Tag Archives: Mixed Martial Arts

Amateur MMA, Fight Network, kickboxing, martial arts, mixed martial arts, wrestling

FIGHT NETWORK MMA & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Apr. 6-12, 2015)

Leave a comment
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. 6

5:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and more.

6:00 – 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 a look back at the past.

6:30 p.m. ET – Judo Budapest Grand Prix 2014 – Highlights from Judo Budapest Grand Prix fromJune 21-22, 2014 in Hungary.

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 – GFC 3: Aerts vs. Cooper– Kickboxing from May 29, 2014 in Dubai, showcasing Peter Aerts vs. Dewey Cooper and Fatih Ulusoy vs. Singh Jaideep.

Tuesday, Apr. 7

1:00 a.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Thiago Alves – Sit-down interview with Brazilian UFC welterweight star Thiago Alves.

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.

4:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds Today – Video podcast with John Ramdeen and Robin Black breaking down a wide array of topics in the MMA world, including previews of upcoming events and all the latest rumors and headlines.

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.

9:00 p.m. ET – Legend 3: Pour Homme – Featuring hybrid MMA/kickboxing action from Apr. 5, 2014 in Milan, Italy, including Armen Petrosyan, Andy Souwer and Pavel Zhuravlev and Paul Daley.

Wednesday, Apr. 8

12:00 a.m. ET – BAMMA USA: Badbeat 9 – Featuring Mikey Gomez vs. Ronald Lebreton Jr. and Ernest Chavez vs. Jorge Valden from May 31, 2013 in Commerce, CA.

3:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

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.

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 – Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 70 – Featuring Joseph Duffy vs./ Damien Lapilus from Aug. 16, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

10:30 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.

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. 9

1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 2: Unbreakable – Featuring Mohamed Khacha vs. Mark Weir from Feb. 7, 2009 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.

9:00 p.m. ET – DEEP: DREAM Impact 2014 – Featuring Satoru Kitaoka vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshoida from Dec. 31, 2014 in Saitama, Japan.

Friday, Apr. 10

12:00 a.m. ET – It’s Showtime Special – The world’s premier kickboxing organization featuring Badr Hari, Melvin Manhoef and Giorgio Petrosyan.

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.

2:00 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge 56 – LIVE MMA action featuring Vyacheslav Vasilevsky vs. Ramazan Emeev for the M-1 Challenge middleweight title from Moscow.

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.

8:00 p.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Rashad Evans – Sit-down interview with former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans.

8:30 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.

9:00 p.m. ET — KSW 12 – Featuring Vitor Nobrega vs. Aslambek Saidov, plus Dean Amasinger, Konstantin Gluhov, Daniel Omielanczuk, asnd Karol Bedorf from Dec. 11, 2009 in Warsaw, Poland.

Saturday, Apr. 11

1:00 a.m. ET – SuperKombat: New Heroes Sao Paulo 2013 – Featuring Felipe Michelette vs. Edson Lima, Thiago Michel vs. Miodrag Olar and Alex Pereira vs. Cesar Almeida from Mar. 23, 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Featuring Georges St. Pierre vs. Pete Spratt from TKO 14.

7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Urijah Faber vs. David Velasquez from Gladiator Challenge 27.

5:00 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 45 – Featuring Phillipe Nover vs. Mike Santiago and Frankie Perez vs. Adam Townsend from June 14, 2013 in Atlantic City, NJ.

7:00 p.m. ET – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scenes coverage from events and exclusive interviews.

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.

9:00 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge 56 – Featuring Vyacheslav Vasilevsky vs. Ramazan Emeev for the M-1 Challenge middleweight title from Apr. 10, 2015 in Moscow.

Sunday, Apr. 12

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.

7:30 p.m. ET – Judo Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix 2014 – Highlights from the Judo Ulaanbaater Grand Prix from July 4-6, 2014 in Mongolia.

11:00 p.m. ET – King of Kings– Grand Prix 2014 in Vilnius.

 

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.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

Updated “Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” lineup complete with 13 fights; new contest pitting Jay Bogan against Justin Governale added

Leave a comment

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 1, 2015) – The star-studded 13-bout lineup for “Bellator MMA: Brooks vs. Jansen” has been updated with the addition of a featherweight preliminary contest between Jay Bogan (6-4) vs. Justin Governale (3-2). In addition, Chris Herrera (4-2) replaces Ben Jones against Luc Bondole (4-1-1).

 

“Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” takes place on Friday, April 10, at Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif. The night’s televised main card, featuring Bellator MMA Lightweight World Champion Will Brooks vs. top contender Dave Jansen, airs live on Spike TV (9 p.m. ET), while preliminary bouts stream live on Spike.com (7 p.m. ET).

