It’s been five months since COVID-19 put a stop to Bellator operations, but that’s about to change soon.
It’s been five months since COVID-19 put a stop to Bellator operations, but that’s about to change soon.
Bellator is set to return in just 10 days with an event on July 24 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The first known booking features a bantamweight bout between [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] and [autotag]Ricky Bandejas[/autotag].
Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the fight booking to MMA Junkie but requested anonymity since the promotion has yet to make an announcement. Combate was first to report the news.
Bellator officially has yet to announce its plans for July 24 despite multiple reports of an event taking place. It will mark the promotion’s first event since Bellator 240 on Feb. 22 in Dublin.
[lawrence-related id=534624,531367]
Bellator 241 almost took place March 13 until the promotion decided to cancel it on weigh-ins day as the novel coronavirus pandemic started to spread.
Both Pettis (19-5 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and Bandejas (13-3 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) fought and earned wins once this year prior to the shutdown. Pettis is coming off a submission win over Alfred Khashakyan in his promotional debut Jan. 25 at Bellator 238, while Bandejas defeated Frans Miambo by second-round knockout on Feb. 22 at Bellator 240.
Thoughts and analysis of the biggest storylines coming out of Bellator 238, where Cris Cyborg and Darrion Caldwell shined bright.
What mattered most at Bellator 238 in Inglewood? Here are a few post-fight musings …
* * * * *
1. Cris Cyborg’s big moment and what’s next
[autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] picked up her fourth major promotional championship with a fourth-round TKO of Julia Budd to claim the women’s featherweight title. This seems like the pinnacle for her at this point, and anything else she achieves going forward is gravy.
We all wanted to see that rematch with Amanda Nunes in the UFC, but it not coming to fruition might have been for the best. Cyborg seems to be infinitely happier fighting in Bellator, and it sounds like she’s getting a healthy payday to be there.
Although the narrative is that Bellator has a deeper women’s 145-pound division than the UFC, having Cyborg at the top can make things look thin in a hurry. The fight with Budd was compelling for its layer of perceived competitiveness, and more matchups like that will be needed to hold interest in her title run.
Bellator president Scott Coker offers his thoughts on the winners and losers from Bellator 238.
Bellator 238 took place Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., where [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] made history.
In defeating Julia Budd by fourth-round TKO in the night’s main event, Cyborg became the first fighter to win major championships in four separate promotions – Strikeforce, Invicta FC, the UFC, and now Bellator.
The event also included [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] moving on to the featherweight grand prix quarterfinals with a submission win over previously undefeated Adam Borics.
As is customary, Bellator president Scott Coker spoke with reporters afterward and offered his reaction to those outcomes and more. You can read below or watch the video above.
****
On Cris Cyborg’s championship win over Julia Budd
“It was electric in there, and I think that Cyborg came in, and she looked super explosive, like really good. Julia looked great, too, but as the rounds went on, Cyborg started dominating the fight and instilled her will on Julia. That’s the way I saw it, but in that first round anything could’ve happened, someone could’ve gotten caught, and you know, get a finish.
“It was a great fight. It was really intense in there, and I’m proud of both ladies. Julia Budd is a great fighter. She’s someone who’s had the belt for a long time, and I think everybody can now see why. She’s gotten so much respect among her peers and fans.”
[lawrence-related id=484192,484191]
On a potential rematch between Cris Cyborg and Julia Budd
Cris Cyborg and Julia Budd at Bellator 238. (Dave Mandel, MMA Junkie)
“That really depends on what happens in the next year. I think Julia, I haven’t talked to Julia, but I’m just assuming from knowing her that she’s going to want to come back and get busy. So if she gets on a tear and Cyborg keeps winning then maybe we’ll get it on again, but in this sport you never know.”
On Cris Cyborg wanting a women’s featherweight grand prix
“I think we have eight girls that are solid, but I’ll tell you what: After that performance, she’s going to be a tough fight for anybody in the weight class, so they better bring it, because she’s a beast, explosive, and she looked like she didn’t miss a beat in my opinion. That’s why I call her the greatest fighter of all time today in the female division, and I think you saw it with your own eyes today.”
