Category Archives: mixed martial arts

amateur boxing, amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

INTERNATIONAL FLAIR ADDED TO LEWISTON BOXING CARD AS IRELAND AND MEXICO RENEW RIVALRY

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Lewiston, Maine (June 7, 2016) – In an international  boxing match-up, Ireland’s undefeated Steve Collins, Jr. (7-0-1, 3 KOs) will face his stiffest test yet as a pro when he takes on Mexico’s Jose Humberto Corral (19-21, 12 KOs) in a six-round cruiserweight fight on June 18, 2016 at The Androscoggin Bank Colisée.  The bout will take place as part of New England Fights’ (NEF) next event “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”

 

Collins, Jr., the son of former world champion and Irish boxing legend “The Celtic Warrior” Steve Collins (36-3, 21 KOs), will be fighting in the United States for the third consecutive time after having each of his first six fights in Ireland and Great Britain.

 

“I’m happy to be back over in the States fighting,” said Collins, Jr.  “The crowd and the fans have really seemed to enjoy my fighting and style that I bring to the boxing world.   I’ve been training hard at the Celtic Warriors Gym here in Ireland, and I’m looking forward to putting my knowledge to use in the ring.  My next opponent  has got a lot of fights under his belt, but I’m looking forward to giving him another loss.”

 

Jose Humberto Corral is a former amateur standout on the Mexican national team who has made a career as a pro as a journeyman giving solid tests to future world champions like Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin and regional prospects like Chris Traietti, Vinnie Carita and Paul Gonsalves.

 

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to fight Steve Collins in Maine,” said Corral recently through a translator.  “Sure he’s an undefeated prospect and son of a former world champion, but I’ve got way more ring experience, and you can’t teach that.  If I had a peso for every time I got beat up by the son of a former world champion, I would have zero pesos.  I look forward to showcasing my skills in the same building Muhammad Ali fought in and leaving with all the American boxing fans looking forward to me coming back.”

 

Collins Jr. is promoted by Murphy’s Boxing USA, a boxing organization headed by Ken Casey of the popular rock band The Dropkick Murphys who are well known for hit songs like “I’m Shipping up to Boston,” “The State of Massachusetts” and “Skinhead on the MBTA.”

 

“It’s wonderful to be able to have Steve Jr. here so often,” said Ken Casey when reached for comment from Cork, Ireland during the band’s latest European tour.  “This will be his third fight here in the States in less than a year, and we are all excited to see where it goes from there. He’s proven that he can step out of his father’s shadow and legacy, and make a career and name for himself.  It’s going to be interesting to see where he ends up in another year from now, but we’re all excited to be part of his journey, and seeing what Steve Jr. can do.”

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on June 18, 2016 with “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”  Tickets for “NEF 24” 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 events 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.”

 

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 and advertising.

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

New M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion Alexander Butenko decisions Artiom Damkovsy

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M-1 CHALLENGE 67 RESULTS
New M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Alexander Butenko
BAKU, Azerbaijan (June 5, 2016) —  Ukrainian fighter Alexander Butenko won a hard fought 5-round decision over Artiom Damkovsky last night to become the new M-1 Challenge lightweight champion in the M-1 Challenge 67 main event in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Butenko (41-11-2) and Damkovsky (20-10-0) battled from start to finish with Buntenko winning a unanimous decision to capture the vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title.
In the co-feature, M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan “Buki” Buchinger (31-4-0), of Slovakia, used a North-South choke to submit his late replacement opponent, Russian Mikhail Korobkov (9-2-0), in a non-title fight.
Red-hot Kazakh welterweight Shavat Rakhmonov (6-0-0) kept rolling, knocking out Brazilian Marcelo Brito (13-8-0) in the opening round.  Hometown favorite Etigat Adakishniev (1-1-0) won his first professional fight, submitting Spaniard Adrian Perez (3-2-0) by way of a guillotine choke.
Czech Republic had two winners on the main card as middleweight Talekh Nadzhafadz (5-1-0) won a 3-round decision over his Spanish opponent, Felipe “Biggi” Nsue (11-10-0), while heavyweight Zauer Gadzhibabayev (5-1-0) used a rear naked choke to submit Bulgarian Lazar Todev (2-3-0).
Fighting on the preliminary card, Russian lightweight Zalimbeg Omarov (7-1-1) and Russian featherweight Azamat Zhantuduev (1-2-0) won a 3-round decisions over, respectively, Mikhail Syrbu (4-2-0), of Moldova, and his fellow countryman Bair Shtepin (3-1-0).  Russian heavyweight Evgeni Myakinkin (14-5-0) forced Evgeni Guryanov (8-6-0) to submit with a triangle choke, and Russian featherweights Vadin “Bad Santa” Malygin (6-1-1) and Ibragim Navrusov (2-0-1) fought to a 3-round draw.
 
