Category Archives: MMA

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

JULIA BUDD DEFENDS HER WORLD TITLE AGAINST UNDEFEATED TALITA NOGUEIRA AT BELLATOR 202 FRIDAY, JULY 13 ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK

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MICHAEL MCDONALD CHALLENGES FORMER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION EDUARDO DANTAS IN CO-MAIN EVENT

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES – On Friday, July 13, Julia Budd (11-2) will defend her featherweight world title against Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Talita Nogueira (7-0), in the main event of Bellator 202 at WinStar World Casino and Resort. In addition, the co-headliner will feature former Bellator world champion Eduardo Dantas (20-5) taking on Michael McDonald (18-4) in a bantamweight clash of top contenders.

 

 

 

Bellator 202: Budd vs. Nogueira will be broadcast live and free on Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.comand globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Tickets for the event go on sale this Friday, April 20 and can be purchased at the WinStar World Casino and Resort box office, as well as through Ticketmaster and Bellator.com. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

 

 

Julia Budd, the only fighter to sit atop Bellator women’s featherweight division, has bested Germaine de Randamie, Arlene Blencowe and Marloes Coenen amongst other names over the course of her eight-year mixed martial arts career. “The Jewel” is also the only woman to defeat Gina Carano in Muay-Thai competition. Now, the Canada-native and former STRIKEFORCE competitor, returns to Oklahoma, where she makes her second title defense since winning the belt last year at Bellator 174.

 

 

 

Talita Nogueira had already been crowned a world champion in jiu-jitsu prior to testing her hand in MMA. “Treta” went undefeated in six MMA contests in her home town of Sao Paulo, Brazil between 2009 and 2013, before signing to compete with Bellator. Originally slated to fight Budd at Bellator 133, Nogueira suffered an injury that forced her to withdraw from the contest. Her highly-anticipated promotional debut ultimately took place at Bellator 182, where the 32-year-old scored a first-round submission over Amanda Bell. The Demain Maia-trained fighter now gets a second chance to compete against Budd, and this time, the world championship is on the line.

 

 

 

Former two-time world champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas has proven himself a perennial top-10 bantamweight fighter with impressive performances over Joe Warren, Marcos Galvao (x2), Wilson Reis and Zach Makovsky. The Bellator Season 5 tournament champion has strung together an impressive 10-2 record with Bellator during his seven-year tenure with the promotion. The 29-year-old trains alongside the likes of Jose Aldo at the famed Nova Uniao team in his home town of Rio de Janeiro and is looking for another shot at Bellator gold.

 

 

 

Fighting professionally since the age of 16, McDonald has been a mainstay in the bantamweight rankings for the better part of 11 years. The exciting Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has amassed an astonishing finishing rate, reaching the judges’ scorecards only three times in his 22 fights. “Mayday” made his Bellator debut in 2017, scoring a victory over Peter Ligier, despite fracturing his hand early in the fight. Now that his hand has fully healed, the former world title challenger from Modesto, Calif. will look to defeat Dantas July 13 on Paramount Network.

 

 

 

Updated Bellator 202: Budd vs. Nogueira Fight Card:

 

 

Women’s Featherweight World Title Bout: Julia Budd (11-2) vs. Talita Nogueira (7-0)

Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Eduardo Dantas (20-5) vs. Michael McDonald (18-4)

 

 

 

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

Heavyweight star Sergei Kharitonov To headline M-1 Challenge 92  

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May 24 at M-1 Arena in
Saint Petersburg, Russia

Sergei Kharitonov (R)

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (April 23, 2018)) – Russian heavyweight star Sergei Kharitonov returns to The Rage on May 24 to headline M-1 Challenge 92 at M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

 

 

 

Kharitonov (27-6-0, M-1: 5-0-0) faces his fellow countryman, upset-minded Anton Vyazigin(9-2-1, M-1: 4-1-0), in this Heavyweight SuperFight.

 

 

 

M-1 Challenge 92 will be live-streamed 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 92 will also be available onwww.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)

 

 

 

The 6′ 4″, 258-pound Kharitonov is undefeated in five M-1 Challenge events having defeated Geronino dos Santos (SUB1 – ankle lock), Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (KO1 – punch), former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner twice, at M-1Challenge 59 in 2015 at Kazakhstan (WTKO1 – punches) and M-1 Challenge 53 in 2013 at China, (KO/TKO3 – injury), and to Alexei Kudin at M-1 Challenge 43 in 2013 Russia (KO2).

