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Bellator, CBS Sports Network, mixed martial arts, MMA

COREY ANDERSON MAKES BELLATOR MMA DEBUT AGAINST COMBAT SPORTS LEGEND MELVIN MANHOEF IN BELLATOR 251 HEADLINER

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MASSIVE EVENT AIRS LIVE ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK THURSDAY, NOV. 5

LOS ANGELES – Bellator MMA is back in primetime on Thursday, Nov. 5 with a card headlined by an exciting battle featuring one of the promotion’s newest free agent acquisitions in Corey Anderson (13-5), who will make his highly anticipated Bellator debut against Dutch combat sports legend Melvin Manhoef (32-14-1, 2 NC) in the stacked light heavyweight division. The action emanates from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., where Bellator has held all its domestic shows since the promotion’s return to live events.
 
CBS Sports Network will air Bellator 251: Manhoef vs. Anderson LIVE in all U.S. markets, while preliminary matchups will stream on CBSSports.com and Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional bouts will be announced at a later date.
 
Legendary Dutch fighter Melvin Manhoef is one of the most feared and violent striking specialists in all of combat sports. With 29 of his 32 career victories coming by way of knockout, “No Mercy” boasts one of the highest knockout percentage rates of any MMA fighter with at least 15 victories. Manhoef has collected victories over iconic names in the sport, including Mark Hunt and Kazushi Sakuraba, throughout an illustrious career dating back to 1995, when he earned the first of many knockout victories at only 18 years of old. After stacking together two consecutive victories, including a TKO over Yannick Bahati in his last outing, Manhoef looks to spoil the much-hyped Bellator debut of Anderson in the main event of Bellator 251.
 
Rockford, Illinois’ Corey Anderson joined Bellator’s light heavyweight division this past August after opting to depart the UFC. The winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 19 was ranked fourth in the UFC’s 205-pound division at the time of his departure, having defeated top opponents, including current champion Jan Blachowicz, Johnny Walker, Ilir Latifi and Glover Teixeira. Prior to honing his MMA under world-renowned BJJ ace Ricardo Almeida, the 31-year-old became a two-time NCAA All-American wrestler and earned his degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. “Overtime” will look to ascend to the top of a crowded Bellator light heavyweight class that includes champion Vadim Nemkov, Phil Davis, Ryan Bader, Lyoto Machida, newcomer Christian Edwards and former LFA champ Alex Polizzi.
 
For further information, please visit www.Bellator.com.
 
Updated Bellator 251: Manhoef vs. Anderson Fight Card:
CBS Sports Network

Light Heavyweight Main Event: Melvin Manhoef (32-14-1, 2 NC) vs. Corey Anderson (13-5)
 
 
*Card subject to change.
boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA

RJJ Boxing Promotions iKon fighting federation boxing/mma results from biloxi

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BILOXI, Miss. (September 25, 2020) – Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions (RJJ Boxing) and the debut of the newest mixed-martial-arts promotional company, iKON Fighting Federation (iKON), presented its inaugural hybrid professional boxing/MMA show last night at Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

Boxjng and MMA action was streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com or download the UFC app. 

Boxing was co-promoted by RJJ Boxing and Rite Hook Promotions, pro MMA matches were co-promoted by iKON, in association with RJJ Boxing, and Empire Fighting Championship. 

Five undefeated boxing prospects were showcased with each emerging victoriously.  In the main event, undefeated Tampa welterweight prospect Mark Reyes, Jr. (13-0, 11 KOs) knocked out his Mexican opponent, Carlos Mohamed Rodriguez (13-9-1, 5 KOs), in round four for his eighth straight fight that didn’t go the distant. 

In the co-featured event, Roy Jones, Jr. protégé, Michael “Boy Wonder” Williams, Jr. (13-0, 9 KOs), captured the vacant National Boxing Association (NBA) Continental Americas super lightweight title, stopping Thomas Miller (6-4, 3 KOs) midway through the second round with a vicious body shot.  

Tennessee super lightweight Tyler “Short Fuse” Tomlin (7-0, 5 KOs) need only half-a-round to knockout Texan Gabriel Gutierrez (5-9, 3 KOs), New Orleans super lightweight Jonathan Montrel (7-0, 5 KOs) erased Henry Lee Crapp in two rounds, and Dominican Republic lightweight Eridson Garcia(9-0, 6 KOs) pitched a shutout against Argentinian Christian “El Ninja” Guido (8-14, 6 KOs) for a 6-roiund unanimous decision. 

In the iKON launch, veteran lightweight Khasan “Black Wolf” Ashkabov improved to 21-2-0 with a second-round submission win in the main event against Cliff “The Goblin” Wright (12-14-0), by locking in a rear naked choke. 

