Category Archives: MMA

amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, WMMAA

WMMAA Pan-American Division Welcomes new member Ecuador

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MONTE CARLO, Monaco (March 14, 2017) – The Pan-American Division of the World MMA Championships (WMMAA) has formally announced the recent addition of Ecuador as its newest member.

“We continue to grow with every new country take forward the MMA movement as well as recognition of MMA as a sport,” said Tomas Yu, President of the WMMA Pan-American Division. “I have long been an advocate of MMA as a sport.  Watching this great group of pioneers put up a great fight that takes is back to the basics and to what Martial Arts truly represents:  loyalty, honor, and family.”
Yu appointed Gorky E. Rodriguez as President of WMMAA Ecuador.  Hector Molina, Director of the Regulatory Committee for the WMMAA Pan-American Division, will work closely with Rodriguez during the formation of the WMMAA Ecuador Regulatory Committee.
“MMA is in a critical time,” Rodriguez commented.  “It’s explosive growth this past decade has made MMA the fastest growing sport in the world, demanding that an organization like ours exist and to add unbiased structure, not only for athletes, but as a regulatory body as well.
“Much continues to happen since WMMAA Ecuador was formed.  We will all celebrate our first participation, as a national team, this year in the Pan-American Championships.  I look forward to using my experience and the volumes of knowledge the WMMAA Pan-American Division brings to Ecuador.  I will share the vision with all my efforts as we will defend, promote and endorse MMA as a sport and give all participants and fans a significant difference in the sport.”
INFORMATION:
Twitter:  @theWMMAA
Instagram: @worldmmaa
amateur mixed martial arts, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

IT’S NORTH AGAINST SOUTH IN NEW ENGLAND TURF WAR AT NEF 28

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (March 14, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the card.  Ricky Dexter (1-0) will face Keenan Raymond (3-3) at a fight weight of 160-pounds.

After a successful amateur career that saw him claim the NEF MMA Amateur Welterweight Title, Ricky Dexter made his pro debut last month at “NEF 27.”  He was able to drop Matt Denning in the first round with a vicious body shot that had thousands in the Colisee cringing.  The Bangor, Maine native will make his first appearance as a member of Young’s MMA at “NEF 28,” having previously fought under the banner of Team Irish.

“Keenan Raymond is coming to my home turf, and I’m going to show him how tough we are up North,” said Dexter.  “I’m new to the pro ranks, but I’ve got the work ethic of a seasoned vet. I’ve got the strength of a middle weight and the cardio like the Diaz brothers and I’m always looking for the finish. Hungry for April 29th!”

Representing Southern New England will be Providence, Rhode Island’s Keenan Raymond.  A longtime competitor on the New England MMA scene, Raymond will look to work off some cage rust as he has not fought since January 2016.  He is by no means a one-dimensional fighter.  Raymond has displayed a solid foundation in both striking and mat work throughout his career with finishes coming by way of knockout as well as submission.  He currently trains at Ricardo Cavalcanti Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mayo Quanchi Judo and Wrestling.

“I’m sure Ricky’s a game opponent, but I can promise he’s never faced a force like me,” said Raymond. “I’m healthy and my versatility will finish this fight one way or another.”

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website atwww.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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, regulatory affairs and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

DANGER MOUSE LOOKS TO CONTINUE HIS WINNING WAYS AT NEF 28

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Lewiston, Maine (March 13, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the card.  Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (3-2) returns to take on Andre “The Finisher” Belcarris (0-0) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

Leland, a resident of South Portland, Maine, is a mainstay of the NEF cage.  He fought his sophomore amateur contest at “NEF I” back in February 2012 and has competed on eight of the promotion’s cards since, including one appearance as a professional boxer.  Holding a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt from the Academy of MMA in Portland, it should come as no surprise that all three of Leland’s professional victories have come by way of submission.  He forced veteran Nick Santos to tap to an arm triangle choke last month at “NEF 27.”  In doing so, Leland snapped a two-fight losing streak.  He will look to stay on the winning track on April 29.

“I’m very excited to get back in the cage once again,” said Leland.  “I want to keep this momentum going.  I’m ready for war and putting in more work this year than I ever have before.  Be prepared for a hell of a fight – you will be sorry if you miss it! Mother f**king beast mode!”

