Tag Archives: Ken Shamrock

Ken Shamrock’s Valor Bare Knuckle Boxing Returns April 22nd in Miami

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Reno, Nev. (January 31, 2022) – Ken Shamrock’s Valor Bare Knuckle (ValorBK) Boxing returns to action April 22, 2022, with “real bare-knuckle fights,” featuring thrilling bouts between professional fighters, often matching mixed-martial-arts fighters versus boxers, at the James L. Knight Center in Miami.

ValorBK, presented by Valor Sports Inc. and Ken Shamrock, showcases all-action, unfettered entertainment by fierce fighters stepping into the Bout Circle. ValorBK brings forth the world’s first true Bare-Knuckle competition, setting the industry standard for both fighters and fans.
Shamrock, universally known in combat sports as “The World’s Most Dangerous Man,” is a living legend and industry pioneer who is responsible for accelerating some of the most successful companies, brands, and movements in the last two decades of combat sports.
Best known for his participation in the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), Pride Fighting Championships, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Total Nonstop Wrestling Action, and Pancrase, Shamrock is taking Valor Bare Knuckle to the forefront of contemporary combat sports.

“ValorBK is a lifelong vision realized after decades of global competition at the highest level across various combat sports,” Shamrock said. “With the innovation of the Bout Circle and our unique rulesets, ValorBK will take the industry by storm. No gloves, no ropes, no cages, no dirty boxing, is a concept born in part out of competition and is perfect for the next phase of combat sports.


“‘Stand them up’ was a theme I heard throughout my career. I know what fans want to see and what real fighters want to do. Our first event was the proof. ValorBK will be the platform to disrupt bare-knuckle boxing while also enhancing the great sport of boxing by developing a generation of skilled fighters tilted towards action. We are pleased to announce our return and hope you tune in for more big updates.”


Due to a restructuring and COVID-19 restrictions, ValorBK has been regrouping since its inaugural event, September 20, 2019, ka 4 Bears Casino in Newtown, North Dakota. (ValorBK1 replay available to watch at https://valorbk.com/events/)


ValorBK 2 matchups, as well as viewing and ticket information, are coming soon.


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INFORMATION


Website : valorbk.com, kenshamrock.com
Facebook: /valorbk, /worldsmostdangerousman
Twitter: @ValorBK, @ShamrockKen
Instagram: @valorbk, @kenshamrockofficial
TikTok: @kensharmrockwmdm


ABOUT VALOR BARE KNUCKLE: ValorBK is a well-organized TRUE bare-knuckle professional sport that was founded by Ken Shamrock, UFC & Wrestling Hall of Famer.

Valor Bare Knuckle (ValorBK) is founded upon a “By a fighter for the fighters” principle.


ValorBK™ is committed to preserving the purity of bare-knuckle boxing and passing that immersive experience to the audience by showcasing the God-given talents of fighters worldwide through safer, but faster, and more exhilarating bare-knuckle bouts.


Valor Sports Inc is a media-based technology company that creates exciting sports entertainment content in part by securing and promoting combat sports events.

Former World Boxing Champion Ishe Smith on Sept 22 Valor Bare Knuckle PPV


TheALOR BARE KNUCKLE INC. (VBK™) SIGNS WITH INTEGRATED SPORTS MEDIA FOR DISTRIBUTION OF VBK LIVE FIGHTS AND ANCILLARY PROGRAMMING




Cheyenne, Wyoming, August 8, 2019 – Ken Shamrock, the World’s Most Dangerous Man and co-founder of Valor Bare Knuckle Inc. (VBK™), today announced he has signed with Integrated Sports Media (ISM), one of the leading distributors of combat sports programming in North America, to present VBK ancillary programs and live fights.



