Bellator MMA in 2016

Bellator MMA
Genre Sports
Created by Bjorn Rebney
Country of origin United States
Production
Running time 120 minutes
Release
Original network Spike
Original release January 29 – December 16, 2016
Chronology
Preceded by Bellator MMA in 2015
Followed by Bellator MMA in 2017

2016 will be the eighth year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. This year will mark the second time that Bellator MMA has done monthly shows as opposed to a seasonal format.

Background

In August 2015, Coker said Bellator MMA would hold 22 to 24 events in 2016 and would look to explore international markets by holding events outside of the United States and Canada.

Events list

Bellator 148

Bellator 148: Daley vs. Uhrich
Information
Date January 29, 2016
Venue Save Mart Center
City Fresno, California
Attendance 5,425
Total gate $267,809

Bellator 148: Daley vs. Uhrich took place January 29, 2016 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

Background

The main event was a Welterweight fight between Paul Daley and Andy Uhrich.

The event was expected to be headlined by a welterweight bout between UFC veteran Josh Koscheck and Matt Secor. However Koscheck pulled out of the bout due to an injury. As a result, Paul Daley vs. Andy Uhrich was elevated to the main event

Also on the card Paul Bradley faced Chris Honeycutt in a rematch. Bradley and Honeycutt first squared off at Bellator 140, where their bout ended in a no contest in the second round due to an accidental clash of heads opening a cut on Bradley that forced a stoppage.

Results

Fight card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight Paul Daley def. Andy Uhrich KO (punch) 1 2:00
Welterweight Paul Bradley def. Chris Honeycutt TKO (punches) 1 0:40
Lightweight Patricky Freire def. Ryan Couture KO (punch) 1 3:00
Heavyweight Tony Johnson def. Raphael Butler TKO (punches) 3 4:24
Preliminary card (Spike.com)
Featherweight Justin Smitley def. Art Arcienega Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
Women's Flyweight Ilima MacFarlane def. Amber Tackett Submission (armbar) 1 2:09
Heavyweight Carl Seumanutafa def. Javy Ayala TKO (punches) 2 3:46
Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
Bantamweight Josh San Diego def. Paul Ruiz Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Flyweight Matt Perez def. Eugene Cancino Decision (split) 3 5:00
Featherweight Te Edwards def. Nick Bustamante KO 1 0:43
Light Heavyweight Jermaine McDermott def. Eric Huggins Submission (kimura) 1 1:53

    [1]

    Bellator 149

    Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie III
    Information
    Date February 19, 2016
    Venue Toyota Center
    City Houston, Texas
    Attendance 14,209
    Total gate $1,388,951

    Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie III took place February 19, 2016 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

    Background

    The main event and co-main event of Bellator 149 were announced on the air during Bellator 145. President Scott Coker announced the main event fight would feature trilogy bout between combat sports legends Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie. Gracie initially beat Shamrock in fifty-seven seconds via rear-naked choke at their first meeting at UFC 1 in 1993. Subsequent to that bout, the duo fought to a thirty-six minute draw at UFC 5 in 1995.

    The co-main event featured a heavyweight bout between former Miami-Dade County street fighters Kevin Ferguson, aka "Kimbo Slice" and Dhafir Harris, aka "Dada 5000"

    During intermission after the Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000 fight and shortly before the Ken Shamrock vs. Royce Gracie bout, Bellator MMA ring announcer Michael C. Williams announced to the live Toyota Center crowd attendance of 14,209. Thus making Bellator 149 the largest attended show in Bellator MMA history, beating out Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 previous live attendance of 11,732.

    Following the event it was announced that both Ken Shamrock and Kimbo Slice had failed their pre-fight drug tests. Shamrock tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone, the opioid methadone, and an elevated (T/E) ratio of 12.4:1. Meanwhile Slice also tested positive for nandrolone and having an elevated (T/E) ratio of 6.4:1. The maximum allowed (T/E) ratio by both the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and the World Anti-Doping Agency is 4:1.[2] On May 2, 2016, it was revealed that Slice had settled with the Texas Athletic Commission with a fine of $2,500 and a revoking of his license in the state of Texas. The result of the bout has also been changed to a no contest.[3]


    Results

    Fight card
    Weight class Method Round Time Notes
    Light Heavyweight Royce Gracie def. Ken Shamrock TKO (knee and punches) 1 2:22
    Heavyweight Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000 No Contest (overturned) 3 1:32 [lower-alpha 1]
    Lightweight Derek Campos def. Melvin Guillard TKO (punches) 2 0:32
    Light Heavyweight Linton Vassell def. Emanuel Newton Decision (unanimous) (30-26, 29-27, 29-27) 3 5:00
    Catchweight (150 lbs) Emmanuel Sanchez def. Daniel Pineda Decision (split) (28-29, 29-27, 29-28) 3 5:00
    Preliminary card (Spike.com)
    Middleweight Isaac Villanueva def. Richard Knepp TKO (punches) 1 0:42
    Bantamweight Jeremy Mahon def. Davis Sylvester TKO (punches) 2 4:22
    Featherweight Adrian Yanez def. Ryan Hollis Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
    Lightweight Jason Langellier def. Anthony Ivy Submission (anaconda choke) 1 2:09
    Heavyweight Justin Wren def. Juan Torres Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
    Lightweight Mike Trinh def. Joe Zamora Submission (armbar) 1 3:49
    Middleweight Clovis Hancock def. Ruben Esparza Submission (rear naked choke) 3 1:26
    Bantamweight Manny Lozoya def. Jake Norsworthy Submission (guillotine choke) 1 2:33
    Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
    Bantamweight Leomana Martinez def. Casey Jones TKO (punches) 1 1:21 [lower-alpha 2]
    Flyweight Chris Soliz def. Alex Macedo Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 [lower-alpha 3]
    Flyweight Shawn Solis def. Jonathan Davis Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 [lower-alpha 4]
    Lightweight Ricardo Deluque def. Hunter Scott-Gregg Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 N/A [lower-alpha 5]
    1. Originally ruled a KO (punches) victory at 1:32 of round 3 for Slice; result changed to "No Contest" after Slice tested positive for nandrolone and an elevated (T/E) ratio of 6.4:1.
    2. Amateur bout
    3. Amateur bout
    4. Amateur bout
    5. Amateur bout

    [4]

    Bellator 150

    Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Spartan
    Information
    Date February 26, 2016
    Venue Kansas Star Casino
    City Mulvane, Kansas
    Attendance 3,288
    Total gate $215,185

    Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Spartan took place February 26, 2016 at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kansas. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

    Background

    The event was expected to be headlined by a rematch between Marcos Galvão and Eduardo Dantas for the Bellator Bantamweight Championship. The bantamweight title rematch was originally scheduled for Bellator 144, but was postponed when Dantas was forced to withdraw after suffering a rib injury in training. Dantas defeated Galvão via second-round knockout in their first meeting at Bellator 89 when “Dudu” was the promotion’s reigning 135-pound champ. However, due to an illness throughout the week leading to the fight, Galvão was pulled from the card the day of the weigh ins.[5]

    The co-main event featured local favorite David Rickels facing off against Bobby Cooper.

