This week on the FNU Combat Sports show, Tom, Tony and Rich discuss a slow week for boxing and recap two huge MMA cards in the United Kingdom last weekend. We also talk about Michael Bisping deciding to retire, weight cutting issues in the UFC, and a cop nicknamed “Blade” getting his 15 seconds of fame in a viral video where he boxes a teen in full uniform and comes out on top. Listen to the whole show below:
|
||
|
|
“On my way to Russia,” Riggs explained his journey, “we took an Uber to get to the airport. We had an accident. I wanted to take another Uber, but the cops would not let me leave, because they wanted to send me to the hospital to get checked. One of my cornermen had to go to the hospital because he was seated in the part of the car that has been damaged.
(56-10-1, M-1 ba-: 6-0-0), Russia 184.4 liponto. (83.65 kg)
CO-FEATURE – M-1 BOTHATA MIDDLEWEIGHT Championship – 5 X 5
FLYWEIGHTS — 3 X 5
Portland, Maine (Ka 31, 2018) – Earlier this week, New England ho loana ka (NEF) officials were informed that Mike Crespo had been injured during his fight camp and would be unable to compete at “NEF 34: Home of the Brave” ka June 16 in Portland. Crespo had originally been scheduled to face Kam Arnold (3-0) for the vacant NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Championship. Killian Murphy (1-0) has stepped up to replace Crespo and take on Arnold at Aura for the 135-pound title in a scheduled five-round affair.
Murphy made his debut at “NEF 33” last month in Portland with an impressive victory over Krishna Scott (0-1) ka tsela pele ho pota botekgeniki knockout. He is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Murphy is a former Maine state wrestling champion, having captured a class-A title for Marshwood High School in Elliott in 2015. Kajeno, he trains with Nostos MMA in Somersworth, New Hampshire under the guidance of UFC signee, and former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, Devin Powell (8-3). Murphy was originally scheduled to compete against Gabriel Diaz of Florida at “NEF 34,” but Diaz pulled out of that fight earlier this month.
“It’s an exciting turn of events to end up fighting for the 135-pound belt,” said Murphy. “The goal when I started this journey was to win that belt – and I am thankful for this opportunity. I want to thank NEF, my coaches, my teammates and supporters. June 16th, I’m taking that belt home to Nostos.”
Perhaps no other member of the NEF roster has had the run in the last twelve months that Kam Arnold has had. He has cut through three opponents in the first round like a hot knife through butter including an eleven-second knockout of veteran David Thompson last month at “NEF 33.” Arnold is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Lewiston, Maine.
"Pele theoha, I just want to say ‘thank you’ to Killian for accepting this fight, and also to Matt Peterson for finding me another opponent,” said Arnold when reached for comment. “Killian’s an up-and-coming, exciting fighter – and I’m excited to clash with him. I know he’s going to come ready and he’s going to be looking to shake up this division and make a statement. I’m going to continue to work hard, make an adjustment to the strategy and go balls-to-the-wall from there. This will be a great fight – and I will be NEF’s next 135-pound champ.”
“Nothing excites me more than when an athlete steps up on short notice and seizes an opportunity to grab glory – and that’s what Killian Murphy has done by agreeing to take this bout against an undefeated animal like Kam Arnold,” declared NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “Kam has looked unstoppable since he debuted less than a year ago – and now we get to see him test himself against a decorated wrestler for a chance at NEF gold. As if this card wasn’t already summer fireworks – now we get to see two undefeated studs try to knock each other off over the course of a five-round championship fight. Ha e fumana leha e le efe molemo ho feta ho ena!"
NEF a latelang tsoakiloeng-sesole-bonono ketsahalo, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018. Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.
Ka New England ho loana ka
New England ho loana ka ("NEF") ke ho loana moodle moodle moodle ho phahamiswa khampani. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF oa phethahatso sehlopha o na le a pharaletseng a le phihlelo ea ho loantsa tsa tsamaiso ya dipapadi, moodle moodle moodle tlhahiso, metswedi ya dikgang, tsa mebaraka, molao le papatso.
|
||||
|
CHELYABINSK, Russia (Ka 30, 2018) – Greece-born flyweight Chris “The Greek Kelades” Kelades (12-3-0, M-1 ba-: 1-0-0), fighting out of Dartmouth, Canada, takes on Ukrainian fighter Alexander Pletenko (13-4-0, M;1: 0-0-0) this Friday night on the M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93 ka sehloohong karete, a Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Kelades made his successful M-1 Global debut last November at M-1 Challenge 86, when he defeated Oleg Lichkovakha by way of a third-round submission (Kimura).