On Sergio Pettis’ successful Bellator debut
Sergio Pettis submits Alfred Khashakyan at Bellator 238. (Dave Mandel, MMA Junkie)
“I think he looked great. I think he’s right in that mix, because with (Kyoji) Horiguchi being out and DC (Darrion Caldwell) being in the (featherweight) tournament, we’re going to host a 135-pound championship (fight) at some point. But we’re going to wait and see how these guys perform over the course of two, three, four months, because we will be doing 30 (events) this year in 2020.
“So well have a lot of opportunity for these guys to get some more fights under their belt, and we’ll probably host a 135-pound championship fight in some time.”
On Darrion Caldwell’s quick submission win over Adam Borics
“Caldwell surprised me. Let’s be honest: We thought that may work out the other way, but in a fight anything can happen.
“I think that was one of the fights that could’ve maybe had a different outcome, but he went and did his thing. He wants to fight for that million dollars at the end of the year. The only thing I didn’t like was the backflip at the end off the cage. I think I’ve seen enough of that. I tell my guys, ‘Please, let’s just stop that.'”
[lawrence-related id=484234]
On boxing champion Ava Knight suffering her first MMA loss
“Ava Knight had something to prove tonight. She fought a girl that had some great ground skills and beat her, so back to the drawing board. I know she’ll bounce back, train hard, and this is not an easy sport, as you all may know.
“This is a difficult sport, so we wish her luck in training and maybe in three or four months we can have her back.”
Check out all the facts and figures from Bellator 238, which took place Saturday and saw Cris Cyborg beat Julia Budd in the main event.
The first Bellator event of the year unfolded Saturday with Bellator 238, which went down at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., with a main card that streamed on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
In the main event, [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (22-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) enhanced her legacy with another championship belt when she scored a fourth-round TKO of [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) to claim the women’s featherweight belt.
The card also featured a quarterfinal bout in the ongoing Bellator featherweight grand prix, as well as some other notable results. For more on the numbers behind the card, check below for 30 post-event facts about Bellator 238.
General
Betting favorites went 4-2 on the main card (5-2 overall in fights where odds were available).
Total fight time for the six-bout main card was 41:59.
Main card
Cris Cyborg
Cyborg became the first in history to win titles in Bellator, UFC, Invicta FC and Strikeforce.
Cyborg became the second in history to win titles in Bellator and UFC. Eddie Alvarez also accomplished the feat.
Cyborg has earned 18 of her 22 career victories by knockout.
Budd had her 11-fight winning streak snapped for her first defeat since November 2011.
Budd has suffered all three of her career losses by stoppage.
Budd suffered her first knockout loss since Jan. 7, 2011 – a span of 3,306 days (more than nine years) and 14 fights.
Darrion Caldwell
[autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 12-2 BMMA) improved to 6-0 in Bellator featherweight competition. He’s 8-0 in the weight class during his career.
Caldwell’s six-fight Bellator winning streak in featherweight competition is the second longest active streak in the division behind A.J. McKee (16).
Caldwell’s six submission victories in Bellator competition are tied for second most in company history behind Goiti Yamauchi (seven).
[autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) had his 14-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career.
[autotag]Juan Archuleta[/autotag] (24-2 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) has earned four of his six Bellator victories by decision.
Sergio Pettis
[autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] (19-5 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) earned his first submission victory since Sept. 28, 2013 – a span of 2,311 days (more than six years) and 15 fights.
[autotag]Alfred Khashakyan[/autotag] (11-5 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) earned the first submission victory of his career.
[autotag]Raymond Daniels[/autotag] (2-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) improved to 2-0 since he returned to MMA competition from a nearly 11-year layoff in May.
Daniels has earned both of his career victories by knockout.
[autotag]Jason King[/autotag] (8-6 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) has suffered five of his six career losses by stoppage. He’s suffered all those defeats by knockout.
[autotag]Emilee King[/autotag] (4-4 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) is on a four-fight winning streak after starting her career 0-4.