    Results

    Fight card
    Weight class Method Round Time Notes
    Heavyweight Cheick Kongo def. Vinicius Queiroz Decision (split) (30-27, 28-29, 29-28) 3 5:00
    Lightweight David Rickels def. Bobby Cooper TKO (knee and punches) 1 3:49
    Middleweight Kendall Grove def. Francisco France KO (punches) 2 0:35
    Featherweight Chuka Willis def. Gastón Reyno Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
    Women's Flyweight Rebecca Ruth def. Lena Ovchynnikova Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) 3 5:00
    Preliminary card (Spike.com)
    Lightweight Henry Lindsay def. Marcio Navarro TKO (punches) 1 2:30
    Middleweight Chris Harris def. Julian Marquez Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
    Welterweight André Fialho def. Manny Meraz KO (punches) 1 0:29
    Middleweight Gregory Babene def. Brandon Farran Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 3:37
    Featherweight Thai Clark def. Deron Carlis Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
    Heavyweight Kyle Noblitt def. David Hammons KO (punches) 1 0:45

      [6]

      Bellator 151

      Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell
      Information
      Date March 4, 2016
      Venue WinStar World Casino
      City Thackerville, Oklahoma
      Attendance 1,152
      Total gate $103,710
      Estimated viewers 838,000

      Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell took place March 4, 2016 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

      Background

      The event was headlined by an Bantamweight bout between Joe Warren and undefeated rising star Darrion Caldwell. A former two-division champion, Warren has won six of his last seven fights in Bellator MMA. The 39-year-old last appeared at Bellator 143 on Sept. 25, when he captured a unanimous verdict against L.C. Davis. The 27-year-old Caldwell is 8-0 in his burgeoning career, including five triumphs under the Bellator banner. In his last outing, the former NCAA national champion wrestler choked out Shawn Bunch inside of a round at Bellator 143.

      Michael Page was originally scheduled to face Fernando Gonzalez at this event but was pulled out of the bout in early February 2016. He was replaced by Resurrection Fighting Alliance welterweight champion Gilbert Smith.[7]

      Results

      Fight card
      Weight class Method Round Time Notes
      Bantamweight Darrion Caldwell def. Joe Warren Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 3:23
      Welterweight Fernando Gonzalez def. Gilbert Smith Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
      Featherweight Bubba Jenkins def. Goiti Yamauchi Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 29-27) 3 5:00
      Bantamweight Joe Taimanglo def. Sirwan Kakai Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
      Preliminary card (Spike.com)
      Featherweight Treston Thomison def. Aaron Roberson Submission (guillotine choke) 2 2:20
      Middleweight Jermayne Barnes def. Derek Palmer Submission (punches) 2 1:17
      Welterweight Neiman Gracie def. Roger Carroll Decision (unanimous) (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
      Bantamweight Ricky Turcios def. Steve Garcia Decision (split) (29-27, 28-29, 30-27) 3 5:00
      Welterweight Justin Patterson def. Chance Rencountre Decision (split) (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) 3 5:00
      Featherweight Ray Wood def. Chris Jones TKO (strikes) 1 3:10

        [8]

        Bellator 152

        Bellator 152: Italy
        Information
        Date April 16, 2016
        Venue Pala Alpitour
        City Torino, Italy
        Attendance 13,867
        Total gate

        907,758€ (ITL)

        $1,027,536 (USD)

        Bellator 152: Italy took place April 16, 2016 at the Pala Alpitour in Torino, Italy. The event aired on Spike TV.

        Background

        The event was announced in Paris by Bellator MMA President Scott Coker joined by Oktagon Kickboxing President Carlo Di Blasi a co-promoted event set to take place on April 16 at the Pala Alpitour in Torino, Italy.

        Bellator 152: Italy aired on SPIKE Saturday, April 16, while the debut of “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” was televised Friday, April 22, immediately following the broadcast of Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson on Spike TV.

        Results

        Fight card
        Weight class Method Round Time Notes
        Lightweight Patricky Freire def. Kevin Souza Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
        Light Heavyweight Alessio Sakara def. Brian Rogers KO (punches) 2 2:29
        Featherweight A.J. McKee def. Danilo Belluardo TKO (punches) 1 2:44
        Women's Flyweight Anastasia Yankova def. Anjela Pink Submission (armbar) 1 1:35
        Featherweight Daniele Scatizzi def. Daniele Miceli TKO (punches) 1 3:20
        Bellator Kickboxing bouts
        Middleweight (Kickboxing) Alexandru Negrea def. Melvin Manhoef Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00
        165-Pound (Kickboxing) Karim Ghajji def. Mustapha Haida Decision (split) (50-45, 50-45, 46-48) 5 3:00 [lower-alpha 1]
        Welterweight (Kickboxing) Raymond Daniels def. Francesco Moricca TKO (liver kick) 1 0:30
        Bantamweight (Kickboxing) Kevin Ross def. Matteo Taccini Decisión (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) 3 3:00
        Women's Flyweight (Kickboxing) Denise Kieholtz def. Veronica Vernocchi Decision (split) (28-29, 30-27, 30-27) 3 3:00

        [9]

        Bellator 153

        Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson
        Information
        Date April 22, 2016
        Venue Mohegan Sun Arena
        City Uncasville, Connecticut
        Attendance 9,043
        Total gate $687,269

        Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson took place April 22, 2016 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

        Background

        The event was headlined by a Welterweight Championship match between current champion Andrey Koreshkov and former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. The 32-year-old Henderson recently ended a 14-fight run with the UFC by signing a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA. A longtime 155-pounder, Henderson recorded back-to-back wins as a welterweight in 2015. Also on the card is the Bellator debut of Evangelista Santos taking on long time contender Brennan Ward.

        Former Bellator Featherweight Champion Patrício Freire was originally scheduled to face John Teixeira. who had to pull out of the evening's co-feature bout with a broken rib.

        Results

        Fight card
        Weight class Method Round Time Notes
        Welterweight Andrey Koreshkov (c) def. Benson Henderson Decision (unanimous) (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) 5 5:00 [lower-alpha 1]
        Featherweight Patrício Freire def. Henry Corrales Submission (guillotine choke) 2 4:09
        Welterweight Evangelista Santos def. Brennan Ward Verbal Submission (heel hook) 1 0:30
        Lightweight Brent Primus def. Gleristone Santos Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
        Welterweight Michael Page def. Jeremie Holloway Submission (toe hold) 1 2:15
        Preliminary card (Spike.com)
        Featherweight Matt Bessette def. Keith Richardson TKO (doctor stoppage) 2 3:14
        Light Heavyweight Mike Zichelle def. Joe Cronin Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 1:25
        Welterweight Chris Honeycutt def. Matt Secor Decision (unanimous) (30-25, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
        Welterweight Djamil Chan def. Richard Patishnock KO (punch) 1 3:09
        Featherweight Chris Foster def. Vovka Clay unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
        Lightweight Sam Watford def. Dean Hancock submission (armbar) 1 1:44
        Middleweight Tim Caron def. Justin Sumter TKO (strikes) 2 3:38
        Bantamweight Blair Tugman def. Jay Perrin split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28) 3 5:00

        [10]

        Bellator 154

        Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo
        Information
        Date May 14, 2016
        Venue SAP Center
        City San Jose, California
        Attendance 11,084
        Total gate $984,552

        Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo is a mixed martial arts event held on May 14, 2016 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, USA. The event was aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

        Background

        Davis vs. King Mo was announced during Bellator 149 in Houston. The two men were supposed to face each other in the finals of the Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 light heavyweight one-night tournament back in September, but "King Mo" sustained a hip injury after winning in the first round. Former UFC star Phil Davis won the tournament at Dynamite by submitting Emanuel Newton and knocked out reserve fighter Francis Carmont. Davis was originally scheduled to challenge light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary, but McGeary was injured. Lawal won the two-night, eight-man tournament at Rizin Fighting Federation on New Year's Eve in Japan. He knocked out Brett McDermott in the first round, beat Teodoras Aukstuolis in the semifinals by unanimous decision and knocked out Jiri Prochazka in the final. The winner of the main event will challenge for the title against the current champion.

        Former Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler was scheduled to face former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson in a lightweight bout. However, on May 2, it was announced that Thomson pulled out of the bout due to an undisclosed injury. As a result, Chandler was pulled from the card altogether.

