Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR MMA STATEMENT ON LEGALIZATION OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS IN NEW YORK

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SANTA MONICA (March 22, 2016) – Today, the State of New York passed legislation that will allow the sport of mixed martial arts to emanate from the “Empire State.”

 

Bellator MMA President Scott Coker had this to say regarding the landmark announcement:

 

“The New York Assembly’s vote to legalize MMA is a watershed moment for this incredible sport. As someone who has been promoting combat sports for more than 30 years, this is a very exciting time for mixed martial arts. We at Bellator MMA are very much looking forward to hosting an event in the ‘Crown Jewel of America,’ New York.  Two Bellator champions, Liam McGeary and Marcos Galvao call New York home and I know it means a great deal to the both of them, as it does for the entire promotion. We’ve already been in contact with the great people at the Barclays Center and several other incredible venues, and we can’t wait bring our world-class athletes and action-packed shows to an arena in the Empire State soon.”

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

Dirrell Brothers Return As Premier Boxing Champions On Spike Hits Atlantic City

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Olympic Bronze Medalist Andre Dirrell Battles Australia’s Blake Caparello & 
Former World Champion Anthony Dirrell Takes On Veteran Caleb Truax
At The Taj Mahal Casino and Hotel
 
Tickets On Sale Now!
 
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (March 22, 2016) – Olympic Bronze Medalist Andre Dirrell (24-2, 16 KOs) takes on Australia’s Blake Caparello (22-1-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight attraction as Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) returns to Spike on Friday, April 29 from Taj Mahal Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Also on the same card, Dirrell’s brother, former world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (28-1-1, 22 KOs) will meet former world title challenger Caleb “Golden” Truax (26-2-2, 16 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight affair as part of an exciting night of PBC on Spike action beginning at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
The former 168-pound titleholder Anthony and two-time title challenger Andre are both prime for another run at championship gold, but will have stiff competition from opponents who have recently had their own title opportunities.
“April 29 is going to be a fun night of boxing,” said Andre. “Caparello is hungry just like me and he’s fighting for his career so I know he’s a very dangerous man. Everything in camp has been perfect so far. I’m excited that both Anthony and I will get to showcase our skills and spread our family name even more on the same Spike show.”
“It’s an honor to be fighting on the same card as my brother,” said Anthony. “It’s going to be a great night of boxing. Truax is a good, rugged fighter who will bring out the best in me. I need someone to push me to the max. My prediction is always a knockout.”
Caparello scored a first round knockdown in his 2014 world title bout before losing to Sergey Kovalev, while Caleb Truax battled middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs in a PBC on Spike co-feature in 2015, failing to Jacobs in the final stanza.
“This is a huge opportunity for me to show the world that I am one of the best 168-pounders in all of boxing,” said Caparello. “This is the weight class where I belong. Dirrell is a former Olympian and, like myself, a world title challenger. I expect a very tough fight on October 17, but I know that I will be victorious.”
“This is a fight that I have to take advantage of and win,” said Truax. “It’s another great opportunity for me and I’m putting everything into training. Dirrell is a good, athletic fighter with skills. It’s a tough task but I’m up for it. I’m bringing my A-game so he better do the same.”
“April 29 will be an outstanding night,” said Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions. “Having the Dirrell brothers on the same card will be a great and unique night of boxing. Both are exceptional talents and they are in with two guys who are looking for breakthrough wins in Blake Caparello and Caleb Truax.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and are on sale now.
An amateur standout that won two U.S. World Championships in addition to his Olympic Bronze medal, the 32-year-old Andre Dirrell is ready to return to the ring after an illness delayed his previously scheduled bout against Caparello. The fighter out of Flint, Michigan holds victories over Arthur Abraham and Curtis Stevens and only has two narrow losses on his resume.
A crafty fighter out of Victoria, Australia, Caparello won his first 20 professional fights primarily fighting out of his home country. He owns victories over Michael Bolling, Jorge Olivera, Allan Green and previously unbeaten Robert Berridge. The 29-year-old most recently scored a unanimous decision over Affif Belghecham in June and after his scheduled bout with Dirrell was delayed, he defeated Luke Sharp by decision.
Anthony Dirrell has seen more adversity than most throughout his career as his time in boxing has been seriously jeopardized twice, first in December 2006 when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and was sidelined for 20 months and again in May 2012 when he broke his lower left leg and left wrist in a motorcycle accident. The Flint, Michigan-native never let that hold him down as he kept winning fights and working his way up the professional ranks. In 2014 he won his first championship when he defeated defending champion Sakio Bika. His road back to a 168-pound title began in September when he dominated the action against Marco Antonio Rubio on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
Born in Osseo, Minnesota, Truax is an experienced veteran who has fought professionally since 2007. Fighting mostly in his home state, the 31-year-old won his first 14 fights. He dropped a 2012 showdown to Jermain Taylor but went undefeated in his next eight fights to earn the fight against Jacobs. Most recently, Truax stopped veteran Melvin Betancourt in the fourth round in February.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AndreDirrell, @BlakeCaparello, @AnthonyDirrell, @GoldenCalebT, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports, @KingsBoxing_and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions.
Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on Spike is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
Showtime, Showtime Boxing

