Bellator 259 faceoff video highlights: Cris Cyborg, Leslie Smith have one last faceoff before rematch

Check out the ceremonial weigh-in faceoffs ahead of Bellator 259 at Mohegan Sun.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator makes its return Friday and the women’s featherweight title will be on the line.

Bellator 259 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena with the main card airing on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie. Atop the bill is [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (23-2 MMA, 2-0 BMMA), who defends her title against [autotag]Leslie Smith[/autotag] (12-8-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) in the main event. The fight is a rematch of the two fighters’ 2016 bout, which Cyborg won by first-round TKO.

The co-main event also features a rematch. Former Bellator bantamweight champion [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 12-3 BMMA) returns to the division he once sat upon the throne of. He faces [autotag]Leandro Higo[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 3-3 BMMA), who missed weight by 1.5 pounds ahead of the bout.

Following Thursday’s official Bellator 259 weigh-ins, the athletes came face to face for some traditional pre-fight staredowns.

Check out the faceoffs below, including Cyborg vs. Smith, Caldwell vs. Higo, [autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Fabian Edwards[/autotag], [autotag]Valerie Loureda[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Hannah Guy[/autotag], and more.

Bellator 259 predictions: What are our three unanimous picks on the main card?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the Bellator 259 main card, featuring Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith.

Cyborg
vs.
Smith
Caldwell
vs.
Higo
Edwards
vs.
Vanderford
Mandonca
vs.
Willis
Edwards
vs.
Parrish
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 66-45
cyborg2021
Cyborg
(86%)
caldwell2021
Caldwell
(77%)
vanderford2021
Vanderford
(70%)
willis2021
Willis
(85%)
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
(83%)
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 68-43
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
vanderford2021
Vanderford
willis2021
Willis
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2021: 68-43
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
vanderford2021
Vanderford
willis2021
Willis
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 66-45
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
vanderford2021
Vanderford
mendonca2021
Mendonca
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 66-45
trophy copy 2018 Champion
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
fedwards2021
F. Edwards
willis2021
Willis
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 65-46
trophy copy 2014 Champion
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
vanderford2021
Vanderford
willis2021
Willis
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 65-46
trophy copy 2017 Champion
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
vanderford2021
Vanderford
willis2021
Willis
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 65-46
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
vanderford2021
Vanderford
willis2021
Willis
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 65-46
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
vanderford2021
Vanderford
willis2021
Willis
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2021: 63-48
trophy copy 2020 Champion
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
vanderford2021
Vanderford
willis2021
Willis
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 62-49
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
vanderford2021
Vanderford
willis2021
Willis
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 61-50
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
fedwards2021
F. Edwards
willis2021
Willis
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 60-51
cyborg2021
Cyborg
caldwell2021
Caldwell
vanderford2021
Vanderford
mendonca2021
Mendonca
cedwards2021
C. Edwards
BetMGM
Betting Favorites
cyborg2021
Cyborg -1400
caldwell2021
Caldwell -350
vanderford2021
Vanderford -225
mendonca2021
Mendonca -125
cedwards2021
C. Edwards -650

Bellator is back this week with a title fight at the top of the card.

Bellator 259 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, women’s featherweight champion [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (23-2 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) puts her title on the line in a rematch with challenger [autotag]Leslie Smith[/autotag] (12-8-1 MMA, 2-2 BMMA). Cyborg is a huge favorite at -1400 at BetMGM, so it’s no surprise she’s one of three unanimous picks on the main card from our editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers.

In the co-feature, former bantamweight champ [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 11-3 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Leandro Higo[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 3-3 BMMA). Caldwell is a -350 favorite, and he’s a 12-0 unanimous pick from our staff members.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Fabian Edwards[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) in a middleweight bout. Vanderford is a -225 favorite, but two of our pickers are taking Edwards in an upset.

[autotag]Maycon Mendonca[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is a slight favorite at -125 in his welterweight bout against [autotag]Jaleel Willis[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 2-0 BMMA). But it’s Willis with a big 10-2 picks lead.