Complete results and picture gallery below:
 
 
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
ALEXANDER BUTENKO (41-11-2, M-1: 8-1-0), Ukraine
WDEC5
ARTIOM DAMKOVSKY (20-10-0, M-1: 10-7-0), Belarus
(Butenko wins vacant M-1 Challenge Challenge lightweight title)
FEATHERWEIGHTS
IVAN BUCHINGER (31-4-0, M-1: 6-0-0), Slovakia
WSUB1 (North-South choke)
MIKHAIL KOROBKOV (9-2-1, M-1: 0-2-0), Russia
WELTERWEIGHTS
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV (6-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Kazakhstan
WTKO1
MARCELO BRITO (13-8-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
TALEKH NADZHFADE (5-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Czech Republic
WDEC3
FELIPE NSUE (11-10-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Spain
HEAVYWEIGHTS
ZAUR GADZHIBABAYEV (5-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Czech Republic
WSUB2 (Rear Naked Choke)
LAZAR TODEV (2-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
PRELIMINARY CARD
LIGHTWEIGHTS
ZALIMBEG OMAROV (7-1-1, M-1: 4-0-1), Russia
WDEC3
MIKHAIL SYRBU (4-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Moldova
HEAVYWEIGHTS
EVGENI MYAKINKIN (14-5-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia
WSUB1 (Triangle Choke)
EVGENI GURYANOV (8-6-0, M-1: 1-3-0), Ukraine
FEATHERWEIGHTS
AZAMAT ZHANTUDUEV (2-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
BAIR SHTEPIN (3-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
VADIM MALYGIN (6-1-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Russia
DRAW3
IBRAGIM NAVRUZOV (2-0-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Russia

Alexander Butenko and Artiom Damkovsky
 

Alexander Butenko and Artiom Damkovsky
 

Azamat Zhantuduev & Bair Shtepin
Etigat Adakishiev
Ivan Buchinger
Vadim Malygin & Ibragim Navrusov
Zaur Gadzhibabayev & Lazar Todev
Upcoming Event:June 16, M-1 Challenge 68, St. Petersburg, Russia
 
Information

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Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

TALENTED FEATHERWEIGHTS JUSTIN LAWRENCE AND ISAO KOBAYASHI SQUARE OFF IN FEATURED PRELIM OF ‘BELLATOR: DYNAMITE 2’ ON JUNE 24

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SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (June 3, 2016) – A featherweight bout pitting Justin Lawrence (8-3) against Isao Kobayashi (18-3) will anchor the preliminary portion of “Bellator: Dynamite 2” on June 24 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

 

The bout joins a main event that features a heavyweight bout between “Rampage” Jackson (36-11) and Satoshi Ishii (14-5-1) in “Rampage’s” first fight for the Scott Coker-led promotion since 2014. The evening’s co-main event will feature a lightweight world championship fight between former titlist Michael Chandler (14-3) and Patricky “Pitbull” (16-7). Also the main card, former NFL player Matt Mitrione (9-5) makes his debut for Bellator MMA against Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa (10-6). Rounding out the main card action, undefeated Ilima Macfarlane (3-0) will face Rebecca Ruth (6-1) in a flyweight contest.

