“It’s an honor for (me) to have the opportunity (to) have this belt. (I) will (do) everything to have it,” Babene told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator during a media call on Tuesday.

Babene (23-11) will be fighting in his home base this weekend at Bellator Paris

“I feel great. I feel confident. I prepared this fight maybe three months ago. I’m ready for that and I’m really excited,” he said.

The Bellator middleweight is in a unique position being 40-years-old and having to take on younger opponents in a young man’s sport.

“For me edge is not important. I feel still young so I continue my road, and I’m happy to fight. I’m happy to be a fighter in Bellator and PFL. I’m just happy and just (continuing) my way,” said Babene.

Feeling young and being young are obviously two different things, but the Babene has changed his training as he’s gotten older.

“Maybe 20 years ago I expect to win with (much) power, strong attitude. Now I have more cerebral capacity,” he said.

“I’m a new fighter.”

Watch the entire media day with Gregory Babene above. He takes on Costello van Steenis at Bellator Paris on Friday night.

The post Gregory Babene Still Feels Young At 40-Years-Old appeared first on Cageside Press.

Among the names added are a number of Irish stars, including Peter Queally, Ciaran Clarke, and Charlie Ward.

A former title challenger in the Bellator MMA lightweight division, Queally (13-8-1) will be looking to pull out of a tailspin in his fight. The 34-year old known as “The Showstopper” has not won a bout since his 2021 title fight with Patricky Pitbull, for the belt vacated by Pitbull’s brother Patricio.

After being finish in the second round of that contest (moving Queally’s career series with Patricky Pitbull to 1-1), Queally dropped a decision against Benson Henderson, then was finished by Bryce Logan in his last outing.

Against Queally on September 23 in Dublin will be Daniele Miceli (10-5). The Italian fighter is coming off a submission win that saw him put away Cédric Severac with a Von Flue choke last November. Miceli has competed for Bellator MMA once before, but it’s been a while — he’s returning to the company for the first time since Bellator 152 in 2016.

The bout has been booked in the welterweight division, with Queally returning to 170lbs for the first time since his BAMMA days.

The undefeated Ciaran Clarke (7-0), meanwhile, looks to continue his winning ways against Poland’s Przemysław Górny (5-3), who will be making his promotional debut in the fight. That fight is set for 135lbs. And Charlie Ward (10-6), a teammate of Conor McGregor at SBG Ireland, takes on veteran Gregory Babene (22-11) in middleweight action.

The final fight added to Bellator 299 on Monday sees featherweight Darragh Kelly (4-0) throw down with Jelle Zeegers (2-2).

Bellator 299 at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland is set to be headlined by a middleweight title fight between champ Johnny Eblen and #1-ranked contender Fabian Edwards on September 23, 2023. The following match-ups have been announced for the event:

Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards — for the Bellator MMA middleweight championship
Aaron Pico vs. Pedro Carvalho
Sinead Kavanagh vs. Sara Collins
Mads Burnell vs. Daniel Weichel
Peter Queally vs. Daniele Miceli
Charlie Ward vs. Gregory Babene
Ciaran Clarke vs. Przemysław Górny
Kenny Mokhonoana vs. Josh O’Connor
Luke Trainer vs. Laurynas Urbonavicius
Brian Moore vs. Otto Rodrigues
Darragh Kelly vs. Jelle Zeegers
Nicolo Solli vs. Romain Debienne
Mark Ewen vs. Noah Gugnon
Chiara Penco vs. Mackenzie Stiller

The post Four Fights Added to Bellator 299 in Dublin: Peter Queally, Ciaran Clarke, Charlie Ward Join Card appeared first on Cageside Press.

The French middleweight put away Mike Shipman, his seventh consecutive win. The six prior? All submissions. The Paris fight was Babene’s first for Bellator MMA since 2017, and he certainly made it a memorable one.

“I’m very proud to [get] a KO tonight after a lot of submissions,” Babene (22-11) told Cageside Press following the fight, at the AccorHotels Arena. “I was sure to win tonight. I viewed myself winning, even if the bookmakers bet the opposite way, and bet on my defeat, I was sure of myself here tonight.”

The most recent in a string of successes, Babene, pushing 40, remains as motivated as ever. “I was very galvanized and motivated for this fight. I’m 38 years old, and I’ve got 20 years of career. Even if I’m in front of someone that has 10 years [behind them], I can go for it, and I’m very motivated for it.”

As to what’s next for the French fighter, he isn’t sure, coming off yet another big win. “I don’t have any names, we’ll see what happens in the future.”

Watch the full Bellator 280 post-fight press conference with Gregory Babene above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

The post Bellator 280: Gregory Babene Proud of KO Win After String of Submissions appeared first on Cageside Press.