Tag: Bellator 237

Video: Bellator’s Jay Glazer and Robin Black administer ‘The Dose’

Jay Glazer and Robin Black team up to deliver a YouTube update on all things Bellator in the promotion’s newest video feature, “The Dose.”

Do you have Bellator fever? Then the only prescription is “The Dose.”

Jay Glazer and Robin Black have teamed up for the promotion’s latest video franchise, with the duo shooting the Bellator breeze as they look back at some of the biggest performances from recent events and look ahead to the big-time matchups to come.

In the first episode of “The Dose,” Glazer and Black preview the Bellator 239 main event in Oklahoma, as former collegiate wrestling standout [autotag]Ed Ruth[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 8-1 BMMA) faces off against Ukraine’s undefeated [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] (22-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) in a pivotal welterweight bout, while also highlighting the co-main event between [autotag]Myles Jury[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) and [autotag]Brandon Girtz[/autotag] (16-8 MMA, 8-6 BMMA).

The duo also take look back at flyweight champion [autotag]Ilima-Lei Macfarlane[/autotag] (11-0 MMA, 10-0 BMMA), who enjoyed a memorable win – and a memorable walkout – at Bellator 236, and the throwback fight between former PRIDE FC legends [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] (39-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) and [autotag]Quinton Jackson[/autotag] (38-13 MMA, 5-3 BMMA) at Bellator 237.

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We also hear from the fighters themselves, as Jenn Brown chats with newly-crowned featherweight queen [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (22-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and featherweight grand prix semifinalist [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 11-2 BMMA) following their winning performances at Bellator 238.

Finally, Glazer and Black run through the current state of play in the Bellator featherweight grand prix, with the second half of the bracket set to play out and produce the second semifinal matchup with [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (30-4 MMA, 18-4 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Pedro Carvalho[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] (19-4 MMA, 11-3 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Daniel Weichel[/autotag] (40-11 MMA, 9-3 BMMA) set for Bellator 241 in Uncasville on Mar. 13.

Check out “The Dose” via the video above.

Bellator 237 full fight: Watch Fedor Emelianenko one-punch KO ‘Rampage’ Jackson

Relive the Bellator 237 headliner between Fedor Emelianenko and Quinton Jackson by watching the fight in its entirety.

Last week, Bellator turned back the clock by bringing two MMA legends back to the country in which they first became stars.

In the Bellator 237 main event, PRIDE veterans [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] and [autotag]Quinton Jackson[/autotag] stepped into the cage in front of the Japanese fans.

After a brief feeling-out process, Emelianenko (39-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA), the former PRIDE heavyweight champion, began to look more comfortable in the attack. Before Jackson (38-14 MMA, 5-3 BMMA) could muster up any sort of offense, Emelianenko connected with a right cross. The shot glanced off of the left side of Jackson’s forehead, right above his eye.

Not only did the cross slice “Rampage” open, it sent the former UFC light heavyweight champ toppling to the ground. Referee Kevin MacDonald stepped in immediately and waved off the fight, while Emelianenko casually strolled away from his downed opponent.

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The victory placed Emelianenko back in the win column after suffering a loss to Ryan Bader in the Bellator heavyweight grand prix finals in January. The ageless Russian MMA legend has now won three out his most recent four outings.

Bellator 237, the promotion’s debut in Japan, took place this past Saturday (Sunday locally) at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, near Tokyo. The main card aired on Paramount and streamed on DAZN.

Check out the full Bellator 237 headlining fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the video above.

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MMA rankings report: Michael Page, Lorenz Larkin make moves

The new year has begun, but it’s time for one last look back at how the final important event of 2019 affected the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.

As we turn the page to 2020, we must take one last look back at the final meaningful event of 2019.

Bellator made its Japanese debut with the epic Bellator 237 at Saitama Super Arena just outside Tokyo on Dec. 28. Among the most noteworthy winners on the evening were two of the company’s best welterweights: [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] and [autotag]Lorenz Larkin[/autotag].

So how did these high-quality performances by “MVP” and “Da Monsoon” affect the standings at 170 pounds? And was there anything else noteworthy on the week? And most important, how did this all play out in this week’s USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings?

Let MMA Junkie’s own “Gorgeous” George Garcia and John Morgan walk you through all the changes of note in the video above.

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MMA Junkie’s ‘Knockout of the Month’ for December: An unbeaten streak ends in one punch

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from December 2019.

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from December 2019: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Knockout of the Month” award for December.

At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.

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The Nominees

Makhmud Muradov def. Trevor Smith at UFC on ESPN 7

In his second UFC appearance, [autotag]Makhmud Muradov[/autotag] (24-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) sent Trevor Smith’s (15-10 MMA, 5-7 UFC) mouthpiece into orbit during their middleweight bout.

Muradov landed a massive overhand right hand during the late stages of the second round, which knocked Smith out upon impact. The fight-ending blow was the final of a three-punch combination. As Muradov’s hand landed, Smith’s mouthpiece rocketed out of position. Smith’s unconscious body crashed to the canvas, his arm awkwardly twisting behind him.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Alistair Overeem at UFC on ESPN 7

It took [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) nearly 25 minutes, but he got the job done against Alistair Overeem (45-18 MMA, 10-7 UFC) in his first UFC headline fight.

At the 4:56 mark of the fifth and final round, Rozenstruik lunged into a punch that dropped Overeem, tearing the former Strikeforce champ’s lip open and leading to the TKO victory to cap an incredible UFC debut year in which Rozenstruik went 4-0 with four finishes.

Irene Aldana def. Ketlen Vieira at UFC 245

[autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) continued to show evolution in her game when she delivered her first career knockout in the most important of moments against Ketlen Vieira (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC).

After showing confidence on the feet in the opening minutes of the women’s bantamweight matchup, Aldana leveled Vieira with a clean left hook (https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/12/ufc-245-watch-irene-aldana-knock-out-ketlen-vieira-wicked-left) that immediately sent the Brazilian to the canvas. No more follow up shots were needed, and Aldana walked away with new consideration about her place as a contender at 135 pounds.

Petr Yan def. Urijah Faber at UFC 245

Unlike his July return, the second stop on the Urijah Faber (35-11 MMA, 11-7 UFC) comeback tour against [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) wasn’t a success.

In the clash of bantamweight contender, Faber was dropped and bloodied for he was head kicked and stopped by the relentless striker Yan, who remained undefeated inside the octagon.

Chan Sung Jung def. Frankie Edgar at UFC on ESPN+ 23

[autotag]Chan Sung Jung[/autotag] (16-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) may have cemented himself as the No. 1 contender in the UFC featherweight division by becoming just the second fighter to stop octagon legend Frankie Edgar (23-8-1 MMA, 17-8-1 UFC) with strikes.

In front of a home crowd in Busan, South Korea, “The Korean Zombie” battered former UFC lightweight champion Edgar with a ferocious and tactical onslaught of strikes, finally getting the stopped just over three minutes in the opening round.

Michael Page. def. Shinsho Anzai at Bellator 237

[autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 13-1 BMMA) added another spectacular highlight to his reel when he dished out one of the most one-sided beatdowns in recent memory against Shinsho Anzai (11-4 MMA, 0-1 BMMA).

It was a near-flawless performance from “MVP,” because Page did everything he wanted in battering Anzai with a relentless onslaught of strikes before connecting with a fight-ending right hand for the second-round knockout and his 10th stoppage in Bellator competition.

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The Winner: Irene Aldana

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In the most biggest performance of her career, Aldana had one impressive showing.

The women’s bantamweight contender picked up the biggest win of her young career against the previously unbeaten Vieira, halting the fight with the type of finish that’s rarely seen in female competition.

As the clock wound down in the first round, Aldana loaded up on a huge left hook that dropped and stopped Vieira, who came into the fight pegged as the next contender to dual UFC champ Amanda Nunes had she won.

Aldana had different plans, though, because she handed Vieira her first pro loss while subsequently scoring her first career knockout in the most spectacular of fashions.

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Spinning Back Clique: Was Fedor’s win over ‘Rampage’ meaningful in any way?

MMA Junkie’s “Gorgeous” George, “Goze” and Dan Tom unpack the latest MMA news and notes in Episode 9 of “Spinning Back Clique.”

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. In this week’s episode, “Gorgeous” George, “Goze” and Dan Tom react to what went down at Bellator 237, the promotion’s debut in Japan, preview the PFL Championship, and more.

Show rundown:

  • In the heavyweight main event of Bellator 237, [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] defeated [autotag]Quinton Jackson[/autotag] by first-round knckout at Saitama Super Arena. For his part, Emelianenko, 43, looked pretty good in the first fight of his retirement tour. The same cannot be said for “Rampage,” who came in a career-high 265 pounds for the fight, and it showed with his lackluster performance. Even he admitted just how overweight and out of shape he was. So, with that in mind, what can we really take away from this fight between legends?
  • Bellator went all out for its debut in Japan, with great production value and booking some of its biggest names on the card, while partnering with Rizin FF. It’s all part of company president Scott Coker’s plan of doing things outside of the norm in MMA. What do we think of this?
  • The PFL Championship takes place Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, which will feature [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] vs. Larissa Pacheco in the headliner as one of six fights set to make millionaires. Which final are we most looking forward to?
  • 2019 was a big year for comebacks. Looking ahead to 2020, who could be on the comeback trail?
  • To conclude the decade in MMA, we ranked the top 10 fighters of the 2010s. As we look forward to the next decade, who could be among the best of the decade?

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 9 of “Spinning Back Clique.”

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‘Rampage’ Jackson to document weight-loss journey, vows Bellator 237 was ‘last time I defeat myself’

“Rampage” Jackson is encouraging fans to join him as he loses weight following a rough showing in a loss to Fedor Emelianenko.

[autotag]Quinton Jackson[/autotag] is looking to make a major transformation.

Jackson (38-14 MMA, 5-3 BMMA) came in at a career-high 265 pounds this past weekend for his Bellator 237 fight against Fedor Emelianenko.

“Rampage” was heavily criticized for looking slow and out of shape, and ultimately paid the price for it as he suffered a first-round TKO loss, the first time he was stopped with strikes since 2005. Afterward, Jackson owned up to being overweight and said he “felt like a hippopotamus” during the fight.

Disappointed with his showing, Jackson said he plans on getting back in shape. He will be documenting his weight loss journey, encouraging fans to join him (via Instagram).

Much love to my team and family and sponsors, defeat is a hard pill to swallow… but it’s part of the job. Hate letting my people and fans down,maybe this won’t be my last loss but it will be the last time i defeat myself. I’m gonna Document my weight loss Journey, if you feel uncomfortable with your weight do it with me. Tag me in your posts of you working out and eating clean. Love you all👊🏾

During Bellator 237 fight week, Jackson, 41, said he planned to keep fighting. It appears that train of thought hasn’t changed, either.

“Rampage” intends on fighting again at light heavyweight, the division in which he was once UFC champion. Jackson went 2-3 in his recent return to heavyweight, but he appears to be done with that division.

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Video: Bellator 237 highlights, including Fedor Emelianenko’s KO of ‘Rampage’ Jackson

If you missed Fedor Emelianenko’s knockout of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson the first time around, here’s your chance to catch it.

Bellator put on it’s first-ever card in Japan on Saturday, bringing some of their biggest names to the iconic Saitama Super Arena just outside of Tokyo.

And what a night it was, as several of Bellator’s best brought their A-game to the venerated venue. [autotag]Goiti Yamauchi[/autotag], [autotag]Ilara Joanne[/autotag], [autotag]Lorenz Larkin[/autotag], [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag], and [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] all put on great shows leading up to the fight which brought everyone to the house: The return of the legendary [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag], who made short work of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in a battle of former world champions.

Whether you missed the show the first time or watched it live and want to relive a night filled with slam-bang highlights, you can now watch the best moments from Bellator 237. Watch the video linked above.

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‘Rampage’ Jackson gives Japanese fans his trademark slap after Bellator 237 loss to Fedor

He didn’t get the win, but that didn’t stop “Rampage” Jackson from delivering his trademark slap to the Japanese fans.

[autotag]Quinton Jackson[/autotag] may have not gotten the win on Saturday, but it doesn’t mean he can’t have some fun on his way out.

‘Rampage’ suffered a first-round knockout loss to Fedor Emelianenko in the Bellator 237 main event. It was first time he was stopped with strikes since 2005.

Having fought some of his most memorable years in Japan, fan favorite Jackson had some fun with the Japanese fans, lining them up to dish out his trademark slaps.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

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MMA Junkie Radio #3013: Bellator 237, PFL’s playoff finals, 2019’s best and more

Hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” discuss Bellator 237, preview PFL’s 2019 playoff finals and talk the best of 2019.

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here!

On Episode No. 3,013 of the podcast, the fellas discuss this past Saturday’s Bellator 237 event in Japan, break down the PFL’s 2019 playoff finals, talk about the best of 2019 and more.

THE RUNDOWN:

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at AudioBoom, or check it out above. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.