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Category Archives: mixed martial arts
GEGARD MOUSASI TO DEBUT AT BELLATOR 185 AGAINST ALEXANDER SHLEMENKO ON OCTOBER 20
‘KING MO’ MEETS LIAM MCGEARY IN LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT AT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
LOS ANGELES – On the heels of his recent Bellator signing, Gegard Mousasi (42-6-2) will make his promotional debut against former champ Alexander Shlemenko (56-9, 1 NC) on Friday, October 20 at Bellator 185: Mousasi vs. Shlemenko, an event that takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
In addition, the co-main event of Bellator 185: Mousasi vs. Shlemenko will feature a light heavyweight contest pitting “King Mo” Lawal (21-6, 1 NC) against former titleholder Liam McGeary (12-2). Additional main and preliminary card bouts will be announcing in the coming weeks.
The event will be broadcast live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and the Bellator Mobile App. Tickets for this massive event start at $30, with an exclusive Bellator Nation Presale offer on Wednesday, July 19 at 10 a.m. ET through Thursday, July at 10 p.m. ET. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 21 at 10 a.m. ET and are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.
Long-considered to be one of the elite two-division threats in MMA, Mousasi is set for his Bellator debut and is currently riding a five-fight win streak that includes recent knockout victories over two former world champions in Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort. Prior to his UFC tenure, Mousasi captured the STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight title, as well as the DREAM light heavyweight and middleweight titles in Japan. “The Dreamcatcher,” who currently trains out of The Netherlands, has earned victories over some of the sports’ biggest names, including Dan Henderson, “Jacare” Souza, Mark Hunt, Ovince Saint-Preux, Melvin Manhoef, Hector Lombard and “Babalu” Sobral.
Shlemenko, a former middleweight champion, has competed under the Viacom-owned promotion’s umbrella since Bellator 16 in 2010. Known for his vicious finishing ability, “Storm” ruled with an iron fist over Bellator’s 185-pound division, defending his belt on three occasions. One of the most dominant champions in Bellator history and currently riding a five-fight win streak, which includes a TKO victory over Kendall Grove at Bellator 162, Shlemenko has his sights set on earning a shot at once again becoming world champion.
It was only a matter of time before “King Mo” Lawal and Liam McGeary squared off inside the Bellator cage. On the heels of a unanimous decision victory over “Rampage” Jackson at Bellator 175, the king of Bellator’s “money-weight” division returns to meet Britain’s McGeary. Never one to shy away from a fight, the former STRIKEFORCE champion, has stepped inside the Bellator cage on 14 separate occasions and was also victorious during RIZIN’s first open-weight tournament in 2015.
Widely regarded as one of the top light heavyweights in the world, McGeary will enter his bout with Lawal looking to once again stake his claim on the division he once sat atop of. A member of Team Renzo Gracie in New York, McGeary brings his renowned jiu-jitsu skills to the table against an opponent who has yet to be submitted in 27-fights as a professional. Of the 34-year-old’s 12 wins, 11 have come before reaching the judges’ scorecards, a feat McGeary hopes to continue in the co-main event of Bellator 185: Mousasi vs. Shlemenko.
