Bellator 256 – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Bellator 256 predictions: Ryan Bader or Lyoto Machida in tournament rematch?

Check out our staff members’ predictions for the Bellator 256 main card, featuring Ryan Bader vs. Lyoto Machida in the 205-pound tournament.

	Bader vs. Machida	Carmouche vs. Porto	Borics vs. Kennedy	Parker vs. Zingano	Moret vs. Yamauchi
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2021: 31-26	Bader (64%)	Carmouche (69%)	Borics (72%)	Zingano (90%)	Yamauchi (88%)
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2021: 35-22 2020 Champion	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2021: 35-22	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2021: 34-23	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2021: 34-23	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2021: 34-23 2018 Champion	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2021: 34-23	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2021: 33-24 2017 Champion	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
Nolan King @mma_kings 2021: 32-25	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2021: 32-25	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2021: 29-28	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2021: 29-28 2014 Champion	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2021: 27-30	Bader	Carmouche	Borics	Zingano	Yamauchi
BetMGM Betting Favorites	Bader -300	Carmouche -185	Kennedy -125	Zingano -800	Yamauchi -400

Bellator keeps its 2021 rolling Friday, and a former light heavyweight champion will try to get back on track at the top of the bill.

Bellator 256 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, former light heavyweight champion and current heavyweight champ [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] (27-6 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Lyoto Machida[/autotag] (26-10 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) in the opening round of Bellator’s 205-pound tournament. The two first fought in the UFC nearly nine years ago, and Machida won by knockout. This time, Bader is a -300 favorite at BetMGM in the rematch, and our 12 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts are taking him unanimously – one of three 12-0 nods on the main card.

In the co-feature, former UFC title challenger [autotag]Liz Carmouche[/autotag] (14-7 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) is a -185 favorite against former Invicta FC women’s flyweight [autotag]Vanessa Porto[/autotag] (22-8 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), and Carmouche is a near-unanimous pick on the main card at 11-1 from our staff members.

Also on the main card, our only truly contentious fight from a picks standpoint takes place at lightweight with [autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) just a -125 favorite against [autotag]Jeremy Kennedy[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA). Borics has a slim 7-5 picks lead.

Our second unanimous nod is former UFC title challenger [autotag]Cat Zingano[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), who is a huge -800 favorite against promotional newcomer [autotag]Olivia Parker[/autotag] (4-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in a women’s featherweight bout. Zingano, not surprisingly given the odds, is a 12-0 pick.

And to open the main card, our third 12-0 unanimous pick is [autotag]Goiti Yamauchi[/autotag] (25-4 MMA, 11-3 BMMA) in a lightweight bout against [autotag]Dan Moret[/autotag] (14-6 MMA, 0-0 BMMA). Yamauchi is a -400 betting favorite.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Bader (64 percent), Carmouche (69 percent), Borics (72 percent), Zingano (90 percent) and Yamauchi (88 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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Enter ‘Pantera’: Bellator’s Diana Avsaragova ready to back up beauty with MMA skills

Bellator signed the 22-year-old bantamweight with 150,000 Instagram followers in early 2021.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – When [autotag]Diana Avsaragova[/autotag] checks Instagram, her account is flooded with the same sort of messages.

Pressing send on “Do you have a boyfriend?” or “Will you marry me?” is apparently common practice among a portion of her followers.

“I’ve been thinking I should write in my Instagram (bio), ‘I’m married, (so) don’t (ask) questions (about) me or my personal information,'” Avsaragova joked to MMA Junkie on Wednesday, through a translator.

Avasaragova takes the messages in stride. Due to the sheer amount, she chooses not to respond to the inquiries, but they don’t bother her. If anything, she views them as complementary.

“Of course, this is very (flattering),” Avasaragova said. “I’m happy for this. But too much, it’s hard for me. I can’t text any people because it’s too much.”

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Avsaragova, 22, has grown used to the frequent day-to-day notifications as her audience keeps growing. To date, she’s accumulated 150,000 followers on her account. How did she do it in such a quick period of time? She’s tapped into a crossroads of interest.

“People look at me and think, ‘Oh my God, she’s an MMA fighter and she’s beautiful. Oh wow,’ and they follow me, Avsaragova told MMA Junkie on Wednesday, using a translator.

The balance between looks and substance is a working recipe for Avsaragova (2-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who will make her promotional debut Friday at Bellator 256 vs. Tara Graff (1-2 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) at bantamweight. She’s only had two professional fights, but Avsaragova caught Bellator’s eye earlier this year. Now, she’s in one of the world’s premier MMA organizations.

