Category Archives: mixed martial arts

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

PAUL DALEY RETURNS TO STATESIDE ACTION AGAINST DEREK ANDERSON AT ‘BELLATOR 163’ ON NOVEMBER 4

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SERGEI KHARITONOV SET FOR BELLATOR MMA HEAVYWEIGHT DEBUT AGAINST JAVY AYALA, LIVE & FREE ON SPIKE

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (October 3, 2016) – A welterweight showdown pitting Paul “Semtex” Daley (38-14-2) against Derek “The Barbaric” Anderson (14-2) as well as a heavyweight bout featuring Sergei Kharitonov (23-5) against Javy “Eye Candy” Ayala (9-5) complete the SPIKE-televised main card of “Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” on November 4 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The addition of the two bouts round out a main card chalk full of action, highlighted by a light heavyweight world title main event pitting current champion Liam McGeary (11-0) against Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis (16-3). In addition, Saad Awad (19-8) and hometown favorite Brennan Ward (13-4) square-off in a welterweight bash live and free on SPIKE, along with female featherweights Marloes Coenen (23-7) and Talita Nogueira (6-0). Tickets for“Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” are on sale now at Bellator.com, as well as the Mohegan Sun Box Office and Ticketmaster. The event can be seen 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.

With 54 career fights under his belt, the 33-year-old Daley has seen it all. “Semtex,” a former member of the British Army, made his professional debut in 2003, before competing under the direction of both Strikeforce and UFC. Now the Nottingham, England native seems to have found a home, as he will make his fifth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, following three wins and a pair of knockout finishes in his first stint with the promotion. Daley has emerged victorious in nine of his last 11 contests, with eight of the nine wins coming by way of knockout. It should come as no surprise that the former Cage Rage Welterweight Champion has strung together a recent flurry of finishes, as 30 of his 38 career wins have come by way of finish. Daley hopes to continue along his path of dominance and further cement his name among the division’s elite when he and Anderson square off on November 4.

Fresh off of an entertaining unanimous decision victory over Saad Awad at “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull,” Anderson hops back into the cage in search of his sixth win since joining the Viacom-owned promotion back in 2013. Prior to signing with Bellator MMA, “Barbaric” strung together an unblemished mark of 9-0, finishing all nine of his victims, including six in the first round. Now, the 26-year-old San Diego native will be jumping up in weight class to challenge Daley in the welterweight division for the first time in his professional career. The tall and lengthy Anderson will look to add to his current two-fight winning streak as he faces the British striking sensation in a marquee matchup at Bellator MMA’s latest tentpole offering.

After being forced to withdraw from his originally scheduled Bellator MMA debut earlier this year, the 36-year-old Kharitonov will once again prepare to take center stage for first time under the bright lights of Bellator MMA. A winner in 10 of his last 12 fights, including his last five outings, “The Paratrooper” enters the cage as a surefire contender for the vacant heavyweight belt. A veteran of PRIDE Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, and DREAM, the Moscow native prefers to take matters into his own hands rather than the judges, tallying 22 finishes over his 23 career wins, including stoppages in each of his last 10 victories. The multi-dimensional Kharitonov holds notable wins over former UFC Champions Fabricio Werdum and Andrei Arlovski, all while remaining on active duty with the Russian Airborne Troops.

Ayala, another heavyweight competitor capable of ending a fight in the blink of an eye, has finished his opponent in eight of his nine career wins. “Eye Candy” also has a knack for putting his challengers out of their misery early in the bout, recording seven of his eight finishes in the first round of action. A 6-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, the 28-year-old has recorded victories in four of his six contests since joining the Scott Coker-led promotion back in 2013. Ayala’s success in mixed martial arts runs in the family, as his cousin, Joe Soto, is a former Bellator MMA Champion. Be sure to tune in on November 4 as two of the top finishers in the highly competitive heavyweight division clash at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Complete “Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” Main Card:

Light Heavyweight World Title Bout: Liam McGeary (11-0) vs. Phil Davis (16-3)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Saad Awad (19-8) vs. Brennan Ward (13-4)

Welterweight Feature Bout: Paul Daley (38-14-2) vs. Derek Anderson (14-2)

Heavyweight Feature Bout: Sergei Kharitonov (23-5) vs. Javy Ayala (9-5)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Marloes Coenen (23-7) vs. Talita Nogueira (6-0)

Preliminary Card:

