Bellator 127 Set From Southern California’s Pechanga Resort & Casino As Gonzalez Replaces Zaromskis, Duran Set To Face Bunch

Newport Beach, Calif. (September 23, 2014) – Bellator 127 is now set as the promotion will return to Southern California’s Pechanga Resort & Casino on Friday, October 3^rd as Daniel Straus will battle Justin Wilcox in the main event live on Spike TV. The night will also feature a former Bellator heavyweight champion Christian M'Pumbu’s debut at middleweight against Hawaiian native Kendal Grove and a full preliminary card of California’s top talent. Tickets for the event are on sale now and are available at the Pechanga Box Office, Pechanga.com or Bellator.com.

Karo Parisyan was originally scheduled to face Marius Zaromskis in a welterweight affair, but Zaromskis has received a new opponent for a fight that will take place at a later date. With the switch, Parisyan will now face Fernando Gonzalez, who recently collected one of the biggest victories of his career with a win over Karl Amoussou at Bellator 122.

The full fight card for Bellator 127 can be found below:

MAIN CARD:Featherweight  Feature Fight: Daniel Straus (22-5) vs. Justin Wilcox (14-6)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Fernando Gonzalez (21-12) vs. Karo Parisyan (24-10-1)
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Rafael Silva (21-4) vs. Rob Emerson (16-10-1)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Christian M'Pumbu (18-6-1) vs. Kendall Grove (19-14-1)

PRELIMINARY CARD:Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Thierry Sokoudjou (15-12) vs. Malik Merad (19-11)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Justin Baesman (14-5) vs. Johnny Mercurio (6-6)
Catchweight Feature Fight (177lbs): Johnny Cisneros (8-3) vs. Ricky Rainey (8-3)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Sergio Rios (8-0) vs. Saad Awad (15-6)
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Nick Moghaddam (6-7) vs. Ray Sloan (7-0) 
Middleweight Feature Fight: Keith Berry (15-13) vs. Joe Pacheco (7-2)

Bantamweight Feature Fight: Shawn Bunch (2-1) vs. David Duran (2-2)

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

Bellator 127 Full Card Finalized from Southern California’s Pechanga Resort & Casino Friday, October 3rd

Newport Beach, Calif. (September 15, 2014) – Bellator 127 is now set as the promotion will return to Southern California’s Pechanga Resort & Casino on Friday, October 3^rd as Daniel Straus will battle Justin Wilcox in the main event live on Spike TV. The night will also feature a former Bellator heavyweight champion Christian M'Pumbu’s debut at middleweight against Hawaiian native Kendal Grove and a full preliminary card of California’s top talent. Tickets for the event are on sale now and are available at the Pechanga Box Office, Pechanga.com or Bellator.com.

After recording a first round submission win in his Bellator debut, Sokoudjou returns to the bright lights to face Malik Merad. Merad enters the Bellator cage for the first time riding a six-fight win streak with 11 of his 19 professional victories coming by submission. Ready to put on an exciting fight for his home state fans, Sokoudjou has posted nine KO victories with eight coming in the first round and is looking for the finish against Merad on October 3^rd.

Coming off of a first round TKO win over Joe Duarte at Bellator 122, Saad Awad will meet Sergio Rios in a lightweight bout. Looking to maintain his undefeated 8-0 professional record, Rios has recorded five wins by submission, but will put his skills to the test against Awad.  A former tournament finalist, Awad is known for his ability to finish fights and has won 14 of his 15 professional victories by KO or submission, 13 coming in the first round.

Closing out the preliminary card will be a middleweight matchup between California’s own Keith Berry and Joe Pacheco, along with fellow southern California native Johnny Cisneros facing Ricky Rainey.

A Season 10 Welterweight Tournament Semifinalist, Justin Baesman will fight California native Fernando Gonzales and Ray Sloan will look to keep his undefeated record intact in a light heavyweight battle against Nick Moghaddam.

The full fight card is listed below.

