Tag Archives: Mixed Martial Arts

mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA RETURNS TO MILE HIGH CITY TO CROWN WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION

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RFA 26 IN COLORADO
FRIDAY JUNE 5TH LIVE ON AXS TV
MAIN EVENT:
Ben Smith vs Gilbert Smith
WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIOSNHIP
PLUS:
THE RETURN OF BOSTON SALMON, DANNY MAINUS, JARRED MERCADO, AND BRUNO FRAZATTO



LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will be returning to the state of Colorado next month. RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith will feature a main event between two RFA fan favorites. RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith returns to face man similar in name and talent. His first title defense will be against #1 contender Gilbert Smith, who will be looking to keep the title from leaving his home state. The event takes place Friday, June 5th at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

“Smith vs. Smith will be a fantastic welterweight title fight at RFA 26,” stated Soares. “Benjamin Smith was completely dominant in winning the title, while Gilbert Smith was valiant in his last title fight by going 5 rounds with a guy who missed weight by 5 pounds. Smith and Smith will give Colorado a title fight they deserve.”
Tickets for RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith are available for purchase NOW through AltitudeTickets.com. Tickets start at $25.00. A limited number of catered 8-seat cageside VIP tables are available by calling 303-521-0966.
Benjamin Smith (14-2) returns to the RFA octagon after winning the vacant RFA welterweight strap with a dominant TKO victory over Tat Romero in March. That win came after he bested Josh Cavan in the co-main event of RFA 20 to close out last year. Smith has been perfect in MMA for the past two years and is currently riding a 6-fight winning streak. The surging Minnesota based fighter now looks to solidify his control of the RFA welterweight division with his first title defense.
“It feels great to be defending my title in Colorado, since I had a great experience fighting there in November,” said Smith. “I won the title back in March and this is a great opportunity. It gives me holding status. Gilbert Smith has a great last name. He’s also a really physically strong competitor. I look forward to finishing him and keeping the belt at RFA 26 on June 5th.”
Gilbert Smith (10-4) enters the title fight looking for redemption and some vindication after his first shot at the title in January was hindered when his opponent egregiously missed weight by 5-pounds. The always-game Smith agreed to take the fight anyway, but the brazen weight advantage that his opponent possessed, played a pivotal and unfair role in the outcome of their 5-round affair. Smith is now eager to get his shot at the title on a level playing field.
“First and foremost, I am really excited to be getting this opportunity,” Smith explained. “It will be nice to get redemption. I do wish my opponent made weight in the last fight, but I ended up learning a lot from that fight. I was back in the gym on the Wednesday after the fight and I have filled in the holes that I needed to fix. Benjamin Smith is a deserving champion. He’s a good grappler that has been working on his boxing, but he has a similar style to me. That will play to my advantage. I don’t know how, but I will finish him, and get that belt strapped around my waist in front of my friends and family in Colorado.”
RFA 26 will also see the return of former RFA bantamweight title challenger Jarred “Shutout” Mercado (12-2). He faces fellow two-time RFA vet Bruno Frazatto (6-2). Mercado has NCAA Division I wrestling credentials, while Frazatto is a highly-decorated jiu-jitsu black belt. The main card will feature another pair of RFA bantamweights that are both known for their exciting and action-packed fights. Hawaiian striking sensation Boston Salmon (3-0) will look to keep his flawless record intact with a fourth straight TKO win. He will face collegiate wrestler and three-time RFA vet Danny Mainus (3-3) in a bout that has “Fight of the Night” written all over it.
The co-main event, feature fight, and additional bouts at RFA 26 will be announced soon. RFA 26 will be the promotion’s sixth event to take place in the state of Colorado. It will be the second time the RFA has visited “The Centennial State” in 2015. The entire main card of RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, June 5th.
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
 
About RFA:
RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents live events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 43 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).
About AXS TV Fights:
AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

Official weights and pictures for M-1 Challenge 57 in Russia

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 Presents

M-1 CHALLENGE 57: IN THE HEART OF THE CONTINENT 

MARCIN TYBURA, M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Champion

vs.