Updated Bellator 185: Mousasi vs. Shlemenko Fight Card:
Middleweight Main Event: Gegard Mousasi (42-6-2) vs. Alexander Shlemenko (56-9, 1 NC)
Light Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (21-6, 1 NC) vs. Liam McGeary (12-2)
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About Bellator:
Bellator is a leading mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 1 billion people worldwide in over 160 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on SPIKE, the combat sports television leader. Bellator is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
About Spike:
Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike’s internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
OFFICIAL BELLATOR 181: CAMPOS VS. GIRTZ 3 RESULTS & PHOTOS
Derek Campos (18-6) defeated Brandon Girtz (14-6) via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round two
John Salter (14-3) defeated Kendall Grove (23-17) via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:37 of round one
Emily Ducote (6-2) defeated Jessica Middleton (2-2) via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Joe Warren (15-6) defeated Steve Garcia (7-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Preliminary Card Results:
Jonathan Gary (13-8-2) defeated Will Florentino (5-5)via unanimous decision (29-27 x3)
Romero Cotton (1-0) defeated Aaron Rodriguez (0-1) via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Logan Storley (6-0) defeated Kemmyelle Haley (7-5) via TKO (elbows) at 1:44 of round one
Andre Fialho (19-1) defeated A.J. Matthews (8-7) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Amanda Bell (5-4) defeated Brittney Elkin (3-4) via TKO (punches) 4:56 of round two
E.J. Brooks (11-5) defeated Guilherme Bomba (9-4) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Rafael Lovato Jr. (6-0) defeated Mike Rhodes (10-5) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:59 of round one
Justin Lawrence (10-4) defeated Treston Thomison (10-6) via TKO (doctor stoppage) 3:34 of round one
Valentin Moldavsky (6-1) defeated Carl Seumanutafa (10-8) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Katy Collins (7-2) defeated Bruna Vargas (2-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Jordan Howard (10-3) defeated Johnny Marigo (4-1) via KO (punches) 1:26 of round one
Guillermo Gomez (0-0) vs. Fernando Trevino (1-0) – Scratched
BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT BETWEEN EDUARDO DANTAS AND DARRION CALDWELL TO HEADLINE BELLATOR 184 ON OCTOBER 6 AT WINSTAR WORLD CASINO AND RESORT
PLUS, FORMER BELLATOR FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION DANIEL STRAUS MEETS EMMANUEL SANCHEZ IN CO-MAIN EVENT
LOS ANGELES – Bellator returns to WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla. for the third time in 2017 on Friday, October 6 for Bellator 184: Dantas vs. Caldwell.
The main event of Bellator 184 will feature Bellator’s two-time bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas (20-4) defending his belt against Darrion “The Wolf” Caldwell (10-1). In addition, the co-feature pits former featherweight titleholder Daniel Straus (24-7, 1 NC) competing against Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez (15-3). The event will be broadcast live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and the Bellator Mobile App. Tickets for Bellator 184: Dantas vs. Caldwell are on sale now and can be purchased at the WinStar World Casino and Resort box office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com. Additional main and preliminary card bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.
Originally, Dantas and Caldwell were scheduled to compete for the title at Bellator 177; however, when Caldwell was forced to withdraw due to injury, “Dudu” went on to defeat Leandro Higo, besting his opponent on short notice. Hailing from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, the flashy 27-year-old is widely known as one of the most dynamic competitors in the division, recording victories in 13 of his last 15 bouts. Currently in the midst of his second stint as Bellator’s bantamweight world champion, Dantas will look to stop Caldwell’s meteoric rise to the top of the 135-pound division.
Coming off a victory over Joe Taimanglo at Bellator 167, the 29-year-old Caldwell will be competing for promotional gold for the first time in his career on October 6. “The Wolf” was able to avenge his earlier loss to Taimanglo, earning his 10th career victory. Caldwell has collected five wins by way of first-round knockout or submission, making him one of the most dangerous competitors at 135-pounds. Hailing from Rahway, N.J. and training alongside Bellator stars Phil Davis and Justin Lawrence at Alliance MMA in San Diego, Calif., Caldwell has quickly put together an impressive professional resume inside the cage, highlighted by a remarkable first-round finish over former multi-division champion Joe Warren.
One half of some of the greatest fights to ever take place inside the Bellator cage, Daniel Straus returns to action following his featherweight title bout against Patricio “Pitbull” at Bellator 178 this past April. A longtime member of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., the 32-year-old will be competing for the second time in 2017. The two-time champion returns to action with redemption on his mind, as he looks to climb back up the 145-pound ranks and earn a shot for the title that he still considers to be his.
Since debuting with Bellator MMA in 2014, the 26-year-old Sanchez has gone about his business by taking on the top competitors that Bellator’s featherweight division has to offer, fighting Pat Curran, Georgi Karakhanyan, Justin Lawrence and Marcos Galvao en route to his meeting with Straus at Bellator 184. Proclaiming that he hopes to eventually become the “Oscar De La Hoya of MMA,” Sanchez is well on his way, earning six victories since 2015. Training at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wis., “El Matador” trains alongside some of the world’s elite fighters, making his matchup with Straus that much more intriguing.
