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LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA BRINGS WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT  TO CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL VALLEY

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LFA 51 – MAZO vs. NIEVERA
MAIN EVENT:
 
LFA WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION
SABINA “COLOMBIAN QUEEN” MAZO
vs.
LFA WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT TOP CONTENDER
JAIMEE “QUEENIE” NIEVERA
 
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th LIVE on AXS TV
 
LIVE at the SELLAND ARENA
in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through Ticketmaster.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that LFA will make its first trip to the Central Valley of California in September with a women’s flyweight title fight headlining LFA 51.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 51 will bring a highly-anticipated women’s world title fight to the San Joaquin Valley. The headliner will see undefeated LFA women’s flyweight champion Sabina “Colombian Queen” Mazo defend her title against LFA women’s flyweight top contender Jaimee “Queenie” Nievera. LFA 51 – Mazo vs. Nievera takes place Friday, September 28th at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring LFA to Fresno at LFA 51”, stated Soares. “This will be our fifth show in my home state of California. The Central Valley has great fight fans and a lot of MMA talent. We look forward to packing the Selland Arena on September 28th with a fantastic fight card headlined by a women’s flyweight title fight between champion Sabina Mazo and top contender Jaimee Nievera.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 51 – Mazo vs. Nievera are available for purchase NOW at Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

Mazo (5-0) is the 21-year-old LFA women’s flyweight champion that took the MMA world by storm in 2017. The Colombian wunderkind signed with LFA when she was 19-years-old and quickly burst onto the global scene at LFA 9. This happened when she knocked out 82nd Airborne Army veteran Jamie Thorton with a jaw-dropping head kick that went viral on mainstream media and MMA media outlets alike. The Kings MMA product doubled-down in her sophomore appearance for LFA by knocking out Minnesota National Guard member Linsey Williams with a nearly identical first round head kick at LFA 23. The “Colombian Queen” finally received her crown this past April. The title winning performance came courtesy of a unanimous decision over Shannon Sinn at LFA 37, which saw Mazo provide a brilliant display boxing and clinch work, as well as her signature Muay Thai skills. The Medellín, Colombia native now looks to begin her reign as champion with another masterful performance at LFA 51.

 

 

 

Nievera (7-4) earned her shot at LFA gold this past June with a dominant LFA debut win against the 2016 RFA Fans’ Choice Awards “Prospect of the Year” winner Katy Collins. The unanimous decision win came in Collins’ hometown of Branson, Missouri at LFA 42 just a few months after Collins had been ranked #4 on AXS TV’s inaugural women’s pound-for-pound rankings. The win immediately caught the attention of UFC matchmakers and Nievera was offered a main event spot on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series against Antonina Shevchenko. The 33-year-old Bellator veteran showed her gameness by accepting the fight on a week’s notice against Shevchenko, who is an undefeated MMA prospect, Muay Thai world champion, and the older sister of UFC #1 contender Valentina Shevchenko. Nievera displayed a ton of heart and skill, but did not get the result she wanted. The Union City, California native now has a chance to flip the script with a title winning performance in front of her home crowd at LFA 51.

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Women’s Flyweight Title Bout (125 lb)

 

 

– Sabina Mazo (5-0) vs. Jaimee Nievera (7-4)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event |Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)

 

 

– Gustavo Erak (19-3-1) vs. Cody Gibson (15-7)

 

 

 

Bantamweight Feature Bout (135 lb)

 

 

– Nohelin Hernandez (8-2) vs. Rolando Velasco (13-5-1)

 

 

 

Light Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)

 

 

– Jordan Powell (9-7) vs. Andres Alcantar (4-0)

 

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

 

 

– Salaiman Ahmadyar(6-0) vs. Joaquin Lopez (4-0)

 

 

 

 

LFA 51 will be the fifth LFA event to take place in the state of California. RFA hosted eight events inside “The Golden State” before the merger. The entire main card of LFA 51 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

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 140 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

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.

 

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

Khadis Ibragimov new M-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion

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M-1 CHALLENGE 96 OFFICIAL RESULTS & PICTURES
New M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Khadis Ibragimov was crowned
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (August 26, 2018) – Undefeated Khadis Ibragimov (7-0-0) defeated Dmitry Mikutsa in last night’s M-1 Challenge 96 main event to capture the vacant M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title, at M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

 

 

 

MMA fighters represented 10 different countries in this international event: Russia, United States, Ukraine, Brazil, France, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and Georgia.

 

 

 

Ibragimov, fighting out of Russia, locked in a rear-naked choke to submit his Ukrainian opponent, Mikutsa (9-4-1), in the second round for the vacant M-1 Challenge light heavyweight crown.