        Jordan Parsons was scheduled to face Adam Piccolotti in a featherweight bout on this card. That fight was cancelled after Parsons was involved in a hit-and-run accident that left him hospitalized before he died on May 4, 2016.

        Sergei Kharitonov was scheduled to make his debut on this card against Josh Appelt. However, on May 11, Kharitonov withdrew from the bout due to illness. As a result, Appelt was also removed from the card.

        Darren Uyenoyama was scheduled to fight on this card against Alvin Cacdac but required medical testing revealed a condition that would not allow Darren to compete.

        Results

        Fight card
        Weight class Method Round Time Notes
        Light Heavyweight Phil Davis def. Muhammed Lawal Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
        Welterweight Saad Awad def. Evangelista Santos TKO (punches) 1 4:31
        Bantamweight Josh San Diego def. Jeremiah Labiano Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
        Lightweight Adam Piccolotti def. Ray Wood Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 3:17
        Welterweight André Fialho def. Rick Reger KO (punches) 1 2:11
        Preliminary card (Spike.com)
        Welterweight Sam Spengler def. Doyle Childs Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) 3 5:00
        Catchweight (160 lbs) JD Hardwick def. Jorge Acosta Submission (guillotine choke) 1 1:21
        Women's Strawweight Jamielene Nievara def. Stephanie Frausto TKO (punches) 3 2:43
        Featherweight Mark Dickman def. Thomas Diagne TKO (punches) 3 3:05
        Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
        Welterweight Danasabe Mohammed def. Martin Sano TKO (punches) 1 1:18
        Flyweight Josh Paiva def. Steven Gruber Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 2:14
        Heavyweight James Chapman def. Sean Tucker TKO (punches) 2 4:41
        Featherweight Anthony Taylor def. Victor Jones KO (punches) 1 0:27

          [11]

          Bellator 155

          Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef
          Information
          Date May 20, 2016
          Venue CenturyLink Arena
          City Boise, Idaho
          Attendance 6,120
          Total gate $497,778

          Bellator 155: Carvalho vs Manhoef took place May 20, 2016 at the CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

          Background

          The event was headlined by a match between Rafael Carvalho and Melvin Manhoef for the Bellator Middleweight Championship. Carvalho pulled off one of 2015’s biggest upsets when he finished Brandon Halsey with a body kick in the second round to claim the Middleweight title at Bellator 144 last October. The Brazilian has not lost since his MMA debut in 2011 and has stopped 10 of his last 12 opponents. Manhoef earned his shot at the title by knocking out Hisaki Kato in the opening round at Bellator 146.

          The co-main event featured former Bellator Featherweight Championship Champion Pat Curran facing off against former World Series of Fighting featherweight champion Georgi Karakhanyan.

          This event was scheduled to crown the inaugural Bellator women's featherweight champion in a bout between Marloes Coenen and Julia Budd. However, Budd was injured and replaced by Alexis Dufresne thus changing the fight to a non-title bout.

          A preliminary bout between Ricky Steele and Eric Cronkhite was cancelled after Cronkhite missed weight by 9 pounds.

          Results

          Fight card
          Weight class Method Round Time Notes
          Middleweight Rafael Carvalho (c) def. Melvin Manhoef Decision (split) (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) 5 5:00 [lower-alpha 1]
          Featherweight Pat Curran def. Georgi Karakhanyan Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
          Heavyweight Dan Charles vs. Augusto Sakai Draw (majority) (30-26, 28-28, 28-28) 3 5:00 [lower-alpha 2]
          Women's Featherweight Alexis Dufresne def. Marloes Coenen Submission (triangle armbar) 1 4:33
          Heavyweight Chase Gormley def. Joey Beltran Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
          Preliminary card (Spike.com)
          Bantamweight Jesse Brock def. Olly Bradstreet Submission (rear-naked choke) 3 3:57
          Lightweight Marcin Held def. Dave Jansen Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
          Bantamweight Casey Johnson def. Brendon Raftery Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 1:16
          Bantamweight Joe Hamilton def. Tyler Freeland Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 0:22
          Featherweight Vince Morales def. Hamilton Ash TKO (punches) 3 2:32
          Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
          Women's Flyweight Veta Arteaga def. Jackie Vandenburgh Decision (unanimous) (29-27, 30-27, 29-28) 3 5:00
          Lightweight Scott Thometz def. Josh Tyler Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-25, 30-25) 3 5:00
          Middleweight Will Noland def. Sean Powers KO (punches) 1 3:29
          1. For the Bellator Middleweight Championship.
          2. Sakai was deducted a point for groin kicks.

          [12]

          Bellator 156

          Bellator 156: Galvao vs. Dantas 2
          Information
          Date June 17, 2016
          Venue Save Mart Center
          City Fresno, California
          Attendance 5,552
          Total gate $451,578

          Bellator 156: Galvao vs. Dantas 2 took place on June 17, 2016 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

          Background

          Marcos Galvão made the first defense of his Bellator Bantamweight Championship title against Eduardo Dantas. The rematch was originally scheduled for Bellator 150, but was scrapped following a last-minute illness suffered by Galvão. Both fighters cut their teeth with André Pederneiras’ Nova Uniao squad in Rio de Janeiro, until their paths crossed at Bellator 89. Dantas won the fight via a second-round knockout. Dantas went on to defend the title against Anthony Leone before losing it to Joe Warren at Bellator 128. In turn, Galvão pieced together three consecutive victories and then defeated Warren via second-round technical submission to become the new champion.

          Douglas Lima was originally scheduled to face Chidi Njokuani, but was pulled from this bout when he got the call to headline Bellator 158 in London against Paul Daley due to an injury that forced Josh Koscheck out of that match up.

          Results

          Fight card
          Weight class Method Round Time Notes
          Bantamweight Eduardo Dantas def. Marcos Galvão (c) Decision (unanimous) (50-45, 50-44, 50-43) 5 5:00 [lower-alpha 1]
          Welterweight Chidi Njokuani def. Thiago Jambo KO (body kick and punches) 3 2:39
          Middleweight John Salter def. Brandon Halsey Submission (triangle choke) 1 4:03
          Middleweight Chris Honeycutt def. Mikkel Parlo Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
          Preliminary card (Spike.com)
          Middleweight Ben Reiter def. A.J. Matthews Decision (unanimous) (30-26, 30-26, 30-26) 3 5:00
          Lightweight Carrington Banks def. CJ Keith Decision (unanimous) (30-25, 30-26, 30-26) 3 5:00
          Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
          Light Heavyweight Jermaine McDermott def. Blake Watkins KO 1 0:20
          Catchweight (140 lbs) Paul Ruiz def. Christian Buron-Navarro Decision (split) 3 5:00
          Heavyweight Javy Ayala def. Roy Boughton TKO (punches) 1 3:02
          Lightweight Nick Bustamante def. Antoine Smith Decision (majority) 3 5:00
          Light Heavyweight Jose Cabesas def. John Paul Elias KO 1 0:25
          Heavyweight Chris Lewis def. Myron Smith TKO (punches) 1 4:48
          Lightweight Luis Jauregui def. Ryan Tobar Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00

          [13]

          Bellator 157

          Bellator 157: Dynamite 2
          Information
          Date June 24, 2016
          Venue Scottrade Center
          City St.Louis, Missouri
          Attendance 11,982
          Total gate $1,033,589

          Bellator 157: Dynamite 2 was held on June 24, 2016 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV .

          Background

          The event was headlined by a heavyweight bout between former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson and Japanese Olympic gold medalist Satoshi Ishii. Jackson had a successful three-fight stint with Bellator MMA - two knockouts against Joey Beltran and Christian M'Pumbu plus a unanimous decision won over Muhammed Lawal - before returning to the UFC where he defeated Fabio Maldonado via unanimous decision at UFC 186. After facing Maldonado, a contract settlement brought Jackson back to Bellator MMA. A 2008 Olympic gold medalist in judo, Ishii began his MMA career in December 2009 and has competed against fighters such as Fedor Emelianenko, Mirko Cro Cop, Jerome Le Banner, and Tim Sylvia.

