Category Archives: mixed martial arts

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV, wrestling

BELLATOR MMA SIGNS THREE-TIME ALL-AMERICAN JAROD TRICE TO EXCLUSIVE MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CONTRACT

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Photo Credit: Bellator MMA / Jarod Trice

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 2, 2016) – Bellator MMA is proud to announce the signing of three-time All American wrestling prospect Jarod Trice to an exclusive, multi-fight contract. The story was broken by Flo Combat and Flo Wrestling, who have chronicled a great deal of his wrestling career.

 

“We’re excited to be adding yet another world-class wrestling talent to our ever-growing roster of fighters here at Bellator,” said President Scott Coker. “I’ve always taken great pride in our ability to identify and build stars in this business, and I have great confidence that we’ve found a gem in Jarod Trice.”

 

In addition to his three All-American accolades, the 27-year-old Trice has an impressive trophy case that includes a National Title at 120 kg and two Greco Roman National Titles, with one at 120 kg and another at 98 kg. The above photo features Trice after winning the Outstanding Wrestler Award alongside 2012 Olympic Coach J.J. Johnson (left) and U.S. National Greco-Roman Coach Matt Lindland (right).

 

“Following in the footsteps of guys like [Ed] Ruth and [Tyrell] Fortune to Bellator MMA was a no brainer for me,” said Trice. “Scott Coker is a promoter that treats the fighters with so much respect, and dealing with him and his team through this signing process has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to fighting for Coker, the Bellator promotion, and for every wrestling and MMA fan out there before the end of the year. If you aren’t familiar with my name yet, you will be as soon as I get in that cage.”

 

Trice competed at Central Michigan University, where he achieved great success at both 120 kg (264.5 lbs.) and 98kg (216 lbs.) after an impressive 50 lb. weight-loss transformation. The standout wrestler will look to compete in Bellator MMA’s impressive light heavyweight division, and hopes to make his professional debut before the end of the year. The jury is out on whether he will keep his nickname, “Doughboy.”

 

Having trained literally all over the world, including stints at Iowa State University under Kevin Jackson and the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado before heading to Arizona, where he trains with other Bellator MMA stars with incredible wrestling pedigree’s like Darrion Caldwell and Bubba Jenkins. Trice credits Bellator MMA bantamweight Shawn Bunch with giving him the idea to pursue MMA.

 

Trice is the latest prospect from the world of wrestling to join Bellator MMA’s incredible recruiting class of prospects including:Aaron Pico, Ed Ruth and Tyrell Fortune.

 

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

Korobkov vs. Nagibin added t0 M-1 Challenge 66 Nemkov defending title vs. Yusupov, Puetz returning vs. Seledtsov

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ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (May 2, 2016) – An intriguing fight between a pair of Russian featherweights, Mikhail Korobkov and Timur Nagibin, has been added to the M-1 Challenge 66 event, May 27 in Orenburg City, Russia.
In the main event, M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov (23-5-0, M-1: 14-4-0) will defend his against challenger Rashid Yusupov (6-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0). FormerM-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz (13-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0), fighting out of Munich, Germany, also returns to face M-1 Global-debuting Andrey Seledtsov 5-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), who is a former Spetsnev solider.
M-1 Challenge 66 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition onwww.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.
Korobkov (9-0-1, M-1: 0-0-1) is coming off of a hard-fought draw with Rodrigo Magalhaes(see above picture) last December at M-1 Challenge 63, in which he had his 9-fight win streak snapped that started with his pro debut.
Nagibin has reeled-off seven consecutive wins since he lost his pro debut.  At M-1 Challenge 64 this past February, he won a decision over Andrey Lezhnev.  Nagibin is known for his powerful kicks (see picture below) and back-fists.
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mixed martial arts, MMA, RFA

RFA IS GOING TO CHICAGOLAND WITH  RFA 39 – BARCELOS vs. MOFFETT

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MAIN EVENT:
 RAONI BARCELOS
vs.
BOBBY “THE WOLFMAN” MOFFETT
 FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
FRIDAY, JUNE 17th LIVE on AXS TV
LIVE at THE HAMMOND CIVIC CENTER
 in HAMMOND, INDIANA
 