It’s been more than a half- year since your M-1 Global debut. Why did you take such a long break?
CK: “It’s hard to believe it’s been that long. I was supposed to fight back in March, but I had problems getting my travel visa secured, so I was rebooked to fight in April but, ka bomalimabe, the event was canceled. E le, I’ve been ready to fight, but circumstances have changed the dates. I’m excited for this fight and looking forward to fighting in Chelyabinsk. Two times my fights have been canceled and it was extremely frustrating, but it gave me more time to work on my game and learn new techniques.”
In your M-1 Global debut, you have been very cautious during the first two rounds, but in the third round you got a submission. Is it your real fighting style or did you just wanted to win the debut fight without taking risks?
CK: Mong le e mong loana ke fapaneng. Sometimes in a new environment it takes longer to feel the fight start and you have to read the opponent before you react too aggressively.”
What can you say about your next opponent, Alexander Pletenko? You have similar records. Does it mean you have similar fighting styles?
CK: “I’ve seen some of his fights and I don’t think we have similar styles. I’ve been fighting the best guys in the world and at a certain level it’s more difficult to finish fights.”
Before joining M-1 Global you had never fought anywhere except North America. What does it feel like to fight half a world away from your home?
CH: “I really enjoyed myself the last time in my debut with M-1 Global. The travel is a little bit of a hassle with the distance, but I really enjoy fighting internationally and here in Russia. I like fighting away because I enjoy having to prove myself to other fighters and the fans. E susumelletsa 'na!”
Russian star Alexander “Sefefo” Shlemenko (56-10-1, 1 NC, M-1 ba-: 6-0-0) headlines M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93 against Brazilian power-puncher Bruno Silva (17-6-0, M-1 ba-: 0-0-0).
Undefeated M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artem Frolov (10-0-0, M-1 ba-: 7-0-0) defends his title for the first time against American favorite Joe “Diesel” Riggs (47-17-1, M-1 ba-: 2-0-1) ka M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93 co-featured event.
M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93 will be live-streamed from Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Bashebelli tla ba khona ho shebella selelekela lintoa le ka sehloohong karete ya ka logging pele ho ngodisa kawww.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, hammoho le ka Android le Apple Smart phone le matlapa a. M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93 will also be available onwww.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)
INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram:
@ M1GlobalNews
VFinkelchtein
@ M1Global
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews
Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:
June 1 – M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93: Shelemnko vs. Silva in Chelyabinsk, Russia
|
||||
|
CHELYABINSK, Russia (Ka 29, 2018) – Undefeated M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artem Frolov (10-0-0, M-1 ba-: 7-0-0) defends his title for the first time this Friday against American favorite Joe “Diesel” Riggs (47-17-1, M-1 ba-: 2-0-1) ka M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93 co-featured event, a Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Frolov has knocked out four of his opponents and submitted four others. Last October, Frolov captured the belt by defeating UFC veteran Caio Magalhaes, ea Brazil, by unanimous decision and he needed a break to heal his injuries.
Artem Frolov (L) puts his perfect record and M-1 Challenge middleweight title belt on the line this Friday against Joe “Diesel” Riggs
A 2016 you had three fights and last year you fought only twice. How many fights a year would you like to have in the future?
AF: “I would like to fight three times a year. I think this is the best number because it lets me have enough time for good recovery after fights and enough time for training camps. Ehlile, there are also some distraction factors, which do not let me fight more often like, for example, some amateur competitions where I fight from time to time.”
Your title fight against Caio Magalhaes was a hard trial for you. How difficult was that 25- minute brawl?
AF: “I knew the fight was going to be a tough confrontation because Caio is a great fighter with excellent striking skills. Leha ho le joalo, during the fight I found the best way to fight him and saw how I could get the victory. He impressed me with his firmness; he did not quit after I delivered many hard punches, so I must admit he has a big heart.”
When did you learn that you were going to fight Joe Riggs? What can you say about his skills?
AF: “Even before the title fight I knew that, if I won the belt, my first title defense would be against Joe Riggs. He drew my attention with his debut fight in M-1 Global. I checked his record, took a look at the list of the guys he had defeated, and understood that sooner or later we were going to meet in The Rage.
