Category Archives: MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES $100,000 GRAND PRIZE ONE-NIGHT, EIGHT-MAN ‘COPA’ TOURNAMENT ON SATURDAY, NOV. 11 FROM CANCUN, MEXICO

Combate Americas has announced “Copa Combate,” a one-night, eight-man, $100,000 grand prize tournament in the bantamweight (135 pounds) division, for Saturday, Nov. 11 in Cancun, Mexico.  

Bantamweight showdown on the 24th anniversary of Campbell McLaren’s UFC 1 pits ferocious fighters from the U.S., Latin America and Spain in an unprecedented ‘Copa’-style, country versus country showdown

NEW YORK – September 20, 2017 –Combate Americas today announced a historic, one-night, eight-man bantamweight (135 pounds) tournament – “COPA COMBATE” – the winner of which will have heroically battled through three bouts in one night to earn a $100,000 grand prize and the inaugural winner’s cup, in Cancun, Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 11.

The epic event will take place on the 24th anniversary of the now legendary UFC 1, which was executive produced by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-founder and Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren, and which was also headlined by a one-night, eight-man tournament that forever changed the world of combat sports.

“We are excited to unveil the first ‘COPA COMBATE’ tournament ever, and to revitalize and deliver to fans one of the most compelling and athletically challenging formats for a live fight show,” said McLaren.

“When I launched the UFC 24 years ago, we changed the world and, onNovember 11, we are going to do so again with a dynamic tournament that assembles a collection of fighters that most deserve to represent their respective countries,” continued McLaren.  “These fighters will put their national pride on the line with a substantial payoff.”

Hailing from the U.S., Latin America and Spain, the eight “Copa Combate” competitors, whose names will be announced soon, will go to war in La Jaula, the Combate Americas competition cage, over the course of three tournament stages – quarterfinal, semifinal and championship – before the eventual winner is crowned.

The event also marks the first time in history that fighters will represent their respective countries on a quest to win the inaugural ‘COPA.’

The eight competitors will be separated into four tournament brackets, with the top four fighters given seeded positions based on their worldwide rankings.  Quarterfinal stage opponents for the four fighters will be determined based on a lottery ball drawing.

The host venue in Cancun for “Copa Combate,” as well as ticket on-sale information for the event, will be announced soon.

FNU Combat Sports Show, Canelo vs. Golovkin Preview and Prediction, Jon Jones Stripped, Struve Knocked Out, UFC Fight Night Preview

We cover a wide range of combat sports topics in this week’s episode. From a $22 million settlement awarded to a debilitated boxer and his family to Jon Jones getting stripped of his belt again for a positive steroid test, Tom, Tony and Rich discuss it all. We also make our predictions for Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin. We recap Stefan Struve’s TKO loss to Alexander Volkov and preview UFC’s upcoming fight night event as well. We even spend some time discussing all the MMA fighters making the move to boxing.

Promo video for M-1 Challenge 83, September 23, in Kazan, Russia

M-1 Challenge 83 will be streamed live from Kazan 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.
INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
 
M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 83: Sept. 23, 2017 in Kazan, Russia
M-1 Challenge 84: October 27, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia

Super Fight: Mikhail Ragozin vs. Brandon Halsey plus Doskalchuk vs. Malygin Inaugural M-1 Challenge Flyweight title fight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 13, 2017) – The M-1 Challenge 83 main card is set for the first international mixed-martial-arts event ever held in the Republic of Tatarstan, September 23, in Kazan, Russia,
M-1 Challenge 83 will be streamed live from Kazan 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.
World-class light heavyweight contenders Mikhail Ragozin (8-2-0, M-1: 3-0-0), representing New Stream Team, Storm School and Club Boets, and Brandon “Bull” Halsey (9-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) are matched against each other in the main event, while Aleksander Doskalchuk (7-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0) takes on Vadim “Bad Santa” Malygin (11-2-1, M-1: 2-1-1).
Last May in his most recent action, 25-year-old Ragozin (pictured below) stopped Alan Bispo,of Brazil, in the third round at M-1 Challenge 78. The Russian fighter hadn’t fought in M-1 Global competition since 2015.
Halsey, 30, is from Huntington Beach, California. A wrestler from the California State University in Bakersfield, Halsey captured the Bellator middleweight title three years ago by way of an opening-round submission (choke) of Russian MMA star Alexander Shlemenko, who avenged that loss with a knockout of Halsey in the first round this past June at M-1 Challenge 79. Halsey had difficulty dropping weight for his rematch with Shlemnenko and he immediately decided to move up in weight to light heavyweight.
Ukraine-born Doskalchuk (pictured below on left) rides a four-fight win streak, including a three-round unanimous decision last May at M-1 Challenge 78 over Son Le Binh.
The winner of his last three fights, Malygin (pictured below on right) is a Russian flyweight on a three-fight win streak, including a win by three-round unanimous decision over Fabricio “Bill” Sarraff at M-1 Challenge 78.
Also scheduled to fight on the M-1 Challenge 83 card is undefeated Russian lightweight prospect Vladimir Kanunnikov (8-0-0), who will be making his M-1 Global debut against Georgian Raul Tutalrauli (17-3-0, M-1: 5-1-0). American featherweight Nate “The Train” Landwehr (8-2-0) will also be making his M-1 Global debut versus veteran Russian fighter Mikhail Korobkov (13-2-1, M-1: 1-2-1), while Brazilian lightweight Diego (D’Avila) Davella (18-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0) takes on former Interim M-1 Challenge lightweight title challenger Alexey Nevzorov (12-3-0, M-1: 6-2-0), of Russia.
The M-1 Challenge 83 preliminary card will showcase local pro fighters such asRuslan Khisamutdinov, Kirill Kuzmen and Lenar Suleymanov.
INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
 
M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 83: Sept. 23, 2017 in Kazan, Russia
M-1 Challenge 84: October 27, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia

LFA RETURNS TO ARIZONA WITH LFA 24 – FRINCU vs. MILLENDER

MAIN EVENT:
 
MATTHEW “THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER” FRINCU
vs.
“CURTIOUS” CURTIS MILLENDER
 
WELTERWEIGHT WAR
 
 
CO-MAIN EVENT:
 
JOEY “THE BEAST” MIOLLA
vs.
VINICIUS “DON” ZANI
 
BANTAMWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
 
 
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13th LIVE on AXS TV
COMERICA THEATRE in PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Tickets are on sale NOW through ComericaTheatre.com
 
HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the LFA is headed back to Arizona in October with a pivotal pairing at the top of the LFA welterweight division.

