Category Archives: MMA

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

IT WILL BE VICTORY OR VALHALLA (AND MAYBE A NEW TATTOO) AT NEF 32

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Lewiston, Maine (December 5, 2017) – No, you have not been transported back to the 9th century.  There will be no longboats, no battleaxes, and no shield maidens present on February 3rd in Lewiston.  Yet, the Androscoggin River is very likely to run red with blood that evening.  A Viking and a Berserker will wage war in Central Maine when New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Wrestling and jiu-jitsu, rather than swords and Thor’s hammer, will be the weapons of choice as Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (8-7) faces Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (5-8) of Berserkers MMA in a featured professional welterweight bout.

The fight will be Erickson’s twentieth in the NEF cage, a record number for any one fighter in the promotion, but it will be a year since his last NEF appearance.  He lost to Jon Lemke (7-8) in the semi-finals of the NEF Lightweight Title tournament last February at the Colisee.  Erickson, an instructor with Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), and a homegrown talent of Lewiston-Auburn, will be looking for a triumphant return after a recent loss in Canada.

“It will be a year since I’ve fought in Lewiston,” said Erickson. “The NEF cage is like home to me. I’m really looking forward to hearing my friends, family, and CMBJJ team as I enter the cage. But once the door shuts, all I hear is my corner and all I’m focused on is dismantling the man across from me. Odin’s Son is here to slay the great wolf. This is Ragnarok. Victory or Valhalla.”

Like his opponent, Mike Hansen is also in search of a much-needed win.  Hansen lost all four of his fights in 2017, including back-to-back defeats this fall in Western Massachusetts.  His last win came at “NEF 25” in 2016 when Hansen, a former state champion wrestler for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine, scored an impressive first-round submission of Matt Andrikut (2-1), defending the honor of Maine wrestling against the New York mat native.

“I’m super excited for this fight,” exclaimed Hansen of the upcoming meeting with Erickson. “It’s a great matchup for Maine MMA. Our schools are close to each other and we have competed against each other many times. It’s finally time for the coaches to get down and boogie. My pick for this fight is the fans for sure. Fans will not be upset.”

Hansen challenged Erickson to add a stipulation to the bout when they announced the fight publicly at “NEF 31” in Portland last month.  Hansen would like the loser to receive a tattoo with the design chosen by the winner.

“I have nothing but respect for Jesse Erickson, but so still want our sponsor C+C O’Leary Tattoo in Lewiston to do his tattoo I pick for him when he loses. I will, ‘finish him,’ and ‘if he dies, he dies.‘ Time to start making your sacrifices Jesse, you will need the gods in your favor on February 3rd, because when war time comes the blood will flow.”

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.

