Tag: Bellator 268

Spinning Back Clique: World’s best light heavyweights, Fedor’s GOAT status, Jon Jones, more

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week, we look at the best light heavyweights in the world, the return of Fedor Emelianenko, Jon Jones’ ban from his longtime gym, Aspen Ladd’s coach’s tactics and the UFC Fight Night 196 main event.

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Nolan King and Danny Segura discuss these topics along with host John Morgan.

  • [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] picked up a big knockout of former champion Ryan Bader to move into the light heavyweight tournament final for a shot at Bellator champ [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag]. He also proclaimed himself the best 205-pounder in the world – which UFC champ [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] took issue with. But are Bellator’s light heavyweights better than the UFC’s?
  • [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] returns Saturday at Bellator 269 to take on Tim Johnson in Moscow in his home country of Russia. Fedor long was considered the best heavyweight of all time, but that GOAT status has come into question in recent years. So is he the best heavyweight in MMA history?
  • Former UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag], considered arguably the greatest fighter of all time, has been banned from training at his longtime JacksonWink MMA gym in Albuquerque, N.M., in the wake of his latest arrest – this time on domestic violence-related charges. Our panel reacts to that news.
  • [autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] returned for the first time in nearly two years, but never could get rolling against Norma Dumont in a unanimous decision loss in the UFC Fight Night 195 headliner. Before the fourth and fifth rounds, her coach was particularly harsh with her verbally, and it drew a lot of criticism in the MMA world. Did he go too far?
  • [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] in the UFC Fight Night 196 main event Saturday. Does the winner have a fast track for a title shot against middleweight champ Israel Adesanya?

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch the full episode in the video above.

[listicle id=1341387]

[vertical-gallery id=1351004]

[vertical-gallery id=1350765]

MMA Junkie Radio #3201: Guest Julia Budd, UFC and Bellator recaps, Conor and more

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


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

On Episode 3,201, the fellas welcome guest [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag]. The former Bellator women’s featherweight champion has moved on to the PFL and fights Kaitlin Young next week. They also look back at this past Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 196 and Bellator 268 events and break down the latest MMA news – including more Conor McGregor controversy.

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.

Ryan Bader issues first statement after quick Bellator 268 loss: ‘The game we play’

At Bellator 268, Ryan Bader lost in 51 seconds to Corey Anderson.

[autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] has broken his silence.

On Monday, Bader (28-7 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) released a brief statement on his Instagram page, the first since his 51-second TKO loss to Corey Anderson at Bellator 268 on Saturday. The event took place at Footprint Center in Phoenix in Bader’s home state of Arizona.

“The game we play,” Bader wrote. “Not the result we wanted but felt the love in AZ! Thank you guys for always having my back”

As an Arizonian competing in his home state for the first time under a major promotional banner, Bader stepped into the Bellator cage to a thunderous ovation. However, Anderson quickly turned the cheers into boos when he swarmed Bader with a flurry of punches and ground-and-pound shots until referee Jason Herzog dove in and stopped the fight.

[lawrence-related id=1364445,1351273]

Bader, 38, is now 1-2 in his most recent three outings. Prior to his Bellator 256 win against Lyoto Machida in April, Bader lost his light heavyweight title by TKO to Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 244 in August. Although he’s only lost twice since late 2013, Bader’s professional defeats have all come inside the distance, including five TKO stoppages.

While his next fight is not yet on the books, it’s presumed Bader will move back to heavyweight, where he still is the promotion’s champion, to unify the division’s titles against interim champ Valentin Moldavsky.

[vertical-gallery id=1350765]

[listicle id=1341303]

Jan Blachowicz, Corey Anderson feud on Twitter over world’s best status

UFC champion Jan Blachowicz and Corey Anderson go back and forth over claim for world’s best light heavyweight.

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] is not happy with with some of the recent comments made by a former foe.

The UFC light heavyweight champion fired back at Corey Anderson for saying he’s the best fighter at 205 pounds today following his TKO win over Ryan Bader at Saturday’s Bellator 268. And to add to his claim, Anderson said his most recent defeat, which came against Blachowicz (28-8 MMA, 11-5 UFC), was just a “hiccup.”

Blachowicz was on Twitter on Monday to voice his discontent with Anderson.

