Category Archives: MMA

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

OFFICIAL BELLATOR 228 FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS

October 1, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

Complete Event Photos Here

*Bellator 228* Main Card Results:

**Gegard Mousasi** (46-7-2) defeated **Lyoto Machida** (26-9) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

**Patricio “Pitbull” Freire** (30-4) defeated **Juan Archuleta** (23-2) via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-46)

**A.J. McKee** (15-0) defeated **Georgi Karakhanyan** (28-10-1, 1 NC) via KO (punches) at :08 of round one

**Darrion Caldwell** (14-3) defeated **Henry Corrales** (17-4) via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-27)

**Daniel Weichel** (40-11) defeated **Saul Rogers** (13-3) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

**Preliminary Card:**

**Adrian Najera** (2-0) defeated **Jason Edwards** (2-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:28 of round three

**Benji Gomez** (9-12) defeated **Johnny Santa Maria** (3-5) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

**Ozzy Diaz** (4-1) defeated **Andre Walker** (5-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:05 of round one

**Ian Butler** (7-6) defeated **Emilio Williams** (4-3) via TKO (punches) at :53 of round two

**AJ Agazarm** (2-1) defeated **Jonathan Quiroz** (3-4) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

**Ava Knight** (1-0) defeated **Shannon Goughary** (4-4) via TKO (punch) at 1:46 of round three

**Antonio McKee** (30-6-2) defeated **William Sriyapai** (14-9) via TKO (punches) at 1:17 of round two

**Johnny Cisneros** (13-7) defeated **Mike Jasper** (13-6) via TKO (leg injury) at 4:28 of round two

**Leandro Higo** (19-5) defeated **Shawn Bunch** (9-4) via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:34 of round two

**Weber Almeida** (2-0) vs. **Castle Williams** (4-2) via TKO at 0:20 of round two

**Joshua Jones** (9-4) defeated **Dominic Clark** (14-9) via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:39 of round one

**James Barnes** (12-4) defeated **David Duran** (8-6) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:51 of round two

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

Bellator, MMA, women's MMA

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED BELLATOR FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SUPERFIGHT BETWEEN JULIA BUDD AND CRIS ‘CYBORG’ IS OFFICIAL

October 1, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

**MATCHUP SET FOR JANUARY 25 AT THE FORUM IN LOS ANGELES AND LIVE EXCLUSIVELY ON DAZN**

***TICKETS ON SALE NEXT FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4***

**LOS ANGELES** – Bellator is set to deliver one of the most anticipated bouts in the history of women’s MMA on Saturday, January 25 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, Calif. when reigning champ **Julia Budd** (13-2) defends her world featherweight title against **Cris “Cyborg”** (21-2, 1 NC) in the main event.

Tickets for *Bellator: Budd vs.Cyborg* go on sale to the general public Friday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. PT and can be purchased at the Forum box office, as well as Bellator.com and Ticketmaster.com. A special presale is scheduled to take place Wednesday, Oct. 2 through Thursday, Oct. 3 using code “BELLATOR” upon purchase.

*Bellator: Budd vs. Cyborg* will stream live exclusively on the DAZN app at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com,DAZN and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Fighting out of Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada, Budd will enter the Bellator cage in January for the fourth time since claiming the inaugural Bellator women’s featherweight world title in 2017. Currently riding a winning streak of 11 bouts, including seven straight fights since joining forces with Bellator in 2015, “The Jewel” has her eyes set on a fourth consecutive world title defense when she finally has the opportunity to challenge “Cyborg.” Since knocking off Dutch legend Marloes Coenen for the 145-pound strap at *Bellator 174*, the Gibson MMA-product has since collected victories over top contenders **Olga Rubin**,**Arlene Blencowe** and **Talita Nogueira**. With seven of her 13 career wins coming by way of knockout or submission, the former kickboxing standout will look to derail the Bellator debut of “Cyborg.”

On the heels of signing the largest contract in women’s MMA history, Cris “Cyborg” will enter the Bellator cage for the first time on January 25, with the opportunity to lay claim to Bellator gold. Just like her upcoming opponent, “Cyborg” too was an inaugural champion, winning the inaugural Strikeforce Featherweight Championship in 2009 after defeating Gina Carano. The 34-year-old Curitiba, Brazil-native’s Bellator tenure follows a three-year run in UFC, multiple world title and a 20-fight unbeaten streak that includes notable victories against Holly Holm, Tonya Evinger, Marloes Coenen and **Leslie Smith**.

