Category Archives: mixed martial arts

CHEICK KONGO TAKES HOME MAJORITY DECISION IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘BELLATOR 161’

 

 

AUSTIN, TEXAS — (September 16, 2016) — It took 15 minutes of heavyweight action during the main event of “Bellator 161: Kongo vs. Johnson” to decide a winner between Cheick Kongo (25-10-2) and Tony Johnson (10-3), but in the end, it was “The Darkness” who emerged victorious via majority decision on Friday night.

The action between the two sluggers varied between heavy punches and elite wrestling, but the grappling of Kongo won out, as the 41-year-old got the better part of the action in the final ten minutes and began his newly signed extension with Bellator MMA on a high note.

The heavyweight title picture remains unclear, but if one thing’s certain, it’s that Kongo will have a claim to the strap when the promotion decides to put the title back on the line.

 

Guillotine Choke Fuels Joe Warren to Victory in Co-Main Event

 

Joe Warren (14-5) and Sirwan Kakai (12-5) traded blows for over ten minutes of heart pounding action in the evening’s co-main event, but it was Warren who finished on top after delivering a neck crank submission just 1:04 into the third round. After the win, the self-proclaimed “Baddest Man on the Planet” is now tied for second all-time in Bellator MMA victories with 12. The former two-division champion Warren has now won seven of his last nine contests and has once again proven why he belongs among the division’s elite. The loss marks the first time over Kakai’s eight-year career that he has been finished by an opponent.

Anastasia Yankova Outlasts Veta Arteaga in Flyweight Marathon

 

In a highly-anticipated women’s flyweight battle,  undefeated Russian Anastasia Yankova (4-0) came out on top against Veta Arteaga (2-1) via split decision. With the win the 25-year-old Yankova continued along her brisk path to stardom with a comeback performance that two out of three cage side judges saw in her favor. Yankova impressed in her first ever fight in the US, recording her fourth career victory and second with the Scott Coker-led promotion. The win is the first to go the distance for Yankova, with each of her initial three coming by way of submission. For Arteaga, the difficult judges’ decision leaves her with the first loss of her professional career.

Compelling Lightweight Opener Ends in Unanimous Decision win for Lubbuck’s Campos

During the opening contest at “Bellator 161: Kongo vs. Johnson,” Texas’ own Derek Campos (17-6) scored a come-from-behind unanimous decision (29-28 x3) win over Dutch knockout artist Djamil Chan (12-3). After absorbing a devastating blow that sent him to the canvas early in the opening round of action, “The Stallion” quickly recovered and responded in a big way in rounds two and three. The 28-year-old Campos scored his second straight win and sixth since joining the Bellator MMA fray. For Chan, the loss ends an impressive run of seven consecutive victories over a dominant four-year stretch.

Preliminary Card Results:

Armando Villareal (1-0) defeated Tommy Burghardt (0-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:08 of round one

Sean Clements (1-0) defeated David Ramirez (0-1) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27 2x)

Matt Mazurek (4-4) defeated Jose Guerra (0-3) via split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)

Daniel Pineda (22-12) defeated Mark Dickman (11-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:07 of round three

Emily Ducote (4-1) defeated Kenya Miranda (2-3) via submission (armbar) at 4:37 of round two

Rey Trujillo (21-15) defeated Deuce King (15-18) via submission (reverse arm triangle) at 1:20 of round one

Garrett Scott (2-0) defeated Waylon Bronstrup (0-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 0:50 of round one

Nick Gonzalez (19-13) defeated Warren Stewart (11-23) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

BELLATOR MMA RETURNS TO WINSTAR WORLD CASINO & RESORT ON DECEMBER 2

 

 

A.J. MCKEE-EMMANUEL SANCHEZ WILL COMPETE DURING MAIN CARD IN FEATHERWEIGHT ACTION

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (September 16, 2016) – Bellator MMA will return to WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, OK., on December 2with a night of must-see mixed martial arts action, and the first confirmed bout on the Spike-televised portion of the card will feature undefeated prospect A.J. McKee (5-0) taking on Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez (13-3).

Tickets for “Bellator MMA in Thackerville” start at just $45 and go on sale this coming Monday, September 19 at 10 a.m. CT. You can purchase tickets at the WinStar World Casino & Resort Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.