Tickets for “Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao,” which start at just $38, are already on sale at Bellator.com and Bren.UCI.edu.

Bogan, will be making his Bellator MMA debut against Governale. The Fullerton, Calif., native has earned five of his six professional wins by way of submission and as recently as March 15 won his fourth consecutive bout.

Governale, who fights out of Laguna Hills, Calif., has previously accrued three victories on the regional circuit and will now be making his first appearance under the Bellator MMA banner. The Subfighter MMA-product was last in action on Nov. 22.

Herrera will step in on short notice to fight Bondole. “The Crusher” just defeated Bondole at Bellator 132 and looks to make it two in a row on April 10. Bondole is originally from Portland, Maine, but now makes his home in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he trains with Kings MMA.

 

“Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” – Friday, April 10, Bren Events Center, Irvine, Calif.

Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Lightweight Title Fight: Champ Will Brooks (15-1) vs. Dave Jansen (20-2)

Bellator Middleweight Feature Fight: Joe Schilling (2-3) vs. Rafael Carvalho (10-1)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Marcin Held (20-3) vs. Alexander “Tiger” Sarnavskiy (30-2)

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Fight: Alexander Volkov (24-4) vs. Tony Johnson (8-2)

Preliminary Card (7 p.m. ET)

Bellator Flyweight Prelim Fight: Fabricio Guerreiro (20-3) vs. John Teixeira (17-1-2)

Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Saad Awad (17-6) vs. Rob Sinclair (12-2)

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: Joey Beltran (15-11) vs. Brian Rogers (11-7)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Jay Bogan (6-4) vs. Justin Governale (3-2)

 

Dark Bouts (Following Spike TV broadcast)

 

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Marcos Bonilla (1-1) vs. A.J. McKee (0-0)

Bellator Flyweight Prelim Fight: Jonathan Santa Maria (3-0) vs. Steve Ramirez (0-1)

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: Chris Herrera (4-2) vs. Luc Bondole (4-1-1)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Chad George (15-8) vs. Mark Vorgeas (5-2-1)

Bellator Catchweight (150 pounds) Prelim Fight: Cleber Luciano (10-5) vs. Aaron Miller (14-9)

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 400 million homes worldwide in over 120 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champions Undefeated Maxim Divnich faces Frenchman Mansour ‘Tarzan’ Barnaoui

Leave a comment

Tybura vs. Puetz Super Fight headlines May 2 card in Orenburg, Russia

Maxim Divnich (R) is shown here striking Dzhambulat Kurbanov in their M-1 Challenge title fight

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Apr. 2, 2015) – An intriguing match-up of contrasting styles has been added to the May 2nd M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champions, in Orenburg, Russia as undefeated M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich makes his first title defense against BAMMA & 100% Fights champion Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui.

 

The historic M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champions will be headlined by a special five-round, heavyweight Super Fight between unbeaten M-1 Challenge heavyweight titlist Marcin “Tybur” Tybura and M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz.

 

M-1 Challenge 57 will be streamed live in high definition on 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 watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

 

Pound-for-pound, Divnich (11-0-0, 6 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) is one of the brightest prospects in M-1 Global, a devastating striker who possesses heavy hands. Unbeaten in five M-1 Global fights to date, Divnich resides in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he trains under Eduard Shirobokov at the famed Alexander Nevsky Club.

 

Last December at M-1 Challenge 54, Divnich captured the vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title, stopping Dzhambulat Kurbanov (6-1-0) by way of punches in the third round of their Fight of the Night. Divnich is 5-0-0 in M-1 Challenge fights.

 
Mansour Barnaoui

The 22-year-old Barnaoui has been recognized as one of the top European lightweight prospects for the past two years, when he signed a promotional contract with M-1 Global. He is 1-1-0 in M-1 Challenge competition. After choking out Zulfikar Usmanov (4-1-0) in the third round of their August 21, 2013 fight at M-1 Challenge 41, Barnaoui received permission to fight in Europe, where he knocked out defending BAMMA lightweight championKurt Warburton (12-3-0), followed by a successful title defense against UFC veteran Colin Fletcher (9-3-0) by way of a choke hold in the opening round last December.

 

Barnaoui is a Muay Thai specialist who demonstrates great technique on the mat. He has fully recovered from a shoulder injury after a lengthy rehabilitation.

 

All fights and fighters are subject to change. Additional fights to soon be announced

 

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 57 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS: M-1 Challenge 56, April 10, 2015 in Moscow, Russia.