STEPHAN PUETZ, M-1 Light Heavyweight Champion

 

MAXIM DIVNICH vs. MANSOUR ‘Tarzan’ BARNAOUI

M-1 Challenge Lightweight Championship

May 2, 2015   ● Orenburg, Russia

WATCH LIVE ON M-1GLOBAL.TV
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
M-1 CHALLENGE 57
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PICTURES

Marcin Tybura vs. Stephan Puetz headlines May 2 in Orenburg, Russia

Stephan “T-800” Puetz

 

MAIN CARD

 

 
(L-R) M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura &
M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan Puetz

 

M-1 CHALLENGE HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERFIGHT – 5 X 5

MARCIN “Tybur” TYBURA (12-0-0), M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Champion, Poland 251 ½ lbs. (114.2 kg)

STEPHAN “T-800” PUETZ (12-1-0), m-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion, 229 lbs. (104 kg)

 

 
(L-R) – Mansour Barnaoui & Maxim Divnich

 

M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5

MAXIM DIVNICH (11-0-0), Champion, Russia 154 lbs. (70 kg)

MANSOUR “Tarzan” BARNAOUI (11-2-0), Challenger, France 154 lbs. (70 kg)

 
(L-R) – Dez Parker & Alexei Kunchenko

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ALEXEI KUNCHENKO (8-0-0), Russia 169 lbs. (76.8 kg)

DEZ “The Arm Collector” PARKER (4-1-0), England 169 ½ lbs. (77 kg)

 

 
(L-R) – Max Coga & Magomed Idrisov

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MAGOMED IDRISOV (4-0-0), Russia 144 ½ lbs. (65.6 kg)                                    

MAX COGA (11-3-0), Germany 144 ½ lbs. (65.7 kg)

 

 
Moktar Benkaci & Nikita Chistyakov

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MOKTAR “Le Benkaci” BENKACI (11-5-0), France 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

NIKITA “Piranha” CHISTYAKOV (3-1-0), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

 

PRELIMINARY CARD

 
Frabrice Dato & Murad Mirzabekov

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MURAD MIRZABEKOV (1-1-0), Russia 153 ½ lbs. (69.8 kg)
FABRICE DATO (6-1-0), Russia 154 ½ lbs. (70.3 kg)

 
David Trallero & Kurban Ibragimov

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

KURBAN IBRAGIMOV (2-2-0), Russia 213 ½ lbs. (97.0 kg)

DAVID TRALLERO (1-1-0), Spain 235 lbs. (106.8 kg)

 

 
Rashid Yusupov & Mitry Medvedev

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

RASHID YUSUPOV (4-1-0), Russia 202 ½ lbs. (92.0 kg)

MITRY MEDVEDEV (7-4-0), Russia 205 lbs. (93.0 kg)

 

 
Adam Yaniev & Dmitriy Adeev

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ADAM “Beard” YANEIEV (5-0-0), Russia 202 ½ lbs. (92 kg)

DMITRIY ADEEV (1-1-0), Russia 202 ½ lbs. (92 kg)

 
Sergey Andreev & Damir Ismagulov

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

DAMIR ISMAGULOV (1-1-0), Russia 154 lbs. (70.1 kg)

SERGEY ANDREEV (5-3-0), Russia 153 ½ lbs. (69.8 kg)

 
Bartos Chyrek & Shavkat Rakhmonov

 

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

SHAVAT RAKHMONOV (1-0-0), Kazakhstan 169 lbs. (76.8 kg)

BARTOS “Hulk” CHYREK (4-1-0), Poland 169 lbs. (76.9 kg)

 
Timur Nagibin & Akhmandjon Mamurov

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

TIMUR NAGIBIN (6-1-0), Russia 144 ½ lbs. (65.7 kg)

