Category Archives: mixed martial arts

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT IN PORTLAND WILL FEATURE THE RETURN OF MAINE MMA FAN-FAVORITES

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Portland, Maine (April 23, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” on Saturday night, June 16, 2018.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional light-heavyweight bout to the card.  Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (5-9) is scheduled to meet Buck “Knuckles” Pineau (1-5) at a fight weight of 205-pounds.

Mike Hansen, a veteran combat engineer with the US Army and former state wrestling champion out of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine, will look to get back on the winning track after five straight losses in the MMA cage.  His last victory was in the fall of 2016 when Hansen handed Matt Andrikut (2-1) his first taste of defeat as a professional.  He is determined to snap his losing streak on June 16 in Portland against Pineau.  Hansen is a founding member of Berserkers MMA based in Rumford.

“I’m excited to get back in the cage,” said Hansen. “I had to take some time off to let some injuries heal and coach the wrestling team. Now that that’s done, it’s time to get back at it. I’m happy to fight a guy like Buck. I know we have both been on a rough patch and lost some fights, but by the end of the night on June 16th, someone’s losing streak will end. I’m going to make sure I leave with a win in June.”

On June 16 it will have been 45 months – nearly four years – since Buck Pineau last competed in the NEF cage.  Pineau was a staple on early NEF cards.  From the company’s inception in February 2012 until “NEF 14” in September 2014, Pineau fought on a total of eight NEF events.  At “NEF 9” in Biddeford, Maine, he fought in what is regarded as one of the most memorable bouts in the promotion’s history, tearing ligaments in his knee early in the fight but still pulling out a unanimous decision victory over Isaiah Queen (2-4).  Despite staying active in recent years outside of Maine, Pineau has never competed in the NEF cage as a professional.  He has lost his last four-in-a-row, and like Hansen, is looking to get back on track with a much-needed win at “NEF 34.”  Pineau is currently a member of First Class MMA based in Topsham, Maine.

“I am very excited and for this opportunity to step back into the NEF cage and put on a show,” exclaimed Pineau when reached for comment. “I’ve had a lot of memorable fights with NEF, and I’m looking to make this another one! I’ve seen the majority of Mike’s fights. I know he’s a rugged guy who always brings it, so I’m extra excited to get in there and spill some blood together. As usual, I will be looking to keep the distance and let these hands and feet go! This is going to be a good fight!”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

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

FITE will stream M1 Challenge- 91 LIVE on May 12th from Shenzhen, China

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M-1 Challenge 91, May 12, in Shenzhen, China
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (April 19, 2018)) – M-1 Global, in association with WKG, has announced an “undisputed” title bout May 12 for the M-1 Challenge 91 main event, pitting M-1 Challenge flyweight champion Aleksander Doskalchuk and Interim titlist Arman Ashimov, in Shenzhen, China.

 

 

 

M-1 Challenge 91 will be live-streamed from China 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 the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets. M-1 Challenge 91 will also be available onwww.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)

 

 

 

The originally scheduled M-1 Challenge 91, April 21 in Saint Petersburg, featured M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Khamzat Dalgiev against American challenger Nate “The Train” Landwehr, has been cancelled. Dalgiev vs. Landwehr will be rescheduled during 2018.

 

 

 

Doskalchuk (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), fighting out of Ukraine, won his title belt last September at M-1 Challenge 83, when he used a Guillotine Choke to submit Vadim Malygin in the second round.

 

 

 

Undefeated in M-1 competition, Doskalchuk won a majority decision in his M-1 debut last May, over Binh Son Le at M-1 Challenge 78.

 

 

 

“I don’t care if my opponent has a belt or not,” Doskalchuk said. “The main thing is to properly prepare for the fight to determine the real flyweight champion. I am not expecting this fight to be easy. It’s going to be a tough battle and I will be looking for an opportunity to finish off my opponent. Fans will see a great fight. How will it end? We’ll see at The Rage!”

 

 

 

Ashimov (8-2-1, M-1: 3-0-0) earned his Interim title shot this past February by stopping Gadzhimurad Aliev and Ervani Melonio with punches, respectively, in the second and first rounds. At M-1 Challenge 87, the powerfully striking Kazakh punched out Mikael Silander in two rounds to capture the M-1 Challenge Interim Flyweight Championship.

