MMA News & Video - Full Mount MMA - Mixed Martial Arts Network

No thanks to the unwanted intervention of an Icelandic volcano, 'Judo' Jimmy Wallhead's Bellator debut against Jacob 'Tick Tock' McClintock has been put on stop.

With most if not all flights out of the UK grounded there is now way for the Team Rough House fighter to get to the USA ahead of his scheduled Bellator 15 appearance on Thursday 22nd April.

Ryan Thomas has been called in at short notice to replace the grounded Brit. Its a frustrating set back for Wallhead at the end of what was a self confessed "best" training camp.

Having spent months in the gym he will now have to lay focus on negotiating a slot on a future Bellator card.

Having recently signed Jessica Aguilar, Bellator's Season 3 Women's Tournament now has a full compliment of fighters.

Aguliar joins 7 other fighters, all of whom are ranked amongst the top 10 in their respective weight divisions.

The 8 female fighters are as follows; Megumi Fujii (JPN), Rosi Sexton (UK), Lisa Ward (USA), Jessica Pene (USA), Angela Magana (USA), Lynn Alvarez (USA), Aisling Daly (IRE) and Jessica Aguilar (USA).

The 115lbs Season 3 Tournament is scheduled to start in Aug 2010 and with so many high level female fighters signed it looks set to be an intriguing contest.

Season one Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez (19-2) will meet former UFC fighter Josh Neer (27-9-1) in a 160 pound catchweight fight at May 6th Bellator 17, taking place at the Wang Theatre in Boston.

Alvarez is on a four fight win streak, all with finishes via submission, and fought his last bout at Dream 12 in October last year, defeating Katsunori Kikuno in the second round by arm triangle choke.

Since being released from the UFC Neer has won two consecutive fights, but this will be his first participation in the Bellator tournament. The Team Miletich fighter last fought at Shark Fights 8: Super Brawl, and defeated Anselmo Martinez in the second with a rear naked choke.

Due to being at a catchweight, Alvarez's lightweight crown will not be on the line against Neer. His first title defence will be when a winner emerges from the semi-finals of Roger Huerta vs. Pat Curran and Carey Vanier vs. Toby Imada; both of which are taking place at Bellator 17.

Bellator 17 Full Card

• Eddie Alvarez vs. Josh Neer
• Roger Huerta vs. Pat Curran
• Carey Vanier vs. Toby Imada
• Pat Bennett vs. Cole Konrad
• Lance Everson vs. Justin Torrey
• John Doyle vs. Greg Rebello
• Josh LaBerge vs. Dan Bonnell
• Damian Vitale vs. Chuck O'Neil

The full fight card for Bellator 31 is below:

MAIN CARD:

• Semifinal Women’s Tournament Fight: Megumi Fujii (21-0) vs. Lisa Ward (14-5-1)
• Semifinal Women’s Tournament Fight: Zoila Frausto (8-1) vs. Jessica Aguilar (9-3)
• Welterweight Season 4 Tournament Qualifier: Chris Lozano (5-0) vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (11-5)

UNDERCARD:

• Local Main Event: Mark Holata (4-2) vs. Shawn Jordan (8-1)
• Local Co-Main Event: John Harris (2-3) vs. Kyle Miers (1-0)
• Local Feature Fight #3: Tim Ruberg (2-0) vs. Aaron Davis (1-2)
• Local Feature Fight #2: Dave Herman (16-2) vs. Michal Kita (10-4)
• Local Feature Fight #1: Scott Stapp (2-0) vs. Mike Chandler (3-0)

Bellator's CEO Bjorn Rebney has confrimed to www.mmajunkie.com that British fighter Rosi sexton will no longer be competing as a participant in the Season 3 Women's Tournament which is scheduled for August 2010.

It has been reported that Sexton, who was deafeated by Zoila Fruasto at Bellator 23 on the 24th June, is likely to fight again for Bellator but will not be competing as a participant in the 8 woman tournament.

No replacement has yet been confirmed but Frausto is certainly in with a shout after her KO victory over Sexton.

Here is the link to the full story http://mmajunkie.com/news/19693/rosi-sexton-out-zoila-frausto-possibly-in-for-bellator-season-three-womens-tourney.mma

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) today announced that they have signed a global rights deal with Bellator Fighting Championships and will represent the brand's international television distribution rights and licensing rights.

