Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") is an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class.
25-466: At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded Bellator Fighting Championships as a tournament based organization. The inaugural champion for each weight class was determined by the winner of an eight-man tournament. All subsequent title challengers were required to first win an eight-man tournament in a specific weight class in order to earn the right to challenge that division's reigning champion. Dethroned champions were required to re-enter
50-1985: A Bellator tournament would maintain permanent eligibility to fight for a title without having to re-enter another tournament. Neither of these changes would ever be implemented, however, as one week later Bellator MMA and its founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney parted ways, bringing about an end to the organization's tournament based model. 206 to 265 lbs (93 to 120 kg) NC. vs. Cheick Kongo at Bellator 226 on Sep 7, 2019 1. def. interim champion Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 273 on Jan 29, 2022 2. def. Cheick Kongo at Bellator 280 on May 6, 2022 3. def. Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 290 on Feb 4, 2023 186 to 205 lbs (84 to 93 kg) 1. def. Phil Davis at Bellator 257 on Apr 16, 2021 2. def. Julius Anglickas at Bellator 268 on Oct 16, 2021 NC. vs. Corey Anderson at Bellator 277 on Apr 15, 2022 3. def. Corey Anderson at Bellator 288 on Nov 18, 2022 4. def. Yoel Romero at Bellator 297 on Jun 16, 2023 171 to 185 lbs (77 to 84 kg) 1. def. Alexander Shlemenko at Bellator 34 on Oct 28, 2010 1. def. Brett Cooper at Bellator 98 on Sep 7, 2013 2. def. Doug Marshall at Bellator 109 on Nov 22, 2013 3. def. Brennan Ward at Bellator 114 on Mar 28, 2014 1. def. Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 155 on May 20, 2016 2. def. Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 176 on Apr 8, 2017 3. def. Alessio Sakara at Bellator 190 on Dec 9, 2017 1. def. Rory MacDonald at Bellator 206 on Sep 29, 2018 1. def. John Salter at Bellator 264 on Aug 13, 2021 2. def. Austin Vanderford at Bellator 275 on Feb 25, 2022 1. def. Anatoly Tokov at Bellator 290 on Feb 4, 2023 2. def. Fabian Edwards at Bellator 299 on Sep 23, 2023 3. def. Fabian Edwards at PFL Super Fights: Battle of
75-596: A more consistent flow of title challengers for their champions to face. Two additional rule changes would be announced. The first was the "tournament champion replacement clause" introduced in August 2013. This allowed officials to grant title shots to replacement fighters when tournament winners were injured, or otherwise unavailable, through a complex voting and points system. Then, in June 2014, CEO Bjorn Rebney made an announcement stating that any fighter who had previously won
100-434: A record of 17–4. On January 11, 2010, Salter made his UFC debut, stepping in as a last-minute replacement for Mike Massenzio against Gerald Harris at UFC Fight Night 20 . Salter lost the fight due to TKO (strikes) in the third round. Salter was scheduled to face Nick Catone on May 8, 2010, at UFC 113 , but Catone was forced off the card with an injury and instead faced UFC veteran, Jason MacDonald . After 2:42 of
125-403: Is an American businessman who served as chairman and chief executive officer of Bellator MMA from 2008 until June 2014. Rebney attended Ohio University on a football scholarship and then attended law school. Rebney did legal work in construction-defect then moved to the sports-law firm Steinberg Moorad & Dunn. In 2001, Rebney formed a partnership with Sugar Ray Leonard . The company
150-771: The Middleweight division of Bellator MMA . A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Strikeforce , King of the Cage , and the Aggression Fighting Championship (AFC). John Salter began training in wrestling at age 12, going on to win a 2002 Alabama state title while in high school. He went on to attend Lindenwood University in St. Louis, Missouri , where he won
175-588: The 2007 NAIA National Wrestling Championship at 174 lbs. Following college, Salter won various national grappling tournaments, including the 2007 NAGA Nationals (No-Gi, middleweight) Expert Division, as well as the 2007 Casca Grossa (No-Gi, 175 lb and up) Professional Division. In addition, Salter began training kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu . Salter made his amateur MMA debut in 2007 and compiled an undefeated record of 7–0. He made his professional debut in March 2009 at middleweight and has maintained