Unfortunately, the bout expected to open the main card, which saw [autotag]Christian Edwards[/autotag] (4-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) as a big -650 favorite at light heavyweight against [autotag]Ben Parrish[/autotag] (4-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), was called off following the day’s official weigh-ins. Edwards was our third unanimous pick.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Cyborg (86 percent), Caldwell (77 percent), Vanderford (70 percent), Willis (85 percent) and Christian Edwards (83 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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Video: What Bellator 259 fight is flying most under the radar?

From current and former champions to rising hot prospects, Bellator 259 has a little bit of everything.

Bellator 259 fight week is upon us.

With women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg (23-2 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) defending her title in a rematch against Leslie Smith (12-8-1 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) atop the card, a lot of undercard fights aren’t necessarily getting the proper shine they deserve.

This is a solid card, top to bottom, with athletes ranging from current and former champions to undefeated hot prospects. Outside of the main event, what is the fight on the card that is flying the most under-the-radar and perhaps not getting the respect it deserves?

That’s the question “Spinning Back Clique” host John Morgan asked the panel of “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Brian “Goze” Garcia, and Nolan King.

You can watch their discussion in the video above, and this week’s full episode below.

https://youtu.be/zzPLt_QAYVQ

Austin Vanderford thinks win over Fabian Edwards could lead to title shot, but he wants to earn it

When Austin Vanderford contends for a Bellator title, he wants everyone to say he deserves it.

When [autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag] contends for the title, he wants everyone to say he deserves it.

In a recent interview with MMA Junkie Radio, Vanderford (10-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA), Bellator’s No. 3-ranked middleweight, discussed the implications of a win over Fabian Edwards (9-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) at Bellator 259, wanting to rightfully earn his shot at gold, his desire to compete in five-round fights, and more.

Watch the full interview with Vanderford above.

Bellator 259 takes place May 21 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Fabian Edwards vs. Austin Vanderford targeted for Bellator 259

A key middleweight matchup is in the works for May 21.

A key middleweight matchup is in the works for May 21.

MMA Junkie confirmed with a person with knowledge of the plans that [autotag]Fabian Edwards[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag] is currently targeted for Bellator 259, which takes place on that date at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The person asked to remain anonymous since Bellator officials have yet to formally announce the contest, which currently features verbal agreements in place but does not have a signed bout agreement.

Vanderford (10-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) is currently ranked No. 3 in Bellator’s official rankings, while Edwards (9-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) checks in just behind at No. 4.

Vanderford took to Instagram to offer an angle for the matchup, joking that it featured Paige VanZant’s husband vs. Leon Edwards’ brother.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNTXRkxJdem/?igshid=19dah151ztejl

Vanderford looks to keep his perfect professional record intact in the contest. ‘The Gentleman” fought most recently in November, scoring a decision win over Vinicius de Jesus at Bellator 251. It was Vanderford’s lone 2020 appearance after going 3-0 in 2019 to kick off his Bellator run.

Meanwhile, Edwards looks to rebound from the first setback of his career, a split-decision loss to Costello van Steenis – who is currently ranked No. 5 in Bellator’s rankings – at Bellator Europe 8 this past September. Prior to the loss, Edwards had rattled off nine consecutive wins to open his professional career.

With the targeted addition to the card, the Bellator 259 lineup now includes:

  • Champ Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith – for women’s featherweight title
  • Fabian Edwards vs. Austin Vanderford
  • Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Adam Piccolotti
  • Brett Johns vs. Matheus Mattos
  • Christian Edwards vs. Ben Parrish

Bellator middleweight Austin Vanderford details move to ATT with Paige VanZant

Bellator middleweight Austin Vanderford details move to ATT with Paige VanZant

Bellator middleweight Austin Vanderford details move to ATT with Paige VanZant

Austin Vanderford explains how nude photo series with wife Paige VanZant came to be

Bellator middleweight Austin Vanderford opens up about his nude photo series with wife Paige VanZant.

[autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag] has made plenty of noise in the MMA world during his fighting career, but also with some of his work on social media.

The Bellator middleweight has created a photo series, which he posts on his personal Instagram, posing nude with his wife and fellow fighter [autotag]Paige VanZant[/autotag] in many creative ways. Vanderford (10-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) says the idea originated during quarantine caused by the coronavirus pandemic and was something just to pass the time and have fun.