The event airs live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App.Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Fighting out of Long Beach, Calif., McKee enters this fight following the quickest finish of his budding career, a 32-second guillotine choke submission at“Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull.” A 5-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, McKee has a knack for finishing fights early and often, spending a grand total of10:25 inside the cage over the course of his five scraps. Trained by his father, Antonio McKee, the Team Bodyshop product will try to protect his unblemished mark and fufill his goal of becoming the youngest champion in MMA history when he enters the cage on December 9.

“El Matador” will be making his eighth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, a promotion with which the 26-year-old has had much success to date. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he trains at Roufusport, Sanchez is riding a recent string of success, having won nine of his last 11 contests, including three of the past four. Six of Sanchez’s 13 career victories have come by way of knockout or submission, with five of the finishes ending in the opening frame. Since signing with Bellator MMA, “El Matador” has competed against a who’s who of talent, facing names the likes of Pat Curran, Justin Lawrence, Henry Corrales, and Daniel Weichel.

Updated “Bellator MMA in Thackerville” Main Card:

Featherweight Feature Bout: A.J. McKee (5-0) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (13-3)

FNU Combat Sports Radio Show: September 15th Broadcast

This week’s radio show features a recap of the Brook vs. Golovkin bout, the defeat of Phil “CM Punk” Brooks, Stipe Miocic’s Heavyweight Title bout with Alistair Overeem and Tony’s visit with former gues Antonio Tarver at a recent Philadelphia boxing event. Tom, Tony and Rich also look at some news from combat sports and preview upcoming UFC, Bellator and boxing events.

 

‘THE AMERICAN GANGSTER’ CHAEL SONNEN ENDS RETIREMENT, SIGNS WITH BELLATOR MMA

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (September 15, 2016) – Bellator MMA is elated to announce the signing of Chael Sonnen (28-14-1), to an exclusive multi-year, multi-fight contract.

 

By signing with the Scott Coker-led promotion, Sonnen effectively ends his retirement from professional mixed martial arts and he will now enter the 205-pound division championed by Liam McGeary, amongst others.

 

“I’m consistently blown away by the product and presentation that Bellator is bringing to the fans,” said Sonnen. “I’m not nearly done competing and I’m coming after everyone, everywhere. I’m not sticking to one weight class either, I fight at ‘Gangster Weight’ and nobody is safe.”

 

Sonnen has spent a vast majority of his 43-fight career with the UFC, a run where he competed against names the likes of Jon Jones, Anderson Silva (2x), Rashad Evans, “Shogun” Rua, Demian Maia, Brian Stann, and current middleweight champion Michael Bisping. In addition to his exploits inside the cage, the West Linn, Ore., native has mastered the art of being in front of the camera, doing major broadcasting work for both ESPN and Fox Sports.

 

“Chael is an incredible athlete that has competed at the very highest levels of the sport,” Bellator MMA President Scott Coker said, “I know that he is going to continue to do just that here at Bellator. When we were in the process of signing him, Chael was adamant that he wants to compete in three divisions here. He already has unfinished business with Wanderlei Silva, but he also wants to fight guys like Tito Ortiz, Fedor Emelianenko and even Rory MacDonald at middleweight. These are all fights that I’d be very inclined to watch, so hopefully we can put some, if not all of these matchups together starting before the end of the year.”

Combate Americas: Three New Bouts Announced For New York on October 14

Below: Paulina “Firefox” Granados (pictured) will face off with Jenna Serio in a featured atomweight (105 pounds) contest at Combate Americas: Empire Rising, the U.S. Hispanic league’s debut event in New York, on Friday, Oct. 14, live on beIN Sports en Español as well as UFC FIGHT PASS®.

COMBATE AMERICAS
ANNOUNCES THREE MORE BOUTS
FOR FIRST-EVER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT IN NY,
LIVE ON BEIN SPORTS EN ESPAÑOL
AND UFC FIGHT PASS® ON FRIDAY, OCT. 14

Featherweight co-main event: Erick Sanchez vs. Victor Martinez
Bantamweight: Irwin Rivera vs. Cristobal Chavez
Women’s atomweight: Paulina Granados vs. Jenna Serio

Tickets on sale now

NEW YORK – Sept. 14, 2016 – Combate Americas today announced the addition of three bouts, including a featherweight (145 pounds) co-main event contest between streaking Urijah Faber protégé Erick Sanchez (7-2) and hard-hitting knockout artist Victor Martinez (6-4) to the league’s first world championship fight card in history at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. on Friday, Oct. 14, live on beIN SPORTS En Español and UFC FIGHT PASS®.

