Tag Archives: Josh Copeland

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WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING KICKS OFF “WHO’S THE TOUGHEST?” WITH FOUR MILITARY VETERANS DOING BATTLE IN LOVELAND, COLORADO ON SATURDAY, Tachwedd. 12

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Mwy: Kevin Sears replaces injured Josh Copeland against Smealinho Rama in heavyweight action

Tickets for WSOF34 on sale now

 

LAS VEGAS (Hydref 10, 2016) - Cyfres Byd Ymladd (www.WSOF.com) announced that it has tabbed four military veterans for action in three different bouts, including one that will air on its live NBCSN telecast (10:30 p.m. A/7:30 p.m. PT), to kick off it’s “Who’s The Toughest?” program at WSOF34: Foster vs. Tarianau, at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Lap. ar Dydd Sadwrn, Tachwedd. 12.

The league also announced that Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-4) has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled heavyweight matchup with former world champion Smealinho “The Prince” Rama (9-2) due to a knee injury. Rama will now face Kevin Sears (4-2).

“We are extremely excited to launch the ‘Who’s The Toughest?’ program with a group of four professional fighters that have served our country valiantly, and who have since been looking for a potentially career-changing opportunity to compete on a major stage,"Meddai Cyfres Byd o Ymladd Llywydd Penaethiaid Tad.

World Series of Fighting announced in May that it would be launching “Who’s The Toughest?” in order to provide military veterans who are active or aspiring MMA fighters, with the opportunity to compete under its promotion.

Leading off the live NBCSN telecast of WSOF34, Shane Kruchten (11-4) ac Jeremy Mahon (5-4) – both U.S. Marine Corps veterans – will do battle in a 150-pound catchweight contest.

Mewn pwysau trwm ysgafn (205 bunnoedd) matchup that will headline the WSOF34 preliminary bout card, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Brandon Collins (3-2) Bydd yn gwrthdaro â Chris Morgan (0-0), who will make his professional debut.

The fourth veteran, former U.S. Army ranger Nicoli Navarro (3-1), will square off with unbeaten upstart Alan Gutierrez (2-0) yn ysgafn (155 bunnoedd).

Shane Kruchten vs. Jeremy Mahon

Y 6 troedfedd-1, 32-year-old Kruchten of San Diego, Calif. saw action in the Iraq War in 2003 ac 2004, and was subsequently awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and a Combat Action Ribbon for his efforts in battle before retiring from the military with the rank of Lance Corporal.

Since turning professional in 2007, Kruchten has donated a portion of each of his fight purses to the Mighty Oaks Warrior Foundation, a California-based retreat for veterans run by fellow U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former World Series of Fighting competitor Chad Robichaux.

Kruchten’s start will bring an end to a two-and-a-half-year hiatus that he took following a loss to Mike Corey by way of second round (2:59) cyflwyniad (tagu cefn-noeth) in what was Kruchten’s World Series of Fighting debut. Cyn y gorchfygiad, Kruchten had reeled off 11 buddugoliaethau yn olynol, 6 via submission and 3 drwy (T)KO.

The 5-foot-10, 37-year-old Mahon of Houston, Texas was deployed to Iraq during the initial invasion of the country in 2003, and later served as a security contractor in Fallujah, working to procure the safety of civilians there.

Before retiring as a Sergeant, Mahon earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal as well as a Presidential Unit Citation. He runs a non-profit organization, DAWG Foundation, which trains dogs and offers them to veterans in need of everyday assistance.

Mahon is looking to notch his third straight victory following a second round (4:22) PWY (punches) o Davis Sylvester yn Bellator 149 ar Chwefror 19.

Brandon Collins vs. Chris Morgan

Y 6 troedfedd-1, 32-year-old Collins of Houston, Texas was also a recipient of a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during his eight-year stint (2004-2012) with the Marine Corps that saw him tour Afghanistan where he was a special operations officer and his unit’s martial arts instructor.

Collins was a member of his North Carolina base’s boxing team and, after relocating to California, he quickly transitioned to MMA.

Morgan, a 6-foot-3, 28-year-old resident of Denver, Lap. will make his first professional start after a three-year amateur career that saw him compile an overall record of 5-2. Mae pob 5 of his victories came inside the first round of action via (T)KO neu gyflwyno.

Nicholi Navarro vs. Alan Gutierrez

Y 6 troedfedd, 30-year-old Navarro of Denver served in the Army’s 75fed Ranger Regimen, a special operations unit, rhwng 2004 ac 2008, eventually reaching the rank of Corporal.

During his four-year tenure in the military, Navarro earned a Combat Infantry Badge, an Expert Infantry Badge and a Parachutist Badge.

Navarro is a student of retired, former Muay Thai world champion and UFC star Duane “Bang” Ludwig. All three of Navarro’s professional victories to date have come by way of (T)KO neu gyflwyno.

While not a veteran, y 5-droed-11, 23-year-old Gutierrez of Skagit Valley, Golchwch. was born into and raised by a family of Marines, gyda'i dad, mother and brother all having served. Gutierrez dedicates each of his fights to his recently deceased brother.