AKHMANDJON MAMUROV (0-0-0), Tajikistan 144 lbs. (65.5 kg)

 

WHAT:            M-1 Challenge 57: Battle in the Heart of the Continent

 

WHEN:            Saturday, May 2, 2015

                       9:15 a.m. (New York City), 5:15 p.m. (Moscow)

 

WHERE:          Orenburg, Russia 1:30

 

PROMOTER:    M-1 Global

 

LIVE STREAM: WWW.M1GLOBAL.TV

 

M-1 Challenge 57 will be streamed live from Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the fights by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV.Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may also watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets. The entire card will also be broadcast live, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET, on Fight Network via Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., nationwide in Canada, and on Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

INFORMATION

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1Global

@VFinkelchtein

@M1GlobalNews

 

Facebook:

 

ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premier entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With its office in St Petersburg, Russia, the M-1 brand has staged more than 160 events worldwide, including M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge, M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the U.S. network, Showtime. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Sergei Kharitonov, Aleksander Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2015 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global Champions among the greatest fighters in the sport.

 

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

THE TWO COR(E)YS… OF THE NEF MMA CAGE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 1, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the fight card.  The bout will feature Corey Hinkley (2-3) against Cory Trial (0-1) at the lightweight limit of 155-pounds.

 

Cory Trial made his NEF MMA debut this past February at “NEF XVI.”  While Trial came out on the losing end of the fight, he showed powerful striking skills in a wild slugfest with Ricky Dexter (3-0).  It is a fighting style that Trial and his teammates at Ruthless MMA & Boxing of Benton, Maine have become known for.  It is a style that has also produced some of the most memorable fights on the last several NEF events.  Ruthless head coach Josh Parker (4-8) is confident in Trial’s ability to finish the bout coming up on June 13.

 

“When Cory walked into my gym, I knew I had something special,” said Parker.  “The guy is an animal, and in June he will be looking to show everyone that in his last fight the lights killed him.  This fight won’t be going out of the first round.”

 

“I’m excited for this fight,” exclaimed Trial.  “Excited to get another chance to show people who I am as a fighter.  Last time, I was overwhelmed with the lights and the crowd.  This time, the real Cory will be in the cage, and I’ll be looking for the finish.”

 

When they meet at “NEF XVIII,” it will have been nine months since the last time Trial’s opponent, Corey Hinkley, stepped in the cage to compete.  After starting his amateur career at 2-1, Hinkley has dropped his last two in a row.  He and his coach at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), Jesse Erickson (3-3), say that Hinkley has been training harder than ever for his return and has put personal issues behind him since his last appearance for NEF.

 

“I’ve had a lot of personal things going on in my life in the past, but I’m now able to train the way I’ve been needing to and I’m coming back stronger than ever,” said Hinkley.

 

“I have never seen Corey so focused,” stated Erickson.  “He’s training harder than he has for any of his previous fights, and I can’t wait to watch him do his thing in June!”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

BANTAMWEIGHTS POISED TO STEAL THE SHOW AT NEF XVIII

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (April 30, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the fight card.  The contest will feature Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1) stepping into the cage opposite Chad “Machine Gun” Kelly (3-2) at the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.

 

“Chad Kelly and Eli Leland are two guys who couldn’t put on a boring fight if they tried,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Chad had the ‘Fight of the Night’ on one of the first cards I ever promoted in Massachusetts years ago.  I’ve followed his career since and have seen how far he’s come.  Eli’s fights always steal the show on the NEF events.  Fans will only need the edge of their seats for this one.”

 

Kelly last appeared in the NEF cage in the fall of 2013 at “NEF X.” That night, he defeated NEF regular Ernesto Ornelas (1-5) via second-round submission.  Kelly has regularly competed in the flyweight 125-pound division throughout his career, but he and his coaches at The Fighting Arts Academy (FAA) in Leominster, Massachusetts decided to make the transition up to bantamweight beginning with the upcoming fight against Leland.

