Tag: Alessio Sakara

Bellator’s Alessio Sakara signs multifight deal with BKFC

Alessio Sakara is headed to bareknuckle boxing.

Another MMA veteran is headed down the bareknuckle boxing route.

Former UFC fighter and current Bellator competitor [autotag]Alessio Sakara[/autotag] has signed a multifight deal with BKFC. No opponent or date has been determined for his debut.

The news was announced by BKFC on Wednesday. MMA Junkie confirmed that Sakara remains under contract with Bellator, but was given permission to compete in bareknuckle boxing.

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This is another chapter to a storied career in combat sports for Sakara.

The Italian competed in the UFC from 2005 to 2013. He would go on to sign with Bellator in 2016 where he’s competed six times, going 4-2. During that stretch, Sakara challenged for the Bellator middleweight title, losing to then-champion Rafael Carvalho back in 2017. The last time he was seen in action was at Bellator 230 in Milan, when he stopped Canaan Grigsby in the first round.

Apart from MMA, Sakara also has experience in boxing, as he owns a professional record of 8-1. His last pro boxing bout came in 2009.

Bellator parts ways with 18 fighters: Daniel Straus, Tywan Claxton, Liam McGeary included

Bellator MMA has parted ways with over a dozen fighters, including more than a handful of notable names.

Eighteen fighters are no longer on the Bellator roster.

Among those who have parted ways includes former featherweight champion Daniel Straus, former light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary, boxer-turned-MMA-fighter Heather Hardy, and former UFC fighter Bec Rawlings. The list also includes two fighters who never got to compete after signing with the promotion because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s unclear whether each fighter was released, left on their own accord, or elected not to re-sign with the promotion. However, a Bellator official recently informed MMA Junkie that the promotion is moving on without the 18 fighters listed below.