 

 

 

In the co-featured event, Russian featherweight Viktor Kolesnik (15-3-1) finished off his American foe, Daniel “Agent Orange” Swain (18-9-1) in the opening round with damaging leg kicks.

 

 

 

Brazilian lightweight Michel “Sassariro” Silva (20-7-1) was too much for previously unbeaten Alexey “Phenomenal” Ilyenko (8-1-1), who succumbed to a vicious ground-and-pound attack.

 

 

 

Ukrainian featherweight Yuri Chobuka (10-1-0) took a unanimous decision from Steve Polifonte (13-6-0), of France.

 

 

 

Georgian flyweight Vazha Tsiptauri (6-1-0) handed Sanzhar Adilov (4-1-0), of Kazakhstan, his first loss as a professional by way of a unanimous decision.

 

 

 

On the undercard, Russian heavyweight Yuri Fedorov (2-0-0) ground-and-pounded his way to a third-round technical knockout of fellow countryman Sergey Goltsov (0-2-), Russian featherweight Akhmadkhan Bokov (4-3-0) edged pro-debuting Adam Borovec (0-1-0) via majority decision, and Russian featherweight Nikita Solonin (5-2-0) registered a unanimous decision victory against Rene Hackl (4-1-0), of Hungary).

 

 

 

Russian pro-debuting Vasily Kozlov (1-0-0), fighting at a 158 ½ catchweight, and Russian welterweight Boris Medvedev (3-0-0) were first-round, one-punch knockout winners, respectively, versus Jurand Lisieski (3-1-1), of Poland, and Ukrainian Dmitriy Tikhonyuk (0-1-0). Russian lightweight Artem Tarasov (3-1-0) used a barrage of punches to stop Filip Kovarik (3-1-0), of Poland, in round one.

 

 

 

Complete results and pictures below:

 

 

MAIN CARD

 

MAIN EVENT

VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

 

 

Khadis Ibragimov (7-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia

WSUB2 (4:30 – rear naked choke)

Dmitry Mikutsa (9-4-1, M-1: 2-2-0), Ukraine

(Ibragimov won the M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title)

 

CO-FEATURE – FEATHERWEIGHTS

 

 

Viktor Kolesnik (15-3-1, M-1: 4-1-1), Russia

WTKO1 (4:21 – leg kicks)

Daniel Swain (18-9-1, M-1: 1-1-1), USA

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

 

 

Michel Silva (20-7-1, M-1: 2-2-0), Brazil

WTKO1 (1:34 – ground-and-pound)

Alexey Ilyenko (8-1-1, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS

 

 

Yuri Chobuka (10-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Ukraine

WDEC3

Steve Polifonte (13-6-0, M-1: 0-1-0), France

 

FLYWEIGHTS

 

 

Vazha Tsiptauri (6-1-0, M-1: 4-0-0)

WDEC3

Sanzhar Adilov (4-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Kazakhstan

 

 

UNDERCARD

 

HEAVYWEIGHTS

 

 

Yuri Fedorov (2-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia

WTKO3 (1:11 – ground-and-pound)

Sergey Goltsov (0-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

 

 

Rafal Kijanczuk (4-0-0 (M-1: 2-0-0), Poland

WTKO1 (5:00 – injury)

Ibragim Sagov (4-2-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Russia

 

CATCHWEIGHT (72, kg, 158 ½ lbs.)

 

 

Vasily Kozlov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia

WKO1 (0:42 – punch)

Jurand Lisieski (3-1-1, M-1: 0-1-0), Poland

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

 

 

Dmitriy Tikhonyuk (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Ukraine

WKO1 (1:07 – punch)

Boris Medvedev (2-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

 

 

Artem Tarasov (3-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia

WKO1 (1:57 – punches)

Filip Kovarik (3-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Poland

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS

 

 

Nikita Solonin (5-2-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia

WDEC3

Rene Hackl (4-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Hungary

 

 

 

Akhmadkhan Bokov (4-3-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia

WDEC3

Adam Borovec (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Czech Republic

 

 

  Khadis Ibragimov (L) wore down Dmitry Mikutsa
  Viktor Kolesnik (L) kicked his way past Daniel Swain
Michel Silva is shown finishing off Alexey Ilyenko
Yuri Chobuka (L) defeated Steve Polifonte
Vazha Tsiptauri (top position) decisioned Sanzhar Adilov

 

INFORMATION:

 

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@M1Global

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

 M-1 Challenge 96   OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PICTURES

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SAINT PERTERSBURG, Russia (August 24, 2018) — The official weigh in was held yesterday for today’s M-1 Challenge 96, headlined by the vacant M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title, at M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
 
