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Category Archives: mixed martial arts
JAMES GALLAGHER FORCED TO WITHDRAW FROM BELLATOR 196 IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY ONAPRIL 6 DUE TO INJURY
‘SMOOTH’ BENSON HENDERSON TAKES ON THE RETURNING ROGER ‘EL MATADOR’ HUERTA IN NEW MAIN EVENT
BELLATOR KICKBOXING 9 MAIN EVENT REVEALED
LOS ANGELES – Due to an undisclosed injury, James Gallagher’s highly anticipated return to the Bellator cage will be delayed.
As a result, the new headliner for Bellator’s third event in Budapest, Hungary on Friday, April 6, will feature former world champion Benson Henderson (24-8) in a lightweight matchup against Roger Huerta (24-9-1, 1 NC), who returns to Bellator for the first time since 2010. Gallagher’s opponent, Hungary’s Adam Borics (6-0), will remain on the card and take on the undefeated Manuel Gaxhja (6-0) in the featherweight co-main event. In addition, Bellator 196 will also feature a flyweight contest pitting Bellator women’s 125-pound kickboxing champion Denise Kielholtz (1-1) versus Lena Ovchynnikova (12-5, 1 NC) and a featherweight battle between SBG Ireland’s Brian Moore (10-6) and Giorgio Belsanti (7-6-1).
With marquee victories over Nate Diaz, Donald Cerrone (x2), Frankie Edgar (x2), Gilbert Melendez and Jorge Masvidal, Glendale, Ariz.’s “Smooth” Benson Henderson looks to add another name to his already-impressive resume. The former UFC and WEC champ owns a win over a Patricio “Pitbull” inside the Bellator cage and is looking to make a statement on his way back to title contention when he meets Roger Huerta on April 6 in Budapest, Hungary. Fighting out of Austin, Texas, the 34-year-old Los Angeles native returns to Bellator for the first time since facing Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 33. The first MMA fighter to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Huerta’s entertaining fight style saw him memorably defeat Clay Guida and Leonard Garcia. Now, fresh off of two consecutive victories, “El Matador” is not shying away from elite competition for his first fight of 2018.
The April 6 card at BOK Hall will also feature world-class kickboxing action, as Bellator Kickboxing returns for another great night of fights. In the main event, Raymond Daniels (33-3) defends his welterweight crown against Djibril Ehouo (38-9-2) of France, while the undefeated Jorina Baars (44-0-3) returns to face Julie Burton (7-1) at 145-pounds. Additionally, fan-favorite Alexy Ignashov (85-21) will compete in a heavyweight matchup.
Bellator 196: Henderson vs. Huerta will be broadcast Friday, April 6 free on Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Bellator Kickboxing 9 will air immediately following at 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT.Tickets for the event are on sale now and are available at www.Bellator.hu.
Updated Bellator 196: Henderson vs. Huerta Fight Card:
Lightweight Main Event: Benson Henderson (24-8) vs. Roger Huerta (24-9-1, 1 NC)
Featherweight Co-Main Event: Adam Borics (6-0) vs. Manuel Gaxhja (6-0)
Women’s Flyweight Main Card Bout: Denise Kielholtz (1-1) vs. Lena Ovchynnikova (12-5, 1 NC)
Featherweight Main Card Bout: Brian Moore (10-6) vs. Giorgio Belsanti (7-6-1)
Updated Bellator Kickboxing 9 Fight Card:
Welterweight World Title Bout: Raymond Daniels (33-3) vs. Djibril Ehouo (38-9-2)
Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Alexy Ignashov (85-21) vs. TBD
Women’s Featherweight Main Card Bout: Jorina Baars (44-0-3) vs. Julie Burton (7-1)
*Card subject to change.
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Ivan Buchinger rebounds from title loss with impressive win over Andrey Krasnikov
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FNU Combat Sports Show: Wilder/Ortiz and UFC 222 Recaps
Tom, Rich and Tony recap UFC 222 and Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz, along with the last week’s biggest combat sports news stories. We have a short discussion about the Canelo Alvarez positive PED test, and we also preview upcoming boxing events.
Listen to the full show below:
LFA alum emerge as the biggest stars of UFC 222 in Las Vegas, Nevada
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HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) and the two promotions that merged to create it, RFA and Legacy FC, saw several more alum show up in full force and shine on the biggest stage when the UFC hosted UFC 222 in Las Vegas this past weekend.
Seven former fighters competed, which included three former champions. The seven fighters included Brian Ortega, Sean O’Malley, Mackenzie Dern, Alexander Hernandez, Pedro Munhoz, Zak Ottow, and Jordan Johnson. That group made up 29.16% of the entire card. Six of the seven fighters were victorious with the lone loss coming via controversial split decision.
“I am always excited to watch the many fighters from LFA, RFA, and Legacy show what they can do in the UFC,” stated LFA CEO Ed Soares. “What we saw on Saturday night at UFC 222 is further proof that we are are producing the top prospects in MMA.”
In the co-main event, former RFA featherweight champion Brian Ortega, stole the show with a first round knockout of former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. The undefeated contender known as “T-City” is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous submission masters in the sport, but it was an uppercut that allowed him to become the first person to finish the future Hall of Famer. The win also earned Ortega a shot at the UFC featherweight title and a $50,000 UFC “Performance of the Night” bonus.
The “Sugar Show” was also in full effect on the main card as Sean O’Malley continued to wow fans with his creative and wildly entertaining striking arsenal against Andre Soukhamthath. The LFA standout unleashed a flurry that nearly finished his opponent at the end of Round 1. Soukhamthath was literally saved by the bell as he was stumbling around as the round ended. The second round saw O’Malley impress on the ground with his underrated submission attack. However, it was the third and final round, that etched O’Malley’s name in MMA lore. After badly injuring his right foot, to the point he couldn’t stand on it, O’Malley finished out the fight by grappling. The huge lead he had built on the score cards through the first two rounds gave him the Unanimous Decision win. It resulted in a $50,000 UFC “Fight of the Night” bonus and the first time Joe Rogan interviewed a winning fighter while he was lying on his back.
Mackenzie Dern made the most anticipated UFC debut of the year in the final fight of the preliminary card. The multiple-time jiu-jitsu world champion got her start in MMA with LFA and Legacy FC. Dern has since seen every step of her progression in the sport followed closely by media and fans alike. The daughter of legendary jiu-jitsu and judo black belt Wellington “Megaton” Dias, Dern possesses the greatest grappling skills of any woman to compete in MMA. Dern used those skills in her UFC debut to close out the final round on her opponent Ashley Yoder’s back. She was unable to finish the Rear Naked Choke, but it was enough to earn her the Split Decision win.
Alexander Hernandez made his UFC debut on a week’s notice against #12 ranked Beneil Dariush. Like the old adage states, “with great risk comes great reward.” The Texan powerhouse, who made his mark under the LFA and RFA banners, wasted no time in dispatching his heavily favored and much more experienced opponent. “Alexander The Great” connected with a big left hand to knock out Dariush in just 42-seconds. The win earned him the other $50,000 UFC “Performance of the Night” bonus.
Zak Ottow also picked up a quick first round win. The RFA and Legacy FC alum earned a TKO win over UFC mainstay Mike Pyle midway through the opening round. The bout served as Pyle’s retirement bout and Ottow gave a touching show of respect to Pyle in his post-fight interview. This was Ottow’s third UFC win and the first after signing a new extension with the promotion.
Jordan Johnson got things moving in the right direction for the LFA alum at UFC 222. The former RFA light-heavyweight champion kept his undefeated record intact with a Split Decision win over former UFC heavyweight Adam Milstead. The win should set up a marquee matchup for the man who was victorious in the final bout under the RFA banner.
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 returns this Friday, March 9th with LFA 35 – Newell vs. Luque. The main event will feature the comeback fight of bona fide MMA star and inspirational congenital amputee “Notorious” Nick Newell when he faces the gritty south Texan and Bellator vet Sonny “El Loco” Luque. The event will take place at the Arena Theatre in Houston, Texas.
LFA 35 will be the fourth LFA event to take place in the City of Houston. It will also be the ninth time that the LFA has traveled to “The Lone Star State” of Texas. The entire main card of LFA 35 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.
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HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH FEATURING MIRKO CRO COP AND ROY NELSON SLATED FOR BELLATOR 200 IN LONDON ON MAY 25
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
LOS ANGELES – An exciting battle between heavyweight fan-favorites Mirko Cro Cop (36-11-2, 1 NC) and Roy Nelson (23-15) has been added to historic Bellator 200 at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London on Friday, May 25.
The two renowned fighters join a stacked card that already includes a Bellator middleweight title matchup pitting current champ Rafael Carvalho (15-1) against Gegard Mousasi(43-6-2), while former titleholder Phil Davis (18-4) takes on Linton Vassell (18-6) in a light heavyweight matchup and undefeated British striker Michael “Venom” Page (12-0) meets David “The Caveman” Rickels (19-4, 2 NC) at welterweight.
Tickets for the event are on sale now at The SSE Arena, Wembley Box Office (0844 815 0815), Ticketmaster.com, ssearena.co.uk and axs.com. Bellator 200 will be broadcast on Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Additional contests will be announced in coming weeks.
The man synonymous with head kick knockouts, Mirko Cro Cop makes his way to Bellator in the midst of an eight-fight win streak that includes TKO victories over “King Mo” Lawal, Gabriel Gonzaga and Satoshi Ishii. The proud Croatian famously won the PRIDE 2006 Openweight Grand Prix championship, as well as the RIZIN World Grand Prix 2016 title and K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 Final in kickboxing. One of the most feared strikers in MMA history, Cro Cop owns additional career wins over Wanderlei Silva, Josh Barnett (x3), Pat Barry, Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman.
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Roy Nelson made his Bellator debut at Bellator 183 in September with a hard-fought victory over Javy Ayala following an eight-year, 19-fight run with UFC that saw him earn wins over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, “Bigfoot” Silva, Cheick Kongo and Mirko Cro Cop. “Big Country” also memorably defeated the late Kimbo Sliceand later went on to win season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter. Having recently fought Matt Mitrione in the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix, Nelson is looking for a big win over one of the sport’s true legends.
Updated Bellator 200 Fight Card:
Middleweight World Title Bout: Rafael Carvalho (15-1) vs. Gegard Mousasi (43-6-2)
Heavyweight Main Card Bout: Mirko Cro Cop (36-11-2, 1 NC) vs. Roy Nelson (23-15)
Light Heavyweight Main Card Bout: Phil Davis (18-4) vs. Linton Vassell (18-6)
Welterweight Main Card Bout: Michael Page (12-0) vs. David Rickels (19-4, 2 NC)
*Card subject to change
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
BELLATOR 195 RESULTS & PHOTOS
Darrion Caldwell (12-1) defeated Leandro Higo (18-4) via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:36 of round one
Joe Taimanglo (24-8) defeated Joe Warren (15-7) via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Kristina Williams (2-0) defeated Emily Ducote (6-4) via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Juan Archuleta (19-1) defeated William Joplin (17-15) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-24, 30-23)
Aaron Webb (2-0) defeated Thomas Lopez (1-4) via TKO (punches) at 3:11 of round one
Kevin Holland (12-3) defeated Teagan Dooley (6-3) via submission (triangle choke) at 2:59 of round one
Daniel Carey (4-2) defeated Cris Williams (4-1) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Romero Cotton (2-0) defeated Justin Reeser (1-2) via submission (rear-naked choke) 4:35 of round two
Fernando Gonzalez (3-0) defeated Armando Servin (4-6) via submission (arm-bar) at 2:24 of round one
Justin Patterson (10-4) defeated Brian Grinnell (10-8) via TKO (knee to body) at 4:49 of round one
Ky Bennett (1-1) defeated Morgan Solis (2-1) via submission (Americana) at 3:37 of round two
Ivan Buchinger vs. Andrey Krasnikov Tops solid M-1 Challenge 89 main card
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FNU Combat Sports Show: Boxing Deaths, Jon Jones Gets Fined, Event Previews and Recaps
This week’s FNU Combat Sports Show features some discussions on the latest deaths in boxing, Jon Jones getting a $205k fine and upcoming and past combat sports events. We preview Bellator and UFC events coming up this weekend while looking back at the UFC Fight Night last week that saw Jeremy Stephens put himself in title contention with a vicious KO of Josh Emmett. For Boxing we have some huge fights with the biggest one featuring Luis Ortiz and Deontay Wilder squaring off with undefeated records and heavyweight titles on the line. Listen to the full broadcast by following the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ji25y58hykqgxwv/March12018show.mp3?dl=0
SHOWTIME SPORTS® RELEASES FIRST INSTALLMENT OF NEW DIGITAL TALK SHOW BELOW THE BELT
Debut of BELOW THE BELT with Brendan Schaub features Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® analyst Paulie Malignaggi and Former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar
Available NOW On YouTube And Facebook
WHAT: SHOWTIME Sports released the debut installment of the first-of-its-kind sports talk show BELOW THE BELT,hosted by Brendan Schaub, available now on the Below the Belt YouTube Channel and the Below the Belt Facebook Page. The premiere of the twice-monthly, 30-minute program features a preview of Saturday’s Heavyweight World Championship between Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz with SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING analyst Paulie Malignaggi, as well as an interview with America’s only heavyweight world champion himself, Deontay Wilder. Schaub also interviews former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar ahead of his co-main event bout with Brian Ortega at UFC 222 on Saturday night.
BELOW THE BELT explores the latest news in combat sports and pop culture, with Schaub delivering candid thoughts in his unique and unfiltered style. The multi-platform program, which also includes a weekly podcast and a composite program that airs once per month on SHOWTIME EXTREME, features interviews with the biggest names in combat sports and entertainment, road trips, fight camp visits, sketches, animation and pop-culture spoofs. The next installment of BELOW THE BELT launches March 14, followed by new shows on March 28, April 11, April 18, May 2 and May 16.