Bellator MMA is all set, and the fighters are all on weight for three title fights. Michael Chandler, Eddie Alvarez, Pat Curran, Daniel Straus , King Mo, and Emanuel Newton are all set for their championship matches, in what promises to be Bellator’s best card ever.
Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report
Mike Richman
Joe ‘Diesel’ Riggs
Pat ‘Paddy Mike’ Curran
Curran v Straus for the 145 lbs Bellator MMA World Title
King Mo
Newton v Lawal For the Interim 205 lbs Bellator MMA World Title
Eddie Alvarez
Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler v Eddie Alvarez for the Bellator MMA 155 lbs World Title
The Joker
,
All images and content are the property of The Clinch Report, LLC. All Rights are Reserved. Any unauthorized use of images or content is prohibited. Please contact news@theclinchreport.com for information.
Bellator MMA The Toughest Tournament in Sports, hosted open workouts for the upcoming event on Saturday evening.
The main card features three world title fights, headlined by the rematch of Chandler v Alvarez II. Eddie Alvarez makes his much anticipated return to the Bellator cage since having over a year off due to contractual disputes. With those issues in the rear view mirror (for now), Alvarez is attempting to regain the title he lost to a much improved Michael Chandler.
Pat Curran will also put his 145 title on the line against tournament winner Daniel Straus. Now known as one of the top 145 lbs fighters in the world, Curran will look to solidify those rankings, while Daniel Straus will attempt to end that discussion.
Also on the main card are 205 lbs heavy hitters Emanuel Newton and King Mo Lawal who will face off for the second time, this time with the interim title on the line. The last meeting ended with a surprising spinning back fist KO, that left Lawal prone, and Newton on top of the world. However, each fight is different and whoever wins, it certainly going to be worth watching.
Other notable match-ups worth watching on SpikeTV.com are Michael ‘Joker’ Guymon v Aaron ‘Blood Spiller’ Miller; and Akop Stepanyan v Mike Richman.
The preliminary bouts can be viewed on SpikeTV.com while the main card will air live on Spike TV. Make sure you tune in to what should be one hell of a night of MMA action.
The Alvarez version of Blue Steel
Eddie Alvarez
The King holding Court
Warming up with the Champ
Bellator 155 lbs Champion Michael Chandler
Champions Smile
Slipping the jab.
All photos and created content are the property of The Clinch Report, LLC . Any unauthorized use of video, content, images, or likeness is prohibited. ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED. Please contact news@theclinchreport.com for any further information.
Can you remember the last time 45 minutes made a difference? What could you do in less than an hour, that would matter on a grand scale? When it comes to children, 45 minutes can make a lifetime of difference. For a child who has spent his life in constant pain, 45 minutes can inspire a smile. For his parents, that relief although temporary, is priceless!
Houston Alexander is a 41 year old Mixed Martial Artist, known to the masses for his tenure with the UFC, where he fought the likes of Keith Jardine, Kimbo Slice, Thiago Silva, Alessio Sakara and James Irvin. Alexander is known for his devastating punching power, his lighting fast hands, and his ominous demeanor.
Donny Caffey Jr, is a young gladiator from Babylon NY. I know his family well, both his uncle and his father are physical specimens, and were always gifted athletes. Donny, however is tougher than both of them. Without getting into too much detail, Donny has lived most of his young life in pain due to chronic hip ailment that has required multiple surgeries. Living in constant agony, Donny has approached this adversity, like the fighters he watches. He takes his lumps, has small victories, and always keeps moving forward.
Knowing he was coming off yet another surgery, we asked the fighters at Bellator 99 to sign the fight card for him. Anything to inspire a smile. Everyone was more than eager to do so, Main Event winner Patricio Pitbull signed a glove, however Houston Alexander had other plans.
“Look man, Autographs are nice, but what do you say we give Donny a call!” Said Alexander. “Calling Donny, that is how we can make a difference!”Alexander, knows better than most about making a difference, being a single father of six children, he has learned to juggle his primary obligations with his training regimen.
With that we exchanged information, and I contacted Donny’s family.
True to his word Houston Alexander made that phone call. For 45 minutes the two spoke. What they spoke about exactly, matters, but its not important to anyone but Donny and Houston. Even his father seemed surprised. ” I don’t know what he said, but right now my son is on his crutches, punching the speed bag!” Don Caffey Sr said.
Houston Alexander may be known for his I.Q. changing right hand, but he is defined by his actions outside of the cage. In a world of questionable role models, Alexander sets the bar petty high. Mr Alexander is a Father first, and an ambassador of good will, that also happens to knock people out!