**Updated *Bellator: Budd vs. Cyborg* Fight Card:**

*Featherweight World Title Bout:* **Julia Budd** (13-2) vs. **Cris “Cyborg”** (21-2, 1 NC)

*Card subject to change

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

***

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMPLETE FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR 226: BADER vs. KONGO

September 11, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

**COMPLETE FIGHT NIGHT PHOTOS**

*Bellator 226: Bader vs. Kongo* Main Card:

**Ryan Bader** (27-5, 1 NC) and **Cheick Kongo** (30-10-2, 1 NC) was ruled a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke

**Derek Campos** (20-9) defeated **Daniel Straus** (26-9) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)

**Adam Borics** (14-0) defeated **Pat Curran** (23-9) via TKO (punches) at 4:59 of round one

**Pedro Carvalho** (11-3) defeated **Sam Sicilia** (17-10) via submission (face-crank) at 1:56 of round two

**Emmanuel Sanchez** (19-4) defeated **Tywan Claxton** (5-1) via submission (triangle choke) at 4:11 of round two

**Daniel Carey** (7-3) defeated **Gaston Bolanos** (5-2) via technical submission (guillotine) at 4:19 of round one

**Preliminary Card:**

**Ivan Batinich** (4-1) defeated **Daniel Compton** (2-2) via submission (rear-naked choke) a 4:33 of round two

**Tyson Miller** (1-0) defeated **Albert Gonzales** (1-2) via TKO at 1:18 of round one

**Alan Benson** (1-1) defeated **Favian Gutierrez** (2-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

**Peter Ishiguro** (2-1) defeated **Elias Anderson** (0-1) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

**Daniel Gonzalez** (3-2) defeated **Jon Adams** (0-1-1) via TKO (strikes) at 4:56 of round two

**Cornelius Savage** (1-0) defeated **Evan Gubera** (0-2) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

**John Macapa** (23-4-2) defeated **Ashleigh Grimshaw** (20-11-1) via TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of round two

**Adam Piccolotti** (12-3) defeated **Jake Smith** (7-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:34 of round two

**Jessica Borga** (3-2) defeated **Amber Leibrock** (3-4) via submission (armbar) at 4:45 of round one

**Cass Bell** (4-0) defeated **Isaiah Rocha** (1-1) via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:21 of round one

**Batsumberel Dagvadorj** (6-0) defeated **James Terry** (20-11) via submission (bulldog choke) at 2:43 of round one

**Renato Valente Alves** (6-4) defeated **Abraham Vaesau** (5-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:36 of round three

**Hyder Amil** (4-0) defeated **Ignacio Ortiz** (2-1-1) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

**Chris Gonzalez** (3-0) defeated **Luis Vargas** (2-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

***

mixed martial arts, MMA

Vinicius De Jesus stops Chris Lozano to Retain CES MMA welterweight title

September 11, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

HARTFORD, Conn. (September 7, 2019) – CES MMA World Welterweight Champion Vinicius De Jesus made his first title defense tonight, stopping game challenger Chris “The Cleveland Assassin” Lozano in the third round in the “CESMMA 58” main event at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

The main card was streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports.

Lozano (10-5) dropped De Jesus (9-2) in the opening round with a shot to the temple, but the Brazilian bounced up and fought back. The first two rounds were fought relatively cautious as both fighters took turns being the aggressor. De Jesus took charge in the third connected on punches and kicks, while avoiding Lozano’s limited offensive attacks. A strong De Jesus punch snapped Lazano’s head and that’s the opening the defending chance had set up. He bashed Lazano around the cage, trapping him as he threw punishing combinations until the referee waved off the action midway through the third.

“I appreciate him (Lozano) accepting this fight when others didn’t,” an excited De Jesus praised his opponent after the fight. “I respect him very much and hope he’s okay and back in the cage soon. I have a high fight IQ and he was difficult to hit. This is for my fans and family.

“My boxing paid off. My father coached me to box. Now, I’m looking for the big show, the lions in the UFC.”

