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Thursday, Lub rau hli ntuj 16 ntawm 11 a.m. THIAB / 8 a.m. PT in U.S.A.
RAWS NTAUB NTAWV tes taw hnyav li
MAIN CARD
MAIN kev tshwm sim – M-1 GRAND PRIX MIDDLEWEIHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
ALEXANDER “Cua daj cua dub” SHLEMENKO (52-9-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 184 1/2 phaus. (83.7 kg)
vs.
Vyacheslav VASILEVSKY (28-4-0, M-1: 10-2-0), Russia 185 phaus. (84.0 kg)
CO-FEATURE – M-1 TW Heavyweight CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
ALEXANDER “Drago” VOLKOV (25-6-0, M-1: 9-3-0), Russia 238 phaus. (108.0 kg)
vs.
ATTILAPumukliVEGH (11-1-0, M-1: 7-1-0), Slovakia 220 phaus. (100.1 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
SERGEI ROMANOV (8-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia 169 1/2 phaus. (76.9 kg)
vs.
ANDREAS BIRGELS (12-9-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Lub teb chaws yelemees 169 1/2 phaus. (76.9 kg)

ABUKAR YANDIEV (4-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia 175 phaus. (79.5 kg)
vs.
TONY CHRISTODOULOU (12-6-0, M-1: 0-0-0), TEB CHAWS USA 177 1/2 phaus. (80.5 kg)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS — 3 X 5
ENOC daws Torres (18-9-0, M-1: 5-6-0), Spain 183 1/2 phaus. (83.7 kg)
vs.
VALERY “The Russian Hammer” MYASNIKOV (10-1-1, M-1: 1-1-1), Russia 184 1/2 phaus. (83.7 kg)
Nteg CARD
Heavyweights – 3 X 5
DANIIL AREPYEV (5-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 271 phaus. (123.3 kg)
vs.
ANTON VYAZIGIN (5-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 249 phaus. (113.5 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
DANILA PRIKAZA (3-0-1, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia 169 1/2 phaus. (77.0 kg)
vs.
MAKSIM GRABOVICH (3-2-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 169 1/2 phaus. (76.9 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
FELIPE REGO (7-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 154 1/2 phaus. (70.2 kg)
vs.
ALEXEY “Assignment” Makhno (10-4-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia 154 1/2 phaus. (70.1 kg)

MURODZHON KODIROV (1-0-0), M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 151 1/2 phaus. (68.9 kg)
vs.
MAKSIM PUGACHEV (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0) 154 1/2 phaus. (70.2 kg)
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
ANDREI “Hlau” LEZHNEV (7-5-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Ukraine 145 phaus. (65.9 kg)
vs.
Mikhail KUZNETSOV (5-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia 144 1/2 phaus. (65.6 kg)
THAUM: Thursday, Lub rau hli ntuj 16, 2016
QHOV TWG: St. Petersburg, Russia
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Sab saum toj 5 Tips On Choosing Martial Arts Training Camp

Whether you are a beginner or a pro, choosing a martial arts training camp is a tough decision. I’d like to share with you the top 5 tips on choosing the right camp from 8 martial arts experts that will help you simplify the daunting selection process. Read on!

  1. Class size

Similar to any other kind of training, if you happen to be a beginner in MMA, it’s best to stick to a smaller-sized class. Regardless of your level, the smaller the class, the more 1-on-1 attention and supervision your trainer is able to give you. Qhov tseeb tiag mas, a training class only consists of 3-4 trainees per coach. You should steer clear of any class that has more than 10 students for each trainer.

 

As MMA is considered one of the most ‘brutal’ combat sports out there, your trainer will need to closely supervise your techniques and provide you with more guidance to minimize the likelihood of injuries during your practice. With a large-sized class, it’s unlikely that they would be able to give the attention you need.

 

  1. Equipment

According to Aaron of Fight Quality, the most important equipment in an MMA gym is properly padded mats on the floor. This way, you are likely to minimize injuries when you get knocked down during a fight. Most MMA establishments should have a cage; Txawm li cas los, some may have a ring instead.

