Bellator Returns To Wichita On Friday, October 24th As Emanuel Newton Defends Title, Bobby Lashley Returns

Marloes Coenen Makes Bellator Debut

Newport Beach, Calif. (September 30, 2014) – Bellator MMA will put an end to its weekly season schedule on Friday, October 24^th as the promotion will return to Wichita, Kan., for Bellator 130 live on Spike TV. The night will feature “The Hardcore Kid” Emanuel Newton once again putting his title on the line against English native Linton Vassell, while Bobby Lashley faces Karl Etherington in a heavyweight clash. The night will also feature the Bellator debut of the top-ranked Marloes Coenen, who battles Italian newcomer Annalisa Bucci. And a Bellator return to Kansas wouldn’t be complete without “The Caveman” David Rickels, who will take on Brazilian Davi Ramos.

The event will broadcast live at 9 p.m. EST/ 8 p.m. CST on Spike TV. The preliminary card will be streamed live and free on Spike.com beginning at 7 p.m. EST/ 6 p.m. CST. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Kansas Star Arena box office.

Fresh off his devastating and now signature spinning back fist victory, Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton returns to action to face English native Linton Vassell. Nicknamed “The Swarm”, Vassell enters the fight riding a nine-fight winning streak and is undefeated in Bellator at 3-0. Newton is aware of the tough challenges Vassell creates, but is thankful for the opportunity to get back to into the cage.

“I didn’t feel good about my last performance even though I got the knock out,” Newton said. “I wanted to get another fight as soon as possible so I could put on a better performance for the fans, and Coker, Bellator, Spike and Viacom really made it happen. I have to thank everyone involved and I am ready to put on an awesome fight for the fans on October 24^th.”

“This was not an easy road but I'm living the dream right now, it was only a matter of time before I was fighting for the Bellator World Title,” Vassell said. “The time is now and I'm more than ready to be the first British Bellator LHW World Champion.”

After capturing his first win inside the Bellator cage on September 5^th, Bobby Lashley is set to return to his home state of Kansas when he takes on the undefeated Karl Etherington on Friday, October 24^th live on Spike. Lashley captured his first Bellator win with a rear-naked choke submission over Josh Burns, and is looking to move his record to 2-0 inside the Bellator cage with a victory on October 24^th.

The long awaited debut of Marloes Coenen will also be featured on the Spike TV Main Card as the Dutch striker will face Annalisa Bucci in a featherweight affair. Since the arrival of Scott Coker in June, the female division has been reestablished in Bellator and Coenen will look to pick up another huge victory on October 24^th.

The main card will be rounded out with a veteran lightweight clash as Rick Hawn returns to his natural weight class to take on Dave Jansen. Away from action for nearly 18 months, Jansen returns to the cage riding a six-fight win streak including an impressive victory over Marcin Held in 2013. With his ACL injury behind him and fully healthy, Jansen is counting the days until October 24^th live on Spike.

“I’m ready to showcase my evolving skillset as a fighter and get right back into the mix,” Jansen said. “Rick is definitely a formidable and worthy opponent. I believe that this is a great matchup for me stylistically and I’m looking forward to delivering my best performance to date.”

“I can’t wait to get back into the Bellator cage a face a guy of Jansen’s caliber, he’s a really tough guy, will be a great test for both of us and I’m just ready to put on a great fight,” Hawn said.

The Bellator 130 preliminary card will showcase some of Kansas’s top-talent including, Ricky Musgrave fighting Joe Wilk, Cody Carrillo taking on Marcio Navarro and Daniel Gallemore facing Gzim Selmani. 

Fan favorite and Kansas’s own David “The Caveman” Rickels will return to the Bellator cage to battle Davi Ramos. A former lightweight tournament winner, Rickels has tallied 10 of his 15 wins by KO or submission and is ready to put on an explosive fight for his hometown crowd.

The night will also feature the return of top-prospect Darrion Caldwell taking on Anthony Dizy, Nate Jolly will look to grab his first Bellator victory against Aaron Derrow, in addition to former welterweight tournament contender Sam Oropeza fighting Gary Tapusoa and a battle of heavy hitters between Derek Bohi and Alex Huddleston in a heavyweight bout.

MAIN CARD:

Light Heavyweight World Title Fight: Linton Vassell (14-3) vs. Emanuel Newton (24-7)

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Karl Etherington (9-0) vs. Bobby Lashley (11-2)

Featherweight Feature Fight: Annalisa Bucci (7-3) vs. Marloes Coenen (21-6)

Lightweight Feature Fight: Dave Jansen (19-2) vs. Rick Hawn (18-3)

PRELIMINARY CARD:

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Derek Bohi (3-2) vs. Alex Huddleston (4-1)

Lightweight Feature Fight: Aaron Derrow (12-8) vs. Nate Jolly (13-6)

Featherweight Feature Fight: Anthony Dizy (5-0) vs. Darrion Caldwell (5-0)