          In the co-main event, former Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler took on top contender Patricky Freire for the vacant Bellator Lightweight Championship.

          Like the previous Dynamite card, the show combined MMA and kickboxing bouts with a cage and ring set up side-by-side. Bellator Kickboxing: St. Louis - which featured a rematch between Joe Schilling and Hisaki Kato under kickboxing rules - aired immediately following the Dynamite 2 portion on Spike TV.

          Results

          Fight card
          Weight class Method Round Time Notes
          Heavyweight Quinton Jackson def. Satoshi Ishii Decision (split) (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) 3 5:00
          Lightweight Michael Chandler def. Patricky Freire KO (punch) 1 2:14 [lower-alpha 1]
          Featherweight (Kickboxing) Kevin Ross def. Justin Houghton Decision (unanimous) (29-27, 29-27, 30-26) 3 3:00
          Women's Flyweight Ilima-Lei Macfarlane def. Rebecca Ruth Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 3:00
          Women's Flyweight (Kickboxing) Gloria Peritore def. Denise Kielholtz Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) 3 3:00
          Heavyweight Matt Mitrione def. Carl Seumanutafa KO (punch) 1 3:22
          Preliminary card (Spike.com)
          Welterweight Chel Erwin-Davis def. Kevin Engel Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 1:19
          Welterweight Brad Jones def. Tyler Clausen KO (head kick and punches) 1 0:26
          Welterweight Joaquin Buckley def. Chris Heatherly KO (knee and punches) 2 4:14
          Welterweight (Kickboxing) Darryl Cobb def. Elmir Kulosman TKO (strikes) 2 2:28
          Women's Flyweight (Kickboxing) Tara Walker def. Mimi Kutzin Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 3:00
          Welterweight Guilherme Vasconcelos def. Jordan Dowdy Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 4:59
          Featherweight Justin Lawrence def. Isao Kobayashi KO (punches) 2 2:11
          Bantamweight Matt Murphy def. Justin Robbins TKO (doctor stoppage) 2 2:16
          Featherweight Rashard Lovelace def. Garrett Mueller TKO (doctor stoppage) 2 5:00
          Welterweight Steven Mann def. Mike Estus TKO (knees) 1 0:25
          Bellator Kickboxing: St. Louis bouts
          Women's Flyweight (Kickboxing) Keri Melendez def. Sarah Howell Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 3:00
          Welterweight (Kickboxing) Raymond Daniels def. Stefano Bruno TKO (liver kick) 1 1:45
          Middleweight (Kickboxing) Hisaki Kato def. Joe Schilling KO (spinning back fist) 2 2:59
          Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
          Women's Strawweight Ashley Cummins def. Nicole Smith Submission (knee choke) 2 1:33
          Women's Catchweight (130 lbs) Katy Collins def. Michelle Royer Submission (armbar) 1 0:48
          Middleweight DeWayne Diggs def. Jason Christeson Submission (rear-naked choke) 1
          Heavyweight Byron Stevens def. Lee Burns TKO (strikes) 2 4:46

          [14]

          Bellator 158

          Bellator 158: Daley vs. Lima
          Information
          Date July 16, 2016
          Venue O2 Arena (London)
          City London, England
          Attendance 12,311
          Total gate

          875,536£ (GBP)

          $1,155,181 (USD)

          Bellator 158: Daley vs. Lima (aka Bellator: London) was held on July 16, 2016 at the O2 Arena (London) in London, England. The event had a tape-delayed broadcast on Spike TV and Channel 5 (UK).

          Background

          Originally, Bellator President Scott Coker announced that Kimbo Slice and James Thompson would compete in the main event of Bellator 158, to take place July 16 at London’s O2 Arena.[15] This was to be a rematch of their infamous 2008 clash under the EliteXC banner which ended in a controversial TKO win for Kimbo. Tragically these plans had to be scrapped, as Slice died suddenly on June 6, 2016 of heart failure.[16]

          Josh Koscheck was scheduled to make his debut on this card against Paul Daley. However, Koscheck withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Douglas Lima.[17]

          Fernando Gonzalez was supposed to fight Michael Page but visa issues forced him off the card and was replaced by Evangelista Santos.[18]

          Contractual issues with ATAK Promotions caused Mark Godbeer and Ben Smith to withdraw from the card.[19][20]

          Linton Vassell was supposed to fight Francis Carmont but a cut over his left eye forced him to withdraw and be replaced by Lukasz Klinger.[21]

          The Mohegan Department of Athletic Regulation was responsible for drug testing at this event and marks the first time that Bellator had a US-based athletic commission exercise regulatory powers abroad.[22]

          Results

          Fight card
          Weight class Method Round Time Notes
          Welterweight Douglas Lima def. Paul Daley Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
          Heavyweight Matt Mitrione def. Oli Thompson TKO (punches) 2 4:21
          Light Heavyweight Francis Carmont def. Lukasz Klinger Submission (D'arce Choke) 1 3:54
          Welterweight Michael Page def. Evangelista Santos KO (flying knee) 2 4:31
          Featherweight James Gallagher def. Mike Cutting Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
          Preliminary card (Spike.com)
          Heavyweight James Mulheron def. Neil Grove Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-26) 3 5:00
          Bantamweight Luiz Henrique Tosta vs. Dean Garnett Draw (majority) (29-27, 28-28, 28-28) 3 5:00
          Middleweight Danny Mitchell def. CJ Meeks Submission (twister) 1 4:25
          Featherweight Nathaniel Wood def. Chase Morton Submission (rear naked choke) 3 3:55
          Middleweight Jason Radcliffe def. Jack Mason KO (knee) 1 0:14
          Middleweight Manuel Garcia def. Alex Reid Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) 3 5:00
          Flyweight Pietro Menga def. Spencer Hewitt KO (punch) 1 0:41
          Middleweight Mike Shipman def. Dominic Clark Submission (Anaconda choke) 1

            [23]

            Bellator 159

            Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo
            Information
            Date July 23, 2016
            Venue Kansas Star Arena
            City Mulvane, Kansas
            Attendance 3,124
            Total gate $206,978

            Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo was held on July 23, 2016 at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

            Background

            The event was headlined by a bantamweight title eliminator bout between Darrion Caldwell and Joe Taimanglo. The winner is expect to face the current bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas. Originally set at bantamweight, the fight was switched to a catchweight when Taimanglo weighed in at 138 pounds.

            In the co-main event, local fighter Dave Rickels met Melvin Guillard. It was originally scheduled to be a lightweight bout, but Guillard missed weight and came in at 157.9 pounds.

            Results

            Fight card
            Weight class Method Round Time Notes
            Catchweight (138 lbs) Joe Taimanglo def. Darrion Caldwell Submission (guillotine choke) 3 0:09
            Catchweight (158 lbs) Melvin Guillard vs. David Rickels No Contest (overturned) 1 2:14 [lower-alpha 1]
            Women's Flyweight Emily Ducote def. Bruna Vargas Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 0:29
            Featherweight Daniel Weichel def. Emmanuel Sanchez Decision (split) (30-27, 27-30, 29-28) 3 5:00
            Preliminary card (Spike.com)
            Light Heavyweight Philipe Lins def. Guilherme Viana TKO (punches) 2 1:13
            Women's Flyweight Jessica Middleton def. Bruna Ellen Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
            Featherweight Gastón Reyno def. LJ Hermreck TKO (punches) 3 3:57
            Bantamweight Johnny Marigo def. Andy Riley Verbal Submission (triangle armbar) 1 2:44
            Lightweight Fernando Martinez def. Marcio Navarro Decision (split) (28-29) (29-28) (29-28) 3 5:00
            Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
            Middleweight Josh Pfeifer def. Henry Lindsay Submission (armbar) 1 3:43
            Catchweight (146.2 lbs) Brandon Phillips def. Chuka Willis Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
            Welterweight Chris Harris def. Matt Foster Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 1:23
            Middleweight Trey Ogden def. Manny Meraz Submission (guillotine choke) 2 2:37
            1. Originally a win for Guillard via KO (punches and elbows); overturned due to a failed drug test.