Gutierrez made quick work of each of his first two professional opponents, to date, submitting Ryan Schecterson with a brabo choke in the first round (2:00) of action in Gutierrez’s professional debut on May 9, 2015, and scoring a first round (1:11) KO (punches) ar Taylor Roberts ar Chwefror 27.

Pris o $20, tickets for “WSOF34: Fitch vs. Shields” are on sale at the Budweiser Events Center box office, BudweiserEventsCenter.com, and by phone at 1-877-544-TIXX.

In the main event of WSOF34, reigning world welterweight (170 bunnoedd) pencampwr Jon Fitch (28-7-1, 1 CC) will collide with number one contender and fellow decorated superstar Jake Shields (31-8-1).

In the welterweight co-main event, Paul Bradley (23-6), will make his promotional debut for World Series of Fighting and take on former top 10 byd-ranked Yushin "Thunder" Okami (32-10).

Additional matchups for “WSOF34: Fitch vs. Shields” will be announced soon.

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BYD CYFRES O YMLADD: RETURNS TO EVERETT, WASHINGTON WITH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BLOCKBUSTER EVENT ON SATURDAY, Rhagfyr 3, BYW YN NBCSN

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Blagoy Ivanov makes his third heavyweight title defense

Jared Rosholt faces Caio Alencar in a featured heavyweight scrap

Tickets for WSOF35 go on sale yfory

LAS VEGAS (Medi 22, 2016) - Cyfres Byd Ymladd (www.WSOF.com) announced today that it will return to Everett, Golchwch. with a heavyweight championship blockbuster Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event at XFINITY Arena at Everett, ar Dydd Sadwrn, Rhagfyr. 3, byw ar NBCSN ar 10 p.m. A/7 p.m. PT.

In the main-event, reigning world champion Blagoy Ivanov (14-1) will put his title on the line for the third time against the victor of the WSOF33 bout between knockout artists and contenders Shawn Jordan (18-7) ac Ashley Gooch (10-4) ar Dydd Gwener, Hydref. 7.

Yn ogystal,, former UFC standout Jared ROSHOLT (14-3) will make his much-anticipated promotional debut against fellow World Series of Fighting newcomer and finisher Caio Alencar (9-1) in a featured heavyweight contest.

Tickets for WSOF35 go on sale yfory, Dydd Gwener, Saith. 23 yn 10 a.m. PT at the XFINITY Arena Box Office, arwystl dros y ffôn 866.332.8499, neu ar-lein ynwww.WSOF.com ac www.xfinityarenaeverett.com.

“We are looking forward to bringing another action-packed night of world-class MMA action to the city of Everett, on the heels of what was one of our greatest fight cards to date, from top to bottom, and an arena packed with incredibly passionate fight fans,"Meddai Cyfres Byd o Ymladd Llywydd Penaethiaid Tad.

The 5-foot-11, 29-year-old Ivanov of Sofia, Bulgaria fended off a valiant and tenacious Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland for five straight, electrifying rounds of battle in the main event of WSOF31 on Mehefin 17 to retain the coveted heavyweight title.

Ivanov is a Judo black belt and was a semi-finalist at the 2008 world Sambo championships where he famously defeated all-time MMA great Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko.

The stocky, heavy-handed Ivanov went on to emerge the runner-up in the 2014 Bellator MMA season-long, heavyweight tournament. During his seven-fight stint with the league that began in 2013, he notched six consecutive victories, all by way of (T)KO neu gyflwyno.

Y 6 troedfedd-2, 30-year-old Rosholt of Sandpoint, Idaho is coming off a solid run with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he amassed a record of 6-2, defeating the likes of Walt Harris and seven-foot giant Stefan Struve, ar hyd y ffordd.

Rosholt was a 2010 NCAA Division I national wrestling championship runner-up and three-time All-American for Oklahoma State University.

Alencar of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil is a 6-foot-4, 37-year-old import who will make his debut in the U.S. as well as his first start in the World Series of Fighting decagon cage.

After beginning his professional career just five years ago, Alencar ran to six consecutive wins and, to date, has earned all but one of his nine career victories by way of (T)KO.

Additional WSOF35 bouts will be announced soon.

Doors at XFINITY Arena at Everett will open for WSOF35 at 3:30 p.m. PT, a bydd yr ornest cerdyn rhagarweiniol cyntaf yn dechrau am 4 p.m.
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BYD CYFRES O YMLADD: JON FITCH-JAKE SHIELDS WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN SET FOR SATURDAY, Tachwedd 12 IN LOVELAND, COLORADO LIVE ON NBCSN

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Mwy:
Josh Copeland vs. Smealinho Rama in heavyweight battle
Paul Bradley vs. Yushin Okami in welterweight collision

Tickets for WSOF34 on sale Dydd Gwener, Saith. 16

LAS VEGAS (Medi 13, 2016) - Cyfres Byd Ymladd (www.WSOF.com) officially announced today the highly-anticipated welterweight (170 bunnoedd) title fight between reigning world champion Jon Fitch (28-7-1, 1 CC) and number one contender and fellow decorated superstar Jake Shields (31-8-1) am Dydd Sadwrn, Tachwedd. 12 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo., byw ar NBCSN ar 10:30 p.m. A/7:30 p.m. PT.

