September 11, 2020

    CHAMPION CRIS ‘CYBORG’ AND ARLENE BLENCOWE MEET IN EPIC WORLD TITLE BOUT IN PRIMETIME ON OCT. 15

    Peter Knox 11/09/2020

    BELLATOR MMA AND CBS SPORTS NETWORK TEAM UP ON NEW TELEVISION PARTNERSHIP   COVERAGE KICKS OFF THURSDAY, OCT. 1 WITH BELLATOR 247 LIVE FROM MILAN, ITALY   PLUS, CHAMPION CRIS ‘CYBORG’ AND ARLENE BLENCOWE MEET IN EPIC WORLD TITLE BOUT IN PRIMETIME ON OCT. 15 Bellator MMA, a leading mixed martial arts promotion owned by ViacomCBS, and CBS Sports Network have announced an exciting new partnership that will see the organization’s live events featured on the 24-hour home of CBS Sports beginning this fall. CBS Sports Network will televise Bellator events, both domestic and international, LIVE in all U.S. markets, while preliminary matchups will stream on CBSSports.com and Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional details will be announced at a later date. To kick off the new partnership, CBS Sports Network will air Bellator events live from Europe, including Bellator 247 on Thursday, Oct. 1 (4 p.m. ET) in Milan, Italy, as well as the monumental Bellator Paris event on Saturday, Oct. 10 (11:30 a.m. ET) in France. Bellator 247 is headlined by a welterweight battle between veteran Paul Daley (42-17-2) and Derek Anderson (16-3, 1 NC), while Bellator Paris sees “MVP” Michael Page (17-1) take on Ross Houston (8-0, 1 NC) at welterweight and Cheick Kongo (30-10-2, 1 NC) face Tim Johnson (14-6) in a heavyweight bout. The first primetime event live from the U.S. takes place Thursday, Oct. 15 (9 p.m. ET) with a massive card anchored by the first world title defense of current champion Cris “Cyborg” (22-2, 1 NC), who takes on Australia’s Arlene Blencowe (13-7), at Bellator 249 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. “We’re excited to have CBS Sports Network serve as the new home of live Bellator MMA events. It’s a great opportunity to showcase some of the best events and biggest names in the sport,” said CBS Sports Executive Vice President of Programming Dan Weinberg. “Adding Bellator MMA to the CBS Sports portfolio will allow for greater promotion, engagement and exposure across all our platforms and assets including CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports HQ as well as our various social accounts.” “I am thrilled that Bellator live events will be coming to CBS Sports Network beginning on Oct. 1, as well as the unique opportunities the partnership creates across all CBS Sports platforms,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “CBS Sports is synonymous with iconic sports broadcasting and it is incredible to now have Bellator MMA included in that family. I would like to thank Paramount Network, formerly Spike TV, for the years of support that helped build Bellator into the organization that it is today, and this news marks yet another exciting relationship between two ViacomCBS properties. I look forward to bringing the biggest fights, featuring the top athletes in the world, live to CBS Sports Network and introducing Bellator to an entirely new audience this fall.” CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is available through all major cable, satellite and telco distributors as well as via OTT streaming service providers YouTube TV, fuboTV, DirecTV and Hulu. Bellator will continue to produce all of its own live events, led by Executive Producer Scott Fishman. The second Bellator woman’s featherweight champion in the company’s history, Cris “Cyborg” is coming off of a dominant performance over Julia Budd in January to win the 145-pound world title. Already an MMA legend at 35-years-old, “Cyborg” will be looking to further her legacy as the greatest woman’s mixed martial artist of all-time when she meets Arlene Blencowe on Oct. 15. After winning the Bellator belt in her 12th career title fight, “Cyborg” made history by becoming a world champion in her fourth major promotion, previously holding belts in both the UFC and Strikeforce. With a professional record of 22-2, 1 NC, including 18 wins by way of finish, the Brazilian-born fighter holds victories over tough competition such as Budd, Holly Holm, Felicia Spencer and Gina Carano. With wins in six of her last seven fights, including five knockouts, “Angerfist” has put herself in position to challenge for the women’s featherweight title. Coming off a unanimous decision victory over Leslie Smith, the former two-time boxing world champion will look to keep her momentum rolling and claim her first MMA title. Tied for the most knockouts in Bellator woman’s featherweight history, the fighter out of New South Wales, Australia aims to claim sole possession of that record, as she takes on her toughest challenge to date in Cris “Cyborg.” A longtime MMA veteran, Paul Daley has competed professionally since 2003, amassing over 60 career fights. Throughout his tenure, “Semtex” has been one half of some of the most memorable bouts in MMA history, including a knockout of the year over Brennan Ward in 2017. Most recently, the Nottingham, England native notched consecutive wins over Erick Silva and Saad Awad, running his record in Bellator MMA to 8-4. Fighting out of San Diego, Calif., the 30-year-old Derek Anderson will be making his 11th appearance for Bellator MMA in search of his third consecutive victory. With 11 of his 16 career wins coming by way of finish, “The Barbaric” hopes to earn his eighth promotional victory and first of his 2020 campaign. Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Michael “Venom” Page, better known to fans as “MVP,” returns with the intention of spoiling the debut of European welterweight prospect, Ross Houston. Holding a career record of 17-1, with 14 wins coming by way of stoppage, the pride of London Shootfighters looks to remind people why he is one of the most exciting strikers in all of MMA. After signing with Bellator in February, Scotland’s Houston will make his promotional debut against one of Bellator’s biggest stars in Page. “The Hitman” plans on keeping his 8-0, 1 NC undefeated record intact and improve on the three submission victories already to his name by using his known Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills. Holding an impressive MMA record of 30-10-2, 1 NC, France’s Cheick Kongo returns to action following a title fight against heavyweight champion Ryan Bader last September. The former kickboxer remains unbeaten since 2015 and will enter the Bellator cage on home soil for a rematch against a familiar opponent in heavyweight contender in Tim Johnson. Coming off a dominant

