On Friday, promotion officials announced the full preliminary card for the California-based event, which takes place February 4, 2023 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA.

In one new addition, heavyweight Steve Mowry (10-0, 1 NC) has been paired up with 2008 men’s freestyle Olympian Ali Isaev (9-0) in the latter’s promotional debut. Isaev won the PFL’s 2019 heavyweight tournament, defeating UFC alum Jared Rosholt in the final — but has not competed since.

After fighting to a No Contest last July, #8-ranked middleweight Lorenz Larkin (24-7, 2 NC) will rematch Russia’s Mukhamed Berkhamov (15-1, 1 NC) in a welterweight match-up. The remaining newly announced prelim fights see former bantamweight champ Darrion Caldwell (14-6, 1 NC) take on Nikita Mikhailov (9-2), while featherweights Isaiah “The Central Valley Gangster” Hokit (2-1) and Peter Ishiguro (2-1) collide.

Bellator 290 is headlined by what is expected to be the retirement fight of legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, who will rematch Ryan Bader in a bid to claim Bellator’s heavyweight title.

In the co-main event, Johnny Eblen puts his title on the line against Anatoly Tokov. A previously announced bout that would have seen Vadlim Nemkov put his light heavyweight title up against Yoel Romero is off the card, after Nemkov was forced to withdraw from the bout.

The following match-ups have been officially announced for the Bellator 290:

• Ryan Bader (c) vs. Fedor Emelianenko – for the Bellator MMA heavyweight championship
• Johnny Eblen (c) vs. Anatoly Tokov – for the Bellator MMA middleweight championship
• Sabah Homasi vs. Brennan Ward
• Neiman Gracie vs. Michael Lombardo
• Lorenz Larkin vs. Mukhamed Berkhamov
• Henry Corrales vs. Akhmed Magomedov
• Steve Mowry vs. Ali Isaev
• Chris Gonzalez vs. Max Rohskopf
• Grant Neal vs. Karl Albrektsson
• Alejandra Lara vs. Diana Avsaragova
• Darrion Caldwell vs. Nikita Mikhailov
• Jaylon Bates vs. Jornel Lugo
• Isaiah Hokit vs. Peter Ishiguro
• Ethan Hughes vs. Yusuf Karakaya

The post Bellator 290 Preliminary Card Fills Out with Four Fights Added appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Wednesday, Bellator MMA officials announced the signing of Isaev (9-0), along with the re-signing of six talents already under the Bellator banner.

The undefeated Isaev could pose an immediate threat to the promotion’s heavyweight ranks, with the division currently topped by champ Ryan Bader. “Darth” Bader already holds wins over the top four ranked fighters in the division, comprised of Valentin Moldavsky, Linton Vassell, Fedor Emeilianenko, and Cheick Kongo.

A rematch with either Emelianenko or Vassell is possibly up next — but Isaev could quickly work his way up the division.

The 38-year old Russian, from Dagestan, holds wins over former UFC heavyweight Jared Rosholt, Kelvin Tiller, and PFL/Bellator vet Carl Seumanutafa, among others.

“I am very pleased to have a fighter the caliber of Ali Isaev join our heavyweight division, a weight class filled with world class fighters and elite prospects alike. Isaev’s elite wrestling pedigree includes an appearance in the 2008 Olympics, and he has achieved great success in MMA as evidenced by championship run at his prior promotion,” Bellator CEO Scott Coker was quoted as saying in a press release announcing the signing. “I expect Isaev to make an immediate impact in the division and foresee many compelling matchups for him.”

The fighters re-signed to Bellator, meanwhile, are #5-ranked heavyweight Tryrell Fortune, #2-ranked women’s flyweight Kana Watanabe, #10-ranked lightweight Gadzhi Rabadanov, #10-ranked light heavyweight Sullivan Cauley, bantamweight Brian Moore, and middleweight Norbert Novenyi Jr.

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But not the only ones. Joining Werdum at heavyweight will be former UFC fighter Justin Willis, and would-be UFC fighter Ante Delija. Delija infamously made it all the way to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi back in October, expecting to make his promotional debut there. However, as it turned out, he had never been released from his PFL deal. The Croatian fighter trains under Mirko Cro-Cop. 2019 champ Ali Isaev returns as well, and the division will also be joined by heavyweight prospect Mohammed Usman — brother of UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman.