FITETV, mixed martial arts, MMA

PRIMUS Fighting Championship on FITE

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New York, NY (December 5th, 2017) – FITE TV announces the debut of PRIMUS Fighting Championship December 9th 2017. The event, which will be the inaugural event for PRIMUS FC, features a number of UFC veterans as well as some of the hottest young talent in MMA. The event streams live and globally on PPV for $16.99 on the FITE app and online at https://www.fite.tv/watch/primus-fc-rakim-cleveland-vs-houston-alexander/2m2kg/
Headlining the event will be UFC veteran Houston “The Assassin” Alexander as he looks for vengeance against Rakim “The Boogeyman” Cleveland who handed Alexander a TKO loss early this year. The light heavyweight matchup is sure to produce fireworks both fighters have high TKO/KO finishing rates. Midwest fighting pride will also be on the line as both fighters hail from and have made their careers on the Midwest MMA scene.
In the co-main event one of the hottest heavyweight prospects in MMA and recent winner of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender series, Shelton “The Gravedigger” Graves, faces off against Jason Walraven who will be hungry and looking to prove himself after a TKO loss to one of the toughest heavyweights in MMA, Tony “Kyrptonite” Lopez earlier this year.
A pair of former Ultimate Fighter contestants are also featured on the card in Rob “The Saint” Emerson and Jamie Yager. Emerson, a contestant of The Ultimate Fighter season five, faces David “The King” Sachs in a battle of experienced grapplers who are no strangers to submissions. Yager, a standout in The Ultimate Fighter season 11 and Kings MMA product, brings his explosive style of striking and a two fight winning streak into the cage against the Canadian Tyler “TNT” Jackson who makes his way back to the cage after a three year break from the sport.
Also on the card is Oklahoma product Cortez “The Crazy Cowboy” Coleman who is now training out of Factory X under Muay Thai coah Mark Montoya in Denver Colorado and is looking to get back on track against the surging Christiano “Urso” Frohlich who rides a four fight win streak into a matchup that promises to be a standup battle.
Adding to the lineup of MMA talent will be former Ultimate Fighter season 2 winner and UFC lightweight title contender Joe “Daddy” Stevenson who will be providing commentary on the night’s action. Fans will also be treated to a National Anthem performance by Miss Oklahoma Alex Smith! Catch the action live December 9th at 7PM ET/4PM PT on FITE TV PPV.
About FITE
FITE brings premium combat sports programming to MMA, Boxing and Pro Wrestling fans to watch live on every screen – computer, tablet, phone and TV.The FITE mobile app works with any Wi-Fi connected TV around the world as well as streaming devices such as Chromecast, Roku, Xbox, Apple TV and more. The app can be downloaded for free at iTunes Appstore or Google Play. Last month, FITE launched its Android TV app expanding its content offering and making live television accessible with just a click to Android TV users globally.
FITE is a product of Flipps Media Inc, the digital entertainment company which allows users to cast video to connected TVs requiring no setup and no additional software.
For more information: www.fite.tv
mixed martial arts, MMA

Titan Fighting Championships finds a new home in time for Titan FC:47 on December 15, 2017 

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December 1, 2017 – Titan Fighting Championships (Titan FC) will have their first Mixed Martial Arts event, Titan FC 47, on December 15, 2017 in their new home, Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  The event will feature 10 Professional fights with its main event being for the Featherweight Title.  

 

 

 

 

1. Sodiq Yusuff VS Luis Gomez, Featherweight Title Match 

 
2. Gustavo Balart VS Bruno Korea Mesquita, Flyweight 

 
3. Michel Batista VS Edison Lopes, Heavyweight 

 
4. Demarques Jackson VS Beibit Nazarov, Lightweight  

 
5. Michael Cora VS Rico Farrington, Welterweight  

 
6. Fred Moncaio VS , Marcos Lloreda, Welterweight 

 
7. Steve Mowry VS Frank Tate, Heavyweight 

 
8. Mike Lombardo VS TBD, Middleweight 

 
9. Alberto Blas VS Jean Colon, Bantamweight 

 

10. Thais Nega VS Hannah Cifer, WMMA Strawweight 

 

 

 

 

 

As always, Titan FC 47, will be available for live streaming via UFC Fight Pass.  

 

Titan’s COO, Lex McMahon: 

“I believe that we have certainly found a home with our move to Xtreme Action Park. We are excited about showing off our new venue with such an action-packed card, and look forward to more fan and fighter focused events to consistently take place throughout 2018.” 

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

AND STILL!   JULIA BUDD RETAINS WOMEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE WITH A SPLIT DECISION VICTORY AT BELLATOR 189

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Complete Bellator 189: Budd vs. Blencowe 2 Main Card Results:

Julia Budd (11-2) defeated Arlene Blencowe (10-7) via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 49-46)

Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sch58s8ehmtwnjr/AAAx69mIvHYsMWb1iukNObqea?dl=0

 

Rafael Lovato Jr. (7-0) defeated Chris Honeycutt (10-2, 1 NC) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tcr1yg7q1e190fc/AAA7RYTKz1PLenoBmmjKaluTa?dl=0

 