 

 

 

The 37-year-old Kharitonov, has defeated some of the greatest heavyweight MMA fighters of all-time, including Alister Overeem, Andrei Arlovski, Fabricio Werdum and Pedro Rizzo. Kharitonov has also fought in Strikeforce, K-1, Bellator and PRIDE.

 

 

 

Vyazigin, who stands 6′ 5″ and weights 250-pounds, is coming off a sensational 16-seconds knockout of Zaur Gadzhibabayev this past March at M-1 Challenge 89.

 

 

 

One other main card fight has been announced as striker Giga Kukhalashvili (9-3-0, M-1: 2-0-0) meets undefeated Khadis Ibragimov (3-0-0. M-1: 1-0-0) in a battle of undefeated Russian light heavyweights.

 

 

 

On the preliminary card, French lightweight Mickael “Ragnar” Lebout (17-8-2, 1 NC, M-1: 1-0-0) meets rising Russian prospect Pavel Gordeev (10-1-0, M-1: 4-0-0). Lebout vs. Gordeev was scheduled to happed at M-1 Challenge 87, but Lebout was injured during training camp, forcing the Frenchman out of that fight. Lebout’s M-1 debut at M-1 Challenge 89 resulted in a win by first-round knockout of Sergey Faley. Gordeev is riding a three-fight win streak, all ending in unanimous decisions.

 

 

 

All fighters and fights are subject to change. Additional main and preliminary card bouts will soon be announced.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

 

 

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

 

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@Vadim_finkelchtein

@M1Global

 

 

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

 

Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:

May 12 – M-1 Challenge 91: Doskalchuk vs. Ashimov, in Shenzhen, China.

May 24 – M-1 Challenge 92: Kharitonov vs. Vyazigin, in Saint Petersburg, Russia

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT IN PORTLAND WILL FEATURE THE RETURN OF MAINE MMA FAN-FAVORITES

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Portland, Maine (April 23, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” on Saturday night, June 16, 2018.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional light-heavyweight bout to the card.  Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (5-9) is scheduled to meet Buck “Knuckles” Pineau (1-5) at a fight weight of 205-pounds.

Mike Hansen, a veteran combat engineer with the US Army and former state wrestling champion out of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine, will look to get back on the winning track after five straight losses in the MMA cage.  His last victory was in the fall of 2016 when Hansen handed Matt Andrikut (2-1) his first taste of defeat as a professional.  He is determined to snap his losing streak on June 16 in Portland against Pineau.  Hansen is a founding member of Berserkers MMA based in Rumford.

“I’m excited to get back in the cage,” said Hansen. “I had to take some time off to let some injuries heal and coach the wrestling team. Now that that’s done, it’s time to get back at it. I’m happy to fight a guy like Buck. I know we have both been on a rough patch and lost some fights, but by the end of the night on June 16th, someone’s losing streak will end. I’m going to make sure I leave with a win in June.”

On June 16 it will have been 45 months – nearly four years – since Buck Pineau last competed in the NEF cage.  Pineau was a staple on early NEF cards.  From the company’s inception in February 2012 until “NEF 14” in September 2014, Pineau fought on a total of eight NEF events.  At “NEF 9” in Biddeford, Maine, he fought in what is regarded as one of the most memorable bouts in the promotion’s history, tearing ligaments in his knee early in the fight but still pulling out a unanimous decision victory over Isaiah Queen (2-4).  Despite staying active in recent years outside of Maine, Pineau has never competed in the NEF cage as a professional.  He has lost his last four-in-a-row, and like Hansen, is looking to get back on track with a much-needed win at “NEF 34.”  Pineau is currently a member of First Class MMA based in Topsham, Maine.

“I am very excited and for this opportunity to step back into the NEF cage and put on a show,” exclaimed Pineau when reached for comment. “I’ve had a lot of memorable fights with NEF, and I’m looking to make this another one! I’ve seen the majority of Mike’s fights. I know he’s a rugged guy who always brings it, so I’m extra excited to get in there and spill some blood together. As usual, I will be looking to keep the distance and let these hands and feet go! This is going to be a good fight!”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

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

FITE will stream M1 Challenge- 91 LIVE on May 12th from Shenzhen, China

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M-1 Challenge 91, May 12, in Shenzhen, China
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (April 19, 2018)) – M-1 Global, in association with WKG, has announced an “undisputed” title bout May 12 for the M-1 Challenge 91 main event, pitting M-1 Challenge flyweight champion Aleksander Doskalchuk and Interim titlist Arman Ashimov, in Shenzhen, China.