“Ehlile, in the last few months, I watched many of the Diesel’s fights. His main advantage is his experience, he has five times more fights than me. Riggs is a well-rounded fighter, his wrestling skills together with the excellent control skills on the ground, and powerful ground-and- pound are probably his main strengths. E le, he is definitely a fighter of the ‘American school’.”
After capturing the title, you were mentioned among the top 20 best prospects in the world by the famous MMA magazine Fighters Only. What does it feel?
AF: I was flattered to be mentioned in the best prospects list, especially by a respected magazine like Fighters Only. Such recognition proves that you dedicate your life to MMA for a reason and that you have really achieved something. But I know that I have much work to do and a lot of things in my game to improve.”
Two weeks after your fight against Riggs there will be a contender fight between Mikhail Ragozin and Valery Myasnikov. Who do you think will be the winner? Which one of them would you like to fight?
AF: “I am acquainted with both these guys, so I would not like to fight either of them. I can’t say who is going to win this fight because they are both strong athletes and have their advantages. In my opinion the one who will have better cardio will win the fight.
“I would prefer to fight only the strongest foreigners, not fellow countrymen. You travel around the country, have camps in different places, make friends and one day you are told that you are fighting one of them. That is not the best feeling, trust me, so I’d like to fight the best athletes from other countries, so I can fight not only for myself, my gym and my city, but for the country, defending the honor of the national flag.”
You have the same number of wins by knockouts and submissions in your record. How would you like to end the upcoming fight?
AF: “I came to MMA as a wrestler, so it makes me happy that I am getting better at striking. Leha ho le joalo, it feels great to win via submission as well, especially when it is a beautiful one. As a matter of fact, any finish is awesome, because my family and friends are worried about me during the fight and I don’t like to make them worry too long. E le, I prefer to finish the fights early.
Russian star Alexander “Sefefo” Shlemenko (56-10-1, 1 NC, M-1 ba-: 6-0-0) headlines M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93 against Brazilian power-puncher Bruno Silva (17-6-0, M-1 ba-: 0-0-0).
M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93 will be live-streamed from Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Bashebelli tla ba khona ho shebella selelekela lintoa le ka sehloohong karete ya ka logging pele ho ngodisa ka www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, hammoho le ka Android le Apple Smart phone le matlapa a. M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93 will also be available onwww.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)
INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram:
@ M1GlobalNews
VFinkelchtein
@ M1Global
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews
Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:
June 1 – M-1 ba-Bothata ba 93: Shelemnko vs. Silva in Chelyabinsk, Russia
Bekeng ena ho FNU Combat Sports Show, Tom, Tony and Rich discuss a wide variety of topics. We start out with the ESPN/UFC broadcast rights deal for five years, 30 fight cards and $1.5 billion. We also discuss the infighting among boxing promoters lately with both Bob Arum and UK upstart Eddie Hearn scrambling to sign free agents while trying to fill slots for slated shows in the United States over the coming year. We go on to recap last week’s combat sports action, highlighting the Adonis Stevenson vs. Badou Jack majority draw and the Usman vs Maia 5-round snoozefest headlining last Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night card. We of course also preview this weekend’s boxing matches and the UFC and Bellator cards coming out of England. We even touch on the regulation of bareknuckle boxing and Bobby Gunn’s claim of no fatalities recorded in the sport. Qetellong, we wrap up with a reminder of what this weekend is all about: saluting our servicemen and women. Listen to the whole show at the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v8zi5h9j4j7t07e/tonytomandrichmay262018.mp3?dl=0
 Sergei Kharitonov vs.. Anton Vyazigin declared
“Ha ho ntoa”
Aleksander Doskalchuk crowned undisputed
M-1 Challenge flyweight champion |
Aleksander Doskalchuk is now the undisputed M-1 Challenge flyweight champion
|
Saint Petersburg, Russia (Ka 25, 2018) – Last night’s SuperFight between Russian heavyweight star Sergei Kharitonov and his main event challenger, Anton Vyazigin, was declared a “no contest” le Aleksander Doskalchuk established himself as the undisputed M-1 Challenge flyweight champion last night at M-1 ba-Bothata ba 92 at M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Kharitonov (27-6-0) originally was declared the winner by way of a second-round technical decision over his Russian opponent, Vyazigin (9-2-0), due to an illegal eye poke that prevented Kharitonov from continuing to fight.
