Los Angeles (March 17, 2022)– Undefeated Los Angeles bantamweight prospect John “Scrappy” Ramirez (8-0, 7 KOs) returns to the ring this Saturday (Okun. 19) to take on Roberto “Escorpion” Pucheta (10-20-3, 10 KOs), of Mexico, in a 6-round bout on the Blair Cobbs-Alexis Rocha card (replacing Vergil Ortiz, Jr.-Michael McKinson), presented by Golden Boy Promotions.
The main card will be streamed live on DAZN from USC Galen Center in Los Angeles; go to Golden Boy’s YouTube page to watch the Ramirez vs. Pucheta live stream.
Ramirez is an LA inner-city sports legend. His journey started on the gridiron, not in a ring, when he was a key member of the Lincoln High football team, profiled in a 2015 itan, “ESPN 60: Letterman.” The players were from a crime-ridden section of Hollywood riddled with drugs and guns. Ramirez was a 5’ 4”, 160-pound running back on a team that, starting in Pop Warner competition, and advanced to Lincoln High, which hadn’t experienced success in football. Lincoln High went on to become a 3-time league champion, highlighted by its semi-final playoff appearance in his senior year, which eventually led “Scrappy” to a roster spot on the Los Angeles Valley College’s football team.
“The venue is only a five-minute drive from my home,” an excited Ramirez said. “I literally drive by it every day. I grew up around USC and played football there. Bayi, I’m fighting in the inner-city where I grew up. That’s pretty dope! My dream is to fight at Staples Center, which is only a three-minute drive for me. I’m getting closer.
“Things like this don’t happen by accident. Lori March 18th, I’ll showcase my skills in front of my people. LA is the City of Champions, but we haven’t had a world boxing champion since Oscar de la Hoya, who grew up in East LA. My goal is to be the next LA champ.”
“Scrappy,” who was one of the most active fighters in 2021 with seven bouts, successfully transitioned from football to boxing, albeit a relatively short amateur boxing career with only 25 amateur matches. He did garner top honors in the Sugar Bert National Championships, as well as in the regional Golden Gloves and SoCal tournaments.
“I last fought on December 18th, took a week off, and went right back to training camp at Brickhouse Boxing Club (N. Hollywood),” the 26-year-old Ramirez added. “I’m getting better and that’s super exciting for me. I’ve been with my strength-and-conditioning coach, running, and working on my boxing skills. My training hasn’t stopped, it’s going full force.”
Pucheta has been stopped only once in 33 pro njà, back in 2016 by Emanuel Navarrete, the current World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Bantamweight Champion, who sports a 35-1 (29 KOs) pro record.
“He’s a tough, durable opponent,” Ramirez noted, “who has been in the ring with a lot of good prospects. This is a great opportunity for me to make a statement by becoming only the second to knock him out.”
Ramirez’ accelerated pace and development continues this Saturday, when it’ll be “Scrappy Time” once again, only this time at home.
“I want to be at the top and will,” he concluded. “Every fight elevates me. My goal is to be No. 1 in my weight class, and I’ll get there because of my hard work and dedication.”
LOS ANGELES –It was officially announced at tonight’sBELLATOR 272: Pettis la. Horiguchievent that next year’s prestigious BELLATOR World Grand Prix will take place in the promotion’s incredibly stacked bantamweight division. The winner of tonight’s 135-Pound World Championship fight betweenSergio Pettis atiKyoji Horiguchiwill defend their title next year in the Bantamweight World Grand Prix featuring a gauntlet of the eight best athletes the weight class has to offer.
In addition to both Pettis and Horiguchi, the Bantamweight World Grand Prix is set to feature former divisional championJuan Archuleta, Ṣe Ko. 2 ni ipo-Raufeon Stots, Ṣe Ko. 3 ni ipo-Patchy Mix, Ṣe Ko. 4 ni ipo-Magomed Magomedov, Ṣe Ko. 5 ni ipo-Leandro Higo, ati Ko si. 6 ni ipo-James Gallagher, who will all vie for the right to be named the next BELLATOR Bantamweight World Champion and take home a grand prize of one-million-dollars.
First-round matchups and additional details such as dates, locations and tournament alternates will be revealed soon.
All tournament bouts will be five-round contests and will be telecast in the United States exclusively on SHOWTIME.
Former BELLATOR Bantamweight World Champion Kyoji Horiguchi enters tonight’s contest unranked due to inactivity within the promotion. Official BELLATOR Rankings will be updated and distributed on Monday, Oṣu kejila. 6.