 

 

 

“All of Kazakhstan is waiting for this fight,” Ashimov noted. “I can’t wait because I brought the Interim belt to Kazakhstan and, if God wills, soon I will bring back the undisputed title. I’m fighting a strong and experienced opponent, who I respect a lot, but I will be ready and that will show fight night. ”

 

 

The co-feature is a middleweight showdown between veteran Russian fighter Mikhail Zayats (23-8-0, M-1: 13-5-0) and past M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenger Caio “Hellboy” Magalhaes (10-4-0, M-1: 1-1-0), of Brazil. Zayats has fought in Bellator, Magalhaes in the UFC. Last October, Magalhaes lost his M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenge to champion Artem Frolov by way of a five-round unanimous decision, headlining M-1 Challenge 84.

 

 

 

One other main card fight was announced featuring one of China’s top MMA fighters, Musu “Iron King” Nuertiebieke (12-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0) versus American featherweight Daniel Swain (17-8-1, M-1: 0-0-1).

 

 

 

All fighters and fights are subject to change. Additional main and full preliminary card bouts will soon be announced.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

 

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@Vadim_finkelchtein

@M1Global

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA

Undisputed M-1 Challenge Flyweight Championship Aleksander Doskalchuk vs. Arman Ashimov

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M-1 Challenge 91, May 12, in Shenzhen, China

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (April 19, 2018)) – M-1 Global, in association with WKG, has announced an “undisputed” title bout May 12 for the M-1 Challenge 91 main event, pitting M-1 Challenge flyweight champion Aleksander Doskalchuk and Interim titlist Arman Ashimov, in Shenzhen, China.

 

 

 

M-1 Challenge 91 will be live-streamed from China in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets. M-1 Challenge 91 will also be available onwww.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)

 

 

 

The originally scheduled M-1 Challenge 91, April 21 in Saint Petersburg, featured M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Khamzat Dalgiev against American challenger Nate “The Train” Landwehr, has been cancelled. Dalgiev vs. Landwehr will be rescheduled during 2018.

 

 

 

Doskalchuk (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), fighting out of Ukraine, won his title belt last September at M-1 Challenge 83, when he used a Guillotine Choke to submit Vadim Malygin in the second round.

 

 

 

Undefeated in M-1 competition, Doskalchuk won a majority decision in his M-1 debut last May, over Binh Son Le at M-1 Challenge 78.

 

 

 

“I don’t care if my opponent has a belt or not,” Doskalchuk said. “The main thing is to properly prepare for the fight to determine the real flyweight champion. I am not expecting this fight to be easy. It’s going to be a tough battle and I will be looking for an opportunity to finish off my opponent. Fans will see a great fight. How will it end? We’ll see at The Rage!”

 

 

 

Ashimov (8-2-1, M-1: 3-0-0) earned his Interim title shot this past February by stopping Gadzhimurad Aliev and Ervani Melonio with punches, respectively, in the second and first rounds. At M-1 Challenge 87, the powerfully striking Kazakh punched out Mikael Silander in two rounds to capture the M-1 Challenge Interim Flyweight Championship.

 

 

 

“All of Kazakhstan is waiting for this fight,” Ashimov noted. “I can’t wait because I brought the Interim belt to Kazakhstan and, if God wills, soon I will bring back the undisputed title. I’m fighting a strong and experienced opponent, who I respect a lot, but I will be ready and that will show fight night. ”

 

 

The co-feature is a middleweight showdown between veteran Russian fighter Mikhail Zayats (23-8-0, M-1: 13-5-0) and past M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenger Caio “Hellboy” Magalhaes (10-4-0, M-1: 1-1-0), of Brazil. Zayats has fought in Bellator, Magalhaes in the UFC. Last October, Magalhaes lost his M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenge to champion Artem Frolov by way of a five-round unanimous decision, headlining M-1 Challenge 84.

 

 

 

One other main card fight was announced featuring one of China’s top MMA fighters, Musu “Iron King” Nuertiebieke (12-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0) versus American featherweight Daniel Swain (17-8-1, M-1: 0-0-1).