UNBEATEN SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT PROSPECT REGIS PROGRAIS HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

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 http://s.sho.com/1pHhJxQ

 

Prograis To Face Veteran Aaron Herrera This Friday, March 25
In Main Event Of ShoBox: The New Generation Quadrupleheader

 

Live on SHOWTIME® At 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

 

Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (16-0, 13 KOs) scored consecutive victories over unbeaten prospects in 2015 on ShoBox: The New Generation.  This Friday, the southpaw super lightweight puts his unblemished record on the line against Mexico’s Aaron Herrera (29-4-1, 18 KOs) in the 10-round main event of a ShoBox quadrupleheader, live on SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. ET/PT) from Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

 

Check out THIS highlight video of Prograis, a New Orleans native who relocated to Houston after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  Prograis wears a werewolf mask during his ring walk as homage to his “Rougarou” nickname.  According to New Orleans lore, “Rougarou” is a legendary half-man, half-beast werewolf creature.  It’s a deviation of Loup Garound, which means “wolfman” in French.

 

“Parents use the Rougarou to scare children and keep them in line,” Prograis said.  “My father first started calling me that because in the gym everyone would say, ‘Your son is a beast’.  He would say, ‘My son is from New Orleans, so he is a Rougarou.’

 

“It represents my fighting style, my work ethic, and my Louisiana heritage.  Basically it means a swamp beast, with the mind and intelligence of a man.  In the ring I am ferocious, but I also use intelligence to win.”

boxing, Las Vegas

Beibut Shumenov targeting Lebedev-Ramirez cruiserweight Unification title fight winner

