Category Archives: mixed martial arts

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR RETAINS THE SERVICES OF EXCITING FEATHERWEIGHT EMMANUEL SANCHEZ WITH CONTRACT EXTENSION

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Above: Emmanuel Sanchez lands a shot on Daniel Pineda at “Bellator 149” on Feb. 19, 2016

 

SANTA MONICA (March 29, 2016) – Bellator MMA is proud to announce that it has retained the services of 25-year-old talent Emmanuel Sanchez (13-2), having re-signed the exciting fighter to a multi-year, multi-fight contract extension.

 

Sanchez boasts a 6-1 record under the Bellator banner, with his only loss coming in the form of a decision at the hands of former featherweight champion Pat Curran (21-7). The exciting product from the famed Roufusport Team earned his contract extension after winning three fights in a row against Henry Corrales (12-2), Justin Lawrence (8-3) and Daniel Pineda (21-12) all in under five months.

 

“El Matador’s” fight against Pineda kicked off action for the record breaking “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie” event that was watched by over 3.5 million viewers. You can watch the enthralling action by clicking on the image below.

 

VIDEO: Click above to re-watch the epic battle from Bellator 149

 

Sanchez trains under the tutelage of highly regarded coach Duke Roufus alongside former WWE superstar CM Punk and other talented MMA fighters the likes of Ben Askren and Anthony Pettis. Earlier this month, Roufus shed light on a positive story involving an MMA fighter and a motor vehicle, when he announced that Sanchez had used his “Bellator 149” purse to buy a new car for his mother.

 

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING RETURNS TO FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO IN CONNECTICUT WITH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MEGA-EVENT ON FRIDAY, JUNE 17, LIVE ON NBCSN

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TICKETS FOR WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND
ON SALE FRIDAY, APRIL 1

LIGHTWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT:
JASON HIGH VS. MIKE RICCI

LAS VEGAS (March 29, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that it will return to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. with a stacked lineup of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights led by a world heavyweight championship showdown between reigning kingpin Blagoy Ivanov(13-1) and Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-1), live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Friday, June 17.

In the lightweight (155 pounds) co-main event, superstars Jason “The Kansas City Bandit” High (19-5) and Mike “The Martian” Ricci (11-4) will square off with the number one contender ranking at stake.

Priced from $39.99, tickets for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, go on sale on Friday, April 1 at 10 a.m. ET, at WSOF.com and Foxwoods.com.

“We are looking forward to returning to the great state of Connecticut, and putting on another phenomenal world championship event featuring some of our top superstars, for fans at Foxwoods Resort Casino,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

Blagoy Ivanov vs. Josh Copeland

Ivanov of Sulfia, Bulgaria is a 5-foot-11, 29-year-old Judo black belt and Sambo master who has earned 11 of his 13 career MMA wins by way of (T)KO or submission.  At the 2008 World Sambo Championships, he made his first big mark in combat sports, defeating all-time great Fedor Emelianenko.

Ivanov made his way to World Series of Fighting after a near-flawless, 8-fight run under the promotion of Bellator, posting an overall, 7-1 record there.  He seized the World Series of Fighting heavyweight championship from Smealinho Rama, forcing Rama to tap out from a guillotine choke in the third round (1:17) of their matchup on June 5, 2015, and successfully defended the title for the first time on October 17, scoring a second round (4:33) TKO on Derrick Mehman with a barrage of punches.

Copeland of Denver, Colo. is coming off his World Series of Fighting debut victory, a unanimous decision over Mike “300” Hayes, at WSOF29 on March 12.  The 6-foot-1, 33-year-old teammate of undefeated World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje has notched 8 of his 13 career wins, to date, via (T)KO or submission.

Jason High vs. Mike Ricci

Following his near 18-month absence from competition, High of Kansas City, Miss. made his long-awaited return to the cage on November 20 at WSOF25, after signing an exclusive, multi-fight contract with World Series of Fighting, and scored a thunderous, second round (:47) KO on Estevan Payan with a head kick-punches combination.

The 5-foot-9, 34-year-old High, a veteran of the UFC and Strikeforce, initially caught the attention of the MMA world while fighting at an elite level in Japan under the promotion of K-1 and Dream where he faced and defeated the likes of Andre Galvao and Hayato “Mach” Sakurai.  High also holds a victory over retired phenom Jordan Mein.

