Round one started very fast with Barnaoui coming out very active. He engaged in the clinch and worked to pepper the head and body of Colgan a few times in the opening round, but Colgan was the one to land the more damaging shots. A great striking battle took place in the opening round, but the power and precision of Colgan’s right hand, whether it was from southpaw or orthodox, seemed to be the difference maker. It was landing very effectively. Barnoui had undoubtedly thrown more shots, but the accuracy from Colgan was there. Late into round one, Colgan hit a high single leg and landed a successful takedown to finish the round on top, landing heavy elbows.

In the opening minute of round two, Barnoui once again looked to take the center of the cage but Colgan wasted no time securing an early takedown. A short time later, Barnoui drove himself back up and on his way, threatened a standing guillotine, forcing Colgan to use his submission defense. After breaking free, Colgan hit Barnaoui with a big shot, forcing the mouthpiece out. Barnaoui tried to grab it quickly and put it back in his mouth, but was punished with a big combination and a takedown. Colgan then threatened a deep submission of his own (arm-in triangle) but the experience and toughness of Barnaoui assisted him in escaping it. At the end of the second round, Barnaoui trapped the arm of Colgan in between his knees and attempted an Americana/arm-bar which got tight for a short period of time. After escaping another submission threat, Colgan returned to his feet before the bell rang for the end of round two.

In the final round, Barnaoui came out hot, firing off shots from all angles. He landed some clean shots and even dropped Colgan at one point before looking for yet another submission. After escaping the submission and eating a few shots from his back, Colgan hit a huge reversal and ended up in mount where he spent the last few minutes of the round controlling and beating up on Barnaoui with damaging ground and pound shots.

No question remained come the scorecards, as Archie Colgan had the clean sweep.

Official Result: Archie Colgan def. Mansour Barnaoui by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The post Archie Colgan Puts Together Very Complete Performance at PFL Wichita, Defeats Mansour Barnaoui appeared first on Cageside Press.

Headlining the show, last year’s PFL Global champ, Gadzhi Rabadanov, was paired up with replacement fighter and UFC veteran Kevin Lee, stepping in for Jay-Jay Wilson. The co-headliner saw Liz Carmouche opposite undefeated Brazilian Elora Dana, while Mansour Barnaoui and Archie Colgan faced off in a showcase, non-tournament lightweight bout.

A bantamweight semifinal also graced the card with Jake Hadley facing Marcirley Alves.

Weigh-ins for the event took place on Thursday in Wichita, KS, results can be found below. Of note, Kevin Lee was successful in his return to the lightweight division for the first time in four years.

PFL Wichita: Rabadanov vs. Lee Weigh-In Results

Main Card

Lightweight: Gadzhi Rabadanov (155.6 lbs) vs. Kevin Lee (156 lbs) – World Tournament Semifinal
Women’s Flyweight: Liz Carmouche (126 lbs) vs. Elora Dana (125 lbs) – World Tournament Semifinal
Lightweight: Mansour Barnaoui (155.4 lbs) vs. Archie Colgan (155.6 lbs)
Bantamweight: Marcirley Alves (135.6 lbs) vs. Jake Hadley (135.8 lbs) – World Tournament Semifinal
Lightweight: Brent Primus (155.8 lbs) vs. Alfie Davis (155.8 lbs) – World Tournament Semifinal
Bantamweight: Justin Wetzell (135.8 lbs) vs. Mando Gutierrez (136 lbs) – World Tournament Semifinal

Early Card

Women’s Flyweight: Ekaterina Shakalova (126 lbs) vs. Jena Bishop (125.6 lbs) – World Tournament Semifinal
Bantamweight: Magomed Magomedov (136 lbs) vs. Savarjon Khamidov (175.4 lbs) – World Tournament Alternate bout
Lightweight: Antonio Caruso (155.4 lbs) vs. Vinicius Cenci (154.8 lbs) – World Tournament Alternate bout
Lightweight: Darragh Kelly (170.6 lbs) vs. Mike Hamel (156 lbs)
Women’s Flyweight: Saray Orozco (145.4 lbs) vs. Ilara Joanne (124.4 lbs) – World Tournament Alternate bout
Welterweight: Alan Domingues (170.8 lbs) vs. Nick Meck (170.2 lbs)

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“PFL Paris on 23 May has been rescheduled and a new date will be announced soon. All fans who have purchased tickets will receive a full refund,” a brief statement on PFL Europe’s social media channels, posted on Thursday, read.