            [24]

            Bellator 160

            Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull
            Information
            Date August 26, 2016
            Venue Honda Center
            City Anaheim, California
            Attendance 9,139
            Total gate $897,468

            Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull was held on August 26, 2016 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

            Background

            The event was headlined by a Lightweight title eliminator fight between former UFC champion Benson Henderson and former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Freire. Henderson, after being defeated in his April debut against welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov, returned to the division where he twice defeated Frankie Edgar. He has also beaten former UFC title challengers Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone. Freire sought to parlay the victory to a title shot against lightweight champion Michael Chandler, who claimed the belt by knocking out Freire’s brother, Patricky, on June 24.

            Due to pressure from fans the feature prelim was moved back to being the co-main even on the card featuring NCAA Division I National Champion in Wrestling Bubba Jenkins versus Georgi Karakhanyan. The last time these two met Karakhanyan defeated Jenkins by guillotine choke in the first round.

            Additionally, four-time NCAA Division II Champion wrestler Joey Davis will made his professional MMA debut on this card; as an amateur he had a record of 5-0. Davis recently graduated from Notre Dame College, where he accumulated an undefeated 131-0 record over the course of four seasons during his collegiate wrestling career. He is the only Division II wrestler in NCAA history to win four consecutive national titles, and is one of three wrestlers ever to complete a four-year college career with an undefeated record.

            Kevin Ferguson Jr., the eldest son of Kimbo Slice, was scheduled to make his Bellator debut on this card against Jonathan Tomasian. However, the bout was cancelled on August 21 due to an injury received by Ferguson.

            Results

            Fight card
            Weight class Method Round Time Notes
            Lightweight Benson Henderson def. Patricio Freire TKO (leg injury) 2 2:26
            Lightweight Derek Anderson def. Saad Awad Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
            Featherweight Georgi Karakhanyan def. Bubba Jenkins KO (punch) 1 0:53
            Featherweight A.J. McKee def. Cody Walker Submission (guillotine choke) 2 0:32
            Preliminary card (Spike.com)
            Welterweight Joey Davis def. Keith Cutrone Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
            Lightweight Gabriel Green def. Alex Trinidad TKO (punches) 2 2:01
            Catchweight Andy Murad def. Johnny Cisneros Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
            Lightweight Jacob Rosales def. Mike Segura Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
            Featherweight Chinzo Machida def. Mario Navarro TKO (punches) 1 2:57
            Lightweight Jake Roberts def. Stephen Martinez TKO (punches) 1 4:24
            Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
            Flyweight Steve Ramirez def. Ron Henderson Decision (Split) 3 5:00
            Flyweight David Duran def. Kyle Estrada KO/TKO 1 2:24

              [25]

              Bellator 161

              Bellator 161: Kongo vs. Johnson
              Information
              Date September 16, 2016
              Venue H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
              City Cedar Park, Texas
              Attendance 8,632
              Total gate $780.053

              Bellator 161: Kongo vs. Johnson was held on September 16, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Cedar Park, Texas. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

              Background

              The event was headlined by a heavyweight fight between former UFC veteran Cheick Kongo and Tony Johnson. Kongo was currently riding a two-fight winning streak over Vinicius Queiroz and Alexander Volkov. Kongo also owns wins against Shawn Jordan, Matt Mitrione, Pat Barry and Mirko Filipovic. The bout was Kongo’s third consecutive Bellator headliner slot. Meanwhile, Johnson boasted a three-fight winning streak, including a pair of victories under the Bellator banner – a January win over Raphael Butler and an April 2015 win over Volkov. Johnson also owns wins against UFC contender Derrick Lewis and former UFC champion Tim Sylvia.

              Results

              Fight card
              Weight class Method Round Time Notes
              Heavyweight Cheick Kongo def. Tony Johnson Decision (majority) (28-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
              Bantamweight Joe Warren def. Sirwan Kakai Submission (guillotine choke) 3 1:04
              Women's Flyweight Anastasia Yankova def. Veta Arteaga Decision (split) (28-29 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
              Lightweight Derek Campos def. Djamil Chan Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
              Preliminary card (Spike.com)
              Welterweight Garrett Scott def. Waylon Bronstrup Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 0:50
              Women's Flyweight Emily Ducote def. Kenya Miranda Submission (armbar) 2 4:37
              Featherweight Daniel Pineda def. Mark Dickman Submission (rear-naked choke) 3 2:07
              Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
              Bantamweight Armando Villareal def. Tommy Burghardt Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 2:08
              Featherweight Matt Mazurek def. Jose Guerra Decision (split) 3 5:00
              Catchweight (153 lbs) Rey Trujillo def. James King Submission (arm-triangle) 1 1:20
              Catchweight (158 lbs) Nick Gonzalez def. Warren Stewart Decision (split) 3 5:00

                [26]

                Bellator Kickboxing 3

                Bellator Kickboxing 3: Budapest
                Information
                Date September 17, 2016
                Venue Syman Hall
                City Budapest, Hungary

                Bellator Kickboxing 3 was held on September 17, 2016 at the Syman Hall in Budapest, Hungary. The event aired on tape delay on September 23, 2016 in prime time on Spike TV.

                Background

                The event was headlined by a Bellator Kickboxing welterweight title fight between Karim Ghajji and Zoltán Laszák. Ghajji had previously won the title in his Bellator debut with a split decision victory over Mustapha Haida at Bellator 152.

                Results

                Fight card
                Weight class Method Round Time Notes
                Welterweight (Kickboxing) Zoltán Laszák def. Karim Ghajji (c) Decision (unanimous) 5 3:00 [lower-alpha 1]
                Welterweight (Kickboxing) Raymond Daniels def. Zsolt Benedek Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00
                Women's Flyweight (Kickboxing) Denise Kielholtz def. Renata Lantos Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00
                Catchweight (189 lbs) Alexandru Negrea def. Ali El Ameri Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00

                [27]

                Bellator 162

                Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove
                Information
                Date October 21, 2016
                Venue FedEx Forum
                City Memphis, Tennessee
                Attendance 9,140
                Total gate $841,000

                Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove was held on October 21, 2016 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

                Background

                Bellator 162 was headlined by the return of former middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko for the first time in approximately 18 months, as he takes on The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner Kendall Grove. Shlemenko hadn’t fought for Bellator since he knocked out Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 133 in February 2015. The former middleweight champ was suspended for three years by the California State Athletic Commission after failing a post-fight drug test for steroids. Shlemenko’s suspension was reduced to one year, making him eligible to compete in February of this year. Shlemenko has fought twice in 2016 under the M-1 Challenge banner, scoring consecutive triumphs over Vyacheslav Vasilevsky. Grove has been victorious in three of his last four Bellator appearances, including back-to-back stoppages of Francisco France and Joey Beltran.

                In the co-main event current TNA superstar and former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Lashley squared off with Josh Appelt. Lashley entered the cage on a seven-fight winning streak, while Appelt returned to Bellator on the strength of back-to-back victories.

                Kevin Ferguson Jr., the eldest son of the late Kimbo Slice, was scheduled to make his Bellator debut on this card against Rick Bing. However, the bout was cancelled due to Bing missing weight for the fight.