Shamrock also announced VBK: 1, Valor Bare Knuckle’s inaugural event taking place from New Town, North Dakota at 4 Bears Casino and Lodge will feature a one-night heavyweight tournament between three UFC Vets: Jack May, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Mark Godbeer and legend of the kickboxing ringMighty Mo.” E boetse e, former world champion boxer Ishe Smith will make his bare-knuckle debut on the Sept. 21 karete ya.



We are pleased that every major cable, digital and satellite provider is being so responsive to the Valor Bare Knuckle brand of fighting,” said Shamrock. “Doug Jacobs and Integrated Sports Media did a phenomenal job securing OTT and traditional pay-per-view platforms for our events. Ntle ho khoao, September 21 will be an intriguing night that delivers an unprecedented combat sports experience for fight fans everywhere. Valor Bare Knuckle is here, and it’s here to stay.



Integrated Sports Media is thrilled to be distributing the inaugural Valor Bare Knuckle event to the pay-per-view audiences in the United States and Canada,” said Doug Jacobs, Owner, Integrated Sports Media. “It is an honor to represent Ken Shamrock, who is not only a combat sports and wrestling legend, but also has fought with and without gloves in the ring and the cage. We are excited about this promotion and its future as a regulated professional sport throughout North America.



Valor Bare Knuckle’s inaugural event, VBK: 1 will be available live via on pay-per-view at 9:00 p.m. LE / 6:00 p.m. PT on iNDEMAND, DIRECTV, Dish, VUBIQUITY in the United States, as well as Bell TV, Shaw Communications, Rogers and SaskTel in Canada, le FITE.TV digital platform for a suggested retail price of $29.95. (taxes and fees may apply).



VBK: 1 will take place live from the New Events Center of 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, North Dakota on Saturday, Supa. 21, 2019.



Shamrock is a UFC® Hall of Famer and a four-time heavyweight world champion fighter and a WWE® Superstar and international wrestling legend. He is the UFC Superfight heavyweight champion, King of Pancrase champion, NWA/TNA champion, and the WWE IC champion.



The sport of bare-knuckle fighting is regulated in Florida, Mississippi and Wyoming and is under consideration with several more states across America.

Team Gunn Official Statement on the passing on Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson

 

Hackensack, NJ (June 7, 2016) – World Bare Knuckle Boxing heavyweight champion Bobby Gunn is deeply saddened by the passing of Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson.

For the last several years, rumors were circulating of a matchup between Gunn and the backyard fighting legend turned professional fighter.

The two had discussed a match and Gunn personally challenged Kimbo after his courageous come from behind victory over Ken Shamrock in June 2015. Due to what had been said about one another publicly, Gunn thought it may be an intense meeting. Surprisingly, it was the exact opposite.

“I thought there would’ve been a lot of animosity between us since the fight had been discussed and I was pretty adamant about facing him,” said Gunn. “The truth is, and you can see it in the video on YouTube, he was a very nice man. When the cameras were off, we ended up discussing how our sons were both up and coming fighters, our families and other things. Ka nako eo, I earned more respect for him as a human being than I ever would have if we fought.”

Last night, Gunn was notified that Kimbo was admitted to the hospital and in bad shape. Nakoana ka mor'a moo, multiple outlets reported he passed away at 42. As a family man first and fighter second, Gunn was devastated.

“It was very sad to read that he passed, especially at such a young age and so quickly. He has six children and a loving wife that he left behind. Once you got past the rough street fighter, Kevin Ferguson was a very nice person and everybody who met him felt the same way. I’d like to send my condolences to his friends, fans and most importantly his family.

Gunn also plans to pay respects to Kimbo and his family in the ring.

In my next fight, I’ll be defending my bare knuckle championship against Shannon Ritch. The fight is scheduled to be near his hometown of Miami, Florida and I’ll be dedicating the defense to Kimbo Slice. I’d like to personally invite his family to attend the event. 305 forever.”