Chidi Njokuani (18-5, 1 NC) defeated Hisaki Kato (8-3) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xbk2nyzieavcgcm/AADm9fwL3c9TniJiK-gb-u4oa?dl=0

 

David Rickels (19-4, 2 NC) defeated Adam Piccolotti (9-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jz0hx1wjmz82s11/AAB-PokM2z8vn211Lmv9WojZa?dl=0

 

Preliminary Card Results:

Sam Sicilia (16-8) defeated Marcos Galvao (18-9-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Gaston Bolanos (2-1) defeated Rick Gutierrez (0-2) via knockout at 1:13 of round one

Mandel Nallo (6-0) defeated Alec Williams (6-2) via TKO at 0:18 of round one

Juliana Velasquez (6-0) defeated Na Liang (6-2) via submission (arm bar) at 0:32 of round two

Cris Williams (3-0) defeated Thomas Lopez (1-3) via submission (triangle) at 1:39 of round one

Stephanie Geltmacher (2-0) defeated Ky Bennett (0-1) via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)

Brian Grinnell (9-7) defeated Kemmyelle Haley (7-6) via submission at 0:39 of round one

Brandon Phillips (7-3) defeated Jordan Howard (10-4) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Andrew Parker (7-2) defeated Frank Patterson (4-5) via submission (triangle) at 3:03 of round one

 

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA RETURNS TO DALLAS NEXT WEEK WITH NEW MAIN EVENT LFA 28 – JACKSON vs. LUNA

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MAIN EVENT:
“THE LEECH”
DAMON JACKSON
vs.
LUIS LUNA
 
LIGHTWEIGHT REMATCH
 
 
CO-MAIN EVENT:
 
“TRAIL BLAZER”
KEVIN HOLLAND
vs.
“MOOSE”
CHRIS BACHMEIER
 
MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8th LIVE on AXS TV
THE BOMB FACTORY in DALLAS, TEXAS
Tickets are on sale NOW through TheBombFactory.com
HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion has a new main event at LFA 28, which takes place next week at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas.

LFA 28 will feature a new main event when UFC vet Damon “The Leech” Jackson battles longtime rival and fellow Legacy FC alum Luis Luna in a lightweight rematch. The change came when original headliner Evan Cutts suffered an injury in training. Undefeated prospect Jaleel Willis was set to face Cutts, but will now have his LFA debut at a future date. LFA 28 – Jackson vs. Luna takes place this Friday, December 8th at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“Damon Jackson is a UFC vet and former Legacy champion that is coming off an impressive submission win at LFA 16,” stated Soares. “He will face his longtime rival Luis Luna, who has been wanting a rematch with Jackson for over four and a half years. LFA started at The Bomb Factory in Dallas in January and returned in July. We will continue our exciting history in Big D next week at LFA 28.”
Tickets for LFA 28 – Jackson vs. Luna are available for purchase NOW at TheBombFactory.com.
Jackson (12-2-1) comes into this fight looking to remind people that history has a way of repeating itself in the world of combat sports. In April 2013, Jackson faced Luna (14-6) in his fifth professional fight. The bout was Luna’s eleventh as a professional fighter. Jackson won the bout via armbar, but not without a bit of controversy.
The fight was back and forth until Jackson landed an illegal knee to a downed opponent in Round 1. The referee stopped the action and re-centered the fighters, but Luna was angry. When Jackson put his hand out to touch gloves, Luna ignored the gesture and threw a left hook and a flurry of punches that dropped Jackson. The NAIA All-American, Jackson, used his elite wrestling skills to survive the round.
In Round 2, both fighters came out firing. Luna gained top position off a trip that he utilized during the early striking exchange. Jackson, who is a master scrambler and appropriately nicknamed “The Leech”, quickly got back to his feet and landed a double-leg takedown. He then advanced seamlessly into a full mount. After raining down some ground and pound, Luna turned and Jackson moved with him, while transitioning into a fight-ending belly down armbar at the 1:15 mark of Round 2.
Jackson got the win that night, but Luna feels that the fight is not finished. While Jackson went on to gain fame fighting for Legacy FC, UFC, and LFA, Luna also elevated his profile by fighting in Legacy FC and is widely considered one of the top lightweights in the state of Texas. While Jackson is looking to have history repeat itself, Luna is aiming to prove another old adage. That would be the one that says lightning never strikes twice in the same place. Therein, as the Bard would tell us, lies the rub. The LFA 28 headliner will settle this bad blood rivalry, while also determining which maxim expresses the most truth.
Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):
 
