After making positive waves in the MMA world with successful shows during the summer/fall of 2020 at the Mohegan Sun Arena, making the move to Showtime, and signing more and more young talent plus proven stars (Yoel Romero, Anthony Johnson), Bellator is gearing up for its return on April 2, with Bellator 255. One week later, at Bellator 256, the promotion premiers its new light heavyweight grand prix, with Ryan Bader facing Lyoto Machida in the main event.

Joining the light heavyweights are a trio of bouts, featuring a women’s flyweight battle, and two promising bantamweight showdowns.

In the bantamweight division, highly touted prospect Jaylon Bates (1-0) returns to action against Jeffrey Glossner (2-1). Sources close to the situation confirmed the bout to Cageside Press on Friday. Bates rode an undefeated amateur career to a Bellator multi-fight deal, and impressed in his debut, dominating en route to a decision victory against Joe Supino in November. Glossner will be making his Bellator debut in the bout. Thus far he has two impressive finishes in his young career, and has previously competed for LFA.

Staying with the bantamweight division, sources have also confirmed to Cageside Press that Cass Bell vs. Jornel Lugo will take place on the Bellator 256 preliminary card. Lugo (5-0) remains undefeated and sits at 2-0 in the Bellator cage. The “green haired” Bell (5-1) took his lone career loss in his last appearance, defeated by contender Raufeon Stots. Both men are potentially on the bubble when it comes to breaking into the top 10 of the division with an impressive performances.

Finally, Cageside Pres confirmed Friday that a previously reported women’s flyweight match-up between Tara Graff (1-2) and Diana Avsaragova (2-0) is a go. MMA DNA’s Marcel Dorff was first to report that Graff would be the one to welcome Avsaragova to the Bellator cage. Graff was last in action in a heated affair with fan favorite Valerie Loureda, which Loureda won via TKO. Avsaragova, meanwhile, will be competing for the first time in nearly two years.

Bellator 256 takes place April 9, 2021 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. In addition to the move to Showtime and light heavyweight grand prix, Bellator officials also recently announced a rankings panel featuring 15 media members, marking the first time the promotion has had official rankings.

The post Bellator 256: Three Prelim Bouts Including Bates vs. Glossner, Bell vs. Lugo Added appeared first on Cageside Press.

Valerie Loureda is coming off yet another big victory, a buzzer beater knockout of Bellator 243 opponent Tara Graff. Loureda was all smiles post-fight, but it wasn’t the easiest of roads to victory. A car crash on the night before her flight to Connecticut made for an unplanned detour — but for Loureda adversity is nothing new.

“I arrived in Connecticut Sunday to quarantine, the car accident happened on Saturday night,” Loureda told Cageside Press. “I finished my training at American Top Team, on the way back home on the highway this huge tow truck was speeding and he tried to pass me, merging,” Loureda continued. “He hit the back of my car and I spun into the railing, nearly went over it, it was just scary. I’m strong but my emotions were messed up before this for reasons I don’t want to discuss. I didn’t know if I could overcome all of it and transfer it to the fight but I took out all that aggression on Tara.”

Although she is happy to be getting a new car this week, Loureda admits that this may have been the hardest emotional rollercoaster leading into a fight for a multitude of reasons. She even called her manager, Abraham Kawa, and debated pulling out of the fight a week prior to the event.

“I had a huge problem happen that I can’t speak about yet. I called my manager and said ‘I think I need to pull out,'” Loureda recalled. “Two hours after this Bellator had posted my fight officially, and I didn’t know what to do. Before I made any crazy decisions I spoke with my manager’s sister and she spoke sense into me,” Loureda continued. “She told me don’t let anyone take away your dream from you, so I took control of my life and used those emotions to face the adversity.”

Loureda had not competed since Bellator 222, her second professional fight. It wasn’t just a car accident the day before leaving, or a major incident that almost caused her to pull out of Bellator 243: the whole year was filled with adversity for the 22 year old. Including in January, when she pulled out of her fight with Tara Graff due to an MCL injury. Loureda said it was hard to deal with Graff’s subsequent harassment.

“Since January, when I tore my MCL I was going to fight with that too, because I make stupid decisions, but I obviously couldn’t,” Loureda laughed. “My parents were going through a huge divorce. My mind was not there for that fight, I was only 21 years old— why rush myself into that? I wasn’t healthy physically or mentally,” Loureda continued. “Everyday since I backed out of that fight that stupid girl has harassed me on Twitter or Instagram.”

The last year plus had been tough on the Miami native. While most 22 year olds are living decently care free, relishing the party life before the real world comes calling, Loureda is a professional fighter. As most often forget, professional fighters have personal lives as well, and just like the rest of us things can go downhill at points. Loureda is proud of herself for overcoming so much, and she should be.

