Tom, Tony and Rich are back together again for another episode of the FNU Combat Sports Show. This week’s combat sports show touches on a variety of subjects, from UFC 216 to Andre Ward’s retirement. We also feature a special interview with former pro boxer Angel Manfredy.
Show Opening:
Angel Manfredy Interview:
Portland, Maine (October 6, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) will make its long-awaited debut in Portland on Friday, November 3, 2017 at Aura with “NEF 31: The Old Port.” Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the full fight card for the event featuring a full slate of professional and amateur mixed-martial-arts bouts.
Maine fan-favorite Paul Gorman (10-9) is scheduled to take on James “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” Blair (5-1) in the main event of the evening. Gorman, the former NEF bantamweight titleholder and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt out of the Academy in Portland, makes his return to the NEF cage after a three-year absence. Blair is a hot prospect from the world-renowned American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida where he trains alongside a veritable murderers’ row of current and former world champions like Mike Brown (26-9), Tyron Woodley (18-3-1), and Joanna Jędrzejczyk (14-0) just to name a few.
Reigning NEF Professional Middleweight Champion CJ Ewer (3-0) will be in action when he takes on Crowsneck Boutin (2-3) in a non-title affair. Ewer captured the 185-pound title over the summer when he submitted Mike Hansen (5-6) at “NEF 30: Rumble in Bangor.” Boutin will be coming off a year-long layoff from competition.
“The Blackpool Ripper” Matt Probin (0-0) makes his pro MMA debut against rugged veteranJosh Parker (6-9). Both Probin and Parker have extensive backgrounds as professional boxers. Probin has trained and competed in Muay Thai in Thailand. Parker is the founder of Ruthless MMA & Boxing of Waterville, Maine.
John “First Class” Raio (2-8) will come out of retirement to face Zenon “K-Bar” Herrera (0-5). Raio last fought in the summer of 2015. He is the head coach of First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine. Herrera, a veteran of both the United States Army and Marine Corps, is looking for his first win since joining the professional ranks two years ago.
The amateur side of the card will feature a total of three title fights. NEF Amateur Heavyweight Champion Nick “The Guardian” Gulliver (4-0) will defend his strap against WWE signeeTerrance Jean-Jacques (2-0), while Nate Boucher (2-0) and Justin Witham (3-4) square off for the vacant flyweight title. Alex Walker (4-1) and Hilarie Rose (4-3) will make history when they battle for the first-ever NEF women’s championship in the strawweight division.
The Walker-Rose fight will be one of four female bouts featured on the “NEF 31” amateur card. Carol Linn Powell (0-0), wife of former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion and current UFC competitor Devin Powell (8-3), is scheduled to make her cage debut against Francesca Morabito (0-0). Jayda “Lil Killah” Bailey (0-0) makes her debut just eight days after her 18th birthday, the legal minimum age for competing in MMA in Maine, in a bantamweight bout with Danae Dostie (0-0) while Sarah Matulis (0-0) and Chelsea Elizabeth(0-0) face off in yet another double amateur debut.
The full “NEF 31” fight card (subject to change and approval of the Combat Sports Authority of Maine):
PROFESSIONAL MMA
180 CJ Ewer 3-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Crowsneck Boutin 2-3 (Independent)
150 John Raio 2-8 (First Class MMA) vs Zenon Herrera 0-5 (Independent)
145 Josh Parker 6-9 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Matt Probin 0-0 (CMBJJ/Young’s MMA)
135 Paul Gorman 10-9 (The Academy) vs James Blair 5-1 (American Top Team)
AMATEUR MMA
265*TITLE Nick Guilliver 4-0 (c) (First Class /Foundry) vs Terrance Jean-Jacques 2-0 (Team Link)
125*TITLE Nate Boucher 2-0 (CMBJJ) vs Justin Witham 3-4 (Shatterproof Combat Club)
115 *TITLE Alex Walker 4-1 (Kaze) vs Hilarie Rose 4-3 (USMMA)
265 Matt Glover 1-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs Jason Field 0-2 (Kenney’s MMA)
175 Carlton Charles 1-0 (Charles Family Fighting/Fire&Iron Athletics) vs Nate Evans 0-0
170 Mohammed al Kinani 0-0 (Evolution Athletix) vs Phil Pearson 0-1 (First Class MMA)
170 David Grant 0-0 (Evolution Athletix) vs Tom Rials 0-0 (Nostos)
155 Will McCall 1-2 (Evolution Athletix) vs Chad Pierce 1-0 (The Academy)
155 Nick Banks 0-0 (Choi Institute) vs Emmett Huber 0-1 (The Academy)
155 Garry Carr 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs David Hart 0-1 (Kenney’s MMA)
135 Sarah Matulis 0-0 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Chelsea Elizabeth 0-0 (First Class MMA)
135 Danae Dostie 0-0 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Jayda Bailey 0-0 (Young’s MMA)
135 Carl Langston 6-9 (Young’s MMA) vs Henry Clark 3-3 (Choi Institute)
135 Kam Arnold 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Caleb Costello 3-4 (Young’s MMA)
135 Carol Linn Hawkins 0-0 (Nostos) vs Francesca Morabito 0-0 (Choi Institute)
NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 31: The Old Port,” will see the company debut in Portland, Maine at the brand new, state-of-the-art venue Aura. The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 3, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at www.auramaine.com.