Updated Bellator 184: Dantas vs. Caldwell Fight Card:
Bantamweight World Title Main Event: Eduardo Dantas (20-4) vs. Darrion Caldwell (10-1)
Featherweight Co-Main Event: Daniel Straus (24-7, 1 NC) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (15-3)
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About Bellator:
Bellator is a leading mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 1 billion people worldwide in over 160 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on SPIKE, the combat sports television leader. Bellator is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
About Spike:
Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
FNU Combat Sports Show: July 13, 2017
Mayweather and McGregor lead off tonight’s show as Tony and Rich tease Psychic Tom about not wanting to watch the August 26th “superfight.” We also recap the TUF 25 Finale and UFC 213 cards. We preview the Bellator and UFC cards coming up this weekend and all the incredible boxing action from the UK to New York.
DEREK CAMPOS-BRANDON GIRTZ MEET FOR TRILOGY REMATCH DURING MAIN EVENT OF BELLATOR 181TOMORROW NIGHT
THACKERVILLE, OKLA. — The official weigh-ins for Bellator 181: Campos vs. Girtz 3 took place this evening at the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, OKLA. The competitors are now ready for action tomorrow, with the event airing LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
Main Card: (Live on SPIKE – 9 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT)
Catchweight Main Event: Derek Campos (155.4) vs. Brandon Girtz (157.7)
Welterweight Co-Main Event: Kendall Grove (185.7) vs. John Salter (185)
Women’s Flyweight Feature Bout: Emily Ducote (124.4) vs. Jessica Middleton (125.9)
Bantamweight Feature Bout: Joe Warren (135.9) vs. Steve Garcia (134.5)
Preliminary Card: (Bellator.com – 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Will Florentino (170.9) vs. Jonathan Gary (169.1)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Aaron Rodriguez (184.8) vs. Romero Cotton (185.1)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kemmyelle Haley (170.1) vs. Logan Storley (170.3)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Andre Fialho (169.9) vs. A.J. Matthews (169.9)
Women’s Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Brittney Elkin (146) vs. Amanda Bell (144.2)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: E.J. Brooks (170.9) vs. Guilherme Bomba (169.2)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Mike Rhodes (185.2) vs. Rafael Lovato Jr. (185.6)
Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Treston Thomison (145.9) vs. Justin Lawrence (145.6)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Valentin Moldavsky (234.8) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (263.6)
Women’s Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Katy Collins (124.2) vs. Bruna Vargas (125)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Jordan Howard (135) vs. Johnny Marigo (135.1)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Guillermo Gomez (169.4) vs. Fernando Trevino (170.5)
Retired Women’s MMA Star Named Combate Americas Fight Director
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COMBATE AMERICAS ADDS FIVE NEW BOUTS TO STACKED “COMBATE CLÁSICO” LINE UP IN MIAMI ON THURSDAY, JULY 27
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BELLATOR MMA SIGNS TOP-RANKED MIDDLEWEIGHT GEGARD MOUSASI TO EXCLUSIVE MULTI-FIGHT CONTRACT
PROMOTIONAL DEBUT TO BE ANNOUNCED IN COMING DAYS
LOS ANGELES — Bellator MMA is proud to announce the signing of perennial top contender Gegard Mousasi to an exclusive, multi-fight contract.
Long-considered to be one of the elite two-division threats in MMA, Mousasi joins Bellator currently riding a five-fight win streak that includes recent knockout victories over two former world champions in Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort. Prior to his UFC tenure, Mousasi captured the STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight title, as well as the DREAM light heavyweight and middleweight titles in Japan. The signing sees Mousasi rejoin Bellator President Scott Coker following his successful run with STRIKEFORCE from 2009-2013.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Gegard to the growing Bellator family,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “He’s one of the most well-rounded fighters in all of MMA and can compete in multiple divisions, so that really opens up some exciting matchmaking opportunities for us and for the fans. We’re looking forward to having him compete on Spike very soon.”
“I am looking forward to fighting in Bellator,” added Mousasi. “I have a long-standing relationship with Scott Coker that goes back many years. Be ready, I am coming after the Bellator middleweight championship.”
The Iranian-born Mousasi, who currently trains out of The Netherlands, has amassed an overall career record of 42-6-2 and has earned victories over some of the sports’ biggest names, including Dan Henderson, “Jacare” Souza, Mark Hunt, Ovince Saint-Preux, Melvin Manhoef, Hector Lombard and “Babalu” Sobral. The addition of Mousasi adds depth to an ever-growing Bellator roster, which has recently seen free agents Rory MacDonald, Lorenz Larkin, Michael McDonald and current Bellator light heavyweight champ Ryan Bader join the Viacom-owned promotion.