Ricci of Montreal, Quebec, Canada reached the final round on the 16th season of the hit competition reality show The Ultimate Fighter.

The 6-foot, 30-year-old member of famed trainer Firas Zahabi’s Tristar Gym fight team is looking for his fourth consecutive win, after defeating the likes of Jorge Gurgel, George Sotiropoulos and Joe Condon, whom Ricci conquered by way of first round (2:41) KO with a head kick at WSOF25.

Doors at The Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, at 5 p.m. ET, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 6 p.m.

Additional bouts will be announced soon.
Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BOXERS LOOK TO GET ON THE WINNING TRACK AT NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (March 29, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional junior welterweight bout to the boxing portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Josh Parker (0-2-1) is scheduled to face Evincii “Prize Fighter” Dixon (7-13-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round contest.

 

Josh Parker is the founder and head coach of Ruthless MMA & Boxing based in Benton, Maine.  Prior to entering the boxing ranks, Parker was a regular in the NEF MMA cage.  He boxed to a draw against fellow NEF MMA alum Elias Leland (0-0-1) last November in Lewiston.  Most recently, Parker dropped a decision to undefeated Julio Perez (4-0) on a boxing card in Rhode Island.  He is hungry for his first victory as a professional boxer.

 

“I want to thank NEF for another opportunity to fight,” said Parker.  “I have a lot to prove.  My skills have not been reflected in my past few performances.  I’ve switched up some aspects of my training and I’m confident that I will finally be able to bring the real me to the ring.  I will be facing an experienced opponent who will present some tough challenges for me – which is exactly what I wanted.  The toughest opponent I’ve ever faced is myself, and now that I’ve figured him out, it doesn’t matter who’s standing in front of me.”

 

A veteran of more than twenty professional fights, Evincii Dixon has been one of the northeast’s most active boxers since his debut in the summer of 2013.  Dixon, who calls Lancaster, Pennsylvania his home, often fights multiple times in a given month in places as far away as Texas, California and, most recently, Ohio.   He made the 500-mile trek to Lewiston, Maine last month, picking up a win in the NEF ring against Antonio Chaves Fernandez (7-26-3).  Dixon will be looking to get back in the win column at “NEF 22” after a loss last weekend.

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” 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.”

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ACTION HEATS UP WITH WEEKLY MMA FIGHT SERIES ON NBC UNIVERSO, BEGINNING MONDAY, APRIL 18

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THIRTY FIGHTS IN THIRTY DAYS!

NEW YORK – March 28, 2015 – Combate Americas, the first-ever U.S. Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise founded by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-creator Campbell McLaren, today announced the return of its epic, action-packed “Road To the Championship” fight series to NBC UNIVERSO, the modern entertainment and sports cable channel for Latinos, with a weekly, one-hour program, beginning Monday, April 18, at 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT, from Los Angeles, Calif.

A total of 30 bouts featuring the most fearsome, emerging Hispanic MMA fighters, including Imagen Award-winning Combate Americas reality series contestant and professional boxer Ricky “El Gallero” Palacios (5-1 MMA, 2-0-1 boxing), Urijah Faber protégé Erick Sanchez (6-2), John “Sexy Mexy” Castaneda (9-2) and women’s atomweight standout and Eddie Bravo pupil Kyra “Mogwai” Batara (4-3), will unfold over the course of a 30-day period.

“We are thrilled to be featured in a new, weekly slot that will allow us to continuously showcase the best and most exciting young Hispanic fighters and future world champions” said McLaren.

“Since we launched our franchise,” continued McLaren, “NBC Universo has played an instrumental part in helping Combate Americas engage a national Hispanic audience, so we look forward to returning to their incredible platform, and entertaining and inspiring new and existing MMA fans throughout the U.S.

“Combate Americas is a great place for fighters of Latin backgrounds to shine in front of martial arts fans”, said Bilai Joa Silar, Senior Vice President of Programming and Production at NBC Universo. “It’s very exciting to have another season of Combate Americas on NBC Universo. We’re sure our audience will be thrilled with each fight scheduled since they will all feature top notch fighters.”