                Results

                Fight card
                Weight class Method Round Time Notes
                Middleweight Alexander Shlemenko def. Kendall Grove TKO (punches) 2 1:43
                Heavyweight Bobby Lashley def. Josh Appelt Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 1:43
                Lightweight Goiti Yamauchi def. Ryan Couture Submission (armbar) 1 1:01
                Middleweight Hisaki Kato def. A.J. Matthews TKO (punches) 1 4:58
                Preliminary card (Spike.com)
                Heavyweight Chase Gormley def. Bobby Brents Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
                Heavyweight Virgil Zwicker def. Dan Charles TKO (strikes) 2 4:31
                Women's Featherweight Julia Budd def. Arlene Blencowe Decision (majority) (29-29, 30-27, 29-27) 3 5:00
                Welterweight Ricky Rainey def. Gilbert Smith Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
                Bantamweight Steve Garcia def. Ronnie Lawrence Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
                Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
                Light Heavyweight Grady Hurley def. Chad Cook TKO (punches) 1 2:29
                Welterweight Wade Johnson def. Tyler Hill Submission (rear-naked choke) 3 3:35
                Lightweight James Wallace def. Jonathan Burdine Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 3:33
                Middleweight Eryk Anders def. Brian White TKO 1 0:23
                Catchweight (160 lbs.) Jaleel Willis def. Omar Johnson Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
                Heavyweight Mike Wessel def. Frank Tate Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00

                  [28]

                  Bellator 163

                  Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis
                  Information
                  Date November 4, 2016
                  Venue Mohegan Sun Arena
                  City Uncasville, Connecticut
                  Attendance 9,156
                  Total gate $755,996

                  Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis was held on November 4, 2016 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

                  Background

                  In the main event, Liam McGeary put up his light heavyweight title in a long-awaited match up with top contender Phil Davis. This was McGeary’s second title defense. McGeary won the title by defeating Emanuel Newton in a five-round unanimous decision at Bellator 134. He then defended the title against Tito Ortiz at Bellator 142. McGeary has been out of action for over a year due to a medial collateral ligament injury. Davis defeated former light heavy champion Emanuel Newton and Francis Carmont in a one-night tournament to earn the title shot. While waiting for McGeary to heal, Davis also defeated Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 154.

                  The scheduled co-main event of Marloes Coenen vs. Talita Nogueira was cancelled the day before the event when Talita failed to make weight. A welterweight bout between Paul Daley and Derek Anderson was also scrapped on the day of the event after Daley fell ill from effects of his weight cut.[29] Additionally, a catchweight bout at 160 pounds between Keenan Raymond and Kastroit Xhema was cancelled when Raymond withdrew from the fight.

                  The preliminary card featured the Bellator debut of Vinicius De Jesus. It also featured the professional MMA debuts of former standout wrestlers Ed Ruth and Tyrell Fortune. Ruth was a three-time NCAA Division I champion for Penn State, while Fortune won an NCAA Division II title for Grand Canyon.

                  Results

                  Fight card
                  Weight class Method Round Time Notes
                  Light heavyweight Phil Davis def. Liam McGeary (c) Decision (unanimous) (50-43, 50-45, 50-44) 5 5:00 [lower-alpha 1]
                  Welterweight Brennan Ward def. Saad Awad KO (punches) 1 1:26
                  Catchweight (175 lbs) Neiman Gracie def. Rudy Bears Submission (armbar) 1 4:39
                  Heavyweight Javy Ayala def. Sergei Kharitonov KO (punch) 1 0:16
                  Preliminary card (Spike.com)
                  Women's Flyweight Hannah Regina def. Sarah Payant Submission (armbar) 1 4:51
                  Catchweight (195 lbs) Tim Caron def. Michael Zichelle TKO (punches) 2 1:22
                  Heavyweight Tyler King def. Josh Diekmann Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 1:39
                  Heavyweight Tyrell Fortune def. Cody Miskell TKO (knees & punches) 1 2:22 [lower-alpha 2]
                  Catchweight (192 lbs) Ed Ruth def. Dustin Collins-Miles TKO (punches) 1 3:19 [lower-alpha 3]
                  Welterweight Carlos Correia def. Ilya Kotau Decision (split) (30-27, 28-29, 30-27) 3 5:00
                  Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
                  Welterweight Vinicius De Jesus def. James Boran Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 1:55
                  Featherweight Blair Tugman def. Walter Smith-Cotito Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
                  Featherweight Thomas English def. Christopher Foster Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
                  1. For the Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship.
                  2. Aired on Spike Broadcast
                  3. Aired on Spike Broadcast

                  [30]

                  Bellator 164

                  Bellator 164: Koreshkov vs. Lima 2
                  Information
                  Date November 10, 2016
                  Venue Menora Mivtachim Arena
                  City Tel Aviv, Israel
                  Attendance 8,937
                  Total gate

                  ?3,081,813 (ILS)

                  $803,980 (USD)

                  Bellator 164: Koreshkov vs. Lima 2 was held on November 10, 2016 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel. The event will air on Spike TV on tape delay.

                  Background

                  The event was headlined by two of the world's top Welterweights. Bellator champion Andrey Koreshkov met former champion Bellator Douglas Lima in a rematch in the main event. Koreshkov won the welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Lima at Bellator 140. He defended the belt earlier this year with a dominant win over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at Bellator 153. Lima won the vacant welterweight title with a second-round TKO of Rick Hawn at Bellator 117. After a lengthy layoff, he fought Koreshkov and lost via unanimous decision. After his loss to Koreshkov, he was out for a full year, but came back in July to defeat Paul Daley at Bellator 158.

                  In addition, the card featured one of Israel’s own in the co-headliner, when newly signed Bellator MMA featherweight and Israeli Army veteran Noad Lahat met NCAA Division II All-American Scott Cleve.

                  Results

                  Fight card
                  Weight class Method Round Time Notes
                  Welterweight Douglas Lima def. Andrey Koreshkov (c) KO (punch) 3 1:21 [lower-alpha 1]
                  Featherweight Noad Lahat def. Scott Cleve Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 2:26
                  Featherweight Georgi Karakhanyan def. Kirill Medvedovsky TKO (shoulder injury) 1 3:40
                  Women's Flyweight Lena Ovchynnikova def. Karla Benitez Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
                  Preliminary card (Spike.com)
                  Light Heavyweight Chen Shhori def. Kfir Eittan KO (knee) 3 2:41
                  Welterweight Moshe Rand def. Haitham Kiuof TKO (strikes) 1 1:21
                  Lightweight Elazar Tariku def. Rob Becker Submission (keylock) 1 3:44
                  Welterweight Alex Trofimov def. Sol Renato Decision (split) 3 5:00
                  Bantamweight Almog Shay def. Vitaly Khmeinytsky Submission (heel hook) 1 1:45
                  Women's Featherweight Olga Rubin def. Laurita Cibirite TKO (strikes) 1 3:12
                  Bantamweight Raz Bring def. Maor Kazalkopy TKO (strikes) 3 1:40
                  Welterweight Jackie Gosh def. Joaquin Buckley TKO (punches) 1 2:44 [lower-alpha 2]
                  Middleweight Alexander Nikulin def. Avi Baron TKO (strikes) 1 0:54
                  Bantamweight Honor Kelesh def. Omri Barel Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 3:02 [lower-alpha 3]
                  Welterweight Haim Gozali def. Zane Clerk Submission (heel hook) 1 1:41
                  1. For the Bellator Welterweight Championship.
                  2. Aired on Spike Broadcast
                  3. Aired on Spike Broadcast

                  [31][32]

                  Bellator 165

                  Bellator 165: Chandler vs. Henderson
                  Information
                  Date November 19, 2016
                  Venue SAP Center
                  City San Jose, California
                  Attendance 13,156
                  Total gate $1,289,288

                  Bellator 165: Chandler vs. Henderson was held on November 19, 2016 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

                  Background

                  The event was headlined by two of the world's top lightweights as two-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler met former World Extreme Cagefighting and UFC champion Benson Henderson. Chandler looked to defend his belt for the first time since defeating Patricky Freire via knockout at Bellator 157: Dynamite 2. A 15-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, Chandler has collected memorable wins at 155-pounds including a victory over former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. Henderson earned a title shot in the lightweight division against its current titleholder in Chandler after defeating Patricio Freire at Bellator 160.

