Tag Archives: mma

Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

FORMER MEXICAN CHAMPION TO TEST BERRY ON NOVEMBER 21 IN LEWISTON

Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (October 14, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the main event of the boxing portion of the fight card.  Reigning Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (9-1, 6 KOs) will face Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela (73-69-2, 56 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight contest.

 

Berry won the Northeast Junior Welterweight Title one year ago in Lewiston with a unanimous decision victory over Eric Palmer (6-8-3, 1 KO).  The title was the first in the professional career of the standout from West Forks, Maine.  Berry would, just a month later, suffer his first loss in a bout in which he severely injured his shoulder early on.  Following a successful surgery and months of rehab, Berry returned triumphantly to the ring this past summer with a second-round technical knockout (TKO) win in Skowhegan, Maine.

 

“I am very anxious as always to step back into the boxing ring on November 21stin Lewiston,” stated Berry.  “It’s exciting to be fighting for my tenth professional victory. I’m honored to have been invited back to the Colisee to headline another Pro Boxing card.  I want to thank NEF for making this possible for me, and hope to have another action packed, competitive fight like we had in October 2014.  A lot has changed for me in my boxing career, and I look forward to showing all of my fans my improvements made. As far as my opponent, the most experienced one to date, Roberto Valenzuela, it will be a good test for me while giving up size and experience. We tried to make a fight with a couple of different guys from the area but were unable to. My job is to train hard and be ready for whoever they put on the other side of the ring, one round at a time.”

 

Valenzuela is about as much of a veteran as one will find in a boxing ring.  Having begun his professional career in early 1992, Valenzuela got off to an amazing 14-0 start, competing around his home state of Sonora, Mexico.  Among the opponents Valenzuela has faced in his career are the likes of former world champions Andre Berto (30-4, 23 KOs) and Steve Forbes (35-14, 11 KOs) and current world champion Zahir Raheem (35-3, 21 KOs).  Valenzuela fought former lightweight world champion Jose Luis Castillo (66-13-1, 57 KOs) on the undercard of a 1996 Joey Gamache (55-4, 38 KOs) and Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2, 86 KOs) bout in Anaheim, California.  In addition, Valenzuela held the Mexican Pacific Coast Super Featherweight Title from 2003 to 2007.  He has the strongest pedigree of any opponent Berry has faced to date.

 

“I’ve fought all over the United States, but never in Maine, so I’m excited to go somewhere I’ve never been,” said Valenzuela through a translator.  “I’ve been doing this since he was a pup. I’ve been told that he has VHS tapes of some of my fights from some cards he taped on TV when he was a kid (laughing).  Thankfully, I’ve got video of him more recently on Youtube. He’s nothing I haven’t seen before in a fight or in sparring. I’ll be ready.”

 

“When Brandon signed on to the ‘NEF XX’ fight card, he was very clear that he wanted us to find him an opponent who’s been in the ring with the best,” recalled NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Roberto presents a challenge unlike any other Brandon has faced to date.  He has actively competed as a professional for nearly a quarter of a century.  He hasn’t sat on a shelf either.  He just fought this past spring and summer.  Brandon Berry will be tested onNovember 21, make no mistake about it.  But Brandon has recently been sparring several times a week all over New England with top-notch partners.  He is coming into this bout as a whole new Brandon Berry, determined to make his mark in the boxing world.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

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

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

TWO NEF CHAMPIONS GET THE CALL UP TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES THIS SATURDAY

Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (October 13, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, is proud to announce that two of the promotion’s reigning professional mixed-martial-arts (MMA) champions will compete on the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) card this Saturday, October 17, 2015.  “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” will broadcast live from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut and will feature NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington(10-8) and NEF MMA Professional Heavyweight Champion Tyler “The Marauder” King (9-3) on the undercard.  The undercard is scheduled to begin at 7 pm EST and can be watched at www.WSOF.com.

 

Boyington will meet a very tough Rodrigo “The Young Lion” Almeida (13-2) in a featherweight contest.  It will be Boyington’s first trip to the national stage of the sport after having competed in MMA regionally for some six years.  Next month, Boyington is scheduled to defend his NEF title against Jimmy “Jimbo Slice” Davidson (7-1) at “NEF XX” in Lewiston, Maine.  He is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine and also the founder and head coach of Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy (BTA).