Main Event | Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– Damon Jackson (12-2-1) vs. Luis Luna (14-6)
Middleweight Bout (185 lb)
– Kevin Holland (10-3) vs. Chris Bachmeier (10-1)
Light-Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)
– Alonzo Menifield (4-0) vs. Otavio Lacerda (9-4)
Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
– Miles Johns (5-0) vs. Caio Machado (10-4)
Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Steven Peterson (15-6) vs. Dustin Winter (6-4)
Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Melvin Jordan (5-2) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (4-3)
Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Ramiz Brahimaj (4-0) vs. Ben Simons (2-1)
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. Legacy FC and RFA have launched the careers of over 150 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
LFA 28 will be the third LFA event to take place in the City of Dallas. It will also be the seventh time that the LFA has traveled to “The Lone Star State” of Texas. Further information about LFA 28 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 28 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 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.
mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LEAR VACATES AMATEUR TITLE TO TURN PRO AGAINST JONES AT NEF 32

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 Lewiston, Maine (December 1, 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 bantamweight bout to the card.  Fred Lear (0-0) will take on Dom “Domnation” Jones (1-1) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

The bout will be Lear’s debut in the professional ranks after a successful amateur career that saw him amass a 6-2 record.  He is riding a three-fight win streak into the showdown with Jones.  Lear’s last appearance in the NEF cage saw him capture the amateur bantamweight title with a second-round technical knockout over Jones’ teammate Walt Shea (2-1) last summer.  He will now vacate that championship upon turning professional.  Lear is a member of Young’s MMA of Bangor, Maine.  He has competed regularly in the amateur ranks for more than four years.

“My opponent is big, strong, and dangerous,” said Lear. “Styles are what make big fights, and the fans will be in for another barn burner here. I have dreamt of this opportunity and will work hard to ensure that it is not squandered.”

Dom Jones, a member of First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine, made his NEF debut last spring as a professional after going 5-1 as an amateur in his native state of Florida.  He dominated Tollison Lewis (1-6) that night, pounding out a technical knockout victory late in the first round.  Jones returned to the NEF cage weeks later and suffered his first pro loss to Matt Denning (5-7).  Not one to give up on his goals, Jones is using that loss as motivation to better himself in training.

“I’m glad to be back in NEF,” said Jones when reached for comment.  “I missed the cage and the NEF fans! I’m excited for my upcoming fight against Fred. Last time I was in the cage, the fight didn’t turn out my way. I used that as a motivation to be better. I jumped right back in the gym and went 110%. I’m excited to be back at 135 and challenge myself. Fred is a great match up. He is great fighter with a future in the sport. I’m excited to see our wrestling skills compete. It’s going to be a fun and explosive fight and something the fans want to see. February 3rd is going to be fireworks!”

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.

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA, women's MMA

Combate 19 Weigh-In Results, Photos and Video

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Kyra Batara (left) and Paulina Granados (right) faced off on stage after each weighed in one day before their much-anticipated main event showdown at “TS-1 Promotions Presents: Combate 19 (Queen Warriors)” live on Telemundo from Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, Dec. 1.