 

MMA gyms should also have high quality pads to hold. Good gyms will have a nice selection of pads, from boxing mitts, to Thai style kick pads to strike shields. These will be used by either one of the gym’s instructors or students in partner exercises.

 

When practicing striking, another important thing to look out for are heavy bags. Bags come in all shapes and sizes, and most gyms will have a selection of several types. These are great for perfecting techniques on your own.

 

To recap, a good MMA training camp should also have the following:

 

  • Rings or cages
  • Punching or spar bags
  • Boxing equipment
  • Full weights equipment
  • Muaj zog & cardio machines

 

Quality training camps and gyms may also offer ‘spare’ gear available to use or rent. This may be an alternative if you are only going to be using it only a couple of times. Even though these gears are probably cleaned after every use, it’s always best to buy your own in order to ensure the best quality and hygiene.

 

  1. Price

Prices for MMA training camps vary greatly depending on the level of trainers, location, facilities & equipment, and so forth. Txawm li cas los, it doesn’t always mean that a cheaper training camp has less qualified trainers than more expensive one. Piv txwv li, to give you a better idea on the price range, a budget option of Super Pro’s 1 month MMA & Muay Thai training in Thailand is priced as low as US$ 344 (muaj xws li 30 days/29 nights acommodation) whereas a more luxury option such as Evolve MMA retreat in Singapore would cost you US$ 2490 (also includes 30 days/29 nigths acommodation). Despite on different price ranges, there are positive reviews for both types of camps, and their visitors have shared that they significantly developed their skills after their training, which illustrates that lower-priced training camp doesn’t necessarily equal to low quality of training.

 

  1. Training program

In order to evaluate the price range, you might want to compare the training program that is offered. Feem ntau, you will undergo at least 3 training sessions in different martial arts training disciplines. Some training courses offer additional classes such as yoga, meditation, or cross training sessions. Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate, or a pro, it’s advisable to always carefully weigh out the fee of the training camp against what is being offered. Take your time and feel free to ask around and make comparisons in determining whether the price tag is ‘worth it’ to invest in.

 

  1. Qhov chaw

If you are more serious about your training and looking to hone your skills in MMA, location may not be a huge variable that you need to take into account in making your selection. You can instead focus on evaluating which options would best assist you in becoming the great MMA champion you are striving to become. Sean of Muay Thai Guy also shared his insights in terms of location: “The people and the coaches make the place doesn’t matter if you are training in a remote place or in a busy city it all comes down to the people and how they treat you as an individual, but if the camp is near a beach, that’s always a plus!"

If you are curious and want to learn more on choosing an MMA training camp, check out the full version of ‘The Definite Guide On Choosing the right MMA training camp’ created by BookMartialArts.com in collaboration with 8 top experts in MMA and related disciplines!

BELLATOR MMA SIGNS FOUR-TIME NCAA DIVISION II WRESTLING CHAMP JOEY DAVIS

Newest Bellator MMA acquisition Joey Davis

Raug Monica, California. (Lub rau hli ntuj 15, 2016) – Bellator MMA is thrilled to announce the signing of NCAA Division II wrestling star Joey Davis, mus rau ib qho kom multi-xyoo, multi-sib ntaus daim ntawv cog lus. The signing was first reported by FloWrestling.com’s Jeremy Botter.

 

Davis joins a string of recent signings by Bellator president Scott Coker including standout wrestlers the likes of three-time All-American Jarod Trice and Olympic contender Tyrell Fortune. The 21-year-old standout wrestler 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. Davis will look to compete in Bellator MMA’s stacked welterweight division and will make his professional debut before the end of this year.

 

“With God you can achieve anything, and I’m gonna do it with high fashion,” Davis said. “Joining Bellator is my latest achievement to date. I don’t remember what it’s like to lose, and I’m not planning on finding out any time soon.”

(L to R) Joey Davis, Antonio McKee and A.J. McKee

 

Named 2016 “Man of the Year” by Wrestling USA Magazine, the Compton, California., native began his stretch of domination as early as the ninth grade, when he attended Sante Fe High School. Davis was crowned the California State champion at 152-pounds in his junior year and followed that impressive campaign with a second State Title at 160-pounds in his senior year.

