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Bellator MMA In 2017
2017 in Bellator MMA was the tenth year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. Bellator held 26 events in 2017. Background This year, Bellator announced their first MMA event to be held in New York: Bellator NYC. The event would also mark the Bellator debuts of former UFC commentator Mike Goldberg, calling his first card on Spike TV since 2011 (which was the televised portion of Bellator NYC, referred to as Bellator 180), and former Strikeforce commentator Mauro Ranallo. Bellator 170 Bellator 170: Ortiz vs. Sonnen took place on January 21, 2017, at The Forum in Inglewood, California. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV, drawing 1.4 million viewers. Background On October 18, 2016, it was announced that former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz and UFC veteran Chael Sonnen would headline this event. Sonnen owns career wins over the likes of Yushin Okami, Nate Marquardt, Brian Stann, former UFC Ligh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from ''wikt:bellator, bellātor'', the Latin word for "warrior". Bellator's first event was in 2009, and the promotion held List of Bellator MMA events, 313 "numbered" events. At one point, Bellator was considered the second largest MMA promotion in the United States, and one of the largest combat sports, combat sport promotions in the world. Paramount Global (formerly Viacom (2005–2019), Viacom) purchased majority ownership of Bellator from Rebney in 2011, with Paramount's television networks serving as the promotion's media broadcasters in the United States. On November 20, 2023, after then-broadcast home Showtime (TV network), Showtime announced the discontinuation of its sports division, Bellator MMA was acquired by the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Histor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brian Stann
Brian Michael Stann (born September 24, 1980) is an American former mixed martial artist and U.S. Marine who competed in the middleweight and light Heavyweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He also competed in the light heavyweight division of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), where he is a former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion. He was also a color commentator for both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and ACC football games on Fox Sports Net. Background Stann was born at Yokota Air Base in Fussa, Tokyo, Japan, and grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Scranton Preparatory School and subsequently enrolled in the United States Naval Academy in 1999 (Class of 2003). While at the Naval Academy, he played football for the Midshipmen as a middle linebacker. Upon graduation, he was assigned as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, eventually achieving the rank of captain. On May 8, 2005, then-lieutenant Stann was assigned t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ralek Gracie
The Gracie family () is a family of martial arts, martial artists originally from Belém, state of Pará, Brazil, whose ancestors came from Paisley, Renfrewshire, Paisley, Scotland. They are known for promoting the self-defense martial arts system of Gracie jiu-jitsu, commonly known as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, originating from ''Judo, Kano jiu-jitsu'' (Judo) brought to Brazil by ''judoka'' prizefighter Mitsuyo Maeda. They have been successful in combat sports competitions for over 80 years, representing their self-defense system (Gracie jiu-jitsu) including mixed martial arts (MMA), vale tudo and submission wrestling events. Several members were involved in the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), along with promoter Art Davie. As a family, the Gracies upheld the "Gracie Challenge", a martial arts challenge intended to showcase the effectiveness of their style of grappling against other martial arts disciplines. Members have an Affinity (law), affinity to, and are C ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hisaki Kato
is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer who competed in Bellator's Middleweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2013, he has also competed for Rizin. Background Born and raised in Paris, Kato's father was a Japanese judoka who moved to Paris to pursue a career teaching the martial art, and become one of the top instructors in the country. However, he died when Kato was only a few years old. Kato's mother is French. Growing up, Kato pursued judo but favored the striking techniques of traditional Japanese martial arts such as karate. Kato was also a highly talented handball player; he began competing in junior high and moved to Japan at the age of 18 where he competed for the national team and attended college. He later returned to his martial arts roots at the age of 23, joining the Kudo Federation of Japan where he competed and won five consecutive national tournaments. After winning his fifth title, Kato was offered a contract by the Japan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brennan Ward
Brennan Ward (born June 28, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist and Bare Knuckle Boxer who most recently competed in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2008, Ward formerly competed for CES MMA, Bellator MMA and was the Bellator Season Nine Middleweight Tournament Winner. Background Ward was born in New London, Connecticut, and raised in Waterford, Connecticut. Ward's father, Kent, owns a boxing gym, Whaling City Boxing (New London), where Ward began training from a young age. He competed in wrestling at Waterford High School, graduating in 2006, before continuing his career at Colby Community College. Ward later transferred to Johnson & Wales University, which has a Division III program. At Johnson & Wales, Ward demonstrated his talents, earning All-American honors and was also the runner-up in the nation for his weight class, after winning the New England title. Mixed martial arts career Early career Ward started his profe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paul Daley
Paul Anthony Daley (born 21 February 1983) is a British former mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and kickboxer. A professional competitor from 2003 to 2022, Daley competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC, Bellator MMA, Bellator, K-1, Strikeforce (mixed martial arts), Strikeforce, Cage Rage, Final Fight Championship, EliteXC, ShoXC, BAMMA, Cage Warriors, Cage Contender, Shark Fights, Pancrase, and Impact FC. Daley is a former List of Cage Rage champions#World Welterweight Championship, Cage Rage World Welterweight Champion and List of Cage Rage champions#British Welterweight Championship, Cage Rage British Welterweight Champion and a Strikeforce (mixed martial arts), Strikeforce title challenger. Background Born in London, England to parents from the Caribbean, Daley moved to Nottingham at a young age, where he played Association football, junior football for Nottingham Forest F.C., Nottingham Forest FC alongside future England international, Jermaine Jenas. D ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Colleen Schneider