No reason for the postponement/rescheduling was provided. The card was to have been headlined by Mansour Barnaoui, however as noted by longtime MMA journalist Al Zullino, the French lightweight is currently under investigation over a domestic violence incident caught on video.

The fighter’s former partner, the alleged victim in the case, has stated that Barnaoui “accused me of having practiced witchcraft on him” after he lost a fight, and gassed her with a tear gas cannister in front of witnesses, per a repot by France’s CNEWS. Other violence, including the complainant being choked out in Las Vegas, was filmed by a concerned friend.

Her lawyer, Tom Michel, told CNEWS that “the techniques that were used on Joanne are MMA techniques,” adding that Mansour Barnaoui told her: “You’re my slut. Now calm down.”

Barnaoui (22-6) was a ROAD FC lightweight champ and tournament winner who then moved to Bellator, appearing in their lightweight grand prix in 2023 only to be eliminated. He moved to the PFL when the promotion acquired Bellator, and has won his last two fights.

The lightweight has denied the accusations.

Cageside Press has reached out to the Professional Fighters League for comment. In a tweet tagging the promotion, the complainant’s lawyer wrote (translated via Twitter/X) “MMA is not guilty, but it becomes an accomplice if it remains silent.”

Mansour Barnaoui was to have faced Archie Colgan in the PFL Paris main event.

The post PFL Paris Postponed, Tickets to Be Refunded, Barnaoui Accused of Domestic Violence appeared first on Cageside Press.

In a press release issued Thursday, PFL officials announced that Bellator alums Mansour Barnaoui and Archie Colgan will face off on the Paris card, in lightweight action. Additionally, recently released UFC bantamweight Taylor Lapilus will make his debut at the event.

Lapilus (21-4) does not yet have an opponent. His signing, and release from the UFC, made waves in recent days. In two stints with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Lapilus is 6-2. In both cases, the French star, a former regular for Canadian promotion TKO, was released off wins. This time around, he’s won two straight, notching victories over Cody Stamann and Vince Morales.

That makes Lapilus’ release all the more puzzling, especially with the UFC active in the French market. However, their loss is the PFL’s gain, as “Double Impact” joins French stars like Barnaoui and Cedric Doumbe under the Professional Fighters League banner.

As for Barnaoui (22-6), he’s won two straight, most recently defeating Alfie Davis when the PFL visited Saudi Arabia in November. Opponent Archie Colgan, who trains alongside Justin Gaethje, is an undefeated 11-0, meanwhile, returning for the first time since a September win over Manoel Sousa.

“Paris! I’m back and ready to show everyone why I am one of the best lightweights in the world. The French fans always bring a great atmosphere so I’m ready to put on a show at the Accor Arena and show why I am in this conversation for the title shot. We will see you Saturday May 24th inside the SmartCage,” Colgan was quoted as saying in Thursday’s press release.

Also announced for May’s PFL Paris card, an all-Belgium lightweight battle as Patrick “The Belgian Bomber” Habirora (6-0) takes on Nicolas Di Franco (10-4-1).

The post Mansour Barnaoui vs. Archie Colgan Announced for PFL Paris, Taylor Lapilus to Debut appeared first on Cageside Press.

The PFL purchased the formerly Viacom-owned Bellator MMA late last year, with multiple Bellator fighters entering the league’s tournament format. On November 29, another handful will debut under the PFL banner in one-off fights, including heavyweight Slim Trablesi, who was briefly linked to a UFC deal, and lightweight grand prix alum Mansour Barnaoui.