Complete weights and pictures below:
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – 5 X 5
VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
(L) Dmitry Mikutsa (9-3-1, M-1: 2-1-0), Ukraine 204 ½ lbs. (92,95 kg).
(R) Khadis Ibragimov (6-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia 205 lbs. (93 kg)
CO-FEATURE – FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
(L) Daniel Swain (18-8-1, M-1: 1-0-1), USA 145 lbs. (65,8 kg)
(R) Viktor Kolesnik (14-3-1, M-1: 3-1-1), Russia 144 lbs. (65,35 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS — 3 X 5
(R) Alexey Ilyenko (8-0-1, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia 154 lbs. (69,95 kg)
(L) Michel Silva (19-7-1, M-1: 1-2-0), Brazil 154 ½ lbs. (70,25 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Ruslan Rakhmonkulov (11-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia 178 lbs. (81 kg)
Maksim Grabovich (8-4-0, M-1: 5-4-0), Russia 168 ½ lbs. (76,6 kg)
            FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5 
(L) Steve Polifonte (13-5-0, M-1: 0-0-0), France 145 lbs. (65,8 kg)
(R) Yuri Chobuka (9-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Ukraine 144 lbs. (65,6 kg)
UNDERCARD
HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Yuri Fedorov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia 261 lbs. (118,4 kg)
Sergey Goltsov (0-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 227 lbs. (103,25 kg)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Rafal Kijanczuk (3-0-0 (M-1: 1-0-0), Poland 204 lbs. 92,8 kg)
Ibragim Sagov (4-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia 204 lbs. (92,7 kg)
CATCHWEIGHT (72, kg, 158 ½ lbs.) – 3 X 5
Jurand Lisieski (3-0-1, M-1: 0-0-0), Poland 158 lbs. (71,8 kg)
Vasily Kozlov (pro debut), Russia 158 lbs. (71,7 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Dmitriy Tikhonyuk (pro debut), Ukraine 169 ½ lbs. 77,1 kg)
Boris Medvedev (2-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia 169 ½ lbs. (77,05 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Filip Kovarik (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Poland 154 lbs. (70,2 kg)
Artem Tarasov (2-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 154 ½ lbs. (70,25 kg)
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Rene Hackl (4-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Hungary 144 lbs. (65,5 kg)
Nikita Solonin (4-2-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia 144 lbs. (65,65 kg)
Adam Borovec (pro debut), Czech Republic 144 lbs. (65,35 kg)
Akhmadkhan Bokov (3-3-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia 144 lbs. (65,65 kg)
FLYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Sanzhar Adilov (4-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Kazakhstan 129 ½ lbs. (57,65 kg)
Vazha Tsiptauri (5-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) 129 lbs. (58,5 kg)
(all fights & fighters subject to change)
WHEN:           Saturday, August 25, 2018
WHERE:         Saint Petersburg, Russia
 
PROMOTER:  M-1 Global
LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (11.00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT in USA). Also available onFITE.TV (preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)
INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@M1Global
Facebook:
Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:
Aug. 25 – M-1 Challenge 96: Mikutsa vs. Ibragimov in Saint Petersburg, Russia
mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF ANNOUNCES BIGGEST FIGHT CARD IT HAS EVER BROUGHT TO BANGOR

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Bangor, Maine (August 24, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  The event will mark the fourth time since 2013 that NEF has visited the Queen City. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the full fight card planned for the evening. 

 

 

 

The exciting main event will feature two popular Bangor-area athletes doing battle as Jon Lemke (7-8) meets Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-2) in a lightweight contest.  Lemke, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, trains with Titan Athletics in neighboring Brewer, Maine, while Lacey represents Young’s MMA of Bangor. 

 

 

 

The co-main event will see Lacey’s teammate, and reigning NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, “The” Ryan Sanders (16-9) taking on Armando “Big Chino” Montoya (10-6) in a non-title welterweight scrap.  Sanders is coming off a huge submission win earlier this summer in Portland, Maine.  Montoya, who represents First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine, will debut in the Pine Tree State after a decade-long career on the southwest MMA circuit.

 

 

 

In another highly-anticipated professional fight, Caleb Hall (1-0) of the Choi Institute in Portland will face another Young’s MMA team member in the form of CJ Ewer (3-1).  After a successful amateur career that saw him capture the NEF Amateur Featherweight Title, Hall impressed with a first-round submission of veteran John Ortolani (8-12) earlier this year in his pro debut.  Ewer, a member of the United States Air Force security forces, closed out “NEF 30” last August in Bangor winning the promotion’s pro middleweight strap over Mike Hansen (5-9).