BELLATOR MMA BRINGS FANS CLOSER TO THEIR FAVORITE FIGHTERS WITH NEW VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY

 

LINK TO VIEW VIRTUAL REALITY FOOTAGE BELOW

Ka holimo: Frank Shamrock experiencing Virtual Reality (VR) via headset (photo credit: Bellator MMA/Lucas Noonan)

 

Santa Monica (March 9, 2016) – Bellator MMA is always looking for new and exciting ways to bring the most forward-thinking technology to its ever-increasing fan-base, providing them with unrivaled access to the world-class promotion and its superstars. During the record-shattering “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie” event this past February, Bellator launched a virtual reality initiative, giving fans a new immersive behind-the-scenes experience, from inside and Kimbo Slice’s locker room before their fights to walking down the ramp with the fighters in front of thousands of fans at the Toyota Center in Houston.

 

“We’re continuously looking for new ways to leverage technology to bring our fans into the cage e le ho bua,"A re Bellator COO Jason Jordan. “We want to make them feel more connected to the sport of MMA, to the fighters themselves and to the underlying storylines that fuel the emotion and passion of the sport. In this sense, we are very excited about the potential that Virtual Reality holds, and this was unequivocally proven in Houston where we captured some groundbreaking and incredibly immersive footage that I’m sure both hardcore and casual fans alike will enjoy. Not only did we break ratings records that night, but we also raised the creative bar with our VR coverage in terms of literally engulfing fans in the energy and excitement that makes MMA like no other sport.”

 

To shoot the VR footage, Bellator used three separate six-camera rigs using GoPro cameras including one that was fully spherical, attached to a stabilized, mobile monopod. This camera was used for capturing fighters as they left their locker rooms and entered the arena. Two rigs were tethered to a monitoring command center, which allowed producers to monitor the cameras from each rig. Bellator also used Kolor’s Autopano software to stitch together the footage from the GoPro rigs and Adobe Premiere and After Effects to edit and apply graphics to the final stitch.

 

CHECK IT OUT: To re-live some of the action from “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie,” fans can check out the Bellator VR Experience by clicking mona. It is recommended to use a smartphone or tablet for best results, or better yet a VR headset.

 

Ka Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA ke e itlhomme pele Mixed Martial Arts mokhatlo o hlophisitsoeng featuring ba bangata ba molemo ka ho fetisisa bahlabani lefatšeng. Tlas'a tataiso ea veteran ntoa a ntsetsa pele Scott Coker, Bellator e fumaneha hoo li ka bang 500 limilione tse malapeng a lefatseng ka bophara ka ka 140 linaheng. United States, Bellator ka bonoa ka Spike TV, le MMA thelevishene moeta-pele. Bellator MMA e comprised ea wa lekgotla la phethahatso sehlopha e kenyeletsang holimo kgwebong ya a thelevishene tlhahiso, phela ketsahalo mogokaganyi, ntoa se ntshetsopele / dikamano, lefelo la phumantsho ya thepa ka, lihlapiso tlholego ya ditiro / ntshetsopele, machaba dilaesense, tsa mebaraka, papatso, phatlalatsoa le taelo e e kopanela liphate. Bellator e thehiloe a Santa Monica, California le ruilweng ke boithabiso senatla Viacom, ba lula ho lefatse Tonakgolo boithabiso Brands hore amahanya le bamameli ba ka ho le qobellang dikahare ka mose thelevishene, tshisinyo setšoantšo, Inthaneteng 'me Mobile platforms.

 

Ka Spike:

Spike e fumaneha ka 98.7 limilione tse malapeng a 'me ke ho makala a Viacom Media Networks. A yuniti ya Viacom (NASDAQ: Via, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks ke e mong oa eona e itlhommeng pele bakeli ya merero le dikahare ka mose bohle mecha ea litaba platforms. Aterese ea Inthanete ea Spike ke www.spike.com le bakeng sa morao-le metsotso le bobolokelo-tshedimosetso o tobetsa boitsebiso bo le litsoantso, etela sebaka sa khatiso sa Spike ho http://www.spike.com/press. Latela re on Twitter spiketvpr ya moraorao ya a ho tlōla diapdeite tsa ditaba, ka mor'a-e-litšoantšo tlhahisoleseding le foto.

