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Category Archives: Amateur MMA
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COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES COMPLETE LINEUP FOR TIJUANA, MEXICO ON THURSDAY, MARCH 30
LIVE ON AZTECA AMERICA
Bantamweight Main event:
Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo vs. Iván “El Brasil” Flores
Also:
José Alday replaces injured Joey Ruquet, will face Irving Hernández Cristi in a featherweight battle
Unbeaten Nate Diaz protégés Cristian Díaz and José Aguayo to make their respective debuts in La Jaula
NEW YORK – March 17, 2017 – Combate Americas today announced the completion of a stellar, 11-bout card for its debut in Tijuana, Mexico on Thursday, March 30, live on Azteca America in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m from the Auditorio Municipal.
TV Azteca will broadcast “Combate12” in Mexico on Friday at 11:00 p.m., and UFC Fight Pass® will distribute an English-language version of the event as a video on demand (VOD).
“Combate12” will be headlined by a bantamweight (135 pound) showdown between Argentinean Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo (10-4) and Monterrey, Mexico native Iván “El Brasil” Flores (8-1-1).
Rojo, a veteran of season three of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America, will look to make a statement in his first start in La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, when he faces Flores, who will be on a mission to defend the honor of his house.
Rojo will fight for the first time in Mexico after an extensive career in South American arenas where he has become one of the most popular fighters in the region.
Flores, meanwhile, will look to rebound from a second round (3:11) submission (arm-triangle choke) defeat at the hands of Mark “The Bumblebee” Delarosa at “Combate10” in Mexico City, Mexico in January.
Another contestant from the third season of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America, Costa Rican Walter Zamora (9-2), will face Monterrey native Alex “Gallito” Flores (8-1) in the “Combate12” co-main event; the Mexican fighter has one goal only, and that is to defend the honor of his country in the featherweight (145 pounds) bout.
In one of the most anticipated Combate Americas battles of 2017, Erick “The Ghost Pepper” González (5-2) of Los Angeles, California returns to action less than two months after his “Fight of the Night” performance against Danny “The Realist” Ramírez in the main event of “Combate11.”
Gonzalez will collide with Marco Antonio “La Roca” Elpidio (7-1) of Mexico City. Elpidio was victorious by way of split decision over Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas at “Combate10.”
After sustaining a broken nose in training, Joey “El Cazador” Ruquet of Las Vegas, Nev. has been replaced by Jose “El Pochito” Alday (9-2) of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
Alday, whose last start on October 15 against Mahatma Chit-Bala Garcia Avalos resulted in a draw, will square off with Irving “Moreno” Hernandez (4-2) of Tijuana. Hernandez is a winner of his last three bouts, two by (T)KO.
In addition, two of UFC star Nate Diaz’s Stockton, Calif.-based, undefeated protégés, José Aguayo (2-0) and Christian Giovannie (1-0), will make their respective promotional debuts.
Aguayo will face Gilbert Santos (1-2) Ensenada, Mexico in a featherweight matchup, while Giovannie will fight Angel Gonzalez (0-0), also of Ensenada, in a bantamweight tilt.
COMBATE12 FIGHT CARD
Main Event
Marcelo Rojo (10-4) vs. Iván Hernández Flores (8-1-1)
Division: 135 lbs. (Bantamweight)
Co-Main Event
Walter Zamora (9-2) vs. Alex “Gallito” Flores (8-1)
Division: 145 lbs. (Featherweight)
Marco Antonio Elpidio (7-1) vs. Erick González (5-2)
Division: 155 lbs. (Lightweight)
Christopher Ramírez (5-1) vs. Alex Velasco (6-1)
Division: 170 lbs. (Welterweight)
Pablo Sabori (6-3) vs. Levy Saúl Marroquín (7-1)
Division: 145 lbs. (Featherweight)
José Aguayo (2-0) vs. Gilbert Santos (1-2)
Division: 145 lbs. (Featherweight)
Ramón Lopez (1-2) vs. Marcos Bonilla (4-3)
Division: 155 lbs. (Lightweight)
José Alday (9-2) vs. Irving Hernández (4-2)
Division: 145 lbs. (Featherweight)
Pablo Olea (5-5) vs. Eduardo Varela Soto (2-1)
Division: 135 lbs. (Bantamweight)
Christian Giovannie (1-0) vs. Ángel González (0-0)
Division: 135 lbs. (Bantamweight)
Oscar Quintero (2-1) vs. Oscar Chairez (1-0)
Division: 125 lbs. (Flyweight)
#combateamericas
#combate12
#lajaulaiscalling
FEMALE STRAWWEIGHT BOUT RESCHEDULED TO NEF 28
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (March 16, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition an amateur women’s bout to the card. Alex Walker (2-1) will meet Katie Baker (0-0) at the strawweight limit of 115-pounds.
