Tag Archives: mma

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LIGHTWEIGHT PROSPECT LOOKS TO REBOUND AGAINST PURPLE BELT

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Portland, Maine (September 27, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its final mixed-martial-arts event of 2018, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” on Saturday, November 17 at Aura in Portland, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur lightweight fight to the card.  Mohammad Al Kinani (4-1) is scheduled to face Jamie Sprague (0-0) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

 

 

Mohammad Al Kinani will look to rebound from the first loss of his amateur career against Ramano Medina (5-0) last summer in New Hampshire.  Prior to that time, Al Kinani had won the first four fights of his career, the most recent three emphatically by first-round knockout.  He is a perfect 2-0 in the NEF cage.  Al Kinani is a member of Evolution Athletix, a team housed in a brand new, state-of-the-art training facility opened earlier this year just off Route 1 in Saco, Maine.

 

 

 

“Jamie is definitely dangerous, but I always go in there knowing my opponent is dangerous,” Al Kinani stated.  “I’d like to think I am too. More than ever. I’m feeling extremely sharp and I know I can bring in all the heat to that cage. Sprague has been training for a long time under one of the best schools in the area and probably thinks I’m an easy win, but I have been training and putting in more work than ever with the best of the best to come back from a first recent loss. He will understand the pressure of being locked up in there with me. I’m ready to shock everyone November 17th.”

 

 

 

Despite his lack of cage competition experience, Jamie Sprague is no newcomer to the combat sports world.  As Al Kinani indicated, Sprague has trained for some time in the martial arts.  He holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a member of Nostos MMA based in Somersworth, New Hampshire under current UFC competitor, and former NEF Pro Lightweight Champion, Devin Powell (9-3).

 

 

 

“Mo’s a tough guy,” said Sprague, “no doubt about that. But with all due respect, I want to make a statement. I want his neck.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.

 

 

 

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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

 

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

CURTIS ‘50 CENT’ JACKSON AND BELLATOR MMA ANNOUNCE COMPREHENSIVE PARTNERSHIP FEATURING A NEW APPAREL LINE AND CHAMPAGNE SPONSORSHIP

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‘50 Cent’ and Le Chemin du Roi Champagne to Give the Winner of the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix One Million Dollars

 

LOS ANGELES – Bellator MMA, a global combat sports leader owned by Viacom, has joined forces with entertainment superstar and business mogul Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson on an extensive partnership and licensing deal featuring a new apparel line based upon Jackson’s popular “Get The Strap” trademark and integrating Jackson’s elite champagne brand, Le Chemin du Roi in future Bellator events.

 

 

 

A passionate and knowledgeable MMA fan, Jackson has already agreed to re-invest a portion of his deal by offering one million dollars in cash to the winner of the upcoming Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix that will air exclusively on DAZN.

 

 

 

“We are thrilled to partner with such a legendary icon who has been a friend to the Bellator family for quite some time. The “Get The Strap” apparel line is just the beginning of many joint ventures we will explore together,” said Scott Coker, President of Bellator MMA.

 

 

 

“I am excited to partner with the Bellator Viacom franchise. Mixed martial arts yields some of the most action-packed events in the world. I’m excited for people to see how I plan to shake up MMA with the integration of my ‘Get The Strap’ trademark as well as my luxury champagne Le Chemin du Roi.” said Jackson.

 

 

 

Leveraging his viral “Get The Strap” moniker, Bellator and Jackson will launch a global apparel line that will be fashionable and edgy, with distinctive attitude.

 

 

 

Also, Jackson’s popular new champagne, Le Chemin du Roi, will become fully integrated into Bellator events from in-arena signage to mat placements and more.

 

 

 

“Bellator has a roster filled with some of the most charismatic athletes in the world,” adds Jackson.  “As my relationship with Bellator deepens, you will see me moving into fighter management opportunities that will allow me to integrate top stars into both scripted and unscripted projects across the Viacom networks, as well as the other outlets I have access to.”