ROYCE GRACIE, KIMBO SLICE EMERGE VICTORIOUS IN DOUBLE MAIN EVENT AT ‘BELLATOR 149

Complete Set of Photos Here

Houston, Texas (February 19) - Ho e beha ka bobedi ke hore ho tsoana le ho papali ea e tsoakiloeng libetsa — Ken Shamrock khahlano Royce Gracie and on Friday night at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas during "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie," it was Gracie who went home with a second victory over Shamrock in the third fight of their classic rivalry.

 

After landing a knee to the body of Shamrock, Gracie pounced, raining down hammerfists to the temple of “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” that forced the referee to call a stoppage to the action at 2:22 ya bula foreimi. Will this victory lead to more fights for Gracie inside the Bellator MMA cage? Stay tuned.

Kimbo Slice (6-2) emerged victorious after an all-out brawl with his old nemesis Sefubeng 5000, sending the South Florida resident facefirst into the mat at 1:32 ea ho pota-pota tse tharo. The win ends a longstanding beef between the two men that began in the streets of Perrine, and wound up being settled inside the Bellator MMA cage.

Derek Fields (16-6) upset Melvin Guillard (32-16-2) with vicious strikes only 32 metsotsoana e ka ea bobeli pota. Le trong win, “The Stallion” bounced back from two consecutive defeats against Michael Chandler le Brandon Girtz.

A light heavyweight rematch between Sebola Newton le Linton Vassell featured multiple low blows, which ultimately cost “The Hardcore Kid” the bout on the scorecards, with judges’ giving scores of (30-26, 29-27, 29-27). Le ea tlholo e ho, “The Swarm” snapped a one-fight skid and moves one-step closer to the top at 205-pounds.

Emmanuel Sanchez (13-2) grinded out another split decision at "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie," hlōtse Daniel Pineda (21-12) le ba bangata ba (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Le ea tlholo e ho, “El Matador” has now won three consecutive bouts at featherweight and continues his pursuit of trying to become the “Oscar De La Hoya” of mixed martial arts.

Selelekela Results:

Isaac Villanueva (9-7) hlōla Richard Knepp (3-3) ka TKO (punches) ka :42 Mahon (5-4) hlōla Davis Sylvester (5-4) via TKO at 4:22 of R2

Adrian Yanez (4-1) hlōla Ryan Hollins (10-8) ka tsela ntsoe-leng qeto (29-28 x3)

Jason Langellier (3-0) hlōla Anthony Ivy (1-1) ka tsela ho ikokobelletsa (anaconda choke) ka 2:09 or R1

Justin Wren (12-2) hlōla Juan Torres (4-5) ka tsela ntsoe-leng qeto (30-27 x3)

Mike Trinh (3-3) hlōla Angel Zamora ka tsela ho ikokobelletsa (armbar) ka 3:49 of R

C.J. Hancock (1-0) hlōla Ruben Esparza (1-1) ka tsela ho ikokobelletsa (ka morao-hlobotse a bipetsa) ka 1:26 of R3

Manny Lozoya (1-0) hlōla Jacob Norsworthy (1-6) ka tsela ho ikokobelletsa (guillotine) ka 2:33 of R1

MMA LEGENDS KEN SHAMROCK & ROYCE GRACIE SET FOR ‘BELLATOR 149’ SHOWDOWN TOMORROW

Complete Weigh-In Photos Here

 

Houston, Texas (February 18, 2016) – After weigh-ins ka Thursday inside the Toyota Center, the main card competitors of "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " are set to enter the cage and fight hosasane night LIVE and FREE on Spike.