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LAS VEGAS (March 22, 2016) – World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim Cruiserweight World champion Beibut Shumenov (16-2, 10 KOs) is targeting the May 21st unification title winner between WBA titlist Denis Lebedev(28-2, 21 KOs) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Victor Emilio “El Tyson de Abasto” Ramirez (22-2-1, 17 KOs).
When Shumenov defeated B.J. Flores(31-1-1, 20 KOs) last July in Las Vegas, the former WBA light heavyweight champion became WBA Interim champion as well as its No. 1 mandatory contender.
Lebedev, however, hasn’t fought a mandatory fight since last April 10 in which he won a 12-round decision over then Interim WBA champion Youri Kalenga.  Lebedev made a voluntary tittle offense last November, stopping Lateef Kayode in the eighth round.
Shumenov will be back in the ring next month (April), full details forthcoming, and then he will challenge the Lebedev-Ramirez winner within 90/120 days of their outcome.
“I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to fight the Lebedev-Ramirez winner because it’s always been my goal to unify the titles,” Shumenov explained.  “Lebedev has always been my target.  Ramirez is the other fighter I’ve really wanted to fight and my manager tried to make a fight between us, too.
“I’ve been in the gym since my last fight, training hard to perfect my skills. Now, I am a completely different fighter since I fought last July.  My team is extremely happy and confident that I can beat all of the other world cruiserweight champions.”
Last December, Shumenov was scheduled to defend his Interim WBA crown against two-time world cruiserweight champion Krzyesztof “Diablo” Wlodarczyk (50-3-1, 36 KOs), but a serious medical issue concerning a family member forced Shumenov to withdraw from the aforementioned fight.
“The opportunity to fight the winner of Lebedev/Ramirez in a big unification fight just came about this year and I didn’t have that option back when I agreed to initially fight Wlodarczyk back in December and I was unable to foresee what would happen to my family personally,” 32-year-old Shumenov said.  “I have no problem fighting Wlodarczyk in the future, but only after I fight the Lebedev-Ramirez unification winner.  In addition, at any time, I have no problem fighting WBA No. 2-ranked Yunier Dorticos.
“Right now, I’m at my fighting prime yet still improving, training with my coach, Ismael Salas.  I want to show the world my skills before I get too old.  Literally, I’m ready to fighttomorrow and I’ve been ready for months.  I’ll be back in the ring next month and then I’ll get my shot at the Lebedev-Ramirez winner.”
Fans may friend Beibut Shumenov on his Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/BeibutShumenov.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA

UNDEFEATED BRENT PRIMUS WELCOMES ‘TONINHO FURIA’ TO THE LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION DURING MAIN CARD OF ‘BELLATOR 153’

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SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (March 22, 2016) – The main card line-up for “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” on April 22 continues to grow, with today’s addition of Brent Primus (6-0) versus “Toninho Furia” (27-5) in lightweight action at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

 

The bout joins a main event that features the highly anticipated Bellator debut of Benson “Smooth” Henderson (23-5), as he challenges welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) for his belt. Former featherweight titlist Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (24-3) meets John “Macapa” Teixeira (19-1-2) in the co-headliner and Connecticut’s own “Irish” Brennan Ward (13-3) returns to action, when he welcomes Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (20-16) into the Bellator MMA fray at 170-pounds.

 

Tickets for “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” start at just $30 and are on sale now at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com and the Mohegan Sun Box Office. The event airs live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App. Additional contests will be announced shortly.

 

Widely regarded as one of the sport’s top prospects, Primus is a fighter who has sacrificed a fledging landscaping company that he owned in order to pursue his dreams of MMA gold. Primus returns to the Bellator MMA cage fresh off a hard-fought victory over Derek Anderson at “Bellator 141: Guillard vs. Girtz.” Now, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will look to apply his craft for the fifth time under the Bellator banner – making his first appearance during the SPIKE-televised main card.

Following his promotional debut, “Toninho Furia” has decided to make return to the 155-pound lightweight division from featherweight, where he last competed. The 27-year-old Brazilian Top Team product has competed professionally since 2005 and has won nine out of his last ten matchups. Furia has a proven affinity for ending fights early, with eight of his victories coming in the opening frame.

 

For more information on these two prospects, take a look at each of their profiles on Bleacher Report:

Brent Primus – “The Beaten Path: Prospect Brent Primus Traded His Own Business for MMA Gloves”

“Toninho Furia” – “The Beaten Path: Longtime Prospect Gleristone Santos Is Ready for Bellator Debut”

 “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” Updated Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Welterweight World Title Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) vs. Benson Henderson (23-5)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Co-Main Event: Patricio Freire (24-3) vs. John Teixeira (19-1-2)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Bout: Brennan Ward (13-3) vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (20-16)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Feature Bout: Brent Primus (6-0) vs. Gleristone “Toninho Furia” Santos (27-5)

 

Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Sam Watford (1-0) vs. Dean Hancock (2-0)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Chris Foster (8-4) vs. Felipe Lavandoski (5-0)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Jason Bakanowski (3-2) vs. T.J. Hepburn (4-2)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Pete Rogers (2-3) vs. Mike Mangan (0-3)

Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Mike Zichelle (7-4) vs. Joe Cronin (19-16)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Matt Bessette (17-7) vs. Keith Richardson (14-6)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Tim Caron (3-0) vs. Justin Sumter (0-0)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Blair Tugman (7-6) vs. Jay Perrin (2-1)

mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING NAMES MICHAEL MERSCH CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND GENERAL COUNSEL

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LAS VEGAS (March 22, 2016) –World Series of Fighting has appointed distinguished Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) industry veteran and sports attorney Michael Mersch, its new Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, effective immediately.

Mersch brings to the world championship MMA league, over eight years of experience as a senior level executive and Assistant General Counsel for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).  In his latest role, he served as General Counsel and Chief Political Advisor for the Nevada Attorney General.

“I am excited to re-enter the MMA business with one of the premier players and recognizable brands in the space,” said Mersch.  “With its robust team of media and sports business executives as well as blue-chip partners, beginning with NBC and IMG, World Series of Fighting is in the midst of an exciting phase of growth with great things on the horizon.”

“We are looking forward to having Michael Mersch bring his wealth of industry specific knowledge, experience and relationships to our growing enterprise, and are confident that he will be a driving force in the next chapter of our business,” said World Series of Fighting CEO Carlos Silva.

In his new, dual role, Mersch will be responsible for overseeing World Series of Fighting’s business operations and legal affairs; negotiating and drafting all talent, television, venue, sponsorship and merchandising legal agreements; and spearheading and managing all government relations efforts on behalf of the league.

A frequent guest speaker for the Sports Lawyers Association as well as numerous MMA industry summits, Mersch is recognized as one of the foremost experts on legislation and regulation in the world’s fastest growing sport.

World Series of Fighting action returns to NBCSN, live from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 2, beginning at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

In the main event of the star-studded, world championship doubleheader, reigning world middleweight (185 pounds) champion David Branch (17-3) will put his coveted title on the line against top contender Clifford Starks (13-2) while, in the co-main event, superstars Jon Fitch (27-7-1, 1 NC) and Joao “The Brazilian Samurai” Zeferino (20-7) will square off with the vacant world welterweight (170 pounds) crown at stake.
boxing

Introducing Puerto Rican Heavyweight Jose Medina

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Jose Medina.jpg

 

Winter Haven, FL (March 21, 2016) – As a young boy growing up in Puerto Rico, Jose Medina looked up to the same fighters that are forever etched in their rich boxing history.

 

From Felix Trinidad to Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Lopez, Medina had many outstanding fighters to admire. There was one major difference however. Medina was significantly larger than all of the greats that grew up on the boxing crazed island that sits 1,100 miles south of Key West.

 

At 6’3 260 lbs, Medina is more than 75 pounds bigger than the largest native Puerto Rican to capture a world title in Jose Torres. Those sizing up Medina before seeing him in action may question his conditioning but the 19-year-old is not just sheer bulk though. In the gym, stablemates called him “Kung Fu Panda” due to his shockingly impressive agility and nimbleness inside the squared circle.

 

As an amateur, Medina captured three Puerto Rican National Championships before relocating to Florida in 2015 where he captured the Florida State Police Athletic League (PAL) title along with Silver in the Paul Murphy Championships. He also quickly gained a large following, as the Orlando area has one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in the US.

 

However, that doesn’t mean there weren’t doubters.

 

“When he first came here, he never did strength training before,” said trainer Marco Fazzani. “People saw him when we first went into gyms and they thought he was a slouch because of his appearance. That until we got him in the ring and everybody realized Medina is no joke. Since he’s been training here, he grew two inches and became a lot physically stronger. We’re also working every day to improve his physique.”