 

 

 

 

All fighters and fights are subject to change. Additional main and full preliminary card bouts will soon be announced.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

 

 

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

 

Twitter & Instagram:

 

@M1GlobalNews

@Vadim_finkelchtein

@M1Global

 

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES LIVE UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK TELECAST, COMPLETE BOUT CARD FOR “COMBATE ESTRELLAS II” IN MONTERREY, MEXICO ON FRIDAY, APRIL 20

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VICTOR MADRIGAL REPLACES LEVY MARROQUIN IN BANTAMWEIGHT
CO-MAIN EVENT SHOWDOWN WITH ALEJANDRO FLORES

 

IVANNA MARTINENGHI REPLACES FRANCIS HERNANDEZ AGAINST UNDEFEATED MELISSA MARTINEZ IN STRAWWEIGHT FEATURED CONTEST

 

STAR-STUDDED EVENT HEADLINED BY
MUCH-ANTICIPATED BANTAMWEIGHT REMATCH BETWEEN
ERIK “GOYITO” PEREZ AND DAVID “D.J.” FUENTES
 

 

NEW YORK – April 18, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced a live Univision Deportes Network (UDN) telecast, as well as the complete 10-bout fight card for the “Combate Estrellas II” Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) extravaganza at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico on Friday, April 20.

 

The live, 90-minute UDN telecast of “Combate Estrellas II,” which will be headlined by a previously announced, highly-anticipated bantamweight (135 pounds) rematch between world-ranked superstar and Monterrey native Erik “Goyito” Perez (17-6), and hard-hitting finisher David “D.J.” Fuentes (13-10) of the U.S., begins at 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT, and will follow the live stream of Combate Americas’ preliminary bout card, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, on UnivisionDeportes.com.

 

Fuentes, who fights out of McAllen, Texas, defeated Perez by way of third round (3:01) submission (armlock) when the two met on May 28, 2010.

 

In a new bantamweight (135 pounds) co-main event, Victor “Periquito” Madrigal (6-1) of Guadalajara, Mexico, will replace “COPA COMBATE” tournament winner Levy Saul Marroquin of Monterrey, Mexico, who has withdrawn due to illness, against fellow fast-rising star Alejandro “Gallito” Flores (11-1) of Monterrey.

 

Leading off the three-bout, live televised main card, undefeated strawweight (115 pounds) knockout artist Melissa “Super Mely” Martinez (3-0) of Mexico City, Mexico, will collide with fellow, hard-hitting Muay Thai stylist Ivanna Martinenghi (4-1) of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

Martinez was originally slated to face Francis Hernandez of Puerto Rico.

 

In other action announced for Combate Estrellas II,” prolific finisher Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo (13-5) of Cordoba, Argentina, will square off with Fabian Galvan (8-3) of Monterrey in a bantamweight contest.

 

Enrique “Locote” Gonzalez (6-1) of Monterrey will collide with Oscar Suarez (4-1) of Santa Cruz Tenerife, Spain, in a bantamweight tilt.
 

Jose Luis “El Pistolero” Medrano (5-2) of Monterrey will battle Daniel “Golden Boy” Zellhuber (5-0) of Mexico City.

 

Also in the card, Mexican Muay Thai fighter Lezly Hinojosa Compean (0-0) will make her debut under the MMA rules against Spanish superstar Irene Cabello Rivera (7-5) of Barcelona, Spain in an atomweight (105 pounds) bout.

 

Tickets for “CombateEstrellas II” are on sale at SuperBoletos.com.

 

Doors at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon will open at 6 p.m. local time on April 20.  The first preliminary bout will begin at 7 p.m.

 

“COMBATE ESTRELLAS II” FIGHT CARD

MAIN CARD

Bantamweight (135 lbs) Main event:
Erik Pérez (17-6) vs. David Fuentes (13-10)

Bantamweight (135 lbs) co-main event:
Victor Madrigal (6-1) vs. Alejandro Flores (11-1)

Women’s Strawweight (115 lbs):
Melissa Martínez (3-0) vs. Ivanna Martinenghi (4-1)

UNDERCARD

Bantamweight (135 lbs): Marcelo Rojo (13-5) vs. Fabian Galvan (8-3)
Atomweight (105 lbs): Irene Cabello (7-5) vs. Lezly Hinojosa Compean (0-0)
Bantamweight (135 lbs): Enrique Gonzalez (12-10) vs. Oscar Suarez (4-1)
Bantamweight (135 lbs): Juan Pablo Gonzalez (7-0-2) vs. Kevin Garcia (5-2)
Lightweight (155 lbs): Ivan Perez (4-4) vs. Ricardo Arreola (5-5)
Bantamweight (135 lbs): David Martinez (2-0) vs. Enrique Barragan (5-2)
Lightweight (135 lbs): Jose Luis Medrano (8-2) vs. Daniel Zellhuber (5-0)

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LACEY LOOKS TO SHOWCASE SKILLS AT NEF 34 IN PORTLAND

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Portland, Maine (April 18, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” on Saturday night, June 16, 2018.  Earlier today, the fight promotion officially announced a professional featherweight bout for the card.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) is scheduled to face Da’Mon “The Diamond” Blackshear (4-1).