MAIN CARD:Featherweight  Feature Fight: Daniel Straus (22-5) vs. Justin Wilcox (14-6)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Marius Zaromskis (20-8) vs. Karo Parisyan (24-10-1)
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Rafael Silva (21-4) vs. Rob Emerson (16-10-1)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Christian M'Pumbu (18-6-1) vs. Kendall Grove (19-14-1)

PRELIMINARY CARD:Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Thierry Sokoudjou (15-12) vs. Malik Merad (19-11)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Justin Baesman (14-5) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (21-12)
Catchweight Feature Fight (177lbs): Johnny Cisneros (8-3) vs. Ricky Rainey (8-3)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Sergio Rios (8-0) vs. Saad Awad (15-6)
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Nick Moghaddam (6-7) vs. Ray Sloan (7-0) 
Middleweight Feature Fight: Keith Berry (15-13) vs. Joe Pacheco (7-2)

Bantamweight Feature Fight: Shawn Bunch (2-1) vs. TBA 

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 Returns to Southern California’s Pechanga Resort & Casino Friday, October 3rd as Daniel Straus Battles Justin Wilcox Parisyan vs. Zaromskis, Grove vs. M’Pumbu Featured

Newport Beach, Calif. (August 22, 2014) – Bellator 127 is now set as the promotion will return to Southern California’s Pechanga Resort & Casino on Friday, October 3^rd as Daniel Straus will battle Justin Wilcox in the main event live on Spike TV. Tickets for the event are on sale now and are available at the Pechanga Box Office, Pechanga.com or Bellator.com.

Straus enters the fight coming off one of the most memorable fights of 2014 as the Ohio native suffered a last second submission loss in a Featherweight Title fight against current Bellator Champion Pat Curran. At 22-5, he is widely considered one of the best featherweights in the sport and has won six of his previous seven fights. Straus is well aware that he faces a strong competitor in Wilcox, but knows that a victory means another title shot awaits and Wilcox is the only thing standing in his way.

“I’m ready to get back to work,” Straus said. “I love to stay active, fight as much as I can, and now I have the opportunity to get back on the road to getting my title shot, and Justin is in the way of that goal. I’ve got to focus on myself and what I’m doing, but you better believe I’ll have my eyes on Curran-Pitbull on September 5^th as well.”

The night will also feature a battle of veteran welterweights as Karo Parisyan takes on Marius “The Whitemare” Zaromskis. A pure clash of styles, Parisyan enters the fight with half of his victories coming by submission, while Zaromskis has made his mark on the sport with dynamic KO’s, collecting 13 over his career. No strangers to the Bellator cage, Parisyan and Zaromskis have combined for 62 professional fights and are ready to put on an exciting fight for the fans on October 3^rd.

Making his debut in the middleweight division, former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Christian M’Pumbu will take on Hawaiian native Kendall Grove. In a battle of finishers, Grove has grabbed 13 wins by KO or submission, with nine coming in the first round, but will have to hold off M’Pumbu who is looking to make his mark in the middleweight division and end the fight as quickly as possible.

The full fight card will be announced in the upcoming weeks.  

MAIN CARD:

Featherweight Feature Fight: Daniel Straus (22-5) vs. Justin Wilcox (14-6)

Welterweight Feature Fight: Karo Parisyan (24-10) vs. Marius Zaromskis (20-8)

Middleweight Feature Fight: Kendall Grove (19-14) vs. Christian M’Pumbu (18-6)

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.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 Returns to Atlantic City’s Revel Friday, November 15th Live on Spike TV

Newport Beach, CA.  (October 21, 2013) – Bellator MMA will return to Atlantic City’s Revel on Friday, November 15^th live on Spike TV as Alexander Shlemenko will put his title on the line against Season 8 Bellator Middleweight Tournament winner Doug “The Rhino” Marshall. The night will also showcase the Bellator Featherweight Tournament Final as Patricio Pitbull and Justin Wilcox will square off for a $100,000 prize and a guaranteed title shot, as well as a full card of the east coast’s top talent. 
The event will broadcast live starting at 8 p.m. EST on Spike TV. The preliminary card will be streamed exclusively live and free on Spike.com starting at 6:00 p.m. EST. Tickets for the event can be purchased at Ticketmaster or by visiting Bellator.com with tickets starting at just $35.

