Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Check out these photos highlighting Diana Avsaragova’s career so far.
Check out these photos highlighting [autotag]Diana Avsaragova[/autotag]’s career so far.
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A trio of fighters have been released following Bellator 262, including heavyweight Matt Mitrione.
MMA heavyweight competitor [autotag]Matt Mitrione[/autotag] has been released from his contract with Bellator.
MMA Junkie confirmed Mitrione was a part of roster cuts following a report from MMA Fighting on Monday evening. Also included in the round of cuts were [autotag]Ronny Markes[/autotag] and [autotag]Adil Benjilany[/autotag] who both also competed at Bellator 262.
After departing from the UFC, Mitrione (13-9 MMA, 4-4-1 BMMA) started his Bellator run on a hot streak of four wins in a row, including a first-round knockout of MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. Mitrione has since hit a rough skid, going winless in his five straight appearances with the promotion, including four losses and one no contest.
The promotion has opted to part ways with the heavyweight following his most recent first-round loss to Tyrell Fortune at Bellator 262, a stoppage that Mitrione was upset about due to a clash of heads during a takedown.
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Markes (19-9 MMA, 0-2 MMA) lost by first-round stoppage against Said Sowma at Bellator 262. The former UFC middleweight failed to record a victory in two outings in the Bellator heavyweight division.
Benjilany (6-3 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Johnny Soto at Bellator 262, which ended a two-fight skid. According to his cornerman and UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad, Benjilany asked to be released due to lack of activity.
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A Bellator 262 prelims winner calling out Jake Paul was unexpected, but Charlie Campbell went for it.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Charlie Campbell[/autotag] spoke with the media Friday night after his second-round TKO win over Nicholas Giulietti.
While it wasn’t the focus of his post-fight interview, Campbell’s lasting impression was his callout of You Tube sensation-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul, which came after he screamed in the cage, “Jake Paul! Your girls are mine!”
“His posse is fake. Everyone is sick and tired of him,” Campbell told reporters afterward. “He does a good job selling stuff. If him and everyone he called out were playing tennis, no one would watch. Combat sports is the most realest one-on-one thing in the world. He’s full of sh*t. If I ever got a chance to see him in person, I’d fight him for free. But if he wants to set something up, in the future I guarantee it’ll be him calling me out. He thinks he’s the man with the media right now. Watch, I’ll take his girls right away from him. Meet me in the Bellator cage, Jake Paul. Your girls are mine.”
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Campbell (4-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) also shared his thoughts on his performance, why he deserves a multifight contract from Bellator, gave a shoutout to his Longo and Weidman MMA team, and more.
You can watch his full interview in the video above.
Bellator 262 took place at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card aired on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
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Tyrell Fortune talks about his controversial TKO win over Matt Mitrione at Bellator 262.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Tyrell Fortune[/autotag] is ready to move on despite controversy in his most recent bout.
The Bellator heavyweight defeated veteran Matt Mitrione via TKO in the co-main event of Friday’s Bellator 262. Fortune (10-1 MMA, 10-1 BMMA) stopped Mitrione with ground-and-pound after taking down Mitrione early in the round. During the takedown there was an accidental clash of heads, which Mitrione protested.
Fortune is not looking to run things back with the former UFC fighter, but rather avenge his first and only professional loss against Timothy Johnson.
Watch Fortune talk about the controversial TKO win over Mitrione and much more in post-fight interview above.
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Juliana Velasquez wants a rematch – but just not one against Denise Kielholtz.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – When the main event’s official decision was read inside the cage at Bellator 262, it wasn’t the first time [autotag]Juliana Velasquez[/autotag] was booed in her career.
Unfazed by the opinions of those in the seats, Velasquez (12-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) is confident the judges got it right when she won a split decision over kickboxer-turned-MMA-fighter [autotag]Denise Kielholtz[/autotag].
“In the first round, she was coming strong,” Velasquez told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference. “She was able to get close and to hit me but I was circling away. Many of those shots were missing. I saw that it was a close round, but as the fight went on, I was able to find my groove a little bit more. I was able to stop her in her tracks.
“I think that I was being much more effective starting from the third round. I was very confident when they were going to announce the decision. I think three rounds of that were mine.”
After the fight, Kielholtz (6-3 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) expressed her disappointment in the decision and called for a rematch. The champion doesn’t see the need for a second meeting, however – or at least not a one against Kielholtz.
“If I was going to rematch someone I think deserved it, it would be Ilima-Lei (Macfarlane),” Velasquez told MMA Junkie. “She had many title defenses. After this fight, I’ll just move forward. … I think that the fight that makes sense the most will be fighting Ilima-Lei again or Liz Carmouche. Those are the fight that I would like to (be next).”
Recovering from knee surgery, Macfarlane (11-1 MMA, 10-1 BMMA) has not competed since she lost the title to Velasquez via unanimous decision in December. As for Carmouche (16-7 MMA, 3-0 BMMA), she is undefeated in the promotion and most recently defeated Kana Watanabe via 35-second TKO.