[autotag]Ava Knight[/autotag] (1-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) suffered the first loss of her career.
Preliminary card
Aaron Pico
[autotag]Aaron Pico[/autotag] (5-3 MMA, 5-3 BMMA) improved to 5-2 since he dropped to the featherweight division in September 2017.
Pico has earned all of his career victories by knockout.
Pico’s five knockout victories in Bellator featherweight competition are third most in divisional history behind A.J. McKee (six) and Patricio Freire (six).
[autotag]Adel Altamimi[/autotag] (8-7 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) has suffered six of his seven career losses by stoppage.
Altamimi suffered the first submission loss of his career.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] might be considered a veteran at this point, but he’s still experiencing new things in his MMA career.
The 26-year-old Milwaukee native, who’s been fighting professionally for close to a decade, made his Bellator debut on Saturday night after leaving the UFC late last year. Pettis (19-5 MMA, 1-0 Bellator) scored a technical submission win over Alfred Khashakyan on the main card of Bellator 238 at The Forum.
Despite having many fights under his belt, Pettis felt the pressure of expectations that come with switching organizations.
“Honestly, it was stressful,” Pettis told reporters in his post-fight scrum, which MMA Junkie attended. “I was trying to keep it cool the whole time, but I was stressed the hell out, (explicit) nervous, very nervous, whole new setting.
“Even the whole walkout was different. I’m used to having my corner in the back talking me up, and they left to the cage, and I was like, ‘Damn, I’m by myself right now.’ This is so different, but it was fun. It was a cool night, man. I’m very happy.”
[lawrence-related id=484234,484118,484192]
Pettis competed for the UFC from 2013 to 2019. He compiled a record of 9-5 competing at flyweight and bantamweight there. The change from UFC to Bellator marks Pettis’ first switch of major organizations.
Despite it being so stressful, Pettis still sees the experience as a positive.
“It was definitely a lot different than what I was used to,” Pettis said. “I was in the UFC for six years, so things were ran different. Things were a little different, but it was good. Everybody was cool here, everybody was very welcoming and very nice to me, so big shout out to Bellator. Thank you, guys.”
Apart from the obvious change of employers, Pettis; performance on Saturday was notable for other reasons. The Roufusport product got his first finish in seven years.
“I got a highlight, finally,” Pettis said. “It’s been a while. My first finish in, (explicit), 12 fights, so it’s definitely humbling.
“Those fights are fun. I prefer those fights. I think it brings out the better me, having someone trying to hurt me and knock me out makes me, I don’t know, something just came out of me tonight. It was different.”
Who said Sergio Pettis can’t finish a fight? He wasted little time in his Bellator debut.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Who said [autotag]Sergio Pettis [/autotag]can’t finish a fight?
The Milwaukee native was criticized during his UFC tenure for his lack of finishing ability. But Saturday night, in the first fight of his Bellator tenure, Pettis (19-5 MMA, 1-0 Bellator) wasted little time getting the job done.
A hellacious right hand sent opponent Alfred Khashakyan to the mat, and a flurry on the mat led to a finish by way of a deep guillotine choke. The time of the stoppage at Bellator 238 was 3:00.
Khashakyan (11-5 MMA, 0-1 BMMA), of the Glendale Fight Club, is an aggressive fighter who had all 11 of his career wins via KO or TKO.
But that energy came back to bite him against Pettis. Khashakyan landed a nice right which momentarily stunned Pettis. But as Khashakyan went to follow up, he ran right into a violent right which landed flush on the jaw and sent him to the mat.
Pettis followed with a bunch of punches, mostly rights, and then transitioned to the guillotine choke. Referee Mike Beltran, one of the game’s best, had a rare off moment, as Khashakyan appeared to be out well before the fight was stopped.
[lawrence-related id=483848,483521,483518]
With his seventh career stoppage win, Pettis has won two in a row. Khashakyan had his third career stoppage loss.