Hometown favorite Tyler “Zombie” Hill (10-5-0) suffered a first-round loss to Iowa middleweight  Johnny Parsons (5-2-0), who stopped his opponent on punches. 

Miami middleweight Allan St. Gelais (1-0-0) won his pro debut with a second-round stoppage of Ravon “Big Shot” Baxter (1-2-0), while North Carolina welterweight Zachary Dalen (2-1-0) recorded an opening-round technical knockout of R.J. Summerlin (1-2-0). 

Sedriques “The Reaper” Dumas won his pro debut in fashion, using a rear naked choke to submit Clarence “Prodigy” Brown (1-8-0) in round one.  

Florida lightweight Christian “Hollywood” Lohsen (8-2-0) and Arizona featherweight A.J. Cunningham (6-1-0), respectively, defeated Dennis “DJ” Hughes (2-2-0) and Jewell “Kid Dynamite” Scott (3-4-0). 

Official results below: 

OFFICIAL RESULTS 

RJJ BOXING 

MAIN EVENT –  WELTERWEIGHTS 

Mark Reyes, Jr. (13-0, 11 KOs), Tampa, FL 

WTKO4 (1:51) 

Carlos Mohamed Rodriguez (13-9-1, 5 KOs), La Paz, Baja California, Mexico 

CO-FEATURE – VACANT NBA CONTINENTAL AMERICAS SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP 

Michael Williams, Jr. (13-0, 9 KOs), Fayetteville, NC 

WKO2 (1:42) 

Thomas Miller (6-4, 3 KOs), Huntington, WV 

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS 

Tyler Tomlin (7-0, 5 KOs), Ashland City, TN 

WTKO1 (1:49) 

Gabriel Guttierrez (5-9, 3 KOs), El Paso, TX 

Jonathan Montrel (8-0, 5 KOs), New Orleans, LA 

WTKO2 

Henry Lee Crapp 

LIGHTWEIGHTS  

Eridson Garcia (9-0, 6 KOs), Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic 

WDEC6 (60-54, 60-54, 60-54) 

Christian “El Ninja” Danilo Guido (8-14 (6 KOs), Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina 

iKON MMA 

MAIN EVENT – LIGHTWEIGHTS 

Khasan Askhabov (20-2-0), Miami, FL 

WSUB2 (rear naked choke – 2:24) 

Cliff Wright (12-13-0), Cedar Rapids, IA 

CO-FEATURE – MIDDLEWEIGHTS 

Johnny Parsons (4-2-0), Las Vegas, NV 

WTKO/KO1 (punches – 2:35) 

Tyler Hill (7-2-0), Biloxi, MS 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS 

Allan St. Gelais (1-0-0), Miami, FL 

WKO/TKO2 (2:12) 

Ravon Baxter (1-2-0), Clarksville, TN 

Sedriques Dumas (0-0-0), Pensacola, FL 

WSUB1 (rear naked choke – 2:53) 

Clarence Brown (1-7-0), Houston, TX 

WELTERWEIGHTS 

Zachary Dalen (2-1-0), Fayetteville, NC 

WTKO1 (4:42) 

R.J. Summerlin (1-2-0), Pensacola, FL 

LIGHTWEIGHTS 

Christian Lohsen (8-2-0), Deland, FL 

WDEC3  

Dennis Hughes (2-2-0), Wiggins, MS 

FEATHERWEIGHTS 

A.J. Cunningham, (6-1-0), Batesville, AZ 

WDEC3 

Jewell Scott (3-4-0), Shreveport, LA 

INFORMATION:  

Website:   www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com 

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre  

Twitter: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @Keith_Veltre  

Instagram: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre

Bellator, CBS Sports Network

BELLATOR MMA CONFIRMS FULL FIGHT CARD FOR FIRST EVENT ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK

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BELLATOR 247, HEADLINED BY PAUL DALEY AGAINST DEREK ANDERSON, AIRS LIVE THURSDAY, OCT. 1 AT 4 P.M. ET
 
PRELIM BOUTS TO STREAM ON CBSSPORTS.COM

LOS ANGELES – Bellator MMA has today confirmed the full fight card for Bellator 247: Daley vs. Anderson, which takes place Thursday, Oct. 1 at Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy.

Bellator 247: Daley vs. Anderson kicks off the new partnership between Bellator MMA and CBS Sports Network, which will air the event LIVE Thursday, Oct. 1 (4 p.m. ET) from Italy’s fashion capital. Beginning with this event, CBS Sports Network will televise Bellator MMA events, both domestic and international, LIVE in all U.S. markets, while preliminary matchups will stream on CBSSports.com and Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel.

