Darrion Caldwell will meet A.J. McKee in the semifinal of the Bellator featherweight grand prix after finishing Adam Borics.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – A former Bellator bantamweight champion is halfway to featherweight glory.
[autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] booked his trip to the Bellator featherweight Grand Prix final four Saturday night with a swift and impressive victory over previously undefeated Adam Borics in the co-feature bout of Bellator 238.
A tapout by way of rear-naked choke ended the tournament quarterfinal bout at just 2:20 of the opening round.
Caldwell (14-3 MMA, 11-2 BMMA) shot for a double-leg takedown after an early exchange. Borics (14-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) tried to turn it into a guillotine choke. Caldwell shook it off when they hit the mat, then did an expert job improving his position. He landed strikes as Borics tried to get back to his feet, then seized the opening for the perfectly applied rear-naked choke for the finish.
“This was my night, this is my tournament,” Caldwell said after his eighth career victory via finish.
[lawrence-related id=483582,483591,483848]
Caldwell will face undefeated A.J. McKee in the semifinal round, date and location TBD. The duo had a nose-to-nose staredown in the cage after the bout.
The featherweight tournament quarterfinal bout was the Bellator 238 co-main event at The Forum. The main card streamed on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
+ Regional MMA title
+ Muay Thai and karate background
+ 4 knockout victories
+ 6 submission wins
+ 3 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Good footwork and distance management
+ Technically sound striking
^ Can variate from leg kicks to flying knees
+ Underrated wrestling ability
+ Good transitional grappler
^ Creates scrambles and submission opportunities
Point of interest: Exploding into space
The co-main event for Bellator 238 features another installment of the promotion’s featherweight grand prix, where we will be privy to yet another collision course of hot prospects.
Despite being an accoladed wrestler who unabashedly works toward his strengths early and often, [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] has been steadily rounding out his game since stepping onto the Bellator stage.
Operating out of a southpaw stance, Caldwell will usually circle on the outside as he offers up different feints and fakes. Utilizing his exceptionally long frame and reach, the 32-year-old launches disruptive jabs and crosses that can halt his opponent’s initial momentum.
Embracing his southpaw sensibilities, Caldwell also carries hard kicks that he variates between the body, head and legs – though I’m not sure how much he’ll want to play that game with a layered threat like [autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag].
An undefeated muay Thai fighter who comes from a kenpo karate background, Borics’ striking style carries a unique, explosive accuracy that attaches itself nicely to the “art of eight limbs.”
Demonstrating a keen sense of distance management (likely another byproduct of his karate background), Borics stays measured with healthy doses of jabs, hooks and leg kicks, variating his targets and timing in the process. And when the 26-year-old talent senses an opportunity, he’s not shy about taking it via the form of flying knees.
Akin to an NBA player who is about to hit a slam dunk, Borics will launch a knee into the air off of his rear leg in order to punctuate his presence off of his lead leg/side. Even though this technique serves as a solid takedown deterrent on highlight reels, I do wonder how much Borics will willingly throw himself out of position given Caldwell’s ultimate goal.
In the main event, women’s featherweight champion [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) defends her belt against [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), a former UFC and Strikeforce champ who is making her Bellator debut. Cyborg, regarded by many as the greatest women’s fighter in history, is a 4-1 favorite from the oddsmakers, and she’s nearly a unanimous pick from our 14 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers. Only one picker is taking Budd to retain her title in an upset.
In the co-main event, [autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag] (14-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) meets [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 10-2 BMMA) in a quarterfinal fight in Bellator’s ongoing featherweight tournament. The fight nearly is a pick’em from the oddsmakers, and it’s close with our pickers, as well. Borics has just an 8-6 lead.
[lawrence-related id=482714,479776,479430]
In another featherweight fight, [autotag]Juan Archuleta[/autotag] (23-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) is more than a 2-1 favorite against [autotag]Henry Corrales[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 5-4 BMMA). Both fighters are looking to rebound from losses in the tournament’s opening round. Archuleta has a big 12-2 advantage from our staff members.