 

“I’m very excited to be fighting for NEF in Lewiston, Maine again,” stated Kelly when reached for comment.  “I fought for them my second pro fight and I loved the way they treat their fighters and how smooth everything went – plus, getting the ‘W’ was nice.  This fight I’m moving up to bantamweight.  My coaches and I thought it was the right time.  I started fighting at 19 and just have gained weight and have a massive cut to 125, plus I train with good 35ers and 45ers and do better when I’m heavier.  Elias Leland is a tough grappler with good submissions. I’m sure he will be tough, but I think I will have an advantage everywhere the fight goes.”

 

Leland, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt from the Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine, will look to avenge a loss he suffered earlier this month to Jay Perrin (2-0) at “NEF XVII.”  The loss was his first since his amateur debut against Ray Wood (5-1) in September 2011. Leland has become known as a finisher over the years, submitting four opponents and defeating one via technical knockout (TKO) at previous NEF events.

 

“I have nothing but respect for anyone that is willing to fight me,” said Leland. “However, coming off a loss, I’m pissed and hungry as hell.  This will be an exciting fight for anyone that sees it.  So you all better be there to see an amazing show.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

Injury forces Georgi Karakhanyan out of featherweight title fight – Champion Patricio Pitbull now faces Daniel Weichel at “Bellator: Unfinished Business”

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 B138_PR_header2

Easy Tweet: “NEW FIGHT: @danielweichel to face @PatricioPitbull for #Bellator featherweight championship on June 19 #UnfinishedBusiness”

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 28, 2015) – Due to a knee injury sustained by title challenger Georgi Karakhanyan, Bellator MMA Featherweight World Champion Patricio Pitbull (23-2) will now face German submission ace Daniel “The Weasel” Weichel (35-8) in the co-main event of “Bellator: Unfinished Business,” which takes place Friday, June 19 at St. Louis’ Scottrade Center.

 

Featuring one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the sport with Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock, “Bellator: Unfinished Business” also features Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14) and Michael Chandler (12-3) vs. Derek Campos (15-4), with a fifth and final featured bout to be announced shortly.

 

The 27-year-old “Pitbull,” of Natal, Brazil, is a 13-time veteran of the promotion who captured the Bellator MMA Featherweight World Title with a September win over then-champion Pat Curran. “Pitbull” then defended his belt in January with a thrilling submission win over former champion Daniel Straus. In 24 career appearances, “Pitbull” has only lost two fights, and both were the result of razor-thin, split-decisions.

 

“Pitbull” now meets Germany’s Weichel, who at just 30 years of age already boasts more than 35 professional wins. In his last fight, Weichel earned a hard-fought victory over former champion Pat Curran bringing his record to 12-1 in his past 13 outings. Weichel is a Bellator MMA tournament winner, racking up victories over Desmond Green, Matt Bessette and Scott Cleve in the process. Of those 35 wins, an incredible 21 of them have come by way of submission.

 

The 5-fight televised card airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT, with preliminary fights streaming on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT.

 

Tickets for “Bellator: Unfinished Business,” which start at just $30, are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

 

“Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” – Friday, May June 19, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Mo.

 

Main Card

Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Kimbo Slice (4-2) vs. Ken Shamrock (28-15-2)

Bellator Featherweight Title Fight: Champ Patricio Pitbull (23-2) vs. Daniel Weichel (35-8)

Bellator Featured Heavyweight Fight: Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)

Bellator Featured Lightweight Fight: Michael Chandler (12-3) vs. Derek Campos (15-4)

 

Preliminary Card

 

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Justin Guthrie (17-8) vs. Steven Mann (10-1)

Bellator Strawweight Prelim Fight: Miles McDonald (0-1) vs. Dan O’Connor (5-4)

Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Malcolm Smith (4-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Kain Royer (1-1) vs. Enrique Watson (1-0)