“This past year showed me so much about myself, how strong my mind is, my work ethic,” Loureda told Cageside Press. “Apart from everything I went through an eating disorder from cutting weight. I just went through so much, it would have been so easy to quit, at my age to just throw in the towel,” Loureda continued. “I found a way to get up from all of it, stay true to myself, and this performance showed me everything. I know I’m only 3-0 and Tara isn’t [Ilima-Lei Macfarlane], but I was born to be a champion.”

Graff had made numerous comments leading up to fight week that Loureda was ‘demoralizing to the sport’ and even making comments that the 22 year old is ‘trashy’. Loureda saw everything, but acted as though she had no idea. Instead Loureda remained calm and waited for the moment that mattered most, fight night.

“Oh my god, the thing is I’m crazy,” Loureda laughed. “I’m an emotional person and I’m an emotional fighter. If I responded to her I was going to let it get to me in the cage, my manager told me to focus on fighting. I promise you every single day I pictured the moment I got to destroy her face.”

Loureda’s post-fight victory dance went viral; after finishing her opponent, the undefeated fighter let the world watch her perform. When asked if the dance was planned or an explosion of emotion, Loureda’s answer was simple: it was for all of the haters. The haters don’t bother her, the support is what Loureda sees.

“The post fight dance was to piss off everyone on Twitter, and that UFC girl Macy [Chiasson],” Loureda exclaimed. “Who is anyone to tell me what I can or can’t post while being a fighter? I have gained more female followers than I have ever seen before. Females matter to me, young girls and mothers are DM’ing me saying I’m an inspiration for them,” Loureda continued. “That is what I live for, what drives me, female image. This is who I am, this isn’t an act. The support I have from women, I cried yesterday seeing the support I have. I won’t stop until I’m the biggest face in MMA.”

Loureda has a message for those who look up to her:

“Stay true to yourself. There are no stereotypes. You don’t have to look a certain way to be in an industry,” Loureda stated. “I’m in a male dominated industry, be yourself. Don’t let any man or anybody try to control your life. I’ve always stayed true to myself and my goals. I was bullied in school, laughed at with my gallon of water and tuna sandwich while cutting weight, so please stay true to yourself and your goals. Keep pushing never stop.”

Loureda calls this fight a turning point for her career, and the most rewarding of her career. Her knockout power is prevalent, and even proved her coaches wrong. It has reaffirmed the belief she’s had, ever since she was little, that fighting is what she was born to do.

The post Valerie Loureda Speaks on Troubled Road to Bellator 243, Has a Message for Young Women appeared first on Cageside Press.

The “Tiny Terror” Tara Graff is ready to make waves in her new promotion. Starting with a debut fight against a fan favorite, the undefeated Valerie Loureda.

Graff (1-1) welcomes the challenge. Loureda had previously found herself in a war of words with the UFC’s Macy Chaisson on Twitter. Loureda has a huge following on Twitter and Instagram, and Graff, although not one for trash talking, has some opinions on her opponent’s social media use.

“It’s trashy” Graff told Cageside Press recently. “I’m not one to put people down but I’m sorry, it drives me nuts. I have kids, I don’t want them to think that that is how you make yourself big or how you define yourself,” Graff explained. “I feel like you are degrading yourself, I don’t like it at all.”

Graff and Loureda were set to face off back in January at Bellator 238. The fight was cancelled a week prior to the event due to an undisclosed injury to Loureda. Graff doesn’t believe there is bad blood between the two, but is excited for the chance to finally fight the 22-year old.

“I saw a podcast where she said it was from a weight issue. I was never given an official reason” Graff explained. “It was on the Cyborg card, I was pumped up, so to have that dropped, it hurt. I’m happy though, this has been brewing, more fuel to the fire.”

This is “Tiny Terror’s” first fight since a loss in November of 2018 under King of the Cage, a promotion in California. Since 2018 Graff has had two fights cancelled, one being Loureda in 2020. A freak injury is to blame for the nearly two year layoff, but ring rust won’t be a worry for Graff.

“I’ve had the itch for so long” Graff laughed. “Crazy fluke injury happens, Septic Bursitis. It took time to get back into shape. I’ve been looking hard for a while. Bellator came to me in January. Once that fight was off, they scheduled it for June which COVID shut down. I’m finally so ready to be back, the new Tiny Terror.”

As for fight night, Graff isn’t worried on the lack of crowd or the pressure of return. She feels this one will feel like a hard sparring session in the gym, and she expects to have her hand raised come August 7, derailing the hype of Loureda.

“This will end with my hand raised, that’s all I’ll say” Graff told Cageside Press.

Watch the full interview with Tara Graff above. Graff is set to face off with Valerie Loureda at Bellator 243 in Mohegan Sun Arena on August 7. Check back for more coverage from the event in the coming days!

The post Bellator 243: Tara Graff Predicts Her Hand Will be Raised Friday, Voices Opinion on Loureda’s Instagram: “It’s Trashy” appeared first on Cageside Press.