In a press release on Tuesday, promotion officials announced that eight fights had been announced for the Bellator 298 card in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on August 11, 2023. Among them were a previously reported match-up between Jaylon Bates and Enrique Barzola, and the addition of James Gonzalez stepping in against James Gallagher — but regardless, the extra six bookings beings the card to 19 announced fights in total.

Among the names newly added to Bellator 298, Sullivan Cauley (5-1) is set for a light heavyweight showdown against Cedric Savage (3-2), with Cauley bringing at 100% finish rate to the fight. Hawaiian Kai Kamaka (11-5-1), a UFC veteran, had been paired up with Russia’s Akhmed Magomedov (10-1).

Middleweights Khalid Murtazaliev (17-3) and Mike Shipman (15-4) also collide.

Rounding out the most recent additions, Bryce Meredith (4-0) faces Alberto Rodriguez (4-3) at bantamweight, Russian middleweight Imamshafi Aliev (9-0) goes up against Elevation Fight Team’s Anthony Adams (9-4), and Alfie Davis (15-4-1) faces UFC alum Aalon Cruz.

Bellator 298 takes place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on August 11, 2023 with welterweights Logan Storley and Brennan Ward headlining. Fans might want to show up early to catch all the action in this one.

The Bellator 298 card currently features the following announced match-ups:

• Logan Storley vs. Brennan Ward
• Valentin Moldavsky vs. Steve Mowry
• Dalton Rosta vs. Aaron Jeffery
• Sidney Outlaw vs. Islam Mamedo
• Lucas Brennan vs. Weber Almeida
• Enrique Barzola vs. Jaylon Bates
• Kai Kamaka vs. Akhmed Magomedov
• Diana Avsaragova vs. Justine Kish
• James Gallagher vs. James Gonzalez
• Imamshafi Aliev vs. Anthony Adams
• Max Rohskopf vs. Jario Pacheco
• Dayana Silva vs. Katerina Shakalova
• Sullivan Cauley vs. Cedric Savage
• Bryce Meredith vs. Alberto Rodriguez
• Alfie Davis vs. Aalon Cruz
• Leandro Higo vs. Nikita Mikhailov
• Khalid Murtazaliev vs. Mike Shipman
• Marcirley Alves da Silva vs. Jerrell Hodge
• Michael Blockhus vs. Eli Mefford

The post Multiple Fights Added to Bellator 298, Which Stands at 19 Announced Bouts appeared first on Cageside Press.

Gallagher (11-2), who has not competed since a loss to Patchy Mix in November of 2021, will face Cris Lencioni (11-3) at the event, set for the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on August 11, 2023.

The booking is one of three announced by Bellator MMA officials via press release on Wednesday.

“The StrabAnimal” has been forced to withdraw from a pair of high-profile match-ups since losing to now-bantamweight champion Mix over a year ago. He was booked opposite Brett Johns last year, and Leandro Higo in March, but didn’t make it to either date.

On a four-fight win streak prior to the Mix loss, Gallagher saw both his momentum halted and his ranking removed due to inactivity.

Lencioni has won four straight, including an inverted triangle choke submission of CFFC champ Blake Smith.

Making his debut at Bellator 298 in South Dakota, meanwhile, will be NCAA Division I All-American Michael Blockhus (0-0), who is transitioning to MMA after a successful wrestling career. He’s paired up with Eli Mefford (0-4) in a featherweight contest.

In lightweight action, London Shootfighters‘ Alfie Davis (15-4-1) takes on UFC alum Aalon Cruz (11-4).

Bellator 298 will air on Showtime in the U.S., and thus far consists of the following reported match-ups:

• Logan Storley vs. Brennan Ward
• Valentin Moldavsky vs. Steve Mowry
• Dalton Rosta vs. Aaron Jeffery
• Sidney Outlaw vs. Islam Mamedov
• James Gallagher vs. Cris Lencioni
• Lucas Brennan vs. Weber Almeida
• Michael Blockhus vs. Eli Mefford
• Alfie Davis vs. Aalon Cruz

The post James Gallagher Back Against Cris Lencioni at Bellator 298, Two More Bouts Added appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Tuesday, promotion officials announced the signing of UFC and Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus Aalon Cruz, and Ukrainian women’s featherweight talent Kateryna Shakalova.

Both fighters enter the promotion on impressive win streaks.