“Hold up… So a guy who bolted from the UFC after I’ve slept him and almost made him retire, got a couple of wins in the 2nd league and claims he is the best?” Blachowicz wrote on Twitter. “Maybe I’ve punched him to hard… No class in win or defeat Corey. There’s levels to this.”

It didn’t take long for Anderson to respond and remind Blachowicz about the outcome of their first bout.

“Let’s not forget what happened to you the 1st time I left you looking like elephant man,” Anderson wrote. “And you posted “I need to go home and rethink my career”.Yea I got knocked out in our 2nd fight (lucky punch?) but I made you my broad for 15 min straight nothing lucky about that.”

[lawrence-related id=1364445,1351189]

Blachowicz and Anderson fought in a rematch in February 2020 in the main event of UFC Fight Night 167. Blachowicz knocked out Anderson in the first round. The two first fought in 2015 at UFC 191, when Anderson won a unanimous decision.

Blachowicz is coming off a decision win over Israel Adesanya in March. It was his first title defense after winning the vacant belt against Dominick Reyes. He’s set to return Oct. 30 at UFC 267 against Glover Teixeira.

[vertical-gallery id=1350765]

Sumiko Inaba elated after Bellator 268 submission win: ‘That was great’

“Lady Samurai” lived up to her nickname with an impressive performance at Bellator 268 to push her record to 3-0.

PHOENIX – The moment [autotag]Sumiko Inaba[/autotag] secured a submission win Saturday at Bellator 268, she got up off the mat and yelled at the top of her lungs while pounding her chest. She was elated with her performance.

That energy continued when Inaba took her seat for her post-fight news conference after a second-round arm-triangle submission of Randi Field in their flyweight bout on the prelims.

“Oh my gosh, so much fun with the crowd,” Inaba said backstage at Footprint Center. “You forget the energy that’s in there, but oh man, it comes back fast. That was great.”

Inaba, 30, might not appear menacing at first glance, but as she showed against Field, she lives up to her “Lady Samurai” nickname when she’s in the cage.

“I don’t know. Once that referee (says) ‘are you ready,’ I’m like, ‘Yup, I’m ready,’ and it flips right there,” Inaba said. “That’s when I know ‘Lady Samurai’ comes out. I’m Sumiko now, and ‘Lady Samurai’ is in the cage for sure.”

The way the fight played out Saturday surprised Inaba a little, but she’s not complaining.

“I was ready for her standup. I know she was feisty and tough, which she was, man. She came for a fight,” Inaba said. “But we went to the ground. I was not expecting her to go for my legs. But that’s fine. It was a cool scramble there, got to the head-in-arm (triangle choke). It was exciting to get a submission win.”

Inaba, a native of Hawaii, is unbeaten in her three professional fights with Bellator all by way of stoppage – two TKOs and a submission.

[vertical-gallery id=1350169]

Scott Coker: Bellator light heavyweight grand prix winner will be ‘best 205er on the planet’

Bellator president Scott Coker believes his promotion will crown the best light heavyweight in the world at the grand prix final.

PHOENIX – The finals of the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix is set and president [autotag]Scott Coker[/autotag] believes there’s more than just crowning the winner of the tournament on the line.

At Saturday’s Bellator 268, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] and [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] punched their tickets to the finals with their semifinal victories.

In the co-main event, Anderson (16-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) made quick work of former Bellator champ Ryan Bader (28-6 MMA, 6-1 BMMA), finishing the fight via TKO in the first round in under a minute. In the main event, Nemkov (14-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) overcame some early adversity to put on a masterful and dominant championship performance, leading to a submission victory of Julius Anglickas (10-2 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) in the fourth round.

It was these performances from fighters at the top of the division that leads Coker to believe he has the best in the world under the Bellator banner.

“When he (Nemkov) got caught, I thought it was over,” Coker told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the post-fight news conference about the early moments in Nemkov’s fight. “It wasn’t just a little shot. He got caught with a big shot, and I thought, ‘Okay, this fight’s over.’ To his credit, he came back, he fought smart – when he got (Anglickas) cut, I think that’s what turned the tides and he saw the ability to hurt the opponent. When you’re the champ, you step up, and that’s what he did.”

Standing across from Nemkov in the grand prix final will be Anderson, a former UFC top contender who holds wins over both men competing in the upcoming title fight at UFC 267, champion Jan Blachowicz and challenger Glover Teixeira.