After suffering the first loss of his professional career in late 2017 – a doctor stoppage due to a cut on his head during a bout in New Hampshire – Lacey bounced back this past February with a big victory at “NEF 32” in Lewiston, Maine.  He came out aggressive in the first round against veteran Josh Parker (6-10), forcing Parker to tap late in the first-round to a rear-naked choke. And while it certainly was an impressive win for the 2016 NEF Fighter of the Year and product of Young’s MMA, Lacey felt that he had more to showcase for his fans.  He will get the opportunity again on June 16 against Blackshear.

“It’s time once again to do what I love in front of the fans that I love,” said Lacey. “My last fight was really quick, and I didn’t get to showcase what I have been working on. Although I’m always going for the finish, I will be looking to put on an entertaining show that fans will not soon forget!”

Based out of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Da’Mon Blackshear began his MMA career in the fall of 2014.  He put together a stellar amateur record of 7-1, capturing two championships in the southeastern region of the country.  Upon turning professional, Blackshear, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, has taken three of his four pro victories by way of submission.  He has earned gold in numerous submission-only grappling events, regularly defeating black belts and larger opponents.  Blackshear serves as a coach of Team R.O.C. in Fayetteville.

“I’m ready,” exclaimed Blackshear when reached for comment.  “June 16th it’s going down, so Aaron Lacey come prepared!”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF DROWNS PORTLAND WITH RIPTIDE BEFORE CAPACITY CROWD; CHOI INSTITUTE SHINES IN PRO FIGHTS

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Portland, Maine (April 15, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) made its return to Portland on Saturday night with the fight promotion’s latest mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 33: Riptide.”  For the second time in as many events at the venue, NEF packed Aura with a sold-out crowd.

On the amateur portion of the card, Kam Arnold (3-0) continued his winning ways with a highlight-reel, one-punch knockout of David Thompson (1-3).  Arnold, a hot prospect out of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in nearby Lewiston, Maine, dropped Thompson with a right hand in the first round to remain undefeated.

Walt Shea (3-1) and Nate Boucher (2-3) met in the amateur headliner at a catchweight of 130-pounds.  Both athletes were looking to bounce back from losses in their last respective NEF appearances, but it was Shea who took the victory late in the third round when referee Kevin MacDonald stopped the fight due to strikes.  Earlier in the evening, Shea’s First Class MMA teammate, Ben Murtiff (1-0) won his amateur debut, making for a perfect 2-0 night for the Topsham, Maine-based team.

On the professional side of the card, Ernesto Ornelas (3-7) picked up the win over Carl Langston (0-1) via unanimous decision. Moments later, Ornelas’s teammate at the Choi Institute Caleb Hall (1-0) was successful in his pro debut with a first-round submission of veteran John Ortolani (8-13).

The main event of the evening saw longtime Maine MMA veteran Bill Jones (13-11) defeat Matt Denning (5-8) via technical knockout in the second round.  Denning announced his retirement from cage competition immediately following the bout.  Jones’ win capped a successful night for Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire.  The team went 3-0 on the night with Zac Richard (1-0) and Killian Murphy (1-0) taking home wins on the amateur card.

NEF announced that its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave” would take place back at Aura in Portland onJune 16, 2018.  Already announced for that card, Ross Dannar (1-1) and Devin Corson (1-1) will square off in an amateur lightweight contest, while Aaron Lacey (5-1) returns to the NEF cage to take on Da’mon Blackshear (4-1) in a professional featherweight bout.