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR
“TS-1 PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: COMBATE 19 (QUEEN WARRIORS)”

SAN ANTONIO, TX – November 30, 2017 –The fighters stepped on the scale and faced off with each other on Thursday, Nov. 30, one day before the “TS-1 Promotions Presents: Combate 19 (Queen Warriors)” Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) extravaganza, headlined by the much-anticipated women’s atomweight (105 pounds) showdown between rivals Kyra “Mogwai” Batara (6-4) and Paulina “Firefox” Granados (4-2), live on Telemundo at 12 a.m. ET/11 p.m. CT on Friday, Dec. 1 from Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas.

After Batara of Las Vegas, Nev. missed weight by one pound (107.4 pounds) after the contracted, one-pound allowance was considered, an agreement was made between her and Granados (4-2), who weighed in at 105.5 pounds, to proceed with the bout as planned.

Co-main event fighters Andres “The Bullet” Quintana (12-2) of Albuquerque, N.M. and Rey “The Warrior” Trujillo (21-19) of Houston, Texas tipped the scales at 145 pounds and 145.9 pounds, respectively for their featherweight (145 pounds) matchup.

Undefeated Daniel Rodriguez (4-0) of Los Angeles, Calif. and fellow knockout artistVictor “Kelevra” Reyna (9-3) of Dallas, Texas clocked in at 171.1 pounds and 170 pounds for their welterweight (170 pounds) scrap that will serve as the opening bout on the live Telemundo broadcast.

Prior to the live Telemundo broadcast, the seven-bout preliminary card will stream live on TelemundoDeportes.com, the Telemundo Deportes En Vivo App and Facebook LIVE, beginning at (9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT).

Priced from $30, tickets for “TS-1 Promotions Presents: Combate 19 (Queen Warriors)” are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Doors at Freeman Coliseum open at 7 p.m. CT.  The first preliminary bout begins at 8 p.m.


(Pictured above): Rey “The Warrior” Trujillo (left) and Andres “The Bullet” Quintana (right) will square off in the ‘Combate 19’ co-main event, live on Telemundo tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 1.

COMPLETE WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR
“TS-1 PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: COMBATE 19 (QUEEN WARRIORS)”

MAIN FIGHT CARD (LIVE ON TELEMUNDO AT 12 A.M. ET/11 P.M. CT):

Atomweight (105 pounds) Main Event: Kyra Batara (107.4 pounds) vs Paulina Granados (105.5 pounds)

Featherweight (145 pounds) Co-Main Event: Andres Quintana (146 pounds) vs Rey Trujillo (146.4 pounds)

Welterweight (170 pounds) Featured Bout: Daniel Rodriguez (171.1 pounds) vs Victor Reyna (170 pounds)

PRELIMINARY FIGHT CARD
(LIVE ON TELEMUNDODEPORTES.COM, TELEMUNDO DEPORTES EN VIVO APP AND FACEBOOK LIVE):

Catchweight (140 pounds): Ray Rodriguez (139.1 pounds) vs Michael Rodriguez (143.7 pounds)

Atomweight (105 pounds): Vanesa Rico (105.1 pounds) vs Brenda Enriquez (106.1 pounds)

Bantamweight (135 pounds): David Jesus Fuentes (135 pounds) vs Joel Scott (135.1 pounds)

Flyweight (125 pounds): Heinrich Wassmer (125.4 pounds) vs Juan Deantes (123.8 pounds)

Catchweight (140 pounds): Javier Obregon (139.5 pounds) vs Jose Ceja (138.9 pounds)

Flyweight (125 pounds): David Miramontes (125.6 pounds) vs Federico David Olivera (123.8 pounds)

Lightweight (155 pounds): Fernando Rodriguez (153.1 pounds) vs Jesse Almaraz (154.2 pounds)
###

ABOUT COMBATE AMERICAS

Combate Americas is the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise, rapidly becoming the number two sport, after soccer, for Spanish speaking sports fans worldwide.  The Combate Americas franchise includes reality TV programming, live events and mobile programming. The company’s CEO, Campbell McLaren, is universally recognized as the co-founder/co-creator of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). New York Magazine described McLaren as “the marketing genius behind the UFC” and Yahoo! Sports proclaimed that he “knows more about the sport than just about anyone in it today.” With an unprecedented product and a blue-chip ownership and management team, Combate Americas is poised to break new ground and bring about a new era in world championship level MMA competition.
mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

2017 ROOKIE STANDOUTS WILL BATTLE IN FIRST NEF EVENT OF NEW YEAR

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (November 30, 2017) – 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 middleweight bout to the card.  Josh Jones (2-2) is scheduled to meet Mark Gardner (1-0) at a fight weight of 185-pounds.