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Josh Diekmann (15-7, 1 NC) vs. Tyler King (11-4)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Blair Tugman (8-6) vs. Walter Smith-Cotito (4-4, 1 NC)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Michael Zichelle (8-4) vs. Tim Caron (5-0)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Ilya Kotau (1-1) vs. Carlos Corriea (1-0)

Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Sarah Payant (1-3) vs. Hannah Regina (Debut)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Keenan Raymond (3-3) vs. Kastroit Xhema (Debut)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Thomas English (6-6) vs. Christopher Foster (9-4)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: James Boran (6-0) vs. Vinicius De Jesus (4-1)

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

EX-TEAMMATES TO FIGHT IN MAIN EVENT OF NEF 26

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Lewiston, Maine (October 3, 2016) – Earlier today, New England Fights (NEF) executives announced the main event of “NEF 26: SUPREMACY.”  “The” Ryan Sanders (11-8) will face Jon Lemke (5-6) in a lightweight bout at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston on Saturday, November 19.

 

At one time, Sanders and Lemke were teammates at Marcus Davis’s Team Irish gym in Brewer, Maine.  That all changed when Sanders left and joined cross-town rival Young’s MMA in Bangor.

 

“I’m very happy to be fighting back in Lewiston,” said Sanders. “I’m thankful that Jon took this fight seeing how several top-ten lightweights turned it down. But that’s why I like Jon, he’s a fighter’s fighter and he never backs down from a tough fight. With that being said, I look forward to developing a game plan that’ll shut down his strengths and have my hand raised at the end of the night.”

 

The bout will be Sanders’ second since returning to the NEF fold.  Sanders defeated Derrick Kennington (11-8) last August at “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.”  He recently inked a multi-fight developmental deal with NEF.

 

“Ryan Sanders and NEF go way back,” stated Sanders’ coach Chris Young when asked about Sanders’ recent signing of an NEF developmental deal. “Ryan fought on several NEF shows, including headlining ‘NEF I.’ So, it’s only fitting that Ryan has finally found his way home. A hard working athlete deserves a hard working promotion and I believe NEF is the perfect vehicle to give Ryan that last push into the next level.”

 

Lemke will be coming into the fight hungry for a win.  His last victory in the NEF cage will have been almost a year to the day when he defeated Matt Denning (3-4) in Lewiston at “NEF XX.”  Lemke is coming off a loss to NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (8-1) this past August in Bangor.

 

“What a great opportunity I have been presented by New England Fights to fight Ryan Sanders,” said Lemke. “Ryan has been in, and done well, with the very best of New England. He is a well-rounded fighter and will challenge me in all areas. I very much look forward to this challenge and know that there will be fireworks for sure in this fight.”

 

The opening bell on Saturday, November 19 is set for 7 p.m.  Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefightsand join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

CES AND NEF FORCED TO CANCEL CO-PROMOTIONAL EVENT

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Lewiston, Maine (October 3, 2016) – The CES and NEF co-promotion scheduled for November 4 in Lewiston is no more.  Executives from both companies announced today that the mixed-martial-arts event had been canceled due to matchmaking issues.

 

With several fighters pulling off the AXS TV portion of the card, and others turning down fights offered by matchmakers, and with the 30-day deadline to submit the fight card to the state commission for approval looming, the two companies were left with no choice but to call the event off.

 

“We are disappointed that this event didn’t materialize as planned,” said CES Vice President and Director of Legal Affairs Jimmy Burchfield, Jr. “But we are optimistic that we can make it happen in 2017.”

 

Details will follow for CES 39.

 

“It’s unfortunate, but we had no other option,” said NEF promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “When one door closes, another opens.”

 

The door that has opened is Saturday, November 19 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.  NEF will present “NEF 26,” and it will feature the promotion’s fighters who had already been scheduled to compete on November 4 plus many others.  Doors will open at 6 pm with first fight at 7 pm.  NEF chose to push the event date back two weeks in order to give new fighters added to the card more time to prepare.

 

“Once we made the mutual decision to cancel the event,” said NEF matchmaker Matt Peterson, “I got on the phone and immediately started making calls.  Within hours we had already assembled a spectacular card that we’ll be sharing with fans this week. No one will be disappointed when they make the trek to the Colisee on November 19th. We have an explosive event planned.”