Tickets on Sale Now at CAGETIX.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the RFA will be making its first trip to Chicagoland in June with a championship headliner. The main event of RFA 39 features the first title defense of RFA featherweight champion Raoni Barcelos. He will put his title on the line against top prospect and local favorite Bobby “The Wolfman” Moffett. RFA 39 – Barcelos vs. Moffett takes place Friday, June 17th at the Hammond Civic Center in Hammond, Indiana. The main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
“I’m excited about bringing a world title fight to Hammond” stated Soares. “Our Featherweight champion Raoni Barcelos will defend his title for the first time against number one contender Bobby Moffett. These are two of the top featherweight prospects in the world and it’s the perfect way to show fight fans in the Chicago area what the RFA is all about.”
Tickets for RFA 39 – Barcelos vs. Moffett are now available for purchase. You can support your favorite fighter buy purchasing your tickets through CAGETIX.com
Barcelos (9-1) will defend his RFA featherweight title for the first time after enjoying a dominant 2015, which many MMA pundits saw coming several years ago. Barcelos was pegged for greatness in MMA before ever stepping foot inside a steel cage. The son of Jiu-Jitsu coral (red-and-black) belt Laerte Barcelos, he began learning “The Gentle Art” at age two. Then, unlike many Jiu-Jitsu black belts, Barcelos found success in Freestyle Wrestling where he competed as a member of the Brazilian National Wrestling Team. However, his rare blend of high-level grappling disciplines isn’t what makes him special among top MMA prospects. It is the fact he possesses ample striking power that can also get the job done. This is evident in the fact that more than half of his victories have come via KO or TKO, which includes the first round KO of previously undefeated NCAA Division I All-American wrestler Jamal Parks at RFA 23. Barcelos is now looking to do the same to another top prospect as he prepares for his first RFA title defense.
“I am very happy to defend my RFA world title at RFA 39,” stated Barcelos. “RFA shows the best new MMA talent in the world and it is now televised live here in Brazil. My friends, family, and teammates now have the opportunity to watch me fight live on Esporte Interativo. It’s a dream come true and an honor to be a champion of a great event like the RFA. This belt is coming back home to Brazil with me in June.”
Moffett (8-1) is coming into this fight with a lot of momentum. He is riding a four-fight win streak, which includes a victory over longtime RFA vet Dan Moret at RFA 24. Moffett was born and raised 10 miles from the venue just across the state border in Homewood, Illinois. The task of defending home turf and capturing the RFA featherweight title has only increased the hunger of this exciting young prospect. This is a hunger “The Wolfman” will need as he faces the most dangerous opponent in his career. To quote the classic 2010 film that shares his nickname, “I didn’t know you hunted monsters? Sometimes monsters hunt you.” Moffett is now eager to channel his inner lycanthrope at RFA 39.
“I am just very grateful that the biggest fight of my career will be at home in front of my family and friends,” Moffett explained. “I feel that everything I’ve been working for has now come to fruition. Barcelos is a tough. He’s a very good fighter and the champion. I’m honored that he wants to fight me. I’m looking forward to taking the next step in my career by winning the RFA title on June 17th.”
The full fight card for RFA 39 – Barcelos vs. Moffett will be announced soon. This will be the RFA’s first event to take place in “The Hoosier State” of Indiana and it will be the fifteenth state that the RFA has visited. The entire main card of RFA 39 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT this Friday, June 17th.
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents live events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 43 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).

About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
mixed martial arts, MMA

Art of War Fighting Championship 17 Update – Ashleigh Grimshaw replaces Injured Junior Assuncao in Main Event

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BEIJING, CHINA – A welterweight matchup between UFC and Bellator veteran Waylon Lowe and British Mixed Martial Artist Ashleigh Grimshaw will headline Art of War 17 this Saturday night in Beijing China. Grimshaw is late replacements for UFC vet Junior Assuncao who suffered a training injury and had to pull out of his fight with Lowe on short notice last week.

Said Lowe, a three time NCAA wrestling champion who is currently 16-6 as a professional fighter, “It’s unfortunate that Junior had to drop out of the fight but I’m glad the promoters found another high caliber opponent for me to face. Ashleigh Grimshaw and I will put on a great show for all the Chinese MMA fans on April 30th Art of War 17.”