The heavyweight line-up announced Tuesday is as follows:

Bruno Cappelozza
Ante Delija
Renan Ferreira
Denis Goltsov
Ali Isaev
Hatef Moeil
Brandon Sayles
Mohammed Usman
Justin Willis
Fabricio Werdum

Joining 2019 champ Kayla Harrison in the women’s lightweight division will be Cindy Dandois, a former Bellator, RIZIN, and Invicta FC competitor. Dandois has won her last four fights, all via submission. Sarah Kaufman, who made it to the finals of the PFL’s 2019 season, was not listed as returning. Instead, the 2021 PFL women’s lightweight roster consists of:

Cindy Dandois
Genah Fabian
Kayla Harrison
Olena Kolesnyk
Mariana Morais
Larissa Pacheco
Julija Pajic
Laura Sanchez

The PFL 2021 season kicks off on April 23, airing on ESPN+ and ESPN 2. The regular season continues through events on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25. The winner of each weight class following the playoffs and finale earns one million USD. That prize money, and the tournament format, makes the PFL a top destination for free agents such as Werdum and Anthony Pettis, who also joins the promotion this year.

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The heavyweight finale of the PFL’s 2019 season featured former UFC standout and decorated wrestler Jared Rosholt, against the undefeated Ali Isaev. Rosholt, who ran up a 6-2 record in the UFC before being sent packing thanks to his wrestling-heavy style, represented the toughest test to date for Isaev.

Rosholt opened the heavyweight finale with a probing leg kick. A second had a little more on it. A spinning kick from Isaev seemed to just miss Rosholt. Isaev then moved in for a takedown, getting wrestler Rosholt to his back. Isaev moved to side control, using a headlock, while Rosholt worked to escape. As they got back up, he pressed Isaev up against the cage. Isaev, however, managed to turn the tables, and soon, Rosholt was on his back again. Working back up, Rosholt was in a peculiar predicament: being beaten at his own game. Rosholt would throw out a couple of jabs, but a spinning back kick landed for Isaev.

The second round had Isaev walking Rosholt down – but moments later, he’d fan on a kick that would have been clearly illegal, as Rosholt was a downed opponent. Rosholt then stumbled getting back up, and wound up slammed by Isaev! On his back again, Rosholt ended up trapped in a crucifix. He’d survive, but Isaev wound up in half-guard, still in control, working the body and head with short punches. Not finishing blows, but enough to maintain his position. Indeed, he’d ride out the round on top.

Isaev fanned on a spinning kick to the body to open round three. Rosholt landed a couple of strikes, but was soon taken down once again. Rosholt would eventually escape, and close the distance with a few strikes, pressing Isaev up against the fence. But he was mostly ineffective, with Isaev finding far more success overall. However, the duo had slowed to a crawl by the end of the third, a striking attempt or two by Isaev not withstanding.

A wheel kick from Isaev opened round four, connecting upstairs on Rosholt. It didn’t have enough behind it to do serious damage, however. Rosholt instead pressed forward, putting Isaev against the fence. From there the American worked on a takedown. With that not forthcoming, the pair traded knees and short punches. A move back to center was followed by Isaev backing Rosholt up to the fence, then taking him down. The pair looked winded with a couple of minutes left in the fourth round. Isaev would get into guard and land some heavy left hands, and with a sudden surge of energy, he was able to do enough to secure the TKO win!

Official Result: Ali Isaev def. Jared Rosholt by TKO, Round 4, 4:09

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Jared Rosholt. Ali Isaev. Emiliano Sordi. Jordan Johnson. Those are the last four finalists for the PFL 2019 post season. At PFL 9 2019, the table was set for Rosholt vs. Isaev, the heavyweight final, and Sordi vs. Johnson, its light heavyweight counterpart. Sordi, the top seed at 205lbs, arguably had the biggest night, finishing both his fights — he’s finished all of his wins in the PFL to date.

Check below for a gallery of highlights from PFL 9 2019. The finale takes place New Year’s Eve in New York City.

PFL 9 2019 Results

Main Card

Heavyweight: Ali Isayev def. Denis Goltsov by TKO (punches), Round 3, 4:59
Heavyweight: Jared Rosholt def. Kelvin Tiller by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
Light Heavyweight: Emiliano Sordi def. Bazigit Atajev by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:26
Light Heavyweight: Jordan Johnson def. Rashid Yusupov by unanimous decision (30–26, 30–26, 29–27)
Heavyweight: Francimar Barroso def. Alex Nicholson by unanimous decision (20–17, 19–18, 19–18)
Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov def. Satoshi Ishii by majority decision (19–19, 20–18, 20–18)

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight: Jared Rosholt def. Muhammed Dereese by TKO (punches), Round 1, 3:41
Heavyweight: Ali Isayev def. Kelvin Tiller by unanimous decision (20–16, 20–17, 20–17)
Light Heavyweight: Rashid Yusupov def. Vinny Magalhães by KO (punches), Round 1, 2:46
Light Heavyweight: Maxim Grishin vs. Jordan Johnson ends in a majority draw
Light Heavyweight: Bazigit Atajev vs. Viktor Nemkov ends in a majority draw
Light Heavyweight: Emiliano Sordi def. Sigi Pesaleli by TKO (punches), Round 1, 1:13

The post PFL 9 2019 Photo Highlights — Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights appeared first on Cageside Press.