Information

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1Global
@VFinkelchtein

 

@M1GlobalNews

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M1GlobalNews

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!
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

“Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” adds championship co-headliner with Bellator MMA Featherweight Champion Patricio Pitbull vs. Georgi Karakhanyan

Leave a comment

Follow us on Twitter Easy Tweet: @BellatorMMA #UnfinishedBusiness gets @PatricioPitbull vs. @georgimma

 – rematch for the featherweight strap! #STL @KimboSlice @ShamrockKen

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 1, 2015) – Bellator MMA Featherweight World Champion Patricio Pitbull (23-2), the hard-hitting Brazilian who believes he’s the best 145-pounder on the planet, returns to action on Friday, June 19, when he puts his belt on the line against dynamic contender and five-time Bellator MMA veteran Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan (24-4-1).

 

The championship bout serves as the co-main event of “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business.”

 

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

 

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

 

Additional contests will be announced shortly.

 

Pitbull vs. Karakhanyan is a rematch more than four years in the making, as the current champion downed the challenger via third-round TKO in the Bellator cage in March 2011. However, Karakhanyan – who was born in Russia but now lives in Riverside, Calif. – has gone 10-1 in his 11 appearances since, picking up a pair of championship belts in smaller promotions while earning his way back to a Bellator MMA title fight.

 

“Insane” returned to the Bellator MMA cage in January, shocking top up-and-comer Bubba Jenkins with a dominating first-round submission win.

 

“June 19 brings an opportunity for me to avenge an old loss in this rematch with Pitbull,” said Karakhanyan. “People are going to see an all-out war, and when it is all said and done the belt is going to look great around my waist.”

 

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.

 

“Karakhanyan is a fighter among the top of the weightclass,” said Pitbull, “but I’m one dimension above. If you see a fight where I’m not hit from a single attack don’t be surprised. I’m preparing to not being hit and I guarantee to show absolute superiority in this new challenge!”

 

In 24 career appearances, Pitbull has only lost two fights, and both were the result of razor-thin, split-decision results.

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

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

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

“Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” main card complete with additions of Eduardo Dantas vs. Mike Richman, Virgil Zwicker vs. Razak Al-Hassan, Fernando Gonzalez vs. Curtis Millender

Leave a comment

 Follow us on Twitter EASY TWEET: 

 adds three hard-hitting main card scraps, with 

@MikeUSMCRichman/@DuduDantasMMA, Zwicker/Al-Hassan & Millender/Gonzalez!

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (March 31, 2015) – The four-bout main card for May’s “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” is now complete with the additions of former Bellator MMA World Champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike “The Marine” Richman (18-5), light heavyweights Virgil “Rezdog” Zwicker (13-4-1) vs. “Razor” Razak Al-Hassan (12-4) and welterweights Fernando “The Menifee Maniac” Gonzalez (23-13) vs.“Curtious” Curtis Millender (7-1).

Featuring undefeated Bellator MMA World Middleweight Champion Brandon “Bull” Halsey (8-0) against towering Hawaiian scrapper Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (21-14), “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove,” takes place onFriday, May 15, at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. The night’s main card airs live on Spike TV, while preliminary bouts stream on Spike.com.

Tickets for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove,” which start at just $50, are currently on sale at Pechanga.com and the Pechanga Resort & Casino box office.

Doors for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” open at 3:30 p.m. PT local time, and the first contest takes place 30 minutes later. A full preliminary card will be announced shortly.

“I’m pumped that we were able to reschedule the Dantas-Richman fight so quickly,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “Last Friday, Bellator saw two amazing bantamweight contests that produced a new champion and a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate.  Both Dantas and Richman are extremely exciting fighters who are undeniable standouts in a bantamweight division with a lot of depth.”

A key member of Brazil’s famed Nova Uniao team, Dantas has been competing professionally since 2007, fighting in both Japan and his native Brazil before making his way to Bellator MMA. The well-rounded fighter found immediate success, downing Wilson Reis, Ed West and Alexis Vila to claim a tournament victory that earned Dantas a shot at the Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Title. Dantas made good on the opportunity, choking out Zach Makovsky to claim the belt.

The 25-year-old Dantas successfully defended the belt twice with a knockout of current champ Marcos Galvao and a submission win over Anthony Leone before losing a hard-fought October decision to former champ Joe Warren in a “Fight of the Year” candidate.

Meanwhile, United States Marine Corps veteran Richman began his professional career in 2008, earning an impressive 11-1 record fighting exclusively in his home state of Minnesota. That run earned him a call from Bellator MMA, where he promptly earned knockout wins over Chris Horodecki and Jeremy Spoon in a combined time of just 106 seconds. Mixed results would follow, as he scored wins over Mitch Jackson, Alexandre Bezerra and Akop Stepanyan but fell short against the featherweight division’s very best fighters in Goiti Yamauchi, Desmond Green, Magomedrasul Khasbulaev and Shahbulat Shamhalaev.