 

Tickets for “Bellator: Dynamite 2” start at just $30 and are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and the Ford Box Office at Scottrade Center. Doors for the event open at 5 p.m. CT local time, and the first bout is scheduled to take place one hour after.

 

“Bellator: Dynamite 2” airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.comand The Bellator Mobile App. Doors for the event open at 5:00 pm CT, with the first streamed fight taking place at 5:30 pm CT.

 

Exactly like the groundbreaking inaugural “Dynamite” event this past September in San Jose, both a mixed martial arts cage and kickboxing ring will cover the floor at Scottrade Center, giving fans in attendance the opportunity to see both iterations of combat sports on the same night. A portion of the preliminary action on June 24 will take place simultaneously, allowing those in attendance to witness MMA and kickboxing with a simple swivel of the head.

 

A native of Missouri, Justin “The American Kid” Lawrence will put his 8-3 career mark on the line when he challenges Isao Kobayashi in front of his hometown fans at “Bellator: Dynamite 2.” The 25-year-old budding star has won four of his last five bouts, including a first round knockout in his Bellator MMA debut against Sean Wilson at “Bellator 138: Unfinished Business.” Lawrence began his professional career under the Strikeforce umbrella, before a brief stint on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show and now has his eyes set on truly making a splash in the always-competitive Bellator MMA featherweight division.

 

After going undefeated through his first eight fights as a professional, Kobayashi has put together an impressive resume with an overall record of 18-3, and eight wins coming by way of knockout. Following seven with the Pancrase promotion, the 27-year-old will enter the cage for the second time under the Bellator MMA banner and first time since October of last year. The Japanese featherweight has been known to extend fights and outlast opponents with his phenomenal endurance. Each of his last eight fights have made their way to the third round, with six of those eight going the distance. After recording a streak of 12 consecutive fights without a loss over a four-year period (2010-14), Kobayashi will look to kick off yet another long string of success when he takes on Justin Lawrence on June 24.

 

Updated “Bellator: Dynamite 2” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Main Event: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (36-11) vs. Satoshi Ishii (14-5-1)

Bellator MMA Lightweight World Title Bout: Michael Chandler (14-3) vs. Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (16-7)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Matt Mitrione (9-5) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (10-6)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Feature Bout: Ilima-Lei Macfalane (3-0) vs. Rebecca Ruth (6-1)

 

Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Justin Lawrence (8-3) vs. Isao Kobayashi (18-3)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Guilherme “Bomba” Vasconcelos (7-3) vs. Jordan Dowdy (3-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kevin Engel (5-0) vs. Chel Erwin-Davis (3-1)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Jordan Howard (9-3) vs Justin Robbins (14-17-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Joaquin Buckley (5-0) vs Chris Heatherly (9-3-1)

Bellator MMA 130-pound Preliminary Bout: Michelle Royer (1-0) vs Katy Collins (3-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Brad Jones (5-4) vs Tyler Claussen (2-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Jason Christeson (1-0) vs Jarrod Thomas (0-0)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Lee Burns (2-0) vs. Byron Stevens (0-0)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Steven Mann (11-4) vs. Mike Estus (7-4)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Rashard Lovelace (3-0) vs. Garret Mueller (2-1)

Bellator MMA Strawweight Preliminary Bout: Nikki Smith (1-0) vs. Ashley Cummins (3-3)

Bellator Kickboxing Preliminary Bout: Elmir Kulosman (3-0) vs. Darryl Cobb (2-1)

Bellator Kickboxing Preliminary Bout: Tara Walker (4-3-1) vs. Mimi Kutzin (3-2)

 

amateur boxing, Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF WILL TAKE FIGHT FANS TO THE PROMISED LAND THIS FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND

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Lewiston, Maine (June 3, 2016) – It will be a celebration of all things Americana when New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée on Saturday, June 18, 2016.  The wildly popular fight promotion will once again give fans a full night of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing action.