Asiwaju – Sergio Pettis (21-5):
Fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.,Sergio Pettiscaptured the BELLATOR bantamweight crown in May 2021 by outpointing former championJuan Archuletain a fast-paced contest atBELLATOR 258.During a nearly six-year, 14-fight UFC stint, the Roufusport-product competed in both the flyweight and bantamweight classes, collecting nine victories and a pair of “Fight of the Night” honors against Alex Caceres and Matt Hobar in 2014. Prior to his UFC tenure, Pettis, the younger brother of former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, earned world titles in Resurrection Fighting Alliance’s flyweight division and North American Fighting Championship’s 135-pound class. Following a trio of impressive triumphs over some of the division’s elite, BELLATOR’s bantamweight champion is set to protect his belt and an unblemished 3-0 promotional mark entering the tournament.
Former BELLATOR Bantamweight Champion – Kyoji Horiguchi (29-3):
Hailing from Takasaki, Japan, awọn 31-odun-atijọKyoji Horiguchiis the reigning RIZIN bantamweight champion who notoriously became a simultaneous, two-promotion champion in 2019 after taking down and upsetting then-BELLATOR champion Darrion Caldwell at Madison Square Garden. Laanu, an injury would force Horiguchi to relinquish his BELLATOR title in 2019, and he now looks to reclaim his belt in a main event clash with current championSergio Pettis niBELLATOR 272. While with RIZIN, the American Top Team-product amassed an impressive 10-1 promotional mark, highlighted by eight finishes and five first-round knockouts. Afikun ohun ti, more than half of Horiguchi’s career victories have come via knockout. Bayi, after reclaiming his RIZIN bantamweight strap and avenging only his third loss in 32 outings with a highlight-reel, opening-round knockout over Kai Asakura on New Year’s Eve 2020, the Japanese sensation fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla., aims to get his hands back on BELLATOR’s title
Ṣe Ko. 1 Ranked Bantamweight – Juan Archuleta (25-3):
With the Bantamweight World Grand Prix set, former BELLATOR World Champion and No. 1-ni ipoJuan Archuletasees a clear path toward regaining the 135-pound crown. Armed with 25 professional victories, pẹlu 12 by way of K.O. tabi ifakalẹ, the “Spaniard” has no issues stopping opponents inside the BELLATOR cage. The former four-division King of the Cage world champion, who holds victories over Patchy Mix, Henry Corrales, and Ricky Bandejas, strives to keep that trend going throughout the Grand Prix.
Ṣe Ko. 2 Ranked Bantamweight – Raufeon Stots (17-1):
Considered one of the world’s best 135-pound fighters, Raufeon “Supa” Stotshas been in the title conversation since his 2019 BELLATOR debut. Currently riding a nine-fight winning streak, awọn Ko. 2-ranked bantamweight has defeated some of BELLATOR’s finest, including Magomed Magomedov and Josh Hill, by smothering opponents with top-tier grappling ability. Sporting a near-perfect 17-1 gba, the Roufusport product and two-time NCAA Division II Champion now has an opportunity to compete for a long-awaited crown.
Ṣe Ko. 3 Ranked Bantamweight – Patchy Mix (15-1):
Set to make his sixth promotional appearance under the BELLATOR umbrella, the pride of Angola, N.Y., has collected two-first round submission victories while compiling a 4-1 record with the Scott Coker-led promotion. The 28-year-old Buffalo, N.Y.. native looks to build off his most recent win atBELLATOR 270over James Gallagher in his opponent’s hometown of Dublin, Ireland, osu to koja. Prior to his time with BELLATOR, Mix dominated the competition while on the regional scene by collecting nine of his 15 professional victories, including five first-round finishes. Bayi, the submission specialist will face the toughest challenge of his career, a shot at the tournament’s $1 million prize and BELLATOR’s 135-pound strap.
Ṣe Ko. 4 Ranked Bantamweight – Magomed Magomedov (18-2):
After capturing belts in different organizations, Dagestani phenomMagomed Magomedovhopes to add to his collection by taking home BELLATOR gold. Amassing an impressive 18-2 career record with 12 via finish, “Tiger” has made a swift impact on the BELLATOR 135-pound division since his December 2020 promotional debut by climbing to No. 4 in the rankings. Possessing both a blistering pace and superior grappling, Magomedov has the potential to be a nightmare matchup for anyone in the BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix.