 

Davis will train at Antonio McKee’s Body Shop Gym in Long Beach, California. alongside childhood best friend and Bellator featherweight wrecking machine AJ McKee. Davis joins a budding roster of Bellator MMA talent, with recent signings that include: Matt Mitrione, Benson Henderson, Jarrod Trice, Sergei Kharitonov, and recent re-signings the likes of Darrion Caldwell thiab Michael Chandler.

Weight Training for Fighters

In the past fighters would stay far away from weight training, thinking it would make them slow, but research has proven otherwise, mainly because there are different kinds of strength. Any fighter, from all styles, is looking to develop speed strength and explosive strength.

The highly regarded sports bio-chemist Vladimir Zatsiorsky, was a well-recognized strength coach/consultant for the Olympic teams that were competing for the Soviet Union many years ago. He said the ability for any athlete to produce the most maximal force in minimal time is known as explosive strength. He says that a strong body does not necessarily mean strong explosive strength.

It is clear that developing one type of strength like max strength will not guarantee development of another type of strength like explosive strength or speed strength. Speed strength is defined as the ability to execute any unloaded movement against a small resistance very quickly.

A good example would be punching a heavy punch-bag which would be considered a small external resistance. The few ounces of weight that your gloves weigh would be insufficient to qualify as minimal resistance. Tab sis, all fighters should note that excessive max strength training may eventually impair strength speed, reducing the technical speed of a good boxer.

Strength endurance is different as it is defined as maintaining the muscular function/integrity of the muscles for longer periods. No matter what style a fighter uses, strength endurance is vitally important for any competitive combat fighter. Having a whole lot of power and speed with no stamina is not going to get a fighter very far.

Combat sporting events require the athlete to be multifaceted and well-rounded when it comes to strength preparation. Developing max strength at the expense of other strengths is not going to help the athlete. A fighter needs a completely unique blend of these strengths.

It does not mean that fighters should never do max training to improve their strength, a fighter needs to understand a bit of muscle physiology to be able to appreciate how important max training could be for a fighter. Muscle fibers are always grouped into different motor units.

These motor units each contain one nerve and hundreds of separate muscle fibers. The nerve delivers the signal for a muscle to fire, slow or fast twitch, depending on how many reps, the weight used and the muscle(s) isolated. The muscle fibers are then contracted when the signal is delivered.

Training specifically for power development, a fighter needs to target only the fast twitch muscle-fibers. But unfortunately, not all of the motor units will be activated at once. Any and all low intensity exercise will not activate the important fast twitch fibers.

If the exercise that a fighter performs does not stimulate any fast-twitch motor units, then the muscle fibers inside that motor unit will not be able to adapt to the training. If the motor unit isn’t being recruited, no response will happen. But when the athlete lifts heavy loads they’ll be activating fast-twitch muscle fibers.

Strength coaches across the world recognize the importance of maximal strength training because it is the best way to improve both intramuscular and intermuscular coordination, required for any fighter.

Despite what you might have heard about heavy weight training, it’s a common myth that all heavy weight training will only result in unnecessary bulk, which will then reduce the range of motion and the speed development. This is totally false, any fighter considering strength training will improve his/her competitiveness in the ring.

The well-known Russian coach Yuri Verkhoshansky, said in one of his manuals that when any effective methodology is used for planning a weight training routine, the resistance used will promote an increase in speed of a movement but will also improve muscle coordination, motor-reaction plus the quickness and the frequency of the movements.

He continues by explaining that the primary function of a muscle is not to increase size when strength training, but rather to increase the contractibility for effective nervous stimulation. He explains that strength training correctly will increase the ability of your muscle to relax while developing local muscular endurance and it will increase the maximal anaerobic capacity of that muscle group.