                  A key welterweight bout featured the undefeated Michael Page against Fernando Gonzalez, winner of five straight MMA fights and undefeated in Bellator.

                  Results

                  Fight card
                  Weight class Method Round Time Notes
                  Lightweight Michael Chandler (c) def. Benson Henderson Decision (split) (48-46, 46-48, 48-47) 5 5:00 [lower-alpha 1]
                  Welterweight Michael Page def. Fernando Gonzalez Decision (split) (29-28, 27-30, 29-28) 3 5:00
                  Lightweight Adam Piccolotti def. Brandon Girtz Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
                  Women's Strawweight Keri Anne Melendez def. Sheila Padilla KO (punch) 1 0:47
                  Light Heavyweight Linton Vassell def. Francis Carmont Decision (unanimous) (30-26, 30-26, 30-25) 3 5:00
                  Preliminary card (Spike.com)
                  Welterweight Aaron Hamilton def. Kevin Ferguson Jr Submission (guillotine choke) 2 3:00
                  Lightweight Carrington Banks def. Jake Roberts Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
                  Welterweight Dominic Sumer def. Justin Roswell TKO (punches) 1 2:09
                  Welterweight Dwight Grant def. Danasabe Mohammed Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-26, 30-26) 3 5:00
                  Welterweight James Terry def. Justin Baesman Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
                  Postliminary card (Dark Bouts)
                  Women's Flyweight Sarah D'Alelio def. Jaimelene Nievera Submission (armbar) 2 4:46
                  Middleweight Diego Herzog def. Nick Pica KO (strikes) 1 1:23
                  Bantamweight Jeremiah Labiano def. Vince Murdock Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
                  Bantamweight Alvin Cacdac def. Steve Ramirez TKO (strikes) 1 0:31
                  Featherweight Beau Hamilton def. Victor Jones TKO (strikes) 3 0:28
                  Lightweight J.J. Okanovich def. Luis Vargas Submission (armbar) 2 2:59
                  Lightweight Hugo Lujan def. Cesar Gonzalez Decision (split) (29-28, 27-30, 29-28) 3 5:00

                  [33]

                  Bellator 166

                  Bellator 166: Dantas vs. Warren 2
                  Information
                  Date December 2, 2016
                  Venue WinStar World Casino
                  City Thackerville, Oklahoma

                  Bellator 166: Dantas vs. Warren 2 was held on December 2, 2016 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

                  Background

                  The event was headlined by a title fight rematch as Eduardo Dantas defended the Bellator Bantamweight Championship against former champion Joe Warren. Dantas had won back to back fights since losing the Bellator bantamweight title to Warren at Bellator 128 in 2014. Warren was coming off a submission win against Sirwan Kakai at Bellator 161.

                  A fight between featherweight prospects A.J. McKee and Emmanuel Sanchez was scheduled for the co-main event. However, Sanchez pulled out in late November due to injury and was replaced by Ray Wood. Wood had been scheduled to face Treston Thomison on the preliminary card so Thomison received a new opponent in Dawond Pickney.

                  Results

                  Fight card
                  Weight class Method Round Time Notes
                  Bantamweight Eduardo Dantas (c) def. Joe Warren Decision (majority) (47-47, 49-44, 48-46) 5 5:00 [lower-alpha 1]
                  Featherweight A.J. McKee def. Ray Wood Decision (unanimous) (29-27, 30-25, 30-27) 3 5:00
                  Catchweight (138 lbs) Marcos Galvão def. L.C. Davis Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
                  Catchweight (195 lbs) Chris Honeycutt def. Ben Reiter Decision (unanimous) (30-26, 30-25, 30-25) 3 5:00
                  Preliminary card (Spike.com)
                  Middleweight Gregory Babene def. Emiliano Sordi Submission (guillotine choke) 1 3:11
                  Catchweight (159 lbs) Treston Thomison def. Dawond Pickney Submission (armbar) 1 0:51
                  Catchweight (164 lbs) Derrick Adkins def. Chris Jones Submission (D'Arce choke) 2 4:09
                  Catchweight (210 lbs) Kinny Spotwood def. John King Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
                  1. For the Bellator Bantamweight Championship. Dantas was deducted a point for groin strikes.

                  [34]

                  Bellator 167

                  Bellator 167: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo 2
                  Information
                  Date December 3, 2016
                  Venue WinStar World Casino
                  City Thackerville, Oklahoma

                  Bellator 167: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo 2 was held on December 3, 2016 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

                  Background

                  Bellator 167 was originally scheduled to be headlined by a rematch between Patricky Freire and Derek Campos. The pair previously fought at Bellator 117 with Freire winning by TKO in the second round. However, on November 25, it was announced that Freire pulled out of the bout due to injury.

                  Bellator 167 was instead headlined by a Bantamweight fight pitting Darrion Caldwell against Joe Taimanglo. Caldwell and Taimanglo previously met in a catchweight bout at Bellator 159. Caldwell did well in the first two rounds, but was caught with a fight-ending guillotine choke nine seconds into the third round. The defeat was the first loss of Caldwell’s career and Caldwell was a 14-1 favorite entering the bout, making the upset the fourth biggest in MMA history. Taimanglo was riding a four-fight winning streak into the rematch. Caldwell came into the first bout with Taimanglo off a career-best win over Joe Warren at Bellator 151.

                  A Featherweight bout between Pat Curran and John Teixeira was also scheduled for this card. However, the fight was cancelled in early November due to an injury sustained by Curran. Teixeira instead faced Justin Lawrence.

                  Results

                  Fight card
                  Weight class Method Round Time Notes
                  Bantamweight Darrion Caldwell def. Joe Taimanglo Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
                  Featherweight John Teixeira def. Justin Lawrence Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
                  Women's Flyweight Ilima-Lei Macfarlane def. Emily Ducote Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
                  Catchweight (175 lbs)[35] Chidi Njokuani def. André Fialho KO (punches) 1 0:21
                  Preliminary card (Spike.com)
                  Light Heavyweight Jarod Trice def. Tommie Britton Decision (majority) (28-28, 30-25, 30-26) 3 5:00
                  Welterweight Justin Patterson def. Codale Ford Decision (unanimous) (29-27, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
                  Lightweight Jonathan Gary def. Aaron Roberson Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 3 5:00
                  Preliminary card (Dark Bouts)
                  Welterweight Fernando Gonzalez def. Chris Hicks KO (punch) 1 0:15
                  Heavyweight Bronson St. Romain def. Joey Soto Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 28-27) 3 5:00

                    [36]

                    Bellator 168

                    Bellator 168: Sakara vs. Beltran
                    Information
                    Date December 10, 2016
                    Venue Nelson Mandela Forum
                    City Florence, Italy

                    Bellator 168: Sakara vs Beltran will be held on December 10, 2016 at the Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence, Italy. The event will air live in prime time on Spike TV.

                    Background

                    In the main event, Alessio Sakara faces Joey Beltran. Sakara made his Bellator debut earlier this year at the first Bellator event in Italy and defeated Brian Rogers by knockout in the second round.

