Joe Taimanglo

Bellator CIII is expected to take place on October 11, 2013 at Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas. The event is set to air live in prime time on Spike TV. Bellator 103 will feature the Featherweight Tournament Semifinal bouts. Featured in the fights will be David Rickels and ISKA World Kickboxing Champion Marcio Navarro and his protégé Jeimeson Saudino all fighting out of Wichita, Kansas

Bellator 167 was headlined by a bantamweight fight pitting Darrion Caldwell against Joe Taimanglo. Caldwell and Taimanglo previously met in a catchweight bout at Bellator 159. Caldwell did well in the first two rounds, but was caught with a fight-ending guillotine choke nine seconds into the third round. The defeat was the first loss of Caldwell’s career and Caldwell was a 14-1 favorite entering the bout, making the upset the fourth biggest in MMA history. Taimanglo was riding a four-fight winning streak into the rematch. Caldwell came into the first bout with Taimanglo off a career-best win over Joe Warren at Bellator 151. A featherweight bout between Pat Curran and John Teixeira was also scheduled for this card. However, the fight was cancelled in early November due to an injury sustained by Curran. Teixeira instead faced Justin Lawrence.

Bellator 184: Dantas vs. Caldwell took place on October 6, 2017 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The event aired live in prime time on Spike TV.

Bellator 195: Caldwell vs. Higo took place on March 2, 2018 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The event aired live in prime time on Paramount Network. The event was headlined by Bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell making the first defense of his title against Pitbull brothers' protege Leandro Higo.