 

The big night features a double main event that pits Ken Shamrock (28-16-2) khahlanong le Royce Gracie (14-2-3) ka lekhetlo la boraro le Kimbo Slice (5-2) fights the man who has been calling him out since their friendship ended years ago, Dhafir Harris, better known as “Dada 5000.” Also fin action is former light heavyweight champion Sebola Newton (25-9-1) le Linton Vassell (15-5, 1 NC), who will look to top their epic 2014 slugfest. In catchweight action,Emmanuel Sanchez (12-2) looks to build on his impressive young career, ha o nka ka Daniel Pineda (21-11). Le, Melvin Guillard (35-15-2) returns to the cage to take on Derek Fields (15-6), as the two lightweights go to battle.

"Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " takes place at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX, and airs live on SPIKE at 9 p.m. LE/8 p.m. CT, ha a ntse a selelekela linako tla phallela ho ka Spike.com kwa 6 p.m. CT. Full weigh-in results can be found below.

Main Card: (Live on SPIKE – 9 p.m. LE/8:00 p.m. CT)

Bellator Openweight Main Event: Ken Shamrock (201.2) vs.. Royce Gracie (190.8)

Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Kimbo Slice (232) vs.. “Dada 5000” (265)

Bellator bobebe Feature Bout: Melvin Guillard (156) vs.. Derek Fields (155)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Sebola Newton (205) vs.. Linton Vassell (205.4)

Bellator Catchweight Feature Bout: Emmanuel Sanchez (149.2) vs.. Daniel Pineda (148.2)

 

Selelekela Card: (Spike.com - 6 p.m. LE/5:00 p.m. CT)

 

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Ntoa: Justin Wren (247) vs.. Juan Torres (259.8)

Bellator Featherweight Feature Ntoa: Davis Sylvester (144.2) vs.. Jeremy Mahon (144.4)

Bellator Middleweight Feature Ntoa: Ruben Esparsa (184.2) vs.. C.J. Hancock (185.6)

Bellator Bantamweight Feature Ntoa: Adrian Yanez (134.6) vs.. Ryan Hollis (134.8)

Bellator Middleweight Feature Ntoa: Isaac Villanueva (185.8) vs.. Richard Knepp (184.8)

Bellator Catchweight Feature Fight: Mike Trinh (128.8) vs.. Angel Zamora (129.4)

Bellator bobebe Feature Ntoa: Jason Langellier (158.4) vs.. Anthony Ivy (154)

Bellator Featherweight Feature Ntoa: Manny Lozoya (142) vs.. Jacob Norsworthy (141.8)

PHOTOS AND VIDEO FROM “BELLATOR 149: Shamrock VS. GRACIE” PRESS CONFERENCE

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CLICK HERE FOR FULL SELECTION OF PHOTOS

(Nkiloeng: BELLATOR MMA / LUCAS NOONAN)

CLICK ABOVE FOR FULL PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO

 

HOUSTON – (Feb. 17, 2016) – The four combatants of the “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " double-main event joined Bellator MMA President Scott Coker on stage for the official press conference on Wedneday afternoon, le Ken Shamrock (28-16-2), Royce Gracie (14-2-3), Kimbo Slice (5-2) le "Sefubeng 5000” each contributing to the highly entertaining press conference with great soundbites, that you can find in the video above.

 

The highly anticipated event takes place ena Labohlano at the Toyota Center in Houston and airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. LE/8 p.m. CT. Preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.comle The Bellator Mobile App .

Also fighting at "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " will be former light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton (25-9-1) le Linton Vassell (15-5, 1 NC), who will look to recreate their epic 2014 barnburner. In featherweight action, Emmanuel Sanchez (12-2) will attempt to continue his torrid pace when he meets Daniel Pineda (21-11) and a pair of lightweight assassins go to battle, neng Melvin Guillard (35-15-2) returns to meet Derek Fields (15-6).

 

Tickets bakeng sa e tsoakiloeng libetsa extravaganza ho qala ho feela $50 'me ba tsa rekisoa joale Bellator.com, hammoho le HoustonToyotaCenter.com, the Toyota Center Box Office and Houston area Randall’s locations.

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PHOTOS FROM “BELLATOR 149: Shamrock VS. GRACIE” OPEN WORKOUTS

 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SELECTION OF PHOTOS

(Nkiloeng: BELLATOR MMA / LUCAS NOONAN)

 

The four combatants from the “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " double-main event took part in an open workout this afternoon at the beautiful, state-of-the-art O Athletik gym in Houston prior to their fights ka labohlano bosiu.

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Ketsahalo ena e likarolo Ken Shamrock (28-16-2) in action against Royce Gracie (14-2-3) ka lekhetlo la boraro le Kimbo Slice (5-2) fights the man who has been calling him out since their friendship ended years ago, Dhafir Harris, molemo tsejoa e le "Sefubeng 5000."

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Also fighting at "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " will be former light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton (25-9-1) le Linton Vassell (15-5, 1 NC), who will look to recreate their epic 2014 barnburner. In featherweight action, Emmanuel Sanchez (12-2) will attempt to continue his torrid pace when he meets Daniel Pineda (21-11) and a pair of lightweight assassins go to battle, neng Melvin Guillard (35-15-2) returns to meet Derek Fields (15-6).

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Tickets bakeng sa e tsoakiloeng libetsa extravaganza ho qala ho feela $50 'me ba tsa rekisoa joale Bellator.com, hammoho le HoustonToyotaCenter.com, the Toyota Center Box Office and Houston area Randall’s locations.

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"Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " airs phela 'me a lokolle ka Spike ka 9 p.m. LE/8 p.m. CT, ha a ntse a linako selelekela tla phallela phelang ho lona Bellator.com le The Bellator Mobile App.

 

 

MELVIN GUILLARD NOW FACES DEREK CAMPOS AT ‘BELLATOR 149: Shamrock VS. GRACIE’

JUSTIN ‘THE BIG PYGMY’ WREN RETURNS TO ACTION IN EVENT’S FEATURED PRELIMINARY BOUT

Santa Monica, CALIF. (February 2, 2015) –An injury to Mike Bronzoulis has shifted things during the SPIKE-televised main card of "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " ka Feb. 19 ka Toyota Center a Houston, Texas. Hona joale, the lightweight contest will pit Melvin Guillard (32-15-2) khahlanong le Derek Fields (15-6).

 

Holim'a moo, Justin “The Big Pygmy Viking” Wren (11-2) returns to action in what will be his second appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, ha a kopanang le Juan Torres (4-4) in heavyweight fisticuffs.

 

The fights join a card that already features a double main eventKen Shamrock (28-16-2) kopana le Royce Gracie (14-2-3) ka lekhetlo la boraro le Kimbo Slice (5-2) tla le loanela monna ea ileng a o 'nile a a mo bitsa tsoa ho tloha ka setsoalle sa bona e ile ea fela lilemong tse fetileng tse, Dhafir Harris, molemo tsejoa e le "Sefubeng 5000" (2-0). In featherweight action, Emmanuel Sanchez (12-2) will look to continue his torrid pace when he meets Daniel Pineda (21-11) and former light heavyweight titlist Sebola Newton (25-9) lintoa Linton Vassell (15-5).

 

Tickets bakeng sa e tsoakiloeng libetsa extravaganza ho qala ho feela $50 'me ba tsa rekisoa joale Bellator.com, hammoho le HoustonToyotaCenter.com, the Toyota Center Box Office and Houston area Randall’s locations.

 

"Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " airs phela 'me a lokolle ka Spike ka 9 p.m. Et / 8 p.m. CT, ha a ntse a linako selelekela tla phallela phelang ho lona Bellator.com le The Bellator Mobile App.

 

Guillard suffered a horrific broken hand during his Bellator MMA debut against Brandon Girtz pele ho moo selemong sena. “The Young Assassin” has made it clear that he intends on eventually fighting for the 155-pound title, and his road to the gold begins on Feb. 19 against a tough Texas native with plenty to prove. Of Guillard’s 32 hapa e le professional, 23 victories have come before reaching the judges’ scorecards.

 

Known as “The Stallion” to those familiar with his mixed martial arts career, Campos will come into his meeting with Guillard riding a two-fight skid. During his eight-fight tenure with Bellator MMA, the 27-year-old Texan has faced a plethora of top lightweight talent, going up against names the likes of: Michael Chandler, Patricky Freire, Brandon Girtz (2X), and Estevan Payan.

 

You would be hard-pressed to find a better story in all of MMA than the one that Wren can tell. The two-time National High School Wrestling Champion generated massive amounts of media attention on the road to his promotional debut at "Bellator 141: Guillard vs.. Girt,” where he defeated Josh Burns. His story begins several years earlier, a 2010, when Wren confronted an opponent tougher than any he could face in combat sports: addiction.

 

With an opportunity to continue fighting on the table, Wren left the sport and began his recovery process. A chance meeting with a friend led Wren on a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he came across and developed a deep connection with the Mbuti Pygmies, many of whom were enslaved, living on only the scraps the slave masters would pay them with. Wren found his calling there and wanted to do everything in his power to help the Pygmies. With multiple visits to the Congo, including a stint that lasted a year, Wren started a foundation called “Fight for the Forgotten.” Through his efforts, Wren and his staff of 17 have systematically bought the land of the slave owners, and have thus far legally given 2,740 acres of rainforest to the Pygmies, effectively freeing them from slavery.

 

Partnering with other groups like Shalom University and joining forces with Water4.org, Wren and his charity are responsible for drilling 26 water wells to help provide both the Pygmies and the former slave masters with clean water, and have plans to drill hundreds more. Holim'a moo, the team has begun a sustainable farming project to benefit and provide food to both the Pygmies and non-Pygmies of the community.

 

Take a look below at the complete 19-fight "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " card and be sure to tune into SPIKE on February 19 ka 9 p.m. Et / 8 p.m. CT for an event that has something for every fight fan.

Completed “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie” Fight Card

Bellator MMA Openweight Main Event: Ken Shamrock (28-16-2) vs.. Royce Gracie (14-2-3)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Main Event: Kimbo Slice (5-2) vs.. “Dada 5000” (2-0)

Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Sebola Newton (25-5) vs.. Linton Vassell (15-5)

Bellator MMA bobebe Feature bout: Melvin Guillard (32-15-2) vs.. Derek Fields (15-6)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature bout: Emmanuel Sanchez (12-2) vs.. Daniel Pineda (21-11)

 

Selelekela Card:

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Justin Wren (11-2) vs.. Juan Torres (4-4)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight selelekela bout: Davis Sylvester (5-3) vs.. Jeremy Mahon (5-4)

Bellator MMA Welterweight selelekela bout: Charlie Ontiveros (6-4) vs.. James Christopherson (2-2)

Bellator MMA Middleweight selelekela bout: Ruben Esparsa (1-0) vs.. C.J. Hancock (Qalo)

Bellator MMA Middleweight selelekela bout: Adrian Yanez (3-1) vs.. Daniel Santos (3-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight selelekela bout: Isaac Villanueva (9-7) vs.. Richard Knepp (3-3)

Bellator MMA bobebe selelekela bout: Mike Trinh (2-3) vs.. Angel Zamora (2-2)