 

In the main event of the boxing portion of the fight card, Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (11-1-1) will defend the Northeast Junior Welterweight Title against challenger James “The Motor City Bad Boy” Lester (10-9-1).  The two fought to a draw on the judges’ scorecards this past April in Lewiston.  They agreed to rematch with Berry’s title on the line.  This time, however, there will be an odd number of rounds (seven to be exact) to make the chances of another draw very slim.

 

Also on the boxing portion of the card, former USA New England Middleweight Champion Russell “The Haitian Sensation” Lamour (13-2) and Casey “The Buzzsaw” Kramlich (4-0-1) from the Portland Boxing Club in Portland, Maine will both make their respective NEF Boxing debuts.

 

The professional MMA portion of the card will see Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (6-5) return to the cage after his third unsuccessful attempt at capturing the lightweight title this past April.  Erickson will have his work cut out for him in the form of the always tough Amos Collins (4-5) at a catchweight of 161-pounds.

 

Erickson’s teammate, Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (3-2), will also see action on the professional MMA card when he meets Brandon Bushaw (1-2) in a featherweight bout.

 

The amateur MMA card will be headlined by a flyweight title rematch as Ryan Burgess (2-0) defends against the former champion, and the athlete he took the title from, Dustin Veinott (4-4).  Veinott’s loss to Burgess last fall via split decision put a stop to his four-fight win streak.

 

Also on the amateur card will be 46 year-old Dr. Steve Bang, Sr. (1-1), a bariatric surgeon from Auburn, Maine.  In an unplanned homage to Father’s Day, he will be joined on the fight card by his sons Steve Bang, Jr. (3-5),Shawn Bang (1-1), Skyler Bang (0-0) and foster son Conner Murphy (1-0).

 

The “NEF 24” fight card (subject to change):

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

140*TITLE Brandon Berry (11-1-1)(c) vs James Lester (10-9-1)

HWT Vinnie Carita (11-1-1) vs Francisco Mireles (17-10)

190 Steve Collins, Jr. (7-0-1) vs Jose Humberto Corral (19-21)

160 Russell Lamour (13-2) vs Roberto Valenzuela (69-71-2)

154 Casey Kramlich (4-0-1) vs Zenon Herrera (0-1)

PROFESSIONAL MMA

250 Michael Hansen (4-4) vs Robert Laroski (1-1)

 

170 CJ Ewer (1-0) vs Phil Rowe (1-2)

161 Jesse Erickson (6-5) vs Amos Collins (4-5)

 

145 Matt Denning (3-2) vs Brandon Bushaw (1-2)

 

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

125*TITLE Ryan Burgess (2-0)(c) vs Dustin Veinott (4-4)

170 Shawn Bang (1-1) vs Mike Bezanson (1-0)

155 Steve Bang Sr. (1-1) vs Stacy Lupo (0-0)

 

155 Derek Daley (0-0) vs Johel Stephenson (0-0)

 

155 Steve Bang, Jr. (3-5) vs Dominic Cofone (6-5)

 

145 Skyler Bang (0-0) Eddie DeRoche (0-0)

 

125 Conner Murphy (1-0) vs Justin Witham (1-4)

 

115 Alex Walker (0-1) vs Nicole Burgess (0-0)

 

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on June 18, 2016 with “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”  Tickets for “NEF 24” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.

 

For more information on the events 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

THE DOCTOR IS IN; BANG RETURNS TO NEF MMA CAGE

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Lewiston, Maine (June 2, 2016) – At most New England Fights (NEF) events, Steve Bang, Sr. (1-1) would be on the other side of the cage either watching one of his sons do battle or acting as the cageside physician.  On June 18, 2016, however, as he has done twice in the past, Bang will enter the mixed-martial-arts cage (MMA) in Lewiston as a competitor.  The 46 year-old bariatric surgeon from Auburn, Maine will take on 48 year-old Stacy Lupo (0-0) in an amateur MMA lightweight bout at “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”

 

“I love competition and how it drives us to improve and become a more perfect version of ourselves,” said Dr. Bang.  “It has been a year since I have battled in the cage.  This past year has been filled with the accomplishment of personal milestones and athletic goals with many more yet to be realized.  Amidst all of this chaos, the stars have once again aligned to give me the opportunity to reenter the battle arena where the stakes of competition, for me, are highest.”

