Tag: Sabah Homasi

Bellator 290 results: Brennan Ward blasts Sabah Homasi with head kick and punches to end violent battle

Brennan Ward vs. Sabah Homasi was circled by many MMA fans – and apparently for good reason.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Advertised as one of the most violent fights in Bellator history, [autotag]Brennan Ward[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] delivered.

In the first Bellator fight to air on CBS in promotion history, Ward (17-6 MMA, 12-6 BMMA) defeated Homasi (17-11 MMA, 6-5 BMMA) with a head kick and punches at 1:34 of Round 2. The welterweight bout opened up the Bellator 290 main card at Kia Forum.

Homasi and Ward both came out aggressive, as expected. Ward shot for a takedown initially. Homasi stuffed. Moments later, Ward shot a takedown as Homasi leaped for a flying knee. Ward caught Homasi and took him to the ground. Once there, Ward worked from the back for a rear-naked choke, which he couldn’t get. Homasi worked up but Ward found success once back on the feet. The two fighters were bloodied, but not broken at the end-of-round bell.

In Round 2, Ward continued his momentum swing, as he rocked Homasi on various occasions. Ward was patient in the attack, as he beat down a durable Homasi. Referee Blake Grice appeared close to a stoppage on multiple occasions, but a head kick and punches were what eventually persuaded him to intervene.

After the fight, Ward was joined in the cage by legendary actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, who attended the event with a mutual friend of theirs.

Ward returned in February 2022 after nearly five years away from MMA competition due to an ongoing battle with drug addiction. AtΒ Bellator 274, Ward was successful in his comeback bout when he defeated Brandon Bell byΒ second-round TKO. In June, he defeated Kassius Kayne by second-round TKO atΒ Bellator 282.

Reinvented under the Bellator banner, Homasi, a close friend and training partner of UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier, won six of his past eight bouts before Saturday. A two fight skid was snapped with the loss.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator 290 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 290.

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Photos: Bellator 290 ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs

Check out these photos from the Bellator 290 ceremonial weigh-ins and fighter faceoffs in Los Angeles.

Check out these photos from the Bellator 290 ceremonial weigh-ins and fighter faceoffs in Los Angeles. (Photos courtesy of Bellator MMA)

 

 

Bellator 290 predictions: Is anyone picking Fedor to retire with upset of Ryan Bader?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the Bellator 290 main card, its debut on CBS, featuring Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko.

Bader
vs.
Emelianenko		 Eblen
vs.
Tokov		 Homasi
vs.
Ward
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
5-5		 bader2023
Bader
(52%)		 eblen2023
Eblen
(63%)		 ward2023
Ward
(62%)
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
8-2		 bader2023
Bader		 eblen2023
Eblen		 ward2023
Ward
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
7-3		 bader2023
Bader		 eblen2023
Eblen		 ward2023
Ward
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
7-3		 bader2023
Bader		 eblen2023
Eblen		 homasi2023
Homasi
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
6-4		 bader2023
Bader		 eblen2023
Eblen		 ward2023
Ward
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
6-4
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 bader2023
Bader		 eblen2023
Eblen		 ward2023
Ward
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
6-4		 bader2023
Bader		 eblen2023
Eblen		 homasi2023
Homasi
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
5-5
trophy copy 2018, 2022 Champion		 bader2023
Bader		 tokov2023
Tokov		 homasi2023
Homasi
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
5-5		 bader2023
Bader		 eblen2023
Eblen		 homasi2023
Homasi
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohn
5-5
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 bader2023
Bader		 eblen2023
Eblen		 homasi2023
Homasi
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
4-6		 bader2023
Bader		 eblen2023
Eblen		 ward2023
Ward
Nolan King
@mma_kings
4-6		 bader2023
Bader		 eblen2023
Eblen		 ward2023
Ward

Bellator returns this week for its first event of the year, and a pair of titles and monumental sendoff top the lineup.

Bellator 290 takes place Saturday at Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card airs on CBS following prelims on MMA Junkie.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, heavyweight champion [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] (30-7 MMA, 8-2 BMMA) takes on legendary Russian challenger [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] (40-6 MMA, 4-2 BMMA), who has announced this will be his final fight. It is a rematch of a 2019 tournament final and title fight that saw Bader finish Emelianenko with a 35-second TKO.

Bader is a sizable favorite at -320 at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on former PRIDE champ Emelianenko is +255. But none of our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers have “The Last Emperor” with a fairytale ending. Bader is a unanimous pick at 11-0.