In the co-featured event, Hartford heavyweight Parker Porter (8-5) and his Brazilian opponent, Dirlei Broenstrup (16-7) put on a very entertaining show. Porter couldn’t miss his overhand right in the first round, but Broenstrup responded in the second and came out hot for the third. All of a sudden Porter unloaded a straight right on Broenstrup’s chin and that’s all she wrote with less than two minutes remaining on the clock.

“I knew I started to get tired in the third round,” Porter commented. “I felt that I had won the first two rounds and my mentality was stay alive and don’t get taken out. I’d love to get a shot at the CES heavyweight strap in my next fight.”

Veteran Cincinnati lightweight Reggie Merriweather (13-5) ruined the homecoming type of night for popular and previously undefeated Jesse James Kosakowski (3-1) from Waterbury, CT. Merriweather landed several bombs, Kosakowski got out of a few jams, and then suddenly Merriweather closed the show with a single righthanded punch halfway through the first round. Kosakowski’s large crowd of supporters expressed their collective feelings the referee had prematurely stopped the fight, but the upset was already in the books.

Massachusetts featherweight “Relentless” Robbie Leroux switched positions on Pete “The Heat” Rogers, Jr. to win by way of a reverse heal hold (pictured below) forcing a tap-out. It appeared that Rogers had the advantage and was moments away from victory Leroux did his thing.

Florida bantamweight Jornel “A1” Lugo, who lived in Wallingford (CT), used his speed and angles to stop Harris “Dirty Harry” Bonfilgio on punches in the first round. “Only one thing pays the bills…skills,” Lugo said after the fight. “Everybody kept telling me to watch out for his kicks. I studied – I’m paranoid – so I was prepared.”

Pro-debuting Brooklyn flyweight Adrian Haly took a split decision from Justin “Juggernaut” Valentin, of Meriden (CT), in the first fight of the night steamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS.

“CESMMA 59” Oct. 25, 2019 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI

Providence lightweight Sean Soriano (12-6) will headline “CESMMA 59” on Friday night, October 25, 2019, at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island. A pair of undefeated, red-hot prospects, New York welterweight John Gotti III (4-0) and Connecticut light heavyweight William “Knightmare” Knight (5-0), are also scheduled to fight on what promises to be a loaded card.

Local favorite Nick Giuiletti, fighting out of nearby Wallingford, jumped all over lightweightCody Schieve right off the bell, driving his over-matched opponent to the mat and unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches until the undercard fight was halted only 38-second into round one by way of technical knockout.

Massachusetts cruiserweight Dan Randall used an effective ground-and-pound attack against Jesse Baughman, who tapped out midway through the opening round.

Connecticut bantamweight Will “Siracha” Smith took two of three rounds from Aaron Reese for a unanimous decision in the opening match of the evening.

Below find the official results:

MAIN CARD

MAIN CARD – CES MMA WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Vinicius De Jesus, De Jesus MMA / Norwalk, CT by way of Brazil

WTKO3 (3:22)

Chris Lozano, Warehouse Warriors / Cleveland, OH

(De Jesus retained the CES MMA title)

CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS

Parker Porter, Underdog MMA / Hartford, CT

WKO3 (3:17)

Dirlei Broenstrup, Minu Fight Team / Rio Grande, Brazil

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Reggie Merriweather, Aaron Thomas Jui

Jitsu / Cincinnati, OH

WKO1 (2:37)

Jesse James Kosakowski, PSDTC / Waterbury, CT

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Robbie Leroux, Regiment Training / Fall River, MA

WSUB (1:55)

Pete Rogers, Jr., Pete Rogers Karate / Norwich, CT

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Jornel Lugo, Combat Club & DZ MMA / West Palm Beach, FL

WKO1 (3:27)

Harris Bonfilgio, Ultimate MMA / Gilford, CT

FLYWEIGHTS

Adrian Haly, Brooklyn MMA / Brooklyn, NY

WDEC3 (29-28. 29-28, 28-29)

Justin Valentin, Underdog MMA / Meriden, CT

UNDERCARD

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Nick Giuletti, Ultimate MMA / Wallingford, CT

WTKO1 (0:38)

Cody Schieve, Team Schieve / Jasper, IN

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Dan Randall, FAA /Granby, MA

WSUB1 (2:33)