 

A native of Riverton, Wyoming, Dr. Bang graduated from Brigham Young University in 1994 and then from the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1998.  Coming from the medical field, he is well aware of the risks he takes every time he enters the cage.

 

“Just days after turning 47, I will face a warrior intent upon bodily harm and yet I find myself incredibly blessed and thankful for the health and privilege to do so,” Dr. Bang continued.  “I bring the health of mind, body and spirit beyond what is required to just be a participant.  I have checked all of the boxes that give me the tools required to be a victorious warrior at any age.”

 

Dr. Bang currently trains alongside his sons at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ).  Steve Bang, Jr. (1-1), Skyler Bang (0-0), Shawn Bang (1-1) and foster son Conner Murphy (1-0) will join their father in cage competition at “NEF 24.”

 

“I am passionate about my training, and take advantage of every metric available to quantify and qualify that training.  By every metric, I am at my peak performance levels.  I am in the best shape of my life,  better than I have ever been. One day that trend will indeed head south, but today is not that day.  I do not take this health and privilege for granted.  Every moment of life and every opportunity we are given is a gift and I plan to take full advantage of it as if it were my last.”

 

Dr. Bang’s opponent, at “NEF 24,” Stacy Lupo, while making his debut in the MMA cage, is a longtime veteran of combat sports.  Lupo currently trains out of the Shatterproof Combat Club in Dexter, Maine, but he has been a martial artist for an amazing 32 years.  He holds black belts in both Taekwondo and Shotokan karate.  He was an accomplished wrestler in high school, placing in states his senior year.  For more than a decade, Lupo ran his own martial arts academy before closing shop to concentrate on raising his family.  In the 1980s and 1990s, Lupo competed in amateur boxing and kickboxing.  His last kickboxing bout saw him win a unanimous decision over Don Labbe in the main event of a 1995 card in Lewiston.

 

“I don’t know Steve personally, but like me, he is an old man in a young man’s sport, so I give him his due and my respect,” said Lupo.  “As the saying goes, ‘be wary of old men in a world where men die young.’  I want to thank him for giving me the chance to compete in a sport I’ve always loved – so, thank you Steven Bang, I look forward to our meeting.”

 

“I do not know my opponent personally, but I respect anyone willing to do what it takes to get to the cage door,” said Bang in closing.  “That next single step across the threshold commands another whole level of respect.  As with the warriors of old, we will battle with the same intensity to maim, kill or disable until compelled to mercy by the referee.  Then we will have a bond that cannot be understood, nor shared, by anyone who has never been there.”

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on June 18, 2016 with “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”  Tickets for “NEF 24” 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 events 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.”

 

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 and advertising.

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, mixed martial arts, MMA

Cage Warriors 76: Newport, South Wales

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 2nd, 2016

Cage Warriors 76: Newport, South Wales
04/06/16

DOORS :  Open to the public at 3:00pm
FIRST BOUT : Amateur – 4:00pm (subject to change)
Professional – 8:15pm
Televised main card – 9:00pm

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship returns to Newport, South Wales and features the cream of Welsh MMA performing in front of a global TV audience for the first time.

Cage Warriors 76, which takes place at the Newport Centre is headlined by home crowd favourite Jack Marshman who meets Manchester based Ali Arish.   CWFC 76 will feature seven professional contests in total with the five-bout main card starting at 9pm (UK time).

UPDATE: David-Tonatiuh Crol has replaced Eddi Pobivanez, Jack Shore’s opponent due to injury.

Doors at the Newport Centre will open at 3:00pm – the show is SOLD OUT –  online ticket sales have been suspended but limited returns may be available on the door.

Find live broadcast details for your region below…

BROADCAST & TV PARTNERS
Please check your local region’s listings for local broadcast times.