Pris o $20, tickets for “WSOF34: Fitch vs. Shields” go on sale on Dydd Gwener, Saith. 16 at the Budweiser Events Center box office, BudweiserEventsCenter.com, or by phone at 1-877-544-TIXX.

“This is a fight between two of the sport’s most seasoned and accomplished competitors, and a matchup that has been building for quite some time, so we are excited to see it finally come to fruition in the decagon cage, and to crown the better man that night, our world welterweight champion,"Meddai Cyfres Byd o Ymladd Llywydd Penaethiaid Tad.

In addition to the main event, World Series of Fighting announced a featured heavyweight attraction pitting Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-4) yn erbyn cyn-bencampwr Smealinho “The Prince” Rama (9-2), as well as the promotional debut of battle-tested Paul Bradley (23-6), who will take on former top 10 byd-ranked Yushin "Thunder" Okami (32-10) in a welterweight affair.

Additional matchups for “WSOF34: Fitch vs. Shields” will be announced soon.

Jon Fitch vs. Jake Shields

Y 6 troedfedd, 38-year-old Fitch of Las Vegas, Nev. via Fort Wayne, Yn. will put his title on the line for the second time since seizing the vacant belt on October 17, 2015, when he earned a unanimous decision over Yushin Okami.

Fitch, who has faced and defeated some of the best rival welterweight fighters of his era to cement his legacy in the sport, risked his World Series of Fighting title for the first time on Ebrill 2, defeating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Joao Zeferino by way of unanimous decision.

Fighting out of San Francisco, Calif., y 6 troedfedd, 37-year-old Shields will seek his fourth major world championship. Y Cesar Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt held both the Shooto and EliteXC welterweight straps as well as the Strikeforce middleweight crown.

Like Fitch, Shields has provided fight fans with a host of memories, including his unforgettable, upset unanimous decision defeat of future Hall of FamerDan Henderson ar Ebrill 17, 2010. Shields also boasts a split decision win over reigning UFC champion Tyron Woodley as well as a split decision victory over UFC superstar Demian Maia.

Josh Copeland vs. Smealinho Rama

Y 6 troedfedd-1, 33-year-old Copeland is coming off what was perhaps the grittiest performance of his four-year professional career in his bid for the World Series of Fighting heavyweight title against reigning champion Blagoy Ivanov. Copeland stood toe-to-toe and held his own against the Sambo champion, but was left on the losing end of a unanimous decision after five competitive rounds of action.

Copeland, who has notched 7 o'i 12 professional victories by way of (T)KO neu gyflwyno, earned his place in the world title fight by taking a unanimous decision from Mike “300” Hayes at WSOF29 on Mawrth 12.

Y 6 troedfedd-1, 24-year-old Rama of Calgary, Alberta, Canada made history on October 11, 2014, becoming the first-ever World Series of Fighting heavyweight champion by scoring a devastating, 51-second TKO (punches) ar Derrick “Caveman” Mehman at WSOF14.

Rama, who also holds a unanimous decision win over Steve Mocco in the World Series of Fighting decagon cage, surrendered the heavyweight title after being submitted (tagu gilotîn) by Ivanov in the third round (1:17) of their bout on June 5, 2015.

Paul Bradley vs. Yushin Okami

One of World Series of Fighting’s recent, high-profile acquisitions, y 5-droed-9, 33-year-old Bradley of San Diego, Calif. signed with the league after decimating previously unbeaten Chris Honeycutt by way of TKO (punches) in just 40 seconds in the Bellator MMA cage on January 29, 2016.

Mae cyn-, two-time All-American wrestling star for NCAA Division I University of Iowa, Bradley placed as high as fourth in the national championships before turning to MMA in 2006 where he has since faced off with elite competition in the UFC and Strikeforce.

Similar to his opponent, y 6 troedfedd-2, 35-year-old Okami of Kanagawa, Japan has scrapped with top-level, world ranked competition to earn his place in the decagon cage.

Since the loss to Fitch, Okami, a veteran of the UFC as well as PRIDE, has since reeled off two consecutive victories in his home country – a second round (4:23) PWY (corner stoppage) o Ryuta Sakurai yn Tokyo ar Chwefror 27, and a first round (2:06) cyflwyniad (tagu cefn-noeth) o Shingo Suzukiar Gorffennaf 24.
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MIKE ARRANT REPLACES INJURED THIAGO MELLER AGAINST JOHN HOWARD AT WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND LIVE ON NBCSN FROM MASHANTUCKET, CONN. AR DDYDD GWENER, Mehefin 17

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HOWARD VS. ARRANT TO BE CONTESTED AT MIDDLEWEIGHT

PLUS UNDEFEATED MARCUS SURIN TO BATTLE
CHRISTIAN TORRES IN WSOF31 PRELIMINARY BOUT
LIVE ON WSOF.COM

LAS VEGAS (Mehefin 15, 2016) -World Cyfres o Ymladd (WSOF.com) announced today that Thiago Meller has withdrawn from his scheduled welterweight (170 bunnoedd) gystadleuaeth yn erbyn John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12), a fydd yn wynebu“Mad” Mike Arrant (15-10) in a middleweight (185 bunnoedd) bout at the much-anticipated WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world championship doubleheader Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Digwyddiad, byw ar NBCSN (9 p.m. A/6 p.m. PT) o Foxwoods Resort Casino yn Mashantucket, Conn. ar Dydd Gwener, Mehefin 17.

