The main event of Friday’s card sees Brazil’s Renato Valente, an LFA regular who has also competed for Bellator MMA, paired up with debuting Russian Azamat Bekoev. Entering his prime at age 27, Bekoev had been competing for the likes of ACB, ACA, and Oktagon MMA, and had a win over Bellator vet Chris “The Cutt” Honeycutt.

The co-main event saw another Bellator alum return to action, with Manny Muro facing William Starks. Muro, who wrapped up a four-fight stint with Bellator earlier this year, badly blew weight for the 160lb catchweight bout, tipping the scales at 165.6lbs. He’ll be coughing up a percentage of his purse as a result.

LFA 152 goes down live on Friday, February 10, 2023 at the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The main card airs live on UFC Fight Pass starting at 9PM ET; full results from the event can be found below.

LFA 152: Valente vs. Bekoev Results

Main Card

Azamat Bekoev def. Renato Valente by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
William Starks def. Manny Muro by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25)
Demoreo Dennis def. Trevor Wallace by TKO, Round 1, 1:43
Magomed Idrisov def. Brandon Phillips by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
An Tuan Ho def. Banzaragch Enkhjargal by submission (kneebar), Round 2, 2:12
Dione Barbosa def. Jessica Middleton by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Postliminary Bout

David Wright vs. Kevem Felipe

Preliminary Card

Ryan Fathi vs. Triston Gwaltney
Caleb Jensen vs. Justin Budd
Nejra Repp def. Jayde Sheeley by KO (Punches), Round 1, 4:50
Tyree Overton def. Corey Piercy by submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 2, 2:54

The post LFA 152: Valente vs. Bekoev Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

At Bellator 263, the lone Nurmagomedov on the Bellator roster was in action. Usman Nurmagomedov, brother of fellow fighter Umar and cousin of Khabib, is more striking-oriented than the rest of the clan. But once again on Saturday at The Forum in Los Angeles, he proved just as successful, shutting down Manny Muro within a round.

Nurmagomedov, who improved to 13-0 with the win, set up the end with a knee to the body in a clinch. Whether it grazed the liver or just hit the solar plexus, the end result was Muro’s body simply giving out. He went down, and Nurmagomedov went in for the kill, adding a shower of ground n’ pound to send the referee in for the save.

The victory was Usman Nurmagomedov’s second in the Bellator cage. With the lightweight division at a standstill, the 23-year old has plenty of time to establish himself as a real threat. At the very least, a bigger name should await Nurmagomedov moving forward.

Overall, it was a very successful night for the Russian/Dagestani contingent. Earlier on the card, Khasan Magomedsharipov, brother of UFC star Zabit, made his debut, earning a TKO victory. Islam Mamedov, who trains alongside Usman under coach Khabib, was also victorious, earning a split decision win against former lightweight champion Brent Primus.

Official Result: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Manny Muro by KO, Round 1, 3:30

The post Bellator 263 Results: Usman Nurmagomedov Shuts Down Manny Muro appeared first on Cageside Press.

With the grand prix returning, a three-fight main card sat atop Bellator 252. Which meant that the evening’s preliminary action was just a little bit deeper. Among the names to appear, top prospect Aaron Pico was up against John De Jesus. Despite some of Pico’s early stumbles,he was working toward a three-fight win streak, with De Jesus a good test of where the Jackson-Wink MMA fighter was at.

Also on the preliminary card Thursday was former UFC lightweight Devin Powell. In his second trip to the Bellator cage, Powell was looking to make a statement, and earner a multi-fight contract.

Khonry Gracie, son of the legendary Royce Gracie, also returned to action Thursday.

The Bellator 252 preliminary card kicks off at 3:45PM ET. The live stream can be viewed above; results are below.

Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho Preliminary Card Results:

Aaron Pico def. John de Jesus by knockout, Round 2, 4:12
Keri Taylor-Melendez def. Emilee King by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:02
Manny Muro def. Devin Powell by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Jornel Lugo def. Schyler Sootho by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Lucas Brennan def. Andrew Salas by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–26, 30–26)
Roman Faraldo def. Pat Casey by knockout, Round 2, 2:30
Trevor Gudde def. Khonry Gracie by TKO, Round 3, 3:28

The post Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho Preliminary Card Live Stream and Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Sources have confirmed to Cageside Press that three bouts have joined the event’s preliminary card. Among them, the return of former UFC lightweight Devin Powell, who will take on Manny Muro. Bellator officials have also confirmed a women’s featherweight fight between two foes making their professional debuts, in Amanda Leve vs. Kara Hoad.

Also on tap for Bellator 252, American Top Team’s undefeated Journel Lugo (4-0) returns to the Bellator cage against fellow undefeated prospect Schyler Sootho (4-0). Lugo impressed his last time out with a victory over Bellator’s John Douma. This bout will take place at 135lbs.

