Category Archives: mixed martial arts

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BARRY OUT, ORTOLANI RETURNS TO NEW ENGLAND TO FIGHT KRAMLICH

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Lewiston, Maine (August 26, 2016) – He has one of the largest and most passionate fanbases of any New England fighter, and now John Ortolani (0-0 boxing, 8-10 MMA) will return to New England Fights (NEF) after a two-and-a-half year absence at “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS” on September 10 in Lewiston.  Ortolani, however, will not be competing in the NEF MMA cage.  He will make his professional boxing debut that evening, stepping in to replace Connor Barry (0-1) against Casey “Buzzsaw” Kramlich (4-0-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round middleweight contest.

 

John Ortolani has been a fixture of the New England MMA scene since 2009.  It is well-documented that Ortolani is a two-sport athlete.  In addition to fighting MMA, he is a midfielder in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) where he has played for the Boston Cannons, Rochester Rattlers and Florida Launch.  Recent years have seen Ortolani take up residence in Tampa, Florida where he has continued competing in MMA out of South Tampa Jiu-Jitsu & MMA.  A native of Billerica, Massachusetts, he looks forward to making the trip north to New England where he will have the opportunity to once again fight closer to home in front of his friends and family.

 

“I am excited to be fighting back in Maine again,” said Ortolani.  “I’d like to thank (NEF owners) Matt (Peterson) and Nick (DiSalvo) for having me back. This will be my first time stepping in the ring and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve wanted to test myself in a boxing match for years and now is my chance. Casey is a great opponent and I’m happy I could fill in and give him a good fight. I am a true martial artist and can’t wait to test my hands. It’s been almost three years since fighting for NEF. Get ready for an exciting fight.”

 

At the other end of the spectrum, Casey Kramlich has made a second home of the boxing ring.  Training out of the Portland Boxing Club in Portland, Maine, Kramlich had an extensive amateur boxing career prior to turning professional in 2014.  This past spring he gave Jason Kelly (5-1, 3 KOs) his first taste of defeat in the ring.  Kramlich followed up that win with a dominant technical knockout victory over Zenon Herrera (0-2) in the third round of Kramlich’s NEF debut at “NEF 24.”

 

“I’m looking forward to fighting on an NEF card again,” said Kramlich.  “I’ve been training hard and ready to put my talent on display. My opponent has a little weight advantage on me, but I plan on using my speed and angles to pick him apart.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.

 

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 them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING SIGNS HEAVYWEIGHT SENSATION JARED ROSHOLT TO EXCLUSIVE, MULTI-FIGHT AGREEMENT

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Heavyweight standout Ashley Gooch also inked to exclusive, multi-fight deal
LAS VEGAS (August 24, 2016) – World Series of Fighting (www.WSOF.com) announced today that it has signed seasoned, heavyweight Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) star and former NCAA Division I wrestling sensation Jared “The Big Show” Rosholt (14-3) to an exclusive, multi-fight promotional agreement.

The world championship MMA league also announced that it has inked streaking heavyweight standout Ashley “Gio” Gooch (10-4) to an exclusive, multi-fight deal.  Each athlete’s promotional debut will be announced soon.

“We are excited to welcome one of the sport’s top, free-agent heavyweight stars in Jared Rosholt, as well as veteran Ashley Gooch, who has been on fire of late, to the World Series of Fighting roster and look forward to seeing how each is able to contend in the decagon cage where we have a growing number of exciting and fast-rising stars vying for our coveted championship that is held by Blagoy Ivanov,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

A 2010 NCAA Division I national wrestling championship runner-up and three-time All-American for Oklahoma State University, the 30-year-old, 6-foot-2, 245-pound Rosholt of Arlington, Texas arrives at World Series of Fighting following an eight-fight stint with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he posted a strong, overall record of 6-2.