“It just comes down to her and I, we post what we want to post and really not caring too much or giving too much care to anyone else,” Vanderford recently told MMA Junkie Radio. “We had fun especially in quarantine doing the nude photos and stuff.

“It was just fun for us to do and something that we wanted to do, so we went with it. It wasn’t due to any request. We just came up one day, and honestly, I think I was running around the house naked, I was out doing pull-ups or something, and the idea kind of sparked, and we did it.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-n7Dc2H5uu/

Vanderford and VanZant’s photos comply with Instagram’s guidelines, and they make sure to creatively make their photos appropriate for the platform.

The Vanderford-VanZant couple followers seem to enjoy the content, and his family doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. Vanderford, 30, says his family supports his online persona. This doesn’t come as a surprise to them.

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“Yeah, our family is supper supportive of us, and they know we’re fun people, and they know our personalities more than anyone else,” Vanderford explained. “So what might be a surprise to the outside world isn’t a surprise to our family because they know us, and they know our true personalities and what not.

“We just have a fun time. That’s what our family is about. We have a good time, so we enjoy coming back home and being with the family and disconnecting from that world and just be with the family.”

Vanderford recently fought in November at Bellator 251, outpointing Vinicius de Jesus in a unanimous decision. “The Gentleman” has yet to be booked for another bout. Meanwhile, his wife, VanZant, is set to make her Bare Knuckle FC debut on Feb. 5. She takes on Britain Hart.

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With Bellator 251 win, Austin Vanderford’s move to American Top Team pays off immediately

Austin Vanderford is happy with his recent move to American Top Team.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag] is happy with one of his recent career choices.

The Bellator middleweight picked up a unanimous decision win over Vinicius de Jesus on the main card of Bellator 251 on Thursday night. And though it was yet another win for Vanderford (10-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA), this was his first fight training at the famed American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla.

The unbeaten competitor is happy about his move to ATT and thinks a rapid evolution is coming in his MMA skills.

“I have so many good coaches there,” Vanderford said at the post-fight news conference. “Not to forget, my head coach Fabiano Scherner – he wasn’t here with me tonight, but I owe so much to him, too. But man, coach ‘Parrumpa’ (Marcos DeMotta) is the man on the ground and at American Top Team.

“Who do you want? I get Mike Brown every day, Steve Mocco, Conan Silveira, all these great coaches. It’s hard not to improve with guys like that, let alone my training partners, as well.”

[lawrence-related id=564306,564311]

Vanderford trained in Oregon prior to his cross-country move. He’s been at ATT for about four months now along with his wife, former UFC fighter and recent BKFC signee Paige VanZant.

The 30-year-old thinks the attitude that comes with training among the best in the world has been a key difference in his game.

“It’s hard not be confident when you walk in through those doors every single day,” Vanderford said. “You’ve got guys like (Muhammed) ‘King Mo’ (Lawal) telling you, ‘You have what it takes to be the best in the world.’ So I think first and foremost, my confidence (has improved). … There’s a lot of good striking coaches there. Coach Anderson (Franca), all these guys, so I think that’s where I’m really going to see an improvement.”

Despite being undefeated in his career and a 4-0 run in Bellator, Vanderford wants to take things slow and not rush to the top of his division. He wants to make sure he’s more than ready to fight for gold.

“I definitely think I have a lot of room to grow and to get to the point where I’m fighting for the title,” Vanderford said. “I want people to know that I deserve it and I’m ready to fight for the title. I’m ready whenever. But we’re just going to keep on the pace and do what Bellator wants me to do. They’ve done such a great job so far. I’ve had opponents fall out and they were quick in getting me someone.”

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Austin Vanderford wanted wife Paige VanZant to join Bellator, but BKFC was best opportunity

MMA Junkie catches up with Austin Vanderford ahead of his Bellator 251 bout against Vinicius de Jesus.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Ahead of Bellator 251, [autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag] spoke to MMA Junkie on Tuesday.

Vanderford (9-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) discussed his middleweight bout against Vinicius de Jesus, his experience dealing with COVID-19, his move to American Top Team, wife Paige VanZant’s move to BKFC, and much more.

You can watch the full interview in the video above.

Bellator 251 takes place Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena with a main card that airs on CBS Sports Network following prelims streamed on MMA Junkie.

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