 

 

 

The amateur portion of the fight card will be headlined by a title fight as Pat “PK” Kelly (4-0) puts both his lightweight belt and undefeated record on the line against the challenge of Ed Forlenza (2-2).  Kelly, who turned 54 last week, is a legend of Maine wrestling mats as both a competitor and coach and a member of the Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame.  He vows that this will be the final fight of his MMA career.  Forlenza took the fight on short notice after Kelly’s previous challenger dropped out due to injury.  He is a member of team Juniko based in Hyannis, Massachusetts.  Forlenza is no stranger to the NEF cage.  He won his amateur debut at “NEF 23” in the summer of 2016 on Cape Cod.

 

 

 

Speaking of wrestling coaches, “NEF 35” will also feature the amateur debut of Shawn Costigan (0-0). Costigan is a member of the Bucksport High School wrestling coaching staff.  He will represent Young’s MMA in his cage debut when he takes on the fellow-debuting David Hills (0-0).

 

 

 

Also on the amateur card will be the brother of CJ Ewer, Roger Ewer (1-0).  A pharmacist by day, Roger made his amateur debut last year at “NEF 30” in Bangor with a second round technical knockout of Dustin Freeman (0-1).  At “NEF 35,” he will take on Jason Hanley (0-0) of Orchard Park Martial Arts in western New York state.

 

 

 

The full “NEF 35” fight card (subject to change):

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

 

 

155 Aaron Lacey 5-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Jon Lemke 7-8 (Titan Athletics)

 

 

 

170 Ryan Sanders 16-9 (Young’s MMA) vs Armando Montoya 10-6 (First Class MMA)

 

 

 

185 Crowsneck Boutin 2-3 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Mark Gardner 0-0 (The Academy)

 

 

 

155 CJ Ewer 3-1 (Young’s MMA) vs  Caleb Hall 1-0 (Choi Insistute)

 

 

 

155 Josh Harvey 4-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Jay Ellis 15-77 (Team Knockout)

 

 

 

145 Zenon Herrera 1-6 (Team SMOG) vs Ernesto Ornelas 3-7 (Choi Institute)

 

 

 

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

 

 

155* Title Pat Kelly 4-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Ed Forlenza 2-2 (Juniko)

 

 

 

170 David Hart 0-3 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Christian Barrett 1-0 (First Class MMA)

 

 

 

155 Zac Richard 1-0 (Nostos) vs Clifford Redman 0-5 (Independent)

 

 

 

150 Taylor Bartlett 1-1 (CMBJJ) vs Jacob Deppmeyer 1-1 (First Class MMA)

 

 

 

265 Roger Ewer 1-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Jason Hanley 0-0 (Orchard Park Martial Arts)

 

 

 

180 Jordan Norman 0-1 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Brandon Schwinck 0-2 (Independent)

 

 

 

145 Joe Howard 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Young 0-1 (Independent)

 

 

 

155 Jesse Fitzsimmons 0-0 (Nostos) vs AJ Morales 0-0 (Orchard Park Martial Arts)

 

 

 

145 Shawn Costigan 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs David Hills 0-0 (Independent)

 

 

 

135 Nate Boucher 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Joshua Greenlaw 0-2 (Independent)

 

 

 

160 Andrew Brown 0-0 (Nostos) vs Chris Lachcik 0-0 (Independent)

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES OPENING OF LA JAULA STUDIOS

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Combate Americas has announced the opening of La Jaula Studios, a new multi-media studio based in N.Y.  “Rootas,”  a La Jaula Studios-produced, docu-series chronicling the lives of six Combate Americas fighters, will venture to Thailand with Erik “Goyito” Perez (below, right) as the MMA superstar prepares for battle under a new mentor, Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek (below, left).

New Multi-Platform Content Production Studio
Will Target Today’s Millennials and Generation Z

Stan Jakubowicz, Chief Content Officer, Will Lead La Jaula Studios

NEW YORK – August 21, 2018 – Coming off the successful launch of its new season on Univision, with record ratings beating those of general market English language Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) properties, Combate Americas president Jacqueline Hernandez today announced the opening of La Jaula Studios, a new multi-platform content production studio created to serve the most digitally native, multiracial and multicultural generations that have ever existed—Hispanic Millennials and Generation Z.

The new studio will be led by Stan Jakubowicz, who was recently promoted to Chief Content Officer, and will be based in New York.

 

 

“Our mission with La Jaula Studios is to tell the bold, untold and unfiltered stories of the real-life heroism behind Combate’s fighters and their communities,” said Hernandez. “Stan’s proven creative expertise and uncontainable passion for this sport make him a perfect fit to lead La Jaula.”

 

Jakubowicz is a creative executive with nearly 20 years of experience producing multi-platform content for television, digital and film. He has produced box office hits such as La Mujer de Mi Hermano, and co-produced the critically acclaimed The German Doctor, an Oscar and Golden Globes official submission for Best Foreign Film in 2014.

 

Jakubowicz also co-produced Visitantes, a horror film featuring Mexican superstar, Kate del Castillo, and served as an associate producer for the film El Inca, a Venezuelan boxing drama that earned him a second official submission in the Foreign Film category for the Academy Awards.

As an Emmy-nominated TV Executive Producer, Jakubowicz has produced for the world’s leading media companies such as Disney, Comcast, Sony, Univision, NBC Universal and Fremantle Media.

 

 

La Jaula Studios will produce authentic content in Spanish, English and Portuguese that complements Combate Americas’ programming.  Production will take place around the globe, including Latin America, Brazil, Spain, Portugal and the U.S.

 

La Jaula Studios will offer a variety of programming, including lifestyle-documentaries to scripted series, feature films, short-form digital, social and mobile content – and customized, sponsor-branded interstitials that will air during highly-watched Combate Americas’ live Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) television and digital events. This content will offer brands and advertisers a unique opportunity to connect with Combate Americas’ audience.
Upcoming projects include:

 

 

  • “Rootas,”(wt)- a docu-series chronicling the lives of six Combate Americas fighters on their journey, told first-hand through their eyes.  The first episode will feature Mexican MMA superstar Erik “Goyito” Perez, as he heads to an unfamiliar world – Thailand – to train under legendary Muay Thai champion Buakaw Banchamek, a fighter whose unmatched speed and devastating knockout power in the ring has transformed him into one of the most sought-after commodities in the fight world.

 

  • “The Real Deal,” a major motion picture and docu-series chronicling the life and career of Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, the only female fighter and only Puerto Rican fighter in history to win five world boxing championships in five different weight divisions, as she sets her sights on achieving another unprecedented feat – becoming the first fighter in history to win a major MMA world championship while simultaneously retaining a world boxing title.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT BETWEEN PATRICIO ‘PITBULL’ AND EMMANUEL SANCHEZ HEADLINES BELLATOR’S RETURN TO MENORA MIVTACHIM ARENA IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL ON NOV. 15

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 cid:image002.png@01D4389C.EF4A3AE0

 

ALSO, ISRAELI HAIM GOZALI REMATCHES RYAN COUTURE AND FORMER LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP PHIL DAVIS FACES VADIM NEMKOV

 

LOS ANGELES – Bellator returns to Tel Aviv, Israel for the third-consecutive year on Thursday, Nov. 15 with a featherweight world title clash pitting Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (27-4) against Emmanuel Sanchez (17-3) set to anchor Bellator 209 inside Menora Mivtachim Arena. In addition, Haim Gozali (8-5) looks to get revenge against Ryan Couture (11-6) in co-main event welterweight action, while Phil Davis (19-4, 1 NC) will take on Vadim Nemkov (9-2) at light heavyweight. Additionally, a women’s featherweight contest between undefeated Israeli Olga Rubin (4-0) and veteran Cindy Dandois (12-3) will be featured on the card.

 

 

 

Tickets are on sale now and are available at Eventim.co, as well as Bellator.com. The event will air Friday, Nov. 16 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on Paramount Network and can also be streamed on DAZN.

 

 

 

Bellator has partnered with Ananey Communications, an Israeli television conglomerate boasting 14 channels, including the EGO and EGO TOTAL channels, which have broadcast Bellator in Israel since 2012.

 

 

 

Hailing from Natal, Brazil, two-time featherweight champ Patricio “Pitbull” will enter the Bellator cage for a promotional record 20th time on Nov. 15. With 15 wins under the Bellator umbrella, “Pitbull” will be making his second title defense since reclaiming the world title at Bellator 178 against Daniel Straus last year. Most recently, “Pitbull” defeated Daniel Weichel, edging out his opponent via split decision at Bellator 203 in Rome. Having earned a finish in 20 of his 27 wins as a professional, the reigning champion has become synonymous with excitement and fans can certainly expect more fireworks when he enters the cage onNov. 15.

 

 

 

Sanchez has officially emerged from prospect to title contender when he challenges for the featherweight title in Tel Aviv. Unlike his opponent, Sanchez will find himself in unfamiliar territory on Nov. 15, as the 28-year-old Milwaukee, Wis.-fighter will make his first professional appearance outside of the United States. “El Matador” will be seeking his 10th promotional win and his fifth consecutive victory, a streak that began in January of last year. With his last defeat coming over two years ago and with recent victories over former Bellator champions Daniel Straus and Marcos Galvao, as well as Sam Sicilia, there may not be another athlete on Bellator’s roster more deserving of a title fight than the Roufusport Academy-product.

 

 

 

A member of Team Renzo Gracie, Gozali returns to the Bellator cage for the fifth time in his 20-year career. The Israeli fighter will once again fight Ryan Couture on Nov. 15, following a three-round thriller at Bellator 180 last summer. Fighting out of Bat Yam, Israel, “Batman” favors events on home turf, notching two opening round submission wins in each of his las two bouts inside Menora Mivtachim Arena. Now, with seven of his eight career victories coming by way of submission, the former Israeli army soldier hopes to keep his rematch with Couture out of the judges’ hands.

 

 

 

Couture looks to duplicate the success he had in his first matchup with Gozali, when he picked up a unanimous decision win inside Madison Square Garden last June. A veteran of UFC and STRIKEFORCE, Couture has appeared six times in the Bellator cage and will make the jump back up to welterweight in hopes of collecting the 12th win of his career. A member of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, the Seattle native will look to play the role of spoiler to Gozali when the two rematch in Tel Aviv.

 

 

 

Hailing from Harrisburg, Penn. Davis has earned impressive victories over elite competition during his illustrious 10-year career, including wins over the likes of Lyoto Machida, “King Mo” Lawal, Liam McGeary and most recently Linton Vassellat Bellator 200 earlier this year. Fighting out of San Diego, Calif. the former four-time NCAA Division-1 All-American wrestler out of Penn State University holds a near flawless mark of 6-1 in Bellator. “Mr. Wonderful” trains alongside current Bellator bantamweight champ Darrion Caldwell, Dominick Cruz and A.J. Matthews amongst others at Alliance MMA.

 

 

 

Fighting out of Stary Oskol, Russia, 26-year-old knockout artist Vadim Nemkov will make his third appearance with Bellator when he meets Davis. A protege of Bellator heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Nemkov will be looking to build on his pair of knockout wins, which includes a win over former light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary at Bellator 194. With eight of his nine career victories coming by way of first round stoppage, the former Sambo world champion does not waste much time inside the cage. His ability for finishing fights will be tested when he meets Davis, an athlete who has yet to be finished in his career.

 

 

 

Israeli women’s featherweight Olga Rubin steps back inside the Bellator cage for the third time to put her undefeated streak on the line in her home country. With her previous promotional victories at Bellator 164 and Bellator 188 coming via TKO, “Big Bad” has developed a reputation as one of the more dangerous prospects in the division. She is now set to take on UFC and Invicta FC veteran Cindy Dandois, who owns career wins over Marloes Coenen, Jorina Baars and Megan Anderson. Training out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, “Battlecat” is currently riding a four-fight win streak, which includes a victorious appearance in RIZIN.

 

 

 

Updated Bellator 209: ‘Pitbull’ vs. Sanchez Fight Card:

Featherweight World Title Bout: Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (27-4) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (17-3)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Haim Gozali (8-5) vs. Ryan Couture (11-6)

Light Heavyweight Feature Event: Phil Davis (19-4, 1 NC) vs. Vadim Nemkov (9-2)

Women’s Featherweight Bout: Olga Rubin (4-0) vs. Cindy Dandois (12-3)

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BOUTIN IS BACK AND GARDNER TURNS PRO AT NEF 35 IN BANGOR

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Bangor, Maine (August 20, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional middleweight bout to the card.  Crowsneck Boutin (2-3) will return to the cage to take on Mark “Pockets” Gardner (0-0) at a fight weight of 185-pounds.

 

 

 

It will have been two years almost to the day since Boutin last competed in the NEF cage.  That September night in 2016 he was defeated by Jesse Erickson (9-7) at “NEF 25.”  Since that time, Boutin has become an instructor with a new team, Bad Little Falls Dojo, based in Machias, Maine and has concentrated on raising his young daughter.  He will look to recapture the glory of his 2014 season when he went 3-0, including two first-round knockouts, in the NEF cage and was voted “Fighter of the Year” by fans.

 

 

 

“I am blessed with this opportunity to go to war inside the NEF cage,” said Boutin.  “Past two years, I’ve been fighting for my sweet princess, Iola Soule. I possess new light, and I’d whoop the old me’s ass. I am still aboard this ride. I am a revenant.”

 

 

 

Mark Gardner has had a stellar first year with NEF.  Last November, he debuted with a second-round technical knockout of Carlton Charles (2-2) at “NEF 31.”  He would follow up that success with a pair of first-round finishes this year, including a submission victory by arm bar earlier this summer at “NEF 34.”  In all, he finished his amateur career a perfect 3-0.  Gardner is a product of the Academy of Mixed Martial Arts based in Portland, Maine.

 

 

 

“I can’t wait to fight Crowsneck in September,” said Gardner.  “To be able to make my pro debut so soon after three good fights is pretty rad. I’ve been training hard for this and I can’t wait to see it pay off in there.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

 

 

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

BELLATOR 204: CALDWELL vs. LAHAT FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS

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Complete Photos // Credit: Bellator/Lucas Noonan

 

Complete Bellator 204 Main Card:

 

 

Featherweight Main Event: Darrion Caldwell (13-1) def. Noad Lahat (12-4) via TKO (punches) at 2:46 of round two

*Caldwell’s bantamweight title was not on the line

 

 

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Logan Storley (9-0) def. A.J. Matthews (9-8) via TKO (punches) at 3:56 of round two

 

 

Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Ricky Bandejas (11-1) def. James Gallagher (7-1) via KO (strikes) at 2:49 of round one

 

 

Featherweight Main Card Bout: Tywan Claxton (3-0) def. Cris Lencioni (3-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

 

 

 

Preliminary Card:

 

 

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Omar Morales (7-0) def. Troy Nawrocki (3-1) via KO (strikes) at 0:58 of round one

 

 

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Demarques Jackson (9-2) def. Bryce Logan (9-3) via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

 

 

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Jason Jackson (8-3) def. Jordon Larson (9-5) via TKO (punches) at 3:52 of round one

 

 

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: David Michaud (13-4) def. Corey Davis (3-1) via KO (punches) at 1:42 of round one

 

 

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Romero Cotton (3-0) def. Willie Whitehead (2-3) via TKO (strikes) at 4:12 of round one

 

 

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Tyler Ray (3-1) def. Seth Bass (4-3) via KO (strikes) at 3:30 of round 1

 

 

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Keith Phathaem (1-1) vs. Micah Peatrowsky (2-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

 

 

Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Lloyd McKinney (8-5) def. Robiel Tesfaldet (2-2) via submission (arm triangle choke) at 4:17 of round three

 

 

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Jeff Nielsen (2-0) def. Wyatt Meyer (1-1) via TKO (punches) at 2:53 of round one

mixed martial arts, MMA

MMA PRO LEAGUE ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONAL & APPAREL PARTNERS

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Six Promotional Partners On-Board 
Supporting MMA Pro League
 
Jab Apparel Set to Provide Uniforms Ahead of 
Inaugural Event Saturday, September 15 at 
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (August 16, 2018) – The newest entity in MMA and professional team sports, MMA Pro League, has struck an apparel partnership with Jab Apparel, as well as six promotional partners, ahead of their inaugural fight card on Saturday, September 15

at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and streaming live on FloCombat.com.

 

 

 

In addition to Jab Apparel, the companies providing their promotional support for MMA Pro League are Everlast, the preeminent boxing brand since 1910, Select, a U.S.-based premium benefits card company, Everipedia, the world’s largest English encyclopedia by content, Captiv8, a full-service promotional product and marketing agency, the Village Pourhouse a New York City sports bar and cigar company Q Cigar. All promotional partners will also be distributing MMA Pro League video and photo content across their websites and social media platforms.

 

 

 

“We are very encouraged by the breadth of promotional support being provided by this great group of companies who believe in MMA Pro League and our team concept,” said MMA Pro League CEO Hani Darwish. “We are very excited that they are with us at the launch of a new era in MMA.”

 

 

 

“I’d like to thank all of our promotional partners, as well as FloSports and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, for their support of MMA Pro League,” said MMAPL president Mark Taffet. “Their efforts not only enhance our brand but also extend the reach of MMA Pro League to fans across many demographic groups.”

 

 

 

Amongst the many ways that these companies will be engaging fans heading intoSeptember 15 include various discounts and special offers for purchasing tickets through their vendors. Ticket buyers using their Select card will be given significant discounts, while purchasing tickets at a Q Cigar location will net fans free Robusto and Churchill cigars. Fans who buy tickets at Village Pourhouse will receive a free drink with their purchase and be rewarded with a discount meal after the fight.

 

 

 

The Everipedia database will house the biographies of each MMA Pro League fighter and be accessible from the league’s website. Everipedia will also present the “Tale of the Tape” for each fight and service other statistical information.

 

 

 

Jab Apparel, a UK-based company that launched in March, will provide training apparel and fight night uniforms for MMA Pro League teams and employees. Everlast will be the official glove provider of MMA Pro League, while Captiv8 will deliver MMA Pro League promotional items.

 

 

 

These partnerships are on top of the previously announced deals with the beautiful new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, which will host a series of MMA Pro League matches, and FloSports, who will exclusively stream all MMA Pro League team fight action live on their worldwide combat sports site, FloCombat.com.

 

 

 

Tickets for the inaugural installment of “MMA Pro League At The Hard Rock” onSaturday, September 15, featuring Team New Jersey vs. Team Pennsylvania, are available at Ticketmaster.com.

 

# # #

 

 

 

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.

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER “COPA COMBATE” TOURNAMENT QUALIFIER BOUTS LIVE ON UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK FROM LONG BEACH, CALIF. ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 28

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Winners of the one-round, featherweight fights will represent
the U.S. and Mexico in the $100,000 grand prize tournament

U.S. qualifying bout: Erick Gonzalez vs. Andres Quintana
Mexico qualifying bout:  Pablo Sabori vs. Alejandro Flores

Tickets for “Combate Americas: Camino a Copa Combate” on sale now

 

 

NEW YORK – August 16, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced a live Univision Deportes Network (UDN) telecast (12 a.m. ET/9 pm. PT) of an event that will be headlined by the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise’s first-ever “COPA COMBATE” qualifying bouts in Long Beach, Calif. On Friday, Sept. 28.

 

The “Combate Americas: Camino a Copa Combate” event, which will air live from The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, will feature a pair of one, five-minute round featherweight (145 pounds) fights, the winners of which represent their respective countries – the U.S. and Mexico – in the “COPA COMBATE,” one-night, eight-man, $100,000 tournament, the date and location of which will be announced soon.

 

 

Priced from $30, tickets for “Combate Americas: Camino A Copa Combate” are on sale at The Walter Pyramid’s

online ticketing platform, as well at Ticketon.com.

 

“These one-round qualifier fights are symbolic of what Combate Americas represents – ‘Mucha Mas Accion,’ or ‘Much More Action,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.  “Faster-paced fights in a shorter time frame create the most electrifying platform in the sport and, with the opportunity to represent your country in the ‘COPA COMBATE,” $100,000 grand prize tournament on the line, the intensity will be at an all-new high.”

 

 

Facing off with each other in one of the two ‘Camino a Copa Combate’ one, five-minute round, featherweight fights with the right to represent the U.S. in the high-stakes tournament, will be Erick “The Ghost Pepper” Gonzalez (8-2) and Andres “The Bullet” Quintana (14-2).

 

 

In the second ‘Camino a Copa’ one-round, five-minute fight, Pablo “El Gallo Negro” Sabori (8-4) will collide with Alejandro “El Gallito” Flores (12-1).  The winner of the matchup will represent Mexico in the “COPA COMBATE” tournament.

 

 

ERICK GONZALEZ VS. ANDRES QUINTANA

 

The 5-foot-10, 26-year-old Gonzalez of Redondo Beach, Calif. will drop from lightweight (155 pounds) to featherweight for the first time since joining the ranks of Combate Americas, in an effort to qualify for the coveted, one-night tournament.

 

 

A relentless battler capable of finishing opponents in any range of combat, Gonzalez has earned six of his eight professional career wins by way of (T)KO or submission, including his last fight in which he avenged a previous, unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Danny “The Realist” Ramirez by scoring a highlight reel, first-round (3:15) knockout (punches) on Ramirez at “Combate Estrellas” in Los Angeles on April 13.

 

 

Quintana, a 6-foot, 27-year-old trailblazer who hails from Roswell, N.M., has been perfect to date in La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, winning all four of his matchups under the promotional banner since he made his debut last year.

 

 

Among Quintana’s conquests in Combate Americas action is a June 30, 2017 unanimous decision win over last year’s “COPA COMBATE” tournament winner Levy Marroquin, in a bout that took place in the taxing, high altitude of Mexico City, Mexico.

 

 

PABLO SABORI VS. ALEJANDRO FLORES

 

The 5-foot-8, 26-year-old Sabori of San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora is a feared, devastating finisher who boasts a 100 percent finish rate, with all 8 of his professional career wins to date having come by way of knockout or submission, 5 of them inside the first round of action.

 

 

In his last start on July 29, 2017 in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Sabori slugged his way to a third round (3:03) TKO (punches) of Andrew Lagdaan.

 

 

Flores is a 5-foot-10, 27-year-old, fast-rising star out of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon who will return to 145 pounds after a phenomenal run in the bantamweight (135 pounds) class.

 

 

Flores is riding a four-fight win streak after coasting to victory over Team Grasso standout Victor Madrigal in Combate Americas’ debut live event in Monterrey onApril 20.  The win marked Flores’ second straight win in La Jaula, since defeating Walter Zamora by way of split decision on March 30, 2017.

 

 

An additional matchup for the live televised, main card portion of the Combate Americas world championship event will be announced soon, as will a complete, preliminary bout card.

 

 

Doors at The Walter Pyramid will open at 6 p.m. PT on September 28, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 7 p.m.