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

MMA ATHLETIX PROSPECT TO MEET RETURNING FAN FAVORITE AT NEF XVIII

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Lewiston, Maine (April 28, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the fight card.  That bout will feature Jason “Second Chance” Lachance (1-1) taking on the returning “Dangerous” Dom “Hands of Stone” Cofone (5-5) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

Jason Lachance of Brunswick, Maine made his MMA debut in May of 2014 at “NEF XIII.”  He dropped a decision that night, but Lachance impressed many with his performance against the more-experienced Jarrod Tyler (3-1).  He would return to the NEF cage this past February with a victory over Steve Bang, Jr. (3-3) via unanimous decision.  Lachance is a product of Ryan Cowette’s (2-2) MMA Athletix gym and Victory Church ministry, both located in Bath, Maine.

 

“God has blessed me with another opportunity to step inside the NEF cage and do what I love to do,” said Lachance.  “An opportunity I am truly grateful for.  I am focused on the task at hand and on June 13th, I will be ready for whatever comes my way.”

 

A true veteran of the NEF amateur ranks, Dom Cofone has produced many memorable moments in the promotion’s cage over the years.  Cofone won a Class A State Championship in 2001 wrestling for Westbrook High School in Westbrook, Maine.  He put together a stellar record of 117-28 during his high school wrestling career.  Cofone has taken the last few months off from MMA competition to concentrate on coaching the Westbrook youth wrestling team.  With his previous gym, Balanced Ground MMA, on hiatus, Cofone has recently begun training at Jay Jack (12-7) and Amanda Buckner’s (11-5) Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine.

 

“I took some time off to help coach my son’s youth wrestling team – shout out to all the Westbrook Wolfpack kids,” said Cofone.  “I also needed to heal up a bit from a very active two years in and out of the cage.  I’m feeling rejuvenated.  I just started training back at the Academy and am super excited to learn as much as I can from such a great team.  I’ve met Jason before – he seems like a really great guy.  I was at both of his fights, so I know he’s going to be a tough-as-nails, game opponent.  I was in the stands for the last NEF event and it just didn’t seem right without ‘Dominick The Donkey’ ringing out of the speakers.  This is a great match-up for the fans and I hope to see the Androscoggin Bank Colisee packed.  Thank you to everyone who comes out to support local MMA.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

“Bellator: Unfinished Business” gets touch of local flavor with Malcolm Smith vs. Luke Nelson and Kain Royer vs. Enrique Watson

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B138_PR_header2

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 27, 2015) – June’s blockbuster “Bellator: Unfinished Business” event is getting a little local flavor, as two new preliminary contests feature fighters from “The Show Me State.”

 

The new all-Missouri contests include lightweights Malcolm Smith (4-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1) and middleweights Kain Royer(1-1) vs. Enrique Watson (1-0).

 

Featuring one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the sport with Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock, “Bellator: Unfinished Business” takes place Friday, June 19, at St. Louis’ Scottrade Center and airs live on Spike.

 

Tickets for “Bellator: Unfinished Business,” which start at just $30, are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com

 

Additional contests will be announced shortly.

 

A five-time Shamrock FC veteran, Smith makes his Bellator MMA debut as he looks to rebound from a split-decision loss to Cory Hunter in March. Prior to the disappointing result, Smith was 4-1 in his previous five fights – a run that included two TKO victories and one submission.

 

Smith now meets three-time Shamrock FC fighter Nelson, who turned pro in December 2013 and also competes under the Bellator MMA banner for the first time. Nelson has earned both of his career wins to date via first-round stoppage, while his lone career loss went the distance, when he came up just short via split decision.

 

Royer and Watson have also spent the early stages of their professional careers competing exclusively under the Shamrock FC banner.

 

A submission specialist, Royer built an impressive amateur record fighting on Missouri’s regional scene before turning professional in 2013. An action-first fighter, both of his pro contests have ended in the first round.  Royer now meets Watson, who made his professional debut this past June with a first-round TKO victory.

 

“Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” – Friday, May June 19, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Mo.

 

Main Card

 

Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Kimbo Slice (4-2) vs. Ken Shamrock (28-15-2)

Bellator Featherweight Title Fight: Champ Patricio Pitbull (23-2) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-4-1)

Bellator Featured Heavyweight Fight: Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)

Bellator Featured Lightweight Fight: Michael Chandler (12-3) vs. Derek Campos (15-4)

 

Preliminary Card

 

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Justin Guthrie (17-8) vs. Steven Mann (10-1)

Bellator Strawweight Prelim Fight: Miles McDonald (0-1) vs. Dan O’Connor (5-4)

Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Malcolm Smith (4-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Kain Royer (1-1) vs. Enrique Watson (1-0)

Fight Network, Judo, kickboxing, mixed martial arts

FIGHT NETWORK MMA & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Apr. 27-May 3, 2015)

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Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, boxing, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.

 

Below find highlights of this week’s programming:

Monday, Apr. 27

6:00 p.m. ET – 2014 Judo World Championships – Highlights from the 2014 Judo Championships from Aug. 25-31 in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

7:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

7:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

8:00 p.m. ET – Enfusion Live #27: Cingel vs. El Boustati – Featuring Mirko Cingel vs. Ibrahim El Boustati for the -85kg world title from Apr. 25, 2015 in Zilna, Slovakia.

10:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and more.

Tuesday, Apr. 28

1:00 a.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Michael Bisping – Sit-down interview with UFC middleweight star Michael Bisping.

1:30 a.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.

2:30 am. ET – XPTV – Coverage of regional U.S pro and amateur MMA.

7:00 & 7:30 p.m. ET – Xtreme Fighting Championship – Florida-based professional MMA featuring top American prospects, international stars and UFC veterans.

8:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

Wednesday, Apr. 29

12:00 a.m. ET – BAMMA USA: Badbeat 12 – Featuring Terrion Ware vs. Eric Winston and Chris Beal vs. Keith Carson in MMA action from Mar. 28, 2014 in Commerce, California.

6:00 p.m. ET – Best of Cage Rage – Featuring classic fights from the UK-based Cage Rage organization with Anderson Silva, Antonio Silva, Victor Belfort, Paul Daley and others.

7:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

8:30 p.m. ET – Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 73 – Featuring Stevie Ray vs. Curt Warburton for the Cage Warriors lightweight title froim Nov. 1, 2014 in Newcastle, England.

11:00 p.m. ET – MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency – Gabriel Morency breaks down all the happenings in MMA, discussing odds, predictions, plus special weekly guests and exclusive interviews.

11:30 p.m. ET – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scenes coverage from events and exclusive interviews.

Thursday, Apr. 30

1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 5: Heat – Featuring Dino Gambatesa vs. Brad Whjeeler from July 11, 20-9 in London.

6:00 p.m. ET – Championship Fightling Alliance – Pro MMA from Florida featuring the likes of Josh Sampo, Mike Kyle, John Howard, Sean McCorkie, Luis Palomino and others.

7:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Rookies – Aspiring kickboxers climb the ladder of success in the sport as rookies compete for a chance to become professionals and get experience needed to succeed at a higher level.

8:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

Friday, May 1

2:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Nate Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.

4:00 a.m. ET – Best of DEEP – Featuring class fights from the historic Japanese DEEP promotion including Shinya Aoki, Hayato Sakurai and Gegard Mousasi.

5:00 a.m. ET – Best of Jewels – Classic fights from the all-female Japanese MMA league, Jewels.

6:00 – p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge – Professional MMA from Europe featiurionmg top rising prospects and international stars.

7:00 p.m. ET — Fight News Now. MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

7:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

9:00 p.m. ET — KSW 15 – Featuring Mamed Khalidov vs. James Irvin and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Jan Blachoiwicz from Mar. 19, 2011 in Warsaw, Poland.

Saturday, May 2

1:00 a.m. ET – SuperKombat: World Grand Prix Romania 2014 – Featuring Dawid Kasperski, Ciprian Schiopu, Errol Koning and Noureddinbe Echiguer in a one-night, single-elimination 85kg tournament from Apr. 12, 2014 in Romania.

6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Featuring Shonie Carter vs. Jason MacDonald from TKO 21.

7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Jake Shields vs. Randy Velarde from Gladiator Challenge 49.

10:00 a.m. ET – Best of SportFight – Top quality MMA from the Pacific Northwest, hosted by UFC veterans Matt LIndland and Chael Sonnen. This episode features the rise of SportFight champion Enoch Wilson.

2:00 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champions – LIVE MMA action from Orenburg, Russia, featuring Marcin Tytbura vs. light heavyweight Stephan Puetz in a champion vs. champion superfight.

Sunday, May 3

6:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Name Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.

10:00 a.m. ET – Best of ADCC – Featuring compilations of the greatest grappling matches ever held, featuring Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes, Eddie Bravo, Fabricio Werdum, Marcelo Garcia, Ronaldo Souza and Royler Gracie.

11:00 a.m. ET – Elite Muay Thai: Thailand vs. Challenger – The biggest Muay Thai series in the world featuring premium international stand-up fighters takingon the renowned Thai National team.

7:00 p.m. ET – USA Wrestling Weekly – Host Scott Casber gives weekly news and analysis centering around USA Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body, including interviews, features and look back at the past.

7:30 p.m. ET – Judo Zagreb Grand Prix 2014 – Highlights from the 2014 Judo Zagreb Grand Prix from Sept. 12-14, 2014 Croatia.

11:00 p.m. ET – King of Kings: World Grand Prix Plock 2014 – Featuring Eike Schwatz vs. Marcin Shreder and Ummi Erdogan vs. Marta Chojnoska from Nov. 28, 2014 in Plock, Poland.

 

 

Information:

 

www.FightNetwork.com

 

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

 

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

 
ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK:  Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
mixed martial arts, RFA

‘BABYSITTER TO THE STARS’ BURT WATSON RETURNS TO MMA ON  AXS TV FIGHTS: RFA VS. LEGACY SUPERFIGHT MAY 8

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‘BABYSITTER TO THE STARS’ BURT WATSON RETURNS TO MMA ON  MAY 8

RFA’s Kevin Gray To Face Legacy’s Brian Hall

Legacy’s Yuri Villefort Replaces Injured Feist

 

LOS ANGELES – April 24, 2015 – As AXS TV Fights gears up for its first ever co-promoted event broadcast May 8, the network today announced Burt Watson, the “Babysitter to the Stars,” will make his first nationally televised return to MMA since leaving the UFC on AXS TV FIGHTS: RFA VS. LEGACY SUPERFIGHT. During this historic broadcast that features four Resurrection Fighting Alliance versus Legacy Fighting Championship match-ups, Watson will be seen and heard driving the backstage area and motivating the fighters before their bouts. Watson will also be present at the weigh-ins on Thursday, May 7.

AXS TV FIGHTS: RFA VS. LEGACY SUPERFIGHT airs live on Friday, May 8 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on AXS TV, headlined by a flyweight superfight between RFA champion Alexandre Pantoja (15-2) and Legacy champion Damacio Page (19-9). In two co-main events, undefeated RFA bantamweight champion Luke Sanders (9-0) puts his belt on the line against RFA contender Terrion Ware (13-3) while top Legacy contenders Dave Burrow (13-5) and Mike Bronzoulis (17-8) face off for the vacant Legacy lightweight title.

AXS TV Fights also announced Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) flyweight fighter Kevin Gray (5-1) is scheduled to face Legacy Fighting Championship’s Brian Hall (8-2) on the televised main card. Gray previously appeared on AXS TV FIGHTS: RFA 22 Jan. 9 defeating Joey Eisenbraun (3-2) by way of guillotine submission in the first round.

