Category Archives: mixed martial arts

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT BETWEEN PATRICIO ‘PITBULL’ AND EMMANUEL SANCHEZ HEADLINES BELLATOR’S RETURN TO MENORA MIVTACHIM ARENA IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL ON NOV. 15

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ALSO, ISRAELI HAIM GOZALI REMATCHES RYAN COUTURE AND FORMER LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP PHIL DAVIS FACES VADIM NEMKOV

 

LOS ANGELES – Bellator returns to Tel Aviv, Israel for the third-consecutive year on Thursday, Nov. 15 with a featherweight world title clash pitting Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (27-4) against Emmanuel Sanchez (17-3) set to anchor Bellator 209 inside Menora Mivtachim Arena. In addition, Haim Gozali (8-5) looks to get revenge against Ryan Couture (11-6) in co-main event welterweight action, while Phil Davis (19-4, 1 NC) will take on Vadim Nemkov (9-2) at light heavyweight. Additionally, a women’s featherweight contest between undefeated Israeli Olga Rubin (4-0) and veteran Cindy Dandois (12-3) will be featured on the card.

 

 

 

Tickets are on sale now and are available at Eventim.co, as well as Bellator.com. The event will air Friday, Nov. 16 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on Paramount Network and can also be streamed on DAZN.

 

 

 

Bellator has partnered with Ananey Communications, an Israeli television conglomerate boasting 14 channels, including the EGO and EGO TOTAL channels, which have broadcast Bellator in Israel since 2012.

 

 

 

Hailing from Natal, Brazil, two-time featherweight champ Patricio “Pitbull” will enter the Bellator cage for a promotional record 20th time on Nov. 15. With 15 wins under the Bellator umbrella, “Pitbull” will be making his second title defense since reclaiming the world title at Bellator 178 against Daniel Straus last year. Most recently, “Pitbull” defeated Daniel Weichel, edging out his opponent via split decision at Bellator 203 in Rome. Having earned a finish in 20 of his 27 wins as a professional, the reigning champion has become synonymous with excitement and fans can certainly expect more fireworks when he enters the cage onNov. 15.

 

 

 

Sanchez has officially emerged from prospect to title contender when he challenges for the featherweight title in Tel Aviv. Unlike his opponent, Sanchez will find himself in unfamiliar territory on Nov. 15, as the 28-year-old Milwaukee, Wis.-fighter will make his first professional appearance outside of the United States. “El Matador” will be seeking his 10th promotional win and his fifth consecutive victory, a streak that began in January of last year. With his last defeat coming over two years ago and with recent victories over former Bellator champions Daniel Straus and Marcos Galvao, as well as Sam Sicilia, there may not be another athlete on Bellator’s roster more deserving of a title fight than the Roufusport Academy-product.

 

 

 

A member of Team Renzo Gracie, Gozali returns to the Bellator cage for the fifth time in his 20-year career. The Israeli fighter will once again fight Ryan Couture on Nov. 15, following a three-round thriller at Bellator 180 last summer. Fighting out of Bat Yam, Israel, “Batman” favors events on home turf, notching two opening round submission wins in each of his las two bouts inside Menora Mivtachim Arena. Now, with seven of his eight career victories coming by way of submission, the former Israeli army soldier hopes to keep his rematch with Couture out of the judges’ hands.

 

 

 

Couture looks to duplicate the success he had in his first matchup with Gozali, when he picked up a unanimous decision win inside Madison Square Garden last June. A veteran of UFC and STRIKEFORCE, Couture has appeared six times in the Bellator cage and will make the jump back up to welterweight in hopes of collecting the 12th win of his career. A member of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, the Seattle native will look to play the role of spoiler to Gozali when the two rematch in Tel Aviv.

 

 

 

Hailing from Harrisburg, Penn. Davis has earned impressive victories over elite competition during his illustrious 10-year career, including wins over the likes of Lyoto Machida, “King Mo” Lawal, Liam McGeary and most recently Linton Vassellat Bellator 200 earlier this year. Fighting out of San Diego, Calif. the former four-time NCAA Division-1 All-American wrestler out of Penn State University holds a near flawless mark of 6-1 in Bellator. “Mr. Wonderful” trains alongside current Bellator bantamweight champ Darrion Caldwell, Dominick Cruz and A.J. Matthews amongst others at Alliance MMA.

 

 

 

Fighting out of Stary Oskol, Russia, 26-year-old knockout artist Vadim Nemkov will make his third appearance with Bellator when he meets Davis. A protege of Bellator heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Nemkov will be looking to build on his pair of knockout wins, which includes a win over former light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary at Bellator 194. With eight of his nine career victories coming by way of first round stoppage, the former Sambo world champion does not waste much time inside the cage. His ability for finishing fights will be tested when he meets Davis, an athlete who has yet to be finished in his career.

