MMA Melee: Bellator On A Signing Spree, CM Punk Injured Again, BJ Penn, & More!

The MMA Melee is back by popular demand! You asked for MMAFO's version of "The Week in MMA News" and we have listened! 

Benson Henderson has signed a contract with Bellator ending his much anticipated free agency. “Bendo’s” debut is still unknown but “Smooth” will debut as the #1 contender to the Welterweight crown facing current Bellator 170 Champion Andrey Koreshkov (18-1). 

This is a great signing for Bellator and gives some much needed confidence to other MMA free agents playing the market. Ben gets a host of new foes to play against making him fresh again all while returning to the endorsement market free of the Reebok tyranny thus making "Bendo" even more money. 

Meanwhile, Bellator's Lightweight Champion Will Brooks continues to stew angrily behind the scenes as he bashes his company in the public eye for promoting older fighters such as Ken Shamrock, Royce Gracie, and Kimbo Slice. Look for "Ill Will" to finish his contract with Bellator and then jump to the UFC.

Speaking of Bellator's oldies, Bellator 149 featuring Ken Shamrock vs. Royce Gracie 3, and Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000 is the next big MMA event on February 19th.

Chris Leben has signed a Bellator contract and is returning from a short retirement. Many are upset with this move and seeing a fighter who has taken a lot of abuse through the years coming back to fighting. We believe the structure of fighting will be a centering power for the oft incarcerated and infamous Leben. Besides, Chris can be given a much lower level of opponent and dare we even say, opponents he can compete with and look well. 

MIESHA TATE getting ready for H. Holm on her Instagram

Phil “CM Punk” Brooks has put his UFC debut on hold yet again as the 37 year old is going under the knife for back surgery. The rumor mill is churning out the belief that CM Punk was never going to fight and this is all just a publicity stunt. Perhaps. MMAFO believes that Mr. Brooks will fight eventually and lose to proposed foe Mickey Gall. The current odds for this unsigned fight are CM Punk +260 and Mickey Gall -380.

RAFAEL DOS ANJOS posts a warning pic for Conor McGregor

Alexander Gustafsson appeared on the MMA Hour this week and sounded despondent about his current career trajectory in. “The Mauler” has lost 2 of his last 3 fights including 2 title shots and a debilitating loss in front of his homeland. Gustaf admitted to,  “having a tough time with my motivations,” which is an awful sign for a fighter. The mental state of a combatant is imperative to having a good performance. Alex may need to seek medical advice and hire a sports psychologist like Georges St.Pierre, Carlos Condit, and Donald Cerrone all have. Its dark days for Gustafsson and we hope that he finds his way and inspiration soon.

The always entertaining Michael “Venom” Page has withdrawn from Bellator 151, March 5th. “MVP” is not injured and details have not been given for his departure from the card (?).

It’s an official mistake, as BJ Penn is slated to return to action at UFC 197 in April. An opponent has not been named but Penn continues to believe his own delusions and will again compete at Featherweight. Nik Lentz is injured and currently fighting at Lightweight so it is doubtful that this rivalry will be settled soon. So, another 3 months until BJ embarrasses himself yet again and then goes on to make a myriad of excuses for his inadequacies.