Tag: Diana Avsaragova

Rising Russian flyweight Diana Avsaragova targeted to return at Bellator 262

“Pantera” put her name on the radar when she won her Bellator debut with a brutal 29-second knockout.

[autotag]Diana Avsaragova[/autotag] is close to locking in her second Bellator assignment.

A rising Russian flyweight, Avsaragova (3-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) will take on [autotag]Gabriella Gulfin[/autotag] on July 16 at Bellator 262. A person with knowledge of the situation told MMA Junkie on Wednesday that agreements are in place after a report from TASS.

Avsaragova, 22, made a statement in her promotional debut in April when she separated Tara Graff from her consciousness with a violent 29-second knockout on the Bellator 256 prelims.

The knockout was the first of her career, which was added to one submission and one decision victory that were already on her resume. Coming from a wrestling background, Avsaragova has worked to round out her wrestling with UFC flyweight Liana Jojua.

“I was on the Russian team (in) wrestling,” Avsaragova told MMA Junkie ahead of her debut. “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).”

“GDaddy” Gulfin (2-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) will make her promotional debut after stops in CFFC and Ring of Combat. After a 5-1 amateur career, Gulfin went 2-0 to kick off her pro tenure. However, she lost back-to-back fights thereafter, both of which came inside the first round.

With the addition, the Bellator 262 lineup includes:

  • Champ Juliana Velasquez vs. Denise Kielholtz
  • Tyrell Fortune vs. Matt Mitrione
  • Marcelo Golm vs. Linton Vassell
  • Arlene Blencowe vs. Dayana Silva
  • Ronny Markes vs. Said Sowma
  • Adil Benjilany vs. Johnny Soto
  • Diana Avsaragova vs. Gabriella Gulfin

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Video: Who was the biggest standout at Bellator 256?

Ryan Bader, Cat Zingano and newcomer Diana Avsaragova all had good nights at Bellator 256.

At Bellator 256 last Friday, [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] exacted a measure of revenge when he beat Lyoto Machida by dominant unanimous decision to advance to the semifinals of the promotion’s light heavyweight grand prix.

Also on the card, [autotag]Cat Zingano[/autotag] scored a submission victory – her first in nearly nine years – with a first-round armbar finish of Olivia Parker. There was also the devastating 29-second knockout by Russian prospect [autotag]Diana Avsaragova[/autotag], who proved she’s more than a pretty face as she set out to do in her promotional debut.

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Among those three winners, who was the biggest standout from Bellator 256? Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King, and host John Morgan answer.

You can watch their discussion in the video above, and this week’s full episode below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5c9imTwPio

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Bellator 256 video: Diana Avsaragova scorches in debut with 29-second knockout

Diana Avsaragova just needed 29 seconds to debut at Bellator 256.

[autotag]Diana Avsaragova[/autotag] sure made a statement in her Bellator debut.

The 22-year-old Russian prospect picked up a 29-second knockout over Tara Graff on Friday night at Bellator 256 in Uncasville, Conn.

Avsaragova (3-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), making her promotional debut, made quick work by countering Graff, who was pressing the action, and hurt her early with a right hand. Just seconds after the shot that stunned and dropped Graff to a knee, Avsaragova connected with another right hand as Graff popped up, which laid her out on the canvas.

You can watch the finishing sequence below (via Twitter)

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Avsaragova, a wrestling and grappling specialist, made her professional MMA debut in 2017, which she won by first-round submission. She wouldn’t fight again until 2019 and then followed up with her third at Bellator 256 in a big way.

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Fight Game on the ‘Gram: Diana Avsaragova’s best posts before Bellator 256

Check out some of Diana Avsaragova’s most popular Instagram posts ahead of Bellator 256.

Social media is part of life in the fight game for most fighters. Many of them turn to Instagram to keep their fans and followers informed and entertained since (for now) its reputation is less vitriolic than some of its contemporaries.

Ahead of her fight against Tara Graff (1-2 MMA, 0-1 BMMA), check out some of the most popular Instagram posts from [autotag]Diana Avsaragova[/autotag] (2-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) over the past year.

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

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.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEOmLLgo5XU/

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.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLjbn5mDXcd/

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

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

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.