Bellator MMA bobebe selelekela bout: Jason Langellier (2-0) vs.. Anthony Ivy (1-0)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight selelekela bout: Manny Lozoya (Qalo) vs.. Jacob Norsworthy (1-5)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Amateur Bout: Leomana Martinez (2-0) vs.. Casey Jones (2-0)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Amateur Bout: Chris Solis (2-0) vs.. Alex Macedo (2-0)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Amateur Bout: Jonathan Davis (2-0) vs.. Shawn Solis (1-0)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Amateur Bout: Hunter Scott-Gregg (1-0) vs.. Ricardo Deluque (1-0)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT REMATCH PITTING FORMER CHAMPION EMANUEL NEWTON AGAINST LINTON VASSELL COMPLETES MAIN CARD OF ‘BELLATOR 149: Shamrock VS. GRACIE

Santa Monica, CALIF. (January 5, 2016) –The SPIKE-televised main card of "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " ka Feb. 19 ka Toyota Center a Houston, Texas is now complete, with the addition of a light heavyweight rematch featuring former Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Champion Sebola Newton (25-9-1) kopana le Linton Vassell (15-5, 1 NC).

 

The fight joins a card that already features a double main eventKen Shamrock (28-16-2) kopana le Royce Gracie (14-2-3) ka lekhetlo la boraro le Kimbo Slice (5-2) tla le loanela monna ea ileng a o 'nile a a mo bitsa tsoa ho tloha ka setsoalle sa bona e ile ea fela lilemong tse fetileng tse, Dhafir Harris, molemo tsejoa e le "Sefubeng 5000.” In featherweight action, Emmanuel Sanchez (12-2) will look to continue his torrid pace when he meets Daniel Pineda (21-11) and a pair of lightweight assassins go to battle, neng Melvin Guillard (35-15-2) returns to meet Mike Bronzoulis (18-9-1). Preliminary contests will be announced shortly.

 

Tickets bakeng sa e tsoakiloeng libetsa extravaganza ho qala ho feela $30 'me ba tsa rekisoa joale Bellator.com, hammoho le HoustonToyotaCenter.com, the Toyota Center Box Office and Houston area Randall’s locations.

 

"Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " airs phela 'me a lokolle ka Spike ka 9 p.m. LE/8 p.m. CT, ha a ntse a linako selelekela tla phallela phelang ho lona Bellator.com le The Bellator Mobile App.

 

Both Newton and Vassell were participants in the four-man, light-heavyweight No. 1 contender tournament at "Bellator MMA: Dynamite.” Now, the pair of 205-pounders will look to re-establish themselves atop one of the deepest and most competitive divisions in Bellator MMA.

 

A former champion, Newton will be making his 12go th appearance for the Scott Coker-led promotion and hopes to duplicate the success he experienced at the expense of Vassell during "Bellator 130: Newton vs. Vassell” back in 2014. Better known as “The Hardcore Kid,” the 31-year-old has been half of some of the most memorable contests in Bellator MMA history, namely, his spinning-backfist finish of “King Mo” and his back-and-forth war with current Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Champion Liam McGeary.

 

Undoubtedly one of the goals for Vassell in 2016 is finding his way onto the recently announced Bellator MMA debut in London later this year. For this to come to fruition, “The Swarm” surely needs to redeem himself from the fifth-round, rear-naked choke submission defeat he suffered at the hands of his"Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie " lireng. February 19 will mark the seventh time Vassell has competed under the Bellator MMA banner and “The Swarm” will be looking to add to his impressive finishing mark of 13 stoppages in 15 tlhōlo.

 

"Bellator 149: Shamrock vs.. Gracie "Updated Ntoa Card

Bellator MMA Openweight Main Event: Ken Shamrock (28-16-2) vs.. Royce Gracie (14-2-3)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Main Event: Kimbo Slice (5-2) vs.. Sefubeng 5000 (2-0)

Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Sebola Newton (25-9-1) vs.. Linton Vassell (15-5, 1 NC)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature bout: Emmanuel Sanchez (12-2) vs.. Daniel Pineda (21-11)

Bellator MMA bobebe Feature bout: Melvin Guillard (32-15-2) vs.. Mike Bronzoulis (18-9-1)