Former UFC fighter [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes his Bellator debut at bantamweight against [autotag]Alfred Khashakyan[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA). He’s nearly a 3-1 favorite, and all but one of our pickers is taking him to get off on the right foot in the promotion.
We have two unanimous picks on the main card. [autotag]Raymond Daniels[/autotag] (1-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) has the support of all 14 of our pickers in his welterweight bout against [autotag]Jason King[/autotag] (8-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA).
And to open the main card, boxing standout [autotag]Ava Knight[/autotag] (1-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) is a unanimous pick against [autotag]Emilee King[/autotag] (3-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in their women’s strawweight fight, which is Knight’s second pro MMA bout.
In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Cyborg (57 percent), Borics (55 percent), Archuleta (79 percent), Pettis (82 percent), Daniels (62 percent) and Knight (71 percent) are the choices.
MMA Junkie’s Simon Head looks ahead to Bellator 238 as the action returns to The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., will play host to the first big Bellator card of 2020 when the organization’s biggest signing in years gets set to make her eagerly anticipated debut.
Cris Cyborg’s title challenge against defending champion Julia Budd forms the headline act on a packed card of fights, with strong support provided by a fascinating clash in the Bellator featherweight grand prix. Throw a host of interesting matchups into the mix, including the return of Aaron Pico, and it all adds up to a solid card of fights on the West Coast.
Here are five burning questions ahead of fight night on Saturday:
Can “The Jewel” turn back the challenge of Cyborg?
Former UFC, Strikeforce and Invicta featherweight champion [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] has won almost everything there is to win in the sport of MMA. Now she gets the opportunity to add another belt to her growing trophy cabinet when she takes on Bellator’s 145-pound women’s champion, [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag].
Cyborg (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) lost her UFC featherweight title in spectacular fashion to Amanda Nunes, and her quest to get back to the top of the promotion ended somewhat acrimoniously. The Brazilian eventually left the UFC as a free agent. Scott Coker and Bellator wasted no time in snapping up Cyborg’s services, and the promoter who helped guide the Brazilian to the top of women’s MMA during their time with Strikeforce has offered her a shot at championship gold in her first fight for the promotion.
But to label this fight as simply a coronation exercise would be to disrespect the current champion. Budd (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) hasn’t lost since she was armbarred in only hour fourth professional fight by a young Ronda Rousey back in Strikeforce nine years ago. Since then, “The Jewel” has gone from strength to strength as she has risen the ranks to become Bellator’s reigning 145-pound queen. She won the title with a TKO finish, and two of her three title defenses to date have also ended in stoppages. A similar finish over Cyborg would cement her status as Bellator’s most dominant female fighter.
Cyborg is heading into the fight with a point to prove and a chip on her shoulder. She wants to show the world her loss to Nunes was a rare aberration, and will be looking to serve up the sort of dominant display we’ve seen from her countless times over the years.
But against Budd, she faces a prodigious athlete who is likely to be every bit as strong as she is. Budd is a live underdog against Cyborg, but then again, so was Nunes at UFC 232 …
Darrion Caldwell is surprised “Pitbull” didn’t choose to fight him when he had the opportunity.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] is surprised Bellator champion [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] didn’t choose to fight him when he had the opportunity.
At the Bellator featherweight grand prix selection show September, dual-champion Freire (30-4 MMA, 18-4 BMMA) elected to fight Pedro Carvalho instead of Caldwell (14-3 MMA, 11-2 BMMA) .
Caldwell was then matched up against Adam Borics, who he takes on Saturday in a tournament quarterfinal bout, which also serves as the co-main event of Bellator 238 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
“I was surprised,” Caldwell told MMA Junkie. “Obviously, there’s been some talk back and fourth. The fact he had an opportunity to pick the fight after we were verbally disagreeing for a while, I figured he’d pick me. Overall, I think his strategy was to stay away from me more than anything.”