Josh Jones’ rise to the top of the NEF middleweight division in 2017 was nothing short of meteoric.  A former basketball star at Erskine Academy in South China, Maine and draftee of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Developmental League, Jones has honed his craft in the martial arts at First Class MMA of Brunswick.  It took him a mere 24-seconds combined to knock out his first two opponents this past year.  Jones’ four-second knockout of Anthony Spires (0-3) went viral worldwide and was featured on major websites like Bleacher Report.  After back-to-back losses to finish the year, Jones is looking to rebound with a win to open 2018.

“I am very honored and blessed to have the opportunity to compete against Mark,” said Jones. “Mark has shown to be an awesome competitor. I look forward to the challenge on February 3rd. As an MMA fighter and competitor, it is always a privilege to step into the cage and perform under the lights for New England Fights.”

Mark Gardner made his debut in the NEF cage earlier this month in Portland.  Gardner faced another up-and-coming middleweight in the form of Carlton Charles (1-1).  Last summer, it was Charles who handed Josh Jones his first loss.  Gardner impressed many in attendance with his gutsy performance against Charles.  He had an answer for everything Charles threw at him early in the fight, dispatching Charles in the second round by technical knockout.  For those who have followed Maine combat sports for some time, Gardner’s toughness comes as no surprise.  His gritty, workmanlike style has been the hallmark of his team, the Academy of MMA in Portland, for many years.

“I’m excited to get back in the cage for my next fight,” declared Gardner. “I learned a lot from my first fight and have been working on my technique. I can’t say much about my opponent, I don’t really know anything about him – I just fight who my coach tells me to 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.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

MICHAEL ‘MAYDAY’ MCDONALD MAKES PROMOTIONAL DEBUT AGAINST PETER LIGIER DURING MAIN EVENT OF BELLATOR 191 IN NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND ON DEC. 15

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VALERIE ‘TROUBLE’ LETOURNEAU ALSO SET FOR BELLATOR DEBUT AGAINST KATE JACKSON

 

LOS ANGELES – Two of Bellator’s top recent free agent signings, Michael McDonald (17-4) and Valerie Letourneau (8-6), will both make their long-awaited promotional debuts during Bellator 191 at Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England on Friday, Dec. 15.

 

“Mayday” will take on Peter Ligier (8-1-1) in a bantamweight main event, while “Trouble” will compete at flyweight against Kate Jackson (9-2-1) in the co-main event. In addition, British heavyweights collide when James “The Colossus” Thompson (20-16, 1 NC) returns to the Bellator cage where he meets Philip De Fries (13-6, 1 NC). Finally, two lightweight contests have also been added, as Jeremy Petley (11-8) battles Lewis Monarch (9-2) and Ash Griffiths (4-4) takes on Mohammad Yahya (3-1).

 

Bellator 191: McDonald vs. Ligier will be broadcast free on SPIKE Friday, Dec. 15 at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT. Tickets for the event can be purchased from Ticketmaster.co.uk & event.co.uk.

 

At only 26 years of age, McDonald will enter the Bellator cage with experience against some of the top bantamweights the sport of MMA has to offer, including Renan Barao, John Lineker, Urijah Faber and Brad Pickett. A veteran of the WEC and UFC veteran, the Modesto, Calif.-native signed with Bellator following a nine-fight, five-year run with his former promotion. With 15 finishes in his 17 wins as a professional, McDonald will look to hand Ligier his first stoppage loss of his career.