David Ellender, FME CEO, commented, "This deal further diversifies FME’s third party slate and builds on our reputation as experts at identifying and exploiting the potential of emerging brands. The sport of mixed martial arts is gaining momentum with fans worldwide, and we can see huge potential for the Bellator brand across all platforms, both in the U.S. and internationally."

"The incredible athleticism and intensity exhibited in all of our mixed martial arts tournaments translate into any language" said Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney. "With FME as our partner, we will have the ability to showcase our high-intensity brand of fighting to millions around the globe."

What this will mean for Bellator in the UK remains to be seen, however with the UFC's success on these shores, FME will no doubt already be looking to bring more MMA to a nation demanding more.

Bellator, now the number two mixed martial arts promotion in the world has quickly gained momentum since it's inception just over two years ago. Bellator on MTV2 in the US and on Spike.com. Viacom recently announced that they had purchased a majority stake in the company and that it will debut on Spike TV in the US from early 2013.

FremantleMedia is one of the world's largest creators, producers and distributors of entertainment worldwide. They are responsible for programmes such as X-Factor, Pop Idol and the IT crowd.

@JamesLeesMMA

The list of top signings at Bellator continues to grow, this time adding top unsigned welterweight and former MFC Champion Douglas “The Phenom” Lima to its roster. Joining Bellator on an impressive win streak that includes a series of highlight reel finishes, Lima is ready to show fans what the buzz is all about.

“In every promotion I've fought in, I've always wanted to be the best welterweight in the division - but with Bellator, this is it,” said Lima. “This is a big organization and I'm going to be fighting on national television on MTV2. This is it for me, finally.”

Currently residing in Atlanta, the fast-rising 23-year-old enters Bellator riding a six-fight win streak and a battle-proven record of 18-4. “The Phenom” is currently all set to enter the promotion’s upcoming welterweight tournament. A true finisher, 16 of Lima’s 18 wins have come by submission or knockout.

“I just really want to finish all of my fights,” Lima said. “Every time I fight, I'm always looking for some way to finish. I don't like leaving my fate in the hands of the judges. If we stand up I'm going to try to knock my opponent's head off, and if we go to the ground, I'm good there too.”

While Lima tries not to focus on his losses, he can’t help but be reminded of his 2008 submission defeat at the hands of Bellator veteran and Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Semifinalist Brent Weedman.

“I definitely want to get that loss back from Brent Weedman,” said Lima. “I was very young when I fought him. He's a cool guy, but I wouldn't mind getting back inside the cage with him to get that one back.”

Now a member of Bellator Fighting Championships, the hard-hitting Brazilian just may get his chance. Either way, Lima is eager to take center stage LIVE on MTV2.

“I always want to win, but sometimes it's almost more important for me to put on an exciting fight,” Lima said. “I want to be in a fight where I can go home and watch in the next day and be like, 'Wow! That was awesome'. I want to put on the kind of performance that makes the people like me. I'm not going to go in there and just lay on a guy or run around the cage. When I step inside the cage, I'm ready to go to war. I'm not in there to play around.”

“Over the last two years, Douglas has taken his game to an entirely different level.  Many considered him one of the top unsigned welterweights in MMA today.  I’m very happy to say that he’s no longer unsigned and that he will be fighting for Bellator,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “We continue to develop one of the strongest 170 lbs. divisions in the sport, and Douglas will be a fantastic addition to that.”

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

Highly regarded welterweight Jay Hieron is no longer the most sought after free agent in his weight class, as the decorated 7-year veteran of the sport has inked an exclusive contract with Bellator Fighting Championships.

Bellator Fighting Championship’s highly anticipated Summer Series Featherweight Tournament will kick off on June 25th LIVE on MTV2 from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Bellator 46 will feature four featherweight quarterfinal fights, as well as a talent-filled undercard.

The night will see Brazilian knockout artist Marlon Sandro taking on fellow Brazilian Genair da Silva in an incredibly intriguing featherweight fight. With both fighters known for their knockout ability, fans should expect fireworks.

“I am coming to the United States to become a world champion,” said Sandro. “I see Bellator as the place to really make a name for myself here in the U.S. I'm here to put on great fights, entertain the fans, and fight my way to the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.”

The night will also see UK-based submission specialist Ronnie “Kid Ninja” Mann return to the Bellator cage to face off with the dangerous Adam Schindler, who enters the fight holding an 9-1 record.  Having already notched an impressive victory at Bellator 20, Schindler is preparing for a long tournament run.