The result was later changed to a “no contest” after the commission, assembled by M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein, reviewed the fight video and made the decision to change the result. A rematch will be scheduled for one of the next events, likely M-1 ba-Bothata ba 95: Battle in the Mountains, which will happen in July in Ingushetia, Russia.
“A ‘no contest’ was the only possible decision in this situation,” Finkelchtein explained the change. “It was an accident and yesterday the judges made the decision according to the rules, giving the victory to Kharitonov, based on the scorecards. But this fight was an exception.”
“Changing the result to ‘no contest’ is the best choice,” Kharitonov agreed. “This was not the victory I wanted. I was sure the fight would be ruled as no contest, so I was surprised when the referee raised my hand. Anton did not want to poke me, so I think the decision now is fair. In the hospital I was told I’ve got an eye contusion and corneal abrasion. I hope to recover fast and get a rematch.”
Sergei Kharitonov (R) didn’t agree with the original decision declaring him the winner.
“I think ‘no contest’ is a fair result,” Vyazigin added. “I was sure that after that poke, Sergei would take a break, and then we will go on. But the fight was stopped and he was declared the winner. Talking about corneal abrasion, I have no idea how it could happen. I always cut my nails before fights and the referee checks that, so that is weird. Ehlile, Ke batla katie, our story has not ended.”
Doskalchuk (9-1-0), loantša tsoa Ukraine, entered The Rage as the M-1 Challenge flyweight champion to take on M-1 Challenge Interim flyweight titlist Arman Ashimov (8-3-1), ea Kazakhstan. Ashimov was unable to continue after two rounds due to a hand injury.
Brazilian welterweight Tiago “Bahia” Varejao (27-5-1) turned in an impressive M-1 debut, taking a majority decision from former M-1 Challenge title challenger Sergey Romanov (14-3-0).
Giga Kukhalashvili (9-4-0) was disqualified in the third round for “rope grabbing” against undefeated Russian light heavyweight Khadis Ibragrimov (4-0-0).
Russian lightweight Pavel Gordeev (11-1-0) took a split decision victory from Mickael “Ragnar” Lebout (17-9-2), ea France.
Ka selelekela karete, Russian heavyweight Maksim Baruzdin (1-0-0) won his pro debut, stopping Cuban giant Freddi Gonzales (0-2-0) in the opening round via punches, Russian lightweight prospect Alexey “Phenomenal” Ilyenko (8-0-0) lived up to his nickname, remaining undefeated by unleashing a barrage of kicks and punches for a third-round knockout of Helson Henriques (9-6-1), of Angola.
Kyrgyzstan featherweight Azibek Satibaldiev (7-4-0) was disqualified in the second round for kicking a grounded fighter, German challenger Saba Bolaghi (9-1-1), Russia featherweight Mikhail Kuznetson (6-4-1) used a guillotine choke to submit fellow countryman Nikita Solonin (4-2-0) a ho pota-pota tse peli, and Ukrainian bantamweight Ludwig Sholinyan (2-0-1) leAlexander Osetrov (4-0-1) fought to a three-round majority draw.
Georgian welterweight Amiran Gogoladze (6-1-0) won a three-round split decision over Russian Taymuraz Guriev, ha a ntse a Ruslan Shamilov (5-0-0) kept his undefeated intact with a three-round split decision versus Denis Tiuliulin (3-4-0) in a battle between Russian middleweights.
Fighters represented 10 different countries: Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Georgia, France, Angola, Duitsland, Cuba and Kyrgyzstan.