                    The event was originally expected to be headlined by a rematch between Rafael Carvalho and Melvin Manhoef for the Bellator Middleweight Championship. The pair previously fought at Bellator 155 with Carvalho retaining his title due to a controversial split decision. Bellator announcer Jimmy Smith called it one of the worst decisions he had ever seen in the promotion; likewise 5 of 5 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Manhoef.[37] However, on December 2, Carvalho pulled out of the match due to injury.

                    The event will also feature Bellator Kickboxing bouts including an anticipated female flyweight rematch between Denise Kielholtz and Gloria Peritore, the woman who defeated her this past June. The bout will be for the inaugural Bellator Kickboxing Female Flyweight World Championship.

                    Official fight card

                    Fight card
                    Weight class Method Round Time Notes
                    Middleweight Alessio Sakara vs. Joey Beltran
                    Light Heavyweight Philipe Lins vs. Kleber Silva
                    Middleweight Claudio Annicchiarico vs. John Salter
                    Lightweight Goiti Yamauchi vs. Valeriu Mircea
                    Bellator Kickboxing bouts
                    Women's Flyweight (Kickboxing) Denise Kielholtz vs. Gloria Peritore [lower-alpha 1]
                    Lightweight (Kickboxing) Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Jordan Watson
                    Middleweight (Kickboxing) Joe Schilling vs. Vittorio Iermano
                    Welterweight (Kickboxing) Karim Ghajji vs. Luca Novello
                    Bantamweight (Kickboxing) Kevin Ross vs. Alessio Arduini
                    1. For the Bellator Kickboxing Female Flyweight Championship.

                    [38]

                    Bellator 169

                    Bellator 169: King Mo vs. Ishii
                    Information
                    Date December 16, 2016
                    Venue 3Arena
                    City Dublin, Ireland

                    Bellator 169: King Mo vs Ishii will be held on December 16, 2016 at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The event will air live in prime time on Spike TV.

                    Background

                    The event is expected to be headlined by a heavyweight bout between former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion and Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion Muhammed Lawal and Japanese Olympic gold medalist Satoshi Ishii. Lawal won the two-night, eight-man tournament at Rizin Fighting Federation on New Year's Eve in Japan. A 2008 Olympic gold medalist in judo, Ishii began his MMA career in December 2009 and made his Bellator debut in June 2016 against Quinton Jackson at Bellator 157: Dynamite 2.

                    Bellator 169 is a Bellator MMA and BAMMA co-promoted event. It is expected that several top Irish prospects including Dylan Tuke, Ryan Curtis, Rhys McKee, and James Gallagher will be featured on the card.

                    Official fight card

                    Fight card
                    Weight class Method Round Time Notes
                    Heavyweight Muhammed Lawal vs. Satoshi Ishii
                    Featherweight James Gallagher vs. Anthony Taylor
                    Featherweight Daniel Weichel vs. Brian Moore
                    Women's Flyweight Bruna Vargas vs. Helen Harper
                    Bantamweight Luiz Tosta vs. Shay Walsh
                    BAMMA 27 bouts
                    Bantamweight Tom Duquesnoy (c) vs. Alan Philpott [lower-alpha 1]
                    Featherweight Ronnie Mann vs. Martin Stapleton [lower-alpha 2]
                    Bantamweight Dylan Tuke vs. Sean Tobin

                    [39]

                    References

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                    2. Raimondi, Marc (March 21, 2016). "Kimbo Slice, Ken Shamrock both test positive for steroids at Bellator 149". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
                    3. Marrocco, Steven (May 2, 2016). "Bellator's 'Kimbo Slice' settles with Texas commission following failed steroid test". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
                    4. "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie". bellator.spike.com. 2016-02-19.
                    5. "On eve of Bellator 150, Marcos Galvao vs. Eduardo Dantas title fight pulled from card". MMAjunkie.com. MMA Junkie Staff. 2016-02-25.
                    6. "Bellator 150: Galvao vs. Dantas". bellator.spike.com. 2016-02-26.
                    7. Bohn, Michael (2016-02-09). "Michael Page out of Bellator 151, RFA champ Gilbert Smith in vs. Fernando Gonzalez". MMAjunkie.com.
                    8. "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell". bellator.spike.com. 2016-03-04.
                    9. "Bellator 152: Italy". bellator.spike.com. 2016-04-16.
                    10. "Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson". bellator.spike.com. 2016-04-22.
                    11. "Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo". bellator.spike.com. 2016-05-14.
                    12. "Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef". bellator.spike.com. 2016-05-20.
                    13. "Bellator 156: Galvao vs. Dantas". bellator.spike.com. 2016-06-17.
                    14. "Bellator 157: Dynamite 2". bellator.spike.com. 2016-06-24.
                    15. Okamoto, Brett (April 18, 2016). "Kimbo Slice-James Thompson II booked for July 16 in London". ESPN. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
                    16. Christopher, Brennan (2016-06-07). "Mixed martial arts fighter Kimbo Slice dies at 42". nydailynews.com. New York Daily News.
                    17. "JOSH KOSCHECK OUT OF BELLATOR 158; PAUL DALEY TO MEET EX-CHAMP DOUGLAS LIMA IN LONDON". sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2016-06-06.
                    18. "With card official, Michael Page now meets Evangelista Santos at Bellator 158 in London". MMAjunkie.com. MMA Junkie Staff. 2016-06-09.
                    19. mmalatestnews.com,"Godbeer pulls himself from Bellator London and details disgusting treatment". Archived from the original on 2016-06-25. Retrieved 2016-06-30. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
                    20. mmalatestnews.com,"'Big' Ben Smith retires: told his fight at Bellator London was given to someone who could sell more tickets". Archived from the original on 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2016-06-30. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
                    21. Critchfield, Tristen (2016-07-05). "LINTON VASSELL INJURED; FRANCIS CARMONT GETS NEW OPPONENT AT BELLATOR 158". sherdog.com. Sherdog.
                    22. Marrocco, Steven (2016-07-12). "ABC chief to oversee drug testing at Saturday's 'Bellator 158: London' event". MMAjunkie.com.
                    23. "Bellator: London". bellator.spike.com. 2016-07-16.
                    24. "Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo". bellator.spike.com. 2016-07-22.
                    25. "Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull". bellator.spike.com. 2016-08-26.
                    26. "Bellator 161: Kongo vs. Johnson". bellator.spike.com. 2016-09-16.
                    27. Becker, Dana (September 23, 2016). "Bellator Kickboxing: Budapest Complete Results".
                    28. "Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs.Grove". bellator.spike.com. 2016-10-21.
                    29. Ariel Helwani (2016-11-04). "Paul Daley pulled from tonight's Bellator 163 card after difficult weight cut". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-11-04.
                    30. "Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis". bellator.spike.com. 2016-11-04.
                    31. "Bellator 164: Koreshkov vs. Lima". bellator.spike.com. 2016-11-10.
                    32. "SPOILER ALERT: BELLATOR 164 RECAP". sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2016-11-10.
                    33. "Michael Chandler vs Benson Henderson title fight scheduled for Bellator 165 on Nov. 19".
                    34. "Bellator 166: Dantas vs. Warren". bellator.spike.com. 2016-12-02.
                    35. Brookhouse, Brent (2016-12-03). "Bellator 167 results: Darrion Caldwell gets revenge over Joe Taimanglo with decision win". MMAjunkie.com.
                    36. "Bellator 167: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo". bellator.spike.com. 2016-12-03.
                    37. "Rafael Carvalho def. Melvin Manhoef". MMA Decisions. Retrieved 2016-05-21.
                    38. "Bellator 168: Sakara vs. Beltran". bellator.spike.com. 2016-12-10.
                    39. Mo-vs-Ishii "Bellator 169: King Mo vs. Ishii" Check |url= value (help). bellator.spike.com. 2016-12-16.

                    External links

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