During his stretch with the UFC, Rosholt, the younger brother of fellow MMA standout Jake Rosholt, notched a unanimous decision over the league’s tallest fighter, seven-foot giant Stefan Struve, on November 15, 2015.

The hard-hitting, 6-foot-3, 265-pound Gooch of Glendale, Ariz. will enter the decagon cage riding an eight-fight win streak that dates back to September 28, 2013 when the 41-year-old decimated Allan Sullivan with a one-punch KO in the first round (1:30) of battle.

To date, Gooch has earned 7 of his 10 career victories by way of (T)KO and 2 wins via submission.  Five of his eight consecutive victories have come inside of one round.

Gooch is coming off a third round (1:10) TKO (punches) of Greg Rebello in Lincoln, R.I. on August 12.

Live World Series of Fighting action returns to NBCSN on Saturday, Oct. 7, with an unprecedented, three-hour telecast, beginning at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m., from Kansas City Memorial Auditorium in Kansas City, Kan.

In the main event of WSOF33: Gaethje vs. Dugulubgov, reigning, undefeated world lightweight (155 pounds) champion Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje(16-0) of Safford, Ariz. will risk his title against number one contender Ozzy Dugulubgov (8-2) of Ridgewood, N.J.

559 Fights, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA

559 Fights brings 50th event to Visalia

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VISALIA, Calif. – When 559 Fights first opened it’s cage doors to amateur mixed martial artist in 2012 the vision was simple – grow and develop local talent.

On Friday, September2 at the Visalia Convention Center the locally-grown and operated MMA promotion will host it’s 50th event.

“When Joey (Perez), Mots (Jon Motsenbocker) and I sat down and started the idea of 559 Fights, we knew that this day would come,” said 559 Fights president Jeremy Luchau. “Our goal from the beginning was not to have the biggest, brightest, fanciest, but rather to be the most consistent and give more opportunities for young, local amateurs to compete.”

Since 2012 559 Fights has hosted the California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization State Championships, Northern California Regional Championships twice and had hundreds of competitors step foot in their cage.

“559 Fights has become the most consistent MMA platform in the country which is demonstrated by the vast number of rising professional stars that developed their talent in the 559 cage,” CAMO President JT Steele said.

559 Fights has produced events in 18 different venues over the past three years and in cities all across the Central Valley from Bakersfield to Fresno.

Tickets for the 50th event can be purchased at the Visalia Convention Center box office and start at just $25. For more information visit www.559fights.com

“Often times we’ve done things against the grain. We charge a much smaller ticket price than other shows throughout the country and we put together sometimes triple the events,” Luchau said. “We try our best to give these fighters and fans the best possible experience. We’ve fought in venues all over the Valley trying to promote mixed martial arts and our fighters to a variety of different communities.”

Long-time 559 Fights staple Visalia’s Jonathan DeLeon will headline the event in a Featherweight Title bout against Bakersfield’s David Mendoza. In the co-main event, Visalia’s Steven Robinson takes on Ridgecrest’s Jacobo Longoria for the Welterweight Championship.

“There’s so many great amateurs throughout the Valley that it’s been really easy to showcase these fighters, get them the exposure that they need and have them move on to the professional level,” Luchau said. “We’ve had a large number of fighters essentially graduate from amateur ranks at 559 Fights and into the pro ranks.”

559 Fights 50 will have over 10-action packed bouts.

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING RELEASES FALL/WINTER 2016 “SUPER SCHEDULE” ON NBC AND NBCSN

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FOUR NEW LIVE EVENT DATES BEGIN WITH UNPRECEDENTED, THREE-HOUR NBCSN TELECAST
OF WSOF33 FROM KANSAS CITY, KAN. ON OCTOBER 7

EPIC YEAR CONCLUDES WITH WSOF36 MEGA-EVENT ON NBC
FROM MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ON DECEMBER 31

LAS VEGAS (August 23, 2016) – Following its highest-viewed live event of the year on July 30, World Series of Fighting (www.WSOF.com) announced today that it has pegged new dates to its four remaining 2016 events, beginning with an unprecedented, three-hour, live NBCSN telecast (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT) of WSOF33: Gaethje vs. Dugulubov from Kansas City, Kan. on Friday, Oct. 7, and concluding with the recently announced WSOF36 mega-event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday, Dec. 31, live on NBC.