In addition to the exciting welterweight main event between veteran Paul Daley (42-17-2) and Derek Anderson (16-3, 1 NC), three other main card bouts are now confirmed, with the additions of Norbert Novenyi Jr. (5-0) taking on Laid Zerhouni (7-5) at middleweight, a flyweight matchup between former title challenger Kate Jackson (11-4-1) and current Bellator Kickboxing flyweight champion Denise Kielholtz (5-2), as well as a lightweight contest pitting Ilias Bulaid (2-0) against Ivan Naccari (Pro Debut) in an explosive opening bout.

On the preliminary card, Ireland’s Brian Moore (12-7) will make his return to the Bellator cage following injury against Italy’s Simone D’anna (7-2) at 145-pounds. Also, four welterweight bouts are official, when undefeated Justin Burlinson (5-0) faces fellow unbeaten foe Bobby Pallett (5-0), Lewis Long (17-6) meets former Bellator headliner Gianni Melillo (13-5), Walter Gahadza (18-5) returns against the undefeated Uros Jurisic (10-0) and Kywan Gracie (1-0) continues his young MMA career against Moldova’s Constantin Gnusariev (3-0-1).

Originally slated to face Liz Carmouche prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, flyweight Mandy Bohm (6-0, 1 NC) gets a new assignment and welcomes Griet Eeckhout (5-3-1) to the Bellator cage in the first of two women’s preliminary bouts at Bellator 247: Daley vs. Anderson. The second pits Jade Jorand against Monika Tochlikova in an atomweight contest that will serve as both fighters’ professional debuts.

Additionally, two Bellator veterans welcome two new athletes to the Bellator cage, when Lee Chadwick (25-15-1) goes to battle with London Shootfighters-product Ederson Cristian Macedo(10-5) at light heavyweight and SBG Ireland’s Blaine O’Driscoll (8-3) tests his skills against France’s Salah Elkas (6-6) in a flyweight affair. Lastly, a 160-pound contract weight bout has been booked, as undefeated Chris Duncan (6-0) meets Iamik Furtado (6-3).

A proud Hungarian, Norbert Novenyi Jr. enters the Oct. 1 contest boasting a perfect professional mark of 5-0, including a trio of submissions and two first-round finishes. The middleweight will be making his fourth appearance for Bellator MMA, collecting decisive wins in each of the previous three contests. Another decisive finish at Bellator 247 could place the London Shootfighters-product into the mix at the top of the 185-pound division. Hailing from Montpellier, France, Zerhouni will be making his first appearance of 2020 and first fight on a Bellator card, where he will be searching for his fourth win over his last five fights. With each of his five career victories coming by way of knockout or submission, including four in the opening round, the 24-year-old finisher will look for yet another early stoppage in the co-main event of Bellator 247.

Fighting out of Amsterdam, 31-year-old Denise Kielholtz will be making her second MMA appearance of her 2020 campaign and seventh since joining Bellator MMA in 2017. With 47 career kickboxing wins, including a Bellator Kickboxing women’s flyweight championship, the multi-dimensional Dutch Muay Thai fighter hopes to extend her current three-fight winning streak when she enters the cage in Milan. “Miss Dynamite” also enters the contest riding a successful streak that includes five victories in six contests, highlighted by a trio of first-round finishes. With victories in four of her past six contests and nine of her last 12, Kate Jackson comes into the bout riding one of the hottest streaks in the women’s flyweight division. Hailing from Cornwall, England, the former Bellator flyweight No. 1-contender will be looking to add to her six career knockouts, a total that includes five in the first round. The 34-year-old Jackson is hoping a win over Kielholtz puts her right back into the 125-pound world title conversation.

For further information, visit Bellator.com.  

Bellator 247: Daley vs. Anderson Fight Card:

CBS Sports Network

4 p.m. ET


Welterweight Main Event: Paul Daley (42-17-2) vs Derek Anderson (16-3, 1 NC)

Middleweight Co-Main Event: Norbert Novenyi Jr. (5-0) vs. Laid Zerhouni (7-5)

Flyweight Feature Bout: Kate Jackson (11-4-1) vs. Denise Kielholtz (5-2)

Lightweight Feature Bout: Ilias Bulaid (2-0) vs. Ivan Naccari (Pro Debut)

Preliminary Card:

CBSSports.com | Bellator MMA’s YouTube Channel

12:15 p.m. ET

Featherweight Bout: Brian Moore (12-7) vs. Simone D’anna (7-2)
Welterweight Bout: Justin Burlinson (5-0) vs. Bobby Pallett (5-0)
Welterweight Bout: Lewis Long (17-6) vs. Gianni Melillo (13-5)
Flyweight Bout: Mandy Bohm (6-0, 1 NC) vs. Griet Eeckhout (5-3-1)

160-pound Contract Weight Bout: Chris Duncan (6-0) vs. Iamik Furtado (6-3)
Welterweight Bout: Walter Gahadza (18-5) vs. Uros Jurisic (10-0)
Welterweight Bout: Kywan Gracie (1-0) vs. Constantin Gnusariev (3-0-1)
Light Heavyweight Bout: Lee Chadwick (25-15-1) vs. Ederson Cristian Macedo (10-5)
Flyweight Bout: Blaine O’Driscoll (8-3) vs. Salah Elkas (6-6)
Atomweight Bout: Jade Jorand (Pro Debut) vs. Monika Tochlikova (Pro Debut)

*Card subject to change.