Jesse Baughman, Team Link North / Littleton, NH

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Will Smith, Golden Falcon MMA & FAA / West Haven, CT

WDEC3 (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Aaron Reese, Jackson Wink MMA / Shaker Heights, OH

INFORMATION:

Websites: www.cesmma.com, www.ufcfightpass.com, www.ctconventions.com

Twitter: @CESMMA, @UFCFightPass, @ctconventionCT

Instagram: @CESMMA, @UFCFightPass

Facebook: /CESMMA, /UFCFightPass, /CTConventions

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR SIGNS CRIS ‘CYBORG’ TO LARGEST CONTRACT IN WOMEN’S MMA HISTORY

September 4, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

LOS ANGELES – Bellator is proud to announce the signing of Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (21-2, 1 NC) to the organization. The deal – the largest of its kind in women’s MMA history – exclusively secures “Cyborg’s” talents with a multi-year, multi-fight contract.

“Cyborg” joins current champ Julia Budd, Olga Rubin, Arlene Blencowe, Janay Harding and Leslie Smith among others, cementing Bellator’s 145-pound weight class as the strongest women’s featherweight division in MMA.

“Cyborg” joins Bellator following a three-year run in UFC, multiple world titles and a 20-fight unbeaten streak that includes notable victories against Holly Holm, Tonya Evinger, Marloes Coenen and Leslie Smith. Notably, the 34-year-old Curitiba, Brazil-native was the inaugural Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Champion, defeating Gina Carano for the title in 2009.

“I have worked with countless athletes over my thirty-plus years of promoting combat sports, but there is no one quite like ‘Cyborg’,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “Her ability to excite the crowd from the moment she makes her walk to the cage is special, and having had the pleasure of promoting several of her fights in the past, I am looking forward to the opportunity of promoting her once again. ‘Cyborg’ is the most dominant female fighter in the history of the sport and she will be a perfect fit here at Bellator, where champion Julia Budd and the other women that make up best female featherweight division in the world have eagerly awaited her arrival.”

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NATE WHITE STEPS IN AT LAST MINUTE TO SAVE LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT AT NEF 40

September 4, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (September 3, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) will debut in Orono this Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts with the promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: School of Hard Knocks.” Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur lightweight fight to the card. Nate “The Mule” White (2-0) returns to the cage to face Ryan Savage (0-1) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

Undefeated Nate White stepped up on just a few days’ notice after Savage’s original opponent, Andrew Kamakas, could not gain medical clearance to fight. The 19-year-old Rumford, Maine native is on a roll this year and making a play for the “Rookie of the Year” nod from NEF fans. So far, White has needed just over a combined four minutes to down his first two opponents. In April, he forced a first-round stoppage against Clifford Redman at “NEF 38” when Redman suffered an injury less than a minute into the fight. White followed that victory up with a technical knockout of Justin Kangas at “NEF 39” in June. White, a member of the Maine Army National Guard, will be traveling straight from being tazed and peppered sprayed only hours before his scheduled competition with Savage on Saturday night, as part of his Guard OC and tazer qualification training.

“This is a busy week in my life,” said White. “I’m in Texas right now for a job interview and will be flying back on Wednesday to head off to drill weekend with the Guard before my fight on Saturday night, but life is all about seizing opportunities when they become available. I’m excited for the chance to test myself against Ryan. I’ve heard that he is a good guy and I know he trains hard, so I’m excited to see how my skills match-up against him.”

Ryan Savage, a fellow active serviceman with the Air Guard, will be looking for the first win of his amateur MMA career this Saturday night in Orono. At “NEF 38” last April, Savage lost via submission to Connecticut’s Arii Fernandez in the first round of Savage’s debut. He currently represents First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine.

“I’m very fortunate to be given another chance to showcase my true potential,” said Savage. “My first MMA fight opened my eyes to the importance of being an all around fighter, and was a very humbling experience. Nate has been on a roll these last two cards, and I know is training hard to continue his undefeated streak. Nate has great skill, but I’m ready to put that to the test and show everyone I’m here to stay.”

“Fight lore is full of legendary tales of guys stepping-up on last-minute notice to save bouts—and this is another example of that,” said Matt Peterson, NEF Matchmaker and co-owner. “Two active servicemen from respected gyms in the state—one a boxer and the other a wrestler—agreeing to an MMA fight on short notice is just one more added attraction to the stacked card that we have set to wow UMaine with this weekend. I’ve never been more excited to go back to school.”

New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS,” will take place this Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts at the University of Maine as the promotion debuts in Orono, Maine. Doors will open at 6 pm and first fight will take to the cage at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now atwww.collinscenterforthearts.com.

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

M-1, mixed martial arts, MMA, UFC

M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Nate “The Train” Landwehr Moves on to UFC

August 29, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (August 28, 2019) — M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Nate “The Train” Landwehr (13-2, M-1: 5-0) signed a UFC contract and relinquished his title belt.

Click here to hear an exclusive M-1Global interview with Nate Landwehr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzPoZIldZKQ

The entertaining American MMA fighter made his M-1 Global debut September 23, 2017 at M-1 Challenge 83, in which he knocked out Mikhail Korobkov in the second round. The 31-year-old Landwehr, fighting out of Clarksville, Tennessee, then won a bloody three-round split decision against Viktor Kolesnik to set-up a title challenge for Landwehr.

Landwehr took advantage of his first title shot, knocking out defending champion Khamzat Dalgiev in the second round of their M-1 Challenge 95 main event. Landwehr successfully defended his crown twice, stopping Andrey Lezhnev in the third round at M-1 Challenge Battle in Atyrau last December, followed by a five-round unanimous decision victory over Kolesnik in their rematch this past June 28 at M-1 Challenge 102.

Last summer, the Russian-Chinese investment fund, Mubadala Investment Company, and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), jointly announced the foundation of UFC Russia. The new company promotes MMA and organizes new shows in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

M-1 Global is a valued partner, responsible for scouting and signing Russian athletes to prepare them to fight in the UFC. M-1 Challenge champions such as Landwehr, who will be rising a seven-fight win streak into his UFC debut, have a unique opportunity to sign contracts with the UFC.

Like so many M-1 Global fighters, Landwehr used M-1 Challenge as a stepping-stone to the UFC. Prior to the aforementioned agreement, five former M-1 Challenge champions signed with the UFC: Marcin Tybura, Alexander Volkov, Ramazan Emeev, Rashid Magomedovand Yana Kunitskaya. Landwehr became the sixth M-1 Global champion to graduate to the UFC since the 13-month deal was signed, joining Alexey Kunchenko, Damir Ismagulov,Movsar Evloev, Khadis Ibragimov and Bruno Silva.

Landwehr’s departure from M-1 Global and his title abdication has opened up the doors for other M-1 featherweights, especially four fighting this Friday at M-1 Challenge 104:Busarmankul Abdibait Uulu vs. Lezhnev and Anthony Dizy vs. Zalimeg Omarov. The winners will position themselves for a possible title shot before the end of 2019.

INFORMATION:

www.M-1Global.com

www.mixfight.ru

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@M1Global

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:

Aug. 30, 2019 – M-1 Challenge 104: Roman Bogatov vs. Mickael Lebout in Orenburg, Russia.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA

FULL CARD SET FOR BELLATOR’S DEBUT IN BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 AT WEBSTER BANK ARENA

August 21, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

*BELLATOR 225: MITRIONE VS. KHARITONOV 2* AIRS ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK AND DAZN AT 9 P.M. ET/8 P.M. CT

**LOS ANGELES** – Bellator will hold the first-ever MMA event at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. on Saturday, August 24 when the always-exciting **Matt Mitrione** (13-6, 1 NC) once again squares off against **Sergei Kharitonov** (29-7, 2 NC) in a heavyweight headliner.

The remainder of the main card features four other must-see bouts, including two additional heavyweight slugfests, as former Bellator heavyweight champion **Vitaly Minakov** (21-1) faces **Javy Ayala** (11-7) in the co-main event, while undefeated heavyweight prospects **Tyrell Fortune** (6-0) and **Rudy Schaffroth** (6-0, 1 NC), who both originally hail from Portland, Ore., collide in the main card opener.

Rounding out the five-fight card on Paramount Network – the man with the most appearances inside the Bellator Cage in history, **David Rickels** (21-5, 2 NC), takes on the undefeated Ukrainian **Yaroslav Amosov** (21-0) in a 175-pound catchweight bout, and former flyweight title contender **Alejandra Lara** (7-3) meetsTaylor Turner (4-5) at bantamweight, who returns after recently upsetting Heather Hardy at Madison Square Garden earlier this summer.