 

“I have never been more excited in my Mixed Martial Arts career, and I have never taken camp more serious, especially when it comes to my diet and lifestyle so that in itself gives me a lot of excitement for what I’m going to get to do on the national stage Saturday night,” said Boyington.  “I have had a great team surrounding me and they have pushed me to my limits, so everyone will surely get to see the best Bruce Boyington to date and I have zero excuses for not performing.  I have one word in mind entering that cage – Volume.”

 

“New England Fights has been a staple in my career and has been the platform that I have had the privilege of performing on as they groomed me for the national stage. I want to thank Matt and Nick for always taking care of my needs and helping make me who I am today. New England Fights has all the elements in place to help fighters reach the top.”

 

Tyler King has held the NEF heavyweight title since May of 2013 when he defeated Travis Bartlett (8-4).  Earlier this year, King successfully defended the title against Terry Blackburn (4-3) at “NEF XVI.”  King was a football standout at the University of Connecticut where he recorded 19 sacks as a defensive end.  He later played in the National Football League (NFL) for several teams including the San Diego Chargers and the St. Louis Rams.  At “WSOF 24,” King will face Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Pat Walsh (6-2).

 

“I’m very excited to get the opportunity to fight on the huge stage that is World Series of Fighting vs a high level, UFC veteran opponent,” said King. “Less than a year ago I was out of the sport and had a very uncertain future as far as ever getting to compete again.  I’m grateful to Matt Peterson, Nick Disalvo and the rest of the team at New England Fights for giving me a stage to step back into the sport I love, in a main event title defense no less.  This fight has ‘Fight of the Night’ written all over it.  You have two determined fighters with competitive fire coursing through their veins ready to go out and lay it all on the line.  I look forward to having my hand raised.”

 

“NEF has certainly become a launching pad to the national promotions,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “We’re so proud to have not one, but two of our champions fighting on the WSOF card.  It really says something about the caliber of athlete gracing the NEF cage.  These fighters are earning their stripes with NEF and then getting the call up to the UFC, Bellator, Titan and WSOF.  Nothing gives us more satisfaction than to see these guys succeed in the sport they love.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

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

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

RECENT NEF SIGNEE MAKES HIS PRO MMA DEBUT AT NEF XX

Leave a comment

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (October 12, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional flyweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  Kevin “.50 Cal” Barrett (0-0) will meet Jimmy Alexander (1-10) at a fight weight of 125-pounds.

 

The bout will be Barrett’s professional debut in the MMA cage after going 2-1 as an amateur fighter.  Earlier this year, it was announced that Barrett had signed a multi-fight developmental deal with NEF.

 

“My mind is on one thing only,” stated Barrett.  “To be the best martial artist I can be. That’s it. Day in and day out that’s all I’m focused on. I’m not searching for fame. I’m searching to find out who I am, and so far martial arts has been kind of this light that’s guided me the last ten years to this very moment. I’ll be ready.”

 

Both of Barrett’s wins as an amateur came in the NEF cage, and he hopes to continue that success in the professional ranks.  While he has been inactive from competition for the past two years, Barrett is confident that his coaches and teammates at Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine will have him ready for his matchup with Alexander on November 21.

 

“I love my coaches and my teammates. They believe in me, which in return makes me believe in myself. I train at the best gym in New England every day. I’m blessed. But I take this sport day by day. My goal right now is to be ready for the best Jimmy Alexander anyone has ever seen. After November I’ll sit down with my coaches and go from there.”

 

Barrett insists that, while Alexander might not have a winning record, he will not take the Floridian lightly at “NEF XX.”  Alexander trains at F2 Arena under the guidance of Ryan Hodge (6-10).  Hodge and his team are recognized as dangerous opponents, and they often play the role of the “spoiler” when travelling to New England to compete.

 

“I love the fact I have a guy flying from another state to fight me,” continued Barrett. “I’m in no way looking past Jimmy. I know he has a lot of experience, he’s very explosive, he’s always down to stand and trade. You’ve got to respect that. I don’t have a prediction though. At the end of the day, all I can do is focus on what I’m doing, not what Jimmy is doing, and I’m sure he’s thinking the same thing. Win or lose I know there’s a lesson in this for me somewhere. I’m just trying to stay clear headed and open to whatever that might be.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 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.