Middleweight Feature Fight:  Gary Tapusoa (8-2) vs. Sam Oropeza (11-2)

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Gzim Selmani (4-1) vs. Daniel Gallemore (3-2)

Lightweight Feature Fight: Marcio Navarro (9-11) vs. Cody Carrillo (5-8)

Featherweight Feature Fight: Ricky Musgrave (11-4) vs. Joe Wilk (17-9)

Lightweight Feature Fight: Davi Ramos (5-0) vs. David Rickels (15-3)

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

Bellator 117 Full Card Finalized at Iowa’s Mid-America Center on Friday April 18th

Douglas Lima Faces Rick Hawn for the Welterweight Title

and the Bellator Lightweight Semifinals

Newport Beach, Calif. (March 27, 2014) – Douglas Lima and Rick Hawn will headline a packed night of fights from Iowa’s Mid-American Center on April 18^th as the two clash in a Bellator Welterweight Title fight live on Spike TV.  The event will also feature the Bellator Lightweight Semifinals with Brazilian knockout artist Patricky Pitbull facing Derek Campos and the undefeated Derek Anderson will fight polish phenom Marcin Held, along with a full card of local talent.

The event will broadcast live at 9 p.m. EST/ 8 p.m. CST on Spike TV. The preliminary card will be streamed live and free on Spike.com beginning at 7 p.m. EST/ 6 p.m. CST. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, Bellator.com or by visiting the Mid-American Center Box Office.

Kicking off the Spike.com portion of the night will be a battle of Iowa natives as Joe Vedepo faces Ben Crowder.  Both known for finishing fights quickly, Vedepo has won 12 of his 14 professional victories by KO or submission, but will have to hold off Crowder who has grabbed his last four wins by first round submission.

At 28-0 Julio Cesar Neves is making his Bellator debut against Josh Arocho. Known for his knockout power, Neves has won 17 victories by knockout with 11 coming in the first round and is looking for a KO in his fight against Arocho.

With only one professional loss, Jordan Parsons will fight Tim Bazer in a lightweight battle. Parsons enters the cage on a two-fight win streak and will need to get past Bazer who has recorded nine victories by submission.

After making his Bellator debut in September, Larue Burley returns to the Bellator cage to face Cliff Wright Jr. With all eight of his professional victorious coming by submission, Wright will look to his ground game to take down Burley who holds an undefeated professional record.

Looking to make his mark in the Bellator cage, Matt Uhde will fight Houston Alexander on April 18^th. With 25 professional fights under his belt, Alexander has 10 wins by KO and will rely on his powerful punching to stop Uhde.  

Returning to the cage after nearly two years, Martin Brown will meet Jared Downing under the bright lights.  No stranger to the Bellator cage, Downing is ready to put his skills to the test against Brown who has won three of his previous four fights.

Combining for 78 professional fights, Victor Moreno will fight Anthony Smith in a middleweight battle. No stranger to MMA, Moreno has 27 wins by KO or submission and is ready to put on an explosive and exciting fight in front of his home state crowd.  

MAIN CARD:Welterweight World Title Fight: Douglas “The Phenom” Lima (25-5) vs. Rick “Gengis” Hawn (18-2)
Bellator Lightweight Semifinal: Patricky Pitbull (12-5) vs. Derek Campos (14-3)
Bellator Lightweight Semifinal: Derek Anderson (11-0) vs. Marcin Held (17-3)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Karl Amoussou (16-6) vs. TBA

PRELIMINARY CARD:Lightweight Feature Fight: Jordan Parsons (9-1) vs. Tim Bazer (14-15)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Josh Arocho (13-12) Julio Cesar Neves (28-0)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Victor Morena (32-18) vs. Anthony Smith (17-11)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Ben Crowder (10-11) vs. Joe Vedepo (14-8)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Larue Burley (3-0) vs. Cliff Wright Jr. (8-5)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Martin Trey Brown (6-2) vs. Jared Downing (9-4)
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Matt Uhde (3-4) vs. Houston Alexander (15-10)

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          

Douglas Lima Faces Rick Hawn for the Welterweight Title Friday April 18th at Iowa’s Mid-America Center

Newport Beach, Cailf. (January 21, 2014) – The Main Event is set for Bellator 117 as Douglas Lima and Rick Hawn will headline a packed night of fights from Iowa’s Mid-American Center on April 18^th as the two clash in a Bellator Welterweight Title fight live on Spike TV.

The event will broadcast live at 9 p.m. EST/ 8 p.m. CST on Spike TV. The preliminary card will be streamed live and free on Spike.com beginning at 7 p.m. EST/ 6 p.m. CST. Tickets for the event will be on sale Friday, January 24th and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, Bellator.com or by visiting the Mid-American Center Box Office.

Lima enters the April 18^th showdown riding a four-fight knockout streak including tournament wins over Bryan Baker and Ben Saunders that propelled the Brazilian born knockout artist into his rightful title shot. Just 26, Lima is well aware that now is the time to elevate his game to the next level, and capture his first Bellator Championship.