Andre Belcarris will make his professional debut at “NEF 28,” but he already has a wealth of experience in the MMA cage.  He began competing in the sport as an amateur in 2010 and has had more than 30 fights since – an astounding number for an amateur mixed-martial-artist.  Belcarris fights out of Bennington, Vermont where he is a member of team Northeast Assassins.  In direct contrast to Leland’s mat skills, Belcarris is a striker with 11 knockout wins to his credit in the amateur ranks.

“I am honored to share the cage with a fighter of Eli’s caliber,” stated Belcarris when reached for comment.  “It means that my time has finally come. Expect fireworks!”

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website atwww.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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, regulatory affairs and advertising.

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS RETURNSTO MEXICO WITH HARD-HITTING DEBUT IN TIJUANA ON THURSDAY, MARCH 30

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LIVE ON AZTECA AMERICA AND UFC FIGHT PASS®

 BANTAMWEIGHT MAIN EVENT: MARCELO “PITBULL” ROJO VS. IVAN FLORES

Featherweight Co-Main Event: 
Walter Zamora vs. Alex “Gallito” Flores

Plus:
Erick “Ghost Pepper” Gonzalez vs. Marco Antonio “La Roca” Elpidio
Joey “El Cazador” Ruquet vs. Jose Salasar

NEW YORK – March 10, 2017 – Combate Americas announced its second event of the year in a Mexican territory – a debut visit to the city of Tijuana – on Thursday, March 30, live on Azteca America (10 p.m. ET/PT) and UFC Fight Pass® (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT), from Auditorio Fausto Gutierrez Moreno.

In the bantamweight (135 pounds) main event,  Argentinian Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo (10-4) will square off with fellow rising star and Monterrey, Mexico native Iván “El Brasil” Flores (8-1-1).

Rojo, a semifinalist on the third season of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America, will make his promotional debut in La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, and set out to prove that he has the tools necessary to lead Combate Americas’ fast-growing, 135-pound division.

“I’m not only here as a guest. I came here to become the most important fighter in my division,” said Rojo.  “MMA has grown in Argentina, and it’s about time that we show that on this side of the continent. This fight will be a duel between the North against South.”

On the other side, Flores, who suffered his first career defeat at the hands of unbeaten Mark “The Bumblebee” Delarosa at the Combate Americas event in Mexico City, Mexico on January 19, now wants to return to the win column immediately.

“When you face a Mexican fighter, you have to be prepared for the most difficult fight of your life. I hope (Rojo) is aware of that, if he wants to be victorious” said Flores.

Rojo will fight for the first time in Mexico after an extensive career in South American arenas where he has become one of the most popular fighters in the region.

In the featherweight (145 pounds) co-main event, Walter Zamora (9-2) of Costa Rica will battle Alex “Gallito” Flores (8-1) of Monterrey.

Zamora’s debut in Combate Americas will once again personify the sports rivalry between Mexican and Central American fighters.

“Mexico is always the one to beat at any sport,” Zamora explained. “It won’t be any different against Flores. We are going to put on a good show. It will be a spectacular evening because the best fighters of the Americas will be present in Tijuana.”

In other action in La Jaula, Erick “Ghost Pepper” González (5-2) of Los Angeles, Calif. will return to action just six weeks after his heroic, “Fight of the Night” performance against Danny “The Realist” Ramírez at Combate11 on February 16.

Gonzalez will battle Marco Antonio “La Roca” Elpidio (7-1) of Mexico City in a lightweight (155 pounds) affair.  Elpidio was victorious by way of split decision over Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas at the Combate Americas event in Mexico City.

Gonzalez’s three-fight win streak was snapped when he gave up a unanimous decision to Ramirez.

In another bantamweight scrap, Joey “El Cazador” Ruquet (4-1) of Las Vegas, Nev. will collide with Jose Salasar (4-2) of Tijuana.

Ruquet notched a spectacular victory by submission (rear-naked choke) in the second round (1:47) of action against Jose “The Ghost” Ceja at the Combate Americas event in Mexico City.

Additional Combate12 bouts will be announced soon.

UFC FIGHT PASS is a digital subscription service which gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s largest fight library.