Yn ogystal,, undefeated Marcus Surin (3-0) of Stamford, Conn. has been tabbed to step in for Sam Watford yn y drefnwyd ysgafn (155 bunnoedd) preliminary card contest against Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y..

Originally hailing from Orlando, Fla., y 5-droed-9, 28-year-old Arrant, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, resides in Las Vegas, where he is a member of legendary champion Randy “The Natural” Couture’s Xtreme Couture fight squad.

Arrant is looking to return to the win column following a unanimous decision defeat in his last start on August 7, 2015, at the hands of two-time UFC veteran Brock Jardine.

Prior to the loss, Arrant had reeled off six consecutive victories, five of which he produced in the first round, trwy (T)KO neu gyflwyno. Hyd yma, 12 o'i 15 professional wins have been finishes.

During the six-fight win streak, Arrant seized his first championship – regional promotion SteelFist Fight Night’s welterweight title – with a first round (5:00) PWY (retirement) o Carl Dieckmann ar Gorffennaf 12, 2013.

Like Arrant, the 5-foot-7, 33-year-old Howard boasts a phenomenal finish rate with 15 o'i 23 professional victories having come by way of (T)KO neu gyflwyno.

Howard will make his promotional debut with World Series of Fighting following a second stint with the UFC that spanned seven fights and included wins over Neuadd Uriah, Siyar Bahadurzada ac Cathal Pendred.

Pris o $39.99, tickets for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland are on sale at WSOF.com and Foxwoods.com.

Doors at The Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open at 5 p.m. A, and the first of seven preliminary card bouts will begin at 5:45 p.m.

Bydd y cerdyn frwydr rhagarweiniol cyfan ffrwd fyw ar chwaraewr fideo fewnosodadwy ar WSOF.com.

In the main event of the five-bout, byw NBCSN telecast, reigning World Series of Fighting heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) will put his title on the line against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (12-3).

Fel y bu cyd-brif ysgafn, Superstars Jason "Mae'r Kansas City Bandit" Uchel (19-5) ac Mike "The blaned" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND

PRIF CERDYN (Yn fyw ar NBCSN)

World Series of Fighting Heavyweight Championship Main Event:
Blagoy Ivanov (Hyrwyddwr) vs. Josh Copeland (Challenger)

Cyd-Main Ysgafn Digwyddiad:
Jason vs Uchel. Mike Ricci

Canol: John Howard vs. Mike Arrant
Pwysau plu: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Canol: Phil Hawes vs. Josh Allweddol

CERDYN RHAGARWEINIOL (Byw ar WSOF.com)

Ysgafn: Tom Marcellino vs. Devin Powell
Pwysau trwm: Juliano Coutinho vs. Justin Willis
Pwysau trwm: Tyler King vs. Lorenzo Hood
Pwysau welter: Robert Fonseca vs. Sean Lally
Ysgafn: Bruce Boyington vs. Saul Almeida
Pwysau Bantam: Rodrigo Almeida vs. Ben Pierre-Saint
Ysgafn: Marcus Surin vs. Christian Torres
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UNDEFEATED SENSATION PHIL HAWES SIGNS WITH WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING

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FORMER JUNIOR COLLEGE NATIONAL WRESTLING CHAMP
WILL DEBUT AGAINST JOSHUA KEY AT WSOF31
LIVE ON NBCSN AT 9 P.m. A ON Dydd Gwener, Mehefin 17
FROM MASHANTUCKET, CONN.

 

LAS VEGAS (Mai 20, 2016) -World Cyfres o Ymladd (WSOF.com) has signed undefeated middleweight (185 bunnoedd) gobaith Phil Hawes (3-0) i exclusive, cytundeb hyrwyddo aml-flwyddyn.

A product of the famed Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M., y 6 troedfedd, 27-year-old Hawes who hails from Little Ferry, N.J., bydd yn gwneud ei ymddangosiad cyntaf yn hyrwyddo yn erbyn Joshua “The Prince of MMA” Key (6-11, 2 CC) on the live, five-bout NBCSN telecast (9 p.m. A/6 p.m. PT) of WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, yn Foxwoods Resort Casino yn Mashantucket, Conn. arDydd Gwener, Mehefin 17.

“Phil is one of the most exciting, young prospects in the sport of MMA, so we are excited to welcome him to the World Series of Fighting family, and we look forward to seeing how his career develops under our promotion,"Meddai Cyfres Byd o Ymladd Llywydd Penaethiaid Tad.

The matchup with Key will be Hawes’ first start since 2014, his professional debut year when he ran to three straight victories, the first two by way of TKO and the third – a first round victory over Brandon Collins ar Hydref 18 – by way of armbar submission.

A 2009 junior college national wrestling champion for Iowa Central Community College, the alma mater of UFC champion and Jackson-Winklejohn teammate Jon "Esgyrn" Jones, Hawes has been described by Jones as having“limitless” potential.

Pris o $39.99, tickets for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland are on sale at WSOF.com and Foxwoods.com.