“This fight with Hawn is going to be very explosive, I think everyone is aware of that,” Lima said. “I really can’t describe how excited I am for this World Title shot. I’m bringing this belt home, and it’s not leaving me for a long time.”

Hawn’s road to a title shot was a unique one, as the TriStar product was a late injury replacement in the Season 9 Welterweight Tournament. Hawn made the most of his opportunity, capturing three wins in the process, including a devastating knockout over Ron Keslar in the Tournament Finals.

“It’s great to be back in title contention and going for that belt,” Hawn said. “There is no question Douglas is an incredibly gifted fighter. In terms of his size and skill, this will probably be the toughest fight of my career, and I’m ready for that. I know how exciting this fight is going to be, and I’m just ready for April 18^th to get here.”

“Without using too many cliché’s, Lima vs. Hawn is just a fight fans dream come true,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “Both of these are incredibly exciting to watch in the cage, and to have both of them set for a five round battle for our welterweight title is something I’m couldn’t be happier about.”

More information on Bellator 117 will be made available in the coming weeks.

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     

Bellator Results from Iowa’s US Cellular Center

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (October 18, 2013) – The final results are in for the Bellator MMA event live from Iowa’s US Cellular Center. The night was headlined by the Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinals with Ron Keslar finishing War Machine in the first round and Rick Hawn defeating Brent Weedman to advance to the Bellator Welterweight Tournament Final. Keslar will face Hawn on November 22^nd from Sands Casino Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Rick Hawn defeats Brent Weedman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Ron Keslar defeats War Machine via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:31

Middleweight Feature Fight: Kendall Grove defeats Joe Vedepo by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Peter Graham defeats Eric Prindle by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Bradley defeats Karl Amoussou by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lightweight Feature Fight: Paul Sass defeats Rod Montoya via Submission (toe hold) – Round 1, 2:01

Catchweight Feature Fight (150lbs): Rob Emerson defeats Jared Downing via Submission (heel hook) – Round1, 1:44

Catchweight Feature Fight (160lbs): Brandon Girtz defeats Mike Estus via Verbal Submission (armbar) - Round 1, 4:25

Catchweight Feature Fight (161lbs): Cliff Wright Jr. defeats Derek Loffer via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:28

Featherweight Feature Fight: Andre Tieva defeats Christopher Lane via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 2:14

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 Iowa’s US Cellular Center

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (October 17, 2013) –  The Bellator MMA weigh-ins have been completed from the US Cellular Center in preparation for Bellator MMA’sOctober 18th event, which will showcase the Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinals and full card of local talent.

Bellator MMA will take place from the US Cellular Center on Friday, October 18th 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.

MAIN CARD: 

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Brent Weedman (170.7) vs. Rick Hawn (170.4) 
Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Ron Keslar (170.7) vs. War Machine (170.5) 
Middleweight Feature Fight: Kendall Grove (185.7) vs. Joe Vedepo (185.2)
Heavyweight Feature Fight: Eric Prindle (265.6) vs. Peter Graham (246.6)

PRELIMINARY CARD:Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Bradley (171) vs. Karl Amoussou (170.6)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Rod Montoya (155.8) vs. Paul Sass (155.1)
Catchweight Feature Fight (150lbs): Rob Emerson (145.6) vs. Jared Downing (148.3)
Catchweight Feature Fight (160lbs): Brandon Girtz (160) vs. Mike Estus (157.6)
Catchweight Feature Fight (161lbs): Derek Loffer (160.4) vs. Cliff Wright Jr. (154)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Andrew Tieva (144.6) vs. Chris Lane (146)

 

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 17th at 5:00 p.m. CST from Iowa’s US Cellular Center

Weigh-Ins will be streamed online at Bellator.com

Newport Beach, CA. (October 15, 2013) – The weigh-in and pre-fight press conference for Bellator MMA will take place Thursday at 5:00 p.m. CST at Exhibit Hall A & C inside US Cellular Center (370 1st Ave E, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401). Bellator MMA will take place from the US Cellular Center on Friday, October 18th with the first fight taking place at6:00 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 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Brent Weedman (22-8-1) vs. Rick Hawn (16-2) 
Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Ron Keslar (10-3) vs. War Machine (14-4)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Kendall Grove (18-13) vs. Joe Vedepo (14-6)
Heavyweight Feature Fight: Eric Prindle (8-3) vs. Peter Graham (8-5)

PRELIMINARY CARD: 

Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Bradley (20-5) vs. Karl Amoussou (16-5-2)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Rod Montoya (15-15) vs. Paul Sass (13-2)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Rob Emerson (12-10) vs. Jared Downing (9-3)
Catchweight Feature Fight (160lbs): Brandon Girtz (9-3) vs. Mike Estus (3-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Derek Loffer (4-1) vs. Cliff Wright Jr. (7-5)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Andrew Tieva (6-0) vs. Chris Lane (8-10)

 

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