 

For those who have already purchased tickets for November 4 through the Colisee box office, they will have the option of either a full refund or using their ticket for November 19.  Fans will have until this Friday, October 7 at 4 pm EDT to call the box office at 207-783-2009 x 525 to request a full refund.  The box office cannot refund tickets purchased from fighters.  Any fan who purchased a ticket from a fighter and would like a refund will have to return their ticket to the fighter for the refund.  Fans who choose to keep their tickets for November 19do not have to do anything.  All tickets printed with the “November 4” date will be honored at the door on November 19.

 

For more information on both promotions’ upcoming events, please visitwww.CESMMA.com and www.NewEnglandFights.com.

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

FNU Combat Sports Show: Fury Faces Boxing Ban, UFC Fighters Speaking Out, Event Previews and Recaps

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Tom, Tony and Rich discuss this week’s most significant fight cards, and major combat sports news. We also recap last weekend’s major combat sports events. We cover Roy Nelson’s kicking of Big John McCarthy, Heavyweight Boxing Champion Tyson Fury telling drug testers to “F” off, Premier Boxing Champions and their dwindling fight cards, and the recent torrent of UFC fighters willing to voice their displeasure with the organization and the pay scale. Could it be that the Fertitta exodus has fighters less intimidated by the shadow of the family’s former mafia ties? Rich has a little soap box moment on this subject.

 

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

ONCE UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHTS LOOK TO GET BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN

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Lewiston, Maine (September 29, 2016) – They started their amateur careers at a perfect 3-0, respectively.  Now, Fred Lear(3-2) and Ali Zebian (3-3) are both hoping to get back to their winning ways.

 

The mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bout between Lear and Zebian will take place onNovember 4 at the “CES vs. NEF: Supremacy” super-show in Lewiston.  The televised portion of the fight card, “CES 39,” will air live on AXS TV.  Lear and Zebian will battle on the non-televised portion of the card, “NEF 26,” at the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.

 

Fred Lear is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  He made his NEF debut at “NEF IX” in Biddeford, Maine in the summer of 2013.  Lear would finish two of his first three bouts, with a unanimous decision victory over the always-tough Carl Langston (5-8) sandwiched in between.

 

Lear has dropped his last two, including a title-qualifier to Henry Clark (3-2) last September in Lewiston.  He will be looking to rebound from that loss, but he knows Zebian presents a hefty challenge.  It is a challenge that Lear welcomes.

 

“Fighting Ali Zebian on November 4th is a monumental opportunity,” declared Lear. “He is powerful, talented and well coached. I love to compete and am excited for the fight to come.”

 

Ali Zebian represents Fighting Arts Academy (FAA) of Springfield, Massachusetts.  He was just 19-years old when he made his mixed-martial-arts debut in 2013.  The start to his career was nothing short of stellar.  Zebian finished his first three opponents by technical knockout.

 

While Zebian has lost his last three, those losses have been to opponents coming in with a combined record of 8-3-1.  He has faced stiff competition, and he will face it once again on November 4 against Fred Lear.

 

“Ali is one of the strongest and most tenacious guys I have ever trained with,” said Zebian’s FAA teammate Nick Newell.  “Simple errors cost him his last couple fights, but time off competing to focus on his technique have made him a new man. FAA head coach Jeremy Libiszewski and I have noticed his potential for some time now, and it’s finally all starting to come together.”

 

Tickets for “CES vs. NEF: Supremacy” start at $25 and are available now  atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visitwww.CESMMA.com and www.NewEnglandFights.com.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION RETURNS TO THE CAGE ON NOVEMBER 4

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (September 28, 2016) – He is the reigning NEF Amateur MMA Flyweight Champion, and on Friday, November 4,  Ryan Burgess (2-1) will make his return to the cage following his first taste of defeat.

 

Burgess will compete at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on the “CES vs. NEF: Supremacy” MMA super-show.  The televised portion of the fight card, “CES 39,” will air live on AXS TV.  Burgess will appear on the non-televised portion of the card, “NEF 26,” where he will take on Tim Flores (3-2).

 

Burgess, a three-time Maine State wrestling champion for Mountain Valley High School, won the flyweight title last November from Dustin Veinott (5-4) in a split-decision.  The two met in a rematch in June.  Veinott would miss weight, resulting in the bout becoming a non-title affair.  Veinott went on to submit Burgess in the second round.  Burgess is confident that his coaches at Berserkers MMA will have him prepared to bounce back from the loss.