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    Englishman Sam Patterson can prove he belongs in the elite with win at BRAVE CF 41

    Peter Knox 11/09/2020

    Young Sam Patterson was discovered by the biggest scouting program in the world today at BRAVE Combat Federation. Since making his promotional debut, ‘’The Future’’ has caught the eye of MMA fans around the globe, who have pinpointed him to have a bright future, as his nickname suggests. And he will have the chance to start building towards that future when he faces veteran Felipe Silva at BRAVE CF 41, on September 24th. At 24 years of age, Patterson will fight his most experienced opponent to date. Silva has been fighting all over the world and has double the fights that Sam has on his pro record. A phenomenal striker, he’s responsible for the training at the famed Brazilian gym CM System, the current winner of BRAVE CF Team of the Year. This means Felipe is responsible for taking care of the striking of several top BRAVE CF athletes such as reigning Middleweight world champion Daniel Gaucho and former Lightweight titleholder Luan Santiago. His opponent’s credentials don’t faze Patterson. An IMMAF world medalist, he has developed a reputation for maintaining his wits even in the hardest moments of a fight. Against Ahmed Amir, he was caught in several bad positions, but was able to escape at all times, earning a draw with ‘’The Butcher’’. In his next fight, he earned the biggest win of his career. Conor McGregor’s protege and muay thai champion Cian Cowley went toe to toe with Sam, and the Englishman was clearly the better man, landing tough shots, and eventually beating the Irishman by submission. After that, he renewed his contract with the fastest-growing MMA organization in the world and waited for a big fight. BRAVE CF obliged and he has now the biggest challenge of his career in front of him. A well-rounded fighter, who can use his strikes to set up takedowns and submissions, but can also hang with anyone on the feet, Patterson is confident he can take the step up in opposition in his stride, and capture yet another monumental victory in his short career. For Felipe, the fight against Patterson could represent a new beginning. After being shocked by Guram Kutateladze at BRAVE CF 29, the Brazilian veteran will have the opportunity to ensure he still has the Lightweight belt on his sights and his future.