Devin Powell (10-4) is set to make his much-anticipated return to the Bellator cage after impressing his hometown crowd at Bellator 232. A four-fight veteran of the UFC and formerly featured on Dana White’s Lookin’ for a Fight, Powell has been out of action since submitting Marcus Surin a year ago.

Powell will step into the cage against Manny Muro (11-6), who last competed with Bellator a year ago, defeating fan favorite and DWCS alum Nick Newell. Muro competed on the same night that Powell was victorious, at Bellator 232 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Muro defeated Newell by split decision and subsequently signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion.

Bellator 252 is headlined by Patricio Pitbull vs. Pedro Carvalho, with Pitbull’s featherweight title on the line. That bout is part of the promotion’s ongoing featherweight grand prix, which finally gets going again in November. The event takes place on November 12 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The post Bellator 252 Adds Three Preliminary Bouts Including Devin Powell vs. Manny Muro appeared first on Cageside Press.

Bellator 232 saw the conclusion of the Bellator Welterweight Grand prix — and in a rare case of things going according to plan, it was Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima in the final. Lima, the man MacDonald had beaten to become champ in Bellator, had put on two stellar shows in the grand prix, and looked better than ever. MacDonald, meanwhile, had struggled against Jon Fitch, but bounced back opposite Neiman Gracie.

However, fighting Lima for the second time, MacDonald’s conservative game plan, designed to avoid the nasty leg kicks of the Brazilian, backfired. In the end, Lima reclaimed the title, won the million dollar grand prix, and get his revenge on MacDonald.

Full results from the event, plus a gallery of highlights, can be seen below.

Bellator 232: MacDonald vs. Lima 2 Results

Main Card

Douglas Lima defeated Rory MacDonald via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
Paul Daley defeated Saad Awad via TKO (punches), Round 2, 1:30
Patrick Mix defeated Isaiah Chapman via submission (kneebar), Round 1, 3:49
Manny Muro defeated Nick Newell via split decision (29-28, 27-29, 29-28)
Baby Slice defeated Craig Campbell via TKO (elbows), Round 1, 0:38

Preliminary Card

Ryan Hardy Evans defeated Demetrios Plaza via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 3:03
Lance Gibson Jr. defeated Dominic Jones via KO (punches), Round 1, 1:58
Devin Powell defeated Marcus Surin via technical submission (mounted guillotine), Round 2, 5:00
Johnny Lopez defeated Dan Cormier via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Jornel Lugo defeated John Douma via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Zarrukh Adashev defeated Tevin Dyce via TKO (strikes), Round 2, 1:39

The post Bellator 232: MacDonald vs. Lima 2 Photo Highlights appeared first on Cageside Press.

Uncasville, CT — Manny Muro was not a popular figure at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday night. That’s to be expected. At Bellator 232, Muro upset local hero Nick Newell, taking home a split decision win after rallying back from a disheartening opening round.

Newell was one of the big the stories heading into the second of two back-to-back Bellator cards. Coming out of the event, it was Muro, a Native American of the Kiowa tribe, in the spotlight.

Speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press following the fight, Muro gave his motivations for taking the bout. “When I got this fight offered to me, I jumped on it because Nick is a quality opponent,” he said “I knew he had a big, huge fan base. And I’m trying to make my mark as a martial artist, that I’m world class as well. That’s my goal.”

Muro is all about being the best. And in taking the fight, he looked straight past Newell’s handicap (Newell is a congenital amputee). “He’s a quality guy. He’s going to have a great career, he’s going to go on to do amazing things.”

“I’ve seen this as my opportunity to make a stand,” he added. “They made it a part of my contract that if I did put on a show right here, that I would get a [long term] contract.” Hopefully, that win was enough. “I want to be a signed Bellator fighter. I want to represent the company. They took care of me and my team from top to bottom. And it was just world class.”

Of course, Muro heard it from the crowd Saturday, but “even the boos, I got respect and love for the Connecticut fans.” After all, they came out two straight nights to show their support, Muro pointed out. “Of course, I’m from Oklahoma, if I was to go over there and end up like this, of course the people over there would be the same thing.”

Muro’s goal, aside from winning fights, is to share his story, he said. About being a man of faith — “I’m a Christian” — and about being native American, part of the Kiowa tribe. “Being from Oklahoma, in my area, there’s not a lot of people that get opportunities like this. If this night, this moment, I can make my whole state and people, native people proud around the U.S. and everything, this was the opportunity to do it. That was a huge platform.”

Getting up in front of the media, said Muro, is not something he was at all used to. “I’m used to fighting in front of 500 to 1000 people. And now I’m fighting in front of 5000 people. I could genuinely get used to this.”