Additional participating fighters and matchups will be announced soon, as will the Los Angeles location for the kick-off event and host venues for subsequent events.

The first weekly show on April 18 will mark the third event in the “Road To The Championship” series.  Following the sixth event in the series, which kicked off on September 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nev., the most successful competitors in each weight class will be placed in the first Combate Americas world championship bouts in history.
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA

M-1 Challenge 65 Update

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For Immediate Release
April 9 in St. Petersburg, Russia
WATCH FOR FREE ON M1.GLOBAL.TV
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (March 28, 2016) – The main card is set for the April 9th M-1 Challenge 65 event, streaming for FREE on www.M-1Global.tv, live from CSC Sibur Arena in St. Petersburg, Russia
Ramazan Emeev (13-3-0, M-1: 7-1-0), reigning M-1 Challenge middleweight champion, takes on Brazilian challenger Maiquel “Big Rig” Falcao (35-8-0, M-1: 0-0-0) in the M-1 Challenge 65 main event.  Emeev vs. Falcao is an M-1 Grand Prix middleweight semifinals match with the winner advancing to the final later this year against the other M-1 Grand Prix middleweight semifinals winner, former three-time Bellator champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko (52-9-0, M-1: 3-0-0).
M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Murad “Hunter” Abdulaev (13-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0) will make his first title defenseagainst undefeated challenger Alexey Kunchenko
(12-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0).
Former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich(11-1-0, M-1: 5-1-0) and M-1 Global debuting Robert Turnquest (5-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), who is fighting out of Pensacola, Florida, USA.
Rounding out a strong main card is a middleweight match between Kristijan “Klitschko” Perak (13-8-0, M-1: 0-1-1), of Croatia, and undefeated Russian prospect Artem Frolov (5-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0); American heavyweight Jeremy “The BAMF” May (13-8-0, M-1: 1-0-0), fighting out of Vero Beach, Florida, USA, squares off against Evgeni Myakinkin (13-7-0, M-1: 1-1-0), of Russia
The preliminary card has four fights scheduled this far with Brazilian welterweight Sergio “Serginho” de Fatima (12-2-1 (M-1: 0-0-0) vs. Sergei Romanov (7-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), of Russia; Ukrainian lightweight Alexander “Iron Capture” Butenko (39-11-0, M-1: 6-1-0) vs.  Sascha Sharma (8-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), of Germany; Ukrainian lightweight Yyacheslav Ten(12-7-2, M-1: 0-1-0) vs. Damir Ismagulov (4-2-0, M-1: 2-1-0); Russian lightweight Salman Magomedov (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0) vs. pro-debuting Zurab Jojua, of Georgia.
WATCH FOR FREE:  M-1 Challenge 65 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 for FREE by simply 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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mixed martial arts, MMA, Takedown Wrestling Radio, wrestling

Takedown Radio Champions Special this Saturday 9-12 Noon at TakedownWrestle.com

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LIVE from the Casey’s General Stores Studios, The Fight Network presents a three hour Takedown Radio Champions Special brought to you by Kemin and Cookies BBQ.

Join us this Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM, LIVE on AM Radio KXNO 1460, online at KXNO.com or on your iHeart Radio App. For contests and conversation use 866-333-5966 or 515-284-5966. Contests this week include a Defense Soap travel kit and Asics JB Elite 2.0’s. You must be listening to win!

This weeks scheduled guests include: (All air times and guests are subject to change)
Hour One

9:00- Nico Megaludis: 125 pounds (Penn State)

9:20- Nahshon Garrett: 133 pounds (Cornell)

9:40– Dean Heil: 141 pounds (Oklahoma State)

Hour Two

10:00– Zain Retherford: 149 pounds (Penn State) (pre-recorded audio)

10:20– Isaiah Martinez: 157 pounds (Illinois)

10:40– Alex Dieringer: 165 pounds (Oklahoma State)

Hour Three

11:00– Myles Martin: 174 pounds (Ohio State)

11:10– Gabe Dean: 184 pounds (Cornell)

11:25– J’Den Cox: 197 pounds (Missouri)

11:40– Kyle Snyder: 285 pounds (Ohio State)  

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Enter our Wednesday Warrior Contest to win a headgear from DanmarWarrior.com by following us on Facebook  and on Twitter.