"I'm just ready to get in that cage and win," said Schindler. "This is the time where I take the step from everyone around me knowing how good I am, to everyone seeing how good I am all across the country. This is my chance to shine."

Mann has similar ideas, and will be looking to dispatch Schindler in quick order to move onto the Bellator Featherweight Tournament Semifinals.

“Trying to capture the Bellator Featherweight World Championship is absolutely my main goal,” said Mann. “I don't care how long it takes; that's what I'm here to do.”

Former Season 2 Lightweight Tournament winner Pat Curran will be a featured participant in the upcoming featherweight tournament, as the Illinois native is making the drop down to featherweight after a hard-fought five round loss to current Bellator Lightweight World Champion Eddie Alvarez. Curran will take on long time Bellator veteran Luis Palomino, who will enter the tournament riding a three fight win streak, and holds notable victories over TUF alum Marc Stevens, Strikeforce and Bellator veteran Jorge Masvidal; and current M-1 Featherweight Champion Jose Figueroa. Even with the impressive resume, Curran feels confident heading into the Summer Series Tournament.

"I've fought at featherweight for most of my career, so I'm really excited to get back to a weight class where I can really do some damage," said Curran. "I had some great results as a lightweight, but I'm really going to make some noise in this summer featherweight tournament."

Rounding out the tournament will be Argentine submission finisher Nazareno Malegarie, who makes his return to the tournament holding an impressive 19-1 record. Malegarie will take on fast-rising Arizona native Jacob Devree for the chance to move onto the Bellator Featherweight Tournament Semifinals.

The undercard for Bellator 46 will be filled with familiar names to most, with Florida native Josh Samman taking on Bellator veteran Mike “El Gringo Diablo” Bernhard in middleweight action, and heavyweight prospect Tony Johnson Jr. meeting a yet to be determined opponent. The women’s division will also be on display, as Bellator Season 3 Tournament vets Jessica “Jag” Aguilar and Carla Esparza return to action.

“Bellator 46’s stacked Featherweight Tournament continues to build on our tremendous 145 pound division.” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “And, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has been a fantastic host for us in the past, and I can’t wait to make the trip down to Hollywood this June.”

Bellator Fighting Championships continues to add to its already stacked Atlantic City fight card, this time adding a Season 5 welterweight tournament qualifier fight between former Bellator Welterweight World Champion Lyman "Cyborg" Good and Season 2 tournament finalist Dan “The Handler” Hornbuckle. Headlining the May 14th show will be a non-title Super Fight featuring reigning Bellator World Middleweight Champion and former Judo Olympian Hector Lombard against dangerous Hawaiian UFC veteran Falaniko Vitale.  And, rounding out the nights stacked card is a Lightweight Tournament Championship fight between Brazilian Knockout artist Patricky Pitbull and undefeated NCAA Champion Mike Chandler.

“Good vs. Hornbuckle is a fight a lot of MMA fans, myself included, have wanted to see for quite some time,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “These two guys have Bellator in their blood, and on May 14th one will move into our next Tournament and one will go home.  This promises to be a great fight on May 14th  at Caesars.”

Coming off a tough split decision loss at the hands of undefeated Judo Olympian Rick Hawn in the Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Semifinals, the explosive Good was quick to give Hawn all the credit for the impressive victory, but also admitted he wasn’t fully prepared for his Bellator 39 fight.

“A lot of people didn’t know I had about a two week layoff before my fight with Rick because I got sick,” said a frustrated Good. “90 percent of a fight is always mental, and when I got in the cage, it never really felt like it was my fight.”

Good now looks to return to his winning ways as he collides with Hornbuckle, who himself is coming off a rare loss to Brent Weedman by unanimous decision at Bellator 35. While the loss is still upsetting to Hornbuckle, “The Handler” plans to unleash a new attack against the former champion.

“There’s no excuse for my loss to Brent Weedman,” said Hornbuckle. “It's my fault for not pulling the trigger. I can only be mad at myself for not taking the opportunity to finish the fight. No more of that. This fight with Lyman [Good], the proof will be in the pudding - mark my words. Just watch, as soon as that bell rings, I'm going to be sprinting dead at him and I'm going to put my knee dead in his face.”

The strong words from Hornbuckle shouldn’t be a surprise, as the opportunity to fight Good has always been on his mind.

“My original goal when I first signed with Bellator was to fight Lyman Good,” said Hornbuckle. “Lyman Good has never left my radar. Stylistically, physically and mentally - we both share the same attributes that's going to make this a "Fight of the Year" nomination.”