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    Pongsiri PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym Defeats Sean Clancy by Unanimous Decision in Epic ONE Super Series Battle

    Peter Knox 11/09/2020

     The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), returned with another spectacular evening of world-class martial arts action. Broadcast last Friday night, 11 September, ONE: A NEW BREED II — a previously recorded, closed-door event in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok — saw the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent take the ONE Championship ring. In the main event, 4-time Muay Thai World Champion Pongsiri PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym of Thailand turned in a stirring performance, going toe-to-toe with Ireland’s Sean “Clubber” Clancy across three gruelling rounds. Clancy looked to counter Pongsiri’s forward movement with volume output, but the Thai superstar would not be deterred. A sharp left hook from Pongsiri stunned Clancy momentarily, as the Irishman retreated to the corner. In the second round, a slicing right elbow from Pongsiri dropped Clancy to the canvas. But “Clubber” showed incredible heart, beating the 10-count, and making his way back up to his feet. In the third and final round, the two men went to war in the phonebooth, with neither wanting to take a step backward. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Pongsiri to win by unanimous decision. In a ONE Super Series kickboxing bout, 2-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 of Thailand overcame a tough challenge from opponent Fahdi “The Gladiator” Khaled, just edging out the Tunisian on the scorecards after three rounds. The first round started out with furious exchanges at the center of the ring. Khaled connected on a wild left hook that stunned Superlek momentarily. In the second round, Superlek continued his kicking onslaught, as Khaled opted to box and counter. In the final round, Superlek did just enough to sway the result in his favor, punishing Khaled consistently with his piston-like kicks. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Superlek to win by unanimous decision. In a ONE Super Series Muay Thai contest, PBA Thailand Champion Supergirl Jaroonsak Muaythai put together a rousing performance, stopping Milagros Lopez of Argentina in the first round of her promotional debut. Supergirl opened up the action with a fast and powerful straight right hand down the middle, stunning Lopez slightly. As the two women proceeded to trade strikes at the center of the ring, Supergirl connected on another right hand to drop Lopez, who was able to get back up albeit on unsteady footing. Back on the feet, Supergirl ended matters with yet another straight right hand, sending Lopez to the canvas for good. Australian Brogan “Broken Heart” Stewart-Ng showcased his superior grappling skills, as he finished opponent, 2018 One Shin Cup Champion Prach “SuperBest” Buapa of Thailand in the first round. Buapa began the match aggressively, connecting on a handful of combinations from range. Once Stewart-Ng was able to close the distance, however, the Australian easily took matters to the ground via bodylock. “Broken Heart” swiftly transitioned to his opponent’s back and locked in the deep rear-naked choke to force the tap. “Merciless” Abu Muslim Alikhanov of Russia made a successful ONE Championship debut, dominating opponent Pascal “Money P” Jaskiewiez of France across two rounds to score a submission victory. Alikhanov wasted no time in taking matters to the ground at the sound of the opening bell, using his wrestling to score a plethora of takedowns. In the second round, a scramble led to the bout-ending leg lock, and Jaskiewiez was forced to tap. Kicking off the action at ONE: A NEW BREED II, MFC Lightweight Tournament Champion “SuperBenz” Witchayakorn Niamthanom of Thailand delivered an inspiring performance, finishing Moroccan Kickboxing National Champion Khalid “Monster” Friggini inside the first round. After trading strikes briefly at the center of the ONE Championship ring, Witchayakorn scored a successful takedown. On the mat, the Thai athlete worked to secure a deep rear-naked choke, forcing the tap. ONE Championship returns to Bangkok with the previously recorded event, ONE: A NEW BREED III, set for broadcast on Friday, 18 September. Check local listings for times. In the main event, ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy of Thailand defends his title against Lion Fight World Champion Magnus “Crazy Viking” Andersson of Sweden. Also making an appearance is Thai women’s martial arts pioneer, Rika “Tiny Doll” Ishige, who takes on atomweight prospect Sunisa “Thunderstorm” Srisen. Official results for ONE: A NEW BREED II Muay Thai Bantamweight: Pongsiri PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym defeats Sean Clancy by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds Kickboxing Flyweight: Superlek Kiatmoo9 defeats Fahdi Khaled by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds Muay Thai Catchweight (53.7 KG): Supergirl Jaroonsak Muaythai defeats Milagros Lopez by Knockout (KO) at 1:00 minutes of round 1 Mixed Martial Arts Catchweight (67.5 KG): Brogan Stewart-Ng defeats Prach Buapa by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 3:51 minutes of round 1 Mixed Martial Arts Lightweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov defeats Pascal Jaskiewiez by Submission (Leglock) at 2:08 minutes of round 2 Mixed Martial Arts Lightweight: Witchayakorn Niamthanom defeats Khalid Friggini by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:11 minutes of round 1