Cruz (10-4), competing as a lightweight, has notched back-to-back wins since parting ways with the UFC in in 2021. Defeating Steve Nguyen on the Contender Series in 2019 to win his way into the promotion, Cruz already had a win over current UFC talent Steve Garcia from earlier in his career. But he ran into Spike Carlyle and Uros Medic inside the octagon, losing to both before being cut.

Now back to his winning ways, Cruz has earned stoppages in each of his last two fights, and has six finishes among his ten wins overall.

Shakalova (7-1), from Ukraine, has been competing at bantamweight, a division Bellator MMA does not currently offer (though if it’s left up to Liz Carmouche, that could soon change). She’s won six straight fights, picking up rear-naked choke submissions in her last two.

The Ukrainian picked up a win over UFC alum Izabela Badurek last year. She’s expected to compete at featherweight, alongside the likes of Leah McCourt, Cat Zingano, and current champion Cris Cyborg.

Both fighters are expected to make their promotional debuts sometime in the first half of 2023.

The post Bellator MMA Signs UFC, DWCS Vet Aalon Cruz, Ukraine’s Kateryna Shakalova appeared first on Cageside Press.

Last week TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter reported that six fighters were removed from the UFC roster. The fighters cut were Luke Sanders, Anthony Birchak, Aalon Cruz, Jordan Griffin, Bartosz Fabinski, and KB Bhullar.

The promotion wasn’t done with the cuts, however. MMA Fighting has since reported that three other fighters were cut. The three others are Yorgan de Castro, Justine Kish, and Oskar Piechota. And earlier this week, Maurice Greene posted on his Instagram that he was released as well, rounding it out to an even ten.

Greene (9-6) started out winning three straight before losing four of his last five. He was most recently in action at UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson and lost a lopsided unanimous decision.

de Castro (6-3) knocked out Justin Tafa in his UFC debut, winning Performance of the Night but then lost three straight, including being knocked out in his last fight.

Kish (7-4) started her octagon career winning two straight, including a win over Nina Nunes, before losing four out of her last five.

Piechota (11-3-1-1) won his first two UFC fights before getting finished in his last four.

Sanders (13-5) was the longest-tenured UFC fighter alongside Kish on the list of cut fighters. He went 4-5 with a win over former bantamweight champion Renan Barão.

Birchak (14-8) did not have any luck in his second run with the promotion, getting finished in both of his fights. This marks the second time the organization has cut him.

Cruz (8-4) won a UFC contract on season three of Dana White’s Contender Series but could not find the same success in the UFC as he was finished in both of his fights in the first round.

Griffin (18-9) went 1-4 inside the big show after winning a contract on season two of Dana White’s Contender Series. Many media think he won his last fight against Luis Saldana.

Fabinski (15-5) started his UFC career, winning his first three fights. However, the Polish fighter would lose three of his last four, getting finished in all three.

Bhullar (8-2) would lose his only two fights in the UFC after leapfrogging competing on Dana White’s Contender Series.

In addition, after losing his broadcasting gig with the promotion, Dan Hardy appears to have been released from his fight contract with the organization. MMA Fighting first reported the news, citing Hardy himself as the source. Hardy spoke out on his issues with the promotion earlier this year.

The post UFC Cuts Ten Fighters, Dan Hardy Also Released appeared first on Cageside Press.

Welcoming Medic to the octagon Saturday was Aalon Cruz, a Contender Series alumni himself still looking for his first win on the big stage.

Medic’s debut did not disappoint, marred only by an incredibly late stoppage by the ref.

For his part, Aalon Cruz came out very aggressive, throwing a lot of kicks. Medic stuck him with a punch, forcing Cruz to shoot for a takedown. Medic defended that and off the clinch hurt Cruz with the right hand, then followed up with a flying knee. That hurt, and Cruz was on his way down.

A barrage of ground and pound followed. Far too many strikes to count. That eventually sent the ref in, but he didn’t call the fight. Cruz was basically just covering up, but still, no call. Somehow, Cruz managed to make it back to his feet, only to wind up down again. Finally, mercifully, the end came. A very late stoppage, arguably a full minute too late, but that shouldn’t take away from the stellar debut of Uros Medic.

THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW 🥼 #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/DDIDP3KHsG

— UFC (@ufc) March 6, 2021

Official Result: Uros Medic def. Aalon Cruz by TKO (Ground and pound), Round 1, 1:40

The post UFC 259 Results: Uros Medic Dazzles in Debut, Steamrolls Aalon Cruz appeared first on Cageside Press.