League officials announced the full card on Monday.

Both fighters last competed at Bellator Paris back in May. Barnaoui will face Alfie Davis in Riyadh, while Trabelsi takes on fellow undefeated heavyweight Abraham Bably.

Bellator middleweight contender Costello Van Steenis, and former featherweight title challenger Jeremy Kennedy, will also feature on the PFL MENA Championships card, which precedes the PFL Global Championships on the same date. The event, set for the Kingdom Arena, includes the following fights on the MENA portion of the event (with six title fights also expected for the PFL Global Championships):

PFL MENA Featherweight Championship: Abdelrahman Alhyasat (5-0) vs. Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-2)
PFL MENA Welterweight Championship: Mohammad Alaqraa (7-0) vs. Omar El Dafrawy (12-6)
Amateur Women’s Atomweight Bout: Hattan Alsaif vs. Lilia Osmani
PFL MENA Bantamweight Championship: Ali Taleb (11-1) vs. Rachid El Hazoume (15-3)
PFL MENA Lightweight Championship: Mohsen Mohammadseifi (6-1) vs. Georges Eid (10-4)

Showcase Fights

Lightweight MENA Showcase: Mansour Barnaoui (21-6) vs. Alfie Davis (17-4-1)
Heavyweight MENA Showcase: Slim Trabelsi (7-0) vs. Abraham Bably (5-0)
Featherweight Global Showcase: Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (19-4)
Featherweight Global Showcase: Asael Adjoudj (8-1) vs. Jose Perez (9-1)
Middleweight Global Showcase: Costello van Steenis (15-3) vs. Joao Dantas (7-1)

The post Multiple Bellator Fighters Join PFL MENA Championships on Nov. 29 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Barnaoui (20-6) fights in Paris for the second time in 12 months and it’s a welcome feeling for the Paris resident.

“This time it’s for me. It’s a bigger one so I want to win and I will (do) everything (to) win,” Barnaoui told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator during a media call on Tuesday.

The French lightweight is on a two-fight losing streak coming into Bellator Paris. Not a stranger to losing streaks Barnaoui has shown the ability to come back even better after consecutive losses.

“I’m really here for the victory. I made a big training for that and I will win,” he said.

He takes on Yachi who comes over from Rizin FF and makes his Bellator debut in Paris. The ruleset being different than what is done in Bellator it may help Barnaoui in the bout.

“(My) opponent is a former champion from Rizin so he’s here for the victory,” he said.

Barnaoui ends up on the same card as French MMA star Cedric Doumbe who has said he’s the face of French MMA.

“(I) have no response for that,” he said.

“Don’t care.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Mansour Barnaoui above. He takes on Yusuke Yachi at Bellator Paris on Friday night.

The post Mansour Barnaoui Wants To Bounce Back From Losing Streak appeared first on Cageside Press.

Prior to his arrival in Bellator, France’s Barnaoui had won the ROAD FC lightweight tournament. Primus, meanwhile, had been passed over for the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix, until a failed drug test by Sidney Outlaw brought him in as a replacement.

In stark contrast to the previous fight on the Bellator 296 card, Douglas Lima vs. Costello van Steenis, Barnaoui vs. Primus started off hot. Barnaoui came right out and put Primus on the fence, the pair battling for position. Punches were exchanged, and positions were reversed a couple of times. When they came off the fence, they went right back too it, and soon Primus had the fight down. He just couldn’t keep it there, and nearly gave up the back on the way up.

The second round was equally active, with Primus finishing on bottom, working on a kimura attempt. But to start the round, he’d managed to land a bodylock takedown, sitting on top and eventually working to side control for an arm-triangle choke attempt. A solid round for the ex-champ, who had submission attempts while doing damage with ground n’ pound.

A battle along the fence opened the third, with Primus landing his right hand several times moments after. Barnaoui turned things around and launched a jump knee, and while it didn’t land flush, it did lead to an onslaught from Mansour Barnaoui to the delight of the Parisian crowd. Primus appeared to have slowed a step, while Barnaoui landed knees and elbows in the clinch.

