Bellator FC

“The Bellator featherweight division is tough as hell, and it was a huge reason why I decided to join Bellator,” said Slack in an interview with MMAWeekly. “The tournament format is something that really stood out to me, as well. There aren’t any politics involved, and like any fighter, I want my title shot.”

Slack was a stand-out wrestler in college at Old Dominion. He will join Bellator champions such as Michael Chandler, Ben Askren, and Cole Konrad in the organization as fighters with accomplished wrestling backgrounds.

Vila (11-2) is a former Olympian who was ousted from the tourney by Luis Nogueira. The 41-year-old Cuban lost in the finals of the Season 5 tournament to newly-crowned champion Eduardo Dantas, never recapturing the same lightning he unleashed on Joe Warren in one of last year’s most brutal knockouts.

Meanwhile, Ueda (15-2-2) was stopped by Travis Marx. He entered Bellator on a fight-fight winning streak and is considered to be a top-flight bantamweight.

Sherdog was the first to report the releases by Bellator. No specific reason was offered for either cut.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR

Rebney and Bellator will replace the UFC on Spike TV in 2013 when their live fights head over to the network. Spike and Bellator are also planning a reality show, a move only helping push the Bellator brand to the masses. While his organization will go head to head, Rebney was recently asked how he’d fare against White in an in-ring confrontation.

“My understanding is he’s got a great standup game. My standup game isn’t that great. I’d probably go right back into a pre-production meeting and try to compete where the competition is ripe, which is putting on live events and putting on great TV shows,” joked Rebney in a recent interview with SportsNet.ca.

“There’s no way to survive and be successful in this type of business if you’re anything less than on,” Rebney continued. “We have no off-season. It never stops. Need five days off to do this or that, this isn’t the place for you.”

Rebney also admitted he enjoys watching the UFC though does so in a different manner now than was the case when he was simply a MMA enthusiast.

“I’m a fan and I watch some of the UFC shows because there’s great fighters I want to see fight,” Rebney said. “Then part of it is to track what the competition is doing in terms of their numbers and how people are responding and what they’re doing live-wise and internationally.”

Bellator has announced they will expand to three-hour cards when they move to Spike TV next year. The next Bellator show is set for this Friday night with bantamweight champion Zack Makovsky defending his title against Eduardo Dantas.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR

According to an official announcement from Spike TV, the network will begin broadcasting a series focused on Bellator starting in 2013. To assist with production Emmy-winning reality show creator/executive Bertram van Munster will helm the effort. Spike TV will also feature live Bellator events next year making for a perfect marriage of programming.

“Some of the most physically-gifted and fascinating athletes in the world fight in Bellator, and I believe they make ideal subjects for an innovative new non-scripted series,” said Van Munster in a press release promoting the upcoming series.

No name or concept have been revealed yet though it’s likely the format will be similar to that of the Ultimate Fighter. TUF ran on Spike TV for fourteen seasons before the UFC’s contract with the network expired, allowing them to sign with FOX and take the groundbreaking brand to FX.

Ivanov is currently signed to Bellator’s heavyweight roster, having won his first two fights with the promotion.

The Sofia News Agency reported that Ivanov and two of his friends were attacked by eight people carrying bats and knives at a club late at night. Ivanov suffered a deep knife wound to his chest that reached his heart, forcing him into surgery. Doctors performed the needed-operation but he remains under intense care.

In 2008, Ivanov defeated Fedor Emelianenko in a Sambo match, helping elevate his name in the world of MMA. This past December he toppled Ricco Rodriguez via TKO to improve his overall record to 6-0.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR

News of Zaromskis’ signing was first reported by MMAFighting. It was also stated his debut will likely come in the latter half of Season 6 (which starts in two weeks).

Zaromskis holds an overall record of 16-6 with twelve strike-based stoppages. Among his notable wins are those over Hayato “Mach” Sakurai and Jason High.

Other stand-outs in Bellator’s welterweight division Zaromskis could eventually see action against include Ben Saunders, Douglas Lima, Jay Hieron, Karl Amoussou, Lyman Good, and of course current champion Ben Askren.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE

Saadulaev (14-1) had competed at welterweight previously in his career, racking up eight wins via submission. He is currently on a three-fight winning streak. While his exact debut is unknown, Saadulaev is not expected to compete in Bellator’s upcoming lightweight tournament. It is likely he will make his debut and be considered for future fields depending on how he does.

MMA Junkie was the first to report the signing.

Bellator Season 6 fires up on March 9 with Bellator 60, a card featuring UFC veterans Sean McCorkle and Shamar Bailey as well as the opening round from the promotion’s featherweight tourney and a title-fight between 145-pound champ Joe Warren and rising star Pat Curran.

PHOTO CREDIT – PRO FC

McCray (7-3) was defeated by Court McGee in 2010 in the finals of TUF 11 and dropped two more bouts inside the Octagon thereafter, forcing his release.

Since his stint in the UFC, McCray has won two fights on the regional circuit. He has been working out in New Jersey at Ricardo Almeida‘s gym with UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar.