The results from Portland, Maine:

PROFESSIONAL

Bill Jones def. Matt Denning via TKO, round 2

Caleb Hall def. John Ortolani via Von Flue Choke, round 1

Ernesto Ornelas def. Carl Langston via unanimous decision

 

AMATEUR

 

Walt Shea def. Nate Boucher via TKO, round 3

Killian Murphy def. Krishna Scott via TKO, round 1

Ben Murtiff def. James Lewis via TKO, round 1

Kam Arnold def. David Thompson via KO, round 1

Mark Gardner def. Brandon Schwinck via rear-naked choke, round 1

Duncan Smith def. Taylor Bartlett via standing guillotine, round 1

Zac Richard def. Gabriel Diaz via TKO, round 1

Liam Fagan def. Curtis Ouellette via unanimous decision

Carol Linn Powell drew Chelsea Tucker (Grappling Match)

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

BELLATOR 197: CHANDLER vs. GIRTZ RESULTS & PHOTOS

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cid:image002.jpg@01D3D368.C94D9240

 

FULL EVENT PHOTOS 

 

Michael Chandler (18-4) defeated Brandon Girtz (15-8) via technical submission (head & arm choke) at 4:00 of round one

A.J. McKee (11-0) defeated Justin Lawrence (11-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Logan Storley (8-0) defeated Joaquin Buckley (8-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

Baby Slice (2-1) defeated Devon Brock (1-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at :34 of round one

Juliana Velasquez (7-0) defeated Rebecca Ruth (6-3) via TKO (body kick) at :19 of round three

Derek Anderson (15-3) defeated Zak Bucia (18-10) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Dominic Mazzotta (14-2) defeated Josh Sampo (11-6) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Eric Ellington (5-0) defeated Jordan Howard (10-5) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Adam Cella (9-8) defeated DeWayne Diggs (2-2) via TKO (punches) at 4:27 of round one

Cort Wahle (3-3) defeated Joe Roye (1-5) via submission (guillotine) at :21 of round one

Jordan Dowdy (5-4) defeated Jeff Crotty (1-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at :29 of round one

A.J. Siscoe (3-2) defeated Justin Robbins (14-19) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:34 of round two

Bellator, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC, wrestling

FNU Combat Sports Show: McGregor Goes Berserk, UFC 223 Card Suffers, Event Recaps and Previews

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This week’s show features Tom, Tony and Rich chatting about the circus atmosphere surrounding UFC 223, starting with Conor McGregor’s hand cart throwing incident. We also recap the past week’s boxing and MMA events, and we even briefly discuss Ronda Rousey’s Wrestlemania performance and the news that Brock Lesnar recently signed an extension to stay with the WWE. Listen to the broadcast below:

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR 197: CHANDLER vs. GIRTZ WEIGH-IN RESULTS & PHOTOS

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EVENT AIRS ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK AT 9 P.M. ET / 8 P.M. CT

 HOTOS/Main%20Card%20Face%20Offs/A44I1561.jpg

WEIGH IN PHOTOS

 

Bellator 197: Chandler vs. Girtz takes place tomorrow, Friday, April 13 at The Family Arena in St. Charles MO. The event will be broadcast live and free on Paramount Network (formerly Spike) at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App.

 

Complete Bellator 197: Chandler vs. Girtz Weigh-in Results:

Lightweight Main Event: Michael Chandler (155.3) vs. Brandon Girtz (156)

Featherweight Co-Main Event: Justin Lawrence (145.8) vs. A.J. McKee (145.8)

Welterweight Main Card Bout: Devon Brock (160) vs. Baby Slice (159.8)

Welterweight Main Card Bout: Joaquin Buckley (168.3) vs. Logan Storley (170.6)

141-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout: A.J. Siscoe (140.6) vs. Justin Robbins (135.6)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Jeff Crotty (170.8) vs. Jordan Dowdy (170.3)

Women’s Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Juliana Velasquez (126) vs. Rebecca Ruth (125.3)

165-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout: Zak Bucia (164.9) vs. Derek Anderson (164.2)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Josh Sampo (135.4) vs. Dominic Mazzotta (135.4)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Eric Ellington (135.4) vs. Jordan Howard (136)

189-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout: DeWayne Diggs (186.8) vs. Adam Cella (189)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Cort Wahle (144.9) vs. Joe Roye (151)*

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA RETURNS TO MINNESOTA  WITH LIGHTWEIGHT SHOWDOWN LFA 41 – MOISÉS vs. PETERSON

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MAIN EVENT:

THE FINAL RFA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION

THIAGO MOISÉS

vs.

