More Bellator MMA News
Bellator is in Talks With Eddie Hearn for a Cris Cyborg vs Katie Taylor Super-Fight
Bellator MMA President Scott Coker revealed that he's in talks with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn to match up Cris Cyborg and Katie Taylor.
Cris Cyborg Says Amanda Nunes Ran Away From the Rematch
Cris Cyborg, following her win over Arlene Blencowe, gave her thoughts on a potential rematch with Amanda Nunes and how it would play out.
Cris Cyborg Back With a Familiar Name in Team Ahead of Bellator Title Defense in 2020
Cris Cyborg revealed she was joined by a new but familiar face for her upcoming fight camp as she prepares to defend her title.
“I’m Gonna Put Some Fear in Her”- Arlene Blencowe Aims to Dismantle Cris Cyborg at Bellator 249
Arlene Blencowe spoke ahead of her title fight against Cris Cyborg and broke down the way the fight would play out from her vantage point.
WATCH: Amazing Celebration By Bellator Fighter After Knocking Out Opponent In Brutal Fashion
Yves Landu made his debut with Bellator MMA at Bellator 248. He secured an impressive KO win and followed that up with some awesome moves.
Fabricio Werdum vs Fedor Emelianenko Rematch in the Works at Bellator
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum has revealed that a dream remtch against Fedor Emelianenko is in the works.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Introduces His Cousin to Bellator MMA
Undefeated fighter Usman Nurmagomedov, who is the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, has signed a multi-fight multi-year deal with Bellator.
BREAKING: Frank Mir’s 17-Year-Old Daughter Set to Make Her Professional MMA Debut
The daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is set to make her professional MMA debut at 17 in October. Click to read more.
Bellator Fight Canceled After Paul Daley Gets Hospitalized Following Weight Cut
The main event of Bellator 247 had to be canceled after English welterweight Paul Daley was taken to the hospital following a bad weight cut
WATCH: Michael Chandler Leaves Opponent Motionless in 44 Seconds
As Michael Chandler gears up to face UFC competition, we turn back the clock at look at the fastest knockout of his professional career.
Former Bellator Champion Issues a Challenge to Khabib Nurmagomedov on His Birthday
Khabib Nurmagomedov received a challenge and a reminder on his birthday from the former Bellator champion, Michael Chandler.
BREAKING: AEW Superstar Jon Moxley Makes His Bloodsport Debut
Jon Moxley will appear on GCW Bloodsport. Josh Barnett confirmed the news on Twitter via a promotional video clip that hyped up his appearance.
About Bellator MMA
History
Bellator MMA is one of the world's largest mixed martial arts promotions and is recognised as the closest competitor to the UFC. The term Bellator has its origin in Latin language which translates to 'warrior' in English.
Bjorn Rebney founded the company in 2008 and ran it until 2014, before departing and handing the reins to Scott Coker. Presently, the company has successfully hosted 242 numbered events.
The former Strikeforce executive made the move after his contract with Zuffa expired. Following Coker’s arrival, Bellator MMA pivoted to a more traditional North American approach to the sport. This is a departure from the organization's tournament format during its initial phase.
Bellator's tournament format
Bellator MMA has played host to a variety of tournaments under its older format, with 11 seasons of Bellator Fighting Championship held in 4 years from 2009 to 2014. The tournaments saw fighters of specific weight classes compete for a shot at the divisional title.
Also in 2013, the promotion aired a single-season series called Fight Master: Bellator MMA where Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, Greg Jackson, and Joe Warren served as coaches.
Like all American martial arts organizations, the rules for fights in the Bellator promotion are exactly the same with eye gouges and groin strikes deemed as illegal offenses for which fighters can incur point penalties or be disqualified.
Along with MMA, Bellator has a kickboxing promotion which has hosted 12 events since its inception in 2016.
Some big names who are part of Bellator MMA
At present, the company is home to some of the biggest MMA names including former UFC Champions like Cris Cyborg, Frank Mir, and Lyoto Machida. Current Bellator Champions include Ryan Bader, Douglas Lima, Patricio Freire, and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. Additionally, the promotion is home to big names such as Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, and Cat Zingano.
via Imago
Patricio Freire after becoming a two-division Bellator MMA champion
Currently, there are 7 divisions for male fighters in Bellator. These are heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight. The promotion offers 2 divisions for its female talent at Featherweight and flyweight.
List of Champions at Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA has 5 world champions across 9 divisions. 2 fighters are double champions and 2 divisional titles are vacant at present.
| Division | Name | Date Won | Title Defenses |
| Heavyweight | Ryan Bader | January 26, 2019 | 1 |
| Light Heavyweight | Ryan Bader | June 24, 2017 | 1 |
| Middleweight | Vacant | Since February 10, 2020 | - |
| Welterweight | Douglas Lima | October 26,2019 | 0 |
| Lightweight | Patricio Freire | May 11, 2019 | 0 |
| Featherweight | Patricio Freire | April 21,2017 | 3 |
| Bantamweight | Vacant | Since November 27, 2019 | 0 |
| Women’s Featherweight | Cris Cyborg | January 25, 2020 | 0 |
| Women’s Flyweight | Ilima-Lei Macfarlane | November 3,2017 | 4 |