UFC FIGHT PASS® | Worldwide
Viasat | Scandinavia
Zuku TV | Africa
Premier Sports | UK
Setanta Ireland| Republic of Ireland

CWFC76
Main Card – 9:00PM (UK time)

Main Event: Middleweight
Ali Arish (21-4) vs. Jack Marshman (18-5)

Welterweight
Andreas Stahl (9-2) vs. Lew Long (12-3)

Featheweight
Daniel Requeijo (7-2) vs. Nad Narimani (8-2)

Featherweight
David-Tonatiuh Crol (2-0) vs. Jack Shore (1-0)

Bantamweight
Sam Creasey (5-0) vs. Kris Edwards (8-8)

Pro Prelims

140lbs catch weight
Ben Rees (1-2) vs. Josh Reed (4-0)

Welterweight
Ross Houston (1-0) vs. Dane Morgan (pro debut)

For the latest Cage Warriors Fighting Championship news and updates, keep track of us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. View past CWFC action, free and on-demand, online via Cage Warriors TV.

Photo:  Jack Marshman V Ali Arish
www.CageWarriors.com

CAGE WARRIORS FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP is Europe’s leading and longest-running mixed martial arts promotion. An Irish-owned brand with offices in the UK & Ireland, CWFC is the sport’s fastest-growing organisation, having staged 80 events in 12 countries across three different continents since its establishment in 2002. Home to some of biggest stars of MMA’s past, present and future. 
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

DARRION CALDWELL LOOKS TO SOLIDIFY HIMSELF AS NO. 1 CONTENDER AGAINST JOE TAIMANGLO DURING MAIN EVENT OF ‘BELLATOR 159: CALDWELL VS. TAIMANGLO’ – FRIDAY, JULY 22 – LIVE AND FREE ON SPIKE

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HOMETOWN HERO DAVE RICKELS SET FOR ACTION AGAINST MELVIN GUILLARD IN CO-HEADLINER

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 1, 2016) – Bellator MMA returns to Kansas with a pivotal matchup between undefeated phenom, Darrion “The Wolf” Caldwell (9-0) and Joe Taimanglo (22-6-1) to determine the No. 1 contender for the Bantamweight Title in the main event of “Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo” on July 22 inside Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas.

In the co-main event of the evening, local hometown hero Dave “Caveman” Rickels (17-4) will meet Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard (32-16-2) in a lightweight matchup that will surely provide fireworks. Additional contests will be announced shortly.

“Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo” airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

Tickets for the event start at just $27 and go on sale Saturday, June 4, and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, KansasStarEventCenter.com. Doors for the event open at 5:30 p.m. CT local time and the first preliminary bout will commence one hour later.

At 28 years old, “The Wolf” may very well be the brightest young star in Bellator MMA’s deep bantamweight division. The New Jersey native has begun his career with nine consecutive victories, including five blistering first round finishes. Caldwell will be tasked with the headlining role for the second consecutive time after an impressive first outing at “Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” in which he had his way with former two-division Bellator champion Joe Warren, winning via rear-naked choke submission. The former NC State standout wrestled to a National Championship and two All-American accolades before joining the Bellator MMA fray in 2014. The undefeated Caldwell is reinvigorated after recently re-signing a seven-fight contract with the Scott Coker-led promotion. For a closer look at Caldwell’s most recent technical submission victory over Joe Warren in the main event of“Bellator 151,” click here.

A native of Yona, Guam, Taimanglo has emerged as one of the most prolific bantamweight fighters in MMA. Having gone 13-2 over his last 15 bouts dating back to 2009, it’s difficult to find a fighter more consistent than “The Juggernaut.” Since signing with Bellator in 2013, Taimanglo has accumulated a 5-2 record including a current string of three consecutive victories. Standing at 5’4,” Taimanglo will once again be squaring off against a much taller opponent in the 5’10’’ Caldwell. Click here to see exclusive footage of Taimanglo’s unanimous decision win over Sirwan Kakai at “Bellator 151.”