Special thanks to our friends at Asics, Casey’s General Stores, Adidas, Cadillac, Dollamur, All American Wrestling Supply, Defense Soap, Nike, Legends of Gold National Training Center, St. Louis Sports Commission, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club, Sunflower Wrestling, Fast Signs, Rockstar Satellite DirecTV, DanMarWarrior.com, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition, Louie’s Wine Dive, TheWrestlingSite.com, IAWrestle.com, Roller Productions, Kaldenberg Landscaping, Bakeris Roofing, Casey’s General Stores, Under Armour Wrestling and Cookies BBQ.

Casey’s General Stores now offers on-line ordering. Visit caseystogo.com to order pizza, subs and more.

Las Vegas, mixed martial arts, MMA, Tuff-N-Uff, World Series of Fighting

Two exciting MMA events are coming to Las Vegas this April!

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World Series of Fighting tickets 50% off this week only!

World Series of Fighting 30 goes down at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas NEXT Saturday, April 2nd. Get your Cageside or Stage tickets now for 50% OFF by entering promo code 50WSOF30here.

BONUS: Bring your receipt (not your ticket) to their merchandise booth to receive a FREE WSOF T-Shirt! (while supplies last, quantities limited)

If you can’t make it to Vegas, catch the Prelims at WSOF.com at 6pm PT with the main card going live on NBC Sports Network at 8pm PT!

Tuff-N-Uff tickets start at $10 for our April 29th event at the Cox Pavilion

The card is shaping up for our show on April 29th! Tickets are on sale NOW starting at just $10 atTuffnuff.com and UNLVTickets. Mark it on your calendar, and come support amateur MMA and the Future Stars of MMA!
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

TWO NEW BOUTS COMPLETE ‘BELLATOR 155: CARVALHO VS. MANHOEF’ MAIN CARD IN BOISE ON MAY 20 – ONLY ON SPIKE

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SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (March 24, 2016) – A lightweight bout pitting Marcin Held (21-4) against Dave Jansen (20-3) and a heavyweight contest pairing Chase Gormley (12-5) versus Joey Beltran (17-12), have been added to the main card of “Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef” at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho on May 20.

 

The fights join a card that already features a colossal Middleweight World Championship main event, when Rafael Carvalho (12-1) defends his belt against the fiery Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef (30-12-1). In addition, former Bellator MMA Featherweight titlist Pat Curran (21-7) will return to action for the first time since June, when he faces the resilient Georgi Karakhanyan (24-5-1) in the card’s co-main event.

 

Tickets for “Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef” start at just $25 and are on sale now at Bellator.com, the CenturyLink Arena Box Office or CenturyLinkArenaBoise.com. The event airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. An eight-fight preliminary card airs live on Bellator.com andThe Bellator Mobile App beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

 

Held, a 13-fight Bellator MMA veteran, looks to begin another long winning streak after seeing his most recent six-fight string snapped at the hands of division champion Will Brooks during “Bellator 145: With A Vengeance.” The 24-year-old submission specialist has recorded wins in 11 of his last 13 fights, with six of the previous seven coming by way of knockout or submission. His juicy matchup with “The Fugitive” at “Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef” marks his 2016 debut and first fight since November of 2015.

After a unanimous decision victory over the Polish native back in 2013 at “Bellator 93,” Dave Jansen will look to once again knock off Held in the evening’s lightweight feature bout. “The Fugitive” enters his ninth fight with Bellator MMA and looks to add to his impressive 7-1 record with the promotion. With winning streaks of seven and 13 fights over his illustrious nine-year career, the 36-year-old Oregon native will once again have his eyes set on starting a new stretch of wins when he steps into the cage on May 20.

 

In heavyweight action, Chase Gormley will look to build on an impressive three-year run that has seen him win five of his last six fights when he takes on Joey Beltran. The Titan Fighting Championship heavyweight kingpin won the promotion’s title with a unanimous decision win against Jon Madsen back in March of 2015.

 

Since entering the Bellator MMA fray in 2013, Beltran has competed against some of the top fighters the promotion has to offer, with matchups against:Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko, Emanuel Newton, and Brian Rogers. After transitioning to middleweight in April 2015, “The Mexicutioner” has won two of three fights, but now returns to the heavyweight division he once roamed.