WSOF34 and WSOF35, both of which will air live on NBCSN, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Budweiser Event Center from Loveland, Colo. outside of Denver, and on Saturday, Dec. 3 at XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash.  The main event and co-main event for each of these two fight cards will also be revealed soon.

“We are excited to head into the fall season of our busiest year to date, with a full schedule of live television events that will see us bring the World Series of Fighting brand of MMA action to new, major media markets; produce a three-hour, live show for the first time ever; and return to broadcast television on NBC from Madison Square Garden’s Theater venue on New Year’s Eve,” said World Series of Fighting CEO Carlos Silva.

World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo stated, “We have in store for MMA fans, some phenomenal, world championship bouts as well as other star-studded matchups, and I think these last four events of 2016 will firmly put an exclamation point on what has been a banner year for the league.”

In addition, the world championship fight series will air a two-hour replay of WSOF32:  Moraes vs. Hill II on Saturday, Sept. 24.  The WSOF32 world championship doubleheader event that took place at XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. garnered over 250,000 live viewers on NBCSN on July 30, and an immediate replay of the show drew an additional 107,000 viewers.

WSOF33 will take place at Kansas City Memorial Auditorium and will be headlined by a world lightweight (155 pounds) championship showdown between undefeated, reigning kingpin Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje (16-0) of Safford, Ariz. and hard-hitting, number one contender Ozzy Dugulubgov (8-2) of Ridgewood, N.J.

In the co-main event of WSOF33, Blackzilians star Luiz “Buscape” Firmino(19-6) of Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil will put a six-fight win streak on the line against former world championship challenger and the first-ever World Series of Fighting eight-man tournament winner, Brian Foster (25-9) of Sallisaw, Okla.

Additional WSOF33 bouts will be announced soon.

boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

THREE WOMEN’S FIGHTS, TWO TITLE FIGHTS AND NEW FACES FIND A HOME ON NEF 25 CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (August 19, 2016) –New England Fights (NEF) today announced the full fight card for the promotion’s next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.”  It is scheduled to take place onSaturday, September 10, 2016 in Lewiston.   The dynamic card will feature professional boxing bouts, as well as both professional and amateur mixed-martial-arts (MMA) contests.

 

On the boxing portion of the card, Brandon Montella (4-0) will meet Tollison Lewis (2-1) in a four-round light-heavyweight contest, while longtime Maine middleweight John “Rumble” Webster (8-7-1) returns on the eve of his 48th birthday to battle Zenon “K-Bar” Herrera (0-2).  Rounding out the pro boxing portion of the card will be Casey “Buzzsaw” Kramlich (4-0-1) and Connor Barry (0-1) in a four-round bout.

 

The professional side of the MMA card will feature a total of three Bellator and one Invicta veterans.  Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (7-5) and Jon Lemke(5-6) will rematch their previous bout won by Lemke at Bellator 93 in 2013.  Bellator 144 competitor Walter Smith Cotito (3-4) returns to Maine after a three-year absence to meet Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1), while Valerie “Valociraptor” Aspaas (0-0) herself returns to Maine after three years to make her pro debut against Invicta 16 veteran Sarah “SwitchKick” Click (0-1).

 

The amateur MMA card will be headlined by two title fights.  Rafael “Deez Nuts” Velado (3-0) takes on Jimmy Jackson (3-2) for the vacant amateur lightweight title.  Amateur bantamweight champion Johnny Crafts (4-0) steps up in weight to challenge Caleb Hall (7-3) for Hall’s featherweight crown.