News of the signing was first reported by MMAWeekly. Bellator has yet to announce a date/event for McCray’s initial appearance under the promotion’s banner.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Machine (a.k.a. Jon Koppenhaver) confirmed the news of his impending sentence on his Twitter account, writing, “Seems my year in jail wasn’t enough. Just got sentenced to another year in Vegas for some old bullsh*t. Nevermind I’m rehabilitated. Nevermind I’ve been out for over six months now and doing great and am finally back on my feet. Nevermind all my students that will miss me. Do another year and rot n waste time. Make no money, pay no taxes.”

The 12-4 30-year old was released from jail in July after serving a year for an assault charge.

After defeating Roger Huerta in his return fight this past November, Machine was signed by Bellator to compete in the upcoming sixth season welterweight tournament. He was slated to face Karl Amoussou in the opening round. Bellator has yet to comment on the situation.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/BELLATOR

According to War Machine (i.e. the artist formerly known as Jon Koppenhaver), he has been paired against French finisher Karl Amoussou for a bout on March 30. Presumably the three other quarterfinal fights will take place on the same night too. No location was mentioned.

“F*** ya it’s on,” Machine exclaimed in trademark fashion while revealing his opponent and the date. “Gonna send him back to France in pieces!”

Amoussou holds a 13-4-2 record with eleven finishes including a first frame knockout of Jesus Martinez at Bellator 59. Though a ferocious striker, seven of the 26-year old’s wins have come via submission despite not having avoided the judges’ scorecards since 2009.

Comparably, Machine is coming off a TKO of Roger Huerta in November after spending a solid block of time behind bars for an assault case. He is 12-4 in his career with the entire lot of wins involving some form of stoppage.

The other six participants in the Season 6 tourney include Carlos Pereira, Brian Foster, Bryan Baker, David Rickels, Raul Amaya, and Ben Saunders. The last man standing will earn a $100,000 payday as well as an opportunity to face the divisional champion, currently undefeated Olympic wrestler Ben Askren.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/BELLATOR

News of their addition to the festivities was confirmed by Bellator officials.

The 12-4 Koppenhaver scored an impressive TKO victory over Roger Huerta in 2011 that vaulted him name back among the MMA public. He went 1-1 in two UFC bouts before being released. War Machine also served a stint in prison due to an assault case before getting back inside the cage this past November.

Pereira holds a record of 33-9-1 in his MMA career and will be making his Bellator debut.

As always, the winner of the tournament will receive a championship match along with a $100,000 paycheck for the honor of being named the last fighter standing.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Roberto Vargas has been added to round out the eight-man tourney, bringing his 12-1 overall record to the table. Vargas will be joined by Jeremy Spoon, Genair da Silva, Marlon Sandro, Alexandre Bezerra, Ronnie Mann, Wagnney Fabiano, and Daniel Straus.

Combined the eight fighters have an overall record of 119-20-1, winning 17 of 22 fights inside the Bellator cage.

Vargas has won six straight bouts since a decision loss to Wilson Reis. He also defeated Daniel Pineda while competing under Bellator’s banner.

The winner of the Bellator tournament will receive the customary championship match and $100,000. Action begins on MTV2/EPIX on March 2, 2012.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR

Spoon (12-0) has won a pair of fights inside Bellator, stopping Adam Schindler for his most recent victory. Spoon is joined by Genair da Silva, Marlon Sandro, Alexandre Bezerra, Ronnie Mann, Wagnney Fabiano, and Daniel Straus.

The featherweight tournament, which will give the winner $100,000 and a shot at the championship belt, begins in March on MTV2.

MMA Junkie was the first to report Spoon’s addition to the eight-person field.

Spoon was a high school state wrestling champion who turned pro in 2008. He holds eight submission victories and a knockout in his career, including his first five fights in less than two minutes.

Season 6 kicks off on March 2 with a live event on MTV2/EPIX.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR

Sandro holds a career record of 20-3, including a championship in SRC. Over his last eight fights, he is 6-2, with the lone losses coming to Curran and Hatsu Hioki.

MMA Junkie was first to report Sandro’s addition to the tournament.

So far five total competitors have entered, with the Nova Uniao representative being joined by Alexandre Bezerra, Ronnie Mann, Wagnney Fabiano, and Daniel Straus. Sandro is currently 3-1 in Bellator, while the other four fighters have a combined 10-2 mark in the promotion. Only Fabiano is a Bellator newcomer.

The winner of Bellator featherweight tournament will secure a title shot against the champion and $100,000.

Bezerra has been very impressive in his Bellator run thus far, winning his first four fights and finishing all four opponents within two rounds. “Popo” has only lost once in thirteen professional fights back in 2009 when he was submitted by Charles Oliveira. The jiu-jitsu specialist has finished eleven of his twelve opponents and hasn’t seen the scorecards since his second pro bout in 2008.