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

Buchinger retains M-1 Challenge featherweight title Decisions Barnaoui

Leave a comment
M-1 Challenge 62 Results
Ivan Buchinger (R) vs. Mansour Barnaoui
SOCHI, Russia (October 11, 2015) – M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan “Buki” Buchinger successfully defended his title last night with a hard fought five-round unanimous decision over Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui in the M-1 Challenge 62
main event at The Ice Cube Curling Center in Sochi, Russia.
Buchinger (30-4-0, 7 KO/TKO, 16 SUB), fighting out of Slovakia, improved his M-1 Global record to a perfect 5-0 with his second title defense victory. He originally captured his title belt a year ago, stopping Tural Ragimov in the fourth round at M-1 Challenge 52.

Barnaoui (12-3-0, 4 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), of Paris, relinguished his M-1 Challenge lightweight title belt he won this past May in his M-1 Global debut, when he knocked out Maxim Divnich via punches at M-1 Challenge 57.

Former M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (27-3-0, 11 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), of Russia, used a rear naked choke for a win by second-round submission against Croatian opponentKristijan “Pacman” Perak (8-2-1, 3 KO/TKO, 2 SUB).

Russian featherweight Kurbanali Abdusalamov (6-2-0, 1 KO/TKO, 3 SUB) won a decision over American invader Lee “American Bulldog” Morrison (14-6-0, 4 KO/TKO, 4 SUB), while red-hot Russian light heavyweight prospect Adam “The Beard” Yandiev (9-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 6 SUB) defeatedDemitry Voitov (10-5-0, 4 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) by way of an opening-round neck crank.

Rounding out the main card, Russian welterweight Alexey Kunchenko (10-0-0, 8 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) continued on his roll, punching out Brazilian Alexandre “Sangue” Ramos (9-3-0 (1 KO/TKO, 7 SUB) in the first round.

Fighting on the preliminary card, Spainard Enoc Solves Torres (17-9-0) won by armbar in the opening round versus Georgian middleweight Nodar Kudukjasvili (10-2-0), Ukrainian featherweight Andrey “Iron” Leshnev (8-4-0) won a three-round decision over Russian favorite Nikita “Piranha” Chistyakov (4-2-1), and Russian Delgat Kudbudinov (3-0-0) submitted Italian Georgia Belsanti (4-5-0) by way of a neck crank.

Also fighting on the preliminary card, Ukrainian lightweight Sergey Astapov (6-4-0) locked a rear naked choke on Russian Nikolay Kaushansky (6-3-0) for a third-round win by submission. Ukrainian light heavyweight Boris Polezhay (9-5-0) opened the night with a first-round submission victory via an arm-bar over previously unbeaten Russian Alexey Shopin (3-1-0).

Complete results below:

MAIN CARD

M-1 CHALLENGE FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Ivan Buchinger (30-4-0), Slovakia
WDEC5
Mansour Barnaoui (12-3-0), Challenger, France
(Buchinger retained M-1 Challenge featherweight title)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (27-3-0), Russia
WSUB2 (Rear Naked Choke – 1:02)
Kristijan Perak (8-2-0), Croatia2

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Adam Yandiev (9-0-0), Russia
WSUB1 (Neck Crank – 4:34)
Dmitry Voitov (10-5-0), Belarus

WELTERWEIGHTS
Alexey Kunchenko (10-0-0), Russia
WKO/TKO1 (Punches – 4:32)
Alexandre Ramos (9-3-0), Brazil

FEATHERWEIGHTS
Kurbanali Abdusalamov (6-2-0), Russia
WDEC3
Lee Morrison (14-6-0), USA

PRELIMINARY CARD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Boris Polezhay (9-5-0), Ukraine
WSUB1 (Armbar – 4:39)
Alexey Shopin (3-1-0), Russia

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Enoc Solves Torres (17-9-0), Spain
WSUB1 (Armbar – 1:54)
Nodar Kudukjasvali (10-2-0), George

LIGHTWEIGHTS
Sergey Astapov (5-4-0), Ukraine
WSUB3 (Rear Naked Choke – 3:26)
Nikolay Kaushansky (6-2-0), Russia

FEATHERWEIGHTS
Andrey Leshnev (8-4-0), Ukraine
WDEC3
Nikita Chistyakov (4-2-1), Russia

Giorgio Belsanti (5-4-0), Italy
WSUB1 (Neck Crank – 3:25
Delgat Kudbudinov (2-1-0), Russia
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
Information
 
Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

M-1 Challenge 62 weights & pictures from Sochia, Russia

Leave a comment
M-1 Challenge 62
 
WATCH LIVE ON M-1GLOBAL.TV
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan Buchinger
MORE PICTURES BELOW
 