Doors at The Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open at 5 p.m. A, a bydd yr ornest cerdyn rhagarweiniol cyntaf yn dechrau am 6 p.m.

In the main event of the live NBCSN telecast, reigning world heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) will risk his title against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-1).

In the lightweight (155 bunnoedd) cyd-prif ddigwyddiad, Superstars Jason "Mae'r Kansas City Bandit" Uchel (19-5) ac Mike "The blaned" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND
PRIF CERDYN (Yn fyw ar NBCSN)

World Series of Fighting Heavyweight Championship Main Event:
Blagoy Ivanov (Hyrwyddwr) vs. Josh Copeland (Challenger)

Ysgafn: Jason vs Uchel. Mike Ricci
Pwysau welter: John Howard vs. Thiago Meller
Pwysau plu: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Canol: Phil Hawes vs. Joshua Key

CERDYN RHAGARWEINIOL (Byw ar WSOF.com)

Ysgafn: Tom Marcellino vs. Devin Powell
Pwysau trwm: Juliano Coutinho vs. Justin Willis
Pwysau trwm: Tyler King vs. Lorenzo Hood
Pwysau welter: Robert Fonseca vs. Sean Lally
Ysgafn: Bruce Boyington vs. Saul Almeida
Pwysau Bantam: Rodrigo Almeida vs. Ben Pierre-Saint
Ysgafn: Sam Watford vs. Christian Torres

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WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND PRELIMINARY BOUT CARD COMPLETE WITH SEVEN MATCHUPS

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PRELIMINARY BOUTS STREAM LIVE AT 6 P.m. A
ON AN EMBEDDABLE VIDEO PLAYER ON WSOF.COM

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MAIN CARD
AIRS LIVE ON NBCSN AT 9 P.m. A
FROM MASHANTUCKET, CONN. ON Dydd Gwener, Mehefin 17

LAS VEGAS (Mai 19, 2016) -World Cyfres o Ymladd (WSOF.com) today announced a complete, seven-bout preliminary fight card for its WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world heavyweight championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Digwyddiad, byw ar NBCSN ar 9 p.m. A/6 p.m. PT from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. ar Dydd Gwener, Mehefin 17.

The WSOF31 undercard lineup includes the promotional debut of heavyweight knockout artist Lorenzo Hood (9-3), who will square off with fellow finisher Tyler “The Marauder” King (10-4).

The 6-foot-3, 27-year-old Hood of Chicago, Wael. is a former professional football player turned MMA wrecking machine who has notched all 9 of his professional victories by way of (T)KO in the first round of battle.

Brenin, a 6-foot-5, 35-year-old resident of North Attleboro, Offeren. wedi ennill 8 o'i 10 career wins via (T)KO neu gyflwyno. He is coming off a 51-second submission (bachyn sawdl) o Eric Bedard ar Ebrill 16.

In another heavyweight contest, Juliano “Banana” Coutinho (7-2) Cape Penfras, Offeren. drwy Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will look to secure his second straight victory when he faces off with Team AKA product Justin Willis (3-1) o San Jose, Calif.

Willis, who is riding a three-fight win streak, was originally slated to face Chris "Huggy Bear" Barnett on the main card portion of the bill.

Returning to the decagon cage for the fourth time, submission specialist Tom “Tommy Gunnz” Marcellino (7-4) of Amsterdam, N.Y.. Bydd yn cymryd ar Devin Powell (6-1) of South Berwick, Maine in one of three lightweight (155 bunnoedd) matchups on the WSOF31 preliminary bout card.

Powell boasts won four straight fights, three by way of (T)KO neu gyflwyno.

In welterweight (170 bunnoedd) gweithredu, Robert Fonseca (10-3, 1 CC) o Manaus, Amazon, Brazil will seek his fourth consecutive victory when he squares off with Sean Lally (4-2) of Orleans, Offeren.

Saul "The Spider" Almeida (18-6) o Boston, Offeren. will make his third start in the decagon cage in a lightweight matchup with prolific power striker Bruce "Boy Pretty" Boyington Bangor, Maine.

Thirty-year-old rising star Rodrigo "The Lion Young" Almeida o Woburn, Offeren. will do battle with Ben Pierre-Saint (9-4) of Superior, Wisc. yn Pwysau Bantam (135 bunnoedd).

In the leadoff preliminary card fight, ddiguro Sam Watford (2-0) of Mount Vernon, N.Y.. yn wynebu Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y..

Pris o $39.99, tickets for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland are on sale at WSOF.com and Foxwoods.com.

Doors at The Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open at 5 p.m. A, a bydd yr ornest cerdyn rhagarweiniol cyntaf yn dechrau am 6 p.m.

In the live NBCSN televised main event, reigning world heavyweight championBlagoy Ivanov (13-1) will risk his title against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-1) tra, in the lightweight co-main event, Superstars Jason "Mae'r Kansas City Bandit" Uchel (19-5) ac Mike "The blaned" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

Elsewhere on the live NBCSN telecast, John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12) will make his highly-anticipated World Series of Fighting debut against submission expert Thiago “Minu” Meller (20-7) yn pwysau welter.