 

“Flores seems like a tough dude and I’m expecting a gritty opponent,” said Burgess. “Coming off a loss, I am eager to jump back in the cage for NEF and capture another victory. With new coaches in my corner, I will be a new fighter come November 4th, and he will be in for a rough night.”

 

Tim Flores may be a newcomer to the NEF cage, but he is certainly no stranger to the New England MMA community.  The Connecticut native was a fixture on Massachusetts fight cards from 2012 to 2014.  In the fall of 2013, Flores sent shockwaves through the region with a vicious 18-second knockout of Dan Krall (1-3).  Like Burgess, Flores will be looking to rebound from a loss in his last fight, but in doing so he will have to shake off some ring rust as Flores has not competed since the spring of 2014.  He now represents Fighting Arts Academy (FAA) of Springfield, Massachusetts.

 

“I have been out of competition for some time, but have been working while gone,” Flores stated. “I’m looking forward to testing my new skills and bettering myself as a fighter.”

 

“He is a great athlete with explosive power for a flyweight,” remarked Flores’ coach Nick Newell.  “His skills have gone to the next level since joining FAA.”

 

Tickets for “CES vs. NEF: Supremacy” start at $25 and are available now  atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visitwww.CESMMA.com and www.NewEnglandFights.com.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

HEAVYWEIGHTS WILL BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY ON NOVEMBER 4 IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (September 27, 2016) – OnFriday, November 4, 2016 at the historic Androscoggin Bank Colisee, New England Fights (NEF) and Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES) will team up for a joint super-show featuring the stars of New England’s two most prestigious mixed-martial-arts promotions.

 

The televised portion of the fight card, “CES 39,” will air live on AXS TV.  Earlier today, NEF executives announced the first fight scheduled for the non-televised portion of the card, “NEF 26.”  Maine heavyweights Ras Hylton (2-0) and Kevin Smith (3-2) will collide in a battle of two of the region’s largest mixed-martial-artists.

 

Standing in at a towering 6’6,” and holding a black belt in Taekwondo, undefeated Ras Hylton, has become a quick fan-favorite during his short time in NEF.  “Ras-squath,” as he has become known amongst his many fans, made his NEF cage debut in February of this year, downing Zak Bergeron (0-1) just over a minute into the first round of their “NEF 21” bout.  Hylton would follow up that performance with a highlight-reel head-kick knockout of Matt Glover (1-1) which will undoubtedly be in the running for “KO of the Year” honors.  He is currently a member of First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine.

 

“I am looking forward to fighting Kevin Smith November 4th,” said Hylton when reached for comment.  “Young’s puts out great fighters and I’m sure he will live up to their reputation.  The more wins you get, the tougher your opponents are.  He will be my strongest challenge in the cage so far.”

 

It has been over two years since Kevin Smith stepped into an MMA cage to compete.  Prior to that time, Smith had been undefeated on NEF events.  All three of his victories with the promotion were finishes – two by way of submission and one knockout.  Like Hylton, Smith has never had to rely on the judges’ scorecards.  He is a member of Young’s MMA of Bangor, Maine.  During his time off from active cage competition, Smith took stock of his life goals and decided to make a career of mixed-martial-arts.

 

“I knew deep down that fighting is what I was made to do, and I won’t be happy doing a regular job,” shared Smith, “so I put everything aside to focus on this full time and my ultimate goal is to make it to the big show and fight in Bellator or the UFC.”

 

Tickets for “CES vs. NEF: Supremacy” start at $25 and are available now  atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visitwww.CESMMA.com and www.NewEnglandFights.com.

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

M-1 Challenge 71  Pavel Vitruk vs. Vitali Branchuk for Inaugural M-1 Challenge Bantamweight Championship

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October 21 in Saint Petersburg, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (September 26, 2016) – The inaugural M-1 Challenge bantamweight championship will be at stake Friday, October 21, at M-1 Challenge 71 as Pavel Vitruk battles Vitali Branchuk in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 71 will be streamed live from Russia 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 of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
 
Vitruk (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), fighting out of Saint Petersburgh by way of Ukraine, was riding a 12-fight undefeated streak to start his professional career.  He suffered back-to-back losses in 2015 o then undefeated Max Coga (12-0-0) by third-round submission (choke) in the M-1 Challenge 55 Fight of the Night and to Lee Morrison by majority decision.
 