 

 

 

Israeli women’s featherweight Olga Rubin steps back inside the Bellator cage for the third time to put her undefeated streak on the line in her home country. With her previous promotional victories at Bellator 164 and Bellator 188 coming via TKO, “Big Bad” has developed a reputation as one of the more dangerous prospects in the division. She is now set to take on UFC and Invicta FC veteran Cindy Dandois, who owns career wins over Marloes Coenen, Jorina Baars and Megan Anderson. Training out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, “Battlecat” is currently riding a four-fight win streak, which includes a victorious appearance in RIZIN.

 

 

 

Updated Bellator 209: ‘Pitbull’ vs. Sanchez Fight Card:

Featherweight World Title Bout: Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (27-4) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (17-3)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Haim Gozali (8-5) vs. Ryan Couture (11-6)

Light Heavyweight Feature Event: Phil Davis (19-4, 1 NC) vs. Vadim Nemkov (9-2)

Women’s Featherweight Bout: Olga Rubin (4-0) vs. Cindy Dandois (12-3)

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BOUTIN IS BACK AND GARDNER TURNS PRO AT NEF 35 IN BANGOR

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Bangor, Maine (August 20, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional middleweight bout to the card.  Crowsneck Boutin (2-3) will return to the cage to take on Mark “Pockets” Gardner (0-0) at a fight weight of 185-pounds.

 

 

 

It will have been two years almost to the day since Boutin last competed in the NEF cage.  That September night in 2016 he was defeated by Jesse Erickson (9-7) at “NEF 25.”  Since that time, Boutin has become an instructor with a new team, Bad Little Falls Dojo, based in Machias, Maine and has concentrated on raising his young daughter.  He will look to recapture the glory of his 2014 season when he went 3-0, including two first-round knockouts, in the NEF cage and was voted “Fighter of the Year” by fans.

 

 

 

“I am blessed with this opportunity to go to war inside the NEF cage,” said Boutin.  “Past two years, I’ve been fighting for my sweet princess, Iola Soule. I possess new light, and I’d whoop the old me’s ass. I am still aboard this ride. I am a revenant.”

 

 

 

Mark Gardner has had a stellar first year with NEF.  Last November, he debuted with a second-round technical knockout of Carlton Charles (2-2) at “NEF 31.”  He would follow up that success with a pair of first-round finishes this year, including a submission victory by arm bar earlier this summer at “NEF 34.”  In all, he finished his amateur career a perfect 3-0.  Gardner is a product of the Academy of Mixed Martial Arts based in Portland, Maine.

 

 

 

“I can’t wait to fight Crowsneck in September,” said Gardner.  “To be able to make my pro debut so soon after three good fights is pretty rad. I’ve been training hard for this and I can’t wait to see it pay off in there.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

 

 

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

BELLATOR 204: CALDWELL vs. LAHAT FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS

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Complete Photos // Credit: Bellator/Lucas Noonan

 

Complete Bellator 204 Main Card:

 

 

Featherweight Main Event: Darrion Caldwell (13-1) def. Noad Lahat (12-4) via TKO (punches) at 2:46 of round two

*Caldwell’s bantamweight title was not on the line

 

 

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Logan Storley (9-0) def. A.J. Matthews (9-8) via TKO (punches) at 3:56 of round two

 

 

Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Ricky Bandejas (11-1) def. James Gallagher (7-1) via KO (strikes) at 2:49 of round one

 

 

Featherweight Main Card Bout: Tywan Claxton (3-0) def. Cris Lencioni (3-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

 

 

 

Preliminary Card:

 

 

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Omar Morales (7-0) def. Troy Nawrocki (3-1) via KO (strikes) at 0:58 of round one

 

 

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Demarques Jackson (9-2) def. Bryce Logan (9-3) via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

 

 

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Jason Jackson (8-3) def. Jordon Larson (9-5) via TKO (punches) at 3:52 of round one

 

 

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: David Michaud (13-4) def. Corey Davis (3-1) via KO (punches) at 1:42 of round one

 

 

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Romero Cotton (3-0) def. Willie Whitehead (2-3) via TKO (strikes) at 4:12 of round one

 

 

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Tyler Ray (3-1) def. Seth Bass (4-3) via KO (strikes) at 3:30 of round 1

 

 

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Keith Phathaem (1-1) vs. Micah Peatrowsky (2-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

 

 

Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Lloyd McKinney (8-5) def. Robiel Tesfaldet (2-2) via submission (arm triangle choke) at 4:17 of round three