Even though Straus lost in the season four finals to Patricio Freire in May, he managed to pick up a victory in October against UFC veteran Jason Dent. Straus defeated Nazareno Malegarie and Kenny Foster on his way to the 145 finals. An amateur wrestling champion in high school, Straus is known for using his size and wrestling to ground opponents. Of his 17 professional victories, ten have come by way of decision.

The eight-man tourney is set to kick off in March 2012 on MTV 2.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR

Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney announced the signing on Twitter.

A former IFL featherweight champ, Fabiano was thought to be the second best 145-pound fighter in the world (behind Urijah Faber) when he entered the WEC in 2008. After winning his first two bouts in the WEC cage, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt was upset at WEC 43 when Mackens Semerzier submitted him with a triangle choke in the first round. Following the loss, Fabiano dropped to 135, where he won two more bouts before losing via guillotine choke to former WEC bantamweight title challenger Joseph Benavidez.

He was released from the organization and hasn’t competed in MMA following that November 2010 loss to Benavidez but in March 2012 he’ll step back into the cage and move back up to 145 when he enters the Bellator featherweight tournament.

PHOTO CREDIT – WEC

The tournament will begin in March on MTV2, with a championship match against either current champ Zach Makovsky or No. 1 contender and season five winner Eduardo Dantas on the line. Also, the victor receives $100,000.

Marx (18-3) will be making his Bellator debut after previously fighting in the Jackson’s MMA Series and Jeremy Horn’s Elite Fight Night organizations. The 33-year-old is a former member of the Utah Highway Patrol and was a standout prep wrestler in Utah and competed for Ricks College in junior college.

Along with Marx, Galvao and Nogueira, Masakatsu Ueda, Alexis Vila, Rodrigo Lima and Ed West will all compete in the tournament-style format throughout 2012.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR

Bellator

Among those set to compete for a shot at current Bellator bantamweight champion Zack Makovsky are Marcos Galvao, Luis “Betao” Nogueira, Rodrigo “Ratinho” Lima, Ed West, and Masakatsu Ueda.

Galvao, Nogueira and West have Bellator experience, while Lima and Ueda will be making their promotional debuts.

News of the participants was first reported by MMAJunkie.

The sixth season of Bellator begins in March with cards streaming on Spike.com and airing live on MTV2. Along with the bantamweight tourney, Bellator will be holding events in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and middleweight divisions.

Galvao was part of the fifth season’s bantamweight tournament, barely losing a decision in the semifinals to Alexis Vila. Nogueira was also part of that tourney, along with West, who was a runner-up in season three and a semifinalist in Season Five.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR

According to an official press release from Bellator FC, the Ultimate Fighter alumnus turned adult film star turned felon has inked a deal with the organization with the expectation he’ll compete in the Season 6 welterweight tournament. This is the second time Bellator has signed War Machine with the first run ending before it even started when the 30-year old was released due to a number of ignorant statements he made publicly regarding United States President Barack Obama.

However, according to War Machine he’s learned from his mistakes, saying, “My past has kind of shaped and molded who I’ve become, but the mistakes I’ve made in the past have definitely made me realize that I have to avoid certain situations in order to be the type of person I want to be.”

“It’s like I hit the rewind button,” he continued. “I pressed rewind and now I have a chance to get my life back on track. It feels great. Not everyone gets this kind of opportunity. I’m just stoked to be back in the mix here with Bellator. I didn’t get released from Bellator because I sucked. I got released because I was making poor decisions in my life. Right now I’m just out to show the world that I do belong here fighting the best with Bellator.”

The 12-4 Californian won his first fight back since being released after a yearlong sentence for assault charges, stopping Roger Huerta with strikes in the third round of their bout over Thanksgiving weekend. Now that he’s back on track War Machine is ready to prove his worth to the doubters.

“I feel like I belong fighting with the best fighters in the world and Bellator has a bunch of them,” War Machine concluded. “I’m ready to fight the best guys again, and now I have that chance. I’m excited for the chance to prove myself and make up for a lot of the stupid stuff I’ve said and done in the past. I love my family and my teammates and I want to make them all proud of me. I want to show them what I’m truly capable of. I know there are a lot of kids and people I care about there watching me so I need to be a lot more careful about some of the choices I make. I just want to make everyone proud of me.”

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/BELLATOR

“Our focus was to find the right night, where the largest number of MMA fans could enjoy the show,” said CEO Bjorn Rebney in a press release on the move. “We’ve been discussing this move with our partners at Viacom for months. When we looked at the alternatives, we agreed that Fridays provided a great night for us to reach MMA fans with our live, real sport, tournament events every week.”

Bellator’s upcoming Season 6 will begin March 2. Tournaments in five different weight classes will unfold in the cage over the first half of the year along with six title-fights. Thus far the divisions involved in the tournaments include 145, 155, 170, and 185 pounds with championship defenses forthcoming from Zach Makovsky, Joe Warren, Ben Askren, Hector Lombard, and Cole Konrad.

In 2013, Bellator will shift its viewing to Spike TV, replacing the UFC in the television lineup. Spike TV and MTV2 are both owned by Viacom.

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR