Tūtohu Archives: MMA

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Koi TV

LENA OVCHYNNIKOVA-JAIMELENE NIEVERA FLYWEIGHT ENCOUNTER COMPLETES STACKED MAIN CARD OF ‘BELLATOR 160’ AT HONDA CENTER ON AUG. 26

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PRELIMINARY CARD CONTINUES TO TAKE SHAPE

Santa MONICA, Calif (August 2, 2016) – A flyweight matchup pitting Lena Ovchynnikova (11-4) ki Jaimelene Nievera (4-1) has been added to the main card of "Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” i runga i August 26 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

 

The fight joins a main card that includes a lightweight main event between fellow superstars Benson Henderson (23-6) a Patricio “Pitbull”(25-3). I tua atu, artist knockout tūturu A.J. McKee (4-0) clashes with former KOTC titlist Henry Corrales (12-3), while explosive lightweights Koe Awad (19-7) a Derek Anderson (13-2) go toe-to-toe in a matchup that you do not want to miss.

 

During the must-see preliminary portion of the event, Bubba Jenkins (11-2) will look for revenge against Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan (24-6-1) in a featherweight rematch. I roto i te mahi Welterweight, both Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr. a Joey Davis will both suit up for the first time under the Bellator umbrella when they make their professional debuts.

 

"Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” e wahi i runga i August 26 inside Anaheim California’s Honda Center, and will air LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 10 p.m. AND/9 p.m. CT.

 

Tatau mo tuwhera i te hui 4:45 p.m. PT local time and the first preliminary bout – which streams live on Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App — haamata i 5:00 p.m. PT. tīmata tīkiti mo te hui i tika $30 and can be purchased now on Ticketmaster and at the Honda Center Box Office.

 

Fighting out of Ukraine, Ovchynnikova will enter the cage in search of her first win under the Bellator MMA banner since joining the promotion at the beginning of this year. After making her professional debut in 2006, “Hunter” came out guns blazing, earning victories in each of her initial eight bouts. Of her 11 career wins, eight have come by way of submission, including six of the armbar variety.

 

Nievera will prepare to challenge the Ukrainian star in what is surely the stiffest test of her young career. Fresh off an emphatic knockout win over Stephanie Frausto at "Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo," the Union City, Calif., native is eager to once again step back into the cage and represent Bellator MMA. Nicknamed “Queenie,” the 31-year-old Dragon House MMA product has her eyes set on building off of her current three-fight winning streak when she takes center stage in Anaheim on August 26.

 

Whakahoutia "Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” SPIKE-Televised Main Card:

Lightweight No. 1 Contender Main Event: Benson Henderson (23-6) vs. Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (25-3)

-Main Co Takahanga Kōmāmā: Koe Awad (19-7) vs. Derek Anderson (13-2)

Flyweight Feature Bout: Lena Ovchynnikova (11-4) vs. Jaimelene Nievera (4-1)

Featherweight Feature Bout: A.J. McKee (4-0) vs. Henry Corrales (12-3)

 

Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:

Taumekehiko Whakatekau Mua: Bubba Jenkins (11-2) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-6-1)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Joey Davis (Tuatahi Pro) vs. Keith Cutrone (1-0)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kevin Ferguson Jr. (Tuatahi Pro) vs. Johnny Tomasian (Tuatahi Pro)

Kōmāmātanga Tuhinga o mua: Gabriel Green (2-0) vs. Alex Trinidad (1-0)

Flyweight Tuhinga o mua: Steve Ramirez (4-1) vs. Ron Henderson (4-2)

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Koi TV

‘BABY SLICE’ KEVIN FERGUSON JR. SET TO MEET JONATHAN TOMASIAN AT ‘BELLATOR 160’ IN ANAHEIM ON AUGUST 26

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WRESTLING PRODIGY JOEY DAVIS MATCHED WITH KEITH CUTRONE FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL DEBUT

Santa MONICA, Calif. (August 1, 2016) – The announcement of his Bellator MMA arrival had “Baby Slice” Kevin Ferguson Jr. trending on social media for two-straight days, and today, Bellator Officials have confirmed that his first challenge as a professional mixed martial artist will be Jonathan Tomasian in a welterweight attraction at “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull.”

 

I tua atu, Ferguson’s teammate at “Body Shop Gym," Joey Davis will also make his professional debut, ina e ia i runga i Keith Cutrone (1-0) at 170-pounds.

 

The stacked event takes place on August 26 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and will air LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 10 p.m. AND/9 p.m. CT. Ka tiimata nga tiikiti i te wa tika $30 and can be purchased now on Ticketmaster and at the Honda Center Box Office. Doors for “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull”tuwhera i 4:45 p.m. PT local time and the first preliminary bout – which streams live on Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App — haamata i 5:00 p.m. PT.

 

These two welterweight matchups join a card that features a stellar 155-pound main event between Benson Henderson (23-6) a Patricio “Pitbull” (25-3). I tua atu, two standout featherweight fights have also been announced, seeing the young and undefeated A.J. McKee (4-0) meet former KOTC titlist Henry Corrales (12-3) and NCAA National Champion Wrestler Bubba Jenkins (11-2) tango i runga i Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan (24-6-1).

 

Signed to a developmental deal in April, “Baby Slice” makes his pro debut on the event’s Bellator.com-streamed preliminary card. The son of the late, great “Kimbo Slice,” Ferguson Jr. broke onto the scene very quietly earlier this year in an amateur bout in Western Massachusetts, where he scored a knockout victory just 83 hēkona ki te rauna tuatahi. MMA reporter Chuck Mindenhall was on-site to cover the story. ‘Baby Slice’ trains at Antonio McKee’s “Body Shop Gym” in Long Beach alongside other “Bellator 160” competitors McKee, Jenkins and Davis.

 

Tomasian makes his professional debut under Bellator’s bright lights in a high profile situation that he hopes to make the most of. The 20-year-old Santa Clara, Calif., native has slightly more cage time than Slice, winning both of his amateur outings, once by knockout and the other by decision. Tomasian is currently training with Manny Rocha at Strive Jiu Jitsu Academy in Lodi Calif., where he has earned a purple belt in the art.

 

Davis is a 21-year-old standout wrestler who competed at Notre Dame College, where he accumulated an incredible undefeated 131-0 record and four consecutive NCAA Division II Championships during his college tenure, becoming the only Division II wrestler to ever win four national titles and go unbeaten in a career. Na, Davis looks to parlay his wrestling success in the mixed martial arts cage on Aug. 26 in the Anaheim, where Davis will have plenty of hometown fans in attendance.

 

Amassing an 8-1 record on the amateur circuit, Cutrone has previously gotten his feet wet professionally, winning his pro debut via stoppage this past March. “The Bone” is a Strikeforce veteran, competing at the promotion’s “Challengers 11” card in 2010. With a strong base in wrestling and jiu-jitsu, Cutrone held a regional title at 185-pounds before permanently moving to welterweight as a professional.

 

"Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” SPIKE-Televised Main Card:

Lightweight No. 1 Contender Main Event: Benson Henderson (23-6) vs. Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (25-3)

Lightweight Feature Bout: Koe Awad (19-7) vs. Derek Anderson (13-2)

Featherweight Feature Bout: A.J. McKee (4-0) vs. Henry Corrales (12-3)

Featherweight Feature Bout: Bubba Jenkins (11-2) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-6-1)

 

Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Joey Davis (Tuatahi Pro) vs. Keith Cutrone (1-0)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kevin Ferguson Jr. (Tuatahi Pro) vs. Jonathan Tomasian (Tuatahi Pro)

whakauru toi hōia, MMA, NBC, Ao Series o te whawhai

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING HITS MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, SATURDAY, HAKIHEA 31 LIVE ON NBC

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Las Vegas (Hōngongoi 30, 2016) – On the heels of the historic and long-awaited passage of legislation making professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) bouts legal in New York State, Ao Series o te whawhai (www.WSOF.com) te po neiannounced that it will bring its star-studded, championship fight series to Madison Square Garden along with a live broadcast of the show on NBC, i runga iRāhoroi, Hakihea 31, pending the approval of the New York State Athletic Commission.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring our exciting, world championship live event series to The Big Apple, where fans have been anxiously waiting for years, for live, professional MMA action to be able to happen in their city,"Ka mea a World Series o te whawhai Tumu Carlos Silva te po nei, during the live NBCSN telecast of WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II.

“We have been working diligently,"Tonu Silva, “with the staff at the New York State Athletic Commission as well as the executives at Madison Square Garden to complete all of the necessary steps to make this historic and great event happen on New Year’s Eve.”

Participating fighters and featured matchups for the New Year’s Eve extravaganza at Madison Square Garden are being worked on by World Series of Fighting President Rangatira Matua, and will be announced soon.

The event will mark the second live World Series of Fighting broadcast on NBC, which has also been airing one hour, taped programs featuring a collection of the league’s top fights and highlights, twice annually since 2013. Ki te rā, the league has aired 31 live events on NBCSN.
Amateur MMA, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai

LAWTON GETS NEW OPPONENT ON BANGOR FIGHT CARD

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Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 30, 2016) - Jarod “Minute Last” Lawton (4-2) has a new opponent this Friday night in Bangor at “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.” Lawton’s original opponent, Mike Hansen (4-4), pulled out of the middleweight contest with an injury just days before the start of fight week. NEF officials scoured the country for someone to step up on a mere week’s notice and face the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Lawton. Not an easy task, to say the least. NEF matchmaker Matt Peterson was able to secure a replacement opponent in the form of Rawiri “Redneck” Mundell (5-1) of Dunedin, Florida.

Mundell is a purple belt fighting out of Gracie Clearwater. His only loss as a professional came in his last fight this past spring. I roto i te meka, Mundell had not lost a single round in any of his previous five professional fights to that point. He is the reigning Florida State Professional MMA Welterweight Champion. Mundell held several titles in the amateur ranks before turning pro.

While most competitors would shy away from the prospect of facing a black belt on a week’s notice in front of UFC President Dana White, Mundell approaches the fight with a workmanlike outlook.

“It’s just another day at the office,” said Mundell when reached for comment.

“I am excited to still be a part of the show and thankful Dave Mundell was willing to step up on short notice to take the fight,” Said Lawton. “He is a well-rounded fighter, and I am expecting to put on one of the best fights of the night as always!”

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', “NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga” e wahi i runga i te Paraire, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.ki or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA awww.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

Mō New Ingarangi whawhai

New Ingarangi whawhai ("Nef") Ko te whawhai whakatairanga ngā kaupapa kamupene. Misioni a nef ko ki te waihanga i te mau ohipa kounga teitei mō ngā whawhai, me pā o Maine rite tahi. Whānui wheako i roto i te whakahaere hākinakina whawhai he kapa whakahaere o nef, production ngā kaupapa, whanaungatanga pāpāho, marketing, ture me te pānuitanga.

Amateur MMA, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai, UFC

HE WHAKAMAHI KAUPAPA KI NGA MAHI RANGI MAI

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Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 29, 2016) - I koa a Devin Powell i te ahiahi mai i tana oranga taumaha hei kaiwhakaako me te kaiwhawhai toa.

I karapotia ia e nga kai kaore pea i runga i tana raarangi whakangungu noa. He inu whakanui hei whakauru i nga puoro nui me te haurangi i te Xfinity Centre, te waahi konohete o waho i Mansfield, Massachusetts.

Ahakoa ra, I rongo a Powell i tana waea e tangi ana, i kite ranei e wiri ana i roto i tana pute. Ko nga korero e haere mai ana i whakarereke i aana mahere-a-raa.

I whakaae a Powell ki te hoki ano ki a Jon Lemke i te "NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga,”Kia mau Rāmere, August 5 i te Cross Insurance Center i Bangor.

“I kite ahau i whara taku hoa aroha a Jesse Erickson,”Ka kii a Powell, "A ka tono mai ratou ki ahau kia whakakiihia. I kii ahau ‘he tika.’ Ko nga tangata katoa e tohu ana i te UFC, kaua e wareware ki a Dana White, mena ka whai waahi koe ki te whawhai ki mua i a raatau, he mea e hiahia ana koe ki te mahi mena ka taea e koe. Kia pai, whakanoho tata. ”

Powell (7-1) Ko te toa NEF taumahamaha, i te mea kua mau ia i te here ki te patuki hangarau o Erickson i te "NEF 22: Katoa nga rori e ahu ana ki konei ”i te Paenga-whawha. Lemke (5-5) i ngaro ki te toa o mua a Bruce Boyington i tana tono mo tera whitiki.

Ka tu te pakanga kia rima pauna i runga ake i te rohe maamaha i te taumaha hopu o 160.

"He mea angitu nui tenei,”Te kii a Lemke, e noho ana i te Brewer tata. "Kei te tino maioha ahau. Kei te tumanako ahau ki te whawhai i mua o te tangata pea whai mana i roto i te MMA. "

Ko ta ratou tukinga tetahi o nga wero ngaiotanga e waru i whakaatuhia ki te aroaro o White, he tangata whenua no Heremona e tata ana, me nga roopu Din Thomas me Matt Serra. Ko te tokotoru nei e haerere ana i te whenua mo te whai i te taranata MMA kaore ano kia kitea i roto i tetahi whakaaturanga pono e whakapaohotia ana ki te wharangi YouTube ma White me te ratonga ataata whakaata i runga i te hainatanga UFC Fight Pass.

Kaore hoki te tangata e mohio ki te mataku atu i te tirohanga whanui. I whakamutua e Lemke a Erickson ki Bellator 93 i Lewiston e rua tau ki muri. I pana a Powell i tana taumata toa ki te rima me te wikitoria i waenga i a ia Pipiri 17 mo Tommy Marcellino kei runga i te whakataetae Toa o te Ao i Foxwoods.

"Kei te mohio au kei konei pea raatau ki te matakitaki i nga taane i te kaupapa nui,”Ko te korero a Powell mo White me tana tira, "Engari kei te whakaaro ahau ki te tuu i tetahi whakaaturanga e kore e taea e raatau te moe. Ki taku momo whawhai, tino pukuriri me te koretake, E whakapono ana ahau ka aro atu raatau ki a raatau. Ko tenei hākinakina te mea nui mo te whai waahi tika me te whakamahi i a ia. ”

I te paatai ​​ki a ia mena i kite ia i tetahi take na te mea i whawhai a Powell i te toru wiki mo te panui, I kii a Lemke ma te whakaute i timata ia ki te whakarite mo Erickson e rua wiki i mua atu o tena.

I hinga a Lemke ki a Josh LaBerge i runga i Pipiri 10.

"He ruarua noa iho nga wiki i toe hei whakarite. I te whakangungu tonu ahau, engari koira kau. He ahua pai ahau engari kaore i te ahua whawhai,”Te kii a Lemke. "Koinei tetahi o nga mea e patai ana koe ki a koe me he pai koe, ‘Aue, kotahi, Kei te tino hiahia ahau ki te mahi i tenei, engari. ’He nui rawa atu te waahi kaore e pai. Ehara i te mea tino pai, engari hei kaiwhawhai, tino e rapu ana koe mo taua wero, a ko Devin tetahi o nga taangata pai rawa atu i te keemu i konei. ”

I ako ia i tena-ringa, a i roto i te ahua tangi, i te wa i pakanga nga toa e rua i te marama o Mei 10, 2014. I wikitoria a Powell na roto i te koka noa iho 23 hēkona.

Ko tera waahi te pakanga whakaekenga a Lemke i muri i tana wehenga tata mai i te whakataetae taitara ki a John Ortolani e waru marama ki mua.

"Kare i tino pai te haere i tera wa. He maha nga whakararuraru me nga ahuatanga rereke i ahu mai ai ahau ki tenei pakanga. Me wehe atu e au i te pakanga taitara i mua i tera, e kore koe e hiahia ki te mahi. Ko te toru hauwha o te pakanga ki ahau ka hoki ano ki te whare herehere,”Te kii a Lemke.

"He tino tangata whawhai ahau inaianei,"Ka tapiritia e ia. "Ki taku whakaaro kua ahu whakamua ahau ki nga waahi katoa, kaua ko aku pukenga anake engari me te huarahi e whai ana ahau. He maha aku pakanga, kua ako au mai i nga wikitoria e rua, me nga parekura. Ako tonu koe. I etahi wa ka ako koe i te huarahi uaua. ”

Ko Lemke me Powell ka uru ki roto i te whare herehere mo te tuawha o nga wa i raro iho i te tau. Ko taua ngohe te take kaore te tangata e tauhou ki te whakaae ki taua wero nui i muri o te whakangungu whakangungu.

I a Powell, fighting is simply a natural extension of his everyday life as owner and head instructor at Nostos MMA in Somersworth, N.H.

“I’m grateful for everything I have. I have a 4-year-old daughter and she likes to come to the academy and train jiu-jitsu,”Ka kii a Powell. “I have a pretty amazing life. I only have to teach, train and fight. A lot of people don’t get more than a couple hours with their kids every night. We sacrifice a lot for this sport. People only see the 15 minutes of hell. They don’t see everything else.”

Powell is pleased to represent NEF for only the third time in his blossoming career.

“NEF is one of the biggest promotions in the country. They make superstars out of guys from Maine,”Ka kii a Powell. “I fought for World Series of Fighting, and I don’t want to sound like I’m knocking them, but it was a much smaller show. NEF has a huge following, and now you see them going places like Cape Cod and Bangor, and that can only grow it even more. They do it right, and I’m glad to be able to step in there for them.”

Lemke faces the added pressure of fighting in front of not only White but his hometown fans from the Bangor area.

Many of them are not accustomed to the four-hour round trip for his encounters in Lewiston.

“A fight is still just a fight, and the next fight is the biggest fight regardless. You never know who could be there watching or what could happen as a result,”Te kii a Lemke, suggesting that he is more concerned with his opponent. “Devin is a phenomenal fighter. He has a great skill set. He’s highly touted and he has a great record to back it up. It’s definitely the challenge of a lifetime for me. He’s also a great guy outside the cage. I get along with him well. I think we respect each other.”

Powell confirmed those suspicions, although he reiterated that his objective is nothing less than another decisive victory.

“He’s a good guy. I don’t have to go to that deep, dark place. I understand that my job is to hurt someone so badly that the referee has to step in to save his life. It’s a beautiful, violent sport. I respect anyone who has the courage to get in there with the same goals as me,”Ka kii a Powell. “I’m expecting a brouhaha with Lemke. Te pukuriri ia. He comes to fight. I like to do the same things. The first fight was short-lived. If I’m able to repeat that, I’m sure Dana White will be happy.”

“NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight” takes place on Rāmere, August 5, 2016 i te Cross Insurance Center i Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.ki or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA a www.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai

YOUNG’S MMA HAS HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE ON AUGUST 5 IN BANGOR

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Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 28, 2016) – The dedicated delegation from Young’s MMA of Bangor usually relish their reputation as road warriors in New England Fights.

Lewiston is long established as the hub city for the organization, drawing competitors and spectators from both directions on the Maine Turnpike. Fighters and fans from the Penobscot River valley find that staying engaged for those fight cards four or five times a year requires greater commitment than most.

For only the second time in its history, the regional promotion will bring its cage to the Queen City. “NEF Presents: Dana White Lookin’ for a Fight” is slated for Friday, August 5 at Cross Insurance Center.

Young’s, the gym located just a few blocks away at 127 Hammond Street, will celebrate by showcasing one of its fighters in four of the eight scheduled professional bouts. Battle-tested Ryan Sanders and relative newcomers Aaron Lacey, Josh Harvey and CJ Ewer all are poised to take their best shot with the support of a raucous, partisan crowd.

“That’s the most exciting part for me, being from Brewer. I went to Brewer High School,” Lacey said. “It was definitely a huge, huge draw for me, seeing it in person. I went to the fights when NEF came to Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion (Hōngongoi 12, 2013) and all I could think is, ‘Man, I want to do this.’ This has been a goal of mine for a long time.”

Sanders (10-7) will battle Derrick Kennington (11-7) in a clash of wily lightweights that will be on the featured attractions on the docket.

His three stablemates each emerged victorious in their only previous pro bout. Lacey will lock up with John Santos (3-3) of Derry, N.H., i roto i te whawhai mā. Harvey has an appointment at featherweight. Tiaka, who won an amateur bout at the outdoor concert venue in Bangor, will be tested by Ruben Redman (0-1) in a welterweight scrap.

Even with numerous friends in attendance, the four men know it is the presence of UFC president White, who grew up in nearby Hermon, which could have career-changing ramifications.

“It’s a great opportunity. It’s awesome to know that someone like that is going to be in the building on fight night,” Sanders said. “But for me it’s just another fight. I don’t want to get caught up in all that. Just let it unfold.”

White and cohorts Din Thomas and Matt Serra travel the country in pursuit of undiscovered MMA talent in a reality show that is broadcast on White’s YouTube page as well as the UFC Fight Pass subscription-based streamed video service.

Ae, the entrepreneur’s Maine connections are well-documented. White also previously brought UFC Fight Night 47 to Bangor. Young’s talent pool suspects that the latest event is more than just a case of White throwing a bone to his home base, Heoi.

“I’m grateful that he’s bringing it here. I’m sure he’s watched film from NEF in his spare time. He must see something in NEF that he likes in order to be doing this,” Harvey said. “It doesn’t make me more nervous. Oaoa vau no te reira ahau. I’m going to try to put that all aside and focus on the task at hand.”

Under the tutelage of co-owners Chris Young and Ernie Fitch, roughly five or six professionals and a dozen amateurs cycle through the gym in any given training camp.

“Four of us fighting, it just shows we’re the best gym in the area. Three of us are undefeated. We’re producing studs. People see that and want to train with the best guys they can,” Sanders said. “We definitely push each other. You have guys who kick your ass every day. We want the best for each other. That’s why we’re here.”

Harvey expects the numbers and commitment to grow after White’s visit. He has been training at Young’s for three years. The cage side seat at the waterfront inspired him to step up his own training regimen. It’s a built-in advantage, Harvey noted, that has belonged almost exclusively to Lewiston until now.

“That’s what gets most people started. They go and see the fights and they want to try it,” Harvey said. “That’s why you see places like Central Maine BJJ (Lewiston) and First Class MMA (Topsham) growing so much. The fights are right there in their backyard.”

Lacey characterizes Young’s as “a gym full of killers.”

The statistics underscore Lacey’s point. The three pros with unblemished records all won their debut in two minutes or less.

“Ryan has only gone to a decision I think one time in his career. He’s a finisher. Josh won his fight by submission in the first round. CJ is super strong,” Lacey said. “They challenge me to be the best I can be every day. They keep me focused not just in the gym but in the game of life outside the cage.”

Although he is facing an opponent with significantly greater experience, Lacey expects a helpful adrenaline rush from having so many familiar faces at his back.

“It is different. I fought I think seven times in Lewiston between amateur fights and my pro debut,"Ka mea ia. “This gives me a chance to be in my comfort zone. And a lot of my fans can’t make it down there. By the time you figure in the travel, the price of the tickets, maybe staying overnight, they just can’t do it.”

Harvey agreed, pointing out that it’s the initial fight for which he hasn’t needed to pack a suitcase.

“This will be the first time I’ve slept in my own bed the night before a fight. I think it’s a huge advantage,” Harvey said. “Some people might think with more of your fans there that there’s more pressure, but I think it just builds you up.”

“NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight” takes place on Rāmere, August 5, 2016 i te Cross Insurance Center i Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.ki or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA a www.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

whakauru toi hōia, MMA, WMMAA

Vadim Finkelchtein: “The Emelianenko-Maldonado situation is getting ridiculous”

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Monte Carlo, Monaco(Hōngongoi 28, 2016)- Ao MMA Association (WMMAA) Vadim Finkelchtein has gone public to explain the recent WMMAA decision regarding Team Maldonado’s appeal, which resulted in the change of the official Fedor Emelianenko–Fabio Maldonado fight result to a draw, in addition to terminating its Head of Judges, Radmir Gabdullin.

WMMAA president Vadim Finkelchtein
Vadim, talk us through the appeal process. Why did you accept it in the first place since Russian MMA Union rejected Maldonado manager’s appeal?
VF: “Everyone could see what was going on in the media and MMA community after the bout. Being the founder of both the Russian MMA Union and World MMA Association, I received tons of messages and calls from people demanding an explanation about how it was possible for Russian MMA Union employees to officiate their own boss’ whawhai. I read hundreds of negative comments disparaging the Russian MMA Union and WMMAA. Some even went so far to say it was about Russian Mafia doing business there, all Russian judges are bought, aha. I tried to stay away from this debacle, since the fight occurred in another promotion, but when Maldonado’s manager sent an appeal to the WMMAA, asking to reassess the fight outcome, we couldn’t say no. WMMAA’s reputation was on the line as well as that of the Russian MMA scene, rawa.”
What did the process of choosing the reassessment commission look like and why was head judge Radmir Gabdullin suspended?
VF: “Fele, I had to make Radmir, as the WMMAA’s head judge, responsible for the whole process. Heoi, since he was one of the reasons the appeal surfaced in the first place, the most logical decision was to suspend him temporarily and appoint WMMAA’s Secretary General (Alexander Engelhardt) to handle it.”
In his recent interview, Radmir Gabdullin belittled the significance of WMMAA’s verdict, stating it was all unofficial and that he had never received any appeal.
VF: “There’s nothing to comment about here. It’s a pure lie. I don’t understand what he was trying to accomplish by saying something like this. If necessary, I can show the manager’s e-mail with Russian MMA Union employees, Kamil Gadzhiev and WMMAA employees as recipients. Saying he’s never received an appeal is absurd and a silly excuse.”
At the same time he insulted the professionals that reassessed the fight by calling them incompetent.
VF: “When I read it my first reaction was vast disappointment. How could he, as the official head judge, state something like this towards his colleagues who he knows really well? He used to officiate multiple events with them. Their experience is ten or maybe even hundred times greater than Radmir’s. Marco Broersen has been officiating major European events, including KSW, M-1 Global and many others, hoki 15 tau. He’d been working in this field when Radmir was still in school. It’s a shame for him to say something like that. It’s degrading for both Radmir and the Russian MMA Union.”
Can you explain why 24-year-old Radmir had been chosen to become the head judge in both WMMAA and Russian MMA Union having no experience or appropriate education whatsoever?
VF: “E mohio ana koe, it all started back in 2010-2011, when I decided to start developing amateur MMA in order to provide thousands of young athletes with career opportunities. For that to happen the MMA Union in Russia was necessary, as well as official recognition of Mixed Martial Arts as a sport. It was hard. I had no experience working in a Federation; plenty of paper work. We lacked a qualified staff when we started to look for people. I offered Fedor Emelianenko to be the Union president with me heading the WMMAA. Gabdullin’s name was mentioned by Fedor. He said there was this young and promising guy, let’s see what he can do. I agreed completely, although I realized he had neither experience nor knowledge.”
What was your reaction to Kamil Gadzhiev’s comments claiming in each interview that a draw was the best outcome, but after the result was changed by Sherdog following the WMMAA’s verdict, he changed his mind and promised to call and mail Sherdog to protest its action?
VF: “I had a phone chat with Kamil. He made it clear that he trusts the WMMAA and Russian MMA Union, while repeating his personal opinion that the draw would be the most righteous decision. I don’t know why his words were not consequently supported by his deeds.”
Russian MMA Union has a lot of officials. Otiia, no one would comment on the situation, including Fedor himself. Why is that?
VF: “I can’t answer this question. Most important for me is justice and reputation and that holds for Russian MMA and WMMAA, rawa. I couldn’t choose sides, which is the reason why an international commission of judges was created. No one tried to take the other man’s victory, as some have claimed in comments. As the WMMAA president, I feel ashamed the situation went that far. The vast majority of the leading MMA sites supported the WMMAA’s verdict; Sherdog changed the outcome. Another example is the Match TV poll result, in which 56-percent of Russian voters said Fedor didn’t win the fight. 'Big’ John McCarthy said it. Sergey Kharitonov,Alexey Oleinik and many others have said the same. People who have been cheering for Fedor for years realized that. And now we have one person stating the opposite, saying our decision is unofficial, that experienced judges have become incompetent in no time, and he’d never received an appeal. That’s a sad situation and we need to handle it appropriately. The world awaits sound and reasoned decisions but gets excuses and lies instead. Our reputation is on the line because of that.”
Schedule of Major 2016 MMA Events
Aug.3-8 – Asian MMA Championship in Hwasun, Korea South
E whitu. 14-16 – European MMA Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia
Oketopa. 7-9 – Inaugural Pan-American Championships in Santiago, Chile
Nov. 18-20 – World MMM Championship in Macau, China
Mōhiohio
Twitter: @theWMMAA
Instagram: @worldmmaa
Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Koi TV

SAAD AWAD-DEREK ANDERSON SET FOR ‘BELLATOR 160’ MAIN CARD ACTION AT HONDA CENTER IN ANAHEIM

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COMPTON’S JOEY DAVIS AND ‘BABY SLICE’ KEVIN FERGUSON JR. TO ANCHOR BELLATOR.COM-STREAMED PRELIMINARY CARD

Santa MONICA, Calif (Hōngongoi, 26) - He pitting a'ee Kōmāmā Koe Awad (19-7) ki Derek Anderson (13-2) has been added to the main card of the recently announced "Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” kaupapa i runga i August 26 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

 

I tua atu, the highly-anticipated professional debuts of wrestling sensation Joey Davis a “Baby Slice” Kevin Ferguson Jr. are set for must-see preliminary action against opponents to be named later.

 

"Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” e wahi i runga i August 26 from Anaheim California’s Honda Center, and will air LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 10 p.m. AND/9 p.m. CT.

 

tīmata tīkiti mo te hui i tika $30 and can be purchased now on Ticketmaster and at the Honda Center Box Office. Tatau mo tuwhera i te hui 4:45 p.m. PT local time and the first preliminary bout – which streams live on Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App — haamata i 5:00 p.m. PT. Additional contests will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

The lightweight encounter joins a card that already features another stellar 155-pound affair in the main event, ka Benson Henderson (23-6) haere ake ki Patricio “Pitbull” (25-3). I tua atu, two standout featherweight fights have also been announced, seeing the young and undefeated A.J. McKee (4-0) meet former KOTC titlist Henry Corrales (12-3) and NCAA National Champion Wrestler Bubba Jenkins (11-2) tango i runga i Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan (24-6-1).