As is usually the case when Bellator rolls through Kansas, Rickels will be the center of attention when he fights Guillard on July 22. “The Caveman” delivered the proverbial “Fight of the Night” back in February with a first-round knockout of Bobby Cooper during the co-main event of “Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Spartan.” A native of Derby, Kansas, Rickels will be making his 17th appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, a promotion with which he has accrued 11 victories over the course of a six-year period. The 27-year-old recently re-signed with the Scott Coker-led promotion, ensuring his exciting fighting style will be seen exclusively in the Bellator cage for years to come.

With 52 career fights under his belt, 33-year-old Melvin Guillard will have a lot to prove when he takes on “The Caveman.” Guillard seems to have made a full recovery from his brutally broken hand that occurred during his Bellator MMA debut last year. Throughout his MMA tenure, “The Young Assassin” has displayed a knack for ending fights early, with 23 of his 32 professional victories coming before reaching the judges’ scorecards. On July 22 the New Orleans native will have an opportunity to take down another experienced lightweight in Rickels and reassert himself as a top 155-pounder.

Updated “Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo” Card:

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Main Event: Darrion Caldwell (9-0) vs. Joe Taimanglo (22-6-1)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Co-Main Event: Dave Rickels (17-4, 1 NC) vs. Melvin Guillard (32-16-2, 2 NC)

Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Manny Meraz (8-2) vs. Trey Ogden (4-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Chris Harris (6-0) vs. Matt Foster (6-8)

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

Idrisov withdraws with illness Korobkov Takes on Buchinger in non-title fight M-1 Challenge lightweight title fight Butenko vs. Damkovsky new main event

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ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (June 1, 2016) – A sudden illness has forced Magomed Idrisov to withdraw from his scheduled M-1 Challenge featherweight title fight this Saturday (June 4) against defending champion Ivan “Buki” Buchinger at M-1 Challenge 67: Battle in the Land of Fireat Baku, Azerbaijan.
(L-R) – Mikhail Korobkov and Ivan Buchinger
 
Mikhail Korobkov (9-1-1, M-1: 0-1-1), of Russia, is the late replacement for Idrisov but, due to Korobkov coming off of a loss in his last fight (decision to Timur Nagibin last Friday atM-1 Challenge 66), his fight versus Buchinger (30-4-0, M-1: 5-0-0) is a not for the title and it has been downgraded from main event to co-feature. Buchinger, fighting out of Slovakia, has won his last nine fights dating back four years.
The new main event matches Alexander “Iron Capture” Butenko (40-11-2, M-1: 7-1-0), of Ukraine, and BelarussianArtiom Damkovsky (20-9-0. M-1: 10-6-0) for the vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight championship.
M-1 Challenge 67 will be streamed live from Azerbaijan 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.
 
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Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

HE BUZZSAW ARRIVES IN NEF TO CUT THE COMPETITION DOWN

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Lewiston, Maine (June 1, 2016) – Just one day removed from the announcement that Russell Lamour, Jr. (13-2, 6 KOs) would make his debut on a New England Fights (NEF) card, the fight promotion announced that Lamour’s teammate Casey “The Buzzsaw” Kramlich (4-0-1, 2 KOs) would also be featured on the “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND” professional boxing event.  On June 18, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée, Kramlich will face Zenon “K-Bar” Herrera (0-1) in a four-round super welterweight contest.

 

Along with Lamour, Kramlich trains at the Portland Boxing Club in Portland, Maine.  Kramlich, to date, has yet to taste defeat in the boxing ring as a professional.  Earlier this spring, Kramlich handed Boston’s Jason Kelly (5-1) the first loss of his professional career on a fight card in Salem, New Hampshire.  He dominated the first two rounds of the fight before the previously-undefeated Kelly was unable to answer the bell to open round three.

 

Last fall, Kramlich fought to a draw against Antonio Chaves Fernandez (6-23-2) on a card in Portland, Maine.  It is the only mark outside of the win column on Kramlich’s record.  On June 18, Kramlich plans to add another notch to that win column at the expense of Zenon Herrera.

