More Bellator MMA News
Patchy Mix Receives a 3-Word Heartwarming Response From UFC Star Merab Dvalishvili After Winning $1,000,000 at Bellator Grand Prix
UFC star Merab Dvalishvili sent a congratulatory message to Bellator's Patchy Mix after the latter's impressive knockout victory.
“Tony Khan Gotta Step Up” – Fight Fans React as MMA Promotion Goes Up for Sale After UFC-WWE Merger
Fight fans give their opinions and suggestions on the latest news of Bellator MMA being sold just after the UFC-WWE merger took place.
After Conor McGregor Gives Him Free Pass for Recent Antics, Dillon Danis Throws Massive Insult at Nate Diaz
Controversy king Dillon Danis makes yet another ballsy comment on Nate Diaz's stance on Leon Edwards' recent win with just two words.
Benson Henderson Recalls His 3-Year-Old Kid Forced Him to Let Go of “Bad Habit” That Had Even “Scared” His Mother: “I Had to Cut It Out”
Benson Henderson reminsices having toothpicks during fights Recalls an incident when he swallowed a toothpick while surprising his mother.
“What an Insane Career” – UFC World Erupts as Nate Diaz Conqueror and Former World Champion Benson Henderson Retires After 17 Years
Twitter floods in with appreciation as the former UFC & WEC champion Benson Henderson retires from the sport after 17 illustrious years.
“Just Join the UFC”: Fans React as “Absolute Monster” Usman Nurmagomedov Retires Benson Henderson at Bellator 292
Fans react to Lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov defeating Benson Henderson via submission in the very first round at Bellator 292.
“Did His Knee Just Split Open?”: Michael Venom Page’s Brutal Leg Kick Makes Fans Sick to Their Stomachs at Bellator 292
Fans get nauseous after watching a slow-motion video of Michael Page destroying Goiti Yamauchi's knee and knocking him out at Bellator 292.
Daniel Cormier Expresses Concern for 39-Year-Old Nick Diaz Aiming for UFC Return; Offers Promising Alternative
Daniel Cormier expresses concern for the 39-year-old Nick Diaz wanting to fight again; He offered a less dangerous alternative instead.
Bellator CEO Provides a Bleak Update on Francis Ngannou’s Prospects With the Promotion
Bellator CEO Scott Coker provides a bleak update on the MMA future of former UFC champion and current free agent, Francis Ngannou.
MMA Fighter Encourages Millions to Come Forward as He Addresses 10 Years Long Battle “To Get Clean”; Gets Positive Response From the Community
Fans and fellow MMA fighters unite to applaud Bellator star Brennan Ward who "is there" for anyone fighting drug addiction
“Josh Barnett Was Ready to End This Mans Life” – Drunkard Immediately Regrets Stirring Scuffle at Bellator in MMA Fighter’s Presence, Fans React
MMA fans reacts to a drunk crowd member creating a scene at Bellator 290 as he was escorted out of the arena by the security team.
“Awful Take”: MMA World Reacts as Dana White Soft-Pedals Fedor Emelianenko’s Legacy Hours After His Retirement
Dana White has made a controversial opinion on Fedor Emelianenko post his retirement. The fans have slammed the UFC president regarding this.
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 |