 

An 11-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, Awad is currently in the midst of his second stint with the Scott Coker-led promotion, posting a 7-4 mark since making his promotional debut in 2009. Awad hopes to build off his impressive win over Brazilian standoutEvangelista “Cyborg” i "Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo," where “Assassin” was able to escape Santos’ ferocious ankle lock submission attempt and emerge victorious with a series of pummeling blows. Now the 33-year-old San Bernardino, Calif. native will look to put his unique skillset on full display in front of his friends and family when he enters the cage in Anaheim, Calif.

 

Similar to his opponent, Anderson was able to make a name for himself early in his professional career, exploding out of the gate with victories in 11 o tona tuatahi 12 pito. During his Bellator MMA debut in 2013, “Barbaric” earned a win over the savvy veteranPatricky “Pitbull.” Since then, the 26-year-old Anderson has made five more appearances under the promotion’s direction, including a second victory over the elder “Pitbull” brother. Also hailing from the Southern California area, Anderson expects to have a large hometown following of his own in attendance on August 26.

 

Joey Davis is a 21-year-old standout wrestler, who competed at Notre Dame College where he accumulated an incredible undefeated 131-0 record and four consecutive NCAA Division II Championships, becoming the only Division II wrestler to ever win four national titles and go unbeaten in a career. The most recent signing of Bellator’s “New Breed,” a group of top wrestling products that the promotion has signed including Arona Pico, Na ka Ruth, Jarod Trice a Terrell Fortune, will be the first to make his promotional debut. Davis trains at Antonio McKee’s “Body Shop Gym” alongside other “Bellator 160” competitors A.J. McKee, Bubba Jenkins and “Baby Slice.”

 

Signed to a developmental deal in April, Ferguson Jr., also known as “Baby Slice” will anchor the Bellator.com-streamed preliminary card along with Davis, his aforementioned “Body Shop Gym” teammate. In an eerily similar storyline to the hit-movie “Creed,” the son of the late, great “Kimbo Slice,” quietly broke onto the scene earlier this year in an amateur bout that played out in Western Massachusetts, where he scored a knockout victory just 83 hēkona ki te rauna tuatahi. MMA reporter Chuck Mindenhall was on-site to cover the story.

"Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” SPIKE-Televised Main Card:

Bellator MMA Lightweight No. 1 Contender Main Event: Benson Henderson (23-6) vs. Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (25-3)

Bellator MMA Āhuahira Kōmāmā a'ee: Koe Awad (19-7) vs. Derek Anderson (13-2)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira a'ee: A.J. McKee (4-0) vs. Henry Corrales (12-3)

 

Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA Welterweight tuatahi a'ee: Joey Davis (Tuatahi Pro) vs. TBD

Bellator MMA Welterweight tuatahi a'ee: Kevin Ferguson Jr. (Tuatahi Pro) vs. TBD

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA

TWO FEATHERWEIGHT THRILLERS ADDED TO ‘BELLATOR 160: HENDERSON VS. PITBULL’ AT HONDA CENTER ON AUG. 26

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A.J. MCKEE PUTS UNDEFEATED MARK ON THE LINE AGAINST HENRY CORRALES AND BUBBA JENKINS LOOKS TO EVEN THE SCORE AGAINST GEORGI KARAKHANYAN

Santa MONICA, Calif (Hōngongoi 25, 2016) – Two high-profile featherweight attractions have been added to the main card of the recently announced "Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” kaupapa i runga i August 26 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The first pitting the undefeated A.J. McKee (4-0) ki Henry Corrales (12-3), and the second newly-announced bout will see Bubba Jenkins(11-2) attempt to avenge a previous loss against Georgi Karakhanyan (24-6-1).

 

Tikiti hoki "Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” tīmata i $30 and can be purchased now on Ticketmaster and at Honda Center Box Office. Tatau mo tuwhera i te hui 4:45 p.m. PT local time and the first preliminary bout – which streams live on Bellator.com aTe Bellator Mobile App — haamata i 5:00 p.m. PT. Additional contests will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

The main event of the evening features a marquee matchup at 155-pounds, ka Benson Henderson (23-6) returns to the division that he reigned supreme over for the many years to face former featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” (25-3), who is moving up in weight for the bout. Both men will be vying for a shot at Michael Chandler’s championship belt when they meet on August 26 i roto i te Anaheim.

 

I 21 tau o te ao, McKee is undoubtedly one of the of mixed martial arts top young prospects. After beginning his career 7-1 hei runaruna, “Mercenary” has made a splash on the professional circuit, recording a perfect 4-0 mark through his first four bouts. McKee has fought under the Bellator MMA banner since day one of his professional career, finishing all of his contests in the opening frame, including three knockouts and a rear-naked choke submission. The Long Beach, Calif. native will bring his flashy skillset just down the 91 Freeway to Honda Center, where he will have the opportunity to put on a show in front of his hometown fans.