****

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

OFFICIAL BELLATOR 246: ARCHULETA VS. MIX RESULTS AND PHOTOS

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Complete Event Photos Here
 
Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix Main Card: 
Juan Archuleta (25-2) defeated Patchy Mix (13-1) via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Neiman Gracie (10-1) defeated Jon Fitch (32-8-2, 1 NC) via submission (heel hook) at 4:47 of round two
Liz Carmouche (14-7) defeated DeAnna Bennett (10-7-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:17 of round three
Keoni Diggs (9-0) defeated Derek Campos (20-11) via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:59 of round three
 
Preliminary Card: 
Daniel Madrid (18-6) defeated Pat Casey (6-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Ty Gwerder (5-1) defeated Tuco Tokkos (4-2) via TKO at 1:05 of round three
Davion Franklin (2-0) defeated Ras Hylton (6-5) via technical decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
 
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

OFFICIAL BELLATOR 245: DAVIS VS. MACHIDA 2 RESULTS AND PHOTOS

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Complete Event Photos Here

Bellator 245: Davis vs. Machida 2 Main Card: 
Phil Davis (22-5, 1 NC) defeated Lyoto Machida (26-10) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Cat Zingano (11-4) defeated Gabby Holloway (6-6) via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Taylor Johnson (6-1) defeated Ed Ruth (8-3) via submission (heel hook) at :59 of round one
Raymond Daniels (2-1, 1 NC) and Peter Stanonik (5-4, 1 NC) ended in a no content (accidental low blow)
 
Preliminary Card:  
Alex Polizzi (7-0) defeated Rafael Carvalho (16-5) unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Leslie Smith (12-8-1) defeated Amanda Bell (7-7) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28. 29-28)
Tyrell Fortune (8-1, 1 NC) and Jack May (11-6, 1 NC) ended in a no content (accidental low blow)
Keith Lee (7-3) defeated Vinicius Zani (11-7) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
 
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
Bellator, CBS Sports Network, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR MMA AND CBS SPORTS NETWORK TEAM UP ON NEW TELEVISION PARTNERSHIP

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COVERAGE KICKS OFF THURSDAY, OCT. 1 WITH BELLATOR 247 LIVE FROM MILAN, ITALY
 
PLUS, CHAMPION CRIS ‘CYBORG’ AND ARLENE BLENCOWE MEET IN EPIC WORLD TITLE BOUT IN PRIMETIME ON OCT. 15

LOS ANGELES – Bellator MMA, a leading mixed martial arts promotion owned by ViacomCBS, and CBS Sports Network have announced an exciting new partnership that will see the organization’s live events featured on the 24-hour home of CBS Sports beginning this fall.

CBS Sports Network will televise Bellator events, both domestic and international, LIVE in all U.S. markets, while preliminary matchups will stream on CBSSports.com and Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional details will be announced at a later date.

To kick off the new partnership, CBS Sports Network will air Bellator events live from Europe, including Bellator 247 on Thursday, Oct. 1 (4 p.m. ET) in Milan, Italy, as well as the monumentalBellator Paris event on Saturday, Oct. 10 (11:30 a.m. ET) in France. Bellator 247 is headlined by a welterweight battle between veteran Paul Daley (42-17-2) and Derek Anderson (16-3, 1 NC), while Bellator Paris sees “MVP” Michael Page (17-1) take on Ross Houston (8-0, 1 NC) at welterweight and Cheick Kongo (30-10-2, 1 NC) face Tim Johnson (14-6) in a heavyweight bout.

The first primetime event live from the U.S. takes place Thursday, Oct. 15 (9 p.m. ET) with a massive card anchored by the first world title defense of current champion Cris “Cyborg” (22-2, 1 NC), who takes on Australia’s Arlene Blencowe (13-7), at Bellator 249 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

“We’re excited to have CBS Sports Network serve as the new home of live Bellator MMA events. It’s a great opportunity to showcase some of the best events and biggest names in the sport,” said CBS Sports Executive Vice President of Programming Dan Weinberg. “Adding Bellator MMA to the CBS Sports portfolio will allow for greater promotion, engagement and exposure across all our platforms and assets including CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports HQ as well as our various social accounts.”

“I am thrilled that Bellator live events will be coming to CBS Sports Network beginning on Oct. 1, as well as the unique opportunities the partnership creates across all CBS Sports platforms,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “CBS Sports is synonymous with iconic sports broadcasting and it is incredible to now have Bellator MMA included in that family. I would like to thank Paramount Network, formerly Spike TV, for the years of support that helped build Bellator into the organization that it is today, and this news marks yet another exciting relationship between two ViacomCBS properties. I look forward to bringing the biggest fights, featuring the top athletes in the world, live to CBS Sports Network and introducing Bellator to an entirely new audience this fall.”

CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is available through all major cable, satellite and telco distributors as well as via OTT streaming service providers YouTube TV, fuboTV, DirecTV and Hulu.

Bellator will continue to produce all of its own live events, led by Executive Producer Scott Fishman.

The second Bellator woman’s featherweight champion in the company’s history, Cris “Cyborg” is coming off of a dominant performance over Julia Budd in January to win the 145-pound world title. Already an MMA legend at 35-years-old, “Cyborg” will be looking to further her legacy as the greatest woman’s mixed martial artist of all-time when she meets Arlene Blencowe on Oct. 15. After winning the Bellator belt in her 12th career title fight, “Cyborg” made history by becoming a world champion in her fourth major promotion, previously holding belts in both the UFC and Strikeforce. With a professional record of 22-2, 1 NC, including 18 wins by way of finish, the Brazilian-born fighter holds victories over tough competition such as Budd, Holly Holm, Felicia Spencer and Gina Carano.

With wins in six of her last seven fights, including five knockouts, “Angerfist” has put herself in position to challenge for the women’s featherweight title. Coming off a unanimous decision victory over Leslie Smith, the former two-time boxing world champion will look to keep her momentum rolling and claim her first MMA title. Tied for the most knockouts in Bellator woman’s featherweight history, the fighter out of New South Wales, Australia aims to claim sole possession of that record, as she takes on her toughest challenge to date in Cris “Cyborg.”

A longtime MMA veteran, Paul Daley has competed professionally since 2003, amassing over 60 career fights. Throughout his tenure, “Semtex” has been one half of some of the most memorable bouts in MMA history, including a knockout of the year over Brennan Ward in 2017. Most recently, the Nottingham, England native notched consecutive wins over Erick Silva and Saad Awad, running his record in Bellator MMA to 8-4. Fighting out of San Diego, Calif., the 30-year-old Derek Anderson will be making his 11th appearance for Bellator MMA in search of his third consecutive victory. With 11 of his 16 career wins coming by way of finish, “The Barbaric” hopes to earn his eighth promotional victory and first of his 2020 campaign.

Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Michael “Venom” Page, better known to fans as “MVP,” returns with the intention of spoiling the debut of European welterweight prospect, Ross Houston. Holding a career record of 17-1, with 14 wins coming by way of stoppage, the pride of London Shootfighters looks to remind people why he is one of the most exciting strikers in all of MMA. After signing with Bellator in February, Scotland’s Houston will make his promotional debut against one of Bellator’s biggest stars in Page. “The Hitman” plans on keeping his 8-0, 1 NC undefeated record intact and improve on the three submission victories already to his name by using his known Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills.

Holding an impressive MMA record of 30-10-2, 1 NC, France’s Cheick Kongo returns to action following a title fight against heavyweight champion Ryan Bader last September. The former kickboxer remains unbeaten since 2015 and will enter the Bellator cage on home soil for a rematch against a familiar opponent in heavyweight contender in Tim Johnson. Coming off a dominant TKO victory over veteran Matt Mitrione at Bellator 243 in August, Johnson is set to compete for the third time in 2020 seeking revenge in a rematch from 2018 against Kongo. Now training out of Las Vegas, Johnson has quickly earned his place near the top of the Bellator heavyweight division with his recent wins, including a viral knockout over top prospect Tyrell Fortune in February.

*Fight cards subject to change.

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

BELLATOR MMA ANNOUNCES MASSIVE DOUBLEHEADER LIVE ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK AND DAZN FROM MOHEGAN SUN ARENA

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FORMER CHAMPS PHIL DAVIS AND LYOTO MACHIDA COLLIDE IN LONG-AWAITED REMATCH AT BELLATOR 245 ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 11
 
JUAN ARCHULETA FACES UNDEFEATED PATCHY MIX FOR THE VACANT BELLATOR BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE AT BELLATOR 246 ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 12

PLUS, THE BELLATOR DEBUTS OF FORMER TITLE CHALLENGERS CAT ZINGANO AND LIZ CARMOUCHE

LOS ANGELES — For the first time, Bellator MMA’s “FightSphere” at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. will host a stacked doubleheader weekend on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12. On night one, Bellator 245 is headlined by former world champs Phil Davis (21-5, 1 NC) and Lyoto Machida (26-9) in a light heavyweight rematch, while Bellator 246 on night two sees a bantamweight world championship fight featuring top contender Juan Archuleta (24-2) taking on the undefeated Patchy Mix (13-0) for the vacant title.

Two former world title challengers also make their long-awaited Bellator debuts, as Cat Zingano (10-4) takes on Gabby Holloway (6-5) in a featherweight matchup at Bellator 245, while Liz Carmouche (13-7) meets the newly signed DeAnna Bennett (10-6-1) at flyweight during the main card of Bellator 246.

Bellator 245: Davis vs. Machida 2 on Friday, Sept. 11 and Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix on Saturday, Sept. 12 air live on Paramount Network and DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. Preliminary action will stream on Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming days.

A former Bellator light heavyweight world champion, Phil Davis returns to the Bellator cage for the first time since stopping Karl Albrektsson at Bellator 231 in October of last year. A four-time NCAA D-I All-American wrestler at Penn State University, “Mr. Wonderful” has earned professional victories over Brian Stann, Alexander Gustafsson, Antônio Rogério Nogueira, and the man he will face again on Sept. 11, Lyoto Machida. With eight Bellator appearances already, the San Diego-based fighter has his sights set on reclaiming his world title in the sport’s toughest light heavyweight division.

After signing with Bellator in 2018, Lyoto Machida made his highly anticipated promotional debut with a victory over former champ Rafael Carvalho at Bellator 213 and would later go on to defeat the now-retired Chael Sonnen inside the famed Madison Square Garden at Bellator 222. The former UFC light heavyweight champ, known to fans around the globe as “The Dragon,” owns notable career wins over Tito Ortiz, “Shogun” Rua, Dan Henderson, Rashad Evans and Randy Couture. Having lost to Davis in the first matchup in Brazil, the native ofSalvador, Bahia, Brazil is looking for redemption and a future shot at Bellator gold.

Fresh off of an impressive victory over Henry Corrales at Bellator 238 earlier this year, Juan Archuleta will look to capture the promotion’s vacant bantamweight strap. Fighting out of Hesperia, Calif., the 32-year-old knockout artist will once again drop down a weight class for a shot at the world title, something he successfully accomplished on four separate occasions while competing for regional promotion King of the Cage (light welterweight, lightweight, flyweight and bantamweight). Following a hard-fought featherweight world title bout with Patricio Pitbull last September, “The Spaniard” returns to bantamweight, where he has been undefeated for over five years.

Currently fighting out of Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., Patchy Mix will make his fourth appearance for Bellator, where he has tallied three first-round submission victories. The 26-year-old Buffalo, N.Y.-native hopes to remain undefeated and build off of his most recent win on New Year’s Eve, which saw “No Love” earn a guillotine choke-submission over Yuki Motoya at Bellator’s co-promotional event with Rizin at Rizin.20 in Japan. Prior to his time with the Scott Coker-led promotion, Mix dominated his competition in all nine of his fights with King of the Cage, collecting five first round finishes. Now, the submission specialist will face the toughest test of his young career, a matchup with the former Bellator featherweight world title contender and a shot at Bellator’s vacant 135-pound strap.

Also announced for Bellator 245…“Easy” Ed Ruth (8-2) returns to middleweight against the debuting Taylor “Tombstone” Johnson (5-1) on the main card; current Bellator Kickboxing welterweight world champ Raymond “The Real Deal” Daniels (2-1) returns to MMA against Peter Stanonik (5-4); former middleweight champ Rafael Carvalho (16-4) squares off with undefeated Alex “Easy” Polizzi (6-0) at light heavyweight; hard-hitting heavyweights Tyrell Fortune (8-1) and Jack May (11-6) collide; “Killa” Keith Lee (6-3) faces Dominic “The Honey Badger” Mazzotta (15-3) in a 140-lb. contract weight preliminary matchup.

Also announced for Bellator 246…top welterweight contenders Jon Fitch (32-7-2, 1 NC) and Neiman Gracie (9-1) square off in the co-main event; Derek “The Stallion” Campos (20-10) andRoger “El Matador” Huerta (24-12-1, 1 NC) go toe-to-toe in a lightweight battle; Jackson Wink MMA heavyweight prospect Davion “The Don” Franklin (1-0) takes on Ras “The Jamaican Shamrock” Hylton (6-4) on the prelims; Hawaii’s Ty “Savage” Gwerder (4-1) meets London’s George “Tuco” Tokkos (4-1) in a middleweight contest.

Updated Bellator 245: Davis vs. Machida 2 Main Card:

Paramount Network and DAZN

Friday, Sept. 11 – 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT

Light Heavyweight Main Event: Phil Davis (21-5, 1 NC) vs. Lyoto Machida (26-9)

Featherweight Co-Main Event: Cat Zingano (10-4) vs. Gabby Holloway (6-5)

Middleweight Feature Bout: Ed Ruth (8-2) vs. Taylor Johnson (5-1)

Welterweight Feature Bout: Raymond Daniels (2-1) vs. Peter Stanonik (5-4)

Updated Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA’s YouTube Channel

Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Rafael Carvalho (16-4) vs. Alex Polizzi (6-0)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Tyrell Fortune (8-1) vs. Jack May (11-6)

140-lb. Contract Weight Preliminary Bout: Keith Lee (6-3) vs. Dominic Mazzotta (15-3)

——–

Updated Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix Main Card:

Paramount Network and DAZN

Saturday, Sept. 12 – 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT

Bantamweight World Title Bout: Juan Archuleta (24-2) vs. Patchy Mix (13-0)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Jon Fitch (32-7-2, 1 NC) vs. Neiman Gracie (9-1)

Flyweight Feature Bout: Liz Carmouche (13-7) vs. DeAnna Bennett (10-6-1)

Lightweight Feature Bout: Derek Campos (20-10) vs. Roger Huerta (24-12-1, 1 NC)

Updated Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA’s YouTube Channel

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Ty Gwerder (4-1) vs. George Tokkos (4-1)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Davion Franklin (1-0) vs. Ras Hylton (6-4)

*Card subject to change.

****

mixed martial arts, MMA

SFT 23 VR: Jeffrey vs. Assis OFFICIAL RESULTS

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Aaron Jeffrey punches-out Bruno Assis in 3rd round 

MIAMI (August 15, 2020) – The long-awaited American debut of SFT MMA & Xtreme (Standout Fighting Tournament), delayed several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finally happened this past Thursday night with a “closed show” at Wynwood Studios in Miami, Florida. 

“SFT 23 VR: Jeffrey vs. Assis” was streamed live and exclusively worldwide on pay per view via the FITE app and website (www.FITE.tv), as well as taped live to air at future dates on regional television throughout the U.S. on United Fight Alliance (UFA), as well as on Brazilian television. 

“Putting this event together was the most difficult thing I’ve done in SFT,” SFT president David Hudson said. “The fight card feels like it changed daily. At some point we had 12 fights with a very international main card, made up of highly ranked athletes. We probably signed around 20 matches and ended up with five. It was also our first time promoting in the U.S. and without everybody at full force made things very difficult, as well as the production side.  We ended up with a much inferior show, as far as production goes, compared to what SFT always puts out. However, the fights where really good, and at the end of the day, it’s all about the fight. I’m glad we did it.  It’s not the start I had hoped for, but now we are ready to return in full force. We are looking at end of November, early December, for the next USA show.  


We want to bring back Jeffrey and Jornel as soon as possible.  With flight restriction to and from Brazil, along with restrictions to promoting an open-door event, I’m not exactly sure about getting them on our cards but, hopefully, we can still get it done still this year in Brazil.”  

Canadian middleweight Aaron Jeffrey (8-2-0) took a step closer to reaching his dream of fighting in the UFC, registering a sensational knockout on punches of his Brazilian opponent, Bruno “Brunao” Assis (9-5-0) in the opening round.  The 27-year-old Jeffrey, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, unleashed a barrage of lethal punches to end the fight for his sixth victory in his last seven fights.  This was the SFT debut for both of these main event fighters.  Jeffrey vs. Assis was selected as Fight of the Night and each fighter was awarded a $1000 bonus. 

In the co-featured event, Luiz “Buscape” Firmino won a 3-round decision over fellow Brazilian Markus “Maluco” Perez in a grappling match contested at a 198-pound catchweight. 

Undefeated Floridian lightweights Jornel “Ai” Lugo (4-0-0), representing West Palm Beach, and Missouri’s Cortavious Romiuous (4-1-0) put on an entertaining show in their SFT debuts and Lugo emerged with a tough victory by way of a 3-round split decision. 

In a battle of Puerto Rican lightweights, James Hay (3-1-0) locked in a Rear Naked Choke to submit Orlando Santana (2-2-0) in the second round. 

Miami light heavyweight Joshua Da Silveira (2-0-0) remained unbeaten in spectacular fashion, knocking out pro-debuting Cody Rolling, fighting out of Banner Elk, North Carolina,  with a perfectly placed kicked to the head in the opening round.  Da Silveira received a $1000 bonus because his was selected as Knockout of the Night. 

The official weights are below:  

“SFT 23” OFFICIAL RESULTS 

MAIN EVENT – SFT MMA – MIDDLEWEIGHTS 

Aaron Jeffrey (8-2-0, SFT: 1-0-0), Canada  

WTKO3 (Punches – 1:26 

Bruno Assis (9-5-0, SFT: 0-1-0), Brazil  

CO-FEATURE — GRAPPLING – CATCHWEIGHT (198 lbs.) 