After his loss to Morrison, Vitruk (pictured below) moved from the featherweight division to bantamweight, defeating Sergey Morozov this past February in the M-1 Challenge 64 Fight of the Night.
 

 
Ukraine native Branchuk (21-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0) has won his last eight fights, including a split-decision over Antun “Killer” Racic at M-1 Challenge 64. Branchuk pictured below) is known as a well-rounded fighter and a strong striker.
 
 
In a previously announced fight, former two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0) takes on ex-Bellator titlist Attila “Pumukli” Vegh (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0).
 
Additional M-1 Challenge 71 fights will soon be announced.
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Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

PROFESSIONAL DEBUT OF ‘BABY SLICE’ SET TO ANCHOR PRELIMINARY PORTION OF ‘BELLATOR 162’ IN MEMPHIS ON OCT. 21

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CHASE GORMLEY, JULIA BUDD, DAN CHARLES, & VIRGIL ZWICKER ALSO BACK IN ACTION

 

COMPLETE ‘BELLATOR 162’ CARD BELOW

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (September 26, 2016) – The preliminary portion of “Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Oct. 21 is official and amongst the 12 new additions, there is plenty of action to be consumed during the Bellator.com-streamed card.

Notably, the professional mixed martial arts debut of “Baby Slice” will finally take place, when the 24-year-old returns from injury to meet Rick Bing, who also will be lacing up the gloves for the first time as a pro. In addition, Steve Garcia (6-1) will face Ronnie Lawrence (1-0), Julia Budd (8-2) also returns from injury to face Arlene Blencowe (7-5), heavyweights Chase Gormley (13-5) and Bobby Brents (17-5) collide, and 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide National Champion Eryk Anders (4-0) takes on Brian White (5-4).

The completed preliminary portion joins a stacked main card highlighted by a middleweight main event pitting former middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko (53-9) against Kendall Grove (23-15). In addition, former WWE competitor Bobby Lashley (14-2) and Josh Appelt (12-5) prepare to square off in a heavyweight co-main event, while a middleweight tilt between Hisaki Kato (6-2) and A.J. Matthews (8-5) is also set for the SPIKE-televised main card. Lastly, Goiti Yamauchi (19-3) and Ryan Couture (10-4) will face-off in a lightweight feature fight.

Tickets for the event are on sale now at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster or FedExForum Box Office. Main card action kicks off LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while prelims streams live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App.

See below for the complete listing of “Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” tilts, which amounts to 16 action packed bouts.

 

Complete “Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” Main Card:

Middleweight Main Event: Alexander Shlemenko (53-9) vs. Kendall Grove (23-15)

Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Bobby Lashley (14-2) vs. Josh Appelt (12-5)

Middleweight Feature Bout: Hisaki Kato (6-2) vs. A.J. Matthews (8-5)

Lightweight Feature Bout: Goiti Yamauchi (19-3) vs. Ryan Couture (10-4)

 

Complete Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Baby Slice (Debut) vs. Rick Bing (Debut)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Ricky Rainey (11-4) vs. Gilbert Smith (12-5)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Steve Garcia (6-1) vs. Ronnie Lawrence (1-0)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Chase Gormley (13-5, 1 NC) vs. Bobby Brents (17-5)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Julia Budd (8-2) vs. Arlene Blencowe (7-5)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Dan Charles (10-3-1) vs. Virgil Zwicker (14-5-1)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Tyler Hill (6-0) vs. Wade Johnson (10-1)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Jonathan Burdine (4-4) vs. James Wallace (1-0)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Eryk Anders (4-0) vs. Brian White (5-4)

Catchweight (160 lb.) Preliminary Bout: Jaleel Willis (6-0) vs. Omar Johnson (4-0)

Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Chad Cook (10-10) vs. Grady Hurley (9-1)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Mike Wessell (14-8) vs. Frank Tate (4-1)

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

LIAM MCGEARY SET TO DEFEND LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT GOLD IN MAIN EVENT CLASH WITH PHIL “MR. WONDERFUL” DAVIS AT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA IN CONNECTICUT ON NOVEMBER 4

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BRENNAN WARD vs. SAAD AWAD & MARLOES COENEN vs. TALITA NOGUEIRA ALSO SET FOR MAIN CARD ACTION

 

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (September 23, 2016) – A light heavyweight title fight pitting current belt-holder Liam McGeary (11-0) against Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis (16-3) will serve as the main event at “Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” on November 4 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

 

The SPIKE-televised main card will also feature a welterweight battle between Saad Awad (19-8) and Connecticut’s own Brennan Ward (13-4), as well as a female featherweight contest pitting Marloes Coenen (23-7) against undefeated Brazilian Talita Nogueira (6-0).