Muro knows he was brought in to lose Saturday night, especially coming in after a rough stretch. He’s still focused on the top, however. “Mark my words right here: if Bellator signs me to a contract, I am coming for that belt,” he promised Saturday. “I’ve gotten through the bumps and the bruises in this sport. Everybody wins, everybody loses. But I am coming here to make a mark. I’m not just here to be a part of the promotion.”

“I am trying to go to the highest level in this sport,” he added. “I am trying to do that for my Native American people, I’m trying to be a role model, trying to be an ambassador, and just show a little bit of my culture, and what we’re about.”

Watch the full Bellator 232 post-fight press conference with Manny Muro above!

The post Bellator 232: Manny Muro Looking to Make His Mark on Promotion After Newell Win appeared first on Cageside Press.

Former WSOF title challenger Nick Newell’s story is well known at this point. His talents in the cage are undeniable, but he was never given a fair shot in the majors. Until Bellator gave him a trial run earlier this summer, following a failed shot on the Contender Series. At Bellator 232, Newell was back in action, on the main card against Manny Muro.

Newell had won both his fights in 2019, split between the CES MMA and Bellator banners. Muro, meanwhile, was coming in off a win in the regional scene. He also held a previous win in Bellator.

Muro started the fight swinging, but Newell landed his right hand, knocking Muro back. Muro then attempted to take Newell down, working from the back. He would land it, but Newell popped right back up.

Working in a clinch against the cage, Newell would lock in a guillotine, and Muro dropped to the ground. He’d try to hang on while sitting upright, but was caught for some time, mostly just riding it out. Muro survived, but had Newell on top of him, peppering him with short punches. Muro controlled Newell’s right wrist, but showing that his disability wasn’t about to slow him down, Newell landed punches to the body with his left — despite lacking a hand on that side. Newell then worked his way to the back, forcing Muro to turn, only to eat elbows from the left arm of Newell. Muro would reverse in the final seconds of the round, but didn’t have any time to work.

Round two had Muro clinch almost immediately, pressing Newell up against the cage. A questionable choice, as Newell had him beat on the ground in the first. Not surprisingly, when they did hit the ground, it was Newell taking the back. One hook in, Newell worked to flatten Muro out for a choke, but Muro climbed back up, with Newell draped over his back. Newell would slide off, then latch on to a leg, working the takedown. Muro, however, showed solid defense, controlling the ankle of Newell. Muro worked some elbows to the body, but Newell was able to power back up, without ever having let go of Muro’s leg. Newell would put himself in harm’s way off a late takedown attempt, allowing Muro to control from the back, but as at the end of the first round, Muro ran out of time.

Muro opened the third round with a takedown, but Nick Newell once again did not stay down long. However after a lengthy clinch, Muro used a body lock to get Newell own once again. Newell powered up with Muro on his back, and shook him off. Again, however, Muro was in control, taking down Newell a third, then fourth time. Each time, Muro took the back, and would manage to get his hooks in on the last takedown. Newell was looking tired. However, despite hunting for the rear-naked choke, Muro couldn’t lock it in. Muro was dominant in the third, Newell in the first. It came down to the second, and when the scores were read, two judges had it for Muro. Much to the displeasure of the Connecticut faithful.

Official Result: Manny Muro def. Nick Newell by split decision (29-28, 27-29, 29-28)

The post Bellator 232 Results: Manny Muro Plays Spoiler Against Nick Newell appeared first on Cageside Press.

Bellator MMA is wasting no time getting Nick Newell back in the cage. The former WSOF and Contender Series athlete made his debut for the promotion just last month. There, the congenital amputee earned a submission win over Corey Browning. Next up, Manny Muro, at Bellator 232. ESPN was first to report the news.

Newell’s fight against Browning was widely seen as an audition with the promotion. And it’s one the 33-year old passed with flying colors. Browning had entered the fight, at Bellator 225, off wins against Bellator prospects Baby Slice and Aaron Chalmers, earning himself a bit of a push.

However Newell (16–2), who has lost only to Justin Gaethje and Team Alpha Male fighter Alex Munoz, was too much for him. That earned Newell a contract with Bellator, and as a New England native, adding him to Bellator 232 in Connecticut was an easy choice.

Manny Muro (10-6) will enter the fight off a win outside the promotion, which snapped a three-fight losing streak. Prior to that, Muro had won his Bellator debut, before returning to the regional scene.

Bellator 232, the second of back-to-back cards at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, takes place October 26, 2019. The main event features the final off the welterweight grand prix, as Rory MacDonald faces Douglas Lima for the second time.

The post Nick Newell vs. Manny Muro Set for Bellator 232 appeared first on Cageside Press.