Whether it’s now or later, Caldwell said a matchup with “Pitbull” will materialize. It’s just a matter of time.
“That fight has got to happen,” Caldwell said. “Eventually ‘Pitbull’ and I will be in the cage with the doors locked. It’s just inevitable.”
[lawrence-related id=482771,482769]
Regardless of how the bracket unfolded, Caldwell said he knew he’d be up against a stiff test in the second round of the 16-man tournament. Hungary’s Borics (14-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) fits the description. Borics is undefeated, but Caldwell said he hasn’t met anyone of his caliber.
“Adam has never faced a star like me,” Caldwell said. “He’s never fought a guy who won’t bow down to him. I’m not willing to give him anything. I don’t think he’s ever fought a world-class fighter like myself – a guy who’s been in five round fights and fought for world championships.
“I think he’s got a lot of attributes. He’s got a lot of things that he does well. All in all, I think the pressure I’m going to bring, the strength I’m going to bring, and the speed I’m going to bring will overwhelm him.”
Caldwell said he expects an exciting fight against Borics, and he envisions a memorable finish that will move him to the final four of the grand prix and one win away from competing for the $1 million prize.
“You’re going to see Adam Borics put on his head,” Caldwell said. “You’re going to see some bodies flying. You’re going to see a guy who’s true to my word. There’s no way I’m leaving the octagon without a win. … I will be ready to take Adam’s head off.”
Check out MMA Junkie’s full pre-fight interview with Darrion Caldwell in the video above.
Check out the faceoffs for Julia Budd vs. Cris Cyborg, Darrion Caldwell vs. Adam Borics, and all the big fights at Bellator 238.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Bellator 238 media day took place Thursday, and MMA Junkie was on the scene for the proceedings, which concluded with fighter faceoffs.
A women’s championship fight tops the card, as [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) attempted to defend her title for the fourth time when she takes on former UFC champ [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in the main event.
The co-headliner sees former Bellator titleholder [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 11-2 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag] (14-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) in a quarterfinal matchup in the promotion’s featherweight grand prix.
[lawrence-related id=482714,481824]
In addition, notable names set as Juan Archuleta (23-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA), Sergio Pettis (18-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) and Raymond Daniels (1-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) are set to compete.
You can watch the faceoffs for all of the main-card bouts, which took place at Paramount Studios, in the video above.
Bellator 238 takes place Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Check out all the facts and figures about Bellator 238, which takes place Saturday with a Julia Budd vs. Cris Cyborg title-fight main event.
The first Bellator event of the year goes down Saturday with Bellator 238, which takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., with a main card that streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
In the main event, the only women’s featherweight champion in Bellator history, [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA), will attempt to continue her reign atop the division when she takes on her biggest test yet in former UFC champion [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who gets a title shot in her promotional debut.
The card also includes a matchup in the ongoing Bellator featherweight grand prix, as well as some other often-seen notables. For more on the numbers behind the card, check below for 30 pre-event facts about Bellator 238.
* * * *
Main event
Julia Budd
Budd’s only career losses came against current UFC bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes and ex-titleholder Ronda Rousey.
Budd competes in her eighth Bellator featherweight bout, the second-most appearances in divisional history behind Arlene Blencowe (nine).
Budd enters the event on an 11-fight wining streak. She hasn’t suffered a defeat since November 2011.
Budd’s three consecutive Bellator title defenses are tied with Patricio Freire for second most among current champions behind Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (four).
Budd’s seven-fight Bellator winning streak is tied for the third-longest active streak in the company behind A.J. McKee (16) and Macfarlane (10).
Budd’s seven-fight Bellator winning streak in women’s featherweight competition is the longest active streak in the division.
Budd’s seven-fight Bellator winning streak is the second longest active streak among female fighters in the promotion behind Macfarlane (10).