CEO and Chinese MMA pioneer Andy Pi had this to say about this weekend’s event and his company’s return as the dominant player in Chinese MMA, “We are very excited about this next event as it continues Art of War’s reemergence as the biggest force in Chinese Combat Sports.“

Mr. Pi, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt and noted entrepreneur in Beijing, says his visionary fighting league is the future of MMA in China. “Art of War Fighting Championships was the first Mixed Martial Arts event in Mainland China and is still the most prestigious. With every event our company will continue to develop the market for MMA in China.”

Today China is the biggest untapped market for MMA and Mr. Pi says he knows why and, more importantly, how Art of War FC can capitalize.

“MMA is the most exciting sport in the world, but the way it’s promoted in the US often doesn’t connect with more traditionally minded Chinese sports fans. By combining the energy and excitement MMA with the ancient culture of honor and respect typical of traditional Asian Martial Arts AOW will bring the 21st century’s fastest growing sport to the world’s largest market of sports fan in a new and more powerful way…”

For tickets and fight card information, please visit: http://www.artofwarfc.com/

About Art of War Fighting Championship:

Established in 2004, the Art of War Fighting Championship is Mainland China’s premier mixed martial arts promotion. The Art of War Fighting Championship is broadcasted via satellite nationwide to network coverage of 300 million viewers. Featuring some of China’s best-mixed martial artists, including national champions and former Olympians, the Art of War Fighting Championship is the standard bearer for the future of China’s exploding mixed martial arts industry.

For Press Inquires Contact Al Yu- alyu@artofwarfc.com
mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING SIGNS HEAVY HITTERS SHAWN JORDAN AND LORENZO HOOD

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Heavyweight knockout artist Lorenzo Hood (pictured) has signed an exclusive, multi-fight promotional agreement with World Series of Fighting.

 Hood to Make Promotional Debut at WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland
on Friday, June 17, live on NBCSN

LAS VEGAS (April 28, 2016) – World Series of Fighting (www.WSOF.com) announced today that it has signed heavyweight knockout artists Shawn Jordan (18-7) and Lorenzo “The Dream Killer” Hood (9-3) to exclusive, multi-fight agreements.

Hood of Chicago, Ill. has been tabbed to make his promotional debut against an opponent to be announced soon, at the WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world heavyweight championship event at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. onFriday, June 17, live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shawn Jordan and Lorenzo Hood to our ever-growing roster of world-class athletes, and look forward to seeing both of them compete in our heavyweight division soon,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

Fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M., the 6-foot, 30-year-old Jordan is coming off a 4-year, 10 fight stint with the UFC, during which he compiled an overall record of 6-4, notching all of his wins, including a vicious, first round (:59) decimation of Pat “HD” Barry on June 15, 2013, by way of (T)KO.

A two-time veteran of the now-defunct Strikeforce, and a four-time veteran of Bellator action, Jordan has earned 14 of his 18 career victories by way of (T)KO, and another 3 via submission.

The 6-foot-3, 27-year-old Hood, a former professional football player turned MMA wrecking machine, has earned all 9 of his professional career victories to date by way of (T)KO inside the first round of action.

After an aggressive debut year in 2009 in which he competed 7 times and amassed a near-perfect record of 6-1, Hood walked away from the fight world for a span of 5 years to play defensive lineman in the Arena Football League and Canadian Football League, eventually returning to the cage in 2014.
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA

Ramazan Emeev vs. Alexander Shlemenko M-1 Global Grand Prix Middleweight Championship;   Alexander Volkov makes 1st M-1 Challenge Heavyweight title defense vs. Attila Vegh

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M-1 Challenge 68, June 16 in St. Petersburg, Russia
(L-R) — Ramazan Emeev & Alexander Shlemenko
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (April 28, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced a blockbuster M-1 Challenge 68 event as Ramazan Emeev and Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko battle in the M-1 Global Grand Prix Middleweight Championship, while M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Alexander “Drago” Volkov makes his first title defense against Attila “Pumuklo” Vegh, Thursday night, June 16, at Yubileyny Sports Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 68 will be streamed live from St. Petersburg in high definition onwww.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.
 
Emeev (14-3-0, M-1: 8-1-0), fighting out of Russia by way of Dagestan, is the reigning M-1 Challenge middleweight champion, although his title belt will not be at stake against Shlemenko.  The 28-year-old Emeev, who was the 2015 M-1 Global Fighter of the Year, is a two-time M-1 Challenge middleweight champion.  He originally captured the coveted crown in 2012, taking a decision from Mario Miranda for the vacant title.  In his first title defense, Emeev lost to Vyacheslav Vasilevsky, who stopped the defending champion via punches in the fourth round.
 
In their much anticipated rematch April 10, 2015, Emeev recaptured the title from Vasilevsky, choking the defending champion into an opening-round submission.  Last December, Emeev successfully defended his title when Luigi Fiorvanti retired after four rounds.  Earlier this month at M-1 Challenge 65, Emeev defeated Maiquel Falcao in the M-1 Grand Prix semifinals, by way of a first-round submission (choke – see picture below), to qualify for the final versus Shlemenko.
 
 
The 31-year-old Shlemenko (52-9-0, M-1: 3-0-0) is a three-time Bellator champion from Omsk, Russia.  He returned to M-1 Global competition in February, taking a decision from Vasilevsky (see picture below) at M-1 Challenge 64.  The Siberian-born Shlemenko hadn’t competed in M-1 Global since 2005.
Volkov (25-6-0, M-1: 9-3-0), 27, also fought in Bellator for three years, 2012 to 2015, returning to M-1 Global action this past February for the first time in 5 ½ years.  The popular fighter from Moscow signed a promotional contract with M-1 Global, fighting Denis Smoldaraev Feb. 19, 2016 (see picture below) at M-1 Challenge 64 for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship.  Volkov emerged victorious, using a choke in the third round to win with the Submission of the Night.
Vegh (29-6-2, M-1: 0-0-0), will make his M-1 Global debut versus Volkov in their M-1 Challenge title fight.  Fighting out of Slovakia by way of his native Czechoslovakia, Vegh (pictured below) is a former Bellator light heavyweight champion who is moving up one weight class to challenge Volkov.
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mixed martial arts, MMA, WMMAA

Chile newest member of World MMA Association

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MONTE CARLO, Monaco (April 26, 2016) — The World MMA Association (WMMAA) has announced that Chile is the newest member of its worldwide association.
The Chilean MMA Federation (Federation Chilena de MMA) is certified by the national Ministry of Sports.  Its inner-structure will be comprised of 15 branches, representing one for each region of Chile. There are currently eight MMA organizations with a goal to unite all under the umbrella of the Federation.
The Federation has developed MMA in various ways, from hosting regional amateur MMA championships to conducting seminars and educating officers.  The Chilean MMA Federation is headed by President Alberto Maturana Rodriguez and Vice President Christian Parra Campos.
“It is critical for an organization like ours to exist, to add unbiased structure not just for athletes, but also as a regulatory bodies,” Rodriguez (pictured to right) said.  “Much continues to happen since our appointment.  We just celebrated our first event under the WMMAA Pan-American Division and we look forward to using our experience and volumes of knowledge the Pan-American Division, as well as our honorary president Tomas Yu,brings to Chile and the sport.  We share the vision and with all our efforts, we will defend, promote and endorse MMA as a sport, and give all participants and fans a significant difference in the sport.
“We will continue to grow with every new country and take the MMA movement, as well as the recognition of MMA as a sport, forward.  We will work like a family with the Pan-American Division to support this sport in Chile.  We’re delighted to have been appointed and look forward to this opportunity of contributing to the WMMAA to continue the fight and make history in Chile and the MMA world.”
Chile is now a member of the WMMAA’s Pan-American Division, along with Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Venezuela.
“On behalf of the World MMA Association Pan-American Division, we would like to congratulate and welcome the Chilean MMA Federation on its recent appointment as our new provisional affiliate,” added Yu (pictured to left), Pan-American Division president.  “In this WMMAA year of monumental progress, in which we will celebrate our fourth World MMA Association Champion this November in Macao, it will now allow us to focus on our inaugural Continental MMA Championship.
“It is important to reflect on how the WMMAA movement will continue to grow in a new era of MMA.  The WMMAA movement is essentially an educational movement and for this reason we encourage events such as the National Continental and International MMA Championships to promote MMA development, among all ages of participants, especially youth through sport, MMA and the WMMAA code of conduct.  Let us build together for a peaceful and better world.  Let us strive to provide and education for all in which sport, MMA and WMMAA ideals play and essential role, based on values, respect, dignity, tolerance and solidarity.”
Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT NEF 22 IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (April 23, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its most recent event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  More than 3,000 fight fans were on hand for the event, making it one of the largest crowds ever to witness an NEF event.