Additionally, Legacy lightweight Chris Feist (8-1) has been forced out of his scheduled fight versus RFA’s Adam Townsend (12-3) due to injury. Former UFC and Strikeforce veteran Yuri Villefort (6-4) will make his promotional debut for Legacy and will now face Townsend. Also, the previously scheduled heavyweight fight between RFA’s Jan Jorgensen (6-1) and Legacy’s Joe Cason (9-1) has been cancelled.

The scheduled televised main card is as follows (subject to change):

Flyweight Superfight Championship

RFA’s Alexandre Pantoja (15-2) versus Legacy’s Damacio Paige (19-9)

RFA Bantamweight Title Fight

RFA Champion Luke Sanders (9-0) versus RFA Contender Terrion Ware (13-3)

Legacy Lightweight Title Fight

Legacy Contender Dave Burrow (13-5) versus Legacy Contender Mike Bronzoulis (17-8-1)

RFA vs. Legacy Lightweight Fight

RFA’s Adam Townsend (12-3) versus Legacy’s Yuri Villefort (6-4)

RFA vs. Legacy Flyweight Fight

RFA’s Kevin Gray (5-1) versus Legacy’s Brian Hall (8-2)

RFA vs. Legacy Welterweight Fight

RFA’s Bojan Velickovic (9-3) versus Legacy’s Charles Byrd (7-3)
Bellator, mixed martial arts

Welterweight clash pitting undefeated Michael “Venom” Page against Rudy “Bad News” Bears added to “Bellator MMA: Lima vs. Koreshkov”

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TICKETS ON SALE TODAY!

Easy Tweet: “BAD NEWS! British superstar @Michaelpage247 returns against Rudy “Bad News” Bears at #Bellator140, live and free on @Spike!”

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 24, 2015) – Michael “Venom” Page (7-0) will look to keep his unbeaten streak alive when he meets 29-fight veteran Rudy “Bad News” Bears (16-13) in a welterweight tilt at “Bellator: Lima vs. Koreshkov,” which takes place Friday, July 17, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

 

The July 17 event is shaping up to be a tremendous showcase of welterweight talent, already featuring previously announced bouts between Bellator MMA Welterweight World Champion Douglas “The Phenom” Lima (26-5) and Russian knockout artist Andrey “Spartan” Koreshkov (17-1), as well as Chris Honeycutt (6-0), who takes on Paul Bradley (22-6).

 

The two 170-pounders meet on the main card of “Bellator MMA: Lima vs. Koreshkov,” which airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT.

 

Tickets for the event are on sale now, and are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office or Ticketmaster.com.

 

Page is undoubtedly one of the fastest-rising stars in all of mixed martial arts. Showcasing blazing speed and pinpoint accuracy, “Venom’s” unorthodox striking style has been built over a lifetime of study in a variety of standup disciplines. The 28-year-old already owns three Bellator MMA victories, including a decision win over Nah-Shon Burrell this past October, as well as knockout wins over Ricky Rainey and Ryan Sanders. Six of Page’s seven career wins have come via first-round finish.

 

A 36-year-old Missouri native, Bears began his combat sports training in high school. Fighting professionally since 2007, Bears has appeared seven times previously under the Bellator MMA banner and now returns to the promotion after racking up back-to-back victories on the regional stage. Bears has competed against MMA notables the likes of Zak Cummings, Paul Daley, Jason High, Ryan Jensen, Isaac Vallie-Flagg and Tyron Woodley, amongst others.

 

Additional contests for “Bellator MMA: Lima vs. Koreshkov” will be announced shortly.

 

“Bellator MMA: Lima vs. Koreshkov” – Friday, July 17, Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Conn.

 

Bellator Welterweight Title Fight: Champ Douglas Lima (26-5) vs. Andrey Koreshkov (17-1)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Chris Honeycutt (6-0) vs. Paul Bradley (22-6)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Michael Page (7-0) vs. Rudy Bears (16-13)