200-2712: The Giants on Oct 19, 2024 156 to 170 lbs (70 to 77 kg) 1. def. Jay Hieron at Bellator 56 on Oct 29, 2011 2. def. Douglas Lima at Bellator 64 on Apr 6, 2012 3. def. Karl Amoussou at Bellator 86 on Jan 24, 2013 4. def. Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 97 on Jul 31, 2013 1. def. Benson Henderson at Bellator 153 on Apr 22, 2016 1. def. Lorenz Larkin at Bellator NYC on Jun 24, 2017 1. drew with Jon Fitch at Bellator 220 on Apr 27, 2019 2. def. Neiman Gracie at Bellator 222 on Jun 14, 2019 1. def. interim champion Logan Storley at Bellator 291 on Feb 25, 2023 146 to 155 lbs (66 to 70 kg) 136 to 145 lbs (61 to 66 kg) 1. def. Patrício Pitbull at Bellator 85 on Jan 17, 2013 2. def. Shahbulat Shamhalaev at Bellator 95 on Apr 4, 2013 1. def. Daniel Straus at Bellator 132 on Jan 16, 2015 2. def. Daniel Weichel at Bellator 138 on Jun 19, 2015 1. def. Daniel Weichel at Bellator 203 on Jul 14, 2018 2. def. Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 209 on Nov 15, 2018 3. def. Juan Archuleta at Bellator 228 on Sep 28, 2019 4. def. Pedro Carvalho at Bellator 252 on Nov 12, 2020 5. def. Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 255 on Apr 2, 2021 1. def. Ádám Borics at Bellator 286 on Oct 1, 2022 2. def. Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator Champions Series 1 on Mar 22, 2024 126 to 135 lbs (57 to 61 kg) 116 to 125 lbs (53 to 57 kg) 126 to 145 lbs (57 to 66 kg) 1. def. Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 189 on Dec 1, 2017 2. def. Talita Nogueira at Bellator 202 on Jul 13, 2018 3. def. Olga Rubin at Bellator 224 on Jul 12, 2019 1. def. Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 249 on Oct 15, 2020 2. def. Leslie Smith at Bellator 259 on May 21, 2021 3. def. Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 271 on Nov 12, 2021 4. def. Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279 on Apr 23, 2022 5. def. Cat Zingano at Bellator 300 on Oct 7, 2023 116 to 125 lbs (53 to 57 kg) 1. def. Alejandra Lara at Bellator 201 on Jun 29, 2018 2. def. Valérie Létourneau at Bellator 213 on Dec 15, 2018 3. def. Veta Arteaga at Bellator 220 on Apr 27, 2019 4. def. Kate Jackson at Bellator 236 on Dec 21, 2019 1. def. Denise Kielholtz at Bellator 262 on Jul 16, 2021 1. def. Juliana Velasquez at Bellator 289 on Dec 9, 2022 2. def. DeAnna Bennett at Bellator 294 on April 21, 2023 3. def. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane at Bellator 300 on Oct 7, 2023 Under 115 pounds (52 kg) Originally, all title challengers were determined through these tournaments with
225-508: The bout due to an ACL injury and was replaced by Jason Radcliffe. Salter won the fight via submission in the first round. Salter was expected to face Rafael Lovato Jr. at Bellator 198 on April 28, 2018. However, Salter was pulled by the Illinois Athletic Commission due to an eye issue on April 24 and replaced by Gerald Harris . Salter faced Rafael Lovato Jr. on September 21, 2018, at Bellator 205 . He lost
250-566: The bout via arm-triangle choke in the third round. Salter faced Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator Middleweight Championship on August 13, 2021, at Bellator 264 . After having success with his takedowns in the first two rounds, Salter ultimately lost the bout via TKO in round three. Salter faced Johnny Eblen on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. Salter faced Aaron Jeffrey on March 31, 2023, at Bellator 293 . He won
275-487: The company no longer being under Rebney's ownership, he remained Bellator Chairman and CEO until June 18, 2014, when Rebney's immediate exit from the company was announced by Viacom. In addition to Rebney, Tim Danaher left his position as president and COO . Rebney was replaced by former Strikeforce president and CEO Scott Coker . Viacom executive, Kevin Kay , later explained that the reason for Rebney's separation from
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#1732783286921300-637: The company was that Rebney was committed to keeping Bellator a tournament-based promotion, while Kay felt a seasonal tournament format would have limited the growth of the organization. In November 2016, it was announced that Rebney was chosen as an advisor to the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA). Among the members of the former organization were Georges St. Pierre , Cain Velasquez , T.J. Dillashaw , Tim Kennedy , and Donald Cerrone . Rebney's father
325-413: The fight necessary. The next major change occurred during Bellator's 2013 Summer Series when it was announced that all three tournaments would be shorter, four-man affairs instead of the standard eight. Though originally stated to return to the eight-man only tournaments afterwards, officials instead decided to add two additional four-man tournaments to the existing tournament lineup in an effort to provide
350-473: The fight via a submission. Salter stepped in to replace Melvin Manhoef against Chidi Njokuani on November 30, 2018, at Bellator 210 . He won the fight via submission in the first round. Salter faced Costello van Steenis on November 8, 2019, at Bellator 233 . Salter outlasted van Steenis and won the bout unanimous decision, becoming the first time that Salter went to the judges. Salter faced Andrew Kapel on August 21, 2020, at Bellator 244 . Salter won
375-453: The fight via submission in the second round. On June 17, 2016, John faced the former Middle Weight title holder Brandon Halsey on the main card for Bellator 156. Salter won via submission by triangle choke. Salter faced Kendall Grove at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017. He won the fight via technical submission in the first round. Salter was expected to face Anatoly Tokov at Bellator 188 on November 16, 2017. However, Tokov pulled out of
400-609: The first round, MacDonald suffered a suspected broken ankle and Salter was declared the winner by TKO (injury). Salter was expected to face Phil Baroni on August 28, 2010, at UFC 118 , however Baroni was forced off the card with an injury. Late replacement Dan Miller defeated Salter via guillotine choke in the 2nd round. Salter was released from the UFC with a 1–2 record. Salter was expected to make his Strikeforce debut against undefeated Yancy Medeiros at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine on January 7, 2011, but Medeiros
425-454: The inaugural Bellator Lightweight Champion . ^ 4: Tournament determined the inaugural Bellator Featherweight Champion . (April 8, 2010 - June 24, 2010) (August 12, 2010 - October 28, 2010) ^ 1: Tournament determined the inaugural Bellator Heavyweight Champion . ^ 2: Tournament determined the inaugural Bellator Bantamweight Champion . ^ 3: Tournament determined
450-458: The inaugural Bellator Women's Strawweight Champion . (March 5, 2011 - May 21, 2011) ^ 1: Tournament determined the inaugural Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion . (June 25, 2011 - August 20, 2011) (September 27, 2011 - November 26, 2011) ^ 1: Following a no contest in the finals at Bellator 59, a rematch between Prindle and Santos was cancelled at Bellator 61, and again at Bellator 62 when Santos
475-647: The sport from prior meetings with management of EliteXC and the International Fight League who looked for capital to stay in business. Among the investors were Tim Danaher, who was the company's vice president at the time. After a follow-up meeting in New York, Plainfield agreed to provide the capital, which led to the creation of Bellator Fighting Championships . In October 2011, television and media conglomerate Viacom (now Paramount Global ) purchased majority ownership of Bellator. Despite
500-521: The tournaments in order to attempt to regain their title. Under Bjorn Rebney's sole leadership, Bellator MMA would strictly adhere to these rules during the first four years of its operation. The first changes to this format would begin to appear not long after Viacom, Inc. purchased a controlling stake in the organization. In November 2012, CEO Bjorn Rebney announced the introduction of a "championship rematch clause" . This would allow Bellator to schedule an immediate title-fight rematch if officials deemed
525-428: The winners earning the right to challenge the reigning champion at that weight class or, if necessary, be allowed to compete for an interim or vacant title. (April 3, 2009 - June 19, 2009) ^ 1: Tournament determined the inaugural Bellator Middleweight Champion . ^ 2: Tournament determined the inaugural Bellator Welterweight Champion . ^ 3: Tournament determined
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#1732783286921550-453: Was Jack Rebney, an unintended viral video star and later subject of the 2009 documentary Winnebago Man . Jack Rebney passed away in May 2023 at the age of 93. Rebney is married to Huma Gruaz, an advertising and public relations executive. The couple has two children. John Salter John Salter (born March 21, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist , he competed in
575-551: Was Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Inc. The two had a falling out and the business dissolved. Rebney's passion for mixed martial arts made him decide to start an MMA promotion. In his search for investors to fund his idea of a promotion, Rebney had sixty-one investor meetings within 16 months. To fund these trips to meet with investors and fighters, Rebney spent his savings and took out a second and third mortgage on his home. In Rebney's 62nd meeting with investors, he met executives at Plainfield Asset Management , who were familiar with
600-656: Was forced from the bout with an injury. As a result, Salter was pulled from the card, but later re-added, fighting Casey Huffman who he defeated via TKO due to strikes in the 1st round. Salter defeated former UFC fighter Kalib Starnes in the main event of AFC 6: Conviction for Armageddon FC in Victoria, BC, Canada, on June 18. This fight was for the AFC middleweight title belt. In his Bellator MMA debut, Salter faced Dustin Jacoby on January 16, 2015, at Bellator 132 . He won
625-404: Was unable to make weight. Prindle was awarded the tournament victory. ^ 2: Shlemenko next faced Season Six tournament winner Maiquel Falcão for the vacant middleweight title . (March 9, 2012 - May 25, 2012) ^ 1: Falcão next faced Season Five tournament winner Alexander Shlemenko for the vacant middleweight title . Bjorn Rebney Bjorn Rebney
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