Ṣe Ko. 5 Ranked Bantamweight – Leandro Higo (21-5):
After dropping in weight to 135-pounds, Leandro Higo has been on a tear by winning three consecutive fights and putting the entire bantamweight division on notice. Under the tutelage of the famed Pitbull Brothers camp, the Brazilian is coming off a hard-fought, split-decision victory over former Bantamweight World Champion Darrion CaldwellatBELLATOR 259 ni oṣu Karun 2021. Bi 12 of Higo’s 21 pro victories have come by submission, the entire bracket knows that the No. 5-ranked bantamweight will not be an easy out.
Ṣe Ko. 6 Ranked Bantamweight – James Gallagher (11-2):
Hailing from Strabane, Ireland, one of MMA’s brightest young fighters strives to notch his 12th career victory in a tournament stacked with 135-pound talent. Following a finish over Anthony Taylor atBELLATOR 169 ni December 2016 and a pair of first-round submissions the following year, “The Strabanimal” has tallied four victories over his past six contests, including three first-round finishes and a highlight reel 35-second win atBELLATOR 227. Poised for the biggest test of his young career, the former SBG Ireland-product aims to shed the shadow of former training partner, Conor McGregor, and add to his own legacy with a shot at BELLATOR bantamweight gold.
Carson, CALIF. (Kọkànlá Oṣù 2, 2021) – WBC Bantamweight World Champion and future Hall of FamerNonito Donaire will defend his title against undefeated Interim WBC Bantamweight Champion and fellow Filipino countrymanReymart Gaballoheadlining action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, December 11 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Tennis Stadium in Carson, Calif. Tickets for the live event go on sale November 2 ni 12 p.m. PT and can be purchased atAXS.com. # # #
FUN lẹsẹkẹsẹ Tu: Orono, Maine (Kínní 20, 2020) - New England njà (NEF) yoo mu awọn ọna-adapọ-ologun-atẹle rẹ ti o tẹle (MMA) ni Ile-iṣẹ Collins fun Iṣẹ-ọnà lori ile-iwe giga Yunifasiti ti Maine ti ile-iwe Orono. Iṣẹlẹ naa, ti akole “NEF 43: Rampage,”Yoo waye ni ọjọ Satidee, April 18, 2020, pẹlu kan Belii-akoko ti 7 pm EDT. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the card.Fred Lear (0-1) yoo gba loriJason Rine (1-7) at a fight weight of 135 poun.
Fred Lear, who wrestled and played football for John Bapst Memorial High School in nearby Bangor, Maine, had one of the most successful amateur careers in NEF history. Lear finished his amateur career in 2019 pẹlu kan gba ti 6-2-1 and an NEF Amateur Bantamweight Title to his credit. He entered the professional ranks last April in Portland, Maine, losing his debut to Bryant Bullock (2-1) via second-round submission. Lear experienced a disappointing setback when an opponent pulled out on him the night before weigh-ins at “NEF 40” last September. The Young’s MMA product will now look for the first win of his professional career on April 18 against Rine.
“2019 and the September fight card were difficult for me, but I wasn’t going to let it get in the way of supporting my team,” said Lear. “I feel as though people have forgotten who I am and what I’m here to do. Jason Rine is a Bellator vet and a consummate professional. I’m here, Ebi n pa mi, and April 18th I’m making the walk and leaving my mark.”
Jason Rine is indeed a Bellator veteran, having competed on the Bellator 215 card last year. Based out of Fredericktown, Ohio, Rine has become well-known throughout the New England region in recent years, traveling in to fight on many area events. While his record may appear on the surface to be that of a journeyman, Rine has taken nothing but tough bouts throughout his professional career, always showing up to fight. April 18 will see him make his debut with NEF.
“I’m very excited to come to Maine and fight for NEF against a game opponent in Fred Lear,” stated Rine when reached for comment. “I’m ready to test myself in a new promotion in a new state. Time for a fresh start and a new beginning.”
New England njà’ iṣẹlẹ iṣẹlẹ adalu-ologun-ti-tẹle, “NEF 43: Rampage,” yoo waye ni ọjọ Satidee, April 18, 2020, ni Ile-iṣẹ Collins fun Arts ni UMaine Orono. Tiketi yoo wa ni tita ni ọsẹ yii niwww.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.
Nipa New England njà
New England njà ("NEF") ni a ija iṣẹlẹ ni igbega ile. Iṣẹ NEF ni lati ṣẹda awọn iṣẹlẹ didara ti o ga julọ fun awọn onija ati awọn onijakidijagan bakanna. NEF ká executive egbe ni o ni sanlalu iriri ni ija ogun idaraya isakoso, isele gbóògì, media ajosepo, tita, ofin ati ipolongo.