 

The amateur card will also feature two women’s bantamweight bouts with Brianne Genschell (0-0) and Melissa Trahan (0-0) making their respective cage debut against one another, while Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga(2-1) is scheduled to meet Rachael Joyce (1-0).

 

The full “NEF 25” fight card (subject to change):

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

175 POUNDS: Brandon Montella vs. Tollison Lewis

160 POUNDS: John Webster vs. Zenon Herrera

155 POUNDS: Casey Kramlich vs. Connor Barry

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

205 POUNDS: Mike Hansen vs. Matt Andrikut

155 POUNDS: Jesse Erickson vs. Jon Lemke

145 POUNDS: Matt Denning vs. Taylor Trahan

135 POUNDS: Elias Leland vs. Walter Smith Cotito

125 POUNDS: Sarah Click vs. Valerie Aspaas

 

AMATEUR MMA

155 POUND*TITLE: Rafael Velado vs. Jimmy Jackson

145 POUND*TITLE: Caleb Hall (c) vs. Johnny Crafts

155 POUNDS: Caleb Swoveland vs. Frank Johanson

135 POUNDS: Walt Shea vs. Joel Downing

135 POUNDS: Brianne Genschell vs. Melissa Trahan

135 POUNDS: Jessica Borga vs. Rachael Joyce

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.

 

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 them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA

M-1 Challenge welterweight champion  Alexey Kunchenko to make first title defense vs. Maxim Grabovich at M-1 Challenge 70

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September 10 in Syktyvkar, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (August 19, 2016) – M-1 Challenge welterweight Alexey Kunchenko will put his title belt and undefeated record on the lineSeptember 10 versus upset-minded challenger Maxim Grabovich, headlining M-1 Challenge 70 in Syktyvkar, Russia, M-1 Global has announced.
M-1 Challenge 70 will be streamed live from Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
 
The 32-year-old Kunchenko (13-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0), fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, captured the title in his last fight, when defending M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round this past April at M-1 Challenge 65.  Kunchenko (pictured below) is a Muay Thai specialist originally slated to defend his title in a rematch with Abdulaev, who was unable to accept the challenge at this point do to an injury.
 

Kunchenko is a feared, powerful striker
 
Grabovich (4-2-0, M-1: 3-0-0), a fellow Russian, earned his title shot by going undefeated in thre M-1 Challenge fights to date. Known for his Greco-Roman wrestling skills, Grabovich’s last action was in June at M-1 Challenge 68, in which he took a decision against Danill Prikaza in the Fight of the Night. 
 

Talented wrestler Grabovich hopes to pull off a major upset
 
Other fighters expected to be in action Sept. 10 on the M-1 Challenge 70card include former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich(12-1-0, M-1: 6-0-0) and former M-1 Challenge lightweight title challengerArtem Damkovsky (20-10-0, M-1: 10-7-0), along with Russian fighters such as  light heavyweight Andrey Seledtsov (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0),  featherweight Timur Nagibin (7-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) and middleweight Artem Frolov (6-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0).
 
Information

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ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premier entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With its office in St Petersburg, Russia, the M-1 brand has staged more than 160 events worldwide, including M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge, M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the U.S. network, Showtime. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Sergei Kharitonov, Aleksander Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2016 has been another sensational year of world-class competition, featuring a full calendar of Challenge events, fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global Champions among the greatest fighters in the sport.

 
ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV:  Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database.  It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers.  Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!
boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale

Fight News Unlimited Combat Sports Show: August 18th, 2016

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Join Tony “The Tornado” Penecale, “Rabble Rousin'” Rich Bergeron and “Psychic” Tom Padgett as we analyze UFC 202, discuss the budding Pro Fighters Association and go over the weekly combat sports schedule.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

SECOND WOMEN’S MMA FIGHT ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 25

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Lewiston, Maine (August 18, 2016) – OnSeptember 10, 2016 New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston with its next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.”  Just 48-hours following the announcement of a professional women’s mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bout between Sarah “SwitchKick” Click (0-1) and  Valerie “Valociraptor” Aspaas (0-0), the promotion confirmed a second women’s fight for the card.  In the amateur bantamweight division, Rachael Joyce (1-0) will take on Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga (2-1).