After beginning his professional career 12-0, Corrales will enter the cage for the second time this year in search of his first win under the direction of Bellator MMA. Since joining the Scott Coker-led promotion, Corrales has fought nothing short of elite talent, challenging current champion Daniel Straus, Emmanuel Sanchez, and Patricio “Pitbull” on short notice. Of his 12 umanga whakaora, the 29-year-old featherweight has earned four knockouts and six submissions; including a brutal knockout of Gustavo Limon just 20 seconds into round one. Fighting out of Whittier, Calif., Corrales will share the home floor with his opponent and fellow California native, A.J. McKee, in Anaheim during the main card of "Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” i runga i August 26.

 

A longtime veteran of Bellator MMA, Karakhanyan will look to get back on track after dropping two closely-contested decision losses against Jenkins, who he handily defeated nearly two years ago via guillotine submission. Known to many mixed martial arts fans and pundits as “Insane,” the 31-year-old has finished 18 o tona 24 toa ano he ngaio, winning titles in multiple regional promotions along the way. A product of Millenia MMA in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., where he trains alongside close friend Saad Awad, the Russian fighter is finally healthy following multiple setbacks to his knee. Karakhanyan now looks to climb the 145-pound ladder, in a stacked division that he once sat atop as the No. 1 nguha.
Just a few years ago, Bubba Jenkins was widely regarded as the top MMA prospect in all of the sport, though the title became tainted following the aforementioned loss to Karakhanyan at “Bellator 132.” The former NCAA National Champion wrestler with Arizona State University now has three consecutive wins under his belt, and is looking for redemption. Heading into his 11th fight under the Bellator MMA banner, the 28-year-old “Highlight Kid” looks to put on a stand-out performance in Bellator’s incredibly deep featherweight division.

 

Whakahoutia "Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” Main Card:

Bellator MMA Lightweight No. 1 Contender Main Event: Benson Henderson (23-6) vs. Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (25-3)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira a'ee: A.J. McKee (4-0) vs. Henry Corrales (12-3)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira a'ee: Bubba Jenkins (11-2) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-6-1)

 

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Koi TV

JOE TAIMANGLO UPSETS DARRION CALDWELL VIA GUILLOTINE DURING MAIN EVENT OF ‘BELLATOR 159’

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Complete Event Photos Here

MULVANE, KS. (Hōngongoi 22, 2016) – In the main event of the evening, Darrion Caldwell (9-1) was submitted by Joe Taimanglo (23-6-1) in an absolutely shocking upset :09 seconds into the third and final frame.

With the defeat, te 2009 NCAA Div. 1 National Champion was handed the first loss of his career, ia “Juggernaut” has the entire Island of Guam rocking with his guillotine submission win. “The Wolf” was cruising heading into the third and final frame, but after shooting for a takedown, Taimanglo slapped on a choke and didn’t relinquish the hold until Caldwell tapped. The fight was slated to be a title eliminator, but because of Taimanglo failing to make weight, it remains to be seen who will challenge next for Eduardo Dantas’ taitara.

Guillard Assassinates ‘Caveman’ in Front of Hometown Faithful

Melvin Guillard (33-16-2) put Dave Rickels (17-5) to sleep in front of his hometown fans during the co-main event of "Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo.” I muri i 90 seconds of closely contested action, “The Young Assassin” caught “The Caveman,” then followed with a series of vicious elbows that ended the action at 2:14 o te tetahi a tawhio noa.

 

I muri i te whawhai, Guillard made it clear that he is done as a lightweight and will carry on his Bellator MMA career at 170-pounds, and hopes to fight renowned welterweight Daley "Semtex" Paora.

Ducote Taps Vargas in Flyweight Bout

Emily Ducote (3-1) ringa Bruna Vargas (2-1) the first loss of her short career, landing an overhand right that she quickly followed up with a rear-naked choke, forcing the referee to call a halt to the action at :29 o te a tawhio noa e rua. I muri i te whawhai, Ducote dedicated the fight to her grandmother, who has helped her a great deal throughout her upbringing and supported her decision to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. Look for Ducote to make waves in the flyweight division in the future.

Weichel ‘Weasels’ Out Split Decision Win

In a fight that had plenty of title implications for both 145-pounders, Daniel Weichel (37-9) weaseled out a close decision victory against Emmanuel Sanchez (13-3) on Friday night, receiving the benefit of the doubt from two of the three cage side judges. Weichel has now been on the positive end of 10 straight decisions, while Sanchez has been involved in four straight consecutive split decisions.

Hua Kāri hukihuki:

Brandon Phillips (6-1) patua Chuka Willis (8-3) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Chris Harris (7-0) patua Matt Foster (6-9) mā tāpaetanga (Rear-tahanga hei whakakowaowao i) i 1:23 of R1

Trey Ogden (6-1) patua Manny Meraz (8-3) mā tāpaetanga (Kowaowaotia iho pororere) i 2:37 of R2

Philipe Lins (10-1) patua William Viana (7-3) mā KO (Nifó) i 1:14 of R2

Jessica Middleton (1-0) patua Bruna Ellen (2-1) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Gaston Reyno (6-1) patua L.J. Hermreck (3-2) mā TKO (Nifó) i 3:57 of R3

Johnny Marigo (2-0) patua Andy Riley (2-2) mā tāpaetanga (Armbar) i 2:44 of R1

Fernando Martinez (15-10-1) patua Marcio navarro (14-13) mā te whakatau ritua (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)