Soon enough, an exhausted Primus wound up on his back, eating heavy elbows from Barnaoui, who sat in half-guard with the option to pass dangerously close. Primus tied things up, however, and with a minute to go reversed and got on top. That likely kept him in the fight, as things had come dangerous close to being stopped.

Round four found Primus having more success with his right hand. He appeared to have found a second wind. But Barnaoui continued to be dangerous, firing another jump knee which Primus answered with a right. Primus then landed a takedown, stacking Barnaoui up and moving to side control. Primus would spent the most of the round on top, definitely winning the fourth with an arm-triangle choke attempt in the final minute, followed by taking the back.

Primus again got the fight down in the fifth, getting in half-guard to land elbows. Barnaoui, who had started strong, was now at risk of losing the biggest fight of his career. Primus transitioned to the back after some hand fighting, getting a body triangle locked in. The American finished the round hunting a rear-naked choke that was across the jaw more than under the chin, and while he couldn’t secure it, he claimed the round. Having won the fourth as well, it was the early rounds that would be the deciding factor.

👀 @Mansourbarnaoui just has no QUIT!#Bellator296 | 🇺🇸 @SHOsports | 🇫🇷 @RMCSport pic.twitter.com/Ht7V96bQh9

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 12, 2023

When the scores were announced, it was Brent Primus winning a unanimous decision, three rounds to two, thanks in large part by the grappling prowess he displayed in the final two frames. He now moves on to a title shot against Usman Nurmagomedov in the grand prix semifinals.

Official Result: Brent Primus def. Mansour Barnaoui by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

The post Bellator 296: Mansour Barnaoui Starts Hot, But Brent Primus Wins Decision, Advances in Grand Prix appeared first on Cageside Press.

The main event of the promotion’s return to Paris featured former middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi, taking on rising 185lb contender Fabian Edwards, brother of UFC welterweight champ Leon.

The going theory heading into Bellator 296 was that the winner would get the next shot at champ Johnny Eblen, who had been on hand all week.

In the co-main event, meanwhile, a Lightweight Grand Prix quarterfinal saw ex-champ Brent Primus and French standout Mansour Barnaoui collide. Besides the obvious implications any Bellator tournament bout brings with it — the chance to move on, to move one step closer to a million dollars — Primus vs. Barnaoui also had a title shot awaiting the winner, with champ Usman Nurmagomedov already having beaten Benson Henderson to secure a spot in the semifinal round.

Bellator 296 takes place at the Accor Arena on Friday, May 12, 2023, airing live on Showtime in the U.S., and on PPV via Bellator360.com in Canada. Full results from the event can be found below. Where available, the preliminary card also streams live below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwDcFKSudhg

Bellator 296: Mousasi vs. Edwards Results

Main card

Fabian Edwards def. Gegard Mousasi by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Brent Primus def. Mansour Barnaoui by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) — Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Douglas Lima def. Costello Van Steenis by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Thibault Gouti def. Kane Mousah by knockout, Round 2, 3:58

Preliminary card

Denise Kielholtz def. Paula Cristina by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Luca Poclit def. Oliver Enkamp by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Saul Rogers def. Davy Gallon by submission (D’arce Choke), Round 1, 2:12 Overturned to a No Contest by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation and French Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Yves Landu def. Piotr Niedzielski by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Sarvarjon Khamidov def. Kevin Petshi by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 1:33
Tim Wilde def. Chris Gonzalez by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Fabacary Diatta def. Keir Harvie by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Asaël Adjoudj def. Georges Sasu by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Romain Debienne def. Bourama Camara by knockout, Round 2, 1:04
José Augusto def. Simon Biyong by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

The post Bellator 296: Mousasi vs. Edwards Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

All fighters for Friday’s card hit the scales in Paris, France on Thursday morning, with just one small hiccup to report. Steven Hill vs. Nicoli Solli, which had been scheduled to kick off the Bellator 296 preliminary card, has been cancelled per Bellator officials.