Authors Note: Thank you to Houston Alexander and his management team for organizing the call. Also, Thank you to Anthony Mazzuca and Bjorn Rebney for allowing us access to the extremely generous Bellator MMA Fighters. Any other fighters wishing to send Donny best wishes can email us at news@theclinchreport.com
Bellator 99 delivered some key opportunities for featherweights in the opening round of the tournament. First up, Justin Wilcox survived an early and dynamic battering from Akop Stepanyan, only to secure a submission victory. Wilcox, who took the fight on just 7 days notice, could barely stand after Stepanyan dismantled his lead leg with snapping kicks. However, he could not finish him.
Late in the second round, Wilcox was able to bring Stepanyan down and once he did, the transition to the back and subsequent choke, was lightning fast. Stepanyan did his best to escape, but eventually went to sleep after refusing to tap. With the win Wilcox moves on to the next round where he will face ‘Baby’ Joe Taimanglo.
Taimanglo was able to secure his spot in the next round with a win over Andrew Fisher. Utilizing excellent movement, Taimanglo was able to close the distance well, effectively neutralizing Fisher’s reach advantage. At times the fight lacked action, but that was because both fighters were utilizing their game plans. Fisher flurried late in the third round, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges.
Also fighting in the opening round of the featherweight tournament were two of the promotions youngest prospects. Former #1 155 lbs prospect Fabricio Guerreiro was able to out point a very dynamic Desmond Green. Guerreiro was able to control the pace of the fight, and aside from a few take downs from Green clearly won the fight.
With the win Guerreiro now is faced with the daunting task of going up against Patricio Pitbull in the next round. Pitbull needed just 1:19 to move on, after he blasted Diego Nunes with an incredible hook to the ear that dropped the former UFC standout. Follow up punches removed all doubt.
Also on the card, Vladimir Matyushenko utilized an effective striking game plan to keep heavy handed Houston Alexander at bay for most of the fight. When Alexander did land, ‘The Janitor’ smothered him with a combination of dominating wrestling and grappling skills. Both fighters refuse to look or act their age (41) and the result was one hell of a fight.
With the win, Matyushenko should be on a short list of names for the next 205 lbs tournament.
More pictures will be added later today!
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in the building!
The turning point!
Akop Stepanyan refused to tap, and dreams ensued!
The moment of victory! The Pitbull feeds!
Patricio Pitbull moves on to the next round of the Featherweight Tournament.
Akop Stepanyan charges with the straight right!
With a wrestler like WIlcox on your back, their is very little hope!
Houston Alexander as ‘The Janitor’ looks to take him down!
Vladimir Matyushenko with some elbows.
Dynamic Victory!
Left hand Green lands.
Main Event! Diego Nunes v Patricio Pitbull
Dethrone Base Camp’s Chris ‘The Cutt’ Honeycutt and UFC veteran Josh Koscheck
All content is owned by The Clinch Report, LLC All Rights Reserved. Any unauthorized use of any content is expressly prohibited, Please contact for information regarding use.
Bellator MMA has once again invaded the Pechanga Casino, in Temecula California. Today all of the fighters were set to make weight, and aside from a few that were slightly off, all seemed to be ready to go. The main event between Diego Nunes and Patricio Pitbull was probably the most intense stare down of the day. Once Patricio confirmed his weight, he walked past Jimmy Smith’s interview attempt and immediately began an intense stare. Nunes, refused to budge. After a long, and fierce confrontation both fighters respectfully walked away. ‘Pitbull’ went on to tell Jimmy Smith, that tomorrow ‘Nunes was going into the cage with a Pitbull, and he’s going to get bit!” (through his translator)
Also featured on the main card is an excellent battle of contrasting styles from two veterans of the sport. Vladimir Matyushenko makes his promotional debut against fellow UFC veteran Houston Alexander. Matyushenko has become known in the sport by his well earned moniker ‘The Janitor’, for his grinding wrestling based style that has compiled the elder statesmen a record of 26-6 in his career.
Alexander is also making his debut, but that is where the similarities end. Houston Alexander is known for one thing, knocking people out. With a record of 15-9, Alexander is attempting to live up to the high expectations that once ranked him as a rising star in the sport. After being cut from the UFC, Alexander’s record had been quite streaky, however if he is able to extend his current two-fight win streak, a future spot in Bellator’s light heavyweight tournament may be what ‘The Assassin’ has his sites set upon.
Make sure you you tune in on Spike TV 8PM Eastern 5PM Pacific with the preliminaries airing on SpikeTV.com
……….
All photos and video are the express property of The Clinch Report, LLC All Rights Reserved. Any unauthorized use of materials expressly owned is prohibited!
Please contact for information regarding use of media.
The Clinch Report Founder Jonathan King with UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz at OC Fight Club, Costa Mesa California. Photo by: John Walsh
By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report
Bellator MMA announced during the live fight card on Spike TV, that their first ever Pay Per View will take place this year headlined by newly signed UFC and Pride veteran Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson. Jackson was rumored to have been matched against boxer Roy Jones jr, however after a brief speech he said he wanted his first fight for Bellator to be against an MMA fighter.