 

Updated “Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef” Fight Card

 

Bellator MMA Middleweight World Title Fight: Rafael Carvalho (12-1) vs. Melvin Manhoef (30-12-1)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Co-Main Event: Pat Curran (21-7) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-5-1)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Dan Charles (10-3) vs. Augusto Sakai (9-0)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Feature Bout: Dave Jansen (20-3) vs. Marcin Held (21-4)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Joey Beltran (17-12) vs. Chase Gormley (12-5)

 

Preliminary Card

 

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Joe Hamilton (3-0) vs. Tyler Freeland (3-0)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Veta Arteaga (1-0) vs. Jackie Vandenburgh (0-1)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Vince Morales (3-1) vs. Hamilton Ash (3-1)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Brendon Raftery (4-2) vs. Casey Johnson (4-0)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Scott Thometz (9-5) vs. Josh Tyler (7-3)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Sean Powers (9-5) vs. Will Noland (15-6)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Ricky Steele (5-0) vs. Erick Cronkhite (2-1)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Jesse Brock (21-8) vs. Olly Bradstreet (39-12)

 

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

MICHAEL ‘VENOM’ PAGE VERSUS JEREMIE HOLLOWAY COMPLETES MAIN CARD OF ‘BELLATOR 153’ ON APRIL 22 AT MOHEGAN SUN

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CHRIS HONEYCUTT AND MATT SECOR HEADLINE ACTION-PACKED PRELIMINARY CARD

 

TIME CHANGE: ‘BELLATOR 153’ TO AIR AT 8 P.M. ET/7 P.M. CT

 

 B153_1000x1000_Page_Holloway

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (March 24, 2016) – A welterweight pairing pitting Michael Page (9-0) against Jeremie Holloway (7-1) completes the main card of “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” on April 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

 

In addition, the stacked preliminary portion of the event now features ten matchups, including an intriguing 170-pound matchup between Chris Honeycutt (6-1) – teammate of Josh Koscheck — and Matt Secor (7-2), who was originally slated to face “Kos” at “Bellator 148: Daley vs. Uhrich.”

 

The bout joins a main card that features the highly anticipated Bellator debut of Benson “Smooth” Henderson (23-5), as he challenges welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) for his belt. Former featherweight titlist Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (24-3) meets John “Macapa” Teixeira (19-1-2), Connecticut’s own “Irish” Brennan Ward (13-3) returns to action, when he welcomes Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (20-16) into the Bellator MMA fray at 170-pounds and “Toninho Furia” (27-5) faces Brent Primus (6-0) in lightweight action.

 

Tickets for “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” start at just $30 and are on sale now at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com and the Mohegan Sun Box Office. The event airs live and free on SPIKE at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App. The broadcast will be immediately followed by the groundbreaking, inaugural “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” event.

 

Training with the London Shootfighters camp, Michael “Venom” Page is a point fighting expert best known by the acronym “MVP.” The 28-year-old has still yet to surrender a loss in his professional career, including an unblemished 5-0 mark under the Bellator banner. Page has delivered six of his nine victories coming by way of KO/TKO, and you can expect him to come out firing and in search of more blood. Take a look at “MVP’s” most recent finish of Charlie Ontiveros at “Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho.”

 

Prior to his promotional debut against Matt Secor at “Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho,” Holloway was undefeated through his first seven professional fights, scoring high praise and recognition among the mixed martial arts community. The 31-year-old North Carolina native will have his hands full on April 22nd, when the aggressive Page joins him in the cage for what is sure to be one of the most entertaining fights of the evening.