After having to put his title shot on hold due to a hand injury, Marshall is eager to get back in the cage and put on a another heart-stopping performance in front of the Atlantic City crowd from Revel on Friday, November 15th.

“I’m super excited about this fight,” Marshall said. “I was bummed when I had to watch Brett Cooper take my spot because of my injury, but after watching the fight I was able to see that there is no way Shlemenko can beat me. The only thing Shlemenko has is that he is tough. There is no doubt in my mind that I am the most powerful middleweight in the division. As soon as Shlemenko feels my fist on the side of his face he will be sleeping on the mat. Winning this fight is a no brainer for me."

New Jersey favorite Tom DeBlass will return to the Bellator cage and face MMA veteran Jason Lambert. After finishing Carlos Brooks in his Bellator debut at Revel last April, DeBlass is anxious to get back under the bright lights and improve his 8-2 professional record. The preliminary card will feature a full card of local talent, including four New Jersey natives.

“We were witness to an incredible night of fights during our first visit to Revel and I expect nothing but the same on November 15^th,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “Atlantic City has become a second home for Bellator and Revel is in store for another huge night of fights.”

The full card is listed below.

MAIN CARD: 

Bellator Middleweight World Title Fight: Alexander Shlemenko (48-7) vs. Doug “The Rhino” Marshall (18-6)
 

Bellator Featherweight Tournament Final: Patricio Pitbull (20-2) vs. Justin Wilcox (13-5)

Bantamweight Feature Fight: Marcos Galvao (14-6-1) vs. Tom McKenna (7-3)
 

Welterweight Feature Fight: Nah’Shon Burrell (9-3) vs. Dante Rivera (15-7)

PRELIMINARY CARD: 
 

Welterweight Feature Fight: Chip Moraza-Pollard (7-4) vs. Sam Oropeza (8-2)
 

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Jason Lambert (26-12) vs. Tom DeBlass (8-2)
 

Featherweight Feature Fight: Kevin Roddy (13-14-1) vs. Will Martinez (6-2-1)
 

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Najim Wali (3-2) vs. Liam McGeary (6-0)
 

Lightweight Feature Fight: Anthony Morrison (17-10) vs. Kenny Foster (10-7)
 

Featherweight Feature Fight: Dan Matala (debut) vs. Ryan Cafaro (debut)
 

Bantamweight Feature Fight: Sergio da Silva (1-4) vs. Rob Sullivan (2-1)

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 Results from the Kansas Star Arena

 

 

Wichita, KS. (October 11, 2013) – The final results are in for Bellator MMA’s event live from the Kansas Star Arena. The event featured the Bellator Lightweight Tournament Semifinals with Patricio Pitbull and Justin Wilcox moving on to the tournament final on November 15^th from Atlantic City, New Jersey.  The night also showcased the return of Kansas’s own David “The Caveman” Rickels defeating J.J. Ambrose via TKO in a lightweight battle.

 

Bellator Lightweight Tournament Semifinal: Patricio Pitbull defeats Fabricio Guerreiro by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

 

Bellator Lightweight Tournament Semifinal: Justin Wilcox defeats Joe Taimanglo by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) 

Lightweight Feature Fight: Dave Rickels defeats J.J. Ambrose via TKO (Punches and Elbows) – Round 3, 2:37

 

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Mikhail Zayats defeats Aaron Rosa via submission (Kimura) – Round 1, 0:47

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Carlos Eduardo defeats Wayman Carter via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Round 1, 2:06

 

Lightweight Feature Fight: Remy Bussieres defeats Blake Pool via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