Complete results & photo gallery mona ka tlase:
SEHLOOHO KARETE
SEHLOOHO Event – HEAVYWEIGHTS
Sergei Kharitonov (27-6-0, M-1 ba-: 5-0-0), Russia
“Ha ho ntoa”
Anton Vyazigin (9-2-0, M-1 ba-: 4-1-0), Russia
CO-FEATURE – M-1 CHALLENGE FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Aleksander Doskalchuk (9-1-0, M-1 ba-: 3-0-0), Mampoli, Ukraine
WTKO2 (5:00)
Arman Ashimov (8-3-1, M-1 ba-: 3-1-0), Interim Champion, Kazakhstan
(Doskalchuk becomes undisputed M-1 Challenge flyweight title)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Tiago “Bahia” Varejao (27-5-1, M-1 ba-: 1-0-0-), Brazil
WDEC3
Sergey Romanov (14-3-0, M-1 ba-: 5-2-0), Russia
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Khadis Ibragimov (4-0-0, M-1 ba-: 2-0-0), Russia
WDQ3 (rope grabbing – 3:27)
Giga Kukhalashvili (9-4-0, M-1 ba-: 2-1-0), Russia by way of Georgia
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Pavel Gordeev (11-1-0, M-1 ba-: 5-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Mickael “Ragnar” Lebout (17-9-2, 1 NC, M-1 ba-: 1-1-0), France
PRELIMINARY KARETE
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Maksim Baruzdin (1-0-0, M-1 ba-: 1-0-0), Russia
WTKO1 (punches – 0:18)
Freddi Gonzales (0-2-0, M-1 ba-: 0-1-0), Cuba
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Ruslan Shamilov (5-0-0, M-1 ba-: 5-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Denis Tiuliulin (3-3-0, M-1 ba-: 0-1-0)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Danila Prikaza (10-2-1, M-1 ba-: 7-2-0), Russia
WDEC3
Joilton “Peregrino” Santos (24-7-0, 1 NC, M-1 ba-: 0-1-0), Brazil
Amiran Gogoladze (6-1-0, M-1 ba-: 3-0-0), Georgia
WDEC3
Taymuraz Guriev (7-4-0, M-1 ba-: 2-2-0), Russia
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Alexey “Phenomenal” Ilyenko (8-0-0, M-1 ba-: 1-0-0), Russia
WKO3 (kicks & punches – 0:27)
Helson Henriques (9-6-1, M-1 ba-: 0-1-0), Angola
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Mikhail Kuznetsov (6-4-1, M-1 ba-: 4-3-1), Russia
WSUB2 (guillotine a bipetsa – 4:20)
Nikita Solonin (4-2-0, M-1 ba-: 1-1-0), Russia
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Ludwig Sholinyan (2-0-1, M-1 ba-: 0-0-1), Ukraine
D3
Alexander Osetrov (4-0-1), M-1 ba-: 3-0-1), Russia
Portland, Maine (Ka 24, 2018) – Last week New England Fights (NEF) released the official card for its upcoming return to Aura in Portland, Maine. The mixed-martial-arts event, le sehlooho se reng “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday night, June 16, 2018 with a bell-time of 7:00 pm EDT. NEF matchmakers, leha ho le joalo, were still hard at work on adding fights to the card, and earlier today they announced the addition of an amateur bantamweight bout to the event. Henry Clark (3-4) tla tobana le Dave Brown (1-3) ka ho loana boima ba 135-lik'hilograma tse.
The lead-up to “NEF 34” has been somewhat of a wild ride for Henry Clark. He was originally scheduled to face Florida’s Krishna Scott (0-1) on the card. Just prior to the announcement of the full fight card, Scott’s camp informed NEF that he was pulling out of the fight. Clark remained in training camp at the Choi Institute in Portland in the hope that NEF matchmakers would find him a replacement opponent. When Dave Brown stepped up to the plate, Clark was quick to accept the opportunity to fight in front of his hometown fans and friends once more.
“I’m so grateful that Dave Brown stepped up,” o ile a re Clark. “It takes a lot of guts to take a short notice fight. I would have fought anyone on a week’s notice if it meant fighting in Portland. It’s great motivation for me to finish up my camp knowing who I’m fighting. I’m coming to showcase and steal the show.”
A letsoalloa la North Andover, Massachusetts, Dave Brown is a three-fight veteran of the NEF cage. Prior to his time competing in MMA, Brown wrestled for Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire. He will return to NEF after a three-year absence following his loss to Norman Fox in the spring of 2015. Brown, “‘Downtown’ Dave Brown” as he is known to his fans and friends, is looking forward to his return to action.
“I’ve seen Henry Clark in action and I have a lot of respect for his abilities,” said Brown when reached for comment. “But come June 16, I’m gonna take him down… all the way teropong!”
NEF a latelang tsoakiloeng-sesole-bonono ketsahalo, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018. Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.
Ka New England ho loana ka
New England ho loana ka ("NEF") ke ho loana moodle moodle moodle ho phahamiswa khampani. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF oa phethahatso sehlopha o na le a pharaletseng a le phihlelo ea ho loantsa tsa tsamaiso ya dipapadi, moodle moodle moodle tlhahiso, metswedi ya dikgang, tsa mebaraka, molao le papatso.
 |
 |
|
|
LFA 44 – FRINCU vs. AGUILERA
SEHLOOHO Event:
THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER
MATTHEW FRINCU
vs..