No reason was given for the bout being scratched.

The rest of Friday’s key fights will move forward, however. That includes the main event, which sees Gegard Mouasi look to get back in the win column against Fabian Edwards, and the co-feature, one of the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix quarterfinals. That bout has Brent Primus (replacing Sidney Outlaw) taking on Mansour Barnaoui; both fighters came in just under championship weight for the fight.

The winner of Primus vs. Barnaoui will face Usman Nurmagomedov for lightweight gold in the semifinal round of the grand prix.

Full results from the Bellator 296 weigh-in can be found below.

Bellator 296: Mousasi vs. Edwards Weigh-In Results

Main Card

Middleweight: Gegard Mousasi (185.6) vs. Fabian Edwards (184.8)
Lightweight: Brent Primus (154.6) vs. Mansour Barnaoui (154.6) — Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Middleweight: Douglas Lima (185.8) vs. #10-Costello van Steenis (185.8)
Lightweight: Thibault Gouti (155.6) vs. Kane Mousah (155.2)

Preliminary Card

Flyweight: Denise Kielholtz (125.2) vs. Paula Cristina (126)
Welterweight: Oliver Enkamp (170) vs. Luca Poclit (169.6)
Lightweight: Davy Gallon (155.4) vs. Saul Rogers (155.8)
Featherweight: Yves Landu (145.8) vs. Piotr Niedzielski (146.2)
Contract Weight (141lbs): Sarvarjon Khamidov (140.6) vs. Kevin Petshi (140.4)
Lightweight: Chris Gonzalez (155.4) vs. Tim Wilde (156)
Featherweight: Fabacary Diatta (145.4) vs. Keir Harvie (145.8)
Contract Weight (150 lbs): Asael Adjoudj (150) vs. Georges Sasu (149.6)
Welterweight: Bourama Camara (170.1) vs. Romain Debienne (172.4)
Light Heavyweight: Simon Biyong (205.6) vs. Jose Augusto (205.2)

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Barnaoui vs. Primus is one of four quarterfinal match-ups in Bellator’s recently launched lightweight grand prix. The tournament once against features a million dollars on the line for the winner, with the 155lb title, currently held by champion Usman Nurmagomedov, defended throughout.

With the tournament bracket set and Nurmagomedov having defeated Benson Henderson to advance to the semifinals, the winner between Baranaoi and Primus will not just move on, but fight for gold next. For Barnaoui, the fight is also an upgrade of sorts: he now faces a former champion, after original opponent Sidney Outlaw was yanked due to a failed drug test.

“It’s a new fight,” Barnaoui told Cageside Press during Wednesday’s media day, speaking via translator. The French lightweight added that he was “going to be careful,” and was  “going to look after everything.” but at the same time, the French lightweight admitted, he’s “really excited by the fact that it’s an ex-champion.”

Entering just his second fight in the company with a high-profile opponent, Barnaoui is “looking to win more and more and more,” he stated. “Facing the [champion] for the third match is something nice and appreciated.”

Of course, Mansour Barnaoui has to get through Primus before that third fight under the Bellator banner can arrive. And given the tournament format, he needs to stay healthy and avoid injuries that could potentially remove him from the grand prix. Despaite that, not much has changed in training camp for Barnaoui, who previously won the ROAD FC lightweight tournament.

“Regarding the preparation, it doesn’t change much. Obviously you have to adapt quickly to the different styles of fighting of the opponent; it’s a tournament, so there are lots of opponents and different fighting techniques,” said Barnaoui. “So you have to adapt obviously.”

Beyond that, “You obviously try not to get injured, because that would be a problem.” Other than that, the preparation stays the same, and it’s important to keep focused, Barnaoui explained.

Watch the full Bellator 296 media day appearance by Mansour Barnaoui above.

The post Bellator 296’s Mansour Barnaoui: Potential of Title Shot in Third Bellator Fight “Nice and Appreciated” appeared first on Cageside Press.