 

 

 

M-1 Challenge 91 will be live-streamed from China 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 the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets. M-1 Challenge 91 will also be available onwww.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)

 

 

 

The originally scheduled M-1 Challenge 91, April 21 in Saint Petersburg, featured M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Khamzat Dalgiev against American challenger Nate “The Train” Landwehr, has been cancelled. Dalgiev vs. Landwehr will be rescheduled during 2018.

 

 

 

Doskalchuk (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), fighting out of Ukraine, won his title belt last September at M-1 Challenge 83, when he used a Guillotine Choke to submit Vadim Malygin in the second round.

 

 

 

Undefeated in M-1 competition, Doskalchuk won a majority decision in his M-1 debut last May, over Binh Son Le at M-1 Challenge 78.

 

 

 

“I don’t care if my opponent has a belt or not,” Doskalchuk said. “The main thing is to properly prepare for the fight to determine the real flyweight champion. I am not expecting this fight to be easy. It’s going to be a tough battle and I will be looking for an opportunity to finish off my opponent. Fans will see a great fight. How will it end? We’ll see at The Rage!”

 

 

 

Ashimov (8-2-1, M-1: 3-0-0) earned his Interim title shot this past February by stopping Gadzhimurad Aliev and Ervani Melonio with punches, respectively, in the second and first rounds. At M-1 Challenge 87, the powerfully striking Kazakh punched out Mikael Silander in two rounds to capture the M-1 Challenge Interim Flyweight Championship.

 

 

 

“All of Kazakhstan is waiting for this fight,” Ashimov noted. “I can’t wait because I brought the Interim belt to Kazakhstan and, if God wills, soon I will bring back the undisputed title. I’m fighting a strong and experienced opponent, who I respect a lot, but I will be ready and that will show fight night. ”

 

 

The co-feature is a middleweight showdown between veteran Russian fighter Mikhail Zayats (23-8-0, M-1: 13-5-0) and past M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenger Caio “Hellboy” Magalhaes (10-4-0, M-1: 1-1-0), of Brazil. Zayats has fought in Bellator, Magalhaes in the UFC. Last October, Magalhaes lost his M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenge to champion Artem Frolov by way of a five-round unanimous decision, headlining M-1 Challenge 84.

 

 

 

One other main card fight was announced featuring one of China’s top MMA fighters, Musu “Iron King” Nuertiebieke (12-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0) versus American featherweight Daniel Swain (17-8-1, M-1: 0-0-1).

 

 

 

All fighters and fights are subject to change. Additional main and full preliminary card bouts will soon be announced.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

 

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@Vadim_finkelchtein

@M1Global

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA

Undisputed M-1 Challenge Flyweight Championship Aleksander Doskalchuk vs. Arman Ashimov

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M-1 Challenge 91, May 12, in Shenzhen, China

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (April 19, 2018)) – M-1 Global, in association with WKG, has announced an “undisputed” title bout May 12 for the M-1 Challenge 91 main event, pitting M-1 Challenge flyweight champion Aleksander Doskalchuk and Interim titlist Arman Ashimov, in Shenzhen, China.

 

 

 

M-1 Challenge 91 will be live-streamed from China 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 91 will also be available onwww.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)

 

 

 

The originally scheduled M-1 Challenge 91, April 21 in Saint Petersburg, featured M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Khamzat Dalgiev against American challenger Nate “The Train” Landwehr, has been cancelled. Dalgiev vs. Landwehr will be rescheduled during 2018.

 

 

 

Doskalchuk (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), fighting out of Ukraine, won his title belt last September at M-1 Challenge 83, when he used a Guillotine Choke to submit Vadim Malygin in the second round.

 

 

 

Undefeated in M-1 competition, Doskalchuk won a majority decision in his M-1 debut last May, over Binh Son Le at M-1 Challenge 78.