 

Rachael Joyce is a member of Team Irish and Gracie Barra Bangor based in Brewer, Maine.  She made her amateur MMA debut in October 2015 against Christine Brothwell (0-2).  Joyce won the fight via knockout in the second round.  She has since had difficulty finding opponents until Borga stepped up to take the bout at “NEF 25.”  Joyce currently holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

 

“This fight has been a long time coming for me, and NEF has finally made it happen,” said Joyce.  “I am a completely different fighter than I was a year ago, and I’m ready to show everyone on September 10th in the NEF cage against a committed opponent.  If someone is willing to travel from Florida for an amateur fight she is ready for a brawl.  That’s my kind of fight.”

 

Like Joyce, Jessica Borga won her first amateur MMA fight by knockout.  It took her a mere 14-seconds to put Victoria McCollum (0-1) away in the summer of 2015.  Borga followed up that performance with another first-round finish two months later.  She trains out of Champions MMA in Lakeland, Florida where, also like Joyce, she is a BJJ blue belt.

 

“I’m always looking to forward to fighting worthy opponents,” said Borga when reached for comment.

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.

 

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 them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LELAND TO FACE RETURNING BELLATOR VETERAN AT NEF 25

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Lewiston, Maine (August 18, 2016) – OnSeptember 10, 2016 New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston with its next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional bantamweight mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bout to the fight card.  Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1) has signed to meet Walter Smith Cotito (3-4) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

 

Six of Leland’s combined seven amateur and professional MMA fights have taken place in the NEF cage.  The Portland, Maine resident’s only loss to date in NEF was in his last fight against Jay Perrin (2-2) in the spring of 2015.  Late last year, Leland made his pro boxing debut in the NEF ring, taking Josh Parker (0-3-1) to a draw on the judges’ scorecards.  He has proven to be strong in both his standup and on the mat.  Leland, a member of Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner’s The Academy of MMA in Portland, is a dangerous opponent no matter where a fight ends up.

 

“I have been working hard since last year to become better in every aspect of my game,” said Leland.  “I can’t wait to test myself on this tough dude.  Good luck, Walter – and prepare yourself for a hell of a show!”

 

Walter Smith Cotito is no stranger to the NEF cage.  In September 2013, Cotito shocked Maine fans by submitting former NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion Bruce Boyington (13-8) in the first round of a bout at “NEF X.”  Most recently, Cotito competed at Bellator 144 in Connecticut.  He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is based out of Team Link in Hooksett, New Hampshire.

 

“I think this kid is really brave to take a fight with me, but I will make sure I’m his worst nightmare,” exclaimed Cotito when reached for comment.

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.

 

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 them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

PAIR OF INJURIES FORCE CHANGES TO MAIN CARD OF ‘BELLATOR 160: HENDERSON VS. PITBULL’

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CODY WALKER STEPS UP ON SHORT NOTICE TO CHALLENGE UNDEFEATED A.J. MCKEE, WHILE GEORGI KARAKHANYAN-BUBBA JENKINS MOVED TO SPIKE-TELEVISED CARD

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (August 16, 2016) – Just nine days before the highly anticipated “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” event on August 26 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., injuries sustained by main card fighters Henry Corrales and Lena Ovchynnikova have shaken things up a bit. Undefeated featherweight A.J. McKee (4-0) will now face Cody Walker (7-2), while Bubba Jenkins (11-2) and Georgi Karakhanyan (24-6-1) find themselves in a featherweight feature fight during the SPIKE-televised main card.