 

Complete “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Welterweight World Title Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) vs. Benson Henderson (23-5)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Co-Main Event: Patricio Freire (24-3) vs. John Teixeira (19-1-2)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Bout: Brennan Ward (13-3) vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (20-16)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Michael Page (9-0) vs. Jeremie Holloway (7-1)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Feature Bout: Brent Primus (6-0) vs. Gleristone “Toninho Furia” Santos (27-5)

 

 

Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Chris Honeycutt (6-1) vs. Matt Secor (7-2)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Djamil Chan (11-2) vs. Richard Patishnock (6-3)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Sam Watford (1-0) vs. Dean Hancock (2-0)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Chris Foster (8-4) vs. Felipe Lavandoski (5-0)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Jason Bakanowski (3-2) vs. T.J. Hepburn (4-2)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Pete Rogers (2-3) vs. Mike Mangan (0-3)

Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Mike Zichelle (7-4) vs. Joe Cronin (19-16)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Matt Bessette (17-7) vs. Keith Richardson (14-6)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Tim Caron (3-0) vs. Justin Sumter (0-0)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Blair Tugman (7-6) vs. Jay Perrin (2-1)

mixed martial arts, MMA, Rizin FF

RIZIN FF SIGNS DARON CRUICKSHANK AND “HUGGY BEAR,” ANNOUNCES FIVE NEW, STAR-STUDDED MMA BOUTS FOR APRIL 17 MEGA-EVENT IN NAGOYA, JAPAN

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Lightweight sensation Daron Cruickshank (pictured) has signed with RIZIN FF, and will make his promotional debut on Sunday, April 17.

Cruickshank takes on Shinji Sasaki in lightweight contest;
Huggy Bear faces Kirill Sidelnikov in heavyweight showdown

Plus:
Women’s Open Weight: Gabi Garcia vs. Anna Malyukova
216 Pound Catchweight: Teodoras Aukstuolis vs. Jaideep Singh
Light Heavyweight: Vadim Nemkov vs. Karl Albrektsson
TOKYO – March 24, 2016– RIZIN FF, the combat sports promotion led by former PRIDE FC head Nobuyuki Sakakibara, announced during a press conference today, that it has inked five  new, star-studded Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) bouts for its much-anticipated mega-event in Nagoya, Japan on Sunday, April 17, including a lightweight (155 pounds) contest between newly signed striking sensationDaron Cruickshank (16-8, 1 NC) and submission expert Shinji “Torao Supernova” Sasaki (16-8-3), as well as a heavyweight matchup between fellow knockout artists Chris “Huggy Bear” Barnett (14-2) and Kirill Sidelnikov (8-4)

In women’s open weight action, decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion and women’s MMA heavyweight prospect Gabi Garcia (1-0) will collide with two-time Pankration champion Anna Malyukova (1-0).

Recent RIZIN FF Grand Prix tournament semifinalist Teodoras Aukstuolis (8-3) will square off with former K-1 champion Jaideep “Heart” Singh (2-1 MMA; 40-10, 13 KO’s kickboxing) in a 216- pound catchweight fight.

Sambo world champion Vadim Nemkov (5-1) will take on undefeated, aggressive-minded striker and top Nordic prospect “King” Karl Albrektsson (4-0) in a light heavyweight (205 pounds) tilt.

Daron Cruickshank vs. Shinji Sasaki

Cruickshank of Wayne, Mich. will set foot in the RIZIN FF ring for the first time, following a 4-year, 13-fight stint with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that included wins over rival stars Yves Edwards, Erik Koch and Anthony Njokuani.

A two-time NCAA Division III wrestling national qualifier for Olivet College and a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, the 5-foot-8, 30-year-old Cruickshank has gained admiration from fans worldwide with his set of explosive striking skills.

Sasaki of Hiroshima, Japan is a former Shooto Pacific Rim champion in the midst of a three-fight win streak.  In his last start on March 12, the 5-foot-9, 35-year-old who has earned 10 of his 16 career wins by way of submission, scored a thunderous, 40-second TKO on Won Sik Park with a storm of punches.

(Above: Chris “Huggy Bear” Barnett, clad in his signature, full-body bear suit, stands behind MMA legends Fedor Emelianenko (left) and Wanderlei Silva (right) at a press conference in Japan before Barnett’s first round TKO victory over Shinichi Suzukawa on New Year’s Eve 2014)

Chris Barnett vs. Kirill Sidelnikov

With heavy hands, incredible agility for his massive physique and an eccentric personality that spawned his “Huggy Bear” moniker, Barnett of Tampa, Fla., has been making noise in the MMA world of late.