 
MAIN CARD
 
M-1 CHALLENGE FEATHERWIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
IVAN “Buki” BUCHINGER (29-4-0), Champion, Slovakia 143 ½ lbs. (65.2 kg)
MANSOUR “Tarzan” BARNAOUI (12-2-0), Challenger, France 143 ½ lbs. (65.3 kg)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
VYACHESLAV VASILEVSKY (26-3-0), Russia 185 lbs. (84 kg)
KRISTIJAN “Pacman” PERAK (8-1-0), Croatia 184 lbs. (83.6 kg) 
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
ADAM “The Beard” YANDIEV (8-0-0), Russia 193 lbs. (87.6 kg)
DMITRY VOITOV (10-4-0), Belarus 192 ½ lbs. (87.5 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
ALEXEY KUNCHENKO (9-0-0), Russia 168 ½ lbs. (76.6 kg)
ALEXANDRE “Sangue” RAMOS (9-2-0), Brazil 168 ½ lbs. (76.6 kg)
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
LEE “American Bulldog” MORRISON (14-5-0), USA 143 ½ lbs. (65.3 kg)                                    
KURBANALI ABDUSALAMOV (5-2-0), Russia 144 lbs. (65.5 kg)
PRELIMINARY CARD
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS 3 X 5
BORIS POLEZHAY (8-5-0), Ukraine 203 lbs. (92.3 kg)
ALEXEY SHOPIN (3-0-0), Russia 200 lbs. (90.7 kg)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
ENOC SOLVES TORRES (16-9-0), Spain 186 lbs. (84.5 kg)
NODAR KUDUKJASVILI (10-1-0), Georgia 186 lbs. (84.5 kg)
 
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
NIKOLAY KAUSHANSKY (6-2-0), Russia153lbs. (69.5 kg)
SERGEY ASTAPOV (5-4-0), Ukraine 153 ½ lbs. (69.8 kg.)
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
NIKITA “Piranha” CHISTYAKOV (4-1-1), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)
ANDREY “Iron” LESHNEV (7-4-0), Ukraine 144 lbs. (65.5 kg)
GIORGIO BELSANTI (4-4-0), Italy 143 ½ lbs. (65.3 kg)
DELGAT KUDBUDINOV (2-0-0), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT:             M-1 Challenge 62
 
WHEN:             Saturday, October 10, 2015
                        
START TIMES:  Main Card: 12:30 p.m. (New York City), 7:30 p.m. (Moscow)
                          Preliminary Card:  10:00 a.m. (New York City, 5:00 p.m. (Moscow)
 
WHERE:           The Ice Cube Curling Center in Sochi, Russia 1:30
PROMOTER:    M-1 Global
LIVE STREAM:  WWW.M1GLOBAL.TV 
 
M-1 Challenge 62 will be streamed live from Sochie, Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register atwww.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
 
Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 62 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable, Suddenlink Communications 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.
 

 
 

 
 
Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premier entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With its office in St Petersburg, Russia, the M-1 brand has staged more than 160 events worldwide, including M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge, M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the U.S. network, Showtime. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Sergei Kharitonov, Aleksander Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2015 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global Champions among the greatest fighters in the sport.
 
ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV:  Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database.  It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers.  Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!
Fight Network, martial arts, mixed martial arts

Fight Network LIVE this Weekend – ONE: Tigers of Asia, RFA 31, M-1 Challenge 62 & Enfusion 32

Leave a comment
Toronto | New York – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, delivers an action-packed weekend of live combat sports, beginning this Friday, October 9 at 9 a.m. ET with a live presentation of ONE Championship: Tigers of Asia from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Later that day at 10 p.m. ET, Resurrection Fighting Alliance takes over the airwaves with RFA 31: Smith vs. Marunde from Las Vegas.
On Saturday, October 10, the live action continues at 12:30 p.m. ET as M-1 Global presents M-1 Challenge 62 from Sochi, Russia, immediately followed by a live broadcast of Enfusion 32 world-class kickboxing from Gent, Belgium.
Airing live exclusively in Canada on Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. ET, ONE Championship: Tigers of Asia features a ONE middleweight championship clash between world champion Igor “Lionheart” Svirid (10-1) and undefeated Russian challenger Vitaly Bigdash (7-0). In other featured tilts, Adrian Pang(21-8-2) throws down with Peter Davis (10-3) in a lightweight bout, Ev Ting (9-3) meets Honorio Banario (8-5) in featherweight action, Ann Osman (3-1) takes on newcomer Irina Mazepa (0-0) in a women’s flyweight encounter, plus fan favorite Eric Kelly (11-1) returns for a featherweight barnburner against Japan’s Hiroshige Tanaka (10-2).
Airing live exclusively in Canada and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East on Oct. 9 at 10 p.m. ET, RFA 31: Smith vs. Marunde from Downtown Las Vegas is headlined by a pair of championship clashes, as RFA welterweight champion Gilbert Smith (11-4) defends against fellow UFC veteran Bristol Marunde (16-9), while Zoila Frausto (12-4) meetsJocelyn Lybarger (5-1) for the inaugural RFA women’s strawweight title. Other matchups include a middleweight meeting between Mike Jasper (9-2) and Gabriel Checco (8-2), a bantamweight bout between Matthew Lopez (6-0) and Justin Linn (7-1), a flyweight bout between Shai Lindsey (4-0) and Joseph Peukert (7-3) and a welterweight showcase between Bojan Velickovic (11-3) andVardan Sholinian (5-1). The domestic U.S. broadcast airs on AXS TV.
Airing live across North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East on Oct. 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET, M-1 Challenge 62 features a showdown for the M-1 featherweight title in the main event, as kingpinIvan Buchinger (29-4) defends his crown against highly touted Mansour Barnaoui (12-2). In other action, Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (26-3) takes on Kristijan Perak (8-1-1) in a middleweight bout,Kurbanali Abdusalamov (5-2) tangles with Lee Morrison (13-5) in a featherweight contest, light heavyweight Adam Yandiev (8-0) puts his perfect mark on the line against Dmitry Voitov (11-4), plus Alexey Kunchenko (10-0) looks to extend his unblemished record against Brazilian welterweight Alexandre Ramos (9-2).
Airing live across North America immediately following M-1 Challenge 62 on Oct. 10, Enfusion Live 32 from Gent, Belgium promises an exhilarating kickboxing card, headlined by Morocco’s Nordin Ben Moh against Spaniard Sergio Sanchez in a -70 kg clash. Plus the Enfusion -61 kg women’s title is on the line as Belgium’s Anke Van Gestel meets Holland’s Aleide Lawant, DutchmanDexter Suisse battles Frenchman Brice Guidon in a heavyweight special attraction, plus Morocco’sMohammed Jaraya enters enemy territory against Belgium’s Youssef Boulahtari.
For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit www.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

HEAVYWEIGHT CONTEST BETWEEN ALEX HUDDLESTON-AUGUSTO SAKAI TOPS ADDITION OF SEVEN PRELIMS TO ‘BELLATOR 145: VENGEANCE’

Leave a comment

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (October 8, 2015) – With the five fight main card for “Bellator 145: Vengeance” set, the completed preliminary portion of the event has now also officially been rolled out by Bellator MMA.

 

The newly announced bouts include heavyweights Alex Huddleston (6-1) and Augusto Sakai (8-0), former TUF welterweight contestant Adam Cella (6-4) who goes up against Chel Erwin-Davis (2-1), Steve Mann (11-2) fighting Hugh Pulley (5-2) in lightweight action, as well as Kain Royer (1-2) versus Clay Mitchell (1-0) in a heavyweight bout and welterweights Kevin Engel (4-0) and Kyle Kurtz (4-1). Rounding out the preliminary contests will be the professional debut of Brandon Lowe, when he faces Rashard Lovelace (1-0) and Adam Meredith (3-1) taking on Jordan Dowdy (2-0).

 

The contests will take place during the preliminary card of “Bellator 145: ‘Vengeance,” which streams live on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. CT.

 

Top billing at the November 6 event features two world title bouts. Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (24-2) defends his belt against Daniel Straus (23-6) and Will “Ill Will” Brooks (16-1) meets submission specialist Marcin Held (21-3) with the 155-pound title on the line. “Bellator 145: Vengeance” will also featureMichael Chandler (13-3) against Dave Rickels (16-3) and heavyweights Bobby “The Dominator” Lashley (13-2) versus James Thompson (20-14).

 

Tickets for “Bellator 145: ‘Vengeance,” which start at just $30, are on sale now on Ticketmaster.com and at the Ford Box Office at Scottrade Center. Doors for the event open at 5:00 p.m. CT local time, and the first contest takes place one hour after.

 

Both Huddleston and Sakai will bring both impressive records and finishes to the table when they face-off in the featured preliminary contest on Nov. 6.

 

Huddleston is the main training partner of Bobby Lashley, who also competes at the event. Also known as “The Shaved Gorilla,” Huddleston most recently stopped Javy Ayala with a nifty first-round, rear-naked choke submission at “Bellator 139: Kongo vs. Volkov.” The win was the 29-year-old’s fourth finish in six tries. Sakai was also in action this past June, when he put a beating on Daniel Gallemore, so much so, the heavyweight was unable to get off the stool in between rounds. The Brazilian native has ended seven of his eight professional victories without help from the judges’ scorecards.

 

Complete “Bellator 145: Vengeance” Fight Card

Main Card:

Bellator Featherweight World Title Bout: Patricio Freire (24-2) vs. Daniel Straus (23-6)

Bellator Lightweight World Title Bout: Will Brooks (16-1) vs. Marcin Held (21-3)

Bellator Featherweight Feature Bout: Pat Curran (21-7) vs. Justin Lawrence (7-2)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Bout: Michael Chandler (13-3) vs. Dave Rickels (16-3)

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Bout: Bobby Lashley (13-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)

 

Preliminary Card:

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Bout: Alex Huddleston (6-1) vs. Augusto Sakai (8-0)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Bout: Adam Cella (6-4) vs. Chel Erwin-Davis (2-1)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Bout: Garrett Gross (6-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Bout: Steve Mann (11-2) vs. Hugh Pulley (5-2)

Bellator Featherweight Feature Bout: Chris Heatherly (9-3) vs. Vince Eazelle (9-2)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Bout: Kevin Engel (4-0) vs. Kyle Kurtz (4-1)

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Bout: Kain Royer (1-2) vs. Clay Mitchell (1-0)

Bellator Middleweight Feature Bout: Adam Meredith (3-1) vs. Jordan Dowdy (2-0)

Bellator Bantamweight Feature Bout: Garrett Mueller (2-0) vs. Scott Ettling (3-0

Bellator Lightweight Feature Bout: Brandon Lowe (debut) vs. Rashard Lovelace (1-0)

mixed martial arts, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING HITS COMERICA THEATRE IN PHOENIX, ARIZ. WITH ONE-NIGHT, EIGHT-MAN LIGHTWEIGHT TOURNAMENT ON FRIDAY, NOV. 20, LIVE ON NBCSN

Leave a comment

Tickets on sale Friday, Oct. 9

Luis Palomino, Brian Foster, Mike Ricci, Islam Mamedov, Brian Cobb, Jorge Patino, Joao Zeferino and Rich Patishnock all slated for action
in star-studded, single-elimination affair at WSOF 25

Winner will be named number one contender for world 155-pound title
LAS VEGAS (October 7, 2015) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) will return to Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz. with a historic, one-night, eight-man tournament that will appoint its winner the number one contender in the promotion’s fearsome lightweight (155 pounds) division, on Friday, Nov. 20, live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Priced from $29.99, tickets for “WSOF 25: Eight-Man Lightweight Tournament” go on sale on Friday, Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. PT at the Comerica Theatre box office as well as online at Ticketmaster.com and WSOF.com.

All eight tournament participants – Luis “Baboon” Palomino, Brian Foster,Mike Ricci, Islam Mamedov, Brian “The Bandit” Cobb, Jorge “Macaco” Patino, Joao “The Brazilian Samurai” Zeferino and Rich Patishnock – have been confirmed for battle in the first-ever World Series of Fighting one-night tournament.

Quarterfinal stage matchups for the tournament will be announced soon.

“We are excited to roll out our first-ever, one-night tournament filled with some of MMA’s top lightweight fighters, and to distinguish a new number one contender in this weight class that has been growing aggressively and is packed with world-class talent,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

Palomino (23-11) of Miami, Fla. is coming off an unforgettable, second, all-out slugfest with reigning, undefeated World Series of Fighting lightweight championJustin Gaethje in the main event of WSOF 23, a fight that was named “Fight of the Month” for September last week.

The 34-year-old Palomino, who holds notable wins over the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Gesias Cavalcante and Patino, put Gaethje on the defensive in the outset of their rematch before being stopped near the close of the second round (4:30) with a Gaethje barrage of punches.