The fights join a main card that spotlights a super fight at 155-pounds between Benson Henderson (23-6) and Patricio “Pitbull” (25-3), as the two will duke it out for a shot at Michael Chandler’s championship belt. In addition, an explosive lightweight contest pitting Saad Awad (19-7) against Derek Anderson (13-2) will serve as the evening’s co-main event.

In preliminary action, welterweights Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr. and Joey Davis will make their professional debuts, while Chinzo Machida (3-2) will compete for the first time under the Bellator MMA banner.

Tickets for the event start at $30 and can be purchased now on Ticketmaster and at Honda Center Box Office. Doors open at 4:45 p.m. PT local time and the first preliminary bout – which streams live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App — begins at 5:00 p.m. PT.

After beginning his career 7-1 as an amateur, the 21-year-old “Mercenary” has made a splash on the professional circuit, recording a perfect 4-0 mark through his first four bouts. McKee has fought under the Bellator MMA banner ever since he made his professional debut in 2015, finishing all of his contests in the opening frame, including three knockouts and a rear-naked choke submission. McKee’s most recent victory came at the expense of Italian Danilo Belluardo during the mixed martial arts portion of Bellator MMA’s first-ever event overseas, “Bellator 152: Freire vs. Souza.” The Long Beach, Calif. native will now take his flashy personality to the Honda Center, where he will have the chance to put his unique skill set on full display in front of his hometown fans.

Agreeing to take a professional mixed martial arts contest on short notice is no easy task, doing so against an undefeated fighter the caliber of McKee is even more daunting. But that’s exactly the scenario Walker finds himself in now ahead of next Friday’s event. A two-time competitor for Bellator, “The Crow” will look to move above .500 within the promotion when he enters the cage at Honda Center. The 28-year-old Texan has ended all seven of his professional victories via TKO or KO, including four in the first round.

A longtime veteran of Bellator MMA, Karakhanyan will look to get back on track after dropping two closely contested decision losses against Jenkins, who he handily defeated nearly two years ago via guillotine submission. Known to many mixed martial arts fans as “Insane,” the 31-year-old has finished 18 of his 24 wins as a professional, earning himself multiple titles in regional promotions along the way. Following multiple setbacks to his knee, the Russian fighter is finally healthy and now looks to climb the 145-pound ladder in a competitive division that he once sat atop as the No. 1 contender.

Just a few years ago, Bubba Jenkins was widely regarded as the top MMA prospect in all of the sport, though the title became tainted following the aforementioned loss to Karakhanyan at “Bellator 132.” The former NCAA National Champion wrestler with Arizona State University now has three consecutive wins under his belt, and is looking for redemption. Heading into his 11th fight under the Scot Coker-led promotion, the 28-year-old “Highlight Kid” looks to put on a standout performance in Bellator’s incredibly deep featherweight division. Tune in August 26 to see if the Corona, Calif., native can return the favor and finish Karakhanyan in front of his local supporters.

 

Complete “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” SPIKE-Televised Main Card:

Lightweight No. 1 Contender Main Event: Benson Henderson (23-6) vs. Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (25-3)

Lightweight Co-Main Event: Saad Awad (19-7) vs. Derek Anderson (13-2)

Featherweight Feature Bout: A.J. McKee (4-0) vs. Cody Walker (7-2)

Featherweight Feature Bout: Bubba Jenkins (11-2) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-6-1)

 

Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Chinzo Machida (3-2) vs. Mario Navarro (4-4)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Joey Davis (Pro Debut) vs. Keith Cutrone (1-0)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kevin Ferguson Jr. (Pro Debut) vs. Jon Tomasian (Pro Debut)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Gabriel Green (2-0) vs. Alex Trinidad (1-0)

Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Steve Ramirez (4-1) vs. Ron Henderson (4-2)

Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Kyle Estrada (3-2) vs. David Duran (3-4)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Mike Segura (4-3) vs. Jacob Rosales (3-2)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Jonny Cisneros (9-4) vs. Andy Murad (12-2)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Jake Roberts (6-0) vs. Stephen Martinez (11-4)