In a featherweight (145 bunnoedd) tilt between two prolific strikers, Luis "Babwn" Palomino (24-12) will battle former world championship challenger Sheymon Moraes (8-1).

AM BYD CYFRES O YMLADD
“Cyfres Byd o Ymladd” (WSOF) yn fyd-eang o Crefft Ymladd Cymysg proffesiynol premier (MMA) ymladd dyrchafiad ymroddedig i gyflawni'r ymladd llawn gweithgareddau gorau ar gyfer cefnogwyr ymladd drwy gynhyrchu y bo modd cyfatebol-ups gorau rhwng diffoddwyr elitaidd o bob cwr o'r byd. Am fwy o wybodaeth, ewch i WSOF.com a dilyn “Cyfres Byd o Ymladd” on Twitter MMAWorldSeries. WSOF a Cyfres Byd o Ymladd yn nodau masnach cofrestredig MMAWC, LLC.
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WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND MAIN CARD COMPLETE WITH ADDITION OF THREE NEW, STAR-STUDDED MATCHUPS

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WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND
MAIN CARD COMPLETE WITH ADDITION

OF THREE NEW, STAR-STUDDED MATCHUPS

pwysau welter: JOHN HOWARD VS. THIAGO MELLER
Pwysau plu: LUIS PALOMINO VS. SHEYMON MORAES
Pwysau trwm: CHRIS “HUGGY BEAR” BARNETT VS. JUSTIN WILLIS

LIVE ON NBCSN AT 9 P.m. A
FROM MASHANTUCKET, CONN. AR DDYDD GWENER, Mehefin 17

LAS VEGAS (Ebrill 12, 2016) -World Cyfres o Ymladd (WSOF.com) today announced the addition of three star-studded matchups to complete the main card for its WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world heavyweight championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Digwyddiad, byw ar NBCSN ar 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. o Foxwoods Resort Casino yn Mashantucket, Conn. ar ddydd Gwener, Mehefin 17.

In a second heavyweight matchup, dynamic, seren yn codi Chris "Huggy Bear" Barnett (14-2) will make his World Series of Fighting debut against Team AKA prodigy Justin Willis (4-1).

Also stepping in the decagon cage for the first time, battle-tested warrior John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12) will collide with submission expert Thiago “Minu” Meller (20-7) mewn pwysau welter (170 bunnoedd) berthynas.

In a featherweight (145 bunnoedd) scrap between two prolific strikers, Luis "Babwn" Palomino (24-12) will face off with former world championship challenger Sheymon Moraes (8-1).

Yn y prif ddigwyddiad, reigning world heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) will risk his title against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-1) tra, in the lightweight (155 bunnoedd) cyd-prif ddigwyddiad, Superstars Jason "Mae'r Kansas City Bandit" Uchel (19-5) ac Mike "The blaned" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

Chris Barnett vs. Justin Willis

After spending the last year and a half making waves in Japan, y 5-droed-9, 29-year-old Barnett of Tampa, Fla. will suit up as “Huggy Bear,” and make his way onto a major stage in the U.S. for the first time in his career.

With heavy hands and tremendous agility for a fighter of his massive stature, Barnett has notched 12 o'i 14 buddugoliaethau gyrfaol drwy gyfrwng (T)KO, and has celebrated his wins in flamboyant fashion, with everything from cartwheels to breakdancing to hand stands.

Like Barnett, the stocky, 6-foot-3, 28-ier-old Willis, a training partner of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) greats Cain Velasquez ac Daniel Cormier, has been enjoying success in Japan under the promotion of Inoki Genome Federation (IFG).

Willis will make his first start of 2016, and look to extend his win streak to four consecutive bouts. In his last effort on August 29, he earned a unanimous decision over Rizvan Kuniev yn Tokyo.

Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes

The 5-foot-8, 35-year-old Palomino of Miami, Fla. via Lima, Peru is coming off an epic year in which he engaged in twy, all-out wars with reigning, Cyfres Byd diguro o Ymladd pencampwr pwysau ysgafn Justin "Mae'r Amlygu" Gaethje, both of which earned "Fight of the Month” honors.

After closing out 2015 with a gutsy appearance in World Series of Fighting’s first-ever, un-nos, eight-man tournament in which he scored a devastating, rownd gyntaf (4:55) PWY (punches) ar Rich Patishnock in the event’s quarterfinal stage, before being stopped in the semifinal stage of battle via second round (4:19) PWY (punches) at the hands o eventual tournament winner Brian Foster, Palomino will return to the featherweight division where he has held two world titles.

The 5-foot-8, 25-year-old Moraes of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil returned to form in his last bout, decimating fellow knockout artist Robbie "Problemau" Peralta by way of TKO (punches) yn yr ail rownd (3:21) of their matchup at WSOF26.

A seasoned Muay Thai stylist, Moraes ran to seven straight victories in his first seven starts as a professional MMA competitor before being handed his first career defeat by way of third round (3:46) cyflwyniad (tagu cefn-noeth) in a title bid against reigning bantamweight (135 bunnoedd) pencampwr Marlon Moraes.