Markus Perez, Brazil 

WDEC3 

Luiz Firmino, Brazil 

SFT MMA — LIGHTWEIGHTS 

Jornel Lugo (4-0-0, SFT: 1-0-0), USA 

WDEC3 (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) 

Cortavious Romiuous (4-1-0, SFT: 0-1-0), USA 

SFT MMA — LIGHTWEIGHTS 

James Hay (3-1-0, SFT: 1-0-0), Puerto Rico  

WSUB2 (Rear Naked Chole -3:16) 

Orlando Santana (2-2-0, SFT: 0-1-0), USA by way of Puerto Rico 

SFT MMA – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS 

Joshua DaSilveira (2-0-0, SFT: 1-0-0), USA 

WKO1 (Kick to head) 

Cody Rolling (0-1-0, SFT: 0-1-0), USA 

INFORMATION: 

Website: www.sftmma.com 

Facebook: /SFT.MMA, /SFT.Xtreme, davidhudson.SFT 

Twitter: @SFTMMA 

Instagram: @SFTMMA, @SFTEXTREME, @DavidHudson.SFT 

You Tube: /SFTUSA, /SFTBrasil 

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, Paramount Network

BELLATOR MMA SIGNS VALERIE LOUREDA TO A MULTI-YEAR, MULTI-FIGHT CONTRACT EXTENSION

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LOS ANGELES — Bellator MMA is proud to announce that undefeated Valerie Loureda (3-0) will continue to compete inside the Bellator cage after signing an exclusive multi-year, multi-fight extension to remain with the ViacomCBS-owned promotion. 
 
“I am pleased to have re-signed with Bellator,” Loureda said. “As I have always said, I am here to show the world the true martial artist that I am and chase the flyweight belt. I was born for this, I am a natural born fighter.”
 
Undefeated to start her mixed martial arts career, a run that has been spent entirely with Bellator, the 22-year-old Loureda has immediately made a mark on the flyweight division by emphatically winning all three of her fights. A 4th dan taekwando black belt who was a former member of the U.S. Olympic team, “Master” Loureda is a proud Miami resident who spends a great deal of her time training at American Top Team. Most recently, Loureda made her 2020 debut inside Bellator’s “FightSphere” at Bellator 243, stopping Tara Graff in the second round, a finish that garnered worldwide media attention and that earned over 11 million views through Bellator’s social media platforms.
 
Re-live Valerie Loureda’s emphatic stoppage victory from Bellator 243 here.
 
Loureda competes in Bellator MMA’s flyweight division, a weight class currently championed by Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and includes other top athletes the likes of Liz Carmouche, Juliana Velasquez, Alejandra Lara, Denise Kielholtz, Malin Hermansson, amongst others.
 
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
 
iKon Fighting Federation, mixed martial arts, MMA

Newest MMA promotion Ikon fighting federation to launch september 24 in mississippi

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Streaming Live and Exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS® 

LAS VEGAS (August 10, 2020) – Veteran combat sports promoter Keith Veltre has announced the debut of MMA’s newest promotional company, iKON Fighting Federation (iKON), September 24 at Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

All iKON events, held in association with Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions, will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports.   

Veltre, who also announced the hiring of Dean Toole as iKON’s matchmaker, is the CEO and co-founder of RJJ Boxing Promotions and Kinektic submission grappling, both streaming events exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS. 

“I have always lived by the motto, when businesses are downsizing during tough times, I either acquire or expand,” Veltre said.  “I take advantage of times like this to rollout new adventures and MMA has always been in my game plan.  I have always attached myself to a great team and bringing in Dean Toole as lead matchmaker was a no brainer, and I promise Ikon will deliver fireworks. I am thankful to have a great broadcast partner, UFC FIGHT PASS, and we’re excited to launch our first Ikon event with UFC FIGHT PASS on September 24th.” 

Toole added, “Being the founder and CEO of Island Fights, on UFC FIGHT PASS, it sometimes gets overlooked that I’m also the matchmaker for all of our professional events.  I couldn’t be happier for this opportunity to continue doing what I’m best at and matchmake fights for iKON Fighting Federation. 

“I had the privilege of being hired by Keith Veltre and UFC FIGHT PASS in December for the Quinet Ultra event and I think they liked working with me and my staff.  I hope we made a good impression.  I’m very excited to get started and do what we do best and that’s get these athletes to UFC.” 

Full details and matchups will soon be announced. 

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com or download the UFC app. 

INFORMATION:  

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre  

Twitter: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @Keith_Veltre  

Instagram: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre  

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®: UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.