At 6-0 entering the night at PFL 9 2019, Ali Isaev represented the only undefeated heavyweight in the Professional Fighters league. After the quarterfinal round on Halloween night, against Kelvin Tiller, he remained undefeated.

Tiller opened up by pushing for a takedown, dropping levels and pressing Isaev against the cage. It was Isaev, however, who landed the takedown, moving into guard, with Tiller on his back away from the cage. Tiller looked to post up and perhaps scramble free, but when that didn’t work out he worked his way back to the fence. However, he was flat on his back along the fence, unable to wall walk. Tiller closed his guard while Isaev worked some punches to the body. Isaev would land a number of short shots, while time wound down. With 30 seconds remaining, Tiller was upright, back to the fence, but unable to power up, or get off any offense.

Round two didn’t start out any better for the ‘Mama’s Boy’ Kelvin Tiller. He was taken down early, eating short punches to the face, still in the first minute. Isaev mixed the punches up, going to the body and head at times. They got harder as time wore on, and while they weren’t knockout blows, the cumulative damage was adding up.

In the end, it was a one-sided decision victory. Isaev advanced to take on the winner of Denis Goltsov vs. Satoshi Ishii.

Official Result: Ali Isaev def. Kelvin Tiller by unanimous decision (20-16, 20-17, 20-17)

The post PFL 9 2019 Results: Ali Isaev Eliminates Kelvin Tiller In One-Sided Affair appeared first on Cageside Press.

With three points in the heavyweight standings, Ali Isaev entered PFL 6 2019 ranked fourth in the division. Carl Seumanutafa, a former Bellator heavyweight, meanwhile, was outside the playoff picture starting the night, and looking to change that in Atlantic City. Their heavyweight scrap went down on the main card of the event, airing live on ESPN+.

Isaev started out Thursday with a strong takedown, which Seumanutafa attempted to defend with a guillotine. He squeezed, but in due time, Isaev would pull free of the choke, and go to work with some ground n’ pound. Big shots, but Seumanutafa would survive. Ali Isaev would then look to secure an arm-triangle choke, but Seumanutafa gave the thumbs up.

Isaev would later trap an arm, looking perhaps for a crucifix, or at the very least to score damage while Carl Seumanutafa was in a bad spot. The round would close out, however.

The remaining two frames had Isaev, for the most part, in the driver’s seat. Seumanutafa would open the second by flashing a big front kick, but he wasn’t really able to do much in the way of damage, at that or really any point. Isaev, however, would fire off a hard high kick, partially blocked. Plenty of grappling and grinding against the fence in the third, a few exchanges, but Ali Isaev had control when it went to the ground. He easily took home the unanimous decision, bringing his season total to six points.

Ali Isaev def. Carl Seumanutafa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

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Ali Isaev is an Azerbaijani fighter who won the European Championships in freestyle wrestling. He is 4-0 so far with a pair of knockouts in his last two fights, including a wheel kick KO. Despite his inexperience in MMA, his wrestling prowess and knockout power make him a name to watch out for.

Valdrin Istrefi is looking to finish a full PFL season this year, as he pulled out of the first round of the playoff (in which he was the sixth seed) with an injury. After losing to Jared Rosholt in the regular season, the Liechtenstein native won via leg kick TKO in his second appearance to earn five points. Prior to joining the promotion last year, Istrefi was 12-1 with five submissions and knockouts each.

Ali Isaev started the fight with some leg kicks, then Isaev drove the fight to the ground. Istrefi turned to all fours and Isaev battered him from the back. Istrefi eventually rolled to guard, but Isaev controlled the round from the top position, which happened to be a theme of the fight.

Isaev landed another takedown to start the round and Istrefi had no answer. From exposing his back, to rolling to his back, Istrefi simply could not get up from the canvas. It was all Ali Isaev in Nassau Coliseum.

Valdrin Istrefi was able to get off his back after a third-round takedown, but Isaev made him pay with a swift kick below the belt. After a pause in action, Isaev went back to work and dragged Istrefi down and kept him there for the entirety of the final round. A dominant performance for Isaev, but yet another decision at PFL 3 2019.

Ali Isaev def. Valdrin Istrefi by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)

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