In the co-feature, middleweight champion [autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) puts his title on the line for the first time when he meets challenger [autotag]Anatoly Tokov[/autotag] (31-3 MMA, 7-0 BMMA). Eblen is a -270 favorite at the betting window, and he has a near-unanimous rout in the picks. Just one of our staff members has Tokov in an upset.

And to open the main card, which is Bellator’s debut on CBS, [autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] (17-10 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Brennan Ward[/autotag] (16-6 MMA, 11-6 BMMA) at welterweight. Homasi is more than a 2-1 betting favorite, but our pickers are split. It’s Ward with a 6-5 lead.

InΒ the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Bader (52 percent), Eblen (63 percent)Β and Ward (62 percent)Β are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 290.

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Bellator 290 weigh-ins video: Fedor Emelianenko steps on the scale for final MMA bout

Watch Fedor Emelianenko step on the scale for what is expected to be the final weigh-in of his MMA career.

LOS ANGELES – [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] stepped on the scale Friday for what is expected to be his final MMA bout.

Ahead of Saturday’s Bellator 290 main event bout, all eyes were on Emelianenko (40-6 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) when he took the stage for the official weigh-ins.

For a heavyweight fighter who always has come in well under the limit, there was little doubt Emelianenko would make weight, and he did, with a kiss to his cross necklace before and after.

Emelianenko fights in the first rematch of his Bellator career Saturday at Kia Forum, as he looks to avenge his loss against [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] (30-7 MMA, 8-2 BMMA), who was first on the scales at 234.4 pounds.

Also on the card, middleweight champion [autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) and challenger [autotag]Anatoly Tokov[/autotag] (31-3 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) hit championship weight. Eblen was 184 pounds. Tokov was slightly heavier at 184.8 pounds.

Main card openers [autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] (17-10 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) and [autotag]Brennan Ward[/autotag] (16-6 MMA, 11-6 BMMA)Β both weighed in at 170.8 pounds.

Check out Emelianenko and Bader’s weigh-ins in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 290.

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Sabah Homasi on Brennan Ward matchup: A car crash is going to happen at Bellator 290

Sabah Homasi expects fireworks with Brennan Ward matchup at Bellator 290.

LOS ANGELES – [autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] has high expectations for his next outing.

The Bellator welterweight thinks fans are in for fireworks when he gets locked in the cage with Brennan Ward on Saturday at Bellator 290. Homasi (17-10 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) thinks the two styles are a must-watch and guarantees a wild fight.

“It’s a God damned car crash. That’s what’s going to happen,” Homasi said at Thursday’s Bellator 290 media day.

Homasi said he respects Ward, and he’s happy to face someone that has a similar style to his.

“Absolutely, you have to respect someone like Brendan Ward,” Homasi said. “He’s got power in both his hands, and at the end of the day I don’t look past anybody. Anybody that’s across the cage from me, I know I’m getting into a God damned fight, and I’ll be well-prepared.”

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Homasi vs. Ward opens the main card on CBS. The card is Bellator’s debut on the network. Homasi is happy with the card placement, but wants to be more active.

“Bellator definitely takes care of me, and I’m happy to be part of this organization,” Homasi said. “I just want to fight more. I’m in my prime right now, and I’ve fought twice a year these past two years. I need more than that. I’m not getting any younger.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub forΒ Bellator 290.

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UFC veterans in MMA and bareknuckle action Feb. 2-5

Check out which veterans of the UFC are in MMA and bareknuckle boxing action this weekend across the globe.

The UFC returns after a week off for UFC Fight Night 218, which takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Elsewhere, many other MMA events are taking place that feature familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

These 8 veterans of the global MMA leader are competing in MMA bareknuckle boxing this week from Feb. 2-4.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information fromΒ Tapology.

Bellator 290 pre-event facts: Fedor Emelianenko can make history in final fight

Check out the numbers behind Bellator 290, where Fedor Emelianenko has a chance to set records in his retirement fight.

Bellator kicks off its 2023 schedule on Saturday with a landmark event in company history. Bellator 290, which takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., marks the company’s main card network debut on CBS, which follows prelims streamed on MMA Junkie.

A championship doubleheader is set to headline the card. In the main event, [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] (30-7 MMA, 8-2 BMMA) will put his heavyweight title fight against MMA legend [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] (40-6 MMA, 4-2 BMMA), who is set to retire from MMA competition. The pair previously met at Bellator 214 in January 2019, with Bader scoring a 35-second TKO victory.

The co-headliner of the card, meanwhile, will see middleweight champion [autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) attempt to make his first title defense when he welcomes challenger [autotag]Anatoly Tokov[/autotag] (31-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA), who has lost just once over the past 11 years.

For more on the numbers behind the event, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts for Bellator 290.