 

 

 

“I don’t care if my opponent has a belt or not,” Doskalchuk said. “The main thing is to properly prepare for the fight to determine the real flyweight champion. I am not expecting this fight to be easy. It’s going to be a tough battle and I will be looking for an opportunity to finish off my opponent. Fans will see a great fight. How will it end? We’ll see at The Rage!”

 

 

 

Ashimov (8-2-1, M-1: 3-0-0) earned his Interim title shot this past February by stopping Gadzhimurad Aliev and Ervani Melonio with punches, respectively, in the second and first rounds. At M-1 Challenge 87, the powerfully striking Kazakh punched out Mikael Silander in two rounds to capture the M-1 Challenge Interim Flyweight Championship.

 

 

 

“All of Kazakhstan is waiting for this fight,” Ashimov noted. “I can’t wait because I brought the Interim belt to Kazakhstan and, if God wills, soon I will bring back the undisputed title. I’m fighting a strong and experienced opponent, who I respect a lot, but I will be ready and that will show fight night. ”

 

 

The co-feature is a middleweight showdown between veteran Russian fighter Mikhail Zayats (23-8-0, M-1: 13-5-0) and past M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenger Caio “Hellboy” Magalhaes (10-4-0, M-1: 1-1-0), of Brazil. Zayats has fought in Bellator, Magalhaes in the UFC. Last October, Magalhaes lost his M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenge to champion Artem Frolov by way of a five-round unanimous decision, headlining M-1 Challenge 84.

 

 

 

One other main card fight was announced featuring one of China’s top MMA fighters, Musu “Iron King” Nuertiebieke (12-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0) versus American featherweight Daniel Swain (17-8-1, M-1: 0-0-1).

 

 

 

 

All fighters and fights are subject to change. Additional main and full preliminary card bouts will soon be announced.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

 

 

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

 

Twitter & Instagram:

 

@M1GlobalNews

@Vadim_finkelchtein

@M1Global

 

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES LIVE UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK TELECAST, COMPLETE BOUT CARD FOR “COMBATE ESTRELLAS II” IN MONTERREY, MEXICO ON FRIDAY, APRIL 20

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VICTOR MADRIGAL REPLACES LEVY MARROQUIN IN BANTAMWEIGHT
CO-MAIN EVENT SHOWDOWN WITH ALEJANDRO FLORES

 

IVANNA MARTINENGHI REPLACES FRANCIS HERNANDEZ AGAINST UNDEFEATED MELISSA MARTINEZ IN STRAWWEIGHT FEATURED CONTEST

 

STAR-STUDDED EVENT HEADLINED BY
MUCH-ANTICIPATED BANTAMWEIGHT REMATCH BETWEEN
ERIK “GOYITO” PEREZ AND DAVID “D.J.” FUENTES
 

 

NEW YORK – April 18, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced a live Univision Deportes Network (UDN) telecast, as well as the complete 10-bout fight card for the “Combate Estrellas II” Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) extravaganza at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico on Friday, April 20.

 

The live, 90-minute UDN telecast of “Combate Estrellas II,” which will be headlined by a previously announced, highly-anticipated bantamweight (135 pounds) rematch between world-ranked superstar and Monterrey native Erik “Goyito” Perez (17-6), and hard-hitting finisher David “D.J.” Fuentes (13-10) of the U.S., begins at 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT, and will follow the live stream of Combate Americas’ preliminary bout card, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, on UnivisionDeportes.com.

 

Fuentes, who fights out of McAllen, Texas, defeated Perez by way of third round (3:01) submission (armlock) when the two met on May 28, 2010.

 

In a new bantamweight (135 pounds) co-main event, Victor “Periquito” Madrigal (6-1) of Guadalajara, Mexico, will replace “COPA COMBATE” tournament winner Levy Saul Marroquin of Monterrey, Mexico, who has withdrawn due to illness, against fellow fast-rising star Alejandro “Gallito” Flores (11-1) of Monterrey.

 

Leading off the three-bout, live televised main card, undefeated strawweight (115 pounds) knockout artist Melissa “Super Mely” Martinez (3-0) of Mexico City, Mexico, will collide with fellow, hard-hitting Muay Thai stylist Ivanna Martinenghi (4-1) of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

Martinez was originally slated to face Francis Hernandez of Puerto Rico.