 

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Maurice Jackson defeats Matt Uhde via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) – Round 1, 0:52

 

Lightweight Feature Fight: Donnie Bell defeats Marcio Navarro via Submission (Neck Crank) - Round 1, 2:06

 

Bantamweight Feature Fight: Jeimeson Saudino defeats Jesse Thornton via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

 

Featherweight Feature Fight: Ricky Musgrave defeats Cody Carrillo via Submission (Kimura) – Round 1, 2:59

 

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 Weigh-In Results from the Kansas Star Casino

Wichita, KS. (October 10, 2013) –  The Bellator MMA weigh-ins have been completed from the Kansas Star Casino in preparation for Bellator MMA’s October 11th event, which will showcase the Bellator Featherweight Tournament Semifinals and a lightweight feature fight featuring Kansas’s own David “The Caveman” Rickels.

Bellator MMA will take place from the Kansas Star Arena on Friday, October 11thwith the first fight taking place at 6:00 p.m. CST and streaming LIVE on Spike.com. The televised portion of the night will begin at 8:00 p.m. CST and will air LIVE on Spike TV.

MAIN CARD: 
 

Bellator Featherweight Tournament Semifinal:  Fabricio Guerreiro (146) vs. Patricio Pitbull (145.6)
Bellator Featherweight Tournament Semifinal:  Justin Wilcox (145) vs. Joe Taimanglo (145)
Lightweight Feature Fight: David “The Caveman” Rickels (155.7) vs. J.J. Ambrose (155)
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Aaron Rosa (205.8) vs. Mikhail Zayats (205)

PRELIMINARY CARD:
 

Catchweight Feature Fight (150lbs): Ricky Musgrave (148.7) vs. Cody Carrillo (148.9)
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Jesse Thorton (134.9) vs. Jeimeson Saudino (134.8)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Donnie Bell (156) vs. Marcio Navarro (155.8)
Heavyweight Feature Fight: Maurice Jackson (261.2) vs. Matt Uhde (234.3)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Remy Bussieres (155.8) vs. Blake Pool (152.7)
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Carlos Eduardo (205) vs. Wayman Carter (202.3)

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 Host Live Weigh-Ins Thursday, October 10th at 5:00 p.m. CST from the Kansas Star Arena

Weigh-Ins will be streamed online at Bellator.com

Newport Beach, CA. (October 7, 2013) – The weigh-in and pre-fight press conference for Bellator MMA will take place Thursday at 5:00 p.m. CST on the first floor of Rotunda inside the Kansas Star Casino (777 Kansas Star Drive, Mulvane, KS 67110). Bellator MMA will take place from the Kansas Star Arena on Friday, October 11th with the first fight taking place at 6:00 p.m. CST and streaming LIVE on Spike.com. The televised portion of the night will begin at 8:00 p.m. CST and will air LIVE on Spike TV.

All participants from Friday 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: 
 

Bellator Featherweight Tournament Semifinal:  Justin Wilcox (12-5) vs. Joe Taimanglo (19-4)
Bellator Featherweight Tournament Semifinal:  Fabricio Guerreiro (18-1) vs. Patricio Pitbull (19-2)

Lightweight Feature Fight: David “The Caveman” Rickels (14-2) vs. J.J. Ambrose (19-4)
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Aaron Rosa (17-5) vs. Mikhail Zayats (21-7)

PRELIMINARY CARD:
 

Featherweight Feature Fight: Ricky Musgrave (9-3) vs. Cody Carrillo (8-6)
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Jesse Thorton (6-3) vs. Jeimeson Saudino (6-1)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Donnie Bell (8-2) vs. Marcio Navarro (9-8)
Heavyweight Feature Fight: Maurice Jackson (1-1) vs. Matt Uhde (3-3)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Remy Bussieres (2-0) vs. Blake Pool (debut)
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Carlos Eduardo (10-2) vs. Wayman Carter (3-1)

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