Bellator Set to Kick Off 2015 with Four Title Bouts, Ditches Tourney Format

Bellator MMA recently revealed the early portion of its 2015 schedule, which is a large step away from the seasonal schedule the promotion had been following before a recent change in management.

Now, with Strikeforce founder Scott Coker leading the charge, Bellator has switched to a more traditional model of periodic large events and feature fights instead of the tournament format of old.

The promotion will launch the new year with Bellator 132 on Jan. 16, which begins a first quarter that will feature four title fights.

Bellator 132 will take place at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif., featuring Patricio “Pitbull” Freire putting the featherweight title on the line against former champion Daniel Straus.

Bellator 133 will take place on Feb. 27 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. It features two title fights with welterweight champion Douglas Lima defending against a returning Paul Daley, and light heavyweight champ Emanuel Newton facing Liam McGeary.

Bellator 134 emanates from Oklahoma’s Winstar World Casino and Resort and features Joe Warren putting his bantamweight belt on the line against Marcos Galvao.

Bellator 132: Pitbull vs. Straus

Friday, January 16
Pechanga Resort and Casino
Temecula, California

Bellator Featherweight Title Fight: Patricio Pitbull (22-2) vs. Daniel Straus (23-5)

Bellator 133: The British Invasion

Friday, February 27
Mohegan Sun Arena
Uncasville, Connecticut

Bellator Welterweight Title Fight: Douglas Lima (26-5) vs. Paul Daley (35-13)
Bellator Light Heavyweight Title Fight: Emanuel Newton (25-7) vs. Liam McGeary (9-0)
Bellator Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Sokoudjou (16-12) vs. Linton Vassell (14-4)
Bellator Heavyweight Feature Fight: Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)

Bellator 134: Warren vs. Galvao

Friday, March 27
Winstar World Casino and Resort
Thackerville, Oklahoma

Bellator Bantamweight Title Fight: Joe Warren (12-3) vs. Marcos Galvao (16-6)

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