About The Author:

Paul Becker is a natural (steroid free for life) bodybuilder and fitness consultant. Visit his website at http://www.bodybuilding-store.com

MIKE ARRANT REPLACES INJURED THIAGO MELLER AGAINST JOHN HOWARD AT WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND LIVE ON NBCSN FROM MASHANTUCKET, Conn. RAU Friday, RAU HLI 17

HOWARD VS. ARRANT TO BE CONTESTED AT MIDDLEWEIGHT

PLUS UNDEFEATED MARCUS SURIN TO BATTLE
CHRISTIAN TORRES IN WSOF31 PRELIMINARY BOUT
LIVE ON WSOF.COM

Las Vegas (Lub rau hli ntuj 15, 2016) -World Series ntawm Sib ntaus (WSOF.com) tshaj tawm hnub no tias Thiago Meller has withdrawn from his scheduled welterweight (170 phaus) contest tiv thaiv John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12), uas yuav tam sim no fim“Mad” Mike Arrant (15-10) in a middleweight (185 phaus) bout at the much-anticipated WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world championship doubleheader Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) kev tshwm sim, nyob rau NBCSN (9 p.m. THIAB/6 p.m. PT) los ntawm Foxwoods Resort Twv txiaj yuam pov nyob rau hauv Mashantucket, Conn. rau Friday, Lub rau hli ntuj 17.

Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, undefeated Marcus Surin (3-0) of Stamford, Conn. has been tabbed to step in for Sam Watford nyob rau hauv lub sij hawm teem sib (155 phaus) preliminary card contest against Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y..

Originally hailing from Orlando, Fla., lub 5-ko taw-9, 28-year-old Arrant, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, resides in Las Vegas, where he is a member of legendary champion Randy “The Natural” Couture’s Xtreme Couture fight squad.

Arrant is looking to return to the win column following a unanimous decision defeat in his last start on August 7, 2015, at the hands of two-time UFC veteran Brock Jardine.

Prior to the loss, Arrant had reeled off six consecutive victories, five of which he produced in the first round, by way of (T)KO los yog cuav. Rau hnub tim, 12 ntawm nws 15 professional wins have been finishes.

During the six-fight win streak, Arrant seized his first championship – regional promotion SteelFist Fight Night’s welterweight title – with a first round (5:00) LEEJ TWG (retirement) ntawm Carl Dieckmann Lub Xya hli ntuj 12, 2013.

Like Arrant, the 5-foot-7, 33-year-old Howard boasts a phenomenal finish rate with 15 ntawm nws 23 professional victories having come by way of (T)KO los yog cuav.

Howard will make his promotional debut with World Series of Fighting following a second stint with the UFC that spanned seven fights and included wins over Uriah Hall, Siyar Bahadurzada thiab Cathal Pendred.

Luv nqi los ntawm $39.99, tickets for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland are on sale at WSOF.com and Foxwoods.com.

Doors at The Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open at 5 p.m. THIAB, and the first of seven preliminary card bouts will begin at 5:45 p.m.

Cov tag nrho ua ntej sib ntaus card yuav kwj nyob rau ntawm ib qho embeddable video neeg uas ua ntawv rau WSOF.com.

In the main event of the five-bout, nyob NBCSN telecast, reigning World Series of Fighting heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) will put his title on the line against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (12-3).

Nyob rau hauv lub khaub-ncaws nyias co-ntsiab kev tshwm sim, superstars Jason "Lub Kansas City Bandit" High (19-5) thiab Mike "Lub Martian" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND

MAIN CARD (Nyob rau NBCSN)

World Series of Fighting Heavyweight Championship Main Event:
Blagoy Ivanov (Yeej) vs. Josh Copeland (Challenger)

Hnav Co-Main kev tshwm sim:
Jason High vs. Mike Ricci

Middleweight: John Howard vs. Mike Arrant
Featherweight: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Middleweight: Phil Hawes vs. Josh Ntsiab

Nteg CARD (Nyob rau WSOF.com)

Sib: Tom Marcellino vs. Devin Powell
Heavyweight: Juliano Coutinho vs. Justin Willis
Heavyweight: Tyler King vs. Lorenzo Hood
Welterweight: Robert Fonseca vs. Sean Lally
Sib: Bruce Boyington vs. Xa-u Almeida
Bantamweight: Rodrigo Almeida vs. Ben Pierre-Saint
Sib: Marcus Surin vs. Christian Torres

MIKE HANSEN: FACING FEAR HEADFIRST

Mike Hansen

Lewiston, Maine (Lub rau hli ntuj 15, 2016) – Fighting anyone, nyob qhov twg, anytime and under any circumstances has become Mike Hansen’s calling card with New England Fights.