The matchup between Sanchez and Martinez will precede the much-anticipated bantamweight (135 pounds) championship showdown between red-hot stars John “Sexy Mexy” Castaneda (11-2) of Mankato, Minn. and Gustavo Lopez (6-1) of Las Vegas, Nev. via Yakima, Wash.

In another bantamweight contest, Blackzilians team member and rising starIrwin “The Beast” Rivera (5-1) will collide with undefeated submission expert Cristobal “El Mosquito” Chavez (4-0).

In women’s atomweight (105 pounds) action, Paulina “Firefox” Granados(3-2) will take on Jenna Serio (3-1).

Erick Sanchez vs. Victor Martinez

The 5-foot-10, 25-year-old Sanchez of Sacramento, Calif. will look for his third straight victory in La Jaula, and his fourth consecutive win overall, after submitting (rear-naked choke) Mike Segura in just 50 seconds at the third event in the Combate Americas “Road To The Championship” series in Los Angeles, Calif. on April 18.

Prior to the victory, Sanchez, who has won five of his seven professional starts by way of (T)KO or submission, scored a third round (1:22) TKO (punches) on Ousmane Thomas Diagne at Bellator 147 on December 4, 2015.

Also 25 years of age, the 25-year-old Martinez of Pharr, Texas has notched five of his six professional wins by way of (T)KO, with all five of the conquests having come with his hands.

Martinez is looking to rebound from a close, split decision defeat at the hands of Erick Gonzalez at the fourth Combate Americas “Road To The Championship” event on April 25.


Above: Irwin “The Beast” Rivera (pictured) will make his Combate Americas debut against undefeated Cristobal Chavez in a featured bantamweight (135 pounds) bout.

Irwin Rivera vs. Cristobal Chavez

Fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla., the home of the Blackzilians fight squad, the 5-foot-6, 27-year-old Rivera, who will make his debut under the promotion of Combate Americas, was raised in New Windsor, N.Y. after being born in Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico.  He jump started his professional career with a split decision victory over Andre Cuff on November 7, 2014, and ran to three consecutive wins thereafter.

In his last outing on March 25, Rivera submitted Jose Ceja in third round (4:45) of battle with a rear-naked choke.

The 5-foot-7, 26-year-old Chavez of El Paso, Texas has yet to be beaten in a combined eight professional and amateur bouts.  Three of his four professional wins have come via (T)KO or submission.

Chavez is coming off a second round (4:14) submission (armlock) of Ronny Perrogon on June 11.

Paulina Granados vs. Jenna Serio

A native of Corpus Christi, Texas where she excelled in power lifting as a high school student, the 5-foot-2, 28-year-old Granados fights out of the famed Alliance MMA team in San Diego, Calif.

Granados made her Combate Americas debut in her last start on May 9, earning a split decision over longtime rival Stephanie Alba, whom Granados had defeated twice previously during their amateur days.

Serio of Brooklyn, N.Y. is a 5-foot-2, 24-year-old upstart who will enter the Combate Americas cage for the first time, riding a two-fight win streak.

In her last effort, Serio handily submitted Sadee Monserrate with a rear-naked choke in the first round (2:50) of their matchup on June 3.

A nationally recognized venue for legendary, fight-of-the-year-level boxing events, Turning Stone Resort Casino will now become one of the very first venues in New York to host professional MMA fights.  With a legacy of hosting some of the best events in the country, rivaling many venues in major cities such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City and New York City, Turning Stone has established Upstate New York as a premier destination for live sporting events.  Turning Stone is an award-winning destination resort, offering world-class amenities including four hotels, more than 20 restaurants and dining options, two luxurious spas, a 125,000 square foot Las Vegas style gaming floor, a cabaret-style Showroom, a 5,000 seat arena, five pristine golf courses, several bars, cocktail lounges and nightlife venues.

Tickets for “Combate Americas: Empire Rising” are on sale and can be purchased at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.com.  Tickets are priced at $75, for cageside, $65, $50 and $35, and may be subject to additional fees.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.for the event, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m.

Additional bouts will be announced soon.