“It was a short fight, he (Bader) got caught, and once he got caught that was it,” Coker said about Anderson’s quick finish over Bader in the co-main event. “I think that Corey timed it perfectly. It’s something I hoped we’d get to some more rounds out of the fight, but this is MMA, things happen extremely quick, fast, and explosive. I think that’s why people mixed martial arts, because it is very explosive and that’s what you saw tonight with Corey.”

[lawrence-related id=1295715]

Since joining Bellator in 2020, Anderson has now racked up three straight victories, finishing each of his opponents. He defeated Melvin Manhoef, Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, and now Bader, all by TKO stoppage.

The champ Nemkov will be entering the grand prix finals on a nine-fight win streak, which includes five stoppage wins in Bellator. If he wins the upcoming finals bout, he will also secure the third defense of his light heavyweight title.

When asked if Coker thinks the best light heavyweight in the world will be determined in the grand prix final, he simply and confidently replied, “Absolutely.”

“This was a gauntlet of 205ers and whoever wins this tournament, to me, is the best 205er on the planet, period,” Coker continued.

Despite needing a replacement like Anglickas, the tournament was filled with names familiar to MMA fans such as Lyoto Machida, Phil Davis, and Anthony Johnson.

The date of the final bout between Anderson and Nemkov has yet to be announced, but the Bellator boss believes the winner will not only walk the Bellator light heavyweight champion and grand prix winner, but also the best in the weight class, regardless of promotion.

[vertical-gallery id=1350765]

[vertical-gallery id=1350169]

Bellator 268 results: Vadim Nemkov taps Julius Anglickas, punches ticket to grand prix final

Vadim Nemkov successfully defended his Bellator title on Saturday, advancing to the finals of the light heavyweight grand prix.

PHOENIX – [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] is still the light heavyweight champion.

At Bellator 268, Nemkov (14-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) defeated tournament alternate Julius Anglickas (10-2 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) via submission (kimura) at 4:25 of Round 1.

The event took place Saturday at Footprint Center. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

Heavy blows were exchanged in the form of stiff jabs early on, but it was Anglickas who landed the first massive punch. As the two threw, Anglickas blasted Nemkov with a punch that dropped the Russian champion. Nemkov quickly bounced up and secured a takedown. Anglickas worked his way to the feet where the two exchanged for the remainder of the round. Nemkov clocked Anglickas with a rattling shot just before the round ended.

In Round 2, both men again came out heavy. After some striking exchanges, Nemkov tossed Anglickas to the canvas and worked from side control. Anglickas pushed Nemkov into guard. From there, Nemkov landed nasty ground-and-pound – and things got messy. Elbows started it off and the punches followed. Anglickas tried to avoid the damage but was unable. The end of the round saved him, however, as bot fighters rose to their feet covered in blood.

The cutman did a good job in between rounds to stop the bleeding on Anglickas’ head. Nemkov returned to action to the ground almost immediately in Round 3. After some blocked punches, Nemkov passed to side control. Anglickas once again pushed Nemkov into side control. Nemkov worked for an armbar. Multiple tries were fended off by Anglickas – including one at the end-of-horn buzzer.

Round 4 was more of the same. Nemkov scored another takedown and Anglickas’ forehead was met with intermittent punches. Nemkov trapped Anglickas’ arm in the crucifix, but Anglickas rolled out. A straight armbar attempt from Nemkov failed. Nemkov then went for a kimura. The crank was quick and decisive. Anglickas tapped and that was all that was written.

With the win, Nemkov successfully defends his title for the second time and advances to the $1 million grand prix final where he will face Corey Anderson, who defeated Ryan Bader by 51-second TKO earlier on the card.

Check out the full Bellator 268 results below:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=01f5k5h8pz3brj4xqb image=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[vertical-gallery id=1350169]

Bellator 268 results: Corey Anderson blasts Ryan Bader in quick TKO win, advances to grand prix final

Corey Anderson makes quick work of Ryan Bader and punches his ticket to he Bellator light heavyweight grand prix final.

PHOENIX – [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] punched his ticket to the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix final.

The Bellator light heavyweight contender ran through [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] in the semifinal of the tournament, which served as the co-main event of Saturday’s Bellator 268 at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The main card aired on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Anderson (16-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) defeated Bader (28-6 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) via first-round TKO, needing just 50 seconds to dispatch him. Anderson is set to take on the winner of Vadim Nemkov vs. Julius Anglickas, which goes down on the main event of the card.

It was a quick and vicious performance by Anderson.

“Overtime” quickly put the pressure on Bader, as soon as the bell rang and didn’t let his foot off the gas. In an early exchange, Anderson dropped Bader with a right hand and then followed up with a non-stop pour of strikes on the ground. Bader did his best to scramble out of danger, but Anderson eventually overwhelmed Bader and forced the referee to call off the fight.

[lawrence-related id=1349708]

Anderson had defeated Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov to advance to the semifinals of the grand prix after his debut in Bellator in late 2020, a TKO win over veteran Melvin Manhoef. Anderson is 7-1 in his past 8 performances. His only defeat during that run is to current UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.

Meanwhile, Bader entered Bellator 268 coming off a decision win over Lyoto Machida in the quarterfinals back in August 2020. Prior to that, he had suffered a TKO defeat to Vadim Nemkov where he lost his Bellator light heavyweight belt. Bader has now suffered two defeats since joining Bellator in 2017.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 268 results include:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=01f5k5h8pz3brj4xqb image=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[vertical-gallery id=1350169]

Twitter reacts to Corey Anderson’s quick TKO of Ryan Bader in Bellator 268 grand prix semifinal

See the top Twitter reactions to Corey Anderson’s 51-second TKO of Ryan Bader in their Bellator 268 grand prix semifinal bout.

[autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] will get his first opportunity to fight for a major MMA title after beating [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] at Bellator 268.

Anderson (16-4 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) emerged victorious from the light heavyweight Grand Prix semifinal with a first-round TKO victory over Bader (28-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in Saturday’s co-headliner at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.

With the win, Anderson will face the winner of Vadim Nemkov vs. Julius Anglickas in the tournament final

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Anderson’s victory over Bader at Bellator 268.

* * * *

Bellator 268 results: Brent Primus spoils Benson Henderson homecoming, calls for title opportunity

Formeer Bellator lightweight champion Brent Primus defeated former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in Arizona.

PHOENIX – [autotag]Brent Primus[/autotag] played the role of spoiler Saturday when he defeated beloved Arizonian fighter [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] at Bellator 268.

A former Bellator champion, Primus (11-2 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) defeated a former UFC champion in Henderson (28-11 MMA, 5-6 BMMA) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).

Bellator 268 took place Saturday at Footprint Center. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

In the opening round, both fighters had their moments on the feet. When the fight hit the canvas, Primus worked for a kimura submission off his back. He was able to roll Henderson over. As he cranked, however, “Smooth” proved his nickname accurate as he slickly utilized the momentum to break the grip. The two duked it out until the round ended.

In Round 2, the two fighters traded leg kick for leg kick. There were massive windups from Henderson on his strikes, which smacked Primus in the body, head, and legs. For the final minute of the round, Primus climbed the back of Henderson in a rear-naked choke attempt. With the local crowd cheering him on, Henderson survived until the buzzer.

For the vast majority of Round 3, Henderson fended off Primus submission attempts. From a guillotine choke to a rear-naked choke, Henderson survived but was dominated on the canvas bell-to-bell. The decision was not well received by the crowd, but Primus lobbied for a title opportunity through the boos and jeers.

The Bellator lightweight title is currently vacant, though the Bellator 270 bout between Patricky Freire and Peter Queally will crown a new champion.

With the win, Primus rebounds from a July loss to Islam Mamedov. The Oregonian lightweight has now won three of his most recent four outings. as for Henderson, the former UFC lightweight champion has lost three straight fights for the first time in his career.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 268 results include:

  • Brent Primus def. Benson Henderson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Henry Corrales def. Vladyslav Parubchenko via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Karl Albrektsson def. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Mukhamed Berkhamov def. Jaleel Willis via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:05
  • Nick Browne def. Bobby Lee via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 1:38
  • Javier Torres def. Gregory Milliard via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Sumiko Inaba def. Randi Field via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:02
  • Lance Gibson Jr. def. Raymond Pina via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:44
  • Jaylon Bates def. Raphael Montini via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:49
  • Sullivan Cauley def. Deon Clash via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
  • Maria Henderson def. Collette Santiago via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 0:40

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=01f5k5h8pz3brj4xqb image=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[vertical-gallery id=1350169]