Retired Fighter Chris Leben Signs with Bellator MMA Says President Scott Coker on 'Inside MMA'

(PRESS RELEASE) – LOS ANGELES – Bellator MMA President Scott Coker appeared on AXS TV’s INSIDE MMA tonight where he announced they have signed former UFC fighter and WEC champion Chris Leben, who has been retired for over two years. During the interview with series hosts Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten, Coker also discussed signing former UFC champion Benson Henderson this week and his thoughts on other retired fighters, including AXS TV Fights commentator and UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich, returning to the cage. Coker’s full interview is available here:



Henderson also joined tonight’s show, where he discussed his decision to sign with Bellator MMA as a free agent after fighting for the UFC for nearly five years, the response from other fighters since announcing the deal, and his immediate title shot against welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov April 22:



A week before his rubber match against fellow UFC Hall of Famer and MMA pioneer Ken Shamrock, Royce Gracie sat down with Rutten for an in-depth discussion about the genesis of modern mixed martial arts and his decision to return to the cage:



With the vacant Legacy Fighting Championship bantamweight title on the line Manny Vazquez (9-1) defeated Ricardo Ramos (8-1) by way of submission on AXS TV FIGHTS: LEGACY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP 51. AXS TV FIGHTS as commentators Pat Miletich and “The Voice” Michael Schiavello break down the action on tonight’s highlight reel:



Legacy 51 Official Results:

Main Event – Bantamweight Title Fight – Manny Vazquez (9-1) defeated Ricardo Ramos (8-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:45 in round one.

Catchweight (175 pound) Fight – Brock Larson (42-10) defeated Travis Coyle (14-9) via TKO (punches) at 2:03 in round one.

Welterweight Fight – Jacob Volkmann (19-6) defeated Antonio Trocoli (9-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Heavyweight Fight – Cody East (12-1) defeated Kevin Asplund (14-11) via TKO (strikes) at 0:40 in round one.

Welterweight Fight – Jos Eichelberger (18-9) defeated Clarence Jordan (7-3-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).

Featherweight Fight – Nate Richardson (5-1) defeated Kuchlong Kuchlong (5-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Catchweight (130 pound) Fight – Tateki Matsuda (11-7) defeated Joe Pearson (46-28-1) via submission (strikes) at 4:49 in round one.

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