Bellator is closing in on 15 years of being an MMA promotion. The Scott Coker-led company has shockingly outlasted memorable promotions such as Strikeforce (which he also led), and the illustrious Japanese PRIDE promotion. Following the closure of the aforementioned Strikeforce, Bellator has been viewed as the second-biggest MMA company on the planet.
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While promotions such as ONE FC and PFL have helped bridge the gap, Bellator is still the only company even remotely close to the UFC's status. While Bellator has been criticized over the years for some of the talent held on its roster, the promotion still has incredible fighters that have helped mold the company into what it is today.
10 Patricky Pitbull
© Dave Mandel-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n""> © Dave Mandel-USA TODAY Sports
While not as skilled or accomplished as his brother Patricio, Patricky Pitbull has still done enough to be considered one of the greatest fighters in company history. The 36-year-old is going on 11 years with the company, and for the majority of that stretch, he was always one of the best lightweights on the roster.
Pitbull was unable to capture the title though, losing in many of his title eliminator bouts and his sole title shot against Michael Chandler in 2016. However, the Brazilian finally captured the gold last year with a win over Peter Queally, putting the capstone on his incredible career.
9 Joe Warren
One of the first notable names the promotion ever had, Joe Warren was one of the pioneers of Bellator. Over his first five years with the promotion, he would achieve double-champion status, holding titles at both bantamweight and featherweight.
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Over the next few years, Warren struggled as more competition came into the company. However, his early achievements can't be overlooked.
8 Vitaly Minakov
Vitaly Minakov is one of the biggest "what-ifs" in MMA history, as his injury and visa issues left him on the shelf during his prime. However, his time inside the Bellator cage cannot be overlooked.
The Russian dominated the heavyweight scene from the moment he debuted. He scored victories over names such as Alexander Volkov and Cheick Kongo before departing the promotion in 2015, causing him to lose his heavyweight title. When he returned in 2019, it was clear that he was not the same as when he left.
7 Andrey Koreshkov
Going on ten years in the promotion, Andrey Koreshkov is a former welterweight champion, and one of the most talented fighters to have ever been on their roster. During his time in the company, he captured victories over names such as Douglas Lima, Benson Henderson, and Sabah Homasi.
Koreshkov did suffer his fair share of defeats in the promotion, notably losing his trilogy to the aforementioned Lima, as well as to Ben Askren. However, the Russian is still the leader for welterweight wins in the company.
6 Eddie Alvarez
Eddie Alvarez later went on to hold the UFC's lightweight title in 2016. However, before he ever was in the promotion, he was the star of Bellator. 'The Underground King' was in the co-main event of Bellator 1.
Alvarez scored victories over names such as Roger Huerta, Patricky Pitbull, and Shinya Aoki. However, it was his two stints with lightweight gold as well as his rivalry with Michael Chandler that earns him a place in Bellator history.
5 Ben Askren
Before getting knocked out by Jake Paul and getting embarrassed in the UFC, Ben Askren was one of the greatest welterweights on the planet in Bellator and ONE FC. It's his run in the former that made him one of the most sought-after fighters in the early 2010s.
Debuting at Bellator 14, 'Funky' was the dominant welterweight champion until he left the company in 2013. During his time in Bellator, Askren scored decisive victories over Douglas Lima, Andrey Koreshkov, and Lyman Good.
4 Ryan Bader
Ryan Bader's run in Bellator from 2017 to 2020 was awe-inspiring. While the wrestler was always a respected fighter in the UFC, he completely changed the way his career will be remembered in a three-year span. His first fight in the promotion was a victory over Phil Davis to earn the light-heavyweight crown.
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After one title defense over Linton Vassell, he decided to move upwards to try and claim heavyweight gold in Bellator's Grand Prix. He did exactly that, by dominating names such as King Mo, Matt Mitrione, and Fedor Emelianenko. While he's struggled at 205 pounds since that time, he's still the heavyweight champion today.
3 Douglas Lima
Douglas Lima is one of the rare fighters who has transcended the Bellator umbrella, while he's still in the promotion, he's become a well-respected name. During his time in the company, he's scored victories over names such as Andrey Koreshkov, Paul Daley, Rory MacDonald, and more.
Lima is a three-time welterweight promotion. While he's currently riding a three-fight losing streak, he's still one of the greatest fighters in Bellator history.
2 Michael Chandler
Now in the UFC, Michael Chandler paved his way there by winning in the Bellator cage. 'Iron Mike' was in the promotion for nearly ten years and had three reigns with the 155-pound title.
Chandler scored victories over names such as Patricky Pitbull, Benson Hendeson, and Eddie Alvarez. While he's no longer in the company, it's undeniable that the wrestler was the face of the promotion for the better part of a decade.
1 Patricio Pitbull
The only man above Michael Chandler is the individual who ended his third and final lightweight title reign. While his brother Patricky has had his fair share of struggles in the Bellator cage, Patricio has been dominant almost the entire time.
The Brazilian has captured gold at both featherweight and lightweight. In addition to that, he's the leader for most wins in company history and has defeated nearly every single big name to ever compete around his weight during his 12-year run.