 

On the boxing portion of the card, Brandon “The Cannon” Berry  (11-1-1) fought to a majority draw in a six-round contest with James Lester (10-9-1).  Many of Berry’s supporters in attendance felt that he won the fight, but two of the judges had it even on the scorecards.

 

The headliner of the amateur MMA card saw Caleb Hall (7-3) captured the vacant amateur featherweight title with a second-round submission of Erik Nelson (2-3).  On the professional side of the MMA card, Devin Powell (6-1) took home the lightweight championship by defeating Jesse Erickson (6-5) in the first round via technical knockout.

 

The full results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

Brandon Berry fought James Lester to a majority draw

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

Devin Powell def. Jesse Erickson via TKO, round 1 (Powell wins lightweight title)

Mike Hansen def. Jesse Baughman via arm triangle, round 1

Josh Harvey def. Matt Denning via triangle choke, round 1

Tollison Lewis def. Zenon Herrera via armbar, round 1

Aaron Lacey def. Derek Shorey via D’Arce Choke, round 1

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

Glenn Kasabian def. Matt Marshall via TKO, round 1

Tom Burgess def. Alex Payson via KO, round 2

Ryan Daley def. Jake Denham via TKO, round 2

Bryce Bamford def. Joe Krech via TKO, round 1

Caleb Hall def. Erik Nelson via D’arce Choke, round 2 (Hall wins featherweight title)

Nick Gulliver def. Dave Smith via TKO, round 1

Cory Trial def. Angelo Rizzitello via split decision

Ras Hylton def. Matt Glover via KO, round 2

Angela Young def. Hannah Sparrell via unanimous decision

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 23: CAGE THE CAPE,” takes place Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts.  Tickets are on sale now atwww.NewEnglandFights.com.

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on June 18, 2016 with “NEF 24: THE 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.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

ANDREY KORESHKOV RETAINS WELTERWEIGHT CROWN IN EMPHATIC FASHION, DEFEATING BENSON HENDERSON BY UNANIMOUS DECISION

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Complete Fight Photos Here

UNCASVILLE, CONN. (April 22, 2016) — While many will be surprised by the news that Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) defeated Benson Henderson (23-6) in the main event of “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson,” the Russian champion made it clear following the bout that he intended to win each and every round inside the cage at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday night, and according to the judges scoring the bout at cage side, he did exactly that (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).

Over the course of 25 minutes, Henderson, a longtime lightweight competitor, had difficulty closing the distance of the larger “Spartan,” and sustaining damage in the process. “Smooth” was unable to secure takedowns and was upset with his performance, making it clear that he hopes for a quick return to the Bellator MMA cage; whether it’s at 170 or 155-pounds.

“Spartan” makes his first successful defense of the title he took from Douglas Lima in this very arena last year, and has his sights set on fighting one of the main contenders that the Scott Coker-led currently promotion has on its welterweight roster. In addition to the victory, Koreshkov also takes home the newly designed Bellator championship belt.

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire’s Showcases Nasty Guillotine in Co-Main Event

 

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (25-3) went all-in with a beautiful guillotine choke 4:09 into the second round of his co-main event fight, forcing Henry Corrales (12-3) to tap out. Since making his Bellator MMA debut back in April of 2010, “Pitbull” has now collected 13 victories with the promotion, including wins in eight of his last nine bouts. It has been a great week for the “Pitbull” brothers, after older brother Patricky “Pitbull” came out victorious in the main event of “Bellator 152: Freire vs. Souza” last Saturday in Torino, Italy. The loss is only Corrales’ third of his career, two of which have now come via guillotine choke.

“Cyborg” Santos Spoils Ward’s Hometown Reunion With First Round Win

 

In his Bellator MMA debut, Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (21-16) defeated New London’s own Brennan Ward (13-4) with an ankle lock submission just 30 seconds into the opening round. The victory is Santos’ fourth career win in 30 seconds or less and 16th first round finish. The former Strikeforce competitor has now strung together back-to-back wins and has left an impressive first impression for Bellator fans, aside from the ones in attendance at Mohegan Sun Arena. For Ward, the loss puts an end to a promising streak of four consecutive wins, all of which came in his dominant 2015 campaign.