Then through a cloud of smoke, appeared ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ Tito Ortiz. Ortiz, draped in his classic Peoples Champ flag trotted to the cage and told the world his intentions. “I’ve been fighting for a long, long time. We’ve been friends with each other, but it’s time to put the friendship aside and it’s time to give the fans what they want here in Bellator,” Ortiz said.
Immediately internet pundits opined about the legitimacy of such a fight. However, it makes perfect sense. Will either of these fighters ever be considered a legitimate title contender? Probably not. However, the match up on paper seems to be an interesting one. Rampage traditionally had issues with tenacious wrestlers (See fights with Bader, Evans, and Teixiera), and Ortiz’s chin has been questioned in his last few fights, which is right up Rampage’s alley.
Both fighters play into each others weakness, and in the fight game the match up makes the fight. The names help, but they never trump the match up. Despite what Dana White or any other Bellator critic will say, as an MMA fan its an interesting fight. Weather or not someone will pay for it, and ‘how much’, may be the real question.
The fight will take place in Orange County California, but no other specifics have been given. Stay tuned for more information!
Karo ‘The Heat’ Parisyan (22-9) vs Rick Hawn (14-2)
An very interesting match-up kicks off the Spike TV televised main card, as former UFC title contender Karo Parisyan makes his Bellator debut against former lightweight tournament winner Rick Hawn. As high level Judo practitioners they are no stranger too each other, and the competition has fueled a heated rivalry. Simply put these guys don’t like each other. Parisyan is finally healthy again, after several years of injuries, and personal issues that cost him his status in the division. Hawn, makes his return to welterweight in hopes of winning another title shot. However, Parisyan is a savvy veteran, who is in great shape for the first time in a long time, so he should turn some heads with his performance.
Predictions: Rick Hawn via Decision
Magomedrasul ‘Frodo’ Khasbulaev (20-5) vs Mike Richman (15-2)
Khasbulaev won his last fight vs Marlon Sandro in very impressive fashion. Dominating the perennial contender for 2 1/2 rounds before finishing him with strikes late in the third frame. In doing so ‘Frodo’ (as he is called), earned a featherweight tournament finals position against Mike Richman who won a hotly contested decision to Alexander ‘Popo’ Bezzera. Richman may have the edge in striking technique, but Khasbulaev will have a decisive strength advantage.
Prediction: Khasbulaev via TKO rd 2
Brett Cooper (19-7) vs Doug ‘The Rhino’ Marshall (17-6)
The middleweight tournament finals features the classic striker vs grappler match-up. Cooper is a very well rounded mixed martial artist, who has a very strong wrestling base. However, it was his chin and fortitude that was on display in his last fight, which saw Cooper nearly out on his feet at one point, only to come back and win by KO. Marshall’s journey to the finals was much more controversial as he won a a split decision over Sultan Aliev, in a fight many thought he lost. Marshall will need to learn from that fight, and avoid the wrestling of Cooper if he wants to win this fight. Cooper, needs to stay away from Marshall’s power striking game, and stay in his chest.
Prediction: Cooper via Decision
Pat Curran Champion (18-4) vs Shahbulat Shamhalaev Challenger (12-1-1)For The Featherweight Title
Shamhalev is riding a 6 fight win streak, that allowed him to step in for the injured Daniel Strauss (who will get his shot eventually according to Bjorn Rebeney) and stake his claim to the title. In his way, is one of the “Faces” of Bellator Pat Curran. Curran is currently ranked #3 or #4 in the world at featherweight, and is in the midst of a 5 fight win streak that has seen him win and defend the featherweight strap. Shamhalaev will look to neutralize Curran’s strong wrestling with his Sambo back-round. This fight should be an exciting slug fest.
Prediction: Shamhalaev via 3rd rd TKO
Commentary on Bellator:
In the movie “Field of Dreams” the voice of a ghost eerily yet soothingly tells Kevin Costner’s character “if you build it, they will come!” In summary, he does…and they do!
This seems to be the exact format that Bellator has been using from the beginning. Simply put, if they have exciting fights, people will watch, no matter what the names of the fighters are, and even if you can’t pronounce them.
Since the move to Spike TV, Bellator has enjoyed very high ratings. The simple reason for the surge, the fighters! Unlike other promotions that use pomp and circumstance to create drama, and too build hype, Bellator approaches their setup as a fight fan would, not as an event coordinator! The result, a rear view mirror filled with exciting fights.
Leading the charge, is a long list of talented fighters from Russia, with even longer names. A place now dubbed “The New Brazil” according Bjorn Rebeney Bellator CEO. Fighters such as: Shahbulat Shamhalaev, Magomedrasul Khasbulaev have followed the success of Alexander Schlemenko and are now on the precipice of their own title shots.
Bellator’s growth is assured, not because of the popularity of the sport, but because people will always watch exciting fighters fight each other, no matter who is listed on the marquee.
THE CLINCH REPORT 