The losses prompted Richman to make a move down to 135 pounds, and the choice has paid immediate dividends. The 29-year-old Richman has looked unbeatable at bantamweight, registering devastating first-round knockout wins over Nam Phan and Ed West.

The heavy-handed Zwicker fights in his hometown while making his fifth Bellator MMA appearance. The 32-year-old Team Quest fighter appeared most recently in January, earning a hard-fought split-decision victory over Houston Alexander. A striker by nature, nine of Zwicker’s 13 career wins have come by way of knockout.

Al-Hassan makes his Bellator MMA debut. Also 32 years old, the Roufusport fighter has been competing professionally since 2007 and has earned 11 of his 12 career wins by stoppage. However, in contrast to his opponent, Al-Hassan owns eight of those victories by submission. Al-Hassan returns from a two-year layoff from competition.

Gonzalez is hoping to earn his way to a shot at the Bellator MMA Welterweight World Title with another impressive victory. A native of Menifee, Calif., the 31-year-old has looked absolutely unstoppable in a three-fight Bellator MMA run, scoring consecutive victories over MMA notables Marius Zaromskis, Karo Parisyan and Karl Amoussou.

Millender hails from San Bernadino, Calif. The 27-year-old opened his professional career in 2013 with seven consecutive wins, earning him a spot on the Bellator MMA roster. However, in his promotional debut, he was forced to submit to a rear-naked choke against top contender Brennan “The Irish Bad Boy” Ward. Millender now looks to rebound from that loss and earn his first Bellator MMA victory.

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” – Friday, May 15, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, Calif.

Bellator Middleweight Title Fight: Champ Brandon Halsey (8-0) vs. Kendall Grove (21-14)

Bellator Featured Bantamweight Fight: Eduardo Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike Richman (18-5)

Bellator Featured Light Heavyweight Fight: Virgil Zwicker (13-4-1) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (12-4)

Bellator Featured Welterweight Fight: Fernando Gonzalez (23-13) vs. Curtis Millender (7-1)

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
Amateur MMA, Fight Network, kickboxing, mixed martial arts

FIGHT NETWORK MMA & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Mar. 30-Apr. 5, 2015)

Leave a comment

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.
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, Mar. 30

5:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and more.

6:00 – 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 a look back at the past.

6:30 p.m. ET – Judo Havana Grand Prix 2014 – Highlights from Judo Havana Grand Prix from June 6-8, 2014 in Havana, Cuba.

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 – GFC 3: Heavyweight Tournament– Featuring a one-night, single-elimination heavyweight tournament from Dubia, U.A.E., showcasing Badr Hari, Stefan Leko, Peter Grahamn and Arnonbd Oborotov.

Tuesday, Mar. 31

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.

4:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds Today – Video podcast with John Ramdeen and Robin Black breaking down a wide array of topics in the MMA world, including previews of upcoming events and all the latest rumors and headlines.

5:30 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.

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.

9:00 p.m. ET – Legend 2: Heavyweight Tournament – Features a one-night, single-elimination heavyweight tournament from Moscow, Russia, showcasing Pavel Zhiravlev, Zabit Samedov, Melvin Manhoef and Sahak Parparyan.

11:00 p.m. ET – BAMMA USA: Badbeat 8 – Featuring Jared Papazian vs. Terrion Ware, Joseph Henle vs., Miguel Cosio and Ernest Chavez vs. Tom Gloudeman from Mar. 125, 2013 in Commerce, California.

Wednesday, Apr. 1

3:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

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.

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 – Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 69: Super Saturday, Part 2 – Part 2 of a doubleheader from, London, featuring Curt Warburton, Norman Paraisy, Jack Marshman, Ben Alloway, Bruno Carvalho and others.

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. 2

1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 1: Bad Breed – Featuring Mark Smith vs. Jody Cottham from Dec. 6, 2008 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.

9:00 p.m. ET – DEEP: DREAM Impact 2014 – Featuring Yuki Motoya vs. Matt Manzanares from Dec. 31, 2014 in Saitama, Japan.

Friday, Apr. 3

12:00 a.m. ET – It’s Showtime Special – The world’s premier kickboxing organization featuring Badr Hari, Melvin Manhoef and Giorgio Petrosyan.

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.

4:00 p.m. ET – UFC Fight Night Fairfax Weigh-In – LIVE coverage of the official weigh-in for UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas in Fairfax, Virginia.

6 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge – Professional MMA from Europe featuring 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.

8:00 p.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Thiago Alves – Sit-down interview with Brazilian UFC welterweight star Thiago Alves.

8:30 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.

9:00 p.m. ET — KSW 11 – Featuring Aslambek Saidov, Mamed Khalidov and Attila Vegh from May 15, 2009 in Warsaw, Poland.

Saturday, Apr. 4

1:00 a.m. ET – SuperKombat: World Grand Prix Final 2013 – Pro kickboxing featuring Frank Munoz, Redouan Cairo, Giannis Stoforidis and D’Angelo Marshall in heavyweight tournament action from Galati, Romania, plus Andre Stoica vs. Ondrej Hutnik for the world title and Raul Catinas vs. Paul Slowinski and Ben Adegbuyi vs., Pavel Zhuravlev in super fights.

6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Featuring David Loiseau vs. Steve Vigneault from UCC 2.

7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Rashad Evans vs. Bryan Pardoe from Gladiator Challenge 26.

10:00 a.m. ET – UFC Fight Night Fairfax Pre-Show – LIVE pre-fight coverage and analysis of UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas in Fairfax, Virginia.

3:00 p.m. ET – Enfusion LIVE #26: Narain vs. Diekmann – LIVE professional kickboxing from The Hague, Holland, featuring Reda Narain vs. Tommy Diekmann for the -60 kg world title

4:00 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 42 – Featuring Eddie Gordon vs. Anton Telamantes, Mike Santiago vs. Deivas Taurosevicius and Mike Massenzio vs. Ronald Stallings from Sept. 14, 2012 in Atlantic City, NJ.

7:00 p.m. ET – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scenes coverage from events and exclusive interviews.

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.

9:00 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge 55 – Featuring Denis Smoldarev vs, Maro Perak and Kenny Gsarner vs. Aslambek Musaev from Feb. 321, 2015 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Sunday, Apr. 5

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.

6:00 p.m. ET – Judo Budapest Grand Prix – Highlights from the Judo Budapest Grand Prix from June 21-22, 2014 in Hungary.

11:00 p.m. ET – King of Kings: World Cup Hero’s 2013 – Featuring a one-night, single-elimination 71 kg tournament from Nov. 16, 2013 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

 

Information:

 

www.FightNetwork.com

 

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

 

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

 
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

NEF HIRES LONGTIME BELLATOR EXECUTIVE AS DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (March 30, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, today announced the hiring of former Bellator executive Sam Caplan as the company’s new Director of National Business Development.  Caplan has signed a contract to work exclusively with the promotion in the New England states through his consulting company Combat Sports Media (CSM).  The new position within the organization was created specifically for Caplan.

 

“Adding a third executive to this mix was essential,” said NEF promoter Nick DiSalvo who co-owns the fight promotion with matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “As we’ve grown and the TV deals have been offered and we get more and more calls from big name fighters looking to fight for us, it’s become a lot for the two of us to handle along with the regular day-to-day operation of this business.  Sam has been at the national level for a long time.  He’s probably one of the top-five most experienced people in this country working at the highest stage of MMA event promotion.  He is a major asset to our company.  We are extremely fortunate to have him with us.”

 

Caplan was the Vice President of Talent Relations for Bellator from 2009 until 2014.  Prior to that time, he had worked for Fedor Amelianenko’s M-1 Global promotion, Titan Fighting Championships, and also worked in television for CBS and Showtime developing the first broadcasts of EliteXC and Strikeforce.  In 2013, he was named one of the “Top 20 Most Influential People in MMA” by USA Today and one of the “Power 20 in MMA” by Fight Magazine.   He currently hosts The MMA Insiders Podcast along with Jason Floyd.

 

“Combat Sports Media is excited about adding New England Fights to its client roster,” said Caplan.  “I have seen NEF’s operations from the inside out and am thoroughly impressed.  Creating a regional fight promotion that can sustain itself is no small fete in today’s MMA landscape.  In a short time, Matt and Nick have done an amazing job growing NEF to a point where it consistently puts 3,000-plus fans in the seats for its events.  I also believe that NEF hasn’t even yet scratched the surface with regard to its growth and CSM looks forward to playing a role in the promotion’s evolution.”

 

This will not be the first time Caplan has worked with NEF.  Caplan worked on a co-promotion NEF undertook with Bellator in March 2013.

 

“Working with Sam is always a pleasure,” stated Peterson.  “I’ve known Sam for several years now, since he created 5OuncesofPain.com.   There is no one more respected at the national level in MMA.  Sam’s presence is going to be a game changer for both the promotion and the athletes that compete for NEF.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place onApril 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1).  In addition, Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest.  Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.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.

 

About Combat Sports Media

 

Owned and operated by former Bellator MMA V.P. of Talent Relations and current Matrix Fights Promoter, Sam Caplan, CSM is an outsource business-to-business solution for companies in the combat sports industry.  Founded in 2008, CSM provides an array of services on a contract basis such as business development, negotiations, venue procurement, television contracts, public relations, television research production, website design and management, Internet video streaming, and matchmaking consulting.  Its past and present client list includes M-1 Global, CBS,SHOWTIME, the Titan Fighting Championship, Matrix Fights, Locked in the Cage, the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts, ChokeOutPoker.net, NameDrop.com, and FightMetric.com.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

MARCOS GALVAO CLAIMS BELLATOR BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP WITH SECOND-ROUND SUBMISSION VICTORY OVER FORMER CHAMPION JOE WARREN

Leave a comment

 

CREDIT: Bellator / Eric Coleman – Additional photos below

THACKERVILLE. Okla. – March 27, 2015 – Joe Warren (12-4) may very well be “The Baddest Man on the Planet,” but Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) is the new Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Champion.

 

In a rematch of a controversial 2011 affair, Galvao earned a verbal submission win after a kneebar forced Warren to scream out in pain. The two met in the headlining contest of Friday’s “Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao” event at Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla.

 

The action was fast-paced from the opening bell with both fighters finding success. It was Warren’s takedowns that served as the primary offense, but Galvao always seemed to find an answer. He would make Warren pay in the second.

 

As the fight hit the floor again early in the second frame, Galvao transitioned to a kneebar, and as he applied the hold, Warren screamed out in pain, earning an intervention from referee John McCarthy 45 seconds into the second round. The contest was waved off via verbal submission, and Galvao was awarded the win and the Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Title.
The night’s co-main event saw L.C. Davis (23-6) and Hideo Tokoro (32-28-2) combine for an instant classic and a candidate for “Fight of the Year”, with Davis eventually earning a hard-fought split-decision victory scored 29-28 Tokoro, 29-28 twice Davis. The action was fast-paced from start to finish, with both men finding success in brutal striking exchanges, as well as slick grappling sequences. It was the type of fight which truly produces no loser, but Davis did just enough to get the official victory.

“The guy has fought the best,” Davis said of Tokoro. “I knew he was going to be tough. I thought I was going to put him away but I wasn’t able to; hats off to him.
“Next fight, I would like a title shot or a No. 1 contender.”
Tokoro admitted he disagreed with the razor-thin call but declined to blame anyone other than himself.
“I don’t agree with the split-decision, but I have to respect the judges’ decision,” Tokoro said. “I think there were many things I could’ve improved in the fight, but I think I did very well with my wrestling.”
In a light heavyweight contest, Francis Carmont (23-10) earned a decision win overGuilherme Viana (6-2), but it certainly didn’t come easy. After nearly finishing Viana in the second round with strikes, Carmont found himself defending a series of choke attempts in the third. Carmont’s defense was sound, and was granted a decision win, 29-28 on all three cards.
In the night’s first main-card contest, Ryan Couture (10-3) picked up a quick submission win over Dakota Cochrane (18-8), earning the tap at the 3:23 mark in the first round. It was Cochrane who initiated the grappling game, but Couture made him pay by moving to his back and sinking in a rear-naked choke that ended the fight.

 

Rashad Coulter (5-1) wrapped up the preliminary card with an impressive first-round TKO of Jeremiah O’Neal (13-25). The Bellator MMA newcomer overwhelmed his opponent with heavy punches and brutal knees to the body, scoring the finish by strikes just 1:44 into the opening round.
In a spirited featherweight matchup, Emmanuel Sanchez (10-1) dominated early and then survived a late rally attempt from a game Alejandro Villalobos (17-4) to walk away with a decision win, 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.
Sean Holden (3-1) couldn’t quite get a finish over Tim Roman (2-2), but he did just about everything he could to pick up a victory over fellow welterweight Roman. Dominating the action from start to finish, Holden ended the first round with a deep rear-naked choke attempt and finished the third punching away in full mount, but Roman simply wouldn’t go away. Still, Holden was awarded a clear win, 30-27 on all three judges’ cards.
In middleweight action, Neal Ewing’s wrestling game proved too strong for Logan Nail (1-1). Ewing (6-0) took the fight to the floor repeatedly throughout the three-round affair, and while he was never especially close to finishing the fight, he cruised to a decision win 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27.
Although Stephen Banaszak (4-4) missed weight for a planned featherweight matchup with Brad Mitchell (4-2), he still picked up an impressive submission win. Banaszak declined to engage his opponent on the feet, instead searching for takedown opportunities at every turn. The strategy worked, as Banaszak picked up just the second omo plata win in Bellator MMA history, tapping out Mitchell at the 2:51mark of the second round.
In flyweight action Klayton Mai (7-1) missed on early opportunity to finish Xavier Siller(5-4) via rear-naked choke but went back to the position later in the opening round. While he couldn’t quite get the choke, he adjusted the hold to a neck crank and scored the submission at the 3:55 mark of the first.
In the night’s first contest, bantamweight George Pacurariu (9-4) used a beautiful hip toss to throw opponent J.P. Cole (2-3) to the floor, where he immediately locked in a modified armbar to score the submission at the 2:59 mark of the first frame.
About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

“BELLATOR: WARREN vs. GALVAO” OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR FRIDAY NIGHTS FIGHT ON SPIKE TV

Leave a comment

 
“I’m not worried about anything that Marcos Galvao does, he’s just a body in front of me to punish. I have a focus and game plan. If I keep moving forward, no one can stop me.” – Joe Warren
“I am well prepared for wherever the fight goes. I am better than him in all aspects of MMA, including wrestling.” – Marcos Galvao
 

THACKERVILLE. Okla. – March 26, 2015 – Fighters took to the scales and successfully hit their targeted weights Thursday afternoon at the WinStar World Casino & Resort, the site of tomorrow’s highly anticipated “Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao” event, which airs LIVE and FREE on Spike at 9 p.m. ET.

 

“Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao” is headlined by a rematch of a controversial fight between Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Joe Warren (12-3) and Marcos Galvao (16-6-1).  Many people felt that the Brazillian Galvao was robbed in their first match up, and now Warren looks to win in convincing fashion tomorrow night.

 

The event also features a bantamweight co-main event between L.C. Davis (22-6) and Japanese mainstay Hideo Tokoro (32-27-2).

Joe Warren (134.4 lbs.) vs. Marcos Galvao (134.6 lbs.)

LC Davis (135.4 lbs.) vs. Hideo Tokoro (135.6 lbs.)

Francis Carmont (204.8 lbs.) vs. Guilherme Viana (205.6lbs.)

Ryan Couture (156 lbs.) vs. Dakota Cochrane (205.6 lbs.)
George “Geo” Pacurariu (135.8 lbs.) vs. J.P. Cole (134.4 lbs.)
Klayton Mai (126 lbs.) vs. Xavier Siller (126 lbs.)
Brad Mitchell (145.4 lbs.) vs. Stephen Banaszak (146.8 lbs.)
Emmanuel Sanchez (145.4 lbs.) vs. Alejandro Villalobos (145.2 lbs.)
Logan Nail (184.8 lbs.) vs. Neil Ewing (184.6 lbs.)
Sean Holden (169.6 lbs.) vs. Tim Roman (170.8 lbs.)
Rashad Coulter (229.8 lbs.) vs. Jeremiah O’Neal (242.4 lbs.)

Additional fighter photos / Credit Bellator/Eric Coleman
PRE-FIGHT QUOTES:

 

Joe Warren: 

“It’s an honor to be fighting again at WinStar Casino. I’ve been here three or four times and my fans show up and we sell out the venue. It’s really exciting to have the opportunity to beat up another Brazilian tomorrow.

 

“I always perform better in the bigger events in front of my fans. I rise to that level, it’s from my Olympic background.

 

“I’m not worried about anything that Marcos Galvao does, he’s just a body in front of me to punish. I have a focus and game plan. If I keep moving forward, no one can stop me.

 

“I am 100 percent looking for the knockout. I am trying to be the champion everybody wants me to.

 

“If it’s a five round fight, I am ready for that. This is a championship fight and MMA is the most unpredictable sport. Of course I would like to finish every single opponent in the first minute of the first round, but if that doesn’t happen and I am ready for good long fight.

 

“I am ready for whoever they put in front of me. Whoever is in that cage with me, I am going to punish. I want to keep this belt for as long as I can.”

 

Marcos Galvao:

“I have never felt better going into a fight. I had the best training camp I have ever had, I am ready for tomorrow.
“I am well prepared for wherever the fight goes. I am better than him in all aspects of MMA, including wrestling.
“It is a dream come true to be fighting on SPIKE. Everybody back home in Brazil is very excited to watch me fight. They all have their big screens up in their house and are ready to cheer me on.”