 

In other action announced for Combate Estrellas II,” prolific finisher Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo (13-5) of Cordoba, Argentina, will square off with Fabian Galvan (8-3) of Monterrey in a bantamweight contest.

 

Enrique “Locote” Gonzalez (6-1) of Monterrey will collide with Oscar Suarez (4-1) of Santa Cruz Tenerife, Spain, in a bantamweight tilt.
 

Jose Luis “El Pistolero” Medrano (5-2) of Monterrey will battle Daniel “Golden Boy” Zellhuber (5-0) of Mexico City.

 

Also in the card, Mexican Muay Thai fighter Lezly Hinojosa Compean (0-0) will make her debut under the MMA rules against Spanish superstar Irene Cabello Rivera (7-5) of Barcelona, Spain in an atomweight (105 pounds) bout.

 

Tickets for “CombateEstrellas II” are on sale at SuperBoletos.com.

 

Doors at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon will open at 6 p.m. local time on April 20.  The first preliminary bout will begin at 7 p.m.

 

“COMBATE ESTRELLAS II” FIGHT CARD

MAIN CARD

Bantamweight (135 lbs) Main event:
Erik Pérez (17-6) vs. David Fuentes (13-10)

Bantamweight (135 lbs) co-main event:
Victor Madrigal (6-1) vs. Alejandro Flores (11-1)

Women’s Strawweight (115 lbs):
Melissa Martínez (3-0) vs. Ivanna Martinenghi (4-1)

UNDERCARD

Bantamweight (135 lbs): Marcelo Rojo (13-5) vs. Fabian Galvan (8-3)
Atomweight (105 lbs): Irene Cabello (7-5) vs. Lezly Hinojosa Compean (0-0)
Bantamweight (135 lbs): Enrique Gonzalez (12-10) vs. Oscar Suarez (4-1)
Bantamweight (135 lbs): Juan Pablo Gonzalez (7-0-2) vs. Kevin Garcia (5-2)
Lightweight (155 lbs): Ivan Perez (4-4) vs. Ricardo Arreola (5-5)
Bantamweight (135 lbs): David Martinez (2-0) vs. Enrique Barragan (5-2)
Lightweight (135 lbs): Jose Luis Medrano (8-2) vs. Daniel Zellhuber (5-0)

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LACEY LOOKS TO SHOWCASE SKILLS AT NEF 34 IN PORTLAND

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Portland, Maine (April 18, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” on Saturday night, June 16, 2018.  Earlier today, the fight promotion officially announced a professional featherweight bout for the card.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) is scheduled to face Da’Mon “The Diamond” Blackshear (4-1).

After suffering the first loss of his professional career in late 2017 – a doctor stoppage due to a cut on his head during a bout in New Hampshire – Lacey bounced back this past February with a big victory at “NEF 32” in Lewiston, Maine.  He came out aggressive in the first round against veteran Josh Parker (6-10), forcing Parker to tap late in the first-round to a rear-naked choke. And while it certainly was an impressive win for the 2016 NEF Fighter of the Year and product of Young’s MMA, Lacey felt that he had more to showcase for his fans.  He will get the opportunity again on June 16 against Blackshear.

“It’s time once again to do what I love in front of the fans that I love,” said Lacey. “My last fight was really quick, and I didn’t get to showcase what I have been working on. Although I’m always going for the finish, I will be looking to put on an entertaining show that fans will not soon forget!”

Based out of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Da’Mon Blackshear began his MMA career in the fall of 2014.  He put together a stellar amateur record of 7-1, capturing two championships in the southeastern region of the country.  Upon turning professional, Blackshear, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, has taken three of his four pro victories by way of submission.  He has earned gold in numerous submission-only grappling events, regularly defeating black belts and larger opponents.  Blackshear serves as a coach of Team R.O.C. in Fayetteville.

“I’m ready,” exclaimed Blackshear when reached for comment.  “June 16th it’s going down, so Aaron Lacey come prepared!”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF DROWNS PORTLAND WITH RIPTIDE BEFORE CAPACITY CROWD; CHOI INSTITUTE SHINES IN PRO FIGHTS

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Portland, Maine (April 15, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) made its return to Portland on Saturday night with the fight promotion’s latest mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 33: Riptide.”  For the second time in as many events at the venue, NEF packed Aura with a sold-out crowd.

On the amateur portion of the card, Kam Arnold (3-0) continued his winning ways with a highlight-reel, one-punch knockout of David Thompson (1-3).  Arnold, a hot prospect out of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in nearby Lewiston, Maine, dropped Thompson with a right hand in the first round to remain undefeated.

Walt Shea (3-1) and Nate Boucher (2-3) met in the amateur headliner at a catchweight of 130-pounds.  Both athletes were looking to bounce back from losses in their last respective NEF appearances, but it was Shea who took the victory late in the third round when referee Kevin MacDonald stopped the fight due to strikes.  Earlier in the evening, Shea’s First Class MMA teammate, Ben Murtiff (1-0) won his amateur debut, making for a perfect 2-0 night for the Topsham, Maine-based team.

On the professional side of the card, Ernesto Ornelas (3-7) picked up the win over Carl Langston (0-1) via unanimous decision. Moments later, Ornelas’s teammate at the Choi Institute Caleb Hall (1-0) was successful in his pro debut with a first-round submission of veteran John Ortolani (8-13).

The main event of the evening saw longtime Maine MMA veteran Bill Jones (13-11) defeat Matt Denning (5-8) via technical knockout in the second round.  Denning announced his retirement from cage competition immediately following the bout.  Jones’ win capped a successful night for Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire.  The team went 3-0 on the night with Zac Richard (1-0) and Killian Murphy (1-0) taking home wins on the amateur card.

NEF announced that its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave” would take place back at Aura in Portland onJune 16, 2018.  Already announced for that card, Ross Dannar (1-1) and Devin Corson (1-1) will square off in an amateur lightweight contest, while Aaron Lacey (5-1) returns to the NEF cage to take on Da’mon Blackshear (4-1) in a professional featherweight bout.

The results from Portland, Maine:

PROFESSIONAL

Bill Jones def. Matt Denning via TKO, round 2

Caleb Hall def. John Ortolani via Von Flue Choke, round 1

Ernesto Ornelas def. Carl Langston via unanimous decision

 

AMATEUR

 

Walt Shea def. Nate Boucher via TKO, round 3

Killian Murphy def. Krishna Scott via TKO, round 1

Ben Murtiff def. James Lewis via TKO, round 1

Kam Arnold def. David Thompson via KO, round 1

Mark Gardner def. Brandon Schwinck via rear-naked choke, round 1

Duncan Smith def. Taylor Bartlett via standing guillotine, round 1

Zac Richard def. Gabriel Diaz via TKO, round 1

Liam Fagan def. Curtis Ouellette via unanimous decision

Carol Linn Powell drew Chelsea Tucker (Grappling Match)

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

BELLATOR 197: CHANDLER vs. GIRTZ RESULTS & PHOTOS

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FULL EVENT PHOTOS 

 

Michael Chandler (18-4) defeated Brandon Girtz (15-8) via technical submission (head & arm choke) at 4:00 of round one

A.J. McKee (11-0) defeated Justin Lawrence (11-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Logan Storley (8-0) defeated Joaquin Buckley (8-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

Baby Slice (2-1) defeated Devon Brock (1-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at :34 of round one

Juliana Velasquez (7-0) defeated Rebecca Ruth (6-3) via TKO (body kick) at :19 of round three

Derek Anderson (15-3) defeated Zak Bucia (18-10) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Dominic Mazzotta (14-2) defeated Josh Sampo (11-6) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Eric Ellington (5-0) defeated Jordan Howard (10-5) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Adam Cella (9-8) defeated DeWayne Diggs (2-2) via TKO (punches) at 4:27 of round one

Cort Wahle (3-3) defeated Joe Roye (1-5) via submission (guillotine) at :21 of round one

Jordan Dowdy (5-4) defeated Jeff Crotty (1-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at :29 of round one

A.J. Siscoe (3-2) defeated Justin Robbins (14-19) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:34 of round two

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

FNU Combat Sports Show: McGregor Goes Berserk, UFC 223 Card Suffers, Event Recaps and Previews

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This week’s show features Tom, Tony and Rich chatting about the circus atmosphere surrounding UFC 223, starting with Conor McGregor’s hand cart throwing incident. We also recap the past week’s boxing and MMA events, and we even briefly discuss Ronda Rousey’s Wrestlemania performance and the news that Brock Lesnar recently signed an extension to stay with the WWE. Listen to the broadcast below: