Category Archives: MMA

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

‘BIG’ JOHN MCCARTHY TO JOIN BELLATOR BROADCAST TEAM

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WILL MAKE COLOR COMMENTARY DEBUT AT BELLATOR 192 ON JAN. 20 – LIVE ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK

ALSO, CHAEL SONNEN SIGNS EXTENSION TO REMAIN IN BROADCAST BOOTH

 

LOS ANGELES – Bellator is pleased to announce that it has come to an agreement with John McCarthy to serve as color commentator during broadcasts on the soon-to-launch Paramount Network, which kicks off with Bellator 192 on Saturday, January 20.

 

“With the addition of ‘Big’ John to our broadcast team, we have put together the premier group of MMA commentators ahead of our Jan. 20 debut on the Paramount Network,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “With John and Chael providing analysis, you’re getting two people who have spent more time in the cage than they have spent with a headset on, and that will translate to a positive viewing experience for Bellator fans.”

 

Over the past 20 years, “Big” John McCarthy has set the bar when it comes to officiating in MMA, a sport where he has overseen countless fights promoted by Bellator and other promotions all over the world, serving as the referee for some of the biggest bouts in the history of the sport. A former Los Angeles Police Officer, and a Self-Defense Instructor at the Los Angeles Police Academy, McCarthy is also the founder of “C.O.M.M.A.N.D.,” a program that trains and certifies hopeful MMA referees and judges. McCarthy’s regulatory work is equally as impressive, as he was a key figure in the writing of the sport’s Unified Rules, which are recognized by the ABC and athletic commissions all across North America.

 

Along with his broadcasting duties, the man behind the catchphrase “Let’s get it on!” will also provide a unique level of first-hand insight to the plethora of original content produced by Bellator’s digital team.

 

“I first want to say how grateful I am for the opportunity I have been given to work with the incredible team Bellator has assembled. It is always so hard to leave something you love, but I have always wanted to step away based on my terms rather than someone else’s. My goals are to work as hard as I can to meet the expectations everyone will have for me and to hopefully someday exceed them.” McCarthy said. “I cannot think of anyone I would rather be working with than Scott Coker. Scott has always been a person I admire because of his honesty, loyalty and love for the martial arts. I want to thank everyone from Bellator and Viacom for the trust you are bestowing upon me to keep the commentating of Bellator MMA at the highest levels of the sport.”

 

In addition, Chael Sonnen has signed an extension to remain a part of select Bellator broadcasts, breaking down all the action alongside Bellator announcers Mike Goldberg and Mauro Ranallo.

 

Chael Sonnen spent a majority of his 44-fight career with the UFC and WEC, a run that saw him defeat former middleweight champion Michael Bisping, and compete against the likes of Jon Jones, Anderson Silva (twice), Rashad Evans, “Shogun” Rua, Demian Maia and Brian Stann. In addition to his in-ring action, the West Linn, Ore. native has mastered the art of being in front of the camera, having done broadcast work for both ESPN and Fox Sports. Following a three-year hiatus from active MMA competition, Sonnen returned to the cage against Tito Ortiz at Bellator 170 in January and then went on to defeat Wanderlei Silva during the main event of Bellator: NYC.

 

Bellator and the soon-to-launch Paramount Network open 2018 with a bang when Bellator 192: Lima vs. MacDonald emanates from The Forum in California on Jan. 20. Anchored by a welterweight world title fight featuring Douglas Lima defending his championship against Rory MacDonald, the blockbuster event also will see the aforementioned Chael Sonnen compete against “Rampage” Jackson in the opening contest of 2018’s Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix.

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

M-1 Global kicks-off 2018 in February with M-1 Challenge 87 & 88

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SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (January 8, 2018) – M-1 Global will kick-off its 21stseason with a pair of international events in February, M-1 Challenge 87 and M-1 Challenge 88, respectively, Feb. 9 in Saint Petersburg and Feb. 22 in Moscow.
Both events 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.
Finnish flyweight Mikael “Hulk” Silander (17-5-0, M-1: 1-0-0) takes on Kazakh fighter Ariman Ashimov (10-2-1, M-1: 2-0-0) in the lone fight announced this far for M-1 Challenge 87, which will feature the grand opening of M-1 Arena. The Silander-Ashimov winner will be positioned for a potential title shot against M-1 Challenge flyweight champion Aleksander Doskalchuk, of Ukraine.
Mikael Silander (R) will be making his Russian MMA debut Feb. 9 in Saint Petersburg
  Ariman Ashimov hopes to improve to 3-0-0 in M-1 Challenge competition on Feb. 9
Two M-1 Challenge title fights have been announced as the M-1 Challenge 88 co-main events on Feb. 22 in Moscow.
M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion Damir Ismagulov (14-2-0, M-1: 8-1-0), of Russia, defends his belt against his dangerous Georgian challenger, Raul Tutarauli(18-3-0, M-1: 6-1-0), while M-1 Challenge Bantamweight Champion Movsar Evloev (8-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0) puts his perfect pro record on the line against Kazakhstan-native Sergey Morozov (10-3-0, M-1: 5-2-0), who also fights out of Russia.
  Damir Ismagulov (on top) makes his second title defense Feb. 22
Raul Tutarauli (on top) gets his first title shot Feb. 22
Movsar Evloev (L) plans to keep his prefect record intact
  
 Sergey Morozov is hoping to upset Movar Evloev to become M-1 Challenge Bantamweight Champion
All fights and fighters are subject to change. Additional matches for M-1 Challenge 87and M-1 Challenge 88 will soon be announced.
INFORMATION:
 
Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@Vadim_finkelchtein
@M1Global
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mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LUNGHI IS OUT TO AVENGE TEAMMATE AGAINST CORSON AT NEF 32

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Lewiston, Maine (January 5, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston on Saturday, February 3, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur featherweight bout to the card.  Shawn Lunghi (2-0) will return to Maine to take on Devin Corson (1-0) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

Shawn Lunghi made his debut in the NEF cage in the fall of 2016.  He faced off with a much more experienced Alex Clark (4-2) that evening and impressed many with his performance.  Lunghi would pick up the win with a second round submission.  The Tampa, Florida native would follow up that win with yet another victory this past spring in his home state.  Later in the year, he earned his brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Robson Moura Nations United (RMNU).  At “NEF 32,” Lunghi will look to avenge a loss suffered by his teammate Winston Cortez (0-1) against Devin Corson (1-0) at “NEF 27” last year.  In addition, a win over Corson would put Lunghi in a position to challenge for the NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Title at a later date.

“I’m incredibly humbled and excited to be invited back to Lewiston to fight for NEF,” said Lunghi. “February 3rd stands as a great test for me and my preparation as a martial artist as well as an opportunity to fight a great up-and-coming fighter like Devin. I’m eager for the opportunity to showcase the improvements I have made in my game, as well as to avenge Winston’s loss to Devin.”

Devin Corson made his NEF debut in early 2017 at the young age of 19.  He sent the crowd into a frenzy that night, repeatedly lifting Winston Cortez up over head and slamming him time and time again on his way to a unanimous decision victory.  It was one of the most memorable debuts for any fighter in the NEF cage.  Corson is a product of The Outlet Mixed Martial Arts Training Center based in Dexter, Maine.

“It’s an honor to be returning to the NEF cage,” stated Corson. “I’m looking forward to fighting a man who has his brown belt in jiu-jitsu. I’m always up for a challenge. I’m just happy to be back.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.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 Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

TWO MAINE MMA FAN-FAVORITES WILL SQUARE OFF AT NEF 32

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Lewiston, Maine (January 4, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston onSaturday, February 3, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the card.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (4-1) has signed to face Josh Parker (6-9) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

After making his professional debut in the spring of 2016, Aaron Lacey rose quickly through the ranks of the NEF featherweight division.  With wins over veterans like Derek Shorey (4-9) and Taylor Trahan (8-9), the year belonged to Lacey.  2017, however, was filled with frustration.  Lacey lost two scheduled opponents to injuries and had to pull out of one fight with an injury of his own.  Late in the year, he took a fight in New Hampshire against Vovka Clay (8-2).  Many felt Lacey was winning a close fight, but a deep cut on his head forced the doctor to stop the fight in the second round and the bout was awarded to Clay.  It was the first loss of Lacey’s professional career.  The product of Young’s MMA is looking to rebound from that loss and get back on track towards the major leagues of the sport beginning with “NEF 32.”

“I’m excited to be returning to the NEF cage,” exclaimed Lacey.  “Last year was not my year, but it’s over and I’m looking to start 2018 off with a bang! This fight is going to be fun and I love that I get to come home and perform in front of the NEF fans! The best ones around! I’m coming in prepared and looking for the finish!”

Josh Parker has been a mainstay of both the NEF MMA cage and boxing ring since his debut with the promotion back at “NEF I” in February 2012.  Since turning his focus back to MMA from boxing in late 2016, Parker has had two solid victories in Lewiston.  At “NEF 26” in November 2016, Parker submitted Derek Shorey.  Last summer, at “NEF 29,” Parker was again successful, this time taking a unanimous decision victory over Andre Belcarris (0-2).  He will look to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in his career since 2011 when he steps into the cage against Lacey.  Parker is the head of Ruthless MMA & Boxing based in Benton, Maine.

“I want to thank NEF for the opportunity, and thank Aaron for taking the fight,” said Parker. “I’m excited for the fight. I missed out on the last show, so I’m itching to get back in there . Aaron has had an awesome career so far, and I’m looking forward to the challenges he presents, but I think I match-up well against him. Don’t miss this one – it’s gonna be one to remember.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.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 Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LUPO AND HART BOTH LOOKING TO GET IN THE WIN COLUMN AT NEF 32

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Lewiston, Maine (January 3, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston onSaturday, February 3, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the card.  Stacy Lupo (0-1) will take on David Hart (0-2) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

Stacy Lupo made his NEF cage debut in the summer of 2016, facing fellow forty-something athlete Dr. Steve Bang (1-1).  Lupo and Bang went deep into the third round in a grueling, back-and-forth battle before Bang was able to finish the fight by TKO.  Prior to stepping in the cage that night, Lupo, a former wrestler at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, Maine, already had more than three decades worth of martial arts experience.  He holds black belts in both Taekwondo and Shotokan karate.  Lupo competed in amateur boxing and kickboxing in the 1980s and 1990s.  Currently, he is a member of The Outlet based in Dexter, Maine and also operates Lupo’s Mid Maine Karate.

“I’m very unhappy with my first showing in the MMA ring,” said Lupo. “I feel I let down my fans and my students. I’m hoping to redeem myself in this next match. I heard Mr. Hart wants a stand-up fight, and that’s what I’m hoping for too. I’d like to showcase my skills, so I look forward to February 3rd.”

Like his opponent, David Hart is also looking for his first victory in the MMA cage.  He made his debut last summer at “NEF 30” in Bangor in a losing effort against Zach Faulkner (1-0).  Hart took Faulkner into the second round before getting submitted.  He returned a few weeks later at “NEF 31” in Portland and lost again via submission against 56-year-old Gary Carr (1-0).  Now, Hart is looking forward to testing his striking skills against another striker in the form of Lupo.  Hart represents Kenney’s MMA of Lisbon, Maine.

“I look forward to fighting in Lewiston,” said Hart. “Lupo looks like a tough opponent and has good striking. I am up to the challenge and want to get my first win and the first win for Kenney’s MMA. It will be a great fight.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.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 Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BOYINGTON RETURNING TO NEF CAGE AFTER TWO-YEAR ABSENCE

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Lewiston, Maine (December 29, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston on Saturday, February 3, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the card.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (14-11) has signed to face Taylor Trahan (7-8) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.

The fight will be the first for Boyington in the NEF cage since February 2016 when he successfully defended the NEF Lightweight Title against Jon Lemke (7-8).  It was Boyington’s third defense of the belt since winning it in the late summer of 2014.  After the Lemke defense, Boyington relinquished the championship in order to sign with the World Series of Fighting (WSOF).

While he has fought on many of the largest stages in the world over the past two years, including Madison Square Garden in New York City and halfway across the globe in Russia, Boyington is looking forward to his homecoming and the opportunity to once again fight before his many Maine fans.

“Man, I couldn’t possibly be more excited to get inside the NEF cage, where I have molded my career, built my fan base and learned so much about myself over the years,” said Boyington.  “I am so hungry to entertain people that I can guarantee everyone will want to see what’s going down! I live for this, and on February 3rd, there will be some of the best MMA that has ever been on display from the State of Maine, and I’m grateful and humbled by the opportunity.  My opponent is a respectable guy that I believe loves to fight and I want that in there.  I wish him the very best in preparation, and I thank (NEF owners) Matt (Peterson) and Nick (DiSalvo) once again for providing me a platform.”

Boyington currently owns and operates Boyington’s Taekwondo of Bangor, Maine.  He also trains with Young’s MMA in the same city.

Taylor Trahan is a familiar face to NEF fans.  He has competed twice for the promotion in the past.  Trahan submitted Matt Denning (5-7) in the first round of their meeting at “NEF 25.”  He returned to Maine just weeks later at “NEF 26” in a losing effort to Aaron Lacey (4-1).  Trahan is coming off a win over Conor Barry (3-2) last month in New Hampshire.  He represents Team Link of Hooksett.

“I’m looking forward to returning to NEF,” said Trahan.  “They always put on a good show and treat the fighters right. I’m really looking forward to fighting Bruce.  He definitely is the most experienced fighter I’ll be going up against so far.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.TheColisee.com.

M-1, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

M-1 Arena grand opening and M-1 Challenge 100 to highlight 21st season for M-1 Global

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In January the new M-1 Arena is scheduled to open in Saint Petersburg
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (December 29, 2017) — The grand opening of the state-of-the-art M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburgh, in addition to the celebration of M-1 Challenge 100 later in 2018, will highlight M-1 Global’s 21st season.
Plans in 2018 also include more events, expansion into new countries and, as the No. 2 MMA organization in the world, to keep giving its fans world-class competition, entertaining match-ups, innovative developments and even a few surprises.
M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein discussed a few of these subjects (see below) prior to the holidays.
Can you tell us about the new M-1 Arena?
VF: “M-1 Arena is an absolutely unique structure seating a maximum of 3000. It is built in the form of the Colosseum, stone and wood, with an incredible dome made of glulam, which gives the place perfect acoustics. Not only can we promote sporting events, but also music concerts. M-1 Arena allows us to have even more events and realize new ideas like, for example, a reality show. M-1 Arena will be multifunctional but martial arts will be the main form of entertainment held there.”
M-1 Challenge was more international last year in terms of showcasing more fighters from different countries like USA, Portugal, UK, Canada, South Korea, China, etc.  Do you plan to expand your fighter base even more this year and, if so, what countries are you targeting for fighters?
VF: “Usually, we hire fighters from countries where our events are being broadcasted. If we have new contracts with the countries from where we don’t have representative fighters, or only have a few of them, we are going to increase their number. The same for countries where we’ve held events because fans desire to see the local athletes fighting in the Rage. We give them an opportunity to see that.”
With the success of female MMA stars around the world do you plan to add a female division in 2018?
VF: “One day we will probably create a female division in M-1 Global. Right now, though, we don’t have enough strong female fighters to do it, yet. As soon as we are ready to make this happen, it will be done, but we don’t want to open a new division just to check the box. We want the best fighters to compete at the highest level.”
M-1 Global is closing in on your 100th M-1 Challenge event.  Do you plan to promote your 100th event in 2018?  If so can you provide any additional information about when, where, special plans, etc.
VF: M-1 Global has already promoted more than 200 events, including 85 M-1 Challenges, which was created in 2008. I think that this event will happen either in Saint-Petersburg or in Moscow, but we still have a lot of time left and a dozen other events before it. We are going to take care of it a bit later.”
M-1 has developed fighters who’ve moved on to the UFC and other organizations.  How do you feel about that trend?  Does it frustrate you that you to spend time building a fighter and then have him move on, or do you look at it as a compliment that M-1 Global develops fighters who can compete in the UFC and any other organization?
VF: “We can consider this situation from different perspectives. I’m not happy to let my best fighters go, of course, but it is what it is, and we are not ready to compete with UFC yet. Sometimes our fighters leave us. From another perspective, we are happy that our fighters who leave keep winning fights and become the top competitors in other promotions. It proves that the level of M-1 Global fighters is equal to the level of UFC fighters. The top athletes who left M-1 Global for UFC are in top positions there and other promotions don’t have such results. Other organization may make their fighters popular but, as soon as they move to UFC, they start losing and get released.
“Our company is probably the second MMA promotion in the world and when some fighters move to the strongest league on the planet, they take a step forward, which I like much better than when they move to weaker promotions than M-1 Global just to make more money.”
Any plans to do anything different this year than in the past, outside of the grand opening of the M-1 arena and possible 100th event?
VF: “The main difference will be that we are going to have our own home, M-1 Arena, which means we will be able to hold even more events. We’d like to have two events each month, 24 events a year. We opened our own TV channel (M1global.tv) and next year, MMA fans from former Soviet Republics will have an opportunity to watch all the fights. Using our iOS and Android App, viewers from all over the world can watch old and new fights right now, and next year we are going to make it even better. We are also going to create our own studio to produce different content, probably a new reality show with fighters from different countries.”
Will you have showcase M-1 Medieval fights this coming year?
VF: “Apparently, we will have some medieval fights in 2018, but the only issue is that we have a lot of fighters under contract, so it is not easy to find a place for M-1 Medieval fights on our cards. We make knight fights in regions where they are popular, like in Ingushetia and Finland in 2017, because fans demonstrated to us that they want to see them. I hope one day we’ll have more resources for them.”

INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@Vadim_finkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
boxing, FNU Combat Sports Show, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show: Year End Special

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Tom, Tony and Rich discuss the week’s boxing and MMA news, kick around the idea of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. facing CM Punk in the Octagon, and preview the upcoming events for this weekend. UFC 219 features an amazing matchup of the top female fighters in the world in Holly Holm and Cris “Cyborg” Justino. Tony also invites us to his fantasy football championship parade in Philadelphia.

Listen live here:

FITETV, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rizin FF

RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION WORLD GRAND PRIX 2017

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RIZIN FF World Grand Prix 2017 PPV
Dec. 29 Weights
Dec. 29 & 31 LIVE on PPV from Japan

  OFFICIAL DEC. 29TH WEIGHTS
FIGHT ORDER
RED
BLUE
１ 

(10min/1R, 5min/2R)
RIZIN MMA rules
75.0 kgs (Elbow allowed)
SATORU KITAOKA
75.0kgs / 165 lbs.
KIICHI KUNIMOTO
75.0kgs / 165 lbs.
２ 

(5min x 3R)
Female MMA rules
57.0 kgs
SHIZUKA SUGIYAMA
57.0kgs / 125 ½ lbs.
KANA WATANABE
56.95kgs / 129 ½ lbs.
３ 

(5minx3R)
RIZIN MMA Special rules
KIZAEMON SAIGA
62.60kgs / 138 lbs.
KAI ASAKURA
62.70kgs / 138 lbs.
４

 
(5min x 3R) 61.0 kgs

Bantanweight GP
Reserve Match
ANTHONY BIRCHAK
60.85kgs / 134 lbs.
JAE HOON MOON
60.95kgs / 134 lbs.
５

 

(10min/1R, 5min/2R)
RIZIN MMA rules
66.0 kgs
HIROYUKI TAKAYA
65.95kgs / 145 lbs.
AZJAVKHLAN BAATAR
65.75kgs / 144 ½ lbs.
６

 

(5min x 3R)
Female MMA rules
70.0 kgs (Elbow allowed)
KING REINA
70.0kgs / 154 lbs.
CINDY DANDOIS
68.60kgs / 151 lbs.
７
(10min/1R, 5min/2R)
RIZIN MMA rules
93.0 kgs (Elbow allowed)
JIRI PROCHAZKA
92.95kgs / 204 ½ lbs.
KARL ALBREKTSSON
92.40kgs / 203 ½ lbs.
８ 
(3min x 3R)

Female MMA Special rules
95.0 kgs
GABI GARCIA
107.70kgs / 237 lbs.
SHINOBU KANDORI
73.75kgs / 162 ½ lbs.
９ 

(5min x 3R) 61.0 kgs
Bantanweight GP QF1
KHALID TAHA
60.85kgs / 134 1/s lbs.
TAKAFUMI OTSUKA
61.0kgs / 134 ½ lbs.
１０
(5min x 3R) 61.0 kgs
Bantanweight GP QF2
KEVIN PETSHI
60.80kgs / 134 lbs.
SHINTARO ISHIWATARI
61.0kgs / 134 ½ lbs.
１１

 

(5min x 3R) 61.0 kgs
Bantanweight GP QF3
IAN MACCALL
60.45kgs / 133 lbs.
MANEL KAPE
60.40kgs / 133 lbs.
１２

 

(5min x 3R) 61.0 kgs
Bantanweight GP QF4
KYOJI HORIGUCHI
60.75kgs / 133 ½ lbs.
GABRIEL OLIVEIRA
61.0kgs / 134 ½ lbs.
 
DEC. 31st RIZIN WORLD GRAND PRIX MATCHES
(Men’s Bantamweights – semifinals & final & Women’s Super-Atomweights final)
SPECIAL HEAVYWEIGHT ATTRACTION
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (35-11-0, 27 KO/TKO, 5 SUB), Croatia
vs.
Tsuyoshi Kosaka (27-19-2, 8 KO/TKO, 6 SUB), Japan
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Takanori “The Fireball Kid” Gomi (18-6-0, 13 KO/TKO, 6 SUB), Japan
vs.
Yusuke Yachi (18-6-0, 5 KO/TKO, 1 SUB), Japan
WOMEN FLYWEIGHTS
Shinju “Juju” Auclair (1-0-0, 1 SUB), USA
vs.
Chelsea LaGrasse (pro debut), USA
Kickboxing
Yamato Fujita, Japan vs. Mitsushisa Sunabe, Japan
Tenshin Nasuikawa, Japan vs. TBA
(all fights & fighters subject to change)
WHAT:               RIZIN FF World Grand Prix 2017 Pay Per View
WHEN:              Friday, Dec. 29, 2017 – 1 a.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT
                          Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 — 5:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 a.m. PT
WHERE:           Saitama Super Arena * Saitama City, Japan
 
PROMOTER:    RIZIN FF
LIVE AIRING: The Dec. 29 and 31 (1 a.m. /10 p.m. PT start) will be live-streamed worldwide (excluding Japan on the FITE.TV platforms for $19.99 or the two-day RIZIN Pack special offer for only $29.99. Fans may simply download the FITE app – free to download from iTunes and Google Play – and then cast the fight to the big screen by using the instant stream-to-TV function. The FITE app works with any Wi-Fi connected television around the world, iOS and Android devices, as well as streaming devices such as Roku, Chromecast and more. Fans may also watch the fights live on the FITE website at www.fite.tv from any computer.
Integrated Sports Media will distribute via cable and satellite PPV on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31 – 5:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 a.m. PT start) extravaganza live in North America via iN Demand, Vubiquity, and DISH in the U.S., as well as on SaskTel and Telus in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $19.95.
ANNOUNCERS: “Showdown” Joe Ferraro and former MMA fighter Frank Trigg
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @FiteTV, @IntegratedPPV
LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA KICKS OFF 2018 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH LFA 30

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MAIN EVENT:
“CURTIOUS”
CURTIS MILLENDER
vs.
“THE PHOENIX”
NICK BARNES
 
WELTERWEIGHT WAR
 
 
CO-MAIN EVENT:
 
MEXICO’S SUBMISSION ACE
FERNANDO PADILLA
vs.
BRAZIL’S BJJ BLACK BELT
TALISON SOARES
 
FEATHERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12th LIVE on AXS TV
COSTA MESA HALL at the OC FAIRGROUNDS 
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through CageTix.com/LFA
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced the promotion will kick off 2018 with an action-packed event in southern California.
The main event of LFA 30 will feature the long-awaited clash between southern California kingpins and top LFA welterweights “Curtious” Curtis Millender and Nick “The Phoenix” Barnes. LFA 30 – Millender vs. Barnes takes place Friday, January 12th at the Costa Mesa Hall at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California. The entire main card of LFA 30 – Millender vs. Barnes will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
“I’m excited to kick off 2018 by bringing LFA back to southern California”, stated Soares. “Curtis Millender and Nick Barnes are coming off big wins in LFA headlining bouts where they won in enemy territory. Now they get to face each other in the main event of LFA 30 on their home turf in a perfect headliner to start the new year.”
Tickets for LFA 30 – Millender vs. Barnes are available for purchase NOW at CageTix.com/LFA.
Millender (13-3) returns home to the building where he fought and won his first seven fights. The Orange County juggernaut is looking to build off a perfect 2017 where he won three fights, including back-to-back LFA headliners. His most recent win came via highlight reel Head Kick KO in the main event of LFA 24. Millender will meet Barnes (12-2) in a long-awaited showdown between two of southern California’s finest. The welterweight stars started their careers in the southern California regional circuit, moved on to Bellator, and will finally meet in the main event of LFA 30. Barnes, like Millender, is coming off an impressive win in an LFA headliner this past August at LFA 20.
While the main event will feature a rivalry between two of the top welterweights in LFA, the co-main event will feature a rivalry between two of the LFA featherweight division’s most talented jiu-jitsu practitioners.
Fernando Padilla (10-1) put the division on notice in October, when he submitted longtime RFA vet Darrick Minner with a Triangle-Armbar in the first round of their co-main event bout at LFA 25. Padilla, who is a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, has now won 90% of his fights by first round stoppage. He will now face a man equally dangerous on the ground when he meets Talison Soares (9-2) in the co-main event of LFA 30. Soares is a jiu-jitsu black belt from the famed Checkmat BJJ team who has made a name for himself competing in his native Brazil. Soares has a 100% finishing rate in the nine bouts he has won and will now make his international debut in the co-main event of LFA 30.
Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT):
 
Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Curtis Millender (13-3) vs. Nick Barnes (12-2)
Co-Main Event | Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Fernando Padilla (10-1) vs. Talison Soares (9-2)
Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
– Maikel Perez (4-1) vs. Charlie Alaniz (11-2)
Middleweight Bout (185 lb)
– Craig Wilkerson (7-3) vs. Jordan Wright (8-0)
Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Christian Aguilera (8-4) vs. Maycon Mendonça (6-3)
Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
– Vince Cachero (3-0) vs. TBD
In September 2016, Legacy FC and RFA officials announced that they would be merging to form the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. RFA and Legacy FC have launched the careers of over 150 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
LFA 30 will serve as the second LFA event to take place in the state of California after the merger. RFA hosted eight events inside “The Golden State” before the merger. The entire main card of LFA 30 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.