“Fight Master” Finals Set For November 2nd as Joe “Diesel” Riggs Meets Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis On Spike TV Pay-Per-View Prelims

Newport Beach, CA. (September 20^th, 2013) – Often times, patience can be a virtue. After originally scheduled to meet on September 7^th, the “Fight Master” Finals will now be featured on the Spike TV pay-per-view prelims as veterans Joe “Diesel” Riggs and Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis meet to determine who is the first Bellator Fight Master. The fight will now join a card that features Featherweight Champion Pat Curran defending his title against Daniel Straus, King Mo vs. Emanuel Newton for the Interim Light Heavyweight Title, the rematch of 2011’s fight of the year between Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez for the Lightweight World Title, as well as the main event of the evening, Rampage Jackson vs. Tito Ortiz.

“Rampage vs. Tito” will be held at Southern California’s Long Beach Arena on Saturday, November 2nd, with tickets on sale now. Tickets can be purchased on Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com, as well as at The Long Beach Arena Box Office.

Riggs was guided to the finals by world-renowned trainer Greg Jackson, while Bronzoulis choose Xtreme Couture and was under the tutelage of former Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture. An eye injury to Riggs delayed the original fight date of September 7^th, but with both fighters now healthy, the two will meet for the Fight Master $100,000 prize and a spot in the next Bellator Welterweight Tournament.   

Five fights have now been confirmed for Bellator’s November 2^nd Pay-Per-View:

Pay-Per-View Main Card

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Rampage Jackson (32-11) vs. Tito Ortiz (16-11-1)

Lightweight Title Fight: Michael Chandler (12-0) vs. Eddie Alvarez (24-3)

Light Heavyweight Interim Title Fight: King Mo Lawal (11-2) vs. Emanuel Newton (21-7-1)

Featherweight Title Fight: Pat Curran (19-4) vs. Daniel Straus (21-4)

Spike TV Preliminary Fights

Fight Master Welterweight Finals: Joe Riggs (39-14) vs. Mike Bronzoulis (15-5)

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  

Bellator Adds Top Featherweight Daniel Weichel To Loaded Division

#1 Ranked Prospect Will Enter 2014 Tournament

Newport Beach, CA. (September 11^th, 2013) – In a division currently featuring Bellator Champion Pat Curran, Daniel Straus, Patricio Pitbull, Diego Nunes, and Frodo Khasbulaev, the featherweight ranks in Bellator just got deeper with the addition of German powerhouse Daniel Weichel. Only 28, the 31-8 submission ace becomes an instant threat within the division, and has his sights set on the next Bellator Featherweight Tournament.

“It´s like a dream come true fighting for Bellator MMA,” Weichel said. “I can´t wait to enter the cage and begin the toughest tournament out there. Fighting in the US and live on Spike TV is a thrill; so I will go out there to make my team at MMA Spirit and the greatest fans in the world as proud. I always wanted to compete with the best fighters and I can do just that at Bellator. My hard work has paid off and you will get to see another beast at featherweight, I can promise that.”

Already a fan favorite in Europe, the former lightweight standout is ready to make his presence felt stateside, and continue his winning ways inside the Bellator cage. After moving from welterweight to lightweight in 2009, Weichel has gone 13-2, including victories over Khasbulaev, Georgi Stoyanov, and Jose Figueroa.

“Since our inception, we’ve strived to bring in the best talent from around the world, and Daniel certainly fits that bill,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “We’ve had our eye on Daniel for quite some time so we’re all excited to get Daniel into our next Featherweight Tournament.”

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          

Bellator MMA Results From Atlantic City

Atlantic City, N.J. (April 4, 2013) – The final results are in for Bellator MMA live from Revel in Atlantic City. The event featured the Bellator Middleweight Tournament Championship where Doug Marshall defeated Brett Cooper with an explosive TKO (punches) in the first round. Frodo Khasbulaev won the Bellator Lightweight Tournament Championship by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) in a tough battle against Mike Richman. Marshall and Khasbulaev each earned a $100,000 tournament prize and a guaranteed title shot.  The night also showcased the Featherweight World Championship with Pat Curran defending his title, beating Shahbulat Shamhalaev via submission (guillotine choke) in the first round.

Featherweight World Title Fight: Pat Curran defeats Shahbulat Shamhalaev via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:38.

Pat Curran

“Thanks for Shahbulat and taking the fight on short notice. This was a big opportunity for him and I thank him for stepping up to the fight. Thank you Bjorn and Bellator for keeping me busy in the cage and continuing to allow me to develop as a fighter.” 

Shahbulat Shamhalaev

“I am sorry Bellator, just this one time. I am sorry for disappointing fans around the world who were cheering for. I am going to get back in the gym and work on it and I will be back.”

Featherweight Tournament Final Fight: Frodo Khasbulaev defeats Mike Richman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27,30-27).

Frodo Khasbulaev

“First of all I thank all of my fans and who were rooting for me. Thank you Bjorn and Bellator for giving me this chance.  I want to thank my manager, my team and my coaches for all of their work in preparing for this fight. Also, I want to thank my opponent for putting on a good show today.”

Mike Richman

“Obviously tonight didn’t go as I had planned. I thought the fight was a lot closer than the decision. It was a super tough fight and there were a couple movements and positioning that kept me away from winning the fight. Thank you Bellator and my fans for cheering for me and hopefully I’ll be back fighting again soon.”

Middleweight Tournament Final Fight: Doug Marshall defeats Brett Cooper via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:39.

Doug Marshall

“Thank you Bjorn and Bellator for having me. When I entered this tournament I was the dark horse and now I am $100,000 richer and I have a title shot coming. I am really looking forward to the fight against Alexander. Thank you very much for this opportunity.”

Welterweight Feature Fight: Rick Hawn defeats Karo Parisyan via KO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:55.

Rick Hawn

“Thank you Karo for taking this fight and it has been a long time coming.  I respect him as a fighter and this wasn’t an easy fight. I am happy to get the win and I wish him the best of luck in the future.”

Karo Parisyan

“I don’t want to make any excuses. This is the fourth time Bellator has given me a shot. I felt obligated to take the fight, but I felt like I was in the right place to take it. He is a great competitor and I respect him as an athlete. Hopefully I will be back and I can prove myself one more time.”

Welterweight Feature Fight: Lyman Good defeats Dante Rivera via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27,30-27).

Catchweight Feature Fight (173 lbs.): Sam Oropeza defeats Shedrick Goodridge via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:22.

Catchweight Feature Fight (188 lbs.): Tom DeBlass defeats Carlos Brooks via doctor stoppage – Round 2, 5:00.

Lightweight Feature Fight: Phillipe Nover defeats Darrell Horcher via unanimous decision (29-28,30-27,30-27).

Catchweight Feature Fight (140 lbs.): Jimmie Rivera defeats Brian Kelleher via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28,29-28).

Featherweight Feature Fight: Will Martinez defeats Brent Hess via KO (punches) – Round 1, 4:15.

Featherweight Feature Fight: Kevin Roddy defeats Brylan Van Artsdalen via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 1:04.

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Liam McGeary defeats Anton Talamantes via TKO (elbows and punches) – Round 1, 1:18.

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   

Coalition Fight Music is Proud to Announce: CFM to Sponsor Shamhalaev at Bellator 95 on Spike TV

(Sacramento, April 1st) Coalition Fight Music has confirmed today the group has secured a sponsorship agreement with top Russian stand-out and Bellator Season 7 Featherweight Tournament winner Shahbulat Shamhalaev for his upcoming Title fight at Bellator 95 later this week on Spike TV.

 Shamhalaev, who trains out of the “Bomb Squad” fight camp, agreed to step in and fight current Bellator Featherweight Champion Pat Curran after his original opponent Daniel Straus was forced to pull out due to injury.

Tony Savo (CFM CEO and Executive Producer) was quoted as saying; “Shah’s one of those explosive guys who’s a walking highlight reel and were very excited to be in his corner when he gets the belt. Bellator puts on amazing cards and knows how to treat sponsors. This fight is going to be talked about for a long time.”

News of the deal first broke on the widely popular Tommy Toe Hold Show late last week where Shamhalaev was seen sporting a digitally rendered version of the CFM fight gear he and his team will be wearing on his way to the cage on Thursday night.



Although the band has made headlines in the past for sponsoring top tier athletes in the UFC and is an official co-sponsor of Europe’s leading promotion UCMMA, this marks the first time the “kings of fight music” will be making their presence felt in the Bellator Arena. Bellator 95 airs live on Spike TV April 4th from the Ovation Hall at Revel in Atlantic City, NJ following prelims on Spike.com. For more information on CFM visit www.coalitionfightmusic.com or contact Tony Savo at (916) 756-5653

Bellator MMA Hosts Weigh-Ins Wednesday, April 3rd at 5:00pm EST From Atlantic City’s Revel

Weigh-Ins will be streamed online at Bellator.com

Atlantic City, NJ. (April 3, 2013) — The weigh-in and pre-fight press conference for Bellator MMAwill take place Wednesday at 5:00 P.M. EST at The Social inside Revel. Bellator MMA will take place from Revel on Thursday, April 4th with the first fight taking place at 7:15 p.m. EST and streaming LIVE on Spike.com. The televised portion of the night will begin at 10 p.m. EST and will air LIVE on Spike TV.

All participants from Thursday night’s event will be on hand, as well as Bellator CEO & Chairman Bjorn Rebney.

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:

Featherweight World Title Fight: Pat Curran vs. Shahbulat Shamhalaev

Featherweight Tournament Final Fight: Frodo Khasbulaev vs. Mike Richman

Middleweight Tournament Final Fight: Brett Cooper vs. Doug Marshall

Welterweight Feature Fight: Karo Parisyan vs. Rick Hawn

PRELIMINARY CARD:

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Anton Talamantes vs. Liam McGeary

Featherweight Feature Fight: Kevin Roddy vs. Brylan Van Artsdalen

Featherweight Feature Fight: Michael Brent Hess vs. Will Martinez

Catchweight Feature Fight (140 lbs.): Jimmie Rivera vs. Brian Kelleher

Lightweight Feature Fight: Phillipe Nover vs. Darrell Horcher

Middleweight Feature Fight: Carlos Brooks vs. Tom DeBlass

Welterweight Feature Fight: Shedrick Goodridge vs. Sam Oropeza

Welterweight Feature Fight: Lyman Good vs. Dante Rivera

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  

April 4th Card Complete as Bellator MMA Returns to Atlantic City from Revel Resort Live on Spike

Shamhalaev Battles Curran for Featherweight Title, and Middleweight & Featherweight Tournament Championships on the line

Newport Beach, CA. (March 15, 2013) – The Toughest Tournament in Sports will end its season in style as Bellator MMA makes return to Atlantic City from Revel on April 4^th live on Spike. The night will feature reigning Bellator Featherweight Champion Pat Curran putting his title on the line against Season 7 Tournament winner and explosive Russian striker Shahbulat Shamhalaev, while the Middleweight and Featherweight Tournaments will be decided, as Doug Marshall battles Brett Cooper for the $100,000 Middleweight Tournament Championship, while Mike “The Marine” Richman will square off with Frodo Khasbulaev, with the winner earning their guaranteed title shot. The night will also feature the return of fan favorite and former Judo Olympian Rick Hawn, who meets fellow Judo blackbelt and former WEC Champion Karo Parisyan in a welterweight affair.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com and by calling 800-745-3000. The Main Card will broadcast LIVE starting at 10 p.m. EST on Spike, as well as in Spanish language on mun2. The preliminary card will be streamed LIVE and FREE on Spike.com, with doors to event opening at 6:30pm EST.

Widely regarded as one of the top two featherweights in the world, Curran brings a dominating 18-4 record into his latest title defense, including victories over Patricio Pitbull, Marlon Sandro, Roger Huerta, and Mike Ricci. While the reigning Bellator Champ had his original sights set on Straus, Curran is well aware of the challenges at hand April 4th with Shamhalaev.