UFC FIGHT PASS is a digital subscription service which gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s largest fight library.

UFC FIGHT PASS is available on: personal computers, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android, Chromecast, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Sony TVs with Android TV and Roku devices.

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING: JON FITCH-JAKE SHIELDS WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN SET FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 IN LOVELAND, COLORADO LIVE ON NBCSN

Plus:
Josh Copeland vs. Smealinho Rama in heavyweight battle 
Paul Bradley vs. Yushin Okami in welterweight collision

Tickets for WSOF34 on sale Friday, Sept. 16

LAS VEGAS (September 13, 2016) – World Series of Fighting (www.WSOF.com) officially announced today the highly-anticipated welterweight (170 pounds) title fight between reigning world champion Jon Fitch (28-7-1, 1 NC) and number one contender and fellow decorated superstar Jake Shields (31-8-1) for Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo., live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

Priced from $20, tickets for “WSOF34: Fitch vs. Shields” go on sale on Friday, Sept. 16 at the Budweiser Events Center box office, BudweiserEventsCenter.com, or by phone at 1-877-544-TIXX.

“This is a fight between two of the sport’s most seasoned and accomplished competitors, and a matchup that has been building for quite some time, so we are excited to see it finally come to fruition in the decagon cage, and to crown the better man that night, our world welterweight champion,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

In addition to the main event, World Series of Fighting announced a featured heavyweight attraction pitting Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-4) against former champion Smealinho “The Prince” Rama (9-2), as well as the promotional debut of battle-tested Paul Bradley (23-6), who will take on former top 10 world-ranked Yushin “Thunder” Okami (32-10) in a welterweight affair.

Additional matchups for “WSOF34: Fitch vs. Shields” will be announced soon.

Jon Fitch vs. Jake Shields

The 6-foot, 38-year-old Fitch of Las Vegas, Nev. via Fort Wayne, Ind. will put his title on the line for the second time since seizing the vacant belt on October 17, 2015, when he earned a unanimous decision over Yushin Okami.

Fitch, who has faced and defeated some of the best rival welterweight fighters of his era to cement his legacy in the sport, risked his World Series of Fighting title for the first time on April 2, defeating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Joao Zeferino by way of unanimous decision.

Fighting out of San Francisco, Calif., the 6-foot, 37-year-old Shields will seek his fourth major world championship.  The Cesar Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt held both the Shooto and EliteXC welterweight straps as well as the Strikeforce middleweight crown.

Like Fitch, Shields has provided fight fans with a host of memories, including his unforgettable, upset unanimous decision defeat of future Hall of FamerDan Henderson on April 17, 2010.  Shields also boasts a split decision win over reigning UFC champion Tyron Woodley as well as a split decision victory over UFC superstar Demian Maia.

Josh Copeland vs. Smealinho Rama

The 6-foot-1, 33-year-old Copeland is coming off what was perhaps the grittiest performance of his four-year professional career in his bid for the World Series of Fighting heavyweight title against reigning champion Blagoy Ivanov.  Copeland stood toe-to-toe and held his own against the Sambo champion, but was left on the losing end of a unanimous decision after five competitive rounds of action.

Copeland, who has notched 7 of his 12 professional victories by way of (T)KO or submission, earned his place in the world title fight by taking a unanimous decision from Mike “300” Hayes at WSOF29 on March 12.

The 6-foot-1, 24-year-old Rama of Calgary, Alberta, Canada made history on October 11, 2014, becoming the first-ever World Series of Fighting heavyweight champion by scoring a devastating, 51-second TKO (punches) on Derrick “Caveman” Mehman at WSOF14.

Rama, who also holds a unanimous decision win over Steve Mocco in the World Series of Fighting decagon cage, surrendered the heavyweight title after being submitted (guillotine choke) by Ivanov in the third round (1:17) of their bout on June 5, 2015.

Paul Bradley vs. Yushin Okami

One of World Series of Fighting’s recent, high-profile acquisitions, the 5-foot-9, 33-year-old Bradley of San Diego, Calif. signed with the league after decimating previously unbeaten Chris Honeycutt by way of TKO (punches) in just 40 seconds in the Bellator MMA cage on January 29, 2016.

A former, two-time All-American wrestling star for NCAA Division I University of Iowa, Bradley placed as high as fourth in the national championships before turning to MMA in 2006 where he has since faced off with elite competition in the UFC and Strikeforce.