“(The offer) was a big surprise for me,” Avsaragova said. “I found out this news during the New Year. This is a present for the New Year for me. I’m very happy and ready for (the) fight.”

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While her brand is important, Avsaragova assures her skill is what will help her stick around in an organization like Bellator. That’s why, despite her followers’ inquiries, she’s not interested in marriage. She’s interested in fighting and improvement.

In order to progress her career, Avsaragova surrounded herself with notable names. She trains alongside UFC flyweight Liana Jojua and former UFC heavyweight Dmitry Smolyakov. Already with a good foundation in wrestling, Avsaragova continues to round out her game.

“I was on the Russian team (in) wrestling,” Avsaragova said. “I’m a good freestyle wrestler. I have good skills in wrestling, and I want more wrestling in my fights. … I’m a wrestler, but I can work in striking. I’m not only a wrestler, but I can fight in striking. I can (surprise).”

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Bellator 256 faceoff video highlights: Cat Zingano returns in vintage fashion

Check out the Bellator 256 competitors’ ceremonial faceoffs.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator makes its return Friday and kicks off its light heavyweight grand prix with a rematch between heavyweight champion and former light heavyweight champion [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] and [autotag]Lyoto Machida[/autotag].

Bellator 256 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The entire card will be live and free on MMA Junkie.

Following Thursday’s official Bellator 256 weigh-ins, the athletes came face to face for some traditional pre-fight staredowns.

Check out the faceoffs below, including Bader vs. Machida, [autotag]Liz Carmouche[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Vanessa Porto[/autotag], [autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jeremy Kennedy[/autotag], [autotag]Cat Zingano[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Olivia Parker[/autotag], and more.

MMA Junkie Radio #3147: Bellator president Scott Coker

Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here and will be live on SportsCastr at noon ET.

On episode 3,147, the boys welcome in Bellator president Scott Coker to help preview this weekend’s big Bellator 256 event. Additionally, George and “Goze” will recap a historic ONE on TNT 1 event, while also looking ahead to this weekend’s UFC on ABC 2.

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

Bellator 256 weigh-in results

Check out the results from the official Bellator 256 fighter weigh-ins with Ryan Bader vs. Lyoto Machida in a light heavyweight rematch.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Thursday’s official Bellator 256 fighter weigh-ins.

The weigh-ins take place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The same venue hosts Friday’s event, which has a main card on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Among those weighing in are heavyweight champion and former light heavyweight champ Ryan Bader (27-6 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) and Lyoto Machida (26-10 MMA, 2-2 BMMA), who meet in a rematch in the main event. That fight also is a quarterfinal bout in Bellator’s light heavyweight tournament.

The full Bellator 256 weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET)

Ryan Bader (205) vs. Lyoto Machida (204.6) – light heavyweight tournament quarterfinal
Liz Carmouche (125.4) vs. Vanessa Porto ()
Adam Borics (145.8) vs. Jeremy Kennedy ()
Olivia Parker () vs. Cat Zingano ()
Dan Moret () vs. Goiti Yamauchi (155.8)

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 6 p.m. ET)

Tony Johnson (185.2) vs. Dalton Rosta (185.5)
Jessica Borga (145.2) vs. Talita Nogueira (146)
Cass Bell (135.6) vs. Jornel Lugo (135)
Nathan Ghareeb (143.8) vs. Cody Law (145.2)
Jaylon Bates (136) vs. Jeffrey Glossner ()
Nainoa Dung (155.9) vs. Izzy William (156)
Diana Avsaragova () vs. Tara Graff ()
John Douma () vs. Will Smith (134.6)

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Bellator 256 breakdown: Can Lyoto Machida prevail over Ryan Bader again, nine years later?

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the Bellator 256 main event rematch between Ryan Bader and Lyoto Machida.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down Bellator’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for Bellator 256.

Bellator 256 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime and MMA Junkie following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Having studied both, Liz Carmouche expects to beat Vanessa Porto, Juliana Velasquez

Liz Carmouche has “been” both Vanessa Porto and Juliana Velasquez in the past and believes she has them figured out.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Liz Carmouche[/autotag] likes her chances against her Bellator 256 opponent – and her division’s champion.

Scheduled to make her second Bellator appearance, Carmouche (14-7 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) faces former Invicta FC champion [autotag]Vanessa Porto[/autotag] in a co-main event showdown Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Carmouche has “been” both Porto (22-8 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) and Bellator women’s flyweight champion [autotag]Juliana Velasquez[/autotag] in recent years as she’s prepared teammates for fights against the two women she believes are standing in between her and title gold.

“(Porto) is a name I’ve known for a few different reasons,” Carmouche told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “One, because she’s a veteran, and she’s been fighting longer and has more fights than I do. I think a lot of people don’t realize that in the mix of things. I’m just a well known name. But also, she fought one of my teammates, Pearl Gonzalez. I helped her prepare and studied tons of tape in preparation for Pearl. I was ready to go into this having already studied this opponent.”

The launch of the Bellator rankings placed Carmouche in the No. 2 slot at 125 pounds. The only fighter between her and Velasquez (11-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) is teammate Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, who lost the title in December. Situationally, Carmouche thinks Bellator 256 could punch her ticket into a title fight.

“I’m really hoping that by having that spot and having that number, this win really puts me in title contention,” Carmouche said. “I hoped last fight would, but I think certainly with the rankings, that that should be right toward title contention.”

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Carmouche, 37, isn’t overlooking Porto. However, she set both short-term and long-term goals. The short-term is to get a win Friday. The long-term is to become Bellator champion. The latter is achievable in her mind. Carmouche wasn’t overly impressed with Velasquez’s title-clinching performance in December.

“I don’t think it was her best performance,” Carmouche said. “… I had already studied her, and I just saw a lot more out of her that I thought was exceptional. Her last fight, I didn’t really think it was championship-worthy. I think she can certainly showcase as a champion. She has a belt, but that fight to me wasn’t her best representation of what she’s actually capable of.”

Bellator 256 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Cat Zingano sets up $10,000 scholarship with Bold.org ahead of Bellator 256

Bellator women’s featherweight Cat Zingano has set up a scholarship in partnership with Bold.org ahead of her next fight.

Bellator women’s featherweight [autotag]Cat Zingano[/autotag] has set up a scholarship in partnership with Bold.org ahead of her next fight.

Zingano on Monday announced a $10,000 scholarship on Bold.org, a platform “committed to fighting student debt through philanthropy.”

The monetary award officially is the “Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship” and has been announced just a few days before Zingano (11-4 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) fights Olivia Parker (4-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) on the Bellator 256 main card on Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The scholarship, according to a release, “will be awarded to a student who is fighting through the loss of a loved one and is in need of financial support for their education as they move forward.”

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The basis for the scholarship stems from personal losses Zingano has experienced, including the loss of her mother in 2005 from brain cancer, as well as the loss of her husband, who took his own life in 2014

“The impact of losing my loved ones changed my life,” Zingano stated. “I’m so grateful for the support and resources that many have offered me over the years. Struggling with loss is never easy, and it never goes away.

“This scholarship is for students who have lost a loved one and are still grinding away toward their education. I know at times I’ve needed help, so now I’m paying it forward to someone who has experienced loss and needs help, just as I did.”

Bold.org’s Year of Giving Campaign started in January. Previous campaign partners include DJ 3LAU, NFL wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace and Imagine Dragons. At the end of the year, the campaign will announce its biggest scholarship yet for $100,000.

“Cat’s experience overcoming loss has moved all of us at Bold.org,” Bold.org CEO and founder Dror Liebenthal stated. “She is an incredible role model for anyone fighting through the loss of a loved one. Cat has taken traumatic life experiences and somehow — after everything she’s gone through — become a beacon of strength and perseverance. We’re honored to work with her for our Year of Giving Campaign, and we’ll all be rooting for her during her big fight coming up.”

Zingano, a former UFC title challenger, made her promotional debut this past September at Bellator 245 and outworked Gabby Holloway for a unanimous decision. Friday, Zingano’s fight against Parker will air live on Showtime.

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MMA Junkie Radio #3146: Guest Randy Costa, Bellator 255 recap, UFC/ONE previews, more (noon ET)

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here and will be live on SportsCastr at noon ET.

On episode 3,146, the boys will talk to guest Randy Costa, look back at this past Friday’s Bellator 255, and look ahead to a big week of fights – including ONE on TNT 1 (Wednesday), Bellator 256 (Friday) and UFC on ABC 2 (Saturday). They’ll also discuss all the biggest recent news.

Bellator 256: Make your predictions for Ryan Bader vs. Lyoto Machida 2

We want your predictions for Friday’s Bellator 256 event in Connecticut.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Wednesdday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the Bellator 256 main card staff predictions we release Thursday ahead of the event. Bellator 256 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Make your picks for the fights below.