LFA RETURNS TO DALLAS THIS FRIDAY WITH NEW MAIN EVENT LFA 16 – BEDFORD vs. FLICK
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BANTAMWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
CO-MAIN EVENT:
UNDEFEATED
MILES JOHNS
vs.
BJJ BLACK BELT
LEVI MOWLES
BANTAMWEIGHT BATTLE
FRIDAY, JULY 14th LIVE on AXS TV
THE BOMB FACTORY in DALLAS, TEXAS
Tickets are on sale NOW through TheBombFactory.com
HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion has a new main event at LFA 16, which takes place this Friday, July 14th at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas.
LFA 16 will feature a new main event when six-time UFC veteran “Brutal” Johnny Bedford faces former Legacy FC title challenger Jimmy “The Brick” Flick in a bantamweight showcase. The change came when original headliner Davina Maciel was forced off the card due to visa issues, which has prevented her from traveling from her native Brazil. Andrea Lee was set to defend her flyweight title against Maciel, but will now defend her title at a later date. LFA 16 – Bedford vs. Flick takes place this Friday, July 14th at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“Johnny Bedford is an experienced and dangerous UFC vet that is on an impressive four-fight win streak,” stated Saores. “He will make his LFA debut against former Legacy FC title challenger Jimmy Flick in the new main event of LFA 16. Andrea Lee is a great champion and will defend her title at a later date since her opponent was unable to take the fight due to visa issues. We are all looking forward to the return of Andrea Lee as well as Johnny Bedford vs. Jimmy Flick this Friday night in Dallas, Texas.”
Tickets for LFA 16 – Bedford vs. Flick are available for purchase NOW at TheBombFactory.com.
Bedford (23-12-1) brings more cage experience into his LFA debut than perhaps anyone in LFA history. Bedford made his Bellator debut in May of 2010 at Bellator 19. The following year, he found himself competing on the fourteenth season of the hit UFC reality television show The Ultimate Fighter. Bedford advanced to the semi-finals of TUF 14 and earned a UFC contract. Bedford fought in the UFC for three years and had six memorable fights for the promotion. After leaving the UFC, Bedford won a regional title in Michigan and defended it three times via stoppages. He now looks to continue his winning ways in the LFA 16 headliner.
Flick (9-3) is no stranger to big-time competition and headlining status on AXS TV. Coincidentally, the man known as “The Brick” made his Legacy FC debut in December of 2012 in the main event of Legacy FC 16. Now an older, more experienced, and bigger Flick will be making his LFA debut in the main event of LFA 16. In both headliners Flick was matched against seasoned UFC veterans, but he is now four and half years older with twice the fighting experience under his belt. Flick will look to use that experience to continue the momentum he started earlier this year when he stopped Argentinian fighter Ben Vasquez in just 50 seconds in regional action.
The co-main event of LFA 16 will feature a good old fashioned Texas showdown between two of Legacy FC’s most popular fighters. Undefeated Miles Johns (4-0) will lock horns with BJJ black belt and fellow Legacy FC standout Levi Mowles (6-2) in a bout between two fighters looking for a signature win to catapult them to the top of one of LFA’s most stacked divisions. Johns returns to the cage thirteen months after winning his Legacy FC debut via TKO. He will face Mowles who is a six-time Legacy FC vet and a black belt in jiu-jitsu under Brandon Quick just like LFA 16 headliner Johnny Bedford and LFA welterweight champion Derrick Krantz.
Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
– Johnny Bedford (23-12-1) vs. Jimmy Flick (9-3)
Co-Main Event | Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
– Miles Johns (4-0) vs. Levi Mowles (6-2)
Catchweight Bout (140 lb)
– Steven Peterson (5-1) vs. Ryan Hollis (12-10)
Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Geoff Neal (6-2) vs. Bilal Williams (8-3)
Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Damon Jackson (11-2-1) vs. Eliazar Rodriguez (7-6)
Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
– Cameron Miller (3-0) vs. Brandon Lewis (3-0)
Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Fernando Salas (4-1) vs. Jessie Vasquez (2-2)
In September 2016, Legacy FC and RFA officials announced that they would be merging to form the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. Legacy FC and RFA have launched the careers of over 100 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
LFA 16 will be the second LFA event to take place in the City of Dallas. It will also be the fifth time that the LFA has traveled to “The Lone Star State” of Texas. Further information about LFA 16 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 16 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. |