Download the UFC App now.
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING; LONG-AWAITED DEBUT WILL FINALLY HAPPEN AT NEF 28

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Matt Probin delivers a flying knee on a Muay Thai fight card in Thailand

 

Lewiston, Maine (March 10, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the card.  Matt “Pretty Boy” Probin (0-0) will meet Rob “The Beast” Best (0-0) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

Probin, a well known boxer, kickboxer and mixed-martial-artist, came to Maine and began training in the Pine Tree State in 2015.  A native of Blackpool, England, Probin had spent time training in North Carolina prior to arriving in Maine.   He put together a 6-2 record as an amateur MMA competitor and won a regional title in the Carolinas.  While he has not competed in MMA since moving to Maine, Probin has stayed active competing in other combat sports.  He is 2-2 as a professional boxer, and he has also spent time training Muay Thai in Thailand in recent years.  Probin even competed at the world famous Bangla Boxing Stadium – one of Thailand’s premier Muay Thai venues.  He will make his professional MMA debut on April 29 as a member of Bangor, Maine’s Young’s MMA.

“I feel like this has been a long time coming,” said Probin when reached for comment.  “I’m excited to make my debut for NEF and put on a show for my friends and fans in my adopted hometown. Don’t blink!”

With more than two-dozen fights since 2011, Rob Best has been one of the Northeast’s most continuously active MMA competitors in recent years.  As an amateur, Best captured a regional lightweight title in New York state.  He is a member of Mohawk Valley MMA based in the Utica area.  Like Probin, the bout on April 29 will be Best’s professional MMA debut.

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website atwww.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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, regulatory affairs and advertising.

boxing, FITETV, mixed martial arts, MMA, Muay Thai, wrestling

FITE invites fans to join Jim Ross in a LIVE CHAT during ROH 15th Anniversary

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FITE TV will stream 16 live events this weekend from the Pro Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and Muay Thai world.

The live action starts Friday 3/10 9pm ET with the Ring of Honor 15th Anniversary where viewers can also interact with Jim Ross who will be in the FITE app chat taking questions and giving his thoughts on the action.

Chat starts on the top of the hour and is available to ROH 15th Anniversary viewers exclusively on the FITE platform.

Full list of events is attached and also on this link:

http://www.fite.tv/events/

Jim Ross exclusively on the FITE chat

Jim Ross LIVE Chat

ROH 15th Anniversary
ROH 15th Anniversary on FITE

boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU COMBAT SPORTS SHOW: Lou Duva Tribute Show, Psychic Tom Padgett absolutely crushes UFC 209 Predictions, Garcia vs. Thurman Recap and Analysis

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Tony Penecale (left) and Lou Duva (right) at the Brockton, Massachusetts dedication of the Rocky Marciano statue.

Our show this week was dedicated to Lou Duva (above right with our co-host Tony Penecale). Lou died earlier this week at the ripe old age of 1994. He was a great friend to Rocky Marciano, a promoter of 19 world champions, and a man who had all his irons in the one fire that lit his life: boxing. The promoter/trainer/manager/legend appeared on the FNU Combat Sports show years back, but unfortunately the audio is grainy and spotty. If you listen closely the gems our talk contains outweigh the difficult spots to hear.

The full Lou Duva interview is here:

http://hosts.blogtalkradio.com/fightnewsunlimited/2009/07/03/joey-giambra-the-uncrowned-champion

I’m also posting a couple specific remastered clips here:

 

 

 

 

 

Tom, Tony and Rich also recap Garcia vs. Thurman, The latest on Mayweather vs. McGregor, UFC 209 and the many controversies attached, GSP’s dark warning about weight cutting, and Tony Bellew’s shocking upset of David Haye.

 

Here’s the tape:  (THE TAPE DOESN’T LIE)

 

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

A DEBUT AND A RETURN ON APRIL 29 IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (March 9, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the card.  Tollison Lewis (1-5) is scheduled to face “The Dominator” Dominic Jones (0-0) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.

Lewis has been absent from the NEF cage since picking up his first MMA victory as a professional last spring.  On April 29, it will be just over a year since Lewis submitted Zenon Herrera (0-5) in front of a capacity crowd in Lewiston at “NEF 22.”  A two-sport athlete, Lewis has split his time in the last couple of years between the NEF cage and the NEF boxing ring where he has put together a record of 2-2.  He currently represents Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Auburn, Maine.

“First off, I’d like to thank NEF for having me on another show,” said Lewis.  “I’d like to thank my team and coaches – we are putting in lots of work preparing for this fight with Dominic. As for my opponent, he’s already looking past me. He thinks it will be a walk through. He wants an easy fight for his debut, but it’s not happening. He’s a talented guy, but I’ll have the experience, size, power, striking and BJJ. He’s a very good wrestler, but I’m not worried about being on the ground. This will be a war and I will have my hand raised at the end. Dom, let’s do it baby – let’s do the talking in the cage!”

Jones will be making his professional debut, as well as his NEF debut, on April 29.  He got an early start in the martial arts, training Taekwondo with his father at six-years-old.  Jones would go on to excel in wrestling during his high school days.  He later entered the MMA ranks after joining First Coast Full Contact/Team Riot in his native Jacksonville, Florida.  Jones put together an impressive 8-1 record as an amateur while capturing three regional titles.  Since moving to New England, Jones has trained at First Class MMA in Brunswick, Maine.

“I’m excited for this fight,” said Jones.  “Much respect to Tollison. This is a great fight to kick off my pro debut. I’m training very hard for this bout and I want to show the Maine crowd and NEF who I am! I’m not looking back at the past on what I’ve done as amateur – this is the future and it’s the next level that I have my eyes on.”

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website atwww.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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, regulatory affairs and advertising.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA

RYAN GRAB NAMED SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & ATHLETE STRATEGY FOR BELLATOR

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LOS ANGELES – Bellator President Scott Coker announced today that Ryan Grab has been named Senior Director of Communications and Athlete Strategy. Grab, who most recently served as the Director of Communications for Phoenix International Raceway, a member of the Daytona, Fla.-based ISC family of racetracks, will oversee all communications and media relations for Bellator MMA and Kickboxing effective immediately.

 

“We are pleased to welcome Ryan to our staff,” said Coker. “His years of experience in the MMA industry will have an immediate impact on our team at Bellator and we look forward to him assisting with the overall growth of the organization.”

 

Prior to his time with Phoenix International Raceway, Grab spent over five years with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in Las Vegas. In addition to PR, Grab also held a role within the organization’s Athlete Development department where he was responsible for organizing and programming educational summits for active athletes, as well as promoting health and wellness initiatives within the sport.

 

“I am excited about the new opportunity with Bellator and Viacom,” Grab said. “I am looking forward to again working with Scott Coker to promote some of the best athletes in the world and continuing to elevate the Bellator brand as a premier global combat sports property.”

 

After earning his Master’s degree from the University of Georgia, Grab began his career in sports as an intern with UFC in 2010 and joined the communications team full-time in 2011. He also spent two years promoting the STRIKEFORCE brand following the UFC’s acquisition of the property, which saw the successful career launch of several future MMA world champions.

 

Grab will work with Director of Communications Danny Brener of BZA Public Relations, as well as current Bellator PR staff member, Public Relations Manager C.J. Tuttle, as they continue in their roles with Bellator. He will be based in Viacom’s newly opened west coast headquarters in Hollywood’s Columbia Square and can be reached by email at Ryan.Grab@bellator.com or by phone at (706)-540-3425.

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

KNOCKOUT ARTIST UP NEXT FOR HARVEY AT NEF 28

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Lewiston, Maine (March 8, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the card.  Josh “Hook On” Harvey (3-0) will meet Eric “Money” Mendiola (2-1) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

Harvey, the former NEF amateur division lightweight champion, is undefeated to date since making his professional debut last spring.  With a solid amateur boxing background, as well as the pedigree of a two-time Maine state wrestling champion, matchmakers have had difficulty in finding opponents willing to step into the cage with him.  The Young’s MMA prospect has displayed both devastating knockout power and slick submission skills throughout his career thus far.  Most recently, Harvey submitted Richie Collingham (3-4) last month at “NEF 27.”

“‘Money’ and I are the type of fight that takes the spotlight, and I know it’s one that people will be talking about for a long time,” remarked Harvey on the upcoming fight.  “I’m prepared for war in this kill-or-be-killed contest.”

Mendiola, a product of Mohawk Valley MMA in the Utica, New York area, will make his first appearance in the NEF cage on April 29, but he is far from a newcomer to the sport of MMA.  He had more than twenty amateur fights prior to turning pro in 2015.  Mendiola has built a reputation as a knockout artist.  After numerous knockout finishes in the amateur ranks, Mendiola put the lights out for his first two pro opponents, both in under a minute.  He will look to rebound from his first loss as a pro last fall.

“I’m a different kind of focused for this fight, mentally and physically,” stated Mendiola when reached for comment.  “Harvey looks like a tough kid with a good record, and I’m up for the challenge. I have a bad taste in my mouth from a couple of months ago, and I’m coming to lay it all on the line and showcase all of my skills. Let’s get to it!”

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”