Also, Appearances by Former Bellator Champ and Monster Energy Athlete Michael Chandler and Heavyweight Fan-Favorite Roy Nelson
LOS ANGELES – The Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series heads to the legendary Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. for its third event on Friday, Oct. 13. For the first time, fighters will step into the cage after the sun has set on Friday evening, kicking off an exciting weekend for fans that culminates with the fifth race of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs on Sunday.
Ahead of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 on Sunday, Oct. 15, the Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series will feature MMA action on Friday evening beginning at 8:30 p.m. CT at the Monster Energy Fan Zone in the Talladega Infield, immediately following the track’s “Big One on the Blvd” parade and party. Talladega Infield access is required for admission.
Additionally, on Friday, October 13 from 3-4 p.m. CT, fans will have the opportunity to meet former Bellator lightweight champion and Monster Energy athlete “Iron” Michael Chandler, as well as heavyweight fan-favorite Roy “Big Country” Nelson, at the Monster Energy Fan Zone in the Talladega Fan Zone, directly outside admission gates behind the north end of the frontstretch grandstands.
“The Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series has been a great way for us to share MMA, as well as the Bellator brand, with an entirely new fan base this year,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “With the support of Monster Energy, we’ve already seen the crossover appeal these events offer. I’m excited to head to one of the most iconic tracks in motorsports with Hans Molenkamp, Aaron Quesada, Austin Hodges and the entire Monster Energy team to bring Bellator MMA action to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega.”
Through Bellator MMA, alongside longstanding partner Monster Energy, mixed martial arts will be included as a pre-race activation exclusively for fans in attendance. The lineup on Friday will consist of four MMA bouts featuring some of the best regional up-and-coming talent, with the main event prospects in consideration to be signed to a multi-fight Bellator MMA contract.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega takes place Sunday, October 15 at 1 p.m. CT. Tickets to the race are available at NASCAR.com/tickets, TalladegaSuperspeedway.com/tickets or by calling Talladega Superspeedway at 1-855-518-RACE (7223).
Updated Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series at Talladega Superspeedway Fight Card:
Lightweight Main Event: Omar Johnson (8-1, Birmingham, Ala.) vs. Jonathan Pearce (5-3, Johnson City, Tenn.)
Heavyweight Bout: Frank Tate (4-4, Birmingham, Ala.) vs. Kem Oti (2-1, Decatur, Ala.)
Middleweight Bout: Marcel Stamps (1-0, Birmingham, Ala.) vs. Derek Wilson (Pro Debut, Atlanta, Ga.)
Heavyweight Amateur Bout: Christian Echols (2-0, Cullman, Ala.) vs. Billy Swanson (7-1, Cleveland, Tenn.)
Please visit Bellator.com for details.
*Event schedule subject to change.
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HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) officials announced today LFA will return home to Houston, TX for LFA 26.
The main event will feature LFA Heavyweight Champion Richard “The Black Eagle” Odoms defending his title for the first time since he won it at LFA 15. Standing opposite him in the cage will be Ohio’s Jeff “Lights Out” Hughes. LFA 26 – Odoms vs. Hughes takes place Friday, November 3rd at the Arena Theatre in Houston, Texas. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Tickets for LFA 26 – Odoms vs. Hughes are available for purchase NOW at Arena Theatre.
Odoms (13-3), a full time San Antonio police officer, is currently riding a two-fight win streak, both of which were in LFA, and has finished both opponents. The latest win culminated in Odoms, who also is a veteran of Legacy FC, winning the vacant LFA Heavyweight Title when he submitted previously undefeated Jared Vanderaa (6-1) in the fifth round.
Hughes (7-1) will look to capitalize on his nickname “Lights Out” when he tries to take away Odoms’ heavyweight title. Hughes is currently ranked as one of the top regional heavyweights in the Midwest and has wins over Strikeforce and Bellator veterans, including a highlight reel KO when he knocked out Strikeforce veteran Jason Riley with a spinning wheel kick.
The co-main event will feature LFC and LFA veteran Bilal Williams (8-4) moving up in weight to take on another LFC veteran in Larry “Tae Kwon” Crowe (9-6) in what is sure to be a very fun fight for everyone watching, as both fighters rarely go the distance. Williams fought five times in one year for LFC, even taking fights on short notice and became a fan favorite with his relentless style. Crowe was another LFC favorite who was always looking for the knockout with his explosive power, which earned him two shots at the LFC Middleweight Title. Williams and Crowe are coming off of losses to recently-signed UFC fighters, and are looking to prove they belong in the big show.
Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Heavyweight Title Bout (265 lb)
– Richard Odoms (13-3) (champion) vs. Jeff Hughes (7-1)
Co-Main Event | Middleweight Bout (185 lb)
– Bilal Williams (8-4) vs Larry Crowe (9-6)
Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– Kolton Englund (5-2) vs. Thomas Webb (13-4)
Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Cameron Graves (5-1) vs. Charles Cheeks (11-6)
Women’s Strawweight Bout (115 lb)
– Itzel Esquivel (2-1) vs. Nicolle Caliari (3-1)
Light Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)
– Jon Harris (10-6) vs. Aaron Davis (8-5)
Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
– Adrian Yanez (5-2) vs. David Acosta (5-2)
In September 2016, RFA and Legacy FC 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 100 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
LFA 26 will mark the third LFA event to take place in Houston, where Legacy Fighting Alliance is headquartered. Further information about LFA 26 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 26 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.
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TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY
LOS ANGELES – One year removed from its previous event at the world-famous Forum, Bellator returns to Los Angeles to kick off its 2018 schedule with a championship bout on Saturday, January 20.
The main event features two of the best 170-pounders in the world, as champ Douglas Lima (29-6) defends his Bellator welterweight world title against Rory MacDonald (19-4) in a thrilling five-round matchup.
A special Bellator Nation presale takes place Wednesday, Sept. 27 and Thursday, Sept. 28, while tickets go on sale to the general public starting Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. PT and can be purchased at the Forum box office, as well as Ticketmaster.com. The event will be broadcast live and free on Paramount Network (formerly named Spike TV) at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and the Bellator Mobile App. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.
Fighting out of Atlanta, Ga., Douglas “The Phenom” Lima has been ruling the roost at 170-pounds in Bellator for the better part of three years. With wins against the likes of Lorenz Larkin, Andrey Koreshkov, Paul Daley and Ben Saunders, the 29-year-old has quietly placed himself among division’s elite. A winner of 17 of his last 19 contests, the American Top Team product remains set on showing the world how dominant he is.
Over the last several years, “The Red King” Rory MacDonald has become the most popular Canadian mixed martial artist due to his classic stand-up wars and wins over some of MMA’s best in Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, B.J. Penn and Demian Maia. A training partner of Georges St-Pierre at the world-renowned TriStar Gym in Montreal, the 28-year-old joined Bellator’s welterweight fray in 2016 and immediately made an impact by submittingPaul Daley at Bellator 179 in the second round.
Updated Bellator Card:
Welterweight World Title Main Event: Douglas Lima (29-6) vs. Rory MacDonald (19-4)
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About Bellator:
Bellator is a leading mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 1 billion people worldwide in over 160 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on SPIKE, the combat sports television leader. Bellator is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
About Spike:
Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
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SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (
Kunchenko unloaded on Grabovich