“THE ADMINISTRATOR”

JEFF PETERSON

 

 

 

LIGHTWEIGHT SHOWDOWN

 

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 1st LIVE on AXS TV

 

 

 

LIVE at the MINNETONKA BALLROOM

inside the new 

MYSTIC LAKE CENTER

 

 

 

PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA

 

 

 

Tickets are on sale NOW through MysticLake.com

 

 

 

 

HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that LFA will return to Minnesota on the first day of June with a lightweight showdown between the final RFA lightweight champion and a surging upset artist.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 41 will feature the return of the final RFA lightweight champion Thiago Moisés when he faces the division’s biggest upset machine Jeff “The Administrator” Peterson. LFA 41 – Moisés vs. Peterson takes place Friday, June 1st at the Minnetonka Ballroom inside 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 bring LFA back to the Minnetonka Ballroom inside the state of the art Mystic Lake Center”, stated Soares. “We brought four LFA events to Mystic Lake last year. LFA 41 will be the second 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 great partner and will now host the return of Thiago Moisés when he faces Jeff Peterson on June 1st.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 41 – Moisés vs. Peterson are available for purchase NOW at MysticLake.com.

 

 

 

Moisés (9-2) recently turned 23-years-old, but has long been considered one of the most exciting lightweight prospects in the world. The Brazilian dynamo submitted Javon Wright in his RFA debut at RFA 28. The win earned Moisés a shot at RFA gold in his next outing at RFA 35. Moisés used this opportunity to secure one of the most memorable submission wins in MMA history. He executed an electrifying and ultra-rare Helicopter Armbar to submit David Castillo. The submission made him the second youngest champion in RFA history, went viral on the internet, and earned him a nominee for “Submission of the Year” at the annual World MMA Awards.

 

 

 

Moisés then defended his RFA lightweight title twice. The first title defense came against Jamall Emmers at RFA 38. The win came with UFC President Dana White sitting cageside and was featured on the seventh episode of Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight. The second title defense came against Zach Freeman in Freeman’s hometown at RFA 44. During that fight, Moisés broke his hand. The American Top Team product still managed to cruise to a Unanimous Decision victory, but he missed nearly a year of action waiting for his surgically repaired hand to heal. Moisés then re-injured his hand vying for the inaugural LFA lightweight title last summer at LFA 17. Now the BJJ black belt is back and ready to remind the world, that when he is at 100%, he is the top lightweight prospect in the world.

 

 

 

Peterson (9-4) is currently riding an impressive six-fight win streak and hasn’t tasted defeat in over three years. However, the Alliance MMA product really started to make a name for himself last year after signing with LFA. Peterson did this by winning all three of his fights for the promotion against heavily favored opposition. The first win came against top undefeated prospect Bobby Lee via Unanimous

Decision at LFA 12. The second win came against local fan favorite Brandon Jenkins via Split Decision at LFA 20. The third and biggest win came against longtime Bellator star and fellow U.S. Marine Mike Richman via Unanimous Decision in the co-main event of LFA 29.

 

 

 

 

Now the 28-year-old known as “The Administrator” will be looking to add the final RFA lightweight champion to his list of upsets. This is the next necessary step he will need to take if the Peterson regime plans on taking over as the new ruling administration atop the LFA lightweight division. He has gotten to this point by defying the odds. Peterson has administered his rugged, no-nonsense style of fighting to upset an undefeated prospect, a local favorite, and a popular vet. Now he will up the ante by facing his biggest test to date. When the opening betting odds are released for this fight, expect Peterson to once again be the underdog. He wouldn’t want it any other way. That is where he thrives. A devil dog, seen as an underdog, in a prime time headlining fight is a scary thing. Oorah.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Main Event | Lightweight Bout (155 lb)

– Thiago Moisés (9-2) vs. Jeff Peterson (9-4)

 

 

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Lightweight Bout (155 lb)

– Killys Mota (10-0) vs. Bobby Lee (8-1)

 

 

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Nate Jennerman (11-3) vs. Kevin Croom (18-8)

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

 

 

 

– Ben Neumann (12-5) vs.  Bobby Cooper (14-7)

 

 

 

 

 

Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)

– Raufeon Stots (9-1) vs. Emeka Ifekandu (6-0)

 

 

 

 

 

In September 2016, RFA and Legacy FC officials announced that they would be merging to form LFA. This new powerhouse promotion would serve as the premier developmental organization in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. RFA and Legacy FC have launched the careers of over 130 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.

 

 

 

 

LFA 41 will be the seventh 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 41 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.