Another proven entity who has fought remarkable wars in the cage, Foster (23-7) of Sallisaw, Okla. is fresh off a spectacular performance at WSOF 23 where the 31-year-old scored a thunderous, first round (:32) KO (punch) of previously unbeaten LaRue Burley.

Ricci (10-4) of Montreal, Quebec, Canada is one of the latest additions to the ever-growing World Series of Fighting roster.  The 29-year-old, Firas Zahabi-trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt has faced and defeated a collection of top rivals during his seven-year professional career.

Mamedov (12-1) of Jersey City, N.J. via Derbent, Dagestan, Russia is a ferocious 25-year-old who is unbeaten in his last 10 starts, a streak that dates back to Aug. 1, 2010.  To date, Mamedov has made two appearances in the World Series of Fighting cage, scoring vicious, first round TKO’s on Leon Davis and Jimmy Spicuzza at WSOF 20 and WSOF 22, respectively.

Cobb (20-8) of Bakersfield, Calif. is a wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu expert who has produced submission finishes in 12 of his 20 career wins since his professional debut in 2004.  He holds notable victories over fellow standouts Rad Martinez,Drew Fickett, Kazunori Yokota and Ronys Torres.

Patino (38-15-2, 1 NC) of Houston, Texas is a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil who holds black belts in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, and boasts the most one-night tournament competition experience of the six competitors slated for action, thus far, in the Nov. 20 affair.  Of the seven previous one-night tournaments he saw action in, the 42-year-old emerged the winner in five of them.

Zeferino (18-6) of Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil is a submission ace who has won 13 of his 18 career conquests by way of submission.  A new addition to the World Series of Fighting roster, the 29-year-old will make his promotional debut in the midst of a five-fight win streak.

Patishnock (6-2) of East Stroudsberg, Penn. is a 27-year-old rising star and a three-time veteran of World Series of Fighting action.  Under the promotional banner, he holds victories over Igor Gracie and Gregor Gracie, both members of MMA’s legendary first family.

World Series of Fighting will announce additional details concerning the format and rules of the tournament, soon.

About World Series of Fighting (WSOF)
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF.com) is a world wide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and “World Series of Fighting” President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.
mixed martial arts, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING’S ‘GAETHJE VS. PALOMINO II’  NAMED ‘FIGHT OF THE MONTH’ BY USA TODAY’S MMAJUNKIE.COM

Leave a comment
World championship rematch bests four other classic battles for coveted award

LAS VEGAS (October 6, 2015) –The second, epic championship battle between undefeated, reigning World Series of Fighting lightweight (155 pounds) kingpin Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje and rival challenger Luis “Baboon” Palomino that took place on Friday, Sept. 18, live on NBCSN from Phoenix, Ariz., has been named winner of the prestigious “Fight of the Month” award by USA Today’s MMAjunkie.com.

The rematch between the two gutsy and determined superstars came six months after the first memorable championship showdown that also won the “Fight of the Month” honor for March.

“We are extremely honored to receive this distinguished award for the second time in six months, and are proud of Justin and Luis for having the courage to put it all on the line again after what was an unforgettable, all-out war in March,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

“NBCSN is excited to have been home to two widely recognized World Series of Fighting championship bouts thus far in 2015, and we look forward to more high-level action in the cage in the upcoming months,” said Gary Quinn, Vice President, Programming, NBC Sports Group.

The second meeting topped four other, critically acclaimed fights – the bantamweight (135 pounds) matchup between John Lineker and Francisco Rivera at UFC 191, the welterweight (170 pounds) bout between Keita Nakamura and Li Jingliang at UFC Fight Night 75, the heavyweight tilt betweenJosh Barnett and Roy Nelson at UFC Fight Night 75 and the women’s bantamweight (135 pounds) contest between Raquel Pennington and Jessica Andrade at UFC 191 – for the award, all by steep margins.

The 26-year-old Gaethje (14-0) of Safford, Ariz. scored a second round (4:30) TKO on the 34-year-old Palomino (23-11) of Miami, Fla. last month with an onslaught of punches, after Gaethje was put on the defensive and momentarily found himself in danger, early on in the main event of WSOF 23.

In their initial meeting on March 28 that also took place in Phoenix, a wild, see-saw battle ended suddenly after Gaethje dug down deep and unloaded a combination of leg kicks and punches, to score a third round (3:57) TKO on Palomino.

Live World Series of Fighting action returns to NBCSN on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT with a world championship doubleheader from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.  In the welterweight main event of WSOF 24, Jon Fitch (26-7-1) of Fort Wayne, Ind. will face fellow master technician Yushin Okami (30-9) of Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.

In one of two WSOF 24 world title fights, reigning heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (12-1) of Sofia, Bulgaria will risk his belt for the first time against battle-tested Derrick Mehman (19-6) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa while, in the other,Magomed Bibulatov (19-0) of Grozny, Chechnya, Russia, a former number one ranked European fighter,  will face off with fellow undefeated star Donavon Frelow (4-0) of Las Vegas, Nev. in the first World Series of Fighting flyweight (125 pounds) championship bout in history.

About World Series of Fighting (WSOF)
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF.com) is a world wide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and “World Series of Fighting” President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

Michael “Venom” Page (8-0) vs. Charlie Ontiveros (6-3) in a welterweight contest at “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2”

Leave a comment

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (October 5, 2015) – Michael “Venom” Page (8-0) looks to remain undefeated to begin his exciting career, when he faces Charlie Ontiveros (6-3) in a welterweight contest at “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on October 23.

 

The bout will take place during the main card of “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” which airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET.

 

In addition, Ilya Kotau (1-0) will meet Kemran Lachinov (1-1), Kin Moy (7-2) fights Walter Smith-Cotito (3-3), Billy Giovanella (8-4) takes on Brandon Polcare (1-0), Sam Watford makes his professional debut against TJ Hepburn (4-1), Kevin Haley (3-3) faces Mike Zichelle (7-3), and Keenan Raymond (2-1) goes up against Damien Trites (6-6). With the addition of these contests, “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” is now complete.

 

The main event of “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2”features a bantamweight title fight between Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) and Eduardo Dantas, (17-4). In the co-feature, Brandon “Bull” Halsey (9-0) will look to regain the Bellator MMA Middleweight Title when he takes on Rafael Carvalho (11-1). Connecticut’s own “Irish” Brennan Ward (11-3) will also be in action, when he takes on Dennis “The Menace” Olson (14-9).

 

Tickets for “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” which start at just $25, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and the Mohegan Sun Arena box office. Doors for the event open at 6:00 p.m. ETlocal time, and the first contest takes place shortly after.

 

Page will be competing for the second consecutive event at Mohegan Sun, a venue that just played host to “Venom” finishing Rudy Bears at “Bellator 140: Lima vs. Koreshkov.” A resident of England, the 28-year-old utilizes his unorthodox style to open up his opponents for his vicious, lightning quick strikes. This is evident when glancing at his record, which boasts eight wins, all before reaching the judges’ scorecards.

 

After fighting exclusively for regional promotions in his home state of Texas, Ontiveros will enter the Bellator MMA cage for the first time against one of the most exciting strikers in the sport. The 24-year-old “American Bad Boy” was most recently in action this past August, defeating Bilal Williams via decision at Legacy Fighting Championship 45.

 

Complete Bellator 144: “Galvao vs. Dantas 2” Card

 

Main Card: (Spike – 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT)

Bellator Bantamweight Championship Fight: Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4)

Bellator Middleweight Championship Fight: Brandon Halsey (9-0) vs. Rafael Carvalho (11-1)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Brennan Ward (11-3) vs. Dennis Olson (14-9)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Michael Page (8-0) vs. Charlie Ontiveros (6-3)

Preliminary Card: (Spike.com – 6:50 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT

Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Isao Kobayashi (18-2-4) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2)

Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Matt Bessette (15-7) vs. Kevin Roddy (15-15)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Matt Secor (6-2) vs. Jeremie Holloway (7-0)

Bellator 150-Pound Feature Fight: Pete Rogers Jr. (2-2) vs. Marius Enache (2-3)

Bellator Bantamweight Feature Fight: Kin Moy (7-2) vs. Walter Smith-Cotito (3-3)

Bellator Flyweight Feature Fight: Billy Giovanella (8-4) vs. Brandon Polcare (1-0)

Bellator 165-Pound Feature Fight: Keenan Raymond (2-1) vs. Damien Trites (6-6)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Sam Watford (debut) vs. TJ Hepburn (4-1)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Ilya Kotau (1-0) vs. Kemran Lachinov (1-1)

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Fight: Kevin Haley (3-3) vs. Mike Zichelle (7-3)