Bellator 188 reactions: Winning and losing fighters on social media

Since the early days when the sport was anything but a mainstream endeavor, the MMA industry has thrived and survived through various websites, forums and, perhaps most importantly, social-media platforms.

Fighters interact with fans, each other and many more through the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, which helps outsiders get a deeper look into the minds of the athletes.

Following this past week’s Bellator 188 event at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel, several of the winning and losing fighters, along with their coaches, training partners or family members, took to social media to react to the event or share a message with supporters.

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The defeated

Upon my entrance to the cage I stopped and took a moment to look around. Sheer amazement was my first thought. To see and feel such energy and love for the sport at that moment was amazing. Win or lose it's a feeling very few will ever get to experience nor understand. I put every part of my heart and soul into this life. Into this sport.. It's helped and is still continuing to help me grow into the best version of me. The outcome isn't always as expected, but i love it regardless. I can't do anything but move forward and learn from every part of this journey. Thank you to everyone who has shown their kind words and support. It means more then you know. ? Thank you @bellatormma for this amazing opportunity. Until next time! #telaviv #packedhouse #lovemma . ??: @lucasnoonan . . . . . #girlfighter #cantstopwontstop #bellator #fighter #fighterlife #flyweight #fight #fitmom #fightermom #picoftheday #instapic #instagram #kickboxing #jiujitsu #jiujitsuislife #healthy #muaythai #israel

A post shared by Jessica Middleton (@middletonmma) on Nov 18, 2017 at 8:06pm PST

??????? ?????? ???? ?????, ???????? ???, ???????? ??? ????? ??????. ???? ????????????? ???? ?????, ??????? ?????? ? ????, ??????, ?????? ?????, ??? ????? ???????, ????????, ??? ?????? ???? ????????. ? ???? ?????????? ???? ???????, ??? ?????? ???? ? 77 ?? ???? ?? ?????????, ??? ?? ? ??????, ?? ?? ????????????? ?????? ? ? ???? ??? ?????????? ???? ??????? ??? ? ?? ????? ??????. ? ??? ????? ????? ? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ???????? ????? ?? ?????????. ?????? ?????? ?????????? ? ??????? ? ????????? 84 ??. ????? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ?? ????? ? ??????? ????? ? ???????! ? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ? ???????? ??? ????????, ?????????? ????? ?? ???? ? ???????. ? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????. ????? ???????????? ????????, ?????? ? ??????? ??????????, ???? ????????????????. ?????? ?? ??????????? ????????. ??????? ???? ??????? ???????? ???. #bellator #bellator188 #bellatormma #mma #ufc #ukraine #israel #telaviv #lviv #acb #m1 #kickboxing #boxing #grappling #bjj #karate #judo #wrestling #gym #crossfi #rfp #westfight #steptotop

A post shared by Arsen Faitovich (@arsen.faitovich) on Nov 18, 2017 at 2:40am PST

Lost but got, Fight of the night bonus. Thank you @bellatormma. We still out here!! #cantkillus #bellator188 #momoneymoproblems

A post shared by Slim (@jermdakidd) on Nov 16, 2017 at 2:37pm PST

When legend Renzo Gracie wants to take a pic with your coat…you take it!!

A post shared by Slim (@jermdakidd) on Nov 16, 2017 at 4:37pm PST

Thank you @bellatormma and to all the fans in Israel and back home in the U.S. I’ll be back #letmebangbro #bellatormma #bellator188

A post shared by Slim (@jermdakidd) on Nov 16, 2017 at 9:33pm PST

I came to Israel to give the fans what they paid to see. A fight! Lahat just wanted to hug. Hats off to him for the win. @bellatormma I still want that fight against @strabanimalmma. Bring him to the US and I’ll bury his ass in American soil. @crispimbjj we don’t run, we fight. Heal up so I can punch you in that big mouth of yours GalleGIRL. ???????????????????????????????????????????? @karimhardhittamayfield @bellatormma @renzograciebjj @realroyce @imajin_jordan @rich_chou @janeestioko

A post shared by Slim (@jermdakidd) on Nov 18, 2017 at 11:01am PST

The victorious

What an #experience! A #dream that has come #true. The #bellator cage and then #win in such a way! I have been #champion #kickboxing for #years and also 2 times at #bellatorkickboxing… I do not come to #bellatormma to just give it a try for one time as you see! My Dream is to have that red belt next to my blue belt at home. I want to thank my #real #friends, #family and my #team because without them this was not #possible… I also want to thank bellator for this great opportunity! On to the next one! Kickboxing or Mma ??. Osu! ????? #bellator #mma #kickboxing #bellatormma #bellatorkickboxing #champion #fight #teamdynamite #teamgerges #denisekielholtz #gerges #missdynamite

A post shared by Denise Kielholtz Gerges (@dynamite8989) on Nov 16, 2017 at 8:53pm PST

These moments you dont realize but thank god for @lucasnoonan for making these moments forever.. so who has watched or watched tonight on Dutch @spiketvnl bellatormma??.. #missdynamite #denisekielholtz #bellator188 #bellatormma #worldchampion #bellatorkickboxing #foreverandever #spiketv #israel #telaviv

A post shared by Denise Kielholtz Gerges (@dynamite8989) on Nov 18, 2017 at 1:01am PST

My first drive my first love for Martial Arts , judo, will never leave my Blood.. #bellator188 #israel #telaviv #judo #bellatormma #missdynamite #worldchampion #bellatorkickboxing #readyforwhatever #whatsnext

A post shared by Denise Kielholtz Gerges (@dynamite8989) on Nov 18, 2017 at 9:27pm PST

Thank you guys for all the support. I won by rear naked choke in the first round. All the glory to God. I will be posting pictures from the fight soon. It will be airing tomorrow night on spike tv. Time to go enjoy Israel. ????

A post shared by John Salter (@johnsalter_mma) on Nov 16, 2017 at 2:18pm PST

We had a great time swimming in and relaxing by the #mediterraneansea today. It was beautiful place.

A post shared by John Salter (@johnsalter_mma) on Nov 17, 2017 at 10:55am PST

I never feel completely ready until it's time to walk out. That's when everything comes together.

A post shared by John Salter (@johnsalter_mma) on Nov 18, 2017 at 10:58am PST

?????? 188

A post shared by Haim Gozali (@haimgozali) on Nov 17, 2017 at 12:06pm PST

Bellator 188. This is what it looks like when you fight in israel with your family and master @renzograciebjj by your side… The night before the fight Renzo saw my opponent fight on video and told me what I needed to do in order to win.. I did exactly what he said word for word! Love you master Renzo Gracie!!!

A post shared by Haim Gozali (@haimgozali) on Nov 18, 2017 at 12:48am PST

#bellator188 mission accomplished ????????????????

A post shared by Noad Lahat (@noad_lahat) on Nov 18, 2017 at 7:18am PST

For complete coverage of Bellator 188, check out the MMA Events section of the site.

The Blue Corner is MMAjunkie‘s official blog and is edited by Mike Bohn.