 

Tickets for “Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” are on sale now at Bellator.com, as well as the Mohegan Sun Box Office and Ticketmaster. The event can be seen 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.

 

Undefeated light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary returns to the same venue where he was crowned king in 2015. Now, the 33-year-old British striker will look to defend his title for the second time since winning the belt in a hard-fought victory over Emanuel Newton at “Bellator 134.” An eight-time veteran of Bellator MMA, McGeary has finished his opponent in 10 of his 11 career bouts, including eight first round wins – one coming against MMA legend Tito Ortiz. Standing at 6’6”, McGeary will have a noticeable height advantage over his opponent Davis when the two take center stage on November 4 inside Mohegan Sun Arena.

 

“Mr. Wonderful” returns to the Bellator MMA cage having won three consecutive contests and seven of his last nine. Hailing from Harrisburg, Penn., Davis has finished his opponent in eight of his 16 career wins, including five submission victories. A 13-fight veteran of the UFC, the 31-year-old Davis will likely not be fazed by the bright lights of what is quite possibly the biggest challenge of his illustrious career. The former NCAA National Champion wrestler will try to take this contest to the ground and display his impeccable grappling skillset against the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt.

 

With a dozen fights under the direction of the Scott Coker-led promotion, the Bellator MMA veteran Awad will enter the cage for the 28th time in his career and third of the calendar year. A native of San Bernardino, Calif., Awad’s 2016 campaign is highlighted by a spectacular first round finish of Brazilian standout  “Cyborg” Santos at “Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo,” as well as a “Fight of the Year” candidate against Derek Anderson at “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull.” With eight first round knockout victories under his belt, five of which came in the opening minute of action, the 33-year-old “Assassin” will undoubtedly come out guns blazing at 170-pounds on November 4 in search of his 16th career finish.

 

It wouldn’t feel like a complete Bellator MMA card in Connecticut without New London’s own, “Irish” Ward. The 28-year-old former NCAA All-American lives just 10 miles from Mohegan Sun Arena, where he has emerged victorious four times, including three knockouts and one submission. A 12-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, Ward has recorded wins in four of his last five bouts dating back to 2015, highlighted by a pair of first round KO’s at Mohegan Sun Arena. With 12 of the welterweight’s 13 career victories coming by way of knockout and submission, look for Ward to attack early and often when he enters the cage in front of friends and family onNovember 4.

 

Dutch submission specialist Coenen will be making her fourth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner after making her promotional debut in 2014. The 35-year-old former Strikeforce competitor enters the cage having won four of her last six contests, including her first two bouts with the Scott Coker-led promotion. The 30-fight veteran nicknamed “Rumina” has finished her opponents in 20 of her 23 career wins, including a remarkable 17 submission victories.

 

The undefeated 30-year-old Nogueira will be making her Bellator MMA debut inside Mohegan Sun Arena onNovember 4. The fight will be her first since 2013, when the Brazilian grappler collected her sixth career win, fourth of the submission variety. Nogueira was originally slated to make her promotional debut in 2015, before a knee injury forced her to withdraw from of a scheduled bout with fellow featherweight Julia Budd at “Bellator 133.” Now, “Treta” will look to maintain her unblemished mark and put her name in title contention when she enters the cage in what will surely be the stiffest test of her flourishing career.

 

“Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” Main Card:

Light Heavyweight World Title Bout: Liam McGeary (11-0) vs. Phil Davis (16-3)

Welterweight Feature Bout: Saad Awad (19-8) vs. Brennan Ward (13-4)

Featherweight Feature Bout: Marloes Coenen (23-7) vs. Talita Nogueira (6-0)

 

Preliminary Card:

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Josh Diekmann (15-7, 1 NC) vs. Tyler King (11-4)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Blair Tugman (8-6) vs. Walter Smith-Cotito (4-4, 1 NC)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Michael Zichelle (8-4) vs. Tim Caron (5-0)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Ilya Kotau (1-1) vs. Carlos Corriea (1-0)

Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Sarah Payant (1-3) vs. Hannah Regina (Debut)