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    Across The Pond Profile: Legacy Fighting Alliance fighter Calvin Harbaugh

    Myles Painter 11/09/2020

    Learning to embrace the 24-hour grind and dancing with the rain are two key factors in swinging the hammer of success in the world of mixed martial arts. In today’s episode of Across The Pond, you will be introduced to a wolverine-like anaconda whose ability to chain submissions together at the flick of a switch has opponents standing clear of his venom as he begins to sharpen his fangs under LFA’S bright lights. A professional mixed martial artist since December 2019 and representing Black Lion Jiu-Jitsu, Calvin Harbaugh holds a 2-2 professional record with both of his victories as a pro-MMA fighter coming via submission. Harbaugh fought for Lights Out Championship, a regional MMA promotion based in his home state of Michigan prior to making his promotional debut with Legacy Fighting Alliance at LFA 86 in July 2020. He is currently 1-1 under the banner of Legacy Fighting Alliance with two first-round finishes. Harbaugh has yet to make it on to the scorecards during his tenure thus far as a professional mixed martial artist. In his second and final appearance with Lights Out Championship at Lights Out Championship 7, he faced Jose Prieto and went on to submit him via rear-naked choke in the first round. Then in his promotional debut with Legacy Fighting Alliance at LFA 86 Harbaugh tapped out Nate Morrow in the first round via heel hook. The victory earned Harbaugh the second submission win of his professional career along with win number one under the banner of Legacy Fighting Alliance. He also picked up his second first-round finish in the process. With a 100 percent submission rate, getting a foe to tap is as easy as getting a fish to bite down on the line and gobble up whatever tasty bait is hanging from the end of the fisherman’s pole! Calvin’s first-round submission win over Nate Morrow at LFA 86

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    Bellator MMA 246 Weigh In Results

    Peter Knox 11/09/2020

    Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix will be broadcast on Paramount Network and simulcast on DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Bellator’s YouTube channel beginning at 8:45 pm ET/7:45 pm CT. Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix Main Card: Paramount Network and DAZN Saturday, Sept. 12 – 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT Bantamweight World Title Bout: Juan Archuleta (134.6) vs. Patchy Mix (135) Welterweight Co-Main Event: Jon Fitch (170.5) vs. Neiman Gracie (170.8) Flyweight Feature Bout: Liz Carmouche (125.5) vs. DeAnna Bennett (131.7)* Lightweight Feature Bout: Derek Campos (154) vs. Keoni Diggs (157)* Preliminary Card: Bellator MMA’s YouTube Channel Saturday, Sept. 12 – 8:45 p.m. ET/7:45 p.m. CT Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Pat Casey (185.6) vs. Daniel Madrid (184.4) Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Ty Gwerder (184.2) vs. George Tokkos (186) Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Davion Franklin (264.7) vs. Ras Hylton (245.5) *Missed weight

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    Bellator to Hold First Major MMA Event in France on Saturday, October 10 at Accor Arena in Paris