 

 

 

About Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson 

50 Cent, born Curtis James Jackson III, is an award-winning rapper, entrepreneur, actor and producer from Queens, New York. Recognized as one of the most talented and prolific music artists of his time, the Grammy Award winner rose to fame with his record-shattering debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and has since sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and been awarded numerous prestigious accolades. Jackson has leveraged his star power to cross over with unparalleled success as an entrepreneur, actor and producer. From Get Rich or Die Tryin’ being one of the fastest selling albums in history to creating one of the most influential deals in hip-hop with the sale of Vitaminwater, Jackson continues to break records. He currently has the critically-acclaimed #1 show on Starz, “Power,” in which he not only co-stars but also serves as executive producer and director leading into season six.

 

 

 

Jackson has carved out a thriving television and film career. In 2005, he founded G-Unit Film & Television, Inc. which has produced a wide variety of content across numerous platforms and sold a myriad of shows to various networks. Among these is “Power,” which premiered in June 2014. Starz and Lionsgate extended Jackson & G-Unit Film & Television, Inc’s overall deal to develop new projects for the network, including “Tomorrow, Today,” based on a screenplay penned by Jackson and the “BMF” project.  Additional credits include the variety show “50 Central” on BET and two dramas for Sony Crackle “The Oath,” the networks most-watched new original series and “RPM,” which is currently in development. Jackson’s successful film career has included roles in several blockbusters: most recently “Den of Thieves” co-starring opposite Gerard Butler, which Jackson has signed on to produce the sequel along with Butler, Antoine Fuqua’s boxing drama “Southpaw,” alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and “Spy” with Melissa McCarthy.  Jackson will also reprise his role in “Escape Plan 2.”

 

 

 

The exceptional businessman serves as CEO of G-Unit Records, which he founded in 2003 and has since signed a host of multi-platinum artists. Jackson continues to dominate the charts with hits like the recently released “Still Think I’m Nothing,” and he is continuously recording new music.

 

 

 

Jackson continues to extend his brand, which encompasses a broad spectrum of businesses including: footwear and apparel, fragrance, video games, publishing, headphones, Le Chemin du Roi champagne, vodka, health drinks, Casper mattresses and supplements.

 

 

 

Jackson was represented on this deal by Stephen J. Savva and Eric Feig.

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA TO HOST A  GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SHOWDOWN DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS

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LFA 52 – RODRIGUEZ vs. GUTIERREZ
MAIN EVENT:
“THE JUDGE”
RAY RODRIGUEZ
vs.
“EL GUAPO”
CHRIS GUTIERREZ
 
BANTAMWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
 
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19th LIVE on AXS TV
BELL COUNTY EXPO CENTER 
in BELTON, TEXAS
 
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through LFATIX.com

 

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will head deep in the heart of Texas in October with a high-stakes bantamweight showdown at the top of LFA 52.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 52 will feature a good old-fashioned showdown between Texas natives and top LFA bantamweights Ray “The Judge” Rodriguez and Chris “El Guapo” Gutierrez. LFA 52 – Rodriguez vs. Gutierrez takes place Friday, October 19th at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton, Texas. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring LFA to the Centroplex of Texas at LFA 52,” stated Soares. “Ray Rodriguez and Chris Gutierrez are two of the top prospects in Texas and they both looked great in their LFA debuts. Now they have the chance to gain Texas bragging rights, while establishing divisional dominance. They will face each other in the main event of LFA 52 at the Bell County Expo Center on Friday, October 19th.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 52 – Rodriguez vs. Gutierrez are available for purchase NOW at LFATIX.com

 

 

 

Rodriguez (13-4) is a San Antonio native that is arguably one of the most accomplished fighters to hail from Alamo City. Over the past three years, he has defeated eight consecutive opponents, but ironically the man known as “The Judge” only let those eight fights go to the judge’s scorecards twice during the streak. Rodriguez now has his sights set on winning gold on a global stage. In order to jump into the title picture in a stacked LFA bantamweight division, the talented Texan is looking to make an example of an intrastate rival in the biggest MMA event to hit Central Texas this year. Judgement Day for “The Judge” comes Friday, October 19th at LFA 52.

 

 

 

Guiterrez (11-2-1) is perhaps the only Texan to experience a similar level of success as Rodriguez within the ultra-competitive LFA bantamweight division. Both men picked up marquee wins over top-tier Brazilian opposition in their promotional debuts. The wins took place 6 months apart from each other and chatter within the “Lone Star State” reached a fever pitch about a possible clash between the state’s two bantamweight kingpins. “El Guapo” expects to be rewarded handsomely with a second straight win over an LFA main event victor. Gutierrez, a Greenville native, will meet the surging San Antonian in an epic I-35 showdown in Belton, Texas.

 

 

 

 

 

Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

 

Main Event | Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)

– Ray Rodriguez (13-4) vs. Chris Gutierrez (11-2-1)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Flyweight Bout (125 lb)

– Jonathan Martinez (9-1) vs. Cee Jay Hamilton (13-6)

 

 

 

Heavyweight Bout (265 lb)

– Vernon Lewis (5-3) vs. Jeremy Hardy (6-3)

 

 

 

Lightweight Bout (155 lb)

– Le’Ville Simpson (8-3) vs. Kolton Englund (6-2)

 

 

 

Middleweight Bout (185 lb)

– Jhonoven Pati (4-1) vs. Puna Soriano (4-0)

 

 

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout (115 lb)

– Itzel Esquivel (3-2) vs. Vanessa Demopoulos (1-0)

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Cameron Graves (7-2) vs. Peter Stanonik (5-4)

 

 

 

 

LFA 52 will be the first LFA event to take place in the Centroplex of Texas. It will also be the thirteenth time that LFA has traveled to “The Lone Star State” of Texas. The entire main card of LFA 52 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

 

 

In 2017, RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 150 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May 2018, the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

OFFICIAL BELLATOR 205: MCKEE VS. MACAPA RESULTS & PHOTOS

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cid:image002.jpg@01D451F1.05970AE0

 

 

Bellator 205 Main Card Results:

 

 A.J. McKee (12-0) def. John Macapa (21-4-2) via KO (punch) at 1:09 of round one

 

Photos Here

 

Rafael Lovato Jr. (9-0) def. John Salter (15-4) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:27 of round three

 

Photos Here

 

Veta Arteaga (5-2) def. Denise Kielholtz (2-2) via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:24 of round two

 

Photos Here

Patricky Pitbull (20-8) def. Roger Huerta (24-11-1, 1 NC) via KO (punches) at 0:43 of round two

 

Photos Here

 

Preliminary Card Results:

Adam Borics (8-0) def. Josenaldo Silva (25-7) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:46 of round three

Steve Mowry (5-0) def. Ben Moa (4-1) via submission (Americana) at 2:40 of round one

Jarod Trice (4-0) def. Sean Powers (9-7) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Emilio Trevino (3-0) def. Sua Tuani (2-1) via TKO (punches) at 1:55 of round two

Vince Morales (8-2) def. Justin Hugo (3-5) via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 29-27)

Johnny Nunez (7-1) def. Josh Wick (9-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Andrew Cruz (4-3) def. Nathan Stolen (8-4) via submission (arm bar) at 3:41 of round one

Kyle Frost (3-0) def. David Rangel (0-2) via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:29 of round one

Bryce Edminister (2-1) def. Leon Taylor (0-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:34 of round two

Stephen Stirewalt (2-0) def. Joe Aguirre (2-1) via submission at 2:13 round one

 

 

****

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

In The Rage Rubenilton Pereira

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M-1 Challenge 97, September 28 in Kazan, Russia

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 21, 2018) — Brazilian mixed-martial-arts veteran Rubenilton Pereira faces undefeated Russian rising star Roman Bogatov(6-0-0), September 29, for the vacant M-1 Challenge 97 lightweight title, headlining M-1 Challenge: Tatfight in Kazam, Russia.

 

 

 

M-1 Challenge 97 will be live-streamed from 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 at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets. M-1 Challenge 97 will also be is available on www.FITE.TV (preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card).

 

 

 

The M-1 Challenge lightweight crown is vacant because the last champion, Damir Ismagulov, recently relinquished his title to sign a UFC contract.

 

 

 

Pereira (20-5-0, M-1: 4-2-0) has won his last four fights, including a technical knockout in his last action, also at M-1 Challenge 94 last June, when Oktom Baktybek ws unable to continue to fight after the opening round. Pereira’s two M-1 Global losses have been to a pair of M-1 Challenge champions, Ismagulov and Alexander Butenko, both by decision.

 

 

 

Pereira recently entered The Rage to answer a few questions of interest:

 

 

 

How do you feel about this title shot and not getting a rematch against?

 

 

 

RP: “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to fight for the title. I have been working hard to receive my title shot and, of course, I was hoping to have a rematch with the champ, Damir Ismagulov. I was surprised when they told me Ismagulov left the belt vacant to sign with the UFC. I’m happy for him. He is a great fighter and I know he can become the UFC champion, too”.

 

 

 

How do you feel about fighting in M-1 Global?

 

 

 

RP: “I enjoy fighting in M-1 Global and I’d like to stay here for a long time. They’ve treated me really good. Now, I’m on a four-fight winning streak, but I was not that successful when I first joined the promotion. After two losses in a row I thought they were going to send me home, but they gave me another chance and I seized it.

 

 

 

How do you effectively drop nearly 50 pounds from your walk-around weight to fight as a lightweight?

 

 

 

RP: “I have no special secret. I just train hard, three times a day, Sunday to Sunday. Usually, I weigh around 92 kg (203 lbs), but I never miss weight and always make 70 kg (154 lbs) for the weigh-ins. Some think this is a huge advantage for me in the fight but, trust me, I suffer much more than anybody to make weight.”

 

 

 

What do you know about your next opponent, Roman Bogatov?

 

 

 

“Roman Bogatov is a tough opponent. Maybe he has better wrestling and takedowns, but I’m a much better grappler. I’m self-confident and know that I can tap him out. If he takes me down, that’s better for me. I had a great camp and I’m ready for five rounds, but one of us will fall before round three.”

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

 

 

Twitter & Instagram:

 

@M1GlobalNews

@M1Global

 

 

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

 

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

KNOCKOUT ARTISTS MELVIN MANHOEF AND CHIDI NJOKUANI COLLIDE IN EXPLOSIVE BELLATOR 210 MAIN EVENT AT WINSTAR WORLD RESORT AND CASINO ON NOV. 30  

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Tickets on sale Friday

 

LOS ANGELES – Bellator heads back to WinStar World Casino and Resort on Friday, November 30 with a battle of heavy-handed middleweights, as combat sports-veteran Melvin Manhoef (30-14-1, 2 NC) takes on the dynamic Chidi Njokuani (18-5, 1 NC) in the main event of Bellator 210.

 

 

 

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, September 21 and can be purchased at the WinStar World Casino and Resort box office, as well as through Bellator.com and Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

Bellator 210: Manhoef vs. Njokuani will be broadcast on Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and will stream LIVE on DAZN, while preliminary bouts will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Additional bouts will be announced in coming weeks.

 

 

 

A former world title challenger, Manhoef returns to the Bellator cage looking to stake his claim in a suddenly crowded middleweight division. The famed Dutch kickboxer and mixed martial artist is known for his highlight-reel KO’s throughout his impressive combat sports career that spans two and a half decades, including successful runs in DREAM, Cage Rage and Bellator. With career wins over Mark Hunt, Kazushi Sakuraba, “Cyborg” Santos, and most recently for Bellator, Hisaki Kato, “No Mercy” has plans for adding another name to his lengthy resume.

 

 

 

Njokuani made his Bellator debut in the welterweight division with a decisive victory over Ricky Rainey in 2015. Since then, “Chidi Bang Bang” has notched impressive wins over Melvin Guillard and Andre Fialho. The Las Vegas fighter later announced himself to the 185-pound weight class in emphatic fashion with a victory over Hisaki Kato at Bellator 189. With 10 knockouts to his credit, the always-dangerous Njokuani looks to add another “W” to his record in November.

 

 

 

Updated Bellator 210: Manhoef vs. Njokuani Fight Card:

Middleweight Main Event Bout: Melvin Manhoef (30-14-1, 2 NC) vs. Chidi Njokuani (18-5, 1 NC)

 

 

 

*Card subject to change

 

 

 

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia, UFC

M-1 Challenge 49 still holds the Russian MMA live attendance record

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M-1 Challenge 49 still holds the single MMA event live attendance record (23,255) in Russia
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 19, 2018) – Contrary to some media reports, the 22,603 fans at last weekend’s UFC Fight Night 136 in Moscow did not set a Russian MMA live attendance record.
M-1 Global still holds the record for the highest live attendance of an MMA event in Russia, when 23,255 fans attended M-1 Challenge 49: Battle in the Mountains on June 7, 2014 in Ingushetia, which is officially registered in the Russian Book of Records.
Last weekend’s UFC debut event in Russia UFC Fight Night 136 is the second-most fans to attend a Russian MMA event.
Living legend Fedor Emelianenko‘s return from retirement on November 20, 2011 at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson drew 22,000 fans, dropped to third place on the all-time Russian MMA live attendance list.
INFORMATION:

www.M1Global.tv

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@M1Global
Facebook:
Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:
Sept. 28 – M-1 Challenge 97/TATFIGHT 7: Bogatov vs. Pereira in Kazan, Russia
Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES ‘MEXICO VS. USA’   HEADLINED BY BANTAMWEIGHT SHOWDOWN BETWEEN ERIK “EL GOYITO” PEREZ AND JOHN “SEXI MEXI” CASTANEDA

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LIVE ON DAZN, UNIVISION & UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK
FROM TUCSON, ARIZ. ON SATURDAY, OCT. 13

PLUS
ANTHONY BIRCHAK FACES ADAM MARTINEZ AT BANTAMWEIGHT
FOUR OTHER MATCHUPS ANNOUNCED

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

NEW YORK – September 18, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced “Combate Americas: Mexico vs. USA,” a star-studded Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event that will be headlined by a bantamweight (135 pounds) showdown between world-ranked superstars Erik “El Goyito” Perez (18-6) and John “Sexi Mexi” Castaneda (16-4), live from the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday, Oct. 13.

 

The three-bout main card airs live on television in Spanish on both Univision (12 a.m. ET/PT) and Univision Deportes Network (UDN) (12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT), while the entire event including the preliminary bout card, will stream live in English on DAZN (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

 

 

Priced from $15, tickets for “Combate Americas: Mexico vs. USA,” are on sale online at CombateAmericas.com/Tickets.

 

 

“Both Mexico and the U.S. have eagles as symbols, and this fight between ‘Goyito’ Perez and John Castaneda is, indeed, a clash of ferocious, fighting eagles,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.

 

 

The winner of the matchup between the 28-year-old Perez of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and the 26-year-old Castaneda of Mankato, Minn., USA will become the number one contender to newly crowned Combate Americas bantamweight world champion Jose “Pochito” Alday.

 

 

Perez, who recently left the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on a three-fight win streak and with an overall record of 7-2, made his Combate Americas debut on April 20, avenging one of his only career defeats by scoring a third round (1:22) knockout (punches) on D.J. Fuentes in the main event of “Combate Estrellas II.”

 

 

Castaneda, the runner-up of the inaugural “COPA COMBATE,” one-night, eight-man, $100,000 grand prize tournament that took place in Cancun, Mexico on November 11, 2017, is looking to return to the win column after suffering a split decision defeat at the hands of Alday at “Combate Estrellas I” on April 13.

 

 

Also announced today was a bantamweight preliminary bout matchup pitting Anthony “El Toro” Birchak (12-6) of Tucson against Adam “The American Bully” Martinez (5-1) of Colorado Springs, Colo., USA.

 

 

In another bantamweight battle, Juan “El Molo” Pablo Gonzalez (7-1-2) of Buenos Aires, Argentina will square off with undefeated Mario Bautista (5-0) of Glendale, Ariz.

 

 

Also at bantamweight, Arturo “Chucky” Guzman (2-2) of Tucson will collide with unbeaten Kasey Tanner (1-0) of Scottsdale, Ariz.

 

 

In a meeting between unbeaten upstarts, the 20-year-old brother of ‘El Goyito,’Jair “El Lupe” Perez (1-0) of Monterrey, will take on Peter De La Cruz (1-0) of Scottsdale.

 

 

Elsewhere on the card, Misael “Pitbull” Iñarritu (6-2) of El Paso, Texas via Juarez, Mexico will face off with Peter Quezada (1-4) of Tempe, Ariz. in a 160-pound catchweight contest.

 

 

Additional matchups for “Combate Americas: Mexico vs. USA,” including the co-main event, will be announced soon.

 

 

Doors at the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol open at 6 p.m. PT, with the first preliminary bout will begin at 7 p.m.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

TOP BANTAMWEIGHT CONTENDERS TO SQUARE OFF AT NEF 36 IN PORTLAND, MAINE

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Portland, Maine (September 17, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its final mixed-martial-arts event of 2018, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” on Saturday, November 17 at Aura in Portland, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur bantamweight bout to the card.  Henry Clark (4-4) is scheduled to meet Killian Murphy (1-1) in a battle of top contenders to the promotion’s 135-pound amateur title.

Henry Clark is a member of the Choi Institute based in Portland.  After starting his amateur career at 3-1, Clark would lose his next three in a row.  He would bounce back this past June with a first-round submission of Jack Greene (2-6) via D’Arce choke at “NEF 34” in Portland.  It was a return to form as Clark had picked up all three of his previous wins by submission – all various forms of chokeholds.  He previously challenged for the amateur bantamweight title in early 2016 in a losing effort to Johnny Crafts (4-1).

“I’m hyped about this fight with Killian,” said Clark.  “He’s as game as they come, but he is nowhere near ready for me. I’ll smash him up, and then next I’ll take that belt and put it around my waist with my own hands. This is my time to shine.”

Killian Murphy is a former Maine state wrestling champion.  He captured a title for Marshwood High School in Elliott in 2015.  Murphy made his amateur MMA debut earlier this year at “NEF 33” in Portland with a technical knockout of Krishna Scott (0-1).  Like Clark, he would also make an unsuccessful bid for the amateur bantamweight title.  Murphy lost to current champion Kam Arnold at “NEF 34” in a hard-fought battle that will certainly be a contender for “Fight of the Year” at the end of 2018.  He trains with Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire under former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, and current UFC fighter, Devin Powell (9-3).

“I’m excited to fight Henry,” said Murphy. “Beating Henry gives me another shot at the title – and winning that belt has always been my goal.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, MMA Pro League

Team Pennsylvania Defeats Team New Jersey in Inaugural MMA Pro League Fight Card at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

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Click HERE for Photos from Mike Dorsi/MMA Pro League

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (September 16, 2018) – The newest entity in MMA, MMA Pro League, launched Saturday as Team Pennsylvania led by head coach Daniel Gracie defeated Team New Jersey led by head coach Dan Miller by a score of 14 – 6 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and on FloCombat.com.

 

 

 

In the opening bout on FloCombat.com, Joseph Penafiel of Team Pennsylvania defeated Turpal Khamzayev of Team New Jersey by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), securing three points for Team Pennsylvania.

 

 

“Getting that first win for my team meant everything,” said Penafiel. “I wanted to set the tone for my team and let everyone know we’re here to bang. I knew (Khamzayev) was tough, but I’m way too much for him. Even when he tried to strike me I was able to stay comfortable. And in the grappling department I don’t think many people can mess with me.”

 

 

 

The second official team bout saw Cody Hier of Team Pennsylvania secure a TKO victory over Gabriel Ruiz of Team New Jersey 3:43 into round two and earning Team Pennsylvania five more points, expanding their lead 8 – 0.

 

 

 

“I finally feel like I’m hitting my rhythm in the cage,” said Hier. “I did everything that I could to help Team Pennsylvania get the win tonight. I could tell Ruiz was out and he was quitting. When I hit him with that first big ground and pound, I felt how well I tagged him. And then when he tried to go to his side that’s when I really got aggressive and finished him.”

 

 

 

In the third fight, Team New Jersey’s Claudio Ledesma won by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-27) over Andre Bernardo of Team Pennsylvania, earning Team New Jersey their first three points and tightening the team contest 8 – 3.

 

 

 

“I was glad to do my part for my team,” said Ledesma. “I’m a little mad that I wasn’t able to stop him, though. I hit him with everything but the kitchen sink, but I just couldn’t finish him. After the second round, once I realized that I probably wasn’t going to finish (Bernardo), I knew my main goal was to just secure the win and that’s what I did.”

 

 

 

The fourth official contest of the night featured a unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27) victory by Zedekiah Montanez of Team Pennsylvania over Mike Pagano of Team New Jersey, capturing three more points for Team Pennsylvania and growing the lead 11 – 3.

 

 

 

“It felt great to get the win. I was just trying to listen to my coach and my teammates,” said Montanez. “I also had my son right there watching me tonight. He helps remind me what I do this for. But tonight, I was happy to get this experience under my belt and get the win for my team.”

 

 

 

In the evening’s fifth bout, Team Pennsylvania’s Rafael Celestino defeated Team New Jersey’s Emmanuel Walo by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). With Celestino’s win, Team Pennsylvania collected three more points, widening the score 14 – 3, and officially securing Team Pennsylvania victory.

 

 

 

“I’m very happy with my win and to be able to help my team earn the victory tonight,” said Celestino. “Walo is a very tough opponent and he came to fight tonight, but I did enough to get the win and am happy with my performance.”

 

 

 

The sixth and final official contest showcased an exhilarating finale as Kevin Sears of Team New Jersey scored a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27) over Ahmed Samir of Team Pennsylvania, making the final team score 14 – 6 in favor of Team Pennsylvania.

 

 

 

“I went in there and fought for my team, but I was also fighting for my daughter and my family,” said Sears. “I’m doing this to make my daughter’s life better. She helps push me and drives me to fight. Samir had me shook in the first round, and then again in the second, but I just dug deep and did what I needed to get this win.”

 

 

 

“The way we won showed me a lot about my team,” said coach Gracie. “We won decisively and showed the type of performance that I’ve come to expect from my guys.

 

 

 

“MMA needs innovation and something new to excite the fans and help bring the masses to our sport,” added Gracie. “I think MMA Pro League and this team concept is exactly what will help bring that added attention and take this sport to the next level.”

 

 

 

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To access live and on-demand coverage of all MMA Pro League action, visit FloCombat.com and become a monthly or annual PRO subscriber. Either subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the games on all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku, or Apple TV 4.

 

 

 

 

For more information visit www.MMAProLeague.com, follow the conversation on Twitter @MMAPro_League, @DanMiller185, @DanielGracie, @Hani_Darwish1 and @MarkTaffetMedia, on Instagram at Instagram.com/mmaproleague,Instagram.com/DanMiller185, Instagram.com/DanielGracie,Instagram.com/Hani_Darwish1 and Instagram.com/MarkTaffetMedia, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MMAProLeague.