John Howard vs. Thiago Meller

Following his second stint with the UFC that spanned seven bouts and included victories over Neuadd Uriah, Siyar Bahadurzada ac Cathal Pendred, y 5-foot-7, 33-year-old Howard of Boston, Offeren. will aim to rebound from a second round (:21) KO (punches) golled i Tim Means ar Ragfyr 10.

Hyd yma, Howard has notched 15 o'i 23 buddugoliaethau gyrfaol drwy gyfrwng (T)KO neu gyflwyno. During his initial run with the UFC between January 2009 and June 2011, Howard scored a memorable, drydedd rownd (4:55) KO (punches) on submission ace Dennis "Superman" Hallman ar Ragfyr 5, 2009, marking his third consecutive conquest in the league.

Meller of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil will look to collect his second win in a row, following his first round submission (tagu cefn-noeth) o Leonardo Rodriguez ar Fehefin 26, 2015.

The 5-foot-10, 33-year-old Meller, a near 13-year veteran of the sport, has emerged victorious in 14 o'i 20 career wins, drwy gyflwyno.

The preliminary bout card lineup for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland will be announced soon.

Pris o $39.99, tickets for the event are on sale at WSOF.com and Foxwoods.com.

Doors at The Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, yn 5 p.m. A, a bydd yr ornest cerdyn rhagarweiniol cyntaf yn dechrau am 6 p.m.
crefft ymladd cymysg, MMA, Cyfres Byd o Ymladd

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING RETURNS TO FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO IN CONNECTICUT WITH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MEGA-EVENT ON FRIDAY, Mehefin 17, BYW YN NBCSN

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TICKETS FOR WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND
ON SALE FRIDAY, Ebrill 1

LIGHTWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT:
JASON HIGH VS. MIKE RICCI

LAS VEGAS (Mawrth 29, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that it will return to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. with a stacked lineup of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights led by a world heavyweight championship showdown between reigning kingpin Blagoy Ivanov(13-1) and Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-1), byw ar NBCSN ar 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT ar ddydd Gwener, Mehefin 17.

In the lightweight (155 bunnoedd) cyd-prif ddigwyddiad, Superstars Jason "Mae'r Kansas City Bandit" Uchel (19-5) ac Mike "The blaned" Ricci (11-4) will square off with the number one contender ranking at stake.

Pris o $39.99, tickets for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, go on sale on Friday, Ebrill 1 yn 10 a.m. A, at WSOF.com and Foxwoods.com.

“We are looking forward to returning to the great state of Connecticut, and putting on another phenomenal world championship event featuring some of our top superstars, for fans at Foxwoods Resort Casino,"Meddai Cyfres Byd o Ymladd Llywydd Penaethiaid Tad.

Blagoy Ivanov vs. Josh Copeland

Ivanov of Sulfia, Bulgaria is a 5-foot-11, 29-year-old Judo black belt and Sambo master who has earned 11 o'i 13 career MMA wins by way of (T)KO neu gyflwyno. Ar y 2008 World Sambo Championships, he made his first big mark in combat sports, defeating all-time great Fedor Emelianenko.

Ivanov made his way to World Series of Fighting after a near-flawless, 8-fight run under the promotion of Bellator, posting an overall, 7-1 record there. He seized the World Series of Fighting heavyweight championship from Smealinho Rama, forcing Rama to tap out from a guillotine choke in the third round (1:17) of their matchup on June 5, 2015, and successfully defended the title for the first time on October 17, sgorio ail rownd (4:33) TKO ar Derrick Mehman gyda morglawdd o punches.

Copeland of Denver, Lap. is coming off his World Series of Fighting debut victory, a unanimous decision over Mike “300” Hayes, at WSOF29 on March 12. Y 6 troedfedd-1, 33-year-old teammate of undefeated World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin "Mae'r Amlygu" Gaethje has notched 8 o'i 13 career wins, to date, drwy (T)KO neu gyflwyno.

Jason vs Uchel. Mike Ricci

Following his near 18-month absence from competition, High of Kansas City, Miss. made his long-awaited return to the cage on November 20 at WSOF25, after signing an exclusive, multi-fight contract with World Series of Fighting, and scored a thunderous, ail rownd (:47) KO ar Estevan Payan with a head kick-punches combination.

Mae'r 5-droed-9, 34-year-old High, a veteran of the UFC and Strikeforce, initially caught the attention of the MMA world while fighting at an elite level in Japan under the promotion of K-1 and Dream where he faced and defeated the likes of Andre Galvao ac Hayato “Mach” Sakurai. High also holds a victory over retired phenom Fy Jordan.

Ricci of Montreal, Quebec, Canada reached the final round on the 16fed season of the hit competition reality show Mae'r Ymladdwr Ultimate.

Y 6 troedfedd, 30-year-old member of famed trainer Firas Zahabi’s Tristar Gym fight team is looking for his fourth consecutive win, after defeating the likes of Jorge Gurgel, George Sotiropoulos ac Joe Condon, whom Ricci conquered by way of first round (2:41) KO with a head kick at WSOF25.

Doors at The Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, yn 5 p.m. A, a bydd yr ornest cerdyn rhagarweiniol cyntaf yn dechrau am 6 p.m.