“He’s a great counter striker, as am I, and I see a lot of openings with Shabulat,” Curran said. “Shabulat brings one punch knockout power, and with my style, it’s going to be a swing for fences fight. This is my second fight this season, and I couldn’t ask for more. I love staying active, and Bellator has provided that for me.”

Widely considered one of the best lightweights in the world, Rick “Genghis” Hawn returns to his more natural 170 lbs. to battle Karo Parisyan in a highly anticipated affair.

“I’m really excited to be back fighting so soon,” Hawn said. “I have a tough opponent in Karo, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. With two of the world’s best judoka fighters fighting each other, it should be an exciting fight.”

The preliminary card will be highlighted with a middleweight showdown between New Jersey star Tom DeBlass and New York native Carlos Brooks as the two look to collect their first Bellator victory. After announcing his retirement in 2012, DeBlass has returned to the cage and will make his highly anticipated return April 4th inside Revel.

“I'm very excited to be fighting for Bellator right in my backyard,” DeBlass said. “All of my friends, family, students, and many fans will get to see me live. I'm coming back and making a statement, you can count on that.”

The full card for Bellator MMA from Revel on April 4th is below:

MAIN CARD:

Bellator Featherweight World Title Fight: Pat Curran vs. Shahbulat Shamhalaev

Bellator Middleweight Tournament Finals: Brett Cooper vs. Doug Marshall

Bellator Featherweight Tournament Finals: Mike Richman vs. Frodo Khasbulaev

Welterweight Feature Fight: Rick Hawn vs. Karo Parisyan

PRELIMINARY CARD:

Welterweight Feature Fight: Lyman Good vs. Dante Rivera

Women’s Feature Fight: Munah Holland vs. Jessica Eye

Catchweight Feature Fight(140 lbs.): Jimmie Rivera vs. Brian Kelleher

Welterweight Feature Fight: Sam Oropeza vs. Shedrick Goodridge

Middleweight Feature Fight: Tom DeBlass vs. Carlos Brooks

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Liam McGeary vs. Anton Talamantes

Featherweight Feature Fight: Brylan Van Artsdalen vs. Brett Martinez

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 Returns To The University of South Florida March 28th With Two Tournament Finals Plus the Return of World’s #1 Ranked & Florida’s Own Jessica Aguilar Live on Spike TV

Newport Beach, CA. (February 15, 2013) – Bellator MMA will once again head to the Sunshine State as the promotion will host two Bellator Tournament Finals from The University of South Florida’s Sun Dome in Tampa on March 28th LIVE on Spike TV. The night will see two $100,000 Tournament Finals fights as the Featherweight and Lightweight Tournaments will be decided, as well as the return of fan favorite, World’s #1 ranked 115 pounder and South Florida native Jessica “Jag” Aguilar.

Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, by visiting the Sun Dome Box Office and at all Ticketmaster outlets including Wal-Mart. Ticket prices range from $30 - $120.

For Aguilar, the 14-4 submission ace brings an impressive resume into the Sun Dome with victories over Megumi Fujii, Carla Esparza and Lisa Ellis. With a five fight win streak in place, the veteran Aguilar is looking to keep the momentum going with a victory on March 28^th.

“Bellator is my home and I can’t wait to get back into the cage in front of all my friends, family and fans and continue to show the world I’m the best female fighter on the planet,” Aguilar said.

With an explosive Featherweight Quarterfinal round in the books, four of the best featherweights in the world in Popo Bezerra, Mike Richman, Marlon Sandro and Frodo Khasbulaev are gunning for a coveted spot in the finals, and will meet March 28^th from Tampa’s Sun Dome.

The Season 8 Lightweight field is also down to the final four as David Rickels, Jason Fischer, Saad Awad and Will Brooks all earned their respective places in the semifinal round, and on March 28^th  a tournament champion will be crowned.

“We had an outstanding night of fights in our first visit to The Sun Dome, and expect nothing less March 28^th live on Spike,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “With two Tournament Final fights, as well as the return of Jessica Aguilar, our Florida faithful are in for a huge night of fights.”

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