Similar to his opponent, the 6-foot-2, 35-year-old Okami of Kanagawa, Japan has scrapped with top-level, world ranked competition to earn his place in the decagon cage.

Since the loss to Fitch, Okami, a veteran of the UFC as well as PRIDE, has since reeled off two consecutive victories in his home country – a second round (4:23) TKO (corner stoppage) of Ryuta Sakurai in Tokyo on February 27, and a first round (2:06) submission (rear-naked choke) of Shingo Suzukion July 24.

TUFF-N-UFF FUTURE STARS OF AMERICA

Turning Stone Resort & Casino

October 14, 2016 7:00 pm, Turning Stone Resort & Casino Events Center – 5218 Patrick Road, Verona, NY 13478The Turning Stone Resort and Casino will become one of the first venues in New York state to host professional Mixed Martial Arts fights.

Combate Americas and Tuff-N-Uff will be making their east coast debuts at the Turning Stone Events Center on Friday, October 14th. Combate-Americas, the first U.S. Hispanic MMA sports franchise, will present a six-fight card, while Las Vegas-based Tuff-N-Uff will present six amateur fights.

“Turning Stone has become known for hosting some of most legendary live sporting events in the country, from golf to boxing, and now mixed martial arts,” said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and Nation Enterprises CEO. “On October 14, we will continue that legacy of bringing the best, most highly-anticipated events to our region.”

Tickets for the event are on sale now here. Tickets can be purchased at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877-833 SHOW or online at Ticketmaster. $75 (ringside) / $65 / $50 / $35 Tickets go on sale September 2 @ 10 a.m. Call the Box Office: 1.877.833.SHOW (7469)

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
The 20-year ban on professional mixed martial arts in New York was lifted on Thursday.

Read More: Turning Stone To Host One Of First MMA Fights In New York | http://wibx950.com/turning-stone-to-host-one-of-first-mma-fights-in-new-york/?trackback=tsmclip

TUFF-N-UFF TEAMS UP WITH RANDY COUTURE TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

ROUND 7: OPERATION KNOCKOUT TO BE HELD AT THE D LAS VEGAS

Seventh annual event raises funds for wounded soldiers and their families
Saturday, November 19, 2016 

The nation’s premier amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, Tuff-N-Uff today announced it is teaming up with Randy Couture for its seventh annual Round 7: Operation Knockout event Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Following six successful years, Operation Knockout continues to grow in size and finds a new home in Downtown Las Vegas. This exciting, unique charity event features a night of amazing mma fights, Jiu Jitsu SUPERFIGHTS, and a fabulous silent auction. There will be something for everyone.  Jiu Jitsu superfights will feature former and Current UFC athletes vs Top Black belts.

Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation provides necessary support and services for wounded soldiers and their families, many of whom return with traumatic amputations, gunshot wounds, burns and blast injuries.

Operation Knockout continues to build on its efforts to raise more money and help more wounded soldiers and their families. The event has raised over $133,000 since its first year and with help of their generous sponsors and donations, the event returns this November 19th for its biggest year to date. For more information about this great event, contact Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation at 702-616-1022 or please visitwww.xcgif.org.

JAMES ‘THE STRABANIMAL’ GALLAGHER-KIRILL MEDVEDOVSKY BOUT ADDED TO BELLATOR MMA EVENT IN ISRAEL ON NOVEMBER 10

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (Sept. 12, 2016) – A featherweight contest between budding Irish star James Gallagher (4-0) and Kirill Medvedovsky (6-1) has been added to the main card of the promotion’s first ever card at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on November 10.

The fights join a main event that features a Welterweight World Title bout between current title holder Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) and the man who he took it from over a year ago, Douglas Lima (27-6). In addition, one of the newest members of the Bellator MMA family, Noad Lahat (9-2), will challenge fellow featherweight Scott Cleve (15-5) in the evening’s co-main event. Additional fights will be announced in coming weeks.

The event will air in America on SPIKE Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Bellator has partnered with Ananey Communications, an Israeli television conglomerate boasting 14 channels, several of which showcase Viacom content including the EGO and EGO TOTAL channels which have broadcast Bellator in Israel since 2012.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Bellator.com or Eventim.co.il/mma.