Bellator 262 took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.
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Diana Avsaragova entered Bellator 262 the same way she exited: undefeated.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Diana Avsaragova[/autotag] entered Bellator 262 the same way she exited: undefeated.
Though her three-round split decision victory Friday was over 14 minutes longer than the brutal knockout performance she put on in her promotional debut this past April, Avsaragova (4-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) viewed the win as a great educational experience for a young fighter.
“I really wanted to get some (in-cage experience) tonight,” Asvaragova told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference. ” I’m glad I went to three rounds. … Of course, everybody likes finishes. I need more in-cage time, as I said before. I do really need that experience.”
Though she was interested in talking about her performance, Avsaragova brought up the topic of her next fight on her own accord. The 22-year-old flyweight fighter made sure to call her shot of where and when she wants to fight next. Oct. 23 is circled on her calendar.
“To be honest, I don’t want to call anyone out,” Avsaragova said. “I don’t have any names on my mind but I do want to ask Bellator to give me a spot at the first Russian event that they’re going to in October. It would be such an honor for me to represent Russia back home. That’s what I’m going to ask for.”
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Atop Bellator’s debut card in Moscow is Russian legend and all-time mixed martial arts great [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag], who has two fights remaining on his promotional deal. Like many young Russian fighters, Avsaragova grew up inspired by “The Last Emperor.”
“As a kid, I watched all of his fights like every other Russian prospect MMA fighter,” Avsaragova said. “It would be a real honor for me to fight on the same card (as him).”
Bellator 262 took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.
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Denis Kielholtz stopped short of labeling her Bellator 262 loss to champion Juliana Velasquez as a robbery.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Despite emotions running high, [autotag]Denise Kielholtz[/autotag] was all class in the wake of her loss to Juliana Velasquez in Friday’s Bellator 262 main event.
Kielholtz (6-3 MMA, 6-3 BMMA) could not have come closer to taking the women’s flyweight title from Velasquez (12-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. She dropped a split decision, with scores of 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47.
With damage all over her face and tears in her eyes, Kielholtz attended the Bellator 262 post-fight news conference. Clearly heartbroken, she had a platform and opportunity to lash out at the judges. She didn’t, however, and instead took the high road.
“They always say don’t let it in the hands of the judges,” Kielholtz told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “I don’t blame anyone. I only blame myself that I didn’t do more and I know I can do more, so that’s just disappointing to myself. The judges, they do their work and I’m not in their eyes the champion tonight, but for sure I will be in the future.”
Kielholtz, a Bellator kickboxing champion, was only competing in her ninth MMA fight, yet managed to give the champion a run for her money. She thinks she “proved to everyone that I’m not just a kickboxer, I can also be an MMA champion,” but she didn’t get the nod at Bellator 262.
The result only drives Kielholtz to be better moving forward, she said. She intends to return to training in her native Holland as soon as she’s fit to do so, and she is already thinking about a second crack at the belt.
“It’s really disappointing, this feeling right now,” Kielholtz said. “It was a really close fight. I thought I was the one that came to fight and bring the fight. Unfortunately, the judges saw it just a small way to her. Split decision loss, that hurts. For now, it’s disappointment in myself, and I just go back to Holland, work harder and I think maybe a rematch in Amsterdam.”
Kielholtz said she would be open to taking on another contender such as Ilima-Lei Macfarlane or Liz Carmouche if the promotion decides against an immediate rematch.
She thinks she has a good case to run it back immediately, though. It was an entertaining and tactical affair for 25 minutes, and Kielholtz is confident a sequel might be even better.
“I think so. I think the next fight will be more fun. That’s for sure. Who knows? It all depends on Bellator.”
Watch Kielholtz’s full post-fight press conference above.
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Check out how the main event of Bellator 262 unfolded between Juliana Velasquez and Denise Kielholtz.
[autotag]Juliana Velasquez[/autotag] has successfully defended her Bellator flyweight title for the first time.
The main event of Bellator 262 was a closely contested championship fight between champ Velasquez (12-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) and challenger [autotag]Denise Kielholz[/autotag].
The event took place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card aired on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
The first round started out with both fighters feeling out the striking range. The challenger, Kielholtz (6-3 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) put together quick combinations while Velasquez’s output was lower with single strikes throughout the round. With 30 seconds left, Kielholtz unleashed a beautiful five-punch combo to get the champ’s attention and put a stamp on the first five minutes of action.
A big combo from @DeniseKielholtz to the champ @JuVelasquezMMA!
Round 2 is LIVE on @SHOSports 👇 #Bellator262https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/gCWa3oT4VP
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
In the second round, Velasquez worked behind a right-hand jab and started to increase her striking volume as she appeared to figure out her opponent’s range. Kielholtz seemed game for the change of pace, as she also answered with punches of her own.
The challenger continues to push the pace!
We are LIVE on @SHOSports with #Bellator262👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/iWBVRNjZxS
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
The pair continued to trade strikes in the center of the cage early in the third round. Kielholtz led the charge by pressing forward with combinations, but Velasquez would circle away from danger before getting too close to the fence. Kielholtz controlled the center of the cage for the majority of the round, while Velasquez looked to counter with punches.
With 15 seconds left in the round, Velasquez secured her first takedown, but with a short time remaining, nothing significant came from it.
The champ @JuVelasquezMMA striking from range.
Round 3 is live now on @SHOSports 👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/9OuZUZiFaV
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
The fourth started similarly to the previous round as Kielholtz continued to keep the pressure on the champ as she circled on the outside. Velasquez’s right-hand jab continued to find the mark as the blood and bruising on Kielholtz’s face became more visible. The champ appeared to have her opponent’s timing and distance down, as she became more fluid defensively.
This is a striking clinic!#Bellator262 live on @SHOSports 👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/7y2rrd2bta
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
The final round started with a huge right hand from Kielholtz to briefly knock the champ off balance. Perhaps sensing the fight was close, the challenger turned up the pressure. The champ found the range again and returned to working from the outside while countering with punches. Kielholtz stuffed a takedown with a minute to go and led the striking exchanges until time expired.
Two of the judges scored the bout in favor of Velasquez with scores of 48-47, while the dissenting judge turned in a score of 48-47 in favor of Kielholtz.
Velasquez improves to 12-0 in her professional career, picking up her first flyweight title defense by split decision after becoming champion by defeating Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in December.
Kielholtz’s winning streak ends at four after falling to Velasquez in Friday’s main event. After losing to Veta Arteaga by second-round submission in 2018, Kielholtz went on a tear of four straight finishes to earn a shot at the Bellator title. However, she was one judge’s scorecard away from victory on Friday evening.
The full results of Bellator 262 are below:
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Tyrell Fortune made Matt Mitrione submit to strikes in the Bellator 262 co-main event, but it came with some controversy.
The Bellator 262 co-main event result was overshadowed by controversy when an inadvertent clash of heads changed the complexion of the fight between [autotag]Tyrell Fortune[/autotag] and [autotag]Matt Mitrione[/autotag].
Fortune (11-1 MA, 11-1 BMMA) ultimately got his hand raised, battering Mitrione (13-9 MMA, 4-4 BMMA) with punches to force a submission to strikes at the 1:45 mark of Round 1.
The bout co-headlined the Bellator 262 lineup from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card aired on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
After a brief feeling-out process on the feet, Fortune charged at Mitrione and tackled him to the ground. Mitrione immediately covered up and complained about a head butt. He was very upset about it, but the referee let the action continue.
Fortune kept top position and unleashed a big swarm of punches. Mitrione couldn’t take it, and he tapped the canvas to end the fight. He was furious about it after the fact and made a big scene, yelling at referee Dan Miragliotta for what he felt was a blunder.
The takedown from @FortuneOverFam which led to the W!
Tune in LIVE with @SHOSports 👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/TIf7AVJBrR
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
The replay showed Mitrione ducked into an incoming Fortune, however, and he left the cage with his winless skid extended to five fights.
For Fortune, he gets his eighth stoppage in Bellator heavyweight competition, and his seventh by knockout. All of those are divisional records, and now he wants to avenge his only career loss.
“Tim Johnson, get your ass over here,” Fortune said in his post-fight interview with John McCarthy. “That’s my only loss.”
Up-to-the-minute Bellator 262 results include:
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22-year-old Russian prospect Diana Avsaragova remained undefeated with another strong performance at Bellator 262.
[autotag]Diana Avsaragova[/autotag] remained undefeated as a top women’s flyweight prospect Friday when she handled [autotag]Gabriela Gulfin[/autotag] at Bellator 262.
Avsaragova (4-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA), the 22-year-old from Russia, showed off a patient striking strategy against Gulfin (2-3 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) for three rounds. It seemed like a clear fight for her, but the judges provided a scare with split decision scores of 29-28, 28-28, and 29-28. Ultimately, though, the right person won.
The 125-pound bout took place on the Bellator 262 prelims, which streamed on MMA Junkie prior to the main card on Showtime from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
There was never a point in the fight where Avsaragova seemed in legitimate danger. She stayed on the outside and carefully picked her shots, and Gulfin’s aggression created openings for Avsaragova to counter strike.
The two approaches didn’t mesh into the most exciting affair, but Avsaragova wasn’t really forced out of first gear. Gulfin showed a lot of toughness as well, absorbing shots and continuing to move forward from beginning to end. Her most effective weapon of the fight was the leg kick.
Avsaragova just simply had the cleaner technique and was able to keep Gulfin at bay in order to get her hand raised.
The latest Bellator 262 results include:
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