As a result, in came ‘The Alpha Ginger’ Spike Carlyle. Carlyle, known as an entertaining personality and fighter, was already cutting to 145lbs for a Muay Thai bout. Good thing, as he didn’t have much time to prep for this one.

The enthusiastic Carlyle took the center of the cage from the bell in his karate stance. He was blitzing in on the taller Cruz. Carlyle landed a head kick that stunned Cruz forcing him to drop level for a takedown. Carlyle Landed an elbow in the clinch and fell into the mount. Carlyle landed ground and pound including double hammer fists until the ref stepped in. A huge debut win for the entertaining UFC newcomer, and on short notice.

ALPHA GINGER! What a debut for Spike Carlyle! #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/hbWeR7z3PC

— UFC (@ufc) February 29, 2020

Official Result: Spike Carlyle def. Aalon Cruz by TKO (Ground and Pound), Round 1, 1:25

The post UFC Norfolk Results: Spike Carlyle Shocks Aalon Cruz Early appeared first on Cageside Press.

This week, our panel gives their expectations for the octagon debuts of Aalon Cruz, Spike Carlyle, TJ Brown, Kyler Phillips, Steve Garcia Jr, Darrick Minner, and Norma Dumont.

Aalon Cruz (D) (8-2) vs. Spike Carlyle (D) (8-1)

Narrative: A pair of debuting featherweights collide early on the UFC Norfolk card. Aalon Cruz comes in off the Contender Series, while ‘The Alpha Ginger’ Spike Carlyle steps up as his short notice replacement. That’s after Steven ‘Ocho’ Peterson was forced to withdraw. As luck would have it, Carlyle — who has fought at lightweight — was already cutting down to 145lbs for a Muay Thai bout.

Shawn Bitter: What comes to mind right off the bat is the size advantage of Cruz. He’s got a six-inch height advantage over Carlyle. Cruz is a good fighter that knows how to use his range very well, and that’s going to be a huge factor in this fight. Cruz throws a good jab and is an excellent kickboxer. Carlyle is aggressive like no other though and if he can get to the inside he could power Cruz around. I’m siding with Cruz because he’s a much longer fighter who really knows how to use his length.

Max Freedman: In what could steal the show and grab Fight of the Night, Cruz’s speed and diverse striking lands him a decision win.

Kristen King: I am leaning towards Aalon Cruz in his fight against Spike Carlyle because I think he can avoid the heavy shots and wrestling of his opponent. It is true that Carlyle has some serious power and will rely on his ability to drag a guy down to the mat, but I see him having trouble doing that against Cruz. I think Cruz stays on the outside, picks his shots (which will probably frustrate Carlyle), and pick up a unanimous decision.

Anthony Walker: N/A

Keith Shillan: Cruz

Marcel Dorff: Aalon Cruz vs. Spike Carlyle is an intriguing fight. Both making their UFC debuts. Cruz coming of from the Contender Series with a huge win over Steven Nguyen. He was supposed to fight Nguyen’s teammate Steven Peterson. But Peterson had to pull out due to an injury. Carlyle took the fight on short notice. Both guys have impressed me so far on the regional scene but I expect Cruz to have the advantage based on a full training camp and better stand-up. Taking Cruz via TKO.

Ryan Fortune: Cruz

Daniel Vreeland: Cruz

The post UFC Norfolk’s Debuting Fighters: How Will Seven Newcomers, Including Spike Carlyle and Norma Dumont, Fare? appeared first on Cageside Press.

Spike “The Alpha Ginger” Carlyle
5’7″
Lightweight
26-years-old
San Diego, California
The Treigning Lab
8-1
4 KO/TKOs
3 Submissions

How will Carlyle fare in the UFC:

Carlyle is such a good signing to the UFC as he has an awesome fighting style and a fun personality. He’s beat at least mid-level opponents such as Jean-Paul Bosnoyan, Fernando Padilla, and Brian Del Rosario so it’s a better signing on paper than a few that others signed this year. Carlyle is a wildman who is super aggressive from the start of the fight priding himself as a fast starter. “The Alpha Ginger” is a very strong wrestler rag-dolling guys, despite usually being the smaller guy most of the time. Not the heaviest ground and pound but he stays active in every position. As a pro and amateur, he’s proven to be a big submission threat. On the feet, Carlyle is a dangerous striker particularly with the power in his hands. He’s very unpredictable in what he throws and that’s what makes him an exceptional prospect. There isn’t as much footage as I’d like to be out there but of what I’ve seen I expect him to do well.

How Carlyle matches up with Cruz:

What comes to notice right off is the size advantage of Cruz, having a six-inch height advantage over Carlyle. Cruz is a good fighter that knows how to use his range very well and that’s going to be a huge factor in this fight. Cruz throws a good jab and is an excellent kickboxer. Spike Carlyle is aggressive like no other though and if he can get to the inside he could power Cruz around. I’m siding with Cruz because he’s a much longer fighter who really knows how to use his length.

The post Welcome to the UFC: Spike Carlyle appeared first on Cageside Press.

Carlyle (8-1) himself announced that he had signed with the UFC on Wednesday, also noting he’d fight on the Norfolk card. Thursday, MMA Junkie was first to report that Carlyle had been tapped to replace Peterson. No reason was given for Peterson dropping off the card.

We last saw Carlyle at LXF 4, after he knocked out Jean-Paul Bosnoyan in the first round of their scrap. That extended his win streak to four. The California native, 26-years old, had discussed jumping to the majors, including the UFC, but keeping option like RIZIN open as well.

In Cruz (8-2), he meets an opponent fresh off winning a UFC deal on Dana White’s Contender Series. 30 years of age, Cruz will also be making his octagon debut in the fight.

UFC Norfolk (UFC Fight Night 169) takes place February 29, 2020 at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, VA. The main event sees Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo battling for the vacant flyweight title. The full card as it stands can be found below.

Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo – for the vacant UFC flyweight championship
Felicia Spencer vs. Zarah Fairn dos Santos
Ion Cuțelaba vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Megan Anderson vs. Norma Dumont Viana
Chas Skelly vs. Grant Dawson
Gabriel Silva vs. Kyler Phillips
Mike Davis vs. Giga Chikadze
Brendan Allen vs. Tom Breese
Luis Peña vs. Alexander Muñoz
Marcin Tybura vs. Sergey Spivak
Jordan Griffin vs. T.J. Brown
Ismail Naurdiev vs. Sean Brady
Spike Carlyle vs. Aalon Cruz

The post Spike Carlyle Joins UFC Norfolk, Replaces Stephen Peterson Against Aalon Cruz appeared first on Cageside Press.

Las Vegas, NV — Another week, another knee — it seems like there’s been a lot of them this season — and another fighter signed to the UFC. That seems to be the story with the Contender Series of late, and this time out it was Aalon Cruz, one of four fighters signed off the sixth installment of season three.

Can you really blame Dana White for this one thought?

So… where does @AalonCruz sign?? #DWCS pic.twitter.com/zVBvHjQ5UF

— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2019

Following the fight, Cruz spoke to reporters including Cageside Press, and told us that he was feeling great. “I’m on cloud nine. When I looked at Dana and gave him the signature sign, and he looked back at me and was like ‘yeah,’ I was like ‘oh sh*t. I don’t really have to think about whether I’m in or not, he just basically told me.'”

That highlight reel finish of Steven Nguyen, a flying knee with emphasis, will be replayed over and over for months if not years to come. But with just thirty seconds remaining in the fight, Cruz admitted that he wasn’t sure what the outcome would have been had it gone the distance.

“To be honest it’s hard to tell how the fight’s going when you’re in there,” he said. “I guess it could have gone either way. I thought I was landing maybe the hard shots, but he was obviously controlling the octagon. He was walking forward a little more.” Not the scenario Cruz had planned for while training for the fight.

“My entire game plan was to not let him walk forward, which is kind of hard to do with a guy who, that’s his game, that’s what he does,” Cruz explained. “But that kind of maybe was his downfall at the end. I knew it was that last 30 seconds, it was kind of a close fight.”

Early in the fight, Cruz had come close on a couple of similar opportunities. But with just under thirty seconds to go, he made no mistake. “When I hit him this time, I didn’t think he went out, but then I saw him fly back. I was like ‘oh, sh*t let me jump on top.'”

“It worked out,” he said. Noting the toughness of his opponent, he later added that “every time I threw something, whether it was a kick or a punch, he was always countering. He was very good at countering. I could never throw a combo, or a kick or something and just let it be a free combo. There was nothing free in there.”

Watch the full post-fight press scrum with Aalon Cruz above!

The post With a Flying Knee Finish Earning Him a UFC Deal, Aalon Cruz on Cloud Nine appeared first on Cageside Press.