 

 

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Jeff Nielsen (2-0) def. Wyatt Meyer (1-1) via TKO (punches) at 2:53 of round one

mixed martial arts, MMA

MMA PRO LEAGUE ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONAL & APPAREL PARTNERS

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Six Promotional Partners On-Board 
Supporting MMA Pro League
 
Jab Apparel Set to Provide Uniforms Ahead of 
Inaugural Event Saturday, September 15 at 
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (August 16, 2018) – The newest entity in MMA and professional team sports, MMA Pro League, has struck an apparel partnership with Jab Apparel, as well as six promotional partners, ahead of their inaugural fight card on Saturday, September 15

at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and streaming live on FloCombat.com.

 

 

 

In addition to Jab Apparel, the companies providing their promotional support for MMA Pro League are Everlast, the preeminent boxing brand since 1910, Select, a U.S.-based premium benefits card company, Everipedia, the world’s largest English encyclopedia by content, Captiv8, a full-service promotional product and marketing agency, the Village Pourhouse a New York City sports bar and cigar company Q Cigar. All promotional partners will also be distributing MMA Pro League video and photo content across their websites and social media platforms.

 

 

 

“We are very encouraged by the breadth of promotional support being provided by this great group of companies who believe in MMA Pro League and our team concept,” said MMA Pro League CEO Hani Darwish. “We are very excited that they are with us at the launch of a new era in MMA.”

 

 

 

“I’d like to thank all of our promotional partners, as well as FloSports and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, for their support of MMA Pro League,” said MMAPL president Mark Taffet. “Their efforts not only enhance our brand but also extend the reach of MMA Pro League to fans across many demographic groups.”

 

 

 

Amongst the many ways that these companies will be engaging fans heading intoSeptember 15 include various discounts and special offers for purchasing tickets through their vendors. Ticket buyers using their Select card will be given significant discounts, while purchasing tickets at a Q Cigar location will net fans free Robusto and Churchill cigars. Fans who buy tickets at Village Pourhouse will receive a free drink with their purchase and be rewarded with a discount meal after the fight.

 

 

 

The Everipedia database will house the biographies of each MMA Pro League fighter and be accessible from the league’s website. Everipedia will also present the “Tale of the Tape” for each fight and service other statistical information.

 

 

 

Jab Apparel, a UK-based company that launched in March, will provide training apparel and fight night uniforms for MMA Pro League teams and employees. Everlast will be the official glove provider of MMA Pro League, while Captiv8 will deliver MMA Pro League promotional items.

 

 

 

These partnerships are on top of the previously announced deals with the beautiful new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, which will host a series of MMA Pro League matches, and FloSports, who will exclusively stream all MMA Pro League team fight action live on their worldwide combat sports site, FloCombat.com.

 

 

 

Tickets for the inaugural installment of “MMA Pro League At The Hard Rock” onSaturday, September 15, featuring Team New Jersey vs. Team Pennsylvania, are available at Ticketmaster.com.

 

# # #

 

 

 

To access live and on-demand coverage of all MMA Pro League action, visit FloCombat.com and become a monthly or annual PRO subscriber. Either subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the games on all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku, or Apple TV 4.

 

 

 

For more information visit www.MMAProLeague.com, follow the conversation on Twitter @MMAPro_League, @DanMiller185, @DanielGracie, @Hani_Darwish1 and @MarkTaffetMedia, on Instagram at Instagram.com/mmaproleague,Instagram.com/DanMiller185, Instagram.com/DanielGracie,Instagram.com/Hani_Darwish1 and Instagram.com/MarkTaffetMedia, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MMAProLeague.

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER “COPA COMBATE” TOURNAMENT QUALIFIER BOUTS LIVE ON UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK FROM LONG BEACH, CALIF. ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 28

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Winners of the one-round, featherweight fights will represent
the U.S. and Mexico in the $100,000 grand prize tournament

U.S. qualifying bout: Erick Gonzalez vs. Andres Quintana
Mexico qualifying bout:  Pablo Sabori vs. Alejandro Flores

Tickets for “Combate Americas: Camino a Copa Combate” on sale now

 

 

NEW YORK – August 16, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced a live Univision Deportes Network (UDN) telecast (12 a.m. ET/9 pm. PT) of an event that will be headlined by the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise’s first-ever “COPA COMBATE” qualifying bouts in Long Beach, Calif. On Friday, Sept. 28.

 

The “Combate Americas: Camino a Copa Combate” event, which will air live from The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, will feature a pair of one, five-minute round featherweight (145 pounds) fights, the winners of which represent their respective countries – the U.S. and Mexico – in the “COPA COMBATE,” one-night, eight-man, $100,000 tournament, the date and location of which will be announced soon.

