Bellator

Bellator Fighting ChampionshipBellator MMA was launched in 2008 and has quickly become popular in the mixed martial arts world. The promotion used to be called the Bellator Fighting Championship, but they changed the name recently and now go by the name “Bellator MMA”.

The promotion operates out of Newport Beach, California and the CEO is Bjorn Rebney. Initially Bellator hosted events in the US only, but they’ve since moved to Canada and have started to host regular events in Canada as well as the United States now.

Bellator is a tiny promotion when compared to the UFC currently, but they’ve been doing great. Bellator offers a unique product where fighters compete in tournaments to become the #1 contender and for the chance to fight for the title in their weight class.

There are also other fights on the card at each event, but the main card is often tournament or title fights only. Bellator also has a unique “Season” format unlike other promotions. Each season features a 1+ tournament with eight fighters in the bracket.

Not only does the winner of each Bellator tournament earn a shot at the title, but they earn a $100,000 check. Bellator doesn’t pay fighters nearly as much as the UFC, but with $100K on the line for tournament winners they get the best out of fighters.

Bellator has started to receive more attention this past year due to a new deal with Spike. Bellator became popular after they were able to sign a national broadcasting deal with MTV2 in 2011. Seasons 4-7 of Bellator were aired live on MTV2.

The new deal with Spike TV is much better for the promotion and the number of viewers should increase. This summer (2013) there is a new reality show called “Fight Master: Bellator MMA”, which is a knockoff of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).

The reality show will air on Spike TV starting this summer and will bring more attention to Bellator. Bellator has quickly gained a reputation for being a stepping stone to the UFC for fighters that aren’t picked up by the UFC right away.

Young fighters are able to get national attention with Bellator and fight many seasoned veterans. The promotion doesn’t have the talent that the UFC has, but with Viacom owning a majority stake in the company Bellator isn’t short on marketing dollars.

Men’s Bellator Champions

DivisionChampionSinceDefenses
HeavyweightRyan BaderBellator 214 | 01/26/193
Light HeavyweightVadim NemkovBellator 244 | 08/21/203
MiddleweightJohnny EblenBellator 282 | 06/24/221
WelterweightYaroslav AmosovBellator 260 | 06/11/211
LightweightUsman NurmagomedovBellator 288 | 11/18/221
FeatherweightPatrício PitbullBellator 277 | 04/11/221
BantamweightSergio PettisBellator 258 | 05/07/211
Bantamweight (Interm)Raufeon Stots (ic)Bellator 279 | 04/23/221
Updated April 2023

Bellator Women’s Champions

DivisionChampionSinceDefenses
Women’s FeatherweightCris CyborgBellator 238 | 01/25/204
Women’s FlyweightLiz CarmoucheBellator 278 | 04/22/221
Updated April 2023

In the past year Bellator has been able to lock-up a lot of young talented fighters in the promotion. The competition in all of the weight classes is increasing and now the tournaments are very competitive where any fighter could come out as the winner.

Bellator is unlikely to ever contend with the UFC, but they do a great job offering a unique product. Many fans like the tourney format (Grand Prix) that Bellator utilizes although there are also many critics because sometimes the best fighters don’t get title shots.

Bellator Betting Sites

MMA Betting Site Bonus RatingUSA? Review Visit
MyBookie UFC BettingMyBookie UFC Betting$1000 Our review Bet Now!
UFC Betting at BovadaUFC Betting at Bovada$250 Our review Bet Now!
Bodog MMA SportsbookBodog MMA Sportsbook$100 Our review Bet Now!
BetUS - USA UFC BettingBetUS - USA UFC Betting$2500 Our review Bet Now!
Intertops Sportsbook - UFC BettingIntertops Sportsbook - UFC Betting$200 Our review Bet Now!
BetOnline MMA SportsbookBetOnline MMA Sportsbook$900 Our review Bet Now!
888Sport UFC Betting888Sport UFC Betting$ Our review Bet Now!

Bellator Events and Betting Odds

Read Article

PFL vs. Bellator Champs

By | Posted: February 23rd, 2024 at 6:08 pm

This Saturday afternoon we are in for a treat when the PFL and Bellator put on a cross-promotion event and this thing is stacked! The PFL bought Bellator last year... more

Read Article

Bellator 301 | Amosov vs. Jackson

By | Posted: November 17th, 2023 at 1:02 pm

Bellator 301 is on this Friday night, live from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois and there are 2 titles on the line and the Bellator Lightweight Grand prix semi... more

Read Article

Bellator 300 – 3 Title Fights

By | Posted: October 6th, 2023 at 4:38 pm

Bellator will have 3 titles fight this Saturday night live form the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California in Bellator 300. In the main event Usman Nurmagomedov will fight Brent... more

Next Page »

Always Gamble Responsibly. This website provides information about sports betting for entertainment purposes. Sports betting and gambling laws vary by jurisdiction, it is your responsibility to follow them. This website uses cookies.