 

On March 4, Medina made his professional debut at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa against Richard White. Admittedly nervous, Medina overcame the expected jitters that came with removing the headgear for the first time and scored a second round knockout.

 

Having gone through the White bout without incident, Medina is fighting for the second time in less than 30 days when he meets Todd Bradley of Brandon, FL in a four round bout as part of Mad Integrity Fight Sports’ “Bombs Away 5” Saturday, April 2at the Bayfront Hilton in St. Petersburg, FL. As a fighter who is still developing in many aspects, Medina understands the importance of staying busy and is excited rather than nervous for his second professional fight.

 

“I’m very thankful to be fighting on this card,” said Medina. “We’re expecting a great turnout on April 2. I’ve seen Bradley fight before but I never give my game plan away. Most importantly, I want to give my fans great entertainment and emerge victorious.”

 

Promoter Joey Orduna of Mad Integrity Fight Sports, who was admittedly surprised when seeing Medina in action, is looking forward to having him on the card.

 

“Jose has a ton of talent and he is definitely going to be a staple in the Tampa-St Petersburg area as he develops. He’s already got a very good fan base and as a heavyweight with speed and power, the amount of people that follow him will only grow. I’m excited to see him go to work on the 2nd and believe those that haven’t seen him before are in for a treat.”

 

The Medina-Bradley matchup is featured on a ten bout card promoted by Mad Integrity Fight Sports at the Bayfront Hilton in St Petersburg, FL. The card includes a number of Sunshine State scraps including the main event between welterweight Ali Tareh, 13-11-5 (6 KO’s) of Tampa against Juan Aguirre, 6-16-1, of Jacksonville in an eight rounder along with the highly anticipated lightweight matchup between St. Petersburg’s Jose “Lil’ Pacquiao” Resendez, 4-0 (2 KO’s), and Raul Chirino, 7-1 (3 KO’s), out of Miami. The card features a total of ten bouts and tickets from $35 are on sale now by calling 813-507-5110.

 

For more information and updates, please visit Facebook.com/Madintegrityfightsports.

mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

WSOF30: BRANCH VS. STARKS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER LINEUP RECEIVES FIVE PRELIMINARY BOUTS

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PRELIMINARY FIGHT CARD TO STREAM LIVE ON
WSOF.COM PRIOR TO FOUR-FIGHT, LIVE NBCSN TELECAST

LAS VEGAS (March 21, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today the addition of five preliminary card bouts to its highly-anticipated WSOF30: Branch vs. Starks world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) doubleheader event at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 2, live on NBCSN at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

Topping the undercard bill that will stream live, in its entirety on an embeddable video player on WSOF.com, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, will be a welterweight (170 pounds) collision between Abubakar Nurmagomedov (11-1-1) and Matt “The Thunder From Down Under” Frincu (7-1).

The adopted brother and training partner of superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov, the 26-year-old Abubakar, who hails from Dagestan, Russia is riding a three-fight win streak, while Frincu of Tempe, Ariz. via Queensland, Australia will put a five-fight win streak on the line.

Nurmagomedov boasts an impressive 82 percent finish rate, while Frincu has earned six of his seven professional wins to date by way of (T)KO or submission.

In lightweight (155 pounds) preliminary card action, undefeated knockout artist Steve “Thunderbeast” Kozola (6-0) will make his World Series of Fighting debut against fellow fast-rising star Gil Guardado (5-1).

On fire since his professional debut victory in July 2013, Kozola of San Diego, Calif. via Chicago, Ill. comes to World Series of Fighting after producing back-to-back, devastating KO victories – each with a furious onslaught of punches – under the promotion of Bellator.

On January 16, 2015, Kozola scored a second round (1:25) KO on Jonathan Rivera at Bellator 132 and, on March 15, 2015, he scored a first round (2:22) KO on Ian Butler at Bellator 137.

Guardado of Las Vegas will look to notch his third consecutive win after two dominant performances inside the World Series of Fighting decagon cage.