 

 

Priced from $30, tickets for “Combate Americas: Camino A Copa Combate” are on sale at The Walter Pyramid’s

online ticketing platform, as well at Ticketon.com.

 

“These one-round qualifier fights are symbolic of what Combate Americas represents – ‘Mucha Mas Accion,’ or ‘Much More Action,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.  “Faster-paced fights in a shorter time frame create the most electrifying platform in the sport and, with the opportunity to represent your country in the ‘COPA COMBATE,” $100,000 grand prize tournament on the line, the intensity will be at an all-new high.”

 

 

Facing off with each other in one of the two ‘Camino a Copa Combate’ one, five-minute round, featherweight fights with the right to represent the U.S. in the high-stakes tournament, will be Erick “The Ghost Pepper” Gonzalez (8-2) and Andres “The Bullet” Quintana (14-2).

 

 

In the second ‘Camino a Copa’ one-round, five-minute fight, Pablo “El Gallo Negro” Sabori (8-4) will collide with Alejandro “El Gallito” Flores (12-1).  The winner of the matchup will represent Mexico in the “COPA COMBATE” tournament.

 

 

ERICK GONZALEZ VS. ANDRES QUINTANA

 

The 5-foot-10, 26-year-old Gonzalez of Redondo Beach, Calif. will drop from lightweight (155 pounds) to featherweight for the first time since joining the ranks of Combate Americas, in an effort to qualify for the coveted, one-night tournament.

 

 

A relentless battler capable of finishing opponents in any range of combat, Gonzalez has earned six of his eight professional career wins by way of (T)KO or submission, including his last fight in which he avenged a previous, unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Danny “The Realist” Ramirez by scoring a highlight reel, first-round (3:15) knockout (punches) on Ramirez at “Combate Estrellas” in Los Angeles on April 13.

 

 

Quintana, a 6-foot, 27-year-old trailblazer who hails from Roswell, N.M., has been perfect to date in La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, winning all four of his matchups under the promotional banner since he made his debut last year.

 

 

Among Quintana’s conquests in Combate Americas action is a June 30, 2017 unanimous decision win over last year’s “COPA COMBATE” tournament winner Levy Marroquin, in a bout that took place in the taxing, high altitude of Mexico City, Mexico.

 

 

PABLO SABORI VS. ALEJANDRO FLORES

 

The 5-foot-8, 26-year-old Sabori of San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora is a feared, devastating finisher who boasts a 100 percent finish rate, with all 8 of his professional career wins to date having come by way of knockout or submission, 5 of them inside the first round of action.

 

 

In his last start on July 29, 2017 in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Sabori slugged his way to a third round (3:03) TKO (punches) of Andrew Lagdaan.

 

 

Flores is a 5-foot-10, 27-year-old, fast-rising star out of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon who will return to 145 pounds after a phenomenal run in the bantamweight (135 pounds) class.

 

 

Flores is riding a four-fight win streak after coasting to victory over Team Grasso standout Victor Madrigal in Combate Americas’ debut live event in Monterrey onApril 20.  The win marked Flores’ second straight win in La Jaula, since defeating Walter Zamora by way of split decision on March 30, 2017.

 

 

An additional matchup for the live televised, main card portion of the Combate Americas world championship event will be announced soon, as will a complete, preliminary bout card.

 

 

Doors at The Walter Pyramid will open at 6 p.m. PT on September 28, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 7 p.m.

 

Bellator, boxing, FNU Combat Sports Show, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, wrestling

Fight Talk Unlimited DOUBLE Episode

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Tonight, Tom, Tony and Rich recapped the last two weeks of action in combat sports. Listen to the whole broadcast to catch up on all the major news and events that you missed and what’s coming up this weekend, too.

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

VETERAN WEST COAST FIGHTER MONTOYA FINDS A NEW HOME IN MAINE MMA SCENE

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Brunswick, Maine (August 15, 2018) – It’s absolutely no secret that few New England lightweights have raised their fists to volunteer for a mixed martial arts showdown with “The” Ryan Sanders in recent years.

 

The competition at welterweight isn’t clamoring for a date with Sanders, either, although a newcomer to the region with ties to another hotbed of the sport is eager to embrace the challenge at “New England Fights 35: Wicked Season.”

 

Armando “Chino” Montoya, a veteran of 16 professional bouts, and linked closely with a pioneering figure in combat sports, will answer the call Saturday, September 8. The bout will take place on Sanders’ home turf at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Opening bell time is 7 p.m.