Bellator 290 main card set for CBS debut; Lorenz Larkin and more added to prelims

Fourteen fights are on tap for Bellator 290 at The Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., with Fedor Emelianenko vs. Ryan Bader atop the card.

Bellator MMA kicks off its 2023 schedule in a big way with its first fights ever to air on CBS.

Bellator 290 takes place Feb. 4 at The Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main airs on CBS after prelims on MMA Junkie.

The three-fight main card features three fights already announced, including two title bouts. In the main event, Bellator heavyweight champion [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] (30-7 MMA, 8-2 BMMA) defends his title against all-time great [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] (40-6 MMA, 4-2 BMMA). The bout is pegged as Emelianenko’s final.

The co-main event features middleweight champion [autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) as he battles Emelianenko’s training partner [autotag]Anatoly Tokov[/autotag] (31-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA). A welterweight bout between all-time Bellator finishers [autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] (17-10 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) and [autotag]Brennan Ward[/autotag] (16-6 MMA, 12-6 BMMA) will be the inaugural Bellator bout on CBS.

New preliminary card additions announced by the promotion Friday included a rematch between [autotag]Mukhamed Berkhamov[/autotag] (14-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Lorenz Larkin[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 6-2 BMMA), a heavyweight bout between [autotag]Ali Isaev[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Steve Mowry[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA), and former bantamweight champion [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 12-6 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Nikita Mikhailov[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 2-1 BMMA)

The Isaev vs. Mowry bout was first reported by Severe MMA.

The full Bellator 290 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, CBS)

  • Champion Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko – for heavyweight title
  • Champion Johnny Eblen vs. Anatoly Tokov – for middleweight title
  • Sabah Homasi vs. Brennan Ward

PRELIMINARY CARD (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, CBS)

  • Neiman Gracie vs. Michael Lombardo
  • Mukhamed Berkhamov vs. Lorenz Larkin
  • Henry Corrales vs. Akhmed Magomedov
  • Chris Gonzalez vs. Max Rohskopf
  • Karl Albrektsson vs. Grant Neal
  • Diana Avsaragova vs. Alejandra Lara
  • Darrion Caldwell vs. Nikita Mikhailov
  • Jaylon Bates vs. Jornel Lugo
  • Isaiah Hokit vs. Peter Ishiguro
  • Ethan Hughes vs. Yusuf Karakaya

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Knockout artists Sabah Homasi, Brennan Ward set to fight at Bellator 290

Bellator 290 adds a fight between Sabah Homasi and Brennan Ward, two of the most violent strikers in the promotion’s welterweight history.

Two of the most violent finishers in Bellator welterweight history have been booked to fight each other.

[autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] and [autotag]Brennan Ward[/autotag] in recent weeks advocated to square off, and the promotion obliged as they’ve been booked to fight Feb. 4 at Bellator 290. Three people, including a Bellator official, informed MMA Junkie of the booking.

Bellator 290 takes place at Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., with the main card on CBS after prelims on MMA Junkie.

Reinvented under the Bellator banner, Homasi (17-10 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) has won six of his past eight bouts and is on a two-fight winning streak. Both of the back-to-back victories came by first-round stoppage. In 17 wins, Homasi has 14 finishes.

Ward (16-6 MMA, 11-6 BMMA) returned in February after nearly five years away from MMA competition due to an ongoing battle with drug addiction. At Bellator 274, Ward was successful in his comeback bout when he defeated Brandon Bell by second-round TKO. In June, he defeated Kassius Kayne by second-round TKO at Bellator 282.

In addition, a welterweight bout between [autotag]Ethan Hughes[/autotag] (3-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Yusuf Karakaya[/autotag] (1-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) has been added to the prelims. Hughes signed a multifight deal with Bellator in 2021 after he pulled off one of the biggest betting upsets of the year when he defeated former Olympian Mahmoud Sebie by TKO at Bellator 271.

With the additions, the Bellator 290 lineup includes:

  • Champion Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko – for heavyweight title
  • Champion Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero – for light heavyweight title
  • Sabah Homasi vs. Brennan Ward
  • Ethan Hughes vs. Yusuf Karakaya

Bellator 282 post-event facts: Johnny Eblen the newest undefeated champion

Johnny Eblen joined the short list of fighters to win a Bellator title with an undefeated record at Bellator 282.

The Bellator event schedule resumed Friday with Bellator 282, which took place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and saw a new champion crowned in the main event.

[autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) captured the middleweight title with a dominant sweep over [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] (49-8-2 MMA, 7-2 BMMA) by unanimous decision, becoming the eighth 185-pound champion in company history.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-fight facts from Bellator 282.