Bellator 189 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 Friday’s and Bellator 189 event at WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, Okla., 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

????Quero agradecer todo mundo que torceu por mim. Ontem eu nao sei que luta os juízes viram, porque para mim ganhei sim a luta. ???? ????I want to thank everyone. ????????Yesterday I do not know what fight the judges saw, because for me I won the fight. #teamloro ?? @lucasnoonan Thanks Brother for the picture

A post shared by MarcosLoroGalvao (@marcoslorogalvao) on Dec 2, 2017 at 8:21am PST

Enjoyed this technical fight with such a great guy, congrats @chidibangnjoku #bellator #mma # bellatormma #respectall #mmafighter #fightlife #fighters

A post shared by hisaki kato (@hisaki_alive) on Dec 1, 2017 at 8:05pm PST

This wasn’t the post I was planning to be writing…but… Congratulations to @championjewel, obviously I feel like I won but like the old adage goes, to be the champ you have to beat the champ decisively. I guess two of the judges didn’t agree. In saying that, I feel I shut all the ladies in my division up that said I didn’t deserve the shot and I’ll happily shut it up in the cage. I don’t think there is much point asking for the rematch as I don’t think Julia would take it, but I’m sure I’ll see her for the belt again real soon. As always, thankyou to my corner @sully_lhpc @tyson_pedro @dee_c_shaw, my other coaches and team mates at #LHPC, sponsors, fans and followers ?? To all of those that have messaged me and commented on posts, thankyou and know that I am holding my head high with pride. I will be back!!

A post shared by Arlene Blencowe (@the_aussie_girl_angerfist) on Dec 2, 2017 at 12:02am PST

A few days in LA before heading home #SantaMonica #LA #California #VeniceBeach #BubbaGump #SantaMonicaPier ??????????????

A post shared by Arlene Blencowe (@the_aussie_girl_angerfist) on Dec 2, 2017 at 3:56pm PST

The victorious

Sometimes you’re the hammer , sometimes you’re the nail. This time I? got to play the role of the hammer. ??? body by @gtxsports_performance_ beanie by @thegreat_pnw

A post shared by Samuel Sicilia (@sampagesicilia) on Dec 1, 2017 at 6:24pm PST

True happiness! So many people to thank. @chrisharrismma , @stevenwin145 , and my best man @joenosemma ! Coach Andy Zerger for creating the fighter you see out there. All of my amazing sponsors, My beautiful wife, and my little Neanderthal children #18AndCounting #BellatorGangster

A post shared by David Cavemann Rickels (@thecaveman316) on Dec 2, 2017 at 7:08am PST

I LOVE PLAYING PUNCHY FACE ???

A post shared by David Cavemann Rickels (@thecaveman316) on Dec 3, 2017 at 11:29am PST

Just want to give a shout out to everyone that came out to my fight n also the ones who couldn't make it but watched it live on @spiketv. Big shout out to my team @onekick gym, #SergioPenhabjj and @saeksonjanjiramt, I couldn't have done it without u guys! Much respect to my opponent @hisaki_alive ur a warrior and a true class act. Thank u to my family, friends and supporters who's had my back since day one. On to the next! #BangNation

A post shared by Chidi Njokuani (@chidibangnjoku) on Dec 2, 2017 at 2:54pm PST

Shout out to everyone that helped my crippled ass get around. Good news is the foot ain't broken, just fuuuuucked up. Be back in the gym soon! #BangNation

A post shared by Chidi Njokuani (@chidibangnjoku) on Dec 3, 2017 at 1:13pm PST

I just want to take a moment to thank all of those who support me & I will be representing inside the @bellatormma cage this evening. First, my parents who have always supported my dreams & gave me this martial arts life. My sponsors @wartribegear, @onnit, White Equipment Rental, Brookover Enterprises, & @pr2systems. Thank you for helping make this incredible camp possible for me & supplying me with nothing but the best products out there! To my teachers & martial arts brothers, @ribeirojiujitsu, @xanderibeirojj, @evolucaothai, @andredida, @matrixgrappling, @greenstrengthiv, & @cameronshayne. Thank you for the lifetimes of knowledge that you have passed on to me & for opening your arms to me not just as a student, but as a brother. Shoutout to all my “Porrada Brothers” at @evolucaothaibr in Curitiba, ???? Training with you all makes me feel ready for anything! To all of my students, instructors, & staff at @lovatobjjmma for the love, support, & of course the hard training that you all give to me no questions asked. My managers @edblackhouse & @sportingglobal for taking good care of me. Last, but certainly not least, to all of my fans & supporters out there worldwide that send me messages & positive vibes every time I step onto the battlefield. I can’t say how much your support means to me! I’m happy, I’m grateful, & I’m confident. Time to do what I was made to do!!!! #TrueMartialArtist

A post shared by Rafael Lovato Jr (@lovatojrbjj) on Dec 1, 2017 at 3:03pm PST

First time to go the distance tonight. Thankful for the war @christhecutt gave me, much respect & all the best to you in the future. Very grateful to @bellatormma for giving me the Co-Main event spot on @spiketv so my students, friends, & fans around the world could watch. I learned a lot tonight & am very thankful for the experience I gained. I wish I could have got the finish for you all, but I know how important this fight was for my development & I will be that much better next time. Thank you all for the love & support, especially all of my @lovatobjjmma family that was there to cheer me on live. There is more to say, but now I am going to rest & eat a lot of bad food lol…. 7-0 ???????? #TrueMartialArtist

A post shared by Rafael Lovato Jr (@lovatojrbjj) on Dec 1, 2017 at 10:36pm PST

It’s all about family! So thankful! ???? #Blessed #WeDidIt #7and0 #TeamLovatoMMA ?? by @hosannarull

A post shared by Rafael Lovato Jr (@lovatojrbjj) on Dec 2, 2017 at 3:27pm PST

Thank you to all my family, friends and fans for the love & support and especially to my team @gibsonmma @lancegibsonsr and @lancefearlessjr ?? it was a tough fight and an even tougher training camp to get thru but we did it ???? #andstill also thank you to my opponent @the_aussie_girl_angerfist for sharing the cage with me tonight. I knew you would bring it!

A post shared by Julia "The Jewel" Budd (@championjewel) on Dec 2, 2017 at 3:29am PST

For complete coverage of Bellator 189, check out the MMA Events section of the site.

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