A native of Northern Ireland, the undefeated Gallagher will make his second appearance since joining the Scott Coker-led promotion earlier this year. In a unanimous decision victory, Gallagher discarded of opponent Mike Cutting at “Bellator 158: Daley vs. Lima,” paving the way for a potentially bright future for the 19-year-old featherweight prospect. The win was the fourth of his professional career and first to go past the opening frame, being that the previous three victories all came by way of first round submission. Fighting out of the highly-acclaimed gym SBG Ireland, Gallagher has begun his career training alongside well-known teammate Conor McGregor, as he continues to grow and learn from one of the game’s best.

Born on November 14, the recently signed 23-year-old Medvedovsky hopes to unwrap an early birthday present inside Menora Mivtachim Arena. The Netanya, Israel native enters his bout with a record of 6-1, with one knockout and a pair of submission finishes. Coming off of back-to-back first round victories, Medvedovsky hopes to make quick work of his younger opponent Gallagher and give his hometown fans exactly what they came to see.

“Bellator MMA in Tel Aviv” Main Card:

Welterweight World Title Main Event: Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) vs. Douglas Lima (27-6)

Featherweight Feature Co-Main Event: Noad Lahat (9-2) vs. Scott Cleve (15-5)

Bantamweight Feature Bout: James Gallagher (4-0) vs. Kirill Medvedovsky (6-1)

Preliminary Card:

Welterweight Feature Bout: Joaquin Buckley (6-0) vs. Jackie Gosh (6-0)

M-1 Challenge 70 results & pictures

 
Alexey Kunchenko decisions Eduardo Ramon
Remains undefeated at 14-0-0
M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko improved to 14-0-0 with a non-title victory by decision last night against Eduardo Ramon
SYKTYVKAR, Russia (September 11, 2016) – M-1 Challenge welterweight championAlexey Kunchenko improved his record to 14-0-0 (M-1: 7-0-0) with a non-title win by unanimous decision last night over late replacement Eduardo “Camelo” Ramon (11-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) to headline M-1 Challenge 70: Battle in Taiga in Syktyvkar, Russia.
Judges and referees were busy as six of 10 fights went the complete distance and there were no submissions.
 
Kunchenko, fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, won a 3-round decision over Ramon, of Brazil, who made his M-1 Global debut filling in as a late replacement for an injured Maxin Grabovich.  al record on the line against Ramon in their non-title fight.  Kunchenko captured the coveted M-1 Challenge welterweight title belt, which was not on the line last night, this past April at M-1 Challenge 65 when Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round. 
German light heavyweight Rene Hoppe (6-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), who also made his M-1 Global debut, won a 3-round unanimous decision over Andrey Seledtsov (5-3-0, M-1: 1-1-0), of Russia.
 
Former M-1 Challenge lightweight title challenger Artem Damkovsky (20-11-0, M-1: 11-7-0), of Belarus, stopped former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich(12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0), fighting out of Saint Petersburg, Russia by way of Ukraine, in the second round.
 
Russian featherweight  Alexey Nevzorov (10-2-0, 5-1-0) won a 3-round unanimous decision from his fellow countryman, Timur Naginbin (7-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0), while French bantamweight Moktar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (12-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0) knocked out Vadim “Bad Santa” Maygin (6-2-1, M-1: 0-1-1), of Russia, in the second round.
 
In preliminary bouts Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (7-0-0) remained unbeaten with a 3-round unanimous decision versus Brazilian Rafael “Kratos” Xavier (3-2-0), Ukrainian middleweight Artem “Shockwave” Shokalo (18-14-1) knocked out RussianRoman “War” Yarynkin (6-2-0) in round two, Russian middleweight Khabib Isaev (2-0-0) took a 3-round unanimous decision from countryman Artur Potekaylov (2-2-0), Russian bantamweight Sergey Voloshin (2-0-0) defeating pro-debuting countrymanVitaly Chesnokov by way of a technical knockout in the third round, and South Korean flyweight Son “Buddah” Li Binh (5-1-0) took a 3-round majority decision from Emin Guseynov (2-2-1), of Azerbaijan. 
OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN CARD
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
RENE HOPPE (6-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany
WDEC3)
ANDREY SELEDTSOV (5-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
WELTERWEIGHTS
ALEXEY KUNCHENKO (14-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
EDUARDO RAMON (11-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
LIGHTWEIGHTS
ARTEM DAMKOVSKY (21-10-0, M-1: 11-7-0), Belarus
WKO2
MAXIM DIVNICH (12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0)
FEATHERWEIGHTS
ALEXEY NEVZOROV (10-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Russia
WDEC3
TIMUR NAGIBIN (7-2-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Russia
BANTAMWEIGHTS
MOKTAR BENKACI (12-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0), France
WKO2
VADIM MAYGIN (6-2-1, M-1: 0-1-1), Russia
PRELIMINARY CARD
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
ARTEM FROLOV (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
RAFAEL XAVIER (3-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
ARTEM SHOKALO (18-15-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Ukraine
WTKO2
ROMAN YARYNKIN (7-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
KHABIB ISAEV (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
ARTUR POTEKAYLOV (3-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
BANTAMWEIGHTS
SERGEY VOLOSHIN (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WTKO3
VITALY CHESNOKOV (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
FLYWEIGHTS
SON LI BINH (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), South Korea
WDEC3
EMIN GUSEYNOV (2-2-1, M-1: 0-1-0), Azerbaijan
Artem Damkovsky vs. Maxim Divnich
Alexey Nevzorov vs. Timur Nagibin
Vadim Maygin vs. Moktar Benkaci
 Artem Frolov vs. Rafael Xavier
Artem Shokalo vs. Roman Yarynkin
 Khabib Isaev vs. Artur Potekaylov
 Sergey Voloshin vs. Vitaly Chesnokov
Son Li Binh vs. Emin Guseynov
        S
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VELADO CAPTURES GOLD, HALL RETAINS AT NEF 25

Lewiston, Maine (September 10, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) held its most-recent event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS” Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event featured both mixed-martial-arts and professional boxing bouts.

 

On the boxing portion of the card, John Webster (9-7-1) defeated Zenon Herrera (0-3) via unanimous decision on the eve of Webster’s 48th birthday.  Webster’s last boxing victory came back in 2004, also in Lewiston, prior to his taking off a decade from active competition.

 

Also in the boxing ring, Casey Kramlich (5-0-1) remained undefeated as he stopped John Ortolani (0-1) in the fourth round via technical knockout.  Likewise, Brandon Montella (5-0) kept his pro record perfect with a second-round stoppage of Tollison Lewis (2-2).

 

Rachael Joyce (2-0) won a unanimous decision over Jessica Borga (2-2) in a highly-anticipated women’s amateur bout.  Rafael Velado (4-0) captured the amateur lightweight title with a first-round submission of Jimmy Jackson (3-3).  Caleb Hall (8-3) retained the amateur featherweight title, and in doing so handed bantamweight champion Johnny Crafts (4-1) the first loss of his career, in a very close split decision on the judges’ scorecards.

 

Aaron Lacey (3-0) kept his unbeaten streak alive with a first-round submission of Cory Trial (0-1) on the professional MMA portion of the card.  Mike Hansen (5-4) handed Matt Andrikut (2-1) the first loss of his career in the co-main event, while Jesse Erickson (8-5) submitted Crowsneck Boutin (2-3) in the main event of the evening.

 

NEF also announced that it would co-promote its next event with Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES).  The two largest fight promotions in New England will present a joint card titled “Supremacy” on November 4 in Lewiston at the Colisee.

 

The results from Lewiston, Maine:

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

Jesse Erickson def. Crowsneck Boutin via rear-naked choke, round 1

Mike Hansen def. Matt Andrikut via armbar, round 1

Taylor Trahan def. Matt Denning via armbar, round 1

Aaron Lacey def. Cory Trial via rear-naked choke, round 1

Walter Smith-Cotito def. Elias Leland via D’arce Choke, round 2

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

Caleb Hall (c) def. Johnny Crafts via split decision (145 Title)

Rafael Velado def. Jimmy Jackson via Kimura, round 1 (155 Title)

Frank Johanson def. Caleb Swoveland via armbar, round 1

Rachael Joyce def. Jessica Borga via unanimous decision

Walt Shea def. The Slenderman via unanimous decision

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

Casey Kramlich def. John Ortolani via TKO, round 4

Brandon Montella def. Tollison Lewis via TKO, round 2

John Webster def. Zenon Herrera via unanimous decision

 

NEF and CES present “SUPREMACY,” a night of mixed-martial-arts cagefights, on November 4, 2016 in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.