Bellator signs a whopping 22 new European fighters

Really making a push into those markets.
 
I'd like to see more signings in the heavier divisions but they actually sign a lot of well known fighters and some prospects too
 
That’s a lot of fighters just added to the roster. It appears Bellator is really trying to make big moves in the European market. The UFC has pretty much ignored the UK by only putting shit cards there in the recent past. This is an area where Bellator can actually make waves since it will never catch up to the UFC in the states.
 
22 European but no Russian
poor job by Bellator
 
under_t said:
22 European but no Russian
poor job by Bellator
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Not just Russians. All these signees all come from the no-wrestling Islands. Or at least they're fighting out of those areas.
 
it looks like someone from Bellator just came to SBG and started randomly giving contracts to whoever was there.
 
DDx2 said:
it looks like someone from Bellator just came to SBG and started randomly giving contracts to whoever was there.
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They are more desperate for a SBG star so to leech off that Conor popularity than a man lost in the Sahara is desperate for water.
 
Meh, biggest names are Norman Parke, Walter Gahadza, Jim Wallhead and Ion Pascu. Nothing really stands out.

Signed a real can too in John Redmond with a 7-13 record. Every loss by finish. Guess he'll be highlight reel fodder for some prelim fighter or something.
 
Kalmah said:
Meh, biggest names are Norman Parke, Walter Gahadza, Jim Wallhead and Ion Pascu. Nothing really stands out.

Signed a real can too in John Redmond with a 7-13 record. Every loss by finish. Guess he'll be highlight reel fodder for some prelim fighter or something.
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He was first Ward's opponent (Conor's buddy who is mediocre too)
 
Looks like a long list of mid-tier talent. Parke and Brazier the best of the bunch. They seem to be swallowing BAMMA.
 
Hardcore MMA said:
That’s a lot of fighters just added to the roster. It appears Bellator is really trying to make big moves in the European market. The UFC has pretty much ignored the UK by only putting shit cards there in the recent past. This is an area where Bellator can actually make waves since it will never catch up to the UFC in the states.
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They elare probably doing better here putting on average cards + Aaron Chalmers than if they put on a card featuring only their champions. Getting all their fights on Dave and having David Haye present is not really a bad move on their part. Best initially getting wider brand appeal than preaching to the converted putting on "legit" fights for the hardcore fans
 
So, with (western) european expansion they meant only UK and Ireland.
Some terrible signings for an organization with such high aspirations like Bellator.
That some fighters train in the same gym like conor doesn't changes the fact that they are still cans.

Also it looks like Bellator is milking BAMMA badly, the only good fighters they left are Edwards and McKee (probably getting signed by Bellator or the UFC soon,too). Sucks for BAMMA, also leaves a bad taste, when an expansion is basically build on destroying another organization.

I am still not sure if Bellator is approaching this rightly, especially with their weird transmission system.

And it's a shame that they only focussed on SBG or BAMMA fighters, there many talented fighters in europe, also in the higher weight classes.
 
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Koniradi98 said:
So, with (western) european expansion they meant only UK and Ireland.
Some terrible signings for an organization with such high aspirations like Bellator.
That some fighters train in the same gym like conor doesn't changes the fact that they are still cans.

Also it looks like Bellator is milking BAMMA badly, the only good fighters they left are Edwards and McKee (probably getting signed by Bellator or the UFC soon,too). Sucks for BAMMA, also leaves a bad taste, when an expansion is basically build on destroying another organization.

I am still not sure if Bellator is approaching this rightly, especially with their weird transmission system.

And it's a shame that they only focussed on SBG or BAMMA fighters, there many talented fighters in europe, also in the higher weight classes.
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It kinda looks like Bellator is basically just rebranding these BAMMA events as Bellator’s European scene or whatever. It’s almost exactly BAMMA just with a different name.
 
Seems like just a quantity signing to do these Uk series shows, only real name of note is Parke.
 
This is exactly in line with what Coker said was coming this is just the start of the western euro series coming up in 2019.Some of the bigger names might get spots on the big show but most of these guys will be featured in hometown and regional shows bellator holds in the UK and Ireland.

There will be more signings coming and not just SBG or BAMMA guys this was just a deal worked out with SBG Ireland to have their greener guys fight for Bellators euro regional circuit to bring in locals and if they find a hidden gem that's great too.

Great to see Coker keeping to his word they definitely are looking at Ireland and the UK let's hope it's fruitful for them.
 
Let's take a look at the 22 fighters signed.......

145 men's division
(IRE)Dylan Logan (2-3) fighting out of SBG Ireland
(ENG)Nathan Rose (6-1) fighting out of Lions PRIDE MMA

155 division
(ENG)Terry Brazier (10-1)BAMMA 2 division champion,fighting out of NFM Windsor.

(IRE)Pedro Carvalho (8-3) fighting out of SBG Ireland
Just beat Daniel Crawford.

(MOLDOVA)Constantin Gnusarev (1-0) fighting out of MMA Academy of Moldova.

(CROATIA)Luka Jelcic (10-3) fighting out of SBG Ireland.

(IRE)Charlie Leary (15-9-1) fighting out of Team Crossface.

(IRE)Norman Parke (25-6-1)UFC and KSW vet fighting out of Next Generation MMA.

(IRE)Myles Price (10-7) fighting out of Team Ryano

(ITALY)Daniel Scatizzi(9-4) fighting out of SBG Ireland.

(IRE)Sam Slater (2-0) fighting out of SBG Ireland

(IRE)Richie Smullen (3-1-1) fighting out of SBG Ireland

(ENG) Tim Wilde (12-3) fighting out of UTC Staffs

175 division
(GER)Ruben Crawford (16-3) fighting out of Combat Club Colgne.

(IRE)Kiefer Crosbie (4-0) fighting out of SBG Ireland.

(ENG) Walter Gahadza (17-3) fighting out of Sure Grip Vale Rudi.

(IRE) Richard Kiely (2-1) fighting out of SBG Ireland.

(ROMANIA) Ion Pascu (18-8) fighting out of SBG Ireland.

(ENG) Jim Wallhead (29-11)UFC and bellator vet fighting out of Team Roughhouse

185 division
(ITALY)Claudio Conti (7-5-2) fighting out of SBG Ireland

(IRE)John Redmond (7-13)UFC vet fighting out of Team Ryano

Woman's 145
(CROATIA)Antonela Orlie (0-0) making her pro debut.



10 of 22 signings were from SBG Ireland.....

Carvalho,Jelcic,and Pascu are solid fighters
Logan and Conti are low level
The rest of SBG guys have upside but are unproven so you can't really judge yet.

All the others outside of SBG range from very talented to jobber some great signings and not so great.
 
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