  “Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao” – Friday, March 27, WinStar World Casino, Thackerville, Okla.
Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Bantamweight Title Fight: Champ Joe Warren (12-3) vs. Marcos Galvao (16-6-1)

Bellator Bantamweight Feature Fight: L.C. Davis (22-6) vs. Hideo Tokoro (32-27)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Francis Carmont (22-10) vs. Guilherme Viana (6-1)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Ryan Couture (9-3) vs. Dakota Cochrane (18-7)

Preliminary Card (6:30 p.m. ET)

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Sean Holden (2-1) vs. Tim Roman (2-1)

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: Neal Ewing (5-0) vs. Logan Nail (1-0)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Emmanuel Sanchez (9-1) vs. Alejandro Villalobos (17-3)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Stephen Banaszak (3-4) vs. Brad Mitchell (4-1)

Bellator Flyweight Prelim Fight: Klayton Mai (6-1) vs. Xavier Siller (5-3)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: J.P. Cole (2-2) vs. Geo Pacurariu (8-4)

Swing Bout

Bellator Heavyweight Prelim Fight: Rashad Coulter (4-1) vs. Jeremiah O’Neal (13-24)

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champions Marcin Tybura vs. Stephan Puetz May 2 in Orenburg, Russia

Leave a comment

Presents

M-1 CHALLENGE 57: CLASH OF CHAMPIONS

MARCIN TYBURA, M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Champion

vs.

STEPHAN PUETZ, M-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion

May 2, 2015 ● Orenburg, Russia

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 byM-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!
Stephan Puetz vs Marcin Tybura, M-1 Challenge 57, 02/05/15 Official Promo
Stephan Puetz vs Marcin Tybura

M-1 Challenge 57, May 2, 2015

Official Promo

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (March 26, 2015) – M-1 Global has announced a special five-round, heavyweight Super Fight on May 2 as unbeaten M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin “Tybur” Tybura takes on M-1 Challenge light heavyweight titlist Stephan “T-800” Puetz, headlining M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champions, in Orenburg, Russia.

 

The historic M-1 Challenge 57 will be streamed live in high definition onwww.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 watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

 

The 29-year-old Tybura (12-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) captured the coveted M-1 Challenge heavyweight title last August 15 at M-1 Challenge 50: Battle on Neva, locking-in a choke hold on defending champion Damian Grabowski (19-1-0) in the first-round for the Submission of the Night.

 

The 6’3″, 248-pound native of Poland made his first title defense last November in Beijing, China, by way of another opening-round submission of previously undefeated Denis Smoldarev (9-0-0) via a choke hold. Tybura is unbeaten in six M-1 Global fights.

 

“I think this fight is the best option for me at the moment,” Tybura said. “I’m always looking for a challenge. I know Stephan weighs around 110 kilograms (242 lbs.), normally, and that he’s a great fighter. All of that gives me motivation. Fights are never easy; I always expect them to be hard and to go the full distance. We’re both champions, proving we know how to win title fights, and that makes it a great matchup.”

 
Tybura chokes ot Smoldarev

Puetz (12-1-0, 5 KO/TKO, 4 SUB), 27, is 3-0-0 in M-1 Global fights, all in M-1 Challenge light heavyweight championship matches. The 6′ 5″ German is stepping up to fight as a heavyweight this one time against Tybura.

A decorated fighter in Germany before signing with M-1 Global, Puetz won the crown March 14, 2014 at M-1 Challenge 46, taking a five-round split decision from veteranViktor Nemkov (19-4-0). Puetz has had successful title defenses against Luis Fernando Miranda (12-1-0) last August at M-1 Challenge 50 by second-round choke submission, and this past December at M-1 Challenge 54, in which he punched his way to a second round knockout of previously undefeated Valery Myasnikov (8-0-0).

 

“It was an easy decision for me to take this fight (at heavyweight) because I consider Tybura one of the best fighters out there and I love any sort of challenge,” Puetz explained his decision. “My motivation is to be the best and I have to beat the best in order to achieve that. I still consider this fight a “one-off” as my long term future is in the light heavyweight division. I usually walk around between 106-110 kilograms (233-242 lbs.), but I might even come into this fight a little lighter in order to work on my quickness. I will be in great shape for sure. This fight is the biggest fight M-1 can put out! It´s also a historical fight with the light heavyweight champion meeting the heavyweight champion. We are both known as fighters who constantly move forward and are willing to take a risk in order to finish our opponents. This fight won´t be any different. You better be prepared for a real WAR between MAN vs. Machine!”

 
Puetz (R) strikes Nemkov

 

All fights and fighters are subject to change. Additional fights to soon be announced.

 

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 57 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS: M-1 Challenge 56, April 10, 2015 in Moscow, Russia.

 

Information

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1Global
@VFinkelchtein

 

@M1GlobalNews

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244