THE BEAST
CHRISTIAN AGUILERA
WELTERWEIGHT WAR
CO-SEHLOOHO Event:
TOP PROSPECT
CASEY KENNEY
vs..
UFC VETERAN
ROMAN SALAZAR
BANTAMWEIGHT BATTLE
Labohlano, JUNE 29th LIVE on AXS TV
COMERICA THEATRE in PHOENIX, Arizona
Tickets are on sale NOW through Ticketmaster.com
|
Las Vegas, NV – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will return to Arizona at the end of June. Two of the promotion’s most feared knockout artists are set for a showdown in the Valley of the Sun when they clash at LFA 44.
The main event of LFA 44 will bring the fireworks five days early this summer. The headliner will see Australia’s aesthetic annihilator Matthew “Thunder From Down Under” Frincu battle southern California’s grim sleeper Christian “The Coat” Aguilera in one of the most explosive showdowns of the year. LFA 44 – Frincu vs. Aguilera takes place Friday, June 29that the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. LE / 7 p.m. PT.
“I am excited to bring LFA back to Arizona on June 29th,” o ile a re Soares. “Matthew Frincu is a sensational striker. He will face fellow knock out artist Christian Aguilera in the main event of LFA 44. They are two of the most dangerous welterweight prospects in the world and will be looking to make a big statement at the top of one of our most competitive divisions.”
Tickets for LFA 44 – Frincu vs. Aguilera are available for purchase NOW at Ticketmaster.com
Frincu (12-3) came to LFA last year as one of the most exciting exports hailing from The Land Down Under. He wasted no time in making a huge splash in his promotional debut at LFA 5. The native of Gold Coast, Australia assaulted Kris Hocum with a diverse and brilliant display of striking. “Thunder From Down Under” taught a masterclass on how to effectively utilize range and Muay Thai technique to dismantle a high-level grappler. He offered a crash course on the same subject ten weeks later, when he knocked out Brazilian prospect Maycon Mendonça in 96-seconds at LFA 11. Morao ka ho fetisisa, Frincu stopped previously undefeated Mexican prospect Roman Alcantar via TKO in January at LFA 31. Now the awesome Aussie looks to derail one of the heaviest hitters in the division.
Aguilera (11-4) has earned a reputation for possessing some of the scariest one-punch knockout power in all of MMA. LFA officials caught a glimpse of his gift of putting people to sleep early in his career when he gave Timothy Quiroga a canvas nap in just 52-seconds at RFA 23. A lot has happened in the three years since that prophetic night in Orange County. To start, “The Coat” got older, he got bigger, and inconceivable to many, he became even more powerful. Not surprising to anyone, leha ho le joalo, is his propensity to wield his gift like a young super-hero discovering his ability for the first time. This has left a path of destruction in 2018 trailing 83 miles in California from Costa Mesa (LFA 30) to Cabazon (LFA 36). Aguilera looks to extend that path to Phoenix, Arizona on June 29th.
The co-main event of LFA 44 will feature an intrastate superfight when two-time LFA standout Casey Kenney (8-1-1) battles three-time UFC veteran Roman Salazar (12-6). Selemong se fetileng, Casey won a regional flyweight title before signing with LFA. After making his LFA debut last May, he competed twice in front of UFC President Dana White on the UFC boss’ Tuesday Night Contender Series. Casey returned to LFA in January with a dominant Unanimous Decision victory over Kendrick Latchman at LFA 31. He now looks to make a bigger statement by moving up a weight class to face one of Arizona’s most seasoned bantamweight forces.
That would be the man known as “El Gallito”. Salazar was signed by the UFC in 2014 after winning multiple regional titles in Arizona in multiple weight classes. He competed three times for the industry leader, which includes a bout at UFC 184 against Japanese MMA legend Kid Yamamoto in Yamamoto’s final fight. Morao ka ho fetisisa, Salazar has reasserted his dominance in his home state with a pair of TKO victories. Salazar now looks to continue his resurgence with a marquee win over one of MMA’s most highly-touted prospects. Salazar hails from Mammoth, Arizona and will face Kenney of Tucson, Arizona in one the state’s biggest showdowns of the year.
Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 10 p.m. LE / 7 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Welterweight bout (170 liponto)
– Matthew Frincu (12-3) vs.. Christian Aguilera (11-4)
Co-Main Event | Bantamweight bout (135 liponto)
– Casey Kenney (8-1-1) vs.. Roma Salazar (12-6)
LFA 44 will serve as the fourth LFA event to take place in the state of Arizona. All of these events have taken place in the Grand Canyon State’s capital city of Phoenix. Further information about LFA 44 tla o ile a phatlalatsa haufinyane. The entire main card of LFA 44 tla televised phela le naheng ka bophara ka AXS TV ka 9 p.m. LE / 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.
A 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 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC. Ka May ea 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.
|
|
 |
|
|
SEHLOOHO Event:
TWO-TIME LFA TITLE CHALLENGER
BRENDAN ALLEN
vs..
TWO-TIME LEGACY FC TITLE CHALLENGER
LARRY CROWE
MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
Labohlano, JUNE 22nd LIVE on AXS TV
BEAUMONT CIVIC CENTER in BEAUMONT, Texas
Tickets are on sale NOW through Ticketmaster.com
|
Las Vegas, NV – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will kick off the 2018 summer season with a middleweight showdown between two former title challengers when the promotion heads to Beaumont, Texas at LFA 43.
The main event of LFA 43 will feature a middleweight showdown between two-time LFA title challenger Brendan “All In” Allen and two-time Legacy FC title challenger Larry “Tae Kwon” Crowe. LFA 43 – Allen vs. Crowe takes place this Friday, June 22nd at the Beaumont Civic Center in Beaumont, Texas. The main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. LE / 6 p.m. PT.
“Brendan Allen and Larry Crowe have a well-documented history of being top contenders in our organization,” o ile a re Soares. “They have been two of our top middleweights for years, but somehow their paths have never crossed. Our fans will finally get to see them square off this summer when we head south to Beamount, Texas at LFA 43. ”
Tickets for LFA 43 – Allen vs. Crowe are available for purchase NOW at Ticketmaster.com.
Allen (8-3) enters the LFA 43 headliner looking to reassert himself at the top of the LFA middleweight standings. The 22-year-old Louisianian is a two-time LFA middleweight title challenger and will be making his fifth appearance for LFA. He also competed twice for Legacy FC before the promotion merged with RFA to create LFA. Allen has gained valuable experience early in his career, which is now being cultivated along with his raw talent at Roufusport MMA Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The popular and talented southern submission specialist has built a reputation for being one of the most clinical finishers in the division. All eight of his victories have come via KO, WHO, kapa ho ikokobelletsa. The man known as “All In” will now go all in as he looks for the biggest win of his career.
Crowe (10-6) returns to the LFA Octagon fresh off a win over LFA mainstay Bilal Williams in the co-main event of LFA 26. The 34-year-old Texan is a two-time Legacy FC middleweight title challenger and one of the longest tenured fighters in Legacy FC history. Crowe made his debut for Legacy FC in his second professional fight in July 2010. That bout occurred at the third-ever Legacy FC event. In many ways, Crowe and Legacy FC grew up together. The man known as “Tae Kown” Crowe grew into one of the promotion’s most revered fighters, while Legacy FC grew into one of the top two developmental organizations in the world. Now the Houston native will add his name to another piece of history as he looks to win the main event of LFA 43 in the promotion’s debut event in Beaumont.
Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. LE / 6 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Middleweight bout (185 lb)
– Brendan Allen (8-3) vs.. Larry Crowe (10-6)
Featherweight bout (145 lb)
– Jake Heffernan (6-0) vs.. Peter Stanonik (5-3)
Featherweight bout (145 lb)
– Kolton Englund (5-2) vs.. Juan Gonzalez (5-1)
Bobebe bout (155 lb)
– Cameron Graves (6-2) vs.. Jordan Titoni (6-2)
Women’s Strawweight Bout ( 115 lb)
– Itzel Esquivel (2-2) vs.. Desiree Yanez (1-0)
Heavyweight bout (265 lb)
– Jeremy Hardy (5-3) vs.. Joel Moore (3-0)
LFA 43 will be the first LFA event to take place in the City of Beaumont. It will also be the eleventh time that LFA has traveled to “The Lone Star State” of Texas. Further information about LFA 43 tla o ile a phatlalatsa haufinyane. The entire main card of LFA 43 tla televised phela le naheng ka bophara ka AXS TV ka 9 p.m. LE / 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.
A 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 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC. Ka May ea 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.