The main event of LFA 24 will feature an explosive welterweight war between two of the division’s marquee names. The headliner will see the Australian annihilator Matthew “Thunder From Down Under” Frincu face southern California juggernaut “Curtious” Curtis Millender. LFA 24 – Frincu vs. Millender takes place Friday, October 13th at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“I am excited to bring LFA back to Arizona on October 13th,” stated Soares. “Matthew Frincu has been sensational in his first two LFA bouts. He will face Curtis Millender, who specifically asked for this fight. They are both coming off big wins in LFA headliners that took place just four weeks apart and the winner of this fight will make a huge statement at the top of one of our deepest divisions.”
Tickets for LFA 24 – Frincu vs. Millender are available for purchase NOW at ComericaTheatre.com.
Frincu (11-2) looked incredible in his LFA debut in late February at LFA 5. The native of Gold Coast, Australia assaulted Kris Hocum for fifteen minutes in a wildly entertaining display of striking brilliance. Frincu taught a masterclass on how to effectively utilize range and Muay Thai technique to dismantle a high-level grappler. Ten weeks later, the Arizona Combat Sports representative offered a crash course on the same subject, as he needed only 96-seconds to stop Brazilian prospect Maycon Mendonça in the main event of LFA 11. Now “The Thunder From Down Under” looks to strike a third time inside the LFA Octagon at LFA 24.
Millender (12-3), like Frincu, also rides the momentum of a four-fight win streak heading into their showdown in the LFA 24 headliner. The Anaheim native and three-time Bellator vet impressed many in his LFA debut in early June, when he earned a Unanimous Decision victory over Kevin Holland in the main event of LFA 13. The win helped “Curtious Curtis” politely remind the world why he is still one of California’s top welterweight talents. The CSW standout now looks to take his show on the road when he heads to the Arizona state capital to battle the top Australian welterweight prospect in the sport in the main event of LFA 24.
The co-main event of LFA 24 will feature the LFA debut of former RFA bantamweight title challenger Joey “The Beast” Miolla (9-2). The Power MMA product fought for the RFA three times, but this will be the first time Miolla will get to fight on AXS TV in front of his hometown crowd in the “Valley of the Sun”. Miolla was the lone member of Team USA to earn a win against Team Brazil at RFA 29. He then fought Leandro Higo for the RFA bantamweight title at RFA 37 in a bout that was featured on Dana White: Lookin’ For A Fight. Miolla’s final RFA fight took place at featherweight at RFA 44, where he picked up a submission win over T.J. Brown.
The man looking to spoil Miolla’s homecoming is the same man who was scheduled to face Miolla earlier this year before an injury delayed their inevitable confrontation. That would be fellow RFA standout Vinicius “Don” Zani (10-4). The Brazilian Muay Thai wrecking machine made a huge first impression in his RFA debut when he dominated Joe Murphy in the co-main event of RFA 38. That bout, like Miolla’s title fight at RFA 37, happened with UFC President Dana White sitting cageside filming his hit reality television show Dana White: Lookin’ For A Fight. Miolla and Zani now look to remind the UFC boss of who they are with a clear and decisive win at LFA 24.
Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lbs)
– Matthew Frincu (11-2) vs. Curtis Millender (12-3)
Co-Main Event | Bantamweight Bout (135 lbs)
– Joey Miolla (9-2) vs. Vinicius Zani (10-4)
In September, 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 24 will serve as the second LFA event to take place in the state of Arizona. The promotion’s first trip to “The Grand Canyon State” took place in May. Further information about LFA 24 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 24 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at9 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.

COMBATE AMERICAS NAMES SPORTS MEDIA SPONSORSHIP SALES EXECUTIVE  MIKE PINE, FIRST-EVER CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Combate Americas has named Mike Pine (pictured) the company’s first-ever Chief Revenue Officer.  Pine joins Combate Americas after a two-year stint with FanDuel, where he served as GM, Integrated Partnerships.

Former FanDuel GM, UFC, IRONMAN AND WWE Global Head of Sales
 joins the world’s premier Hispanic MMA sports franchise
In its most explosive growth period to date

NEW YORK – September 13, 2017 – Combate Americas announced today that it has named storied, sports industry business development and sponsorship sales leader Mike Pine, the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports and media franchise’s first-ever Chief Revenue Officer.

Coming off a two-and-a-half-year tenure as GM, Integrated Partnerships for FanDuel, Pine, who was responsible for breaking unprecedented ground for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) by securing blue-chip advertising clients Bud Light and Harley Davidson, for the longest-standing MMA organization, will report to Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike Pine, an authentic trailblazer in the world of sports and entertainment brand partnerships, to Combate Americas,” said McLaren, also the co-founder of the original UFC.

“Mike’s incredible track record,” continued McLaren, “and extensive book of high-level relationships with marketers from worldwide, renowned brands across a wide range of product categories, speak for themselves, and we are looking forward to having him spearheading our sales efforts as we continue to aggressively expand our footprint across the globe with a fast-growing schedule of live and special events, and television programming for 2018 and beyond.”

Pine will be responsible for building Combate Americas’ portfolio of sponsor partners which, to date, has included the U.S. Army; Aspira A Mas, a Hispanic consumer-targeted offshoot of health insurance industry giant IHC; and consumer electronics pioneer Altec Lansing, across the organizations’ year-round live television event series in the U.S., Mexico and overseas.

Combate Americas television programming airs weekly, including once per month live, in over 137 million homes across the U.S. and Mexico on Azteca America and TV Azteca, respectively, and has been averaging over 3.5 million viewers per episode since “Combate Azteca” premiered in November.

The franchise’s monthly live events also air in an additional 47 million plus homes across Latin America on ESPN LATAM, and it’s most recent event, “Combate Clásico,” a partnership with Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross’ RSE Ventures that took place on July 27, two days before RSE’s “El Clásico Miami” soccer match between legendary clubs Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, ushered the Latino flavored brand to national television in Spain for the first time ever with coverage of the nine-bout fight card in over 20 million homes on the country’s popular sports network, GOL TV.

During his stint at FanDuel, Pine compiled an impressive roster of first-ever landmark industry advertising partners for the online daily fantasy sports platform, including Bud Light, FORD Motor Company, Corona Extra, HBO Sports, Chef’s Cut and Bacardi.

As Global Head of Sales & Partnerships for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Pine forged and developed a host of relationships for the publicly traded, worldwide leading professional sports entertainment brand, with leading consumer electronic, retail and food brands, including Norelco, XBOX, Footlocker, KMART and General Mills.

Prior to his time with WWE, Pine led and oversaw the development of globally renowned agency IMG’s NCAA collegiate sports.  His time at IMG was proceeded as IRONMAN Global Chief Sales Officer & Eight Years @ Turner Broadcasting.

Pine is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and served as Captain, U.S. Air Force.

# # #

559 Fights is back at The Visalia Convention Center in Visalia for 559 Fights #59!

559 Fights is back at the Visalia Convention Center on Saturday, Sept 16th featuring a main event showdown between rising middleweight prospects Albert Gonzales of Fresno and Nicholas Maximov.

Tickets start at just $25 at the Visalia Convention Center Box Office or at www.559fights.com

VIP Tables seating 8 start at just $400 and VIP Packages including Hotel Room and 2 Front Row seats start at just $200 – Text or call 559-813-0307 for details. the 559 Fights official mobile app and online at www.559fights.com.

Watch it all live this Saturday!

559 Fights Middleweight Title on the Line Saturday
Two of California’s hottest prospects throw down Saturday for the 559 Fights Middleweight Championship, when Albert Gonzales and Nick Maximov clash at Visalia Convention Center in Visalia, LIVE on FloCombat.

Gonzales represents Fresno, and Maximov calls Chico home. Both fighters sport unblemished 3-0 records, and both are looking to add 559 Fights Champion to their resume Saturday.

“That belt is going to mean the world to me, man,” Gonzales says after a recent training session. “It’s going to symbolise all my hard work and dedication, and it’s going to mean even more to my supporters. There’s no way I’m leaving Visalia without that belt.”

“Good luck with that,” says his opponent Maximov, who’s also a wrestler for Clackamas College in Portland.

“This is my first main event and my first shot at taking home a belt; I’m ready to rise to the occasion,” Maximov says with a smile. “I’ve got a lot of respect for my opponent and what he’s accomplished so far in his career, but this is my time.”

In the co-main event, unbeaten Arroyo Grande product Isaiah Rocha (3-0) takes on the toughest challenge of his blossoming his career, Bakersfield’s Izaiah Ozuna (3-2), in bantamweight action.

The card also features the return of former 559 Fights bantamweight title challenger Austin Liu (3-2, Fresno) and top women’s flyweight prospect Kathy Solorzano (4-1, Bakersfield).

– Ed Kapp

In case you missed the last action in Visalia, here is the highlight video from 559 Fights #57
559 Fights #57 Highlights
559 Fights #57 Highlight Reel
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UFC STAR’S WIFE IN DOUBLE MMA DEBUT ON NOVEMBER 3RD IN PORTLAND 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (September 12, 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 addition of an amateur mixed-martial-arts bout to the card.  Carol Linn Powell (0-0) is scheduled to take on Francesca Morabito (0-0) in a women’s bantamweight contest.

Carol Linn is the wife of former NEF Lightweight Champion, and current UFC fighter, Devin Powell (8-3).  Devin earned a contract with the UFC after impressing the company’s president, Dana White, on his web series Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight at an event promoted by NEF in Bangor, Maine last year.  Together, the Powells own and operate Nostos MMA & Conditioning Facility in Somersworth, New Hampshire.  Last month, they were awarded the “Best Martial Arts Gym” at the “2017 Best of the Seacoast” awards.

“Fighting has been something I’ve fantasized about for a few years and now that it is finally happening, I couldn’t be more excited,” said Carol Linn when reached for comment. “I was supposed to have my first fight in June and it ended up falling through, and I think this fight is a much better match up and is in one of my very favorite towns. Francesca and I have trained together a few times and we were really excited to be a part of each other’s camps, but after realizing what a good matchup we are, we decided to put our friendship aside and both get in there for our first fights. We are very similar, and I’m excited to put a great show on for everyone.”

“I am very excited for my wife to make her debut,” noted Devin. “She’s been around the sport for almost half a decade, but is just recently getting into hard training and the competitive aspect of it. I never told her to fight or said I thought she should. She was very independent in this choice and when somebody chooses to do something on their own and they commit all of themselves to it, I think that is a great equation for a successful person in anything they do. She is going to find out a lot about herself on the 3rd. Happy to have a cage-side seat for it.”

Francesca Morabito trains at the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine.  Her true passion lies in her work with non-profit organization Speak About It.  Morabito has toured the world as a theatre artist with the Portland-based group, educating high school and college students on affirmative consent, healthy relationships, and sexual assault prevention.

“It is such an honor to make my debut just a couple blocks from where I’ve been training for the past two years,” said Morabito.  “I’m elated to fight in my hometown – on the same street where I’ve trudged home on countless Maine winter nights, with my gym bag slung over my shoulder and my wet hair freezing solid underneath my Choi hoodie.  My time has come. And I came to win.”

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.

LFA ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF  NICK NEWELL


 

 LFA ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF NICK NEWELL
HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) officials announced today that Nick Newell (13-1) has signed a multi-fight deal with LFA.
Nick Newell was born with congenital amputation of his left arm. As a result, his left arm ends just below his elbow. Newell did not let this deter him, as he went on to have a successful collegiate wrestling career, earning over 300 victories throughout high school and college.
After going 5-1 in his amateur MMA career, Newell turned pro and took the MMA world by storm with his inspiring story. Newell would go on to amass an undefeated streak of 11-0, finishing all but one of his opponents in that time. His lone professional defeat was against former World Series of Fighting Lightweight Champion and currently ranked #5 UFC Lightweight, Justin Gaethje (18-0). Newell won two more bouts after his loss to Gaethje and subsequently retired from MMA in 2015 after suffering numerous injuries.
A date and opponent for Newell’s LFA debut are still undetermined at this time.
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.

LFA RETURNS TO LOUISIANA WITH CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER AT LFA 23

MAIN EVENT:
 
LFA WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
DERRICK “D-ROCK” KRANTZ
vs.
LFA WELTERWEIGHT #1 CONTENDER
JAMES NAKASHIMA
 
WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
 
 
CO-MAIN EVENT:
LFA FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION
ANDREA “KGB” LEE
vs.
82nd AIRBORNE ARMY VETERAN
JAMIE “PRETTY ASSASSIN” THORTON
 
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd LIVE on AXS TV
HORSESHOE CASINO & HOTEL in BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA
 
HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will return to Louisiana in the third week of September with a championship doubleheader.
The main event of LFA 23 will feature the first title defense of LFA welterweight champion Derrick “D-Rock” Krantz. The Texan powerhouse will defend his world title against undefeated super prospect James Nakashima. The co-main event of LFA 23 will feature the first title defense of LFA women’s flyweight champion Andrea “KGB” Lee. The charismatic cowgirl will defend her title against 82nd Airborne Army veteran Jamie “Pretty Assassin” Thorton. LFA 23 takes place Friday, September 22ndat Horseshoe Casino & Hotel in Bossier City, Louisiana. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“Derrick Krantz and Andrea Lee will defend their LFA world titles in Bossier City onSeptember 22nd,” stated Soares. “Krantz is a ruthless finisher that can end a fight with one punch. He will face the top welterweight prospect in the sport in James Nakashima. Lee is the first female champion in LFA history and will defend her title against the battle-tested U.S. Army veteran Jamie Thorton. LFA 23 will be another great night of MMA in Louisiana with a pair of fantastic world title fights.”
There are a limited amount of tickets still available, and can be reserved by calling318-453-3730
The main event of LFA 23 will feature one of the most intriguing and high-stakes title fights of the year. The LFA welterweight title will be contested between a proud no-nonsense champion and a can’t miss blue-chip title challenger.

Krantz (20-9) captured the inaugural LFA welterweight championship in May with a tour de force that left MMA purists in a state of exhilaration and his opponent Ben Neumann in a complete daze. The Texan powerhouse unleashed his loaded fistolas early in the second round of their title fight and left Minnesota with a second world championship. Two years earlier, Krantz accomplished a nearly identical feat in the same state against UFC vet Brock Larson to win the Legacy FC welterweight title. Now that Krantz once again has gold firmly wrapped around his waist, he plans on adding some shine to that strap with his first title defense at LFA 23. The LFA kingpin now has his sights set on a blue-chip super prospect in one of MMA’s most pivotal title fights of the year.
Nakashima (7-0) is a special talent. His wrestling pedigree, fearless striking ability, and willingness to engulf himself in every aspect of martial arts has made him the surefire welterweight prospect that MMA pundits have eagerly been waiting for. Some experts argue, that no one in the division has started their career by dominating the level of competition that Nakashima has faced since Georges St-Pierre and Ben Askren. While the Illinois native and University of Nebraska wrestling standout has a long way to go before having his MMA accolades compared to “GSP” and “Funky”, he has undoubtedly taken his division by storm. The John Crouch protégé is not one to rest on his laurels. He has now signed on the dotted line to challenge the feared LFA world champion Derrick Krantz at LFA 23.
Lee (7-2) is one of the most talented female fighters in the world and a popular pick among fight fans to be the face of the newly announced UFC women’s flyweight division once the division takes hold later this year. “KGB” possesses a dynamic skill set, undeniable southern charm, and signature cowgirl accoutrements that has made her one of the most recognizable and adored fighters in the sport. The 28-year-old champion is now ready to defend her title on her adopted home turf of northern Louisiana. Lee is a dead shot on the feet and a submission savvy opportunist on the ground. She now looks to add a successful title defense to her résumé after a lengthy list of potential challengers pulled out, were denied travel visas, got injured, or decided against facing the fierce champion.
“I am more than ready to defend my LFA world title and put on a show for the fans,” Lee exclaimed. “This will be my fourth fight this year. I will show everyone why I am the best flyweight in the world on September 22nd!”
Thorton (4-3) is only one of a few women who was up to the task of challenging the champion Andrea Lee. The 33-year-old 82nd Airborne Army veteran has seen it all when it comes to combat. According to Special-Ops.org, the 82nd Airborne Division is an elite airborne infantry division of the U.S. Army, specializing in parachute assault operations into denied areas. That expertise will come in handy as she prepares to enter hostile territory to dethrone Lee at LFA 23. Everything about Thorton’s career points to the fact that she is an all-or-nothing kind of fighter. “Pretty Assassin” won four of her first five fights, including three straight finishes in under one minute. The most telling sign of Thorton’s go for broke style is the fact she has never seen a fight go out of the first round in seven pro bouts.
Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Welterweight Title Bout (170 lb)
– Derrick Krantz (20-9) vs. James Nakashima (7-0)
Co-Main Event | Women’s Flyweight Title Bout (125 lb)
– Andrea Lee (7-2) vs. Jamie Thorton (4-3)
Light-Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)
– Ryan Spann (10-5) vs. LeMarcus Tucker (5-2)
Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– Brandon Shavers (4-0) vs. Bryan Billiot (4-0)
Women’s Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
– Sabina Mazo (3-0) vs. Linsey Williams (1-1)
Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Kendrik Williams (4-0) vs. Peter Stanonik (4-2)
Catchweight Bout (177 lb)
– Nick Jackson (5-4) vs. Brandon Martin (4-3)
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 100 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
LFA 23 will be the second LFA event to take place in the Shreveport-Bossier City metro area of northern Louisiana. LFA 23 will also mark the promotion’s third visit to the “The Pelican State”. Further information about LFA 23 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 23 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.