 

“(NEF co-owner and matchmaker) Matt Peterson asked me if I wanted to fight, and I was happy to take it,” Montoya said. “I like to push myself. I don’t like easy fights.”

 

That attitude is a product of both Montoya’s cultural and professional background.

He’s proud to be a first-generation Mexican-American and a product of the relentless, fighting culture that has made his parents’ homeland such a force in boxing and MMA.

 

While living, working and fighting in California, he was a student of Thomas “Wildman” Denny, a veteran with almost 50 pro fights under his belt.

 

“That’s a name well-known to longtime fans of the sport,” Peterson said. “Denny was known for always having exciting fights, win or lose, and I know he instilled some of that mentality in his students, such as Armando.”

 

Montoya (10-6) fought primarily in California, Colorado and New Mexico. He was in line to fight on a UFC card in Wyoming when a hand injury forced him to withdraw from the bout.

 

Although work and family commitments have slowed his pace in recent years, only five years separate him from a six-fight win streak.

 

“I’ve fought the top local guys wherever I’ve been my whole career. I fought against guys who wound up fighting for UFC or Strikeforce,” Montoya said. “I’m 38, which I know is pretty old in this business, but I still like to challenge myself. It’s become more like a hobby. I have to work and support my family, but when the opportunities have come up, I love to train and give it a shot.”

 

A union carpenter by trade, Montoya sought more lucrative opportunities in that realm. Maine wound up on his radar because it is his mother-in-law’s home.

After the move, Montoya sought a local gym where he could continue to hone his craft in the martial arts. At 6-foot-3, having spent much of his career at middleweight, Montoya said he didn’t find many sparring partners his size.

 

“Then I was working in Portland and the superintendent there was a friend of John Raio,” Montoya recalled. “He said, ‘You should check out First Class MMA in Brunswick,’ so I did.”

 

Both family-oriented men with a passion for the sport and their shared faith, Raio and Montoya became fast friends.

 

“Armando is a strong leader and our most experienced fighter,” Raio said. “He’s the most humble guy you will ever meet and a devout Christian. His warm presence and willingness to share his knowledge and experience at First Class MMA make him a strong asset to our gym. He has been a huge reason for the growth of our students. I’m honored to call him my fighter and a great friend. He’s like family to me.”

 

First Class doesn’t have many exact matchups for the newcomer’s body type, either, but Montoya likes the mix of personalities and youthful exuberance.

 

“It’s exciting to see other people so excited about the sport,” Montoya said. “First Class has a lot of young guys who are just starting out, that have had one or two fights.”

 

Montoya’s first inclination is a stand-up clash. Most of his opponents have been substantially shorter, though, and prefer ground-and-pound affairs in which his reach advantage is less of a factor. He said he enjoys the contrast of styles.

 

Sanders (16-9) is the clear favorite. In his prime at 31, undefeated through his past seven sojourns in the NEF hexagon, he has been more active than his unfamiliar opponent.

 

“Unfamiliar” is the operative word. The unknowns – namely Montoya’s vast experience against a different talent pool – make it a can’t-miss matchup.

 

Montoya can appreciate the challenge Sanders will face in ascending a class to face him.

 

“I’m used to being the one going up in weight,” he said. “Being 6-foot-3, I’m used to bumping up from 170 to 185. It’s kind of cool being on the other side this time.”

While Montoya is quick to acknowledge God for his forward motion in life, he gives MMA proper credit for its role in his salvation, as well.

 

Before entering the amateur ranks at age 25, ‘Mando’ spent five years in federal prison and walked out mad at the world.

 

“I had a lot of anger issues,” he said. “This sport showed me how to take out that anger in a constructive way. I didn’t need to fight in the bars and the clubs anymore.”

 

Many have gained from Montoya’s personal triumphs. Now, add NEF’s devoted fan base to that list.

 

“We’re lucky to have someone of Armando’s caliber stepping up to face Ryan,” Peterson said. “As if this card weren’t already exciting enough, now we have this added fight to thrill the Bangor fans. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

 

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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA CELEBRATES ITS 50th EVENT IN MINNESOTA WITH A  MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

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LFA 50 – ALLEN vs. HILEY
 
 
MAIN EVENT:
“ALL IN”
BRENDAN ALLEN
vs.
“THE AMAZING”
TIM HILEY
 
MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE 
 
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st LIVE on AXS TV
 
LIVE at the NEW 
MYSTIC LAKE CENTER
PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through MysticLake.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will celebrate its historic 50th televised event in Minnesota by crowning a new middleweight champion at LFA 50. This event will also kick off an action-packed fall fight season, which starts on the third week of September.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 50 will feature a middleweight title fight when two-time LFA title challenger Brendan “All In” Allen faces top undefeated prospect “The Amazing” Tim Hiley for the vacant strap. LFA 50 – Allen vs. Hiley takes place Friday, September 21st at the new Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to celebrate our 50th televised event at the state of the art Mystic Lake Center in Minnesota”, stated Soares. “LFA has produced fifty nationally televised MMA events faster than any promotion in history. LFA 50 will be the third of four live nationally televised MMA events to take place inside Mystic Lake’s new world-class facility in 2018. Mystic Lake has been a fantastic partner and it will now host our LFA middleweight world title fight between Brendan Allen and Tim Hiley on September 21st.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 50 – Allen vs. Hiley are available for purchase NOW at MysticLake.com.

 

 

 

Allen (9-3) returns to the LFA Octagon fresh off the most emphatic win of his career. The 22-year-old Louisianian and two-time LFA middleweight title challenger knocked out two-time Legacy FC middleweight title challenger Larry Crowe with a check hook KO that went viral in June after their headlining encounter at LFA 43. The man known as “All In” is now looking to do just that in his sixth appearance for the promotion. He also competed twice for Legacy FC before the promotion merged with RFA to create LFA and is fully aware of the stakes when he steps foot inside the LFA Octagon. His only setbacks have come to men currently competing in the UFC. The young Roufusport product has built a loyal fan base for being one of the most clinical finishers in the division. All nine of his victories have come via KO, TKO, or submission. He now hopes a third time’s a charm as he vies for LFA gold at LFA 50.

 

 

 

Hiley (7-0) will get his first LFA title shot after dominating in his first two fights for the promotion earlier this year. The 29-year-old has the same plan as Allen. He is looking to continue a proud LFA history of top middleweight prospects that win LFA titles and sign with the UFC. All four previous LFA middleweight champions have done just that. That illustrious list includes Eryk Anders, Markus Perez, Anthony Hernandez, and Ian Heinisch. “The Amazing” one looks to continue amazing LFA fight fans with his exciting skill set. Another layer of intrigue to his title fight with Allen is that both men train just a few miles from each other in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Hiley represents Pura Vida, home of UFC star Zak Ottow. Meanwhile, Allen fights out of Roufusport, home to UFC star Sergio Pettis. Both Ottow and Pettis became stars in the RFA before signing with the UFC. Hiley looks to start his own legacy at LFA 50.

 

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Middleweight Title Bout (185 lb)

– Brendan Allen (9-3) vs. Tim Hiley (7-0)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Heayweight Bout (265 lb)

– Brian Heden (31-16) vs. Raphael “Bebezão” Pessoa (8-0)

 

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Ben Neumann (13-5) vs. Bobby Lee (8-2)

 

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Ashkan Morvari (15-7) vs. Jason Witt (13-5)

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Josh Marsh (4-1) vs. Dmitry Gerasimov (9-6)

 

 

 

In 2017, RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA have launched the careers of over 140 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May 2018, the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

LFA 50 will be the eighth LFA event to take place in the state of Minnesota. RFA and Legacy FC hosted a combined nine events in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” before the merger. Six of those events took place under the RFA banner inside the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. The entire main card of LFA 50 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

In 2017 RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

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

“Road to M-1: USA” OFFICIAL RESULTS

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Doug “Yamato” Usher stops
David Mundell in 2nd round
 
  Yoislandy Izquierdo landed the kick of the night

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 14, 2018) – Georgia middleweight Doug “Yamato” Usher and Yoislandy “Cuba” Izquierdo were knockout-winners this past Saturday night in the “Road to M-1: USA” main event and co-feature, respectively, at Global Mall in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

 

 

“Road to M-1: USA” was presented by M-1 Global USA and Angel Fight Promotions and aired live on worldwide pay per view.

 

 

 

“The Rage,” a hybrid ring/cage, made its American debut in Music City.

 

 

 

“What a great first event for M-1 Global USA,” M-1 Global USA CEO Mike Merriman said. “There were so many obstacles to overcome and lessons to be learned, but the show still went well. The fighters worked hard and the staff worked diligently. I couldn’t have asked for more. We are working on our next show and some possible partnerships that should make a lot of fans smile.”

 

 

 

Usher (10-3-0) overcame a relatively slow opening round to knockout his late replacement opponent, David “Redneck” Mundell (9-4-0), with a powerful right-left combination for his sixth consecutive victory, which snapped Mundell’s three-fight win streak.

 

 

 

Izquierdo (12-4-0), fighting out of Charlotte (NC) by way of Cuba, took care of business early, knocking out Damond Pickney (15-11-0), of Hot Springs, Arkansas, less than a minute into the opening round by way of a vicious head-kick.

 

 

 

Virginia bantamweight Tony Gravely (14-5-0) ruined the courageous comeback of previously undefeated Brazilian fighter Bruno Ferreira (8-1-0), who was making a comeback after successfully battling cancer the past three years. Gravely’s aggressive ground-and-pound attack resulted in a quick first-round technical knockout win.

 

 

 

Georgia flyweight Cee Jay “The Autobot” Hamilton (13-6-0) and California heavyweight Cody “The Moose” Goodale won three-round decisions, respectively, against Puerto Rican Abdiel “The Nightmare” Velazquez (8-6-0) and Nkemdirim “Kim” Oti (2-4-0)

 

 

 

Kentucky welterweight Brandon “The Juggernaut” Bell (9-7-0) registered a first-round, ground-and-pound TKO win over Jacob “Tick-Tock” McClintock (9-3-0), of Arizona, while Chicago welterweight P.J. Cajigas used the same method to defeat previously unbeaten Tennessean James Conway (3-1-0) in round two.

 

 

 

On the preliminary card, Chicago bantamweight Chris “The Jungle” Johnson (5-8-0) knocked out Jerrod “The Hillbilly Hammer” Jennings (2-2-0) in the first round. Kentucky lightweight Kegan Agnew (1-0-0) made an impressive pro debut, locking in a rear naked choke to submit hometown favorite Dwayne Herrelle (0-2-0) in the opening round.

 

 

 

Complete results and photo gallery below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN EVENT – MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Doug Usher (10-3-0), College Park, Maryland
WKO2
David Mundell (9-4-0), Orlando, Florida
CO-FEATURE – LIGHTWEIGHTS
Yoislandyu Izquierdo (12-4-0), Charlotte, North Carolina
WKO1
Dawond Pickney (15-11-0), Hot Springs, Arkansas
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Tony Gravely (14-5-0) Radford, Virginia
WTKO1
Bruno Ferreira (8-1-0) Sao Paulo, Brazil
FLYWEIGHTS
Cee Jay Hamilton (13-6-0), Hartwell, Georgia.
WDEC3
Abdiel Velazquez (8-6-0), New Port Richey, Florida
WELTERWEIGHTS
Brandon Bell (9-6-0), Harlan, Kentucky
WTKO1
Jacob McClintock (9-3-0), Tempe, Arizona
P.J. Cajigas (7-7-0), Chicago, Illinois
WTKO2
James Conway (3-1-0), Dickson, Tennessee
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Cody Goodale (6-4-0), Riverside, California.
WDEC3
Nkemdirim Oti (2-4-0), Decatur, Alabama
PRELIMINARY CARD
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Chris Johnson (5-8-0), Chicago, Illinois
WKO1
Jerrod Jennings (2-2-0), Mayfield, Kentucky
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Kegan Agnew (1-0-0), Fredonia, Kentucky
WSUB1 (rear naked choke)
Dwayne Herrelle (0-2-0) Nashville, Tennessee
Doug Usher used a powerful combination to KO David Mundell
Tony Gravely (on top) destroyed Bruno Ferreira’s comeback party
  Heavyweight Cody Goodale (R) punched his way past Nkemdirm Oti
  Brandon Bell (on top) finished off Jacob McClintock
P.J. Cajigas lines up Jacob Conway
Andiel Velazquez (L) & Cee Jay Hamilton put on a show for Nashville MMA fans
INFORMATION:
 
M1GlobalUSA.com
Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@M1Global
Facebook:
LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA MAKES FIRST TRIP TO THE NORTHEAST WITH A  WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN

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LFA 49 – BRADY vs. URBINA
MAIN EVENT:
 
UNDEFEATED PROSPECT
SEAN BRADY
vs.
UNDEFEATED PROSPECT
GILBERT URBINA
 
WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
 
 
CO-MAIN EVENT:
 
UFC VETERAN
JONAVIN “THE SPIDER” WEBB
vs.
WWE TOUGH ENOUGH COMPETITOR
TANNER “THE HAMMER” SARACENO
 
WELTERWEIGHT WAR
 
 
PLUS THE MMA DEBUT OF
3-TIME USA NATIONAL BOXING CHAMPION
AND
ESPN “THE BODY ISSUE” ATHLETE
DANYELLE WOLF
vs.
LFA UPSET QUEEN
COURTNEY KING
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th LIVE on AXS TV
Golden Nugget Casino, Hotel & Marina in Atlantic City.

in ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
 
Tickets on sale NOW through Ticketmaster.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will head to “The World’s Famous Playground” with a pair of welterweight duels at the top of LFA 49, when the promotion visits Atlantic City, New Jersey in September. This will be the LFA’s first trip to the northeast.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 49 will feature a welterweight showdown when two of the sport’s most highly-touted prospects collide. The high-stakes headliner pairs Sean Brady and Gilbert Urbina in a battle of undefeated prospects. LFA 49 – Brady vs. Urbina takes place Friday, September 14th at the Golden Nugget Casino, Hotel & Marina in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring LFA to the northeast,” stated Soares. “Atlantic City is a great fight town with a long, storied history in prize fighting. On September 14th, LFA will add another chapter to the city’s combat sports history. LFA 49 will feature a top-tier main event between undefeated prospects Sean Brady and Gilbert Urbina, which takes place at the world-famous Golden Nugget Casino, Hotel & Marina in Atlantic City.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 49 – Brady vs. Urbina are available for purchase NOW at Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

Brady (8-0) is the top prospect on the east coast and widely-considered one the best welterweight prospects in the world. He comes to LFA after winning all eight of his professional fights, which includes regional title fights in his last three contests. The Renzo Gracie Philly standout won his first title in May of last year by submission. He then defended it by submitting LFA vet Mike Jones this past October. The biggest win of his career, however, came this past March in his second title defense. This came against UFC vet and The Ultimate Fighter 16 winner Colton Smith. Brady defeated the four-time UFC vet  via Unanimous Decision. Now the 25-year-old Philadelphian has upped the ante by signing with LFA to face a fellow unbeaten prospect at LFA 49.

 

 

 

Urbina (5-0) is perhaps the only welterweight prospect that can match the intrigue surrounding Brady. This is due in large part to the fact that Gilbert Urbina, age 22, comes from a famous Texan fighting family. His older brother Hector Urbina, age 30, is a three-time UFC vet that was also a cast member on two seasons of the UFC’s hit reality television show The Ultimate Fighter (TUF 19 and TUF 25). Meanwhile, his other brother Elias Urbina, age 24, has competed on UFC President Dana White’s television series Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series as well as  The Ultimate Fighter as he was a cast member on TUF 23. Now Gilbert Urbina, after a quick submission victory at LFA 7, is looking to build his own legacy by securing a marquee win at LFA 49.

 

 

 

The co-main event of LFA 49 will also feature a welterweight clash when two of the division’s most exciting fighters look to make a statement during the LFA’s first trip to AC. They happen to be men used to bright lights and media attention. The first is Jonavin “The Spider” Webb (10-2), who is a teammate of Brady at Renzo Gracie Philly. Webb made a name for himself on the east coast before signing with the UFC in 2015. Webb is currently riding a two-fight win streak and will meet one of the flashiest fighters in the division. That would be Tanner “The Hammer” Saraceno (7-2). When Webb was fighting in the UFC, Saraceno was busy making a name for himself by competing on the sixth season of the WWE’s professional wrestling television series Tough Enough. Saraceno, who now lives in South Carolina, is eager to continue his rise in MMA by capturing the biggest win of his career at LFA 49.

 

 

 

The main card of LFA 49 will also feature one of the year’s most anticipated debuts in women’s MMA. That would be the debut of three-time USA national boxing champion Danyelle Wolf. In 2014, Wolf appeared in ESPN’s world-renowned “The Body Issue” alongside boxing legend and fellow southeastern Pennsylvania native Bernard Hopkins. Wolf was a three-sport athlete at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where she competed in basketball, track (heptathlon), and field hockeybefore winning her three USA national boxing titles, Golden Gloves title (boxing), and IBJJF title (jiu-jitsu). Wolf competed at 152-pounds in boxing, but will be competing at 145-pounds in MMA. That next chapter in her career begins against LFA vet Courtney King at LFA 49. King is a well-known Upset Queen in LFA, who made a name for herself last summer by derailing the highly-anticipated debut of Colbey Northcutt, who is the older sister of UFC star Sage Northcutt. King stopped Northcutt via TKO at LFA 14 and will look to spring another upset at LFA 49.

 

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Sean Brady (8-0) vs. Gilbert Urbina (5-0)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Jonavin Webb (10-2) vs. Tanner Saraceno (7-2)

 

 

 

Women’s Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Danyelle Wolf (0-0) vs. Courtney King (1-1)

 

 

 

Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)

– Andrew Salas (5-1) vs. Ahmet Kayretli (8-2)

 

 

 

 

LFA 49 will serve as the fourth LFA event to take place on the east coast.  It will also be the first time that LFA has traveled to “The Garden State” of New Jersey before or after the merger. Further information about LFA 49 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 49 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

 

 

In 2017 RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.