The 5-foot-9, 29-year-old who makes his ring entrances wearing a full-body bear suit and celebrates his victories by performing breakdance moves and cartwheels in the ring, has earned 12 of his 14 career wins to date by way of (T)KO.  In his last start, he scored a first round TKO (punches) on Shinichi Suzukawa, in Tokyo onDecember 31

Sidelnikov of Stary Oskol, Russia is a 5-foot-11, 27-year-old former protégé of all-time MMA great Fedor Emelianenko.  On December 29, he made his return to the ring after a five-year hiatus, scoring a devastating, first round (2:23) TKO (punches) on Carlos Toyota at the inaugural RIZIN FF event in Saitama, Japan.

Gabi Garcia vs. Anna Malyukova

A six-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion and ninth degree black belt, the 6-foot-2, 30-year-old Garcia of Los Angeles, Calif. via Sao Paulo, Brazil will return to the RIZIN FF ring for the second time after scoring a first round (2:36) TKO (punches) on Lei’d Tapa on December 31.

Malyukova of Penza, Penza Oblast, Russia is a former collegiate basketball star turned Russian MMA Championship and World Cup of MMA winner.  After amassing a near unblemished, amateur career record of 7-1, Malyukova made her professional debut on September 26, 2015, earning a unanimous decision over Tatiana Portova.

Teodoras Aukstuolis vs. Jaideep “Heart” Singh

The 6-foot, 24-year-old Aukstuolis of Ukmerge, Lithuania is a national Judo champion who has been dubbed the “Lithuanian Werewolf” by Japanese fans who witnessed the young fighter use his aggressive style to knock out (punch) Bruno Henrique Cappelozza in the first round (3:32) of the RIZIN FF Grand Prix tournament’s quarterfinal stage of battle on December 29, 2015, before being ousted by eventual tournament champion “King Mo” Lawal in the semifinal round

All but one of Aukstuolis’ wins, thus far, have come by way of (T)KO or submission.

Singh of Punjab, India is a 6-foot-6, 28-year-old, former K-1 and RISE heavyweight kickboxing tournament champion who took his biggest risk to date when he stepped in the ring with Emelianenko in the main event of the RIZIN FF kick-off event on December 31, losing to the iconic Russian fighter by way of first round (3:02) TKO (punches).

Singh’s highest profile win to date came at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final event in Tokyo, Japan when he scored a first round (2:58) KO on Russian superstar Sergei Kharitonov with a right hook.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Karl “King” Albrektsson

Another protégé of Emelianenko and the younger brother of M-1 Global light heavyweight kingpin Viktor Nemkov, the 23-year-old Vadim of Stary Oskol is a three-time national and 2014 world combat Sambo champion.

Nemkov reached the semifinal stage of the RIZIN FF Grand Prix tournament onDecember 29, finishing Goran Reljic by way of first round (2:58) TKO (punches) before being ousted from the eight-man playoff by Jiri Prochazka.

The 6-foot-2, 22-year-old Abrektsson of Sweden will make his RIZIN FF promotional debut as one of the hottest emerging forces in Europe.  With a fearless, straightforward style of offense, the Pancrase Gym team member has finished all four of his professional opponents inside of two rounds, via (T)KO or submission.

Priced from 100,000 yen, tickets for “Top Presents RIZIN Fighting Federation I,” which takes place at Nippon Gaishi Hall, are on sale and can be purchased online at Ticketbis.com.

In the main event, former PRIDE FC middleweight champion and prolific superstarWanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva (35-12-1, 1 NC) will team up with a fighter to be announced soon, in a special grappling “tag match,” and battle a duo consisting of fellow legend, Kazushi Sakuraba, (26-17-1, 2 NC) and Hideo Tokoro (33-28-2).

In a 180-pound MMA rules catchweight contest, devastating power puncherHisaki Kato (5-2) will take on fellow finisher Yuta “Andre” Watanabe (19-6-4).

Returning to action for the first time in five years, beloved heavyweight Kazuyuki “Ol’ Ironhead” Fujita (15-10), will face recent RIZIN FF Grand Prix tournament runner-up and dangerous knockout artist Jiri “Denisa” Prochazka (16-3-1).

In flyweight (125 pounds) action, submission ace Allan “Puro Osso” Nascimento (14-3) will lock horns with red-hot champion Yuki Motoya (15-4, 1 NC).

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