 

Hailing from Paris, France, Ligier turned pro in 2013 and has competed exclusively on the European circuit throughout his 10-fight career. Also known as “BadAzz,” the 31-year-old has finished his opponent in five out of eight opportunities, amounting to an impressive finishing rate of 63%. Now making his debut with Bellator, Ligier formerly competed for BAMMA in 2014.

 

The Canadian-born Létourneau, a former UFC strawweight title challenger, carries an impressive track record of thrilling fights, highlighted by a world title contest against former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Now, moving up to her more natural weight class, the 34-year-old American Top Team product will make her debut for Bellator. On Dec. 15, “Trouble” will look to improve upon her eight victories as a professional, a tally that includes five finishes, with four coming by way of knockout.

 

Fresh off a victory over Colleen Schneider at Bellator 182 in August, the victory gave Jackson five wins in a row, including four stoppages. Jackson hasn’t lost since May of 2013, a period which also included a run on reality television show The Ultimate Fighter season 23. Hailing from Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England, Jackson will have the home crowd to her advantage at Bellator 191.

 

Complete Bellator 191: McDonald vs. Ligier Fight Card:

Bantamweight Main Event: Michael McDonald (17-4) vs. Peter Ligier (8-1-1)

Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event: Valerie Letourneau (8-6) vs. Kate Jackson (9-2-1)

Heavyweight Feature Bout: James Thompson (20-16, 1 NC) vs. Philip De Fries (13-6, 1 NC)

Lightweight Feature Bout: Jeremy Petley (11-8) vs. Lewis Monarch (9-2)

 

Preliminary Card:

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Mohammad Yahya (3-1) vs. Ash Griffiths (4-4)

 

****

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

MOUNTAIN VALLEY WRESTLING ALUM TO MEET IN NEF MMA CAGE

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Lewiston, Maine (November 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 an amateur flyweight bout to the card.  Ryan Burgess (2-2) will face Nate Boucher (2-1) at a fight weight of 125-pounds.

Ryan Burgess is wrestling royalty at his alma mater, Mountain Valley High School, in Rumford, Maine. Burgess is one of only four Mountain Valley wrestlers to ever win triple state crowns in wrestling. He amassed an amazing 151-23 overall high school record before graduating and turning his focus to mixed martial arts.  He is currently a member of Berserkers MMA based in Rumford.  Burgess is the former NEF amateur flyweight champion.  NEF 32 will see him return to the cage after a year’s absence.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity to get back in the cage,” said Burgess. “I’ve taken some time off to make proper adjustments and focus on my career that started not long before my last fight. I’m ready to take my belt back and right now only one guy stands in my way. It’s not every day you can go to an MMA fight and watch two men who saw each other grow up scrap. Come February 3rd, Nate, we will see what you’re made of.”

Nate Boucher began wrestling at five-years old and due to some off-the-mat issues, never achieved the high school statistics of his upcoming adversary, Burgess. However, Boucher’s wrestling skills were on full display back in August 2017at NEF 30 when he defeated Maine wrestling legend and four-time state champion Jeremiah Barkac (0-1) by first-round submission. Boucher, who grew-up admiring Burgess’ prowess on the mat, is anxious to test himself against such a decorated grappler and prove that his wrestling stands up against the best.  He will be looking to rebound from a split decision loss to Justin Witham (4-4) earlier this month in an unsuccessful bid for the vacant flyweight title.  It was a fight many in attendance felt Boucher had won.

“The disappointment of the decision going against me on November 3rd still stings,” said Boucher. “I’m confident that I beat Justin Witham that night, even though two of the three judges didn’t see it that way. So, I’m going to get right back on the horse—it’s what we do—and take on the guy that holds a win over Witham in Ryan Burgess. I grew-up watching Ryan wrestle. We’re from the same town and I know what he brings to the fight. I will be ready. I’m coming for my title and no one is going to get in my way.”

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.