in here and reestablishing his career, but he isn’t doing that at my expense. I’m the worst person anyone can fight in the middleweight division right now. I want to get the word out to the middleweight division that this is my time. And when it comes to this fight, people better expect an extreme amount of violence.”

Featherweights collide as Goiti Yamauchi battles the UK’s Martin Stapleton live on Spike. Only 21, Yamauchi has already amassed a 17-2 record in his young career, including his most impressive performance to date at Bellator 120 with a dominate win over Mike Richman. The submission ace will have his hands full with Stapleton, who is fresh off a submission victory of his own.

The main card will be rounded out with a heavyweight affair between Raphael Butler and Javy Ayala. Still undefeated with an 8-0-1 record, Butler has his sights set on another knockout when he takes on the California native in Ayala.

Full fight card information will be made available in the coming weeks.

MAIN CARD:Middleweight Feature Fight: Doug Marshall (18-7) vs. Melvin Manhoef (28-11-1)
Middleweight Feature Fight: James Irvin (17-10) vs. Brian Rogers (11-6)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Martin Stapleton (13-3) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (17-2)
Heavyweight Feature Fight:  Javy Ayala (7-3) vs. Raphael Butler (8-0-1)

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

Season 10 Bellator Middleweight Tournament Set As Marshall, Cramer, Cooper & Grove Clash Live On Spike TV

Cooper vs. Grove Battle March 28^th, Marshall vs. Cramer Set For April 4^th

Newport Beach, Calif. (February 25, 2014) – Bellator will host its first four-man middleweight tournament beginning March 28^th from Utah’s Maverik Center as Brett Cooper will battle Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove in the semifinal round, while Doug “The Rhino” Marshall will clash with American Top Team’s Dan “Cosmo” Cramer April 4^th from the Reno Events Center. Both fights will be featured on the main card of Bellator 114 and 115 respectively.

Cooper returns to the Bellator cage after engaging in one of 2013’s best fights as the Long Beach native went five rounds with reigning Bellator Middleweight Champion Alexander Shlemenko in September of 2013. Cooper pushed Shlemenko to his absolute limits before the Russian icon was awarded a unanimous decision victory. For Grove, the Hawaiian born middleweight will be making his first run through the Bellator tournament after earning an impressive victory over Joe Vedepo at Bellator 104.

“Grove is a tough customer but I’m going to put him away,” Cooper said. “I really am pulling for Marshall in the other side of the bracket, so I can smash his face in the finals. And after that, the Russian has it coming too. I’m not looking past anybody in this tournament, it’s full of tough, skilled guys but whoever is in my way to the title is getting two basic food groups: leather and canvas.”

“I'm very excited to be a part of the next Bellator Middleweight Tournament,” Grove said. “These tournaments are an awesome way to fight the best guys in the division quickly and get that title shot. Cooper is a tough guy, but I’ll be ready on March 28^th.”

“The Rhino” stormed through the Bellator Middleweight Tournament with knockout victories over Andreas Spang and Brett Cooper as he made his way to his rightful title shot against Alexander Shlemenko. And while the Visalia, California native suffered his first loss inside the Bellator cage at the hands of Shlemenko, Marshall is ready for another long run through the Bellator tournament.

“The Rhino will be running through guys with brutal KO’s and giving the fans a show,” Marshall said. “I want to prove that my fight against Shlemenko was a fluke, and I’m ready to make another run through that tournament and get another title shot.”

Cramer returns to the Bellator after nearly a year away from the cage and is looking to get back to his winning ways. Only 28, Cramer brings his 10-4 record into his second appearance in a Bellator tournament.

"I am really excited to get back into the tournament,” Cramer said. “It is going to be an exciting fight and Doug and I are both sluggers. This is going to be a tough fight for both of us and will come down to who wants it more."

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        

Middleweight World Champion Alexander Shlemenko Signs Multi-Year, Multi-Fight Extension With Bellator MMA

Reigning Middleweight Champion Set To Defend Crown March 28th

Newport Beach, Calif. (February 24, 2014) – When reigning Bellator Middleweight Champion Alexander Shlemenko steps into the cage on March 28^th, the 29-year-old Russian finisher will not only be looking for his incredible 50^th win, but will also be fighting with a new contract in hand as Bellator has announced a long term extension for the man known simply as “Storm."

“Bellator has been my home for many years, and it’s where I want to be,” Shlemenko said. “Bjorn made me a promise and he lived up to that promise to provide me with a new deal. I have made a home here at Bellator, and I will continue to represent Russia in my efforts in the cage. I have gained millions of new fans both in the US and in Russia and around the world during my time with Bellator, and I will enjoy being Bellator’s longest running champion. I will continue wearing that belt with honor during my time with Bellator, which will now be at the peak of my career.”

Currently riding a twelve-fight win streak that includes victories over Brett Cooper, Maiquel Falcao, Doug Marshall and Vitor Vianna, Shlemenko will defend his crown against Season 9 Tournament winner Brennan Ward on March 28^th live on Spike. As one of the true Russian ambassadors for the sport, Shlemenko is set to reign over the Bellator Middleweight division for years thanks to his extension.

“Alexander Shlemenko has been with this organization since its infancy, and has grown into one of the most dominant champions in MMA,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “I can say without hesitation Alexander has been a large part of the success we have enjoyed over the last five years and as the biggest name in Russian MMA, he’s been the catalyst to the largest TV deal in the history of MMA in Russia.  It’s an honor to have him fight in this organization. I look forward to watching his career continue inside the Bellator cage for years to come.”   

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 

Results from Pennsylvania’s Sands Event Center

Bethlehem, PA. (November 22, 2013) – The final results are in for Bellator MMA’s event live from Pennsylvania’s Sands Event Center. The night showcased the Bellator Middleweight World Championship with Alexander Shlemenko defending his belt against Doug Marshall with a first round knockout. The event also featured the Bellator Welterweight and Lightweight Tournament Finals with Rick Hawn finishing Ron Keslar to win his second Bellator tournament in two different weigh classes and Will Brooks defeating Tiger Sarnavskiy in the lightweight final.

Bellator Middleweight World Championship: Alexander Shlemenko defeats Doug Marshall via KO (punch) – Round 1, 4:28

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Final: Rick Hawn defeats Ron Keslar via KO (Punch) – Round 3, 0:55

Bellator Lightweight Tournament Final: Will Brooks defeats Tiger Sarnavskiy via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Lightweight Feature Fight: Terry Etim defeats Patrick Cenoble via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-26)

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Blagoi Ivanov defeats Keith Bell via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)- Round1, 3:59

Catchweight Feature Fight (153lbs): Goiti Yamauchi defeats Saul Almeida via KO (Punches) –Round 1, 2:04

Lightweight Feature Fight: Mike Bannon defeats Ahsan Abdullah via Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) – Round 1, 1:51

Lightweight Feature Fight: Bubba Jenkins defeats Ian Rammel via TKO (Punches)- Round 3, 2:38

Lightweight Feature Fight: Brent Primus defeats Brett Glass via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Round 1, 3:20

Featherweight Feature Fight: Lester Caslow defeats Jay Haas via Submission (Guillotine Choke) –Round 3, 2:44

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

Matt Riddle Removed From November 22ndFight Card, Released From Bellator

Newport Beach, CA. (November 19, 2013) – A welterweight feature fight between Matt Riddle and Nathan Coy has been removed from the November 22^nd card after Riddle has withdrawn from the fight. Originally scheduled to compete in the Season 9 Welterweight Tournament, Riddle suffered a rib injury and was removed from the tournament due to the injury. After withdrawing from the November 22^nd fight, the promotion has decided to release Riddle.

“Matt was a guy we had high hopes for coming into Bellator,” Bellator Director of Communications Anthony Mazzuca said. “After Matt suffered his rib injury and withdrew from our tournament, we went back to the drawing board and got Matt another fight on November 22^nd. Unfortunately, Matt very recently informed us he would not be fighting on November 22^nd from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and at that point we decided to release Matt from Bellator. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

The full card for Bellator MMA on November 22^nd is below:

MAIN CARD:Bellator Middleweight World Title: Doug Marshall (18-6) vs. Alexander Shlemenko (48-7)
Bellator Lightweight Tournament Final: Will Brooks (12-1) vs. Tiger Sarnavskiy (25-1)
Bellator Welterweight Tournament Final: Ron Keslar (11-3) vs. Rick Hawn (17-2)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Patrick Cenoble (9-2-1) vs. Terry Etim (15-5)

PRELIMINARY CARD:Heavyweight Feature Fight: Keith Bell (5-2-1) vs. Blagoi Ivanov (8-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Saul Almeida (13-4) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (15-1)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Ahsan Abdullah (5-3) vs. Mike Bannon (4-1)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Bubba Jenkins (4-1) vs. Ian Rammel (5-5)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Brett Glass (2-0) vs. Brent Primus (3-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Lester Caslow (10-8) vs. Jay Haas (11-12)

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

Bellator Results from Atlantic City’s Revel

Atlantic City, NJ. (November 15, 2013) – The final results are in for Bellator MMA’s event live from Atlantic City’s Revel. The event featured the Bellator debut of Rampage Jackson, a Bellator Heavyweight World Title fight with Vitaly Minakov defeating Alexander Volkov to claim the heavyweight world title and Patricio Pitbull finishing Justin Wilcox in the Bellator Featherweight Final.

Catchweight Feature Fight (210lbs): Rampage Jackson defeats Joey Beltran via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:59

Bellator Heavyweight World Title Fight: Vitaly Minakov defeats Alexander Volkov via TKO (punches) –Round 1, 2:57

Bantamweight Feature Fight: Marcos Galvao defeats Tom McKenna via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:29

Bellator Featherweight Tournament Final: Patricio Freire defeats Justin Wilcox via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:23

Bantamweight Feature Fight: Robert Sullivan defeats Sergio da Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) – Round 3, 5:00

Featherweight Feature Fight: Dan Matala defeats Ryan Cafaro via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:52

Featherweight Feature Fight: Will Martinez defeated Kevin Roddy via submission (rear-naked choke)– Round 1, 3:50

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Liam McGeary defeats Najim Wali via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:31

Catchweight Feature Fight (150lb): Anthony Morrison defeats Kenny Foster by majority decision (28-28, 29-27, 30-26)

Catchweight Feature Fight (180lb): Nah’Shon Burrell defeats Jesus Martinez by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Tom DeBlass defeats Jason Lambert via KO (punches) – Round 1, 1:45

Catchweight Feature Fight (174lbs): Sam Oropeza defeats Chip Moraza-Pollard via KO (punches) – Round 1, 0:37

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