 

Primus Squeaks Past “Toninho Furia” In Catchweight Marathon

 

Brent Primus (7-0) remained undefeated with a split decision victory over “Toninho Furia” (27-6) on Friday taking home scores of (28-29, 29-28, 29-28). The Portland, Oregon native connected on several heavy blows and two pivotal takedowns leading him to his seventh career win. The three-round thriller was just Primus’ second fight that went past the first round and was left to the judges’ discretion.

“MVP” Makes Quick Work Of Holloway In Explosive Opening Bout

 

During the opening contest at “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson,” Michael “Venom” Page (10-0) finished Jeremie Holloway (7-2) with multiple hammerfists and an impressive toe hold submission at 2:15 in the opening round of action. The 28-year-old British phenom, “MVP,” remains undefeated after recording his tenth career win and sixth victory under the Bellator MMA banner. “Venom” now directs his attention to a return home when he meets Fernando Gonzalez on July 16 at “Bellator 158: London.”

Preliminary Card Results:

 

Djamil Chan (12-2) defeated Richard Patishnock (6-4) via knockout (punches) at 3:09 of round one

Chris Honeycutt (7-1) defeated Matt Secor (7-3) via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27 x2)

Mike Zichelle (8-4) defeated Joe Cronin (2-4) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:25 of round one

Matt Bessette (18-7) defeated Keith Richardson (14-7) via TKO (cut) at 3:14 of round two

Chris Foster (9-4) defeated Vovka Clay (3-1) via unanimous decision (29-28 3x)

Sam Watford (2-0) defeated Dean Hancock (2-1) via submission (armbar) at 1:24 of round one

Tim Caron (4-0) defeated Justin Sumter (0-1) via TKO (punches) at 3:38 of round two

Blair Tugman (8-6) defeated Jay Perrin (2-2) via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

MATT MITRIONE SET FOR PROMOTIONAL DEBUT AGAINST CARL SEUMANUTAFA AT ‘BELLATOR: DYNAMITE 2’

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SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (April 22, 2016) – A heavyweight showdown between Bellator MMA’s high profile free agent acquisition Matt Mitrione (9-5) and Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa (10-6) will serve as the co-main event of “Bellator: Dynamite 2” on June 24, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

The bout joins a main card that features a catchweight main event between “Rampage” Jackson (36-11) and Satoshi Ishii (14-5-1) in Jackson’s first fight for the Scott Coker-led promotion since 2014. Additional MMA and kickboxing contests will be announced shortly.

Tickets for “Bellator: Dynamite 2,” which start at just $30, are onsale 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 contest takes 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.com and The Bellator Mobile App.

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.

Matt Mitrione originally took his talents to the football gridiron, signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 2002. After brief stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings, Mitrione entered the MMA cage and hasn’t looked back since. The 14-time UFC veteran began his professional career with victories in his first five fights, four of which came by way of knockout. Known as one of the top finishers in the sport, the 37-year-old Indianapolis native recently finished his run with his former employer, making the decision to test free agency. Mitrione will now look to duplicate the success that he found throughout his career, when he makes his much-anticipated Bellator MMA debut against Seumanutafa on June 24.

At only 26 years of age, Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa will face the stiffest test of his career when he takes take center stage at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Similar to Mitrione, all but one of his wins has come by way of knockout, including five first-round finishes. Looking to continue building momentum in the heavyweight division, the former Strikeforce competitor was victorious in his Bellator debut, when he finished Javy Ayala with a vicious second round TKO at “Bellator 148: Daley vs. Uhrich.” A native of San Francisco, Seumanutafa has been competing professionally since 2007, making his pro debut at only 18-years-old.

Updated “Bellator: Dynamite 2” Fight Card:

 

Bellator MMA 215 lb. Main Event: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (36-11) vs. Satoshi Ishii (14-5-1)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Matt Mitrione (9-5) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (10-6)

 

Preliminary Card:

 

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 180-pound Preliminary Bout: Brad Jones (5-4) vs Clay Mitchell (1-2)

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 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)