Walker and Baker were originally scheduled to face each other last month at “NEF 27.” Unfortunately, a medical issue forced Walker to withdraw from the contest just days before the fight. Now fully healed, Walker is back training regularly at the Kaze Dojo in Lancaster, New Hampshire in preparation for “NEF 28.”
“Injuries have plagued me and my team for the last two years, but I am healthy now, so watch out,” exclaimed Walker. “I am going on a run and nothing will stop me!”
Losing her opponent so close to the event was definitely a disappointment for Baker and her many fans. Training in the martial arts from an early age, the eighteen-year-old had waited years to compete in the MMA cage. Baker is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine. She made her amateur boxing debut last year.
“I was really bummed when Alex withdrew from our fight,” said Baker. “You make the sacrifices it takes to train and diet, not to mention the disappointment of those who purchased tickets. But I knew, and our fans knew, Alex is a warrior and would not back out unless something was wrong. I’m looking forward to finally meeting her in the cage on April 29th.”
New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.
For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal, regulatory affairs and advertising.
FORMER WRESTLING STANDOUTS SET TO THROW DOWN AT NEF 28
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (March 15, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a pair of amateur bouts to the card. Ken Dunn(0-4) is set to face Eddie DeRoche (0-1) in a catchweight bout and double amateur debut fighters Caleb Austin (0-0) of Rumford, Maine and James Ploss (0-0) from Kaze Dojo in Lancaster, NH are set to tangle in a feature flyweight bout.
Caleb Austin is a two-time Maine state wrestling champion and a member of the exclusive “200 Wins Club,” a rare feat in Maine wrestling. Austin recently completed his high school career with an overall record of 208-11. Caleb’s father, Eric Austin—also a former Maine state wrestling champion—is an undefeated veteran of the cage, having gone 2-0 in NEF back in 2012. Like his father, Caleb is preparing to put his wrestling on display for the NEF fans in his debut on April 29th.
“I’ve wrestled my entire life and grown-up around the NEF community,” stated Austin when reached for comment. “I’ve been waiting a long time to turn 18 to become eligible to compete in the sport of mixed martial arts like my father did. I’m excited to put my skills to the test, represent Rumford and put on a show in the NEF cage. I’m ready.”
Austin’s opponent, James Ploss, trains with Greg Williams at the well-known Kaze Dojo in Lancaster, New Hampshire. Several NEF veterans with names familiar to fans, including Allan Josselyn, Mike Bezanson and Alex Walker, hail from the Kaze Dojo. Ploss is committed to carrying on the tradition of strong debuts from the White Mountains gym and following through on a personal promise in the process.
“Fighting is real personal to me,” Ploss stated when reached for comment. “I promised the man that raised me that I would fight. He died shortly after that. I want to prove to him and myself that I can be successful in this sport. My goal is to inspire others to achieve.”
Eddie DeRoche wrestled alongside Austin for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine. During his time there, DeRoche was a two-time state finalist. He made his NEF debut in June 2016 at “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND” in a losing effort against Skyler Bang. Reinvigorated at the opportunity to make up for his debut, DeRoche is committed to finding his first win in the NEF cage on April 29th at NEF 28.
“My first fight was a great learning experience,” stated DeRoche, when reached for comment. “I appreciated it for what it was and have made the necessary adjustments to make sure I come out on top when I step back into the NEF cage for the second time on April 29th.”
DeRoche’s opponent, Ken Dunn, is also looking for redemption at NEF 28. Dunn has made three prior trips to the NEF cage since debuting with the promotion back in 2015 and is hungry for his first win inside the NEF hexagon.
“I want to show NEF fans that I’m worthy of a rematch and title shot at Velado and that strap,” stated Dunn when reached for comment. “Eddie Deroche is a worthy adversary. I’m excited to compete against him. It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll—and I ain’t stopping until I get there.”