 

“I’m very excited to be fighting on an NEF card,” said Kramlich.  “Looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans.  I’ve been training hard, I’m hungry and I’m looking to come out on top victorious and stay undefeated.”

 

Zenon Herrera is one of only a small handful of athletes to have competed in both the NEF MMA cage and the boxing ring.  Herrera made his boxing debut last fall in a losing effort to Tollison Lewis (2-1).  On June 18, Herrera will be looking for his first win in NEF.  He is a veteran of both the United States Army and Marine Corps, having served a combined nine years between the two military branches.

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on June 18, 2016 with “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”  Tickets for “NEF 24” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.

 

For more information on the events 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.”

 

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 and advertising.

amateur boxing, Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

HAITIAN SENSATION WILL MAKE NEF DEBUT ON JUNE 18

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Lewiston, Maine (May 31, 2016) – The Androscoggin Bank Colisée has a storied history of professional boxing inside the arena’s four walls.  On June 18, Russell “The Haitian Sensation” Lamour, Jr. (13-2, 6 KOs) will add the next chapter to that story when he enters the New England Fights (NEF) ring for the first time.  At “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND,” Lamour will make his NEF debut in a middleweight bout against Mexican veteran Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela (69-71-2, 56 KOs).

 

“Definitely excited to be making my NEF debut,” said Lamour.  “NEF does a lot of shows here in Maine, and from what I hear it’s always a packed show.  So I’m looking forward being on this card.  I am excited about fighting at the Colisée ’cause I can then say that I fought in the same building that Muhammad Ali fought in and also that it’s right here at home in Maine.  Fighting here at home again is always a great feeling, especially when you’re fighting in front of the people that support you the most.  Can’t ask for anything better than that when fighting here in your backyard.”

 

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Lamour entered the Portland Boxing Club shortly after graduating from Deering High School in Portland, Maine.  He had a stellar amateur boxing career, finishing with a record of 79-16.  Among his numerous amateur accomplishments, Lamour was a five-time New England regional Golden Gloves champion.  He competed in the semi-pro World Series of Boxing (WSB) where he was the number-one ranked middleweight in the Americas.

 

Lamour’s success carried over to the professional ranks where he won his first 11 bouts.  Over the course of that impressive run, Lamour would capture the vacant USA New England Middleweight Title with a TKO victory over Laatekwei Hammond (21-6) in Lamour’s hometown of Portland, Maine.  Lamour has competed on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights before a national audience.  Last month, he scored a TKO win over Borngod Washington (3-17) in Salem, New Hampshire.  Lamour hopes to make it two in a row with a win over Valenzuela on June 18.

 

“He is a journeymen,” Lamour said of his upcoming opponent. “He’s been fighting for a while and has seen many different styles, but to me he’s just someone else that’s in my pathway that I have to beat to get to where I want to be, so I have to get him out of my way.”

 

Roberto Valenzuela is no stranger to Maine fight fans.  He travelled from his home in Sonora, Mexico to Lewiston, Maine last fall to battle Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (11-1-1).   Valenzuela would lose the bout via unanimous decision, but he impressed all in attendance with his gritty performance, roughing up Berry and cutting him above the eye in the process.  Valenzuela has faced the likes of former world champions Andre Berto (31-4, 24 KOs) and Steve Forbes (35-14, 11 KOs) and current world champion Zahir Raheem (35-3, 21 KOs).  He held the Mexican Pacific Coast Super Featherweight Title from 2003 to 2007.

 

“I am very excited to come back to Maine and fight again,” said Valenzuela through a translator.  “I love New England, and I’ve fought in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island during the course of my career.  I’ve also worked corners in Connecticut and been pulled over for speeding in New Hampshire, so that must count for something.  The last time I was in Maine, I busted open Brandon Berry’s eye and waged a bloody war.  I’m ready to do the same with Russell Lamour.  I hope he’s ready too.”

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on June 18, 2016 with “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”  Tickets for “NEF 24” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.

 

For more information on the events 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.”