The bantamweight bout was part of the Bellator 238 main card at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card streamed on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Up-to-the-minute Bellator 238 results include:
Sergio Pettis def. Alfred Khashakyan via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1, 3:00
Raymond Daniels def. Jason King via TKO — Round 1, 3:07
Emilee King def. Ava Knight via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 1, 2:18
Brandon Bender def. Joshua Jones via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)
Aaron Pico def. Daniel Carey via KO (punch) — Round 2, 0:15
AJ Agazarm def. Adel Altamimi via submission (triangle choke) — Round 3, 1:22
Mario Navarro vs. Jay Jay Wilson def. Navarro via submission (armbar) — Round 1, 2:48
Alfred Khashakyan says anyone thinking he’s just a stepping stone for Sergio Pettis at Bellator 238 will be very much mistaken.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — [autotag]Alfred Khashakyan[/autotag] plans on playing spoiler this Saturday.
Khashakyan (11-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) takes on former UFC fighter [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] at Bellator 238, and will also be making his promotional debut. But while most eyes are on Pettis, Khashakyan says anyone viewing him simply as a springboard for Pettis’ Bellator career is very much mistaken.
“I don’t know if they think that, but I don’t know if they’ve seen my fights or not,” Khashakyan told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “I hope that’s not what they brought me for, because it’s definitely going to be an upset.”
Khashakyan is happy to be taking on a name like Pettis (18-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), which means more eyes will be on him, too.
“He is Anthony Pettis’ brother. He has a big name, good following,” he said. “It’s a better opportunity for me to show who I am, so I’m actually happy to fight him.”
All 11 of Khashakyan’s professional victories have come by way of knockout, and he’s notched wins over some notable names, including UFC veterans Albert Morales and Chris Beal. Despite his solid resumé he wasn’t able to secure a UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017, where he ran into Sean O’Malley. But that experience was a valuable one for Khashakyan, who has since worked his way back up to the big stage.
“I feel like that fight I didn’t take my diet seriously and just getting in the cage I was already dizzy, light-headed,” he recalled. “So I learnt a lot about preparation. Just because I can knock everybody out, doesn’t mean that if I don’t feel good, I might not be able so knock them out. So, I took my diet seriously, came back, I got three knockouts (in the) first round to show people that I’ve still got what I have. The power is still there.”
Khashakyan is relaxed and confident ahead of the matchup, and says he believes his knockout power will see him add another finish to his resume on Saturday night.
“I feel like I got so much power maybe first-round KO if not second-round KO,” he said. “I don’t see it going three rounds.”
When Sergio Pettis signed for Bellator he was called out by a host of fighters, but the former UFC flyweight said he enjoys being a target.
LOS ANGELES – As soon as [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] signed his Bellator contract, he was called out by an array of fighters.
Pettis (18-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), will be making his promotional debut at Bellator 238 when he takes on fellow newcomer Alfred Khashakyan at The Forum on Saturday night.
He’s already been called out by the likes of James Gallagher and Leandro Higo, something he knew was inevitable, considering his last name.
“For sure, I’m a Pettis,” he told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “As soon as I signed that contract I had the whole division calling me out. I had people from upper divisions calling me out, so it is what it is. But I’m excited. It’s cool being a target.”
After finishing out his UFC contract, Pettis decided to explore free agency, and eventually opted to sign for Bellator. The reason behind his choice? The timing just felt right for him to try something new.
[lawrence-related id=469851,460402]
“I’ve spent six years in the UFC, and obviously I thought the main end goal was to be there,” Pettis said. “And I’ve been there the whole time and I’m just like, man, it doesn’t even matter who you fight as long as I get a fight, and have fun where I’m fighting at. Bellator put up a good offer for me, so I’m here and I’m excited to be here.”
He takes on former Dana White’s Contender Series competitor and fellow debutant Khashakyan (11-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who has notable wins over UFC veterans Albert Morales and Chris Beal on his record. It’s a test Pettis says he certainly isn’t taking lightly.
“Once you go out there and fight in the cage, everybody’s dangerous – especially Alfred: 11-4, all 11 knockouts,” Pettis said. “He’s going to try and come out there and (expletive) me up. My face is a pretty little boy face, so I think he’s going to come out there and try to (expletive) me up. So I’m excited.”
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 …