Bydd pyliau ychwanegol yn cael eu cyhoeddi cyn bo hir.
crefft ymladd cymysg, MMA, NBC, Cyfres Byd o Ymladd

THREE NEW MATCHUPS COMPLETE WSOF29: GAETHJE VS. FOSTER MAIN CARD ON SATURDAY, MAWRTH 12

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NEW, LIVE NBCSN START TIME OF 10 P.m. A
FROM GREELEY, COLORADO

LAS VEGAS (Chwefror 3, 2016) -World Cyfres o Ymladd (WSOF.com) announced today the addition of three main card matchups, including a heavyweight co-main event contest between Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland(11-3) ac Mike “300” Hayes (19-10-2), to its highly anticipated WSOF29: Gaethje vs. Foster world lightweight (155 bunnoedd) championship event at the Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, Lap. ar Dydd Sadwrn, Mawrth 12, byw ar NBCSN ar 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

In other action on the four-bout live telecast that will be headlined by the lightweight championship showdown between reigning, undefeated kingpin Justin "Mae'r Amlygu" Gaethje (15-0) and number one contender Brian Foster (25-9), Canol (185 bunnoedd) standouts Cory "The One" Devela (15-6) ac Louis "Handgunz" Taylor (11-3) will collide in their respective World Series of Fighting debuts.

Kicking off the live, four-fight telecast will be a welterweight (170 bunnoedd) scrap pitting Josh Cavan (11-6) erbyn Kris Hocum (7-4).

Pris o $39.99, tickets for WSOF29: Gaethje vs. Foster, are on sale at WSOF.com and the University of Northern Colorado’s online ticketing platform.

Josh Copeland vs. Mike Hayes

The 6-foot-1 Copeland of Denver, Lap. is a former number one ranked heavyweight in his home state, and a four-time title holder since turning professional in 2010.

The 33-year-old, former Youth Ministry student at Dallas Baptist College, wedi ennill 8 o'i 11 career victories as a professional by way of (T)KO neu gyflwyno, gyda 5 of those wins coming in less than 2 cofnodion.

A teammate of Gaethje’s at Grudge Training Center, Copeland will look to rebound from a second round (2:50) cyflwyniad (Kimura) defeat at the hands ofVitaly Minakov ar Ragfyr 11, a result that snapped a two-fight win streak for Copeland.

During his professional career spanning eight-plus years, the 6-foot-4, 35-year-old Hayes of Redmond, Golchwch. has faced off with elite level competition, including former world champion Andrei Arlovski and superstar Ruslan Magomedov, both of whom he fought to a decision.

Ar Dachwedd 2, 2013, Hayes notched his most impressive victory to date, sgorio dinistriol, drydedd rownd (3:11) KO on decorated MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling champion Jeff “The Snowman” Monson with a head kick.

In his last start on June 4, 2015, Hayes produced another impressive result, fighting former South African national wrestling champion and four-time MMA titlistTrevor Prangley, to a draw.

Cory Devela vs. Louis Taylor

Y 6 troedfedd-2, 31-year-old Devela of Bonney Lake, Wash., will enter the decagon cage in the midst of a four-fight win streak that includes a unanimous decision victory over superstar Nick “The Promise” Ring ar Fehefin 26, 2015.

A longtime protégé of MMA superstar and submission expert Dennis "Superman" Hallman, Datgelu, who has notched 11 o'i 16 gyrfa yn ennill drwy (T)KO neu gyflwyno, burst into the national spotlight at a Strikeforce promoted event in Tacoma, Golchwch. ar Chwefror 23, 2008, sgorio rownd gyntaf (1:22) TKO on heralded superstar Joe "Diesel" Riggs with a thunderous slam that rendered Riggs unable to continue fighting.

Devela’s recent ascendance that has him knocking on the door of becoming a world championship contender again, comes after he took an extended, three-year hiatus from competition to care for a sick loved one between 2010 ac 2013.

Also looking to earn his fifth consecutive win, y 5-droed-11, 36-year-old Taylor of Chicago, Wael. is the number one ranked middleweight in his home state, according to the latest Tapology.com ratings.

A prolific striker who has finished 10 o'i 11 opponents to date by way of (T)KO neu gyflwyno, Taylor’s last four victories all came inside of the first round of battle.

Prior to becoming a mixed martial artist, Taylor was a wrestling standout for the NCAA Division I program at Eastern Illinois University where he benefited from training with fellow, former team member turned assistant coach Matt Hughes, who went on to become a two-time UFC champion and Hall of Fame member.

Josh Cavan vs. Kris Hocum

Fighting out of Denver, Cavan is a 5-foot-10, 32-mlwydd-oed, lifelong athlete who competed at the minor league level of professional hockey before turning his attention to MMA. A winner of 9 o'i 11 professional career fights by way of (T)KO neu gyflwyno, Cavan will look to bounce back from a second round (1:28) PWY (punches) defeat at the hands of Joe Eichelberger ar Dachwedd 6.

The 5-foot-11, 30-year-old Hocum of Fort Collins, Lap. made his professional debut on October 27, 2012 as a participant in a one-night, eight-man tournament, defeating multiple opponents to emerge the victor of the grueling affair. He will look to regain momentum after back-to-back losses in his last two appearances.

The WSOF29 preliminary bout card will be announced soon.