The 30-year-old Xtreme Couture prodigy submitted Pete Martin with a guillotine choke in the first round (3:31) of action at WSOF22 on August 1, 2015, and closed out the year with a unanimous decision victory over Giga Chikadze at WSOF26 on December 18.

In a flyweight (125 pounds) scrap, Carlos Garcia (1-1) of San Bernardino, Calif. will make his professional debut against Jason Pacheco (1-0) of Las Vegas.

Adam Aquaviva (4-2) of Las Vegas will face off with Andres Ponce (3-2) of Tempe in a bantamweight tilt and, in the opening preliminary card matchup, Jeff Roman (1-2-1) of Las Vegas will square off with Nick Salantri (0-1) at welterweight.

A sixth, middleweight (185 pounds) preliminary fight featuring Clinton Williams(7-3) of Las Vegas will be announced soon.

Priced from $20, tickets for WSOF30: Branch vs. Starks, are available for purchase online at WSOF.com and AXS.com.

Doors at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will open for the event at 4 p.m. PT, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 5 p.m.

In the main event, reigning World Series of Fighting middleweight champion David Branch (17-3), the league’s first-ever, two-division title holder, will put his coveted crown on the line against top contender Clifford Starks (13-2).

In the co-main event, superstar Jon Fitch (27-7-1, 1 NC) will battle recent World Series of Fighting one-night, eight-man tournament runner-up Joao “The Brazilian Samurai” Zeferino (20-7) with the vacant World Series of Fighting welterweight championship at stake.

Elsewhere on the four-fight, live NBCSN telecast, submission expert Vinny “Pezao” Magalhaes (13-7) will square off with Jake “The Honey Bear” Heun(9-4) in a light heavyweight (205 pounds) contest, while World Series of Fighting newcomer and knockout artist Abu “Gladiator” Azaitar (11-1-1) will lock horns with Danny “Dee1” Davis, Jr. (11-10-1) at welterweight.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

MARCOS GALVAO SET TO DEFEND BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST EDUARDO DANTAS IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘BELLATOR 156’ ON JUNE 17

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (March 21, 2016) – Bellator MMA’s Bantamweight Championship will be on the line in a rematch pitting Marcos “Loro” Galvao (17-6-1) and former champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas (17-4) against one another in the main event of “Bellator 156: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” on June 17 inside Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.

 

The bout was originally slated to take place at “Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Spartan” in February, but the current champion was forced to withdraw from the contest due to illness.

 

“Bellator 156: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App. Additional fights will be announced shortly.

 

Tickets for the event start at only $25 and are on sale this Thursday, March 24 with a special pre-sale this Tuesday and Wednesday at Ticketmaster, Bellator.com and the Save Mart Center Box Office.

 

“Loro,” who has fought for world-renowned promotions the likes of World Extreme Cagefighting and Shooto since 2003, will be competing for the 11thtime under the Bellator MMA banner. The 33-year-old is presently in the midst of a four-fight winning streak and has emerged victorious in seven of his last eight scraps. In his last outing, Galvao finished Joe Warren at “Bellator 135: Warren vs. Galvao” via submission to win his first-ever championship.

 

Meanwhile, Dantas will be looking to duplicate the success he had against Galvao in their first meeting, which resulted in a second-round knockout atBellator 89. The 27-year-old Nova Uniao product bounced back from his unanimous decision loss against Warren to defeat Mike Richman in the same manner at “Bellator 137: Halsey vs. Grove.” The Bellator Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament winner is looking to call himself a two-time bantamweight champion come June 17.