New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.
For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
WMMAA Pan-American Division Welcomes new member Ecuador
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MONTE CARLO, Monaco (March 14, 2017) – The Pan-American Division of the World MMA Championships (WMMAA) has formally announced the recent addition of Ecuador as its newest member. “We continue to grow with every new country take forward the MMA movement as well as recognition of MMA as a sport,” said Tomas Yu, President of the WMMA Pan-American Division. “I have long been an advocate of MMA as a sport. Watching this great group of pioneers put up a great fight that takes is back to the basics and to what Martial Arts truly represents: loyalty, honor, and family.”
Yu appointed Gorky E. Rodriguez as President of WMMAA Ecuador. Hector Molina, Director of the Regulatory Committee for the WMMAA Pan-American Division, will work closely with Rodriguez during the formation of the WMMAA Ecuador Regulatory Committee.
“MMA is in a critical time,” Rodriguez commented. “It’s explosive growth this past decade has made MMA the fastest growing sport in the world, demanding that an organization like ours exist and to add unbiased structure, not only for athletes, but as a regulatory body as well.
“Much continues to happen since WMMAA Ecuador was formed. We will all celebrate our first participation, as a national team, this year in the Pan-American Championships. I look forward to using my experience and the volumes of knowledge the WMMAA Pan-American Division brings to Ecuador. I will share the vision with all my efforts as we will defend, promote and endorse MMA as a sport and give all participants and fans a significant difference in the sport.”
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @theWMMAA
Instagram: @worldmmaa
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DANGER MOUSE LOOKS TO CONTINUE HIS WINNING WAYS AT NEF 28
Lewiston, Maine (March 13, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the card. Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (3-2) returns to take on Andre “The Finisher” Belcarris (0-0) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.
Leland, a resident of South Portland, Maine, is a mainstay of the NEF cage. He fought his sophomore amateur contest at “NEF I” back in February 2012 and has competed on eight of the promotion’s cards since, including one appearance as a professional boxer. Holding a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt from the Academy of MMA in Portland, it should come as no surprise that all three of Leland’s professional victories have come by way of submission. He forced veteran Nick Santos to tap to an arm triangle choke last month at “NEF 27.” In doing so, Leland snapped a two-fight losing streak. He will look to stay on the winning track on April 29.
“I’m very excited to get back in the cage once again,” said Leland. “I want to keep this momentum going. I’m ready for war and putting in more work this year than I ever have before. Be prepared for a hell of a fight – you will be sorry if you miss it! Mother f**king beast mode!”
Andre Belcarris will make his professional debut at “NEF 28,” but he already has a wealth of experience in the MMA cage. He began competing in the sport as an amateur in 2010 and has had more than 30 fights since – an astounding number for an amateur mixed-martial-artist. Belcarris fights out of Bennington, Vermont where he is a member of team Northeast Assassins. In direct contrast to Leland’s mat skills, Belcarris is a striker with 11 knockout wins to his credit in the amateur ranks.
“I am honored to share the cage with a fighter of Eli’s caliber,” stated Belcarris when reached for comment. “It means that my time has finally come. Expect fireworks!”
New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.
For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website atwww.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal, regulatory affairs and advertising.
TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING; LONG-AWAITED DEBUT WILL FINALLY HAPPEN AT NEF 28
Lewiston, Maine (March 10, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the card. Matt “Pretty Boy” Probin (0-0) will meet Rob “The Beast” Best (0-0) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.
Probin, a well known boxer, kickboxer and mixed-martial-artist, came to Maine and began training in the Pine Tree State in 2015. A native of Blackpool, England, Probin had spent time training in North Carolina prior to arriving in Maine. He put together a 6-2 record as an amateur MMA competitor and won a regional title in the Carolinas. While he has not competed in MMA since moving to Maine, Probin has stayed active competing in other combat sports. He is 2-2 as a professional boxer, and he has also spent time training Muay Thai in Thailand in recent years. Probin even competed at the world famous Bangla Boxing Stadium – one of Thailand’s premier Muay Thai venues. He will make his professional MMA debut on April 29 as a member of Bangor, Maine’s Young’s MMA.