The main card can be seen live on Paramount Network and DAZN at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com, DAZN and globally on the Bellator Mobile App beginning at 5:45 pm EST/2:45 pm PST.

Tickets for *Bellator 225: Mitrione vs. Kharitonov 2* are on sale now, and are available in-person at the Click It or Ticket Box Office at Webster Bank Arena, as well as online at Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com.

Earlier in the evening, Connecticut’s own **“Notorious” Nick Newell** (15-2) will lace up the Bellator gloves for the first time in his career and make the short drive from his home in Milford, Conn. to Webster Bank Arena, when he meets **Corey Browning** (5-2), a man who has already defeated “Baby Slice” and Aaron Chalmers. Also representing the “The Constitution State,” the surging **Mike “The Savage” Kimbel** (3-1) will be looking to impress the partisan crowd againstChris Disonell (3-3).

Preliminary action is highlighted by appearances from top Bellator prospects, including Royce Gracie’s eldest son **Khonry Gracie** (1-1), Israel’s **Aviv Gozali** (2-0) and the promotional debut of light heavyweight **Grant “The Truth” Neal** (1-0). Plus, long-time UFC and TUF veteran **Sabah Homasi** (12-8) returns to the Bellator Cage for the first time since *Bellator 124*.

Also on the card, unbeaten **Austin “The Gentleman” Vanderford** (7-0) will make his middleweight debut against Georgia’s **Joseph Creer** (6-0-1), New Jersey’s **Ricky Bandejas** (11-3) will return to action for the first time since relocating to American Top Team in Florida, when he competes at bantamweight against Virginia’s **Ahmet Kayretli** (8-3, 1 NC) and the always-exciting **Tim Johnson** (12-5) will make his sophomore Bellator appearance against recently signedAzunna Anyanwu (15-5) of Philadelphia in a heavyweight matchup.

**Complete *Bellator 225: Mitrione vs. Kharitonov 2* Fight Card:**

*Heavyweight Main Event:* **Matt Mitrione** (13-6, 1 NC) vs. **Sergei Kharitonov** (29-7, 2 NC)

*Heavyweight Co-Main Event:* **Vitaly Minakov** (21-1) vs. **Javy Ayala** (11-7)

*Bantamweight Feature Bout:* **Alejandra Lara** (7-3) vs. **Taylor Turner** (4-5)

*175-Pound Catchweight Feature Bout:* **David Rickels** (21-5, 2 NC) vs. **Yaroslav Amosov** (21-0)

*Heavyweight Feature Bout:* **Tyrell Fortune** (6-0) vs. **Rudy Schaffroth** (6-0, 1 NC)

**Preliminary Card:**

*Welterweight Preliminary Bout:* **Khonry Gracie** (1-1) vs. **Oscar Vera** (0-1)

*165-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout:* **Aviv Gozali** (2-0) vs. **Eduard Muravitskiy** (9-8)
*Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout:* **Grant Neal** (1-0) vs. **Alpha Toure** (Pro Debut)

*Welterweight Preliminary Bout:* **Sabah Homasi** (12-8) vs. **Micah Terrill** (14-7, 1 NC)

*Middleweight Preliminary Bout:* **Austin Vanderford** (7-0) vs. **Joseph Creer** (6-0-1)

*Heavyweight Preliminary Bout:* **Tim Johnson** (12-5) vs. **Azunna Anyanwu** (15-5)

*Bantamweight Preliminary Bout:* **Ricky Bandejas** (11-3) vs. **Ahmet Kayretli** (8-3, 1 NC)

*140-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout:* **Mike Kimbel** (3-1) vs. **Chris Disonell** (3-3)

*Lightweight Preliminary Bout:* **Nick Newell** (15-2) vs. **Corey Browning** (5-2)

*165-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout:* **Kastriot Xhema** (3-3, 1 NC) vs. **Connor Dixon** (Pro Debut)

*175-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout:* **Jon Manley** (11-6) vs. **Thiago Rela** (10-7)

*Card subject to change.

***

Grappling, MMA, UFC

RAUFEON STOTS- ANTHONY BIRCHAK SUPER FIGHT ANNOUNCED FOR INAUGURAL KINEKTIC SUBMISSION GRAPPLING EVENT AUGUST 16 IN ANAHEIM, CA

August 7, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

Streaming Live and Exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®

LAS VEGAS (August xx, 2019) – Kinektic has announced a world-class SuperFight between Raufeon “Supa” Stots and Anthony “El Toro” Birchak will provide chief support for the inaugural Kinektic submission grappling tournament on Friday, August 16, in Anaheim, California.

All the action will be streamed exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, live from Anaheim Business Expo Center.

All Kinektic team formatted events will feature four competing squads, each comprised of five world-class grapplers, in a tournament consisting of semifinals and a championship final. A grappling Super Fight, featuring additional participants not already competing in the tournament, will be held between the final semifinals match and championship final

On Aug. 16^th in Anaheim, the Stots vs. Birchak SuperFight will be contested at 155-pounds, showcasing a pair of grapplers currently competing in Legacy Fighting Alliance.

Houston-based Stots was a two-time NCAA, Division II All-American wrestler at the University of Nebraska in Kearney. The 30-year-old Stots has a 12-1 professional mixed-martial-arts record.

Birchak, fighting out of Tucson, Arizona, also was a Div. 2 collegiate wrestler at Pima Community College and Grand Canyon University. He has competed in the UFC, Bellator and Rizen FF, compiling a 15-6 MMA record.

Co-founded by UFC® Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, Las Vegas entrepreneur Keith Veltre, and award-winning combat sports announcer Sean Wheelock, Kinektic is a unique, tournament-style promotion that will feature athletes from various combat sports disciplines, including mixed martial arts, grappling, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and more.

“August 16^th promises to deliver an exciting, action-packed night,” Veltre said. “Delivering some of the biggest names in the sport will no doubt make an impression with fans.”

The captains of the four star-powered teams are UFC veteran and MMA media personality Chael Sonnen (Team SUG); world-class grappler Craig Jones (Team BJJ Fanatics); UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith (Team Lionheart); and former UFC welterweight Chris Lytle (Team Lights Out Urban Activities). Team Captains had the option to compete for their team, Jones and Lytle are competing for their respective teams.

Joining Jones on Team BJJ Fantatics are UFC athlete and former Strikeforce Welterweight World Champion Jake Shields, ADCC Trials bronze medalist Nicky Rodriguez, IBJJF World Champion Edwin Najmi, and ADCC Asia and Oceania gold medalist Lachlan Giles.

Veteran UFC athlete and former WEC Middleweight Champion Joe Riggs, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Rico Rodriguez, Polaris Welterweight Champion Mansher Khera, and Grapplers Quest Champion and BJJ black belt Will Weed join Lytle on Team Lights Out Urban Achievers.

Team SUG has veteran UFC athlete and ADCC gold medalist Vinny Magalhaes, former WSOF Featherweight Champion Alexandre Almeida, former UFC veteran athlete and PFL light heavyweight Ronny Markes, IBJJF World Championships bronze medalist Rafael Domingos, and LFA veteran and BJJ black belt Gabriel Checco.

Former Bellator Featherweight and Bantamweight Champion, and Greco-Roman Wrestling World Champion, Joe Warren, Pan-American gold medalist Scott Morton, ADCC US Trials gold medalist Enrico Cocco, IBJJF No-gi World Champion James Brasco, and Fight 2 Win Champion Brian Sparrow comprise Team Lionheart.

Faber, who also serves as Kinektic’s Vice President of Business Development, will be the mat-side and backstage interviewer. Joining Faber will be UFC women’s flyweight Paige VanZant, who is the lead color commentator, and play-by-play announcer Wheelock.

BJJ Fanatics vs. Lights Out Urban Achievers and Team SUG vs. Team Lionheart are the semifinals matchups with the winners meeting on the same night in the championship final.

The one-night tournament consists of bouts with eight-minute time limits. Losers of the semifinal matches are eliminated; draws result in the elimination of both athletes; and the first team with five members eliminated will be out of the competition. The surviving team will be declared the winner. A feature unique to Kinektic

Grappling is that the order in which athletes compete is not predetermined. There are thirty seconds between each bout and each team captain will be responsible for strategically deciding which team member will participate next. All members of each team must compete at least once.

Tickets are priced at $65.00 (VIP), $50.00 Reserved) and $30.00 (General Admission), and available to purchase by going online to: http://tickets.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1656.

For more information about the event, please visit:

Twitter: @Kinektic1, @UFCFightPass, @UrijahFaber, @PaigeVanZant, @SeanWheelock, @Keith_Veltre, @ChaelSonnen, @LionheartASmith, @Crslytle

Instagram: @UFCFightPass, @UrijahFaber, @PaigeVanZant, @Sean_Wheelock, @KeithVeltre

Facebook: @UFCFightPass, @UrijahFaber, @PaigeVanZant, @SeanWheelock, @KeithVeltre

About UFC FIGHT PASS® UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to exclusive, live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features, in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 17,000 bouts from dozens of combat sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit https://www.ufcfightpass.com.

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

Undefeated M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion Roman Bogatov to headline M-1 Challenge 104

August 7, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

August 30 in Orenburg, Russia

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (August 7, 2019) – Undefeated M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Roman Bogatov defends his title against Mickael “Ragnar” Lebout, headliningM-1 Challenge 104: Battle in the Heart of the Continent, on day, August 30, at Sports Arena Orenburgzhye in Orenburg, Russia.

WKG & M-1 Challenge 104 will be streamed live from Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets. M-1 Challenge 104 will also beavailable on www.FITE.TV.

Bogatov (8-0, M-1: 7-0), fighting out of Russia, is a grappling master who literally put to sleep three of his last four victims. Bogatov, who has a superior ground attack, captured the coveted M-1 Challenge title last September at M-1 Challenge 97, when he won a five-round decision over Rubenilton Pereira. In his first title defense this past January, Bogatov used an arm triangle choke to submit another Brazilian challenger, Michel Silva.

Lebout (19-9-2, M-1: 3-1) is a dangerous challenger from France, who has won three of four M-1 Global fights to date. An all-around fighter, Lebout can adjust to his opponent, whether he needs to use his striking, grappling and tactical skills to win.

Former M-1 Challenge title challenger Andrey “Iron” Lezhnev (18-8, M-1: 6-4) brings his invaluable experience into The Rage to face popular Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu (11-2-1, 3-0-1) in the co-featured event.

Lezhnev, of Ukraine, has won eight of his last 10 fights, knocked down M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Nate Landwehr, albeit in a losing effort, in his most recent action. Abdibait Uulu, the pride of Kyrgyzstan, has defeated three tough opponents in a row to set the stage for his biggest test in Lezhnev.

Brazilian flyweight Flavio “Madruga” de Silva Santos (9-3, M-1: 0-0) makes his M-1 Global debut against Arman Ashimov (10-3-1), of Kazakhstan. Santos is the latest in a wave of Brazilian fighters who’ve found a home in M-1 Global.

Brazilian National Champion and BJJ black belt, Jean “Panqueka” Petrick (10-3-1, M-1: 2-0) throws-down with Boris “Bora” Polejay (18-6-1, M-1: 2-1-0), of Ukraine. The winner of this bout will likely position himself for a title shot.

Opening the main card is a bantamweight showdown between Vazha Tsiptauri, Georgian National MMA and kickboxing champion, and Russian prospect Selem Evloev.

American bantamweight “Gorgeous” George Garcia (9-3, M-1: 1-0) took his M-1 Global debut fight on short notice, yet he used his grappling acumen to defeat Yuriy Chobuka, by way of a rear naked choke, only 20-seconds into the opening round of their fight last March atM-1 Challenge 101. The California grappler, who is riding a six-fight win streak, returns on the undercard against notorious finisher Bair Shtepin, of Russia.

Also fighting on the undercard is French featherweight Anthony “La Masse” Dizy (12-3, M-1: 1-0) vs. Russian Zalimbek Omarov (10-3-1, M-1: 7-2-1), Russian welterweight Mikhail “Bulldozer” Doroshenko (3-0, M-1: 0-0) vs. Azerbaijan Bayram Mamedov (0-1 (M-1: 0-0), and a battle between Russian strawweghts Zarina Gumerova (1-1-1, M-1: 0-0) vs. Asiya Klyutova (1-1, M-1: 1-0) in a rare female M-1 Global fight.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.