    Frankie 11/09/2020

    France has approved the practice of mixed martial arts and has placed the sport under the supervision of the French Boxing Federation (FFB). With these recent government approvals, Bellator is pleased to announce that it will become the first promotion to hold a major MMA event in France with a monumental show on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Accor Arena in Paris. Bellator Paris will feature 13 MMA bouts and three boxing matchups.   Among the athletes competing at Bellator Paris, 10 French fighters will appear on the card, including the renowned Cheick Kongo (30-10-2, 1 NC), who will face off against Tim Johnson (14-6) in a heavyweight clash. Additionally, an exciting welterweight bout between Michael “Venom” Page (17-1), better known to fans as “MVP,” and the debuting undefeated Ross Houston (8-0,1 NC) is also booked for the event.   A limited number of fans will be allowed in attendance for this historic event. Tickets will be available beginning at 10 a.m. CEST on Tuesday, September 15 at accorarena.com and bellator.fr.   Following the governmental decree, the French Boxing Federation is responsible for the implementation of MMA in France. “If I made the choice to initiate a delegation procedure for MMA, it was for its recognition; it is to liberate, supervise and develop its practice,” indicates the Minister of Sports, Roxana Maracineanu. This is a turning point in the history of French sport, as MMA is a discipline that is enjoying growing success, proven by these events capable of bringing together thousands of people and attracting millions of spectators.                     “This is a monumental moment in the history of the sport, as well as our organization, and I am honored that Bellator will promote the very first MMA event in France by a major promotion,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “Many people have worked tirelessly to bring this to fruition, and it would not have been possible without the support of the Minister of Sports, Roxana Maracineanu, as well as the French Kickboxing Federation sanctioning body. I would also like to thank Accor Arena, who have been an incredible venue partner, and I cannot wait for the French fans to be in attendance and join us live for what will be an unforgettable night of action in Paris on Oct 10.”   Holding an impressive MMA record of 30-10-2, 1 NC, France’s Cheick Kongo returns to action following a title fight against heavyweight champion Ryan Bader last September. The former kickboxer remains unbeaten since 2015 and will enter the Bellator cage on home soil for a rematch against a familiar opponent in heavyweight contender, Tim Johnson. With the most fights (15) and wins (12) in Bellator heavyweight history, as well as victories over Vitaly Minakov, Mirko Cro Cop, Antoni Hardonk and Matt Mitrione, the Parisian is planning for a successful homecoming on Oct. 10.   On the heels of a dominant TKO victory over veteran Matt Mitrione at Bellator 243 in August, Tim Johnson is set to compete for the third time in 2020 seeking revenge in a rematch from 2018 against Cheick Kongo. Now training out of Las Vegas, Johnson has quickly earned his place near the top of the Bellator heavyweight division with his recent wins, including a viral knockout over top prospect Tyrell Fortune in February. Boasting a career record of 14-6, with 11 coming by way of finish, the Minnesota-born military veteran looks to carry his momentum into a fight that has future world title implications.   Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Michael “Venom” Page, better known to fans as “MVP,” returns with the intention of spoiling the debut of European welterweight prospect, Ross Houston. Holding a career record of 17-1, with 14 wins coming by way of stoppage, the pride of London Shootfighters looks to remind people why he is one of the most exciting strikers in all of MMA. In addition to his MMA accolades, Page is a 10-time kickboxing world champion and also undefeated as a professional boxer.   After signing with Bellator in February, Scotland’s Ross Houston will make his promotional debut against one of Bellator’s biggest stars in Michael Page. “The Hitman” plans on keeping his 8-0, 1 NC undefeated record intact and moving one step closer to Bellator gold in the toughest test of his career to date. With three submission victories to his name, Houston’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills make him a viable threat if the fight goes to the ground against one of Bellator’s most feared strikers. Updated Bellator Paris Card:   Heavyweight Feature Fight: Cheick Kongo (30-10-2, 1 NC) vs. Tim Johnson (14-6) Welterweight Feature Fight: Michael Page (17-1) vs. Ross Houston (8-0, 1 NC)

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