“I feel like this has been a long time coming,” said Probin when reached for comment. “I’m excited to make my debut for NEF and put on a show for my friends and fans in my adopted hometown. Don’t blink!”
With more than two-dozen fights since 2011, Rob Best has been one of the Northeast’s most continuously active MMA competitors in recent years. As an amateur, Best captured a regional lightweight title in New York state. He is a member of Mohawk Valley MMA based in the Utica area. Like Probin, the bout on April 29 will be Best’s professional MMA debut.
New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.
For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website atwww.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal, regulatory affairs and advertising.
A DEBUT AND A RETURN ON APRIL 29 IN LEWISTON
Lewiston, Maine (March 9, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the card. Tollison Lewis (1-5) is scheduled to face “The Dominator” Dominic Jones (0-0) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.
Lewis has been absent from the NEF cage since picking up his first MMA victory as a professional last spring. On April 29, it will be just over a year since Lewis submitted Zenon Herrera (0-5) in front of a capacity crowd in Lewiston at “NEF 22.” A two-sport athlete, Lewis has split his time in the last couple of years between the NEF cage and the NEF boxing ring where he has put together a record of 2-2. He currently represents Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Auburn, Maine.
“First off, I’d like to thank NEF for having me on another show,” said Lewis. “I’d like to thank my team and coaches – we are putting in lots of work preparing for this fight with Dominic. As for my opponent, he’s already looking past me. He thinks it will be a walk through. He wants an easy fight for his debut, but it’s not happening. He’s a talented guy, but I’ll have the experience, size, power, striking and BJJ. He’s a very good wrestler, but I’m not worried about being on the ground. This will be a war and I will have my hand raised at the end. Dom, let’s do it baby – let’s do the talking in the cage!”
Jones will be making his professional debut, as well as his NEF debut, on April 29. He got an early start in the martial arts, training Taekwondo with his father at six-years-old. Jones would go on to excel in wrestling during his high school days. He later entered the MMA ranks after joining First Coast Full Contact/Team Riot in his native Jacksonville, Florida. Jones put together an impressive 8-1 record as an amateur while capturing three regional titles. Since moving to New England, Jones has trained at First Class MMA in Brunswick, Maine.
“I’m excited for this fight,” said Jones. “Much respect to Tollison. This is a great fight to kick off my pro debut. I’m training very hard for this bout and I want to show the Maine crowd and NEF who I am! I’m not looking back at the past on what I’ve done as amateur – this is the future and it’s the next level that I have my eyes on.”
New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.
For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website atwww.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal, regulatory affairs and advertising.
THE TIME FOR TALK IS OVER, NOW IT’S TIME TO FIGHT!
Lewiston, Maine (March 1, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the card. Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (3-6) will meet Josh Parker (5-8) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.
The fight will mark the culmination of months of trash talking on social media between Denning and Parker’s camp. Denning, a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Auburn, Maine and a veteran of the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) cage, will be looking to rebound from a loss to Ricky Dexter (1-0) last month at “NEF 27.”
“After Josh’s win over Derek Shorey, I wanted to fight him,” Denning said. “On paper, both of our last wins were against the same opponent (Shorey). I thought the fight made sense. We both have had a lot of fights against very tough fighters. Since that fight, there has been some Facebook bashing from Parker’s brother, and my response was for Josh to sign the contract. He was insulting me and trash talking, so I wanted to prove them wrong. There is no place in a fight where Parker can beat me and on April 29th, I’ll show that to the NEF fans. I’d like to thank (NEF owners) Nick (DiSalvo) and Matt (Peterson) for giving me another opportunity to fight for them. Also, I’d like to thank Kill Their Will and all my family at CMBJJ for their ongoing support.”
Parker’s victory over Shorey last November marked his return to the MMA cage after a three-year absence. He spent the vast majority of that time competing in the boxing ring, yet it was a submission that Parker used to overcome Shorey. For Parker, the head of Ruthless MMA & Boxing based in Benton, Maine, the fight with Denning is not business as usual. The nature of the trash talking has turned personal, and Parker vows vengeance for what he sees as disrespect on Denning’s part.
“There comes a time in every fighter’s career that the fight has nothing to do with records or money,” said Parker. “It’s to prove a point. My name has come out of this kid’s mouth too many times. On April 29th, I’m gonna shut it.”
New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.
For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal, regulatory affairs and advertising.