 

Updated “Bellator 156: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” Card:

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title Bout: Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4)

boxing

LaManna stops Mena in four in front of sold-out crowd at Claridge in Atlantic City

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Seldon & Pasciolla pick up Tri-State title belts; Rainone decisions Chalmers
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (March 21, 2016)–This past Saturday night, welterweight contender, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna thrilled a sold-out crowd at The Claridge in Atlantic City when he scored  fourth round stoppage over Kendal Mena that highlighted a action-packed nine bout card.
The card was promoted by Rising Promotions and Vincent M. Ponte’s Gulfstream Promotions.
With all of the seats occupied, fans were jammed on the walls and they enjoyed LaManna’s performance, which was action-filled from the opening bell.
LaManna used hard right hands to continuously rock Mena.  In round one, LaManna set the tone by buckling Mena with one of those rights.
LaManna was sitting down on his punches to the point where he sent Mena’s mouthpiece firing out oh his mouth several times and finally in round three, referee David Fanciosi had to deduct a point from Mena.  LaManna continued to rock Mena with hard shots and had him wobbled throughout round four.  LaManna had Mena on the ropes and one more hard right hand pummeled into Mena and Franciosi stopped the bout at 2:23 of round four.
LaManna of Millville, NJ is 20-1 with eight knockouts.  Mena of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic is 20-4.
“It felt good to get the stoppage.  I can only see bigger and better things coming for my career,  I am only getting better and stronger, and I predict more knockouts to come,”  Said LaManna.  “I felt real composed and I knew he was hurt in the first round and I took my time to break him down and get him out.  Rising Promotions and Gulfstream Promotions has three more dates at The Claridge (May 27, September 17 and November 12) and I am still building.  I am still young and am taking my time to get where I want to be.”
Isiah Seldon (8-1) came back after a 33-month layoff with a six-round unanimous decision over Michael Mitchell to capture the Tri-State Super Middleweight title.
Seldon of Atlantic City almost had a stoppage in round one as he landed a hard flurry of punches and had Mitchell hurt on the ropes.  It looked like referee Mary Glover was stepping in to stop the fight, but she just separated the fighters.  Seldon got the best of the action over the game Mitchell and came home with the victory to the tune of 58-56 on all cards.
Dan Pasciolla (7-1-1) won the Tri-State Heavyweight title with a shutout six-round unanimous decision over comebacking former IBF Cruiserweight champion Imamu Mayfield (25-10-2)
Scores were 60-54 on all cards.
Popular Long Island welterweight Tommy Rainone (25-7-1) made his boardwalk debut a successful one as he scored a hard fought unanimous decision over Maurice Chalmers (14-13-1) in a eight-round bout.  Rainone used effective punching to open up a cut over Chalmers left eye in round two.  Chalmers tried to make the fight, but Rainone used effective counters and won by scores of 79-73 on all cards.
Daryl Bunting (1-0-1) started the card off with a four-round unanimous decision over Darryl Watkins (0-3) in a super middleweight bout.
Bunting win by scores of 40-36 twice and 40-35.
Omar Brito (3-2, 2 KO’s) scored a explosive one-punch knockout over Bienvenido Diaz (2-2) in a scheduled four-round super featherweight bout.
Brito landed a perfect right hand that sent Diaz to the canvas.  Diaz got to his feet but was wobbling around the ring and the bout was stopped at 2:20 of round one.
Quian Davis (2-0-1) won a four round unanimous decision over Corey Morley (0-2-1) in a heavyweight bout.
Scores were 40-36 on all cards.
Alvin Vermall Jr. (8-0-1)  remained perfect by winning an entertaining four round unanimous decision over D’Quan Morgan (3-3-1) in a cruiserweight bout.
There was good back and forth action throughout the bout.  Vermall, who is from Catskills, New York has an exciting style reminiscent to another former Catskills fighter in Mike Tyson.  Morgan was bleeding from his nose in round three.  The two fought a spirited affair with Vermall winning by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37.

Hakim Bryant (6-0) remained perfect with a six-round unanimous decision over Rick Graham in a middleweight bout.
Bryant (6-0) dominated the action, and dropped Graham in round six from a flurry on the ropes and won by scores of 60-51, 60-52 and 60-53.
The show is available for viewing for $14.99 on GFL.TV by CLICKING HERE
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