Colleen Schneider (born March 12, 1982, in Syracuse, New York) is a retired American professional mixed martial artist. Colleen was a contestant in season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter reality competition television show. Early life She attended Cicero-North Syracuse High School in New York, and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in physics. While at Berkeley, Schneider competed in and taught taekwondo, which led her to discover mixed martial arts. Mixed martial arts career Strikeforce On August 13, 2010, she made her debut for the Strikeforce promotion at Strikeforce Challengers 10 in a reserve bout for their one-night Women's Welterweight tournament. She lost to future UFC bantamweight Liz Carmouche via unanimous decision after two rounds. Super Fight League After going 1–4 in her first five fights, she signed with the upstart Indian promotion, the Super Fight League at SFL 2 against Cherie Buck in the flyweight division. She won ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Forrest Griffin
Forrest Griffin (born July 1, 1979) is an American retired mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2013 and is the Vice President of Athlete Development at the UFC Performance Institute. Griffin, a former Georgia police officer, first rose to prominence after winning the first season of ''The Ultimate Fighter''. In the tournament finals, he defeated Stephan Bonnar, which is widely credited as sparking the success of the UFC. Early life Griffin, who is of Irish descent, graduated from Evans High School in Evans, Georgia, a suburb of Augusta where he played football. He then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Georgia. Thereafter, Griffin served as a law enforcement officer for the Richmond County Sheriff's Office in Augusta, Georgia. He also served as a patrol officer with the University of Georgia police. He trained at The HardCore Gym (now SBG Athens) in Ath ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock ( né Kilpatrick; born February 11, 1964) is an American retired professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. He is currently signed to WWE under a Legends contract, under the ring name Ken Shamrock. He is best known for his time in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), WWE and other combat sports. An inaugural inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame, Shamrock is widely regarded as an icon and pioneer of the sport. He has headlined over 15 main events and co-main events in the UFC and Pride FC and set numerous MMA pay-per-view records. In the early part of his UFC career, Shamrock was named "The World's Most Dangerous Man" by ABC News in a special called "The World's Most Dangerous Things". The moniker has stuck as his nickname. Shamrock became known early on in the UFC for his rivalry with Royce Gracie. After fighting to a draw in the inaugural UFC "Superfight", he became the first UFC Superfight Champion when he defeated Dan Severn at UFC 6; the tit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei César da Silva ( , , ; born 3 July 1976) is a Brazilian former mixed martial artist who competed in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He holds the record for the most wins, knockouts, title defenses and longest winning streak in PRIDE history. He is the former PRIDE Middleweight Champion and the 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion. He most recently competed for Bellator MMA in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. In February 2024, Silva was announced as the next inductee in the "pioneer wing" of the UFC Hall of Fame. Mixed martial arts career Early career Silva's aggressive style is rooted in street brawling, refined with elements of Muay Thai and kickboxing, which he began learning at the age of 13 in Chute Boxe Academy in his hometown Curitiba. In his late teens, he joined the Brazilian army and was quickly recognized for his fighting talents. He was asked to join Vale Tudo and Brazi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stephan Bonnar
Stephan Patrick Bonnar (April 4, 1977 – December 22, 2022) was an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. Bonnar competed as a Light Heavyweight in the UFC for most of his career. Bonnar was the runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter 1; his TUF Ultimate Finale loss to Forrest Griffin is widely considered to be the most important fight in the history of the UFC. Early life and education Bonnar was born in Hammond, Indiana, and raised in Munster, Indiana, attending Munster High School. Bonnar had an extensive background in combat sports, beginning with wrestling when he was 10 years old, Taekwondo at age 12, Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age 22, and then added boxing and Muay Thai when he was 24 years old. He earned his black belt in Taekwondo at the age of 16 and was a two-time Golden Gloves Champion in the super heavyweight division. He attended and graduated from Purdue University in 2000, where he competed in wrestling, and earned a degree in sports medicine. E ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alexander Shlemenko
Alexander Pavlovich Shlemenko (, born 20 May 1984) is a Russian mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Middleweight division. He is most notable for fighting for Bellator Fighting Championships, where he is the former Bellator Middleweight World Champion. Alexander is an expert in hand-to-hand combat and traditional kickboxing. He trains at the "Saturn Profi" sports club in Omsk, Russia, and holds a degree in Physical Culture (specialization – Combat Sports Trainer) at the Siberian University of Physical Culture. Background As a teenager, Alexander did skiing and Greco-Roman wrestling. At the age of 15, Shlemenko seriously started to train ARB, which is the Russian abbreviation for "army hand-to-hand combat". He competed in many regional and national tournaments in ARB, and got to the highest sport level by reaching the title of "master of sports". Mixed martial arts career Fighting for the IAFC After watching a professional pankration tournament, Shlemenko immedi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