Budd’s seven victories in Bellator women’s featherweight competition are most in divisional history.
Budd’s three stoppage victories in Bellator women’s featherweight competition are tied with Blencowe and Amanda Bell for most in divisional history.
Cris Cyborg
Cyborg can become the first in history to win titles in Bellator, UFC, Invicta FC and Strikeforce.
Cyborg can become the second in history to win titles in Bellator and UFC. Eddie Alvarez also accomplished the feat in the men’s lightweight division.
Cyborg makes her Bellator debut following a seven-fight UFC stint where she went 6-1 and held the promotion’s women’s featherweight title.
Cyborg’s four victories in UFC women’s featherweight competition are most in divisional history.
Cyborg outlanded her seven UFC opponents 460-148 in significant strikes.
Cyborg has earned 17 of her 21 career victories by knockout. She’s finished 10 of those wins in Round 1.
Co-main event
Darrion Caldwell
[autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 11-2 BMMA) is 5-0 in Bellator featherweight competition. He’s 7-0 in the weight class during his career.
Caldwell’s five-fight Bellator winning streak in featherweight competition is tied for the second-longest active streak in the division behind McKee (16).
Caldwell has earned five submission victories in Bellator competition. The company record is seven, which is currently held by Goiti Yamauchi.
Adam Borics
[autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag]’ (14-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) five-fight Bellator winning streak in featherweight competition is tied for the second-longest active streak in the division behind McKee (16).
Borics’ five-fight stoppage streak in Bellator competition is the longest among active fighters in the company.
Borics’ five stoppage victories in Bellator featherweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind McKee (11) and Patricio Freire (10).
Remaining main card
Juan Archuleta
[autotag]Juan Archuleta[/autotag] (23-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) was a three-division champion under the King of the Cage banner, holding titles at lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight.
[autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes his Bellator debut following a 14-fight UFC stint where he went 9-5.
Pettis earned all nine of his UFC victories by decision.
Pettis is the only fighter in UFC history to earn his first nine wins with the promotion by decision.
[autotag]Raymond Daniels[/autotag] (1-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), 39, is the oldest of the 12 scheduled main-card fighters.
Daniels was successful in his return to MMA competition after nearly 11 years when he won at Bellator Europe 1 in May.
[autotag]Ava King[/autotag] (3-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is on a three-fight winning streak after starting her career 0-4.
Preliminary card
Aaron Pico
[autotag]Aaron Pico[/autotag] (4-3 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) is 4-2 since he dropped to the featherweight division in September 2017.
Pico has suffered all three of his career losses by stoppage.
We want your predictions for Saturday’s Bellator 238 event in Inglewood, Calif.
We want your predictions for Saturday’s Bellator 238 event in Inglewood, Calif.
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 Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).
Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the Bellator 238 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. Bellator 238 takes place Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
[lawrence-related id=479776,479430]
Make your picks for all five main card fights inside.
Adam Borics will take on Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 238 in a featherweight world grand prix quarterfinal.
[vertical-gallery id=447100]
The [autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] featherweight grand prix quarterfinal matchup has found a home.
The undefeated Borics (14-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) today took to social media to reveal he’ll take on Caldwell (14-3 MMA, 11-3 BMMA) in the co-main event of Bellator 238 on Jan. 25 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
In the opening round of the grand prix, Borics took out Pat Curran in the second round at this past September’s Bellator 226, advancing to the quarterfinals. “The Kid” has finished all five of his Bellator bouts to date.
Meanwhile, former Bellator bantamweight champion Caldwell defeated Henry Corrales via unanimous decision at Bellator 228, also in September making good on his return to 145 pounds.
Bellator 238’s main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
The current Bellator 238 lineup includes:
Champ Julia Budd vs. Cris Cyborg – for women’s featherweight title
Adam Borics vs. Darrion Caldwell – featherweight grand prix quarterfinal