No surprise, ces, that the 30-year-old father of three from Rumford, ME will gladly entertain the idea of a mixed martial arts contest … against an opponent about whom he admittedly knows precious little … on the eve of Father’s Day.

Hansen (4-4) will take on Robert Laroski in a heavyweight clash at “NEF 24: Promised Land” on Saturday, Lub rau hli ntuj 18 at Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.

There is no fear of the unknown in a man who has carved out his reputation confronting substantially bigger foes since his days as a state champion wrestler at Mountain Valley High School. During his relatively short time in NEF, Hansen has fought as a middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight.

“When I took the fight (at NEF 23 in Massachusetts) against Brendan Battles, people were saying, ‘You’re crazy! He’s going to bust your head!’ I understand why the weight classes exist, and I respect that it’s about safety and all that, but I’ve always felt that a fighter should be ready to fight anybody, no matter what,” Hansen said. “In high school, I would drink two gallons of water and put lead in my uniform just so I could get to the minimum weight for the unlimited class.”

That’s the attitude of a fighter whose skill and talent level far exceed his current record as a professional.

Hansen’s docket includes a stoppage win over former NEF “Fighter of the Year” Crowsneck Boutin. His record also includes TKO losses to Battles and Cody Anderson and a choke-out at the hands of Zach Elkins.

When he reflects upon his unique life story, Hansen, who fought twice for the World Fighting League as a 20-year-old college student, marvels that he ever got back into the cage at all.

“I started the winter of 2004-05. I started training because I had gone from 187 rau 242 pounds in a few months. I was seeing stretch marks,” Hansen recalled. “I was pretty upset with myself for allowing that to happen. I started doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu two nights a week to get in shape. Then I went home for the summer and ended up with my first fight in August. My friends got me the fight without my coaches knowing about it. They told me it was a good thing I won, or they would have kicked my butt.”

Hansen kept a promise to his father to quit the sport after a knockout loss to Alexander Chianurashvili in 2006. He was studying at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, with intentions to enter the medical field.

He was stabbed and attacked with a baseball bat by three men in a case of mistaken identity not long thereafter. “I walked out of the hospital the next day, and all three of them were still in there from the beating I gave them in self-defense,” Hansen said proudly.

That dogged determination served Hansen well in the United States Army, where he studied in the elite Combatives program.

“They ask you ‘Who wins the fight?’ and the answer is, ‘Whoever’s buddy gets there first to help him clean up.’ That’s what Combatives taught me: How to survive that extra 30 rau 60 vib nas this,” Hansen said. “Work ethic is what it taught me. It helped me grow and do things I might have questioned mentally whether or not I could do. Not many people find that extra little motivation. The Army taught me how to find it and utilize it.”

A few years later, Hansen found that inner fire again. Even as he returned to coaching wrestlers in his hometown, his own physical fitness suffered as work and fatherhood took precedence.

Hansen vividly describes sitting in a bean bag chair, eating snack food, watching TV at 2:11 a.m. when his phone rang. He assumed it was a friend in trouble.

“It was (NEF co-owner) Matt Peterson. Our families grew up maybe 200 yards apart. My high school wrestling coach had called him, unbeknownst to me, to tell him he needed to get me back in the cage,” Hansen said.

Three weeks later thiab 20 pounds lighter, Hansen dispatched super heavyweight fixture Artie Mullen at “NEF 16: New Blood Rising,” and the comeback was on.

Nyob rau hauv lub 15 months that have followed, Hansen has been instrumental in launching Berserkers MMA and building his reputation as both a fighter and an instructor.

Life is blossoming at home, also. Hansen is the father of two girls, cov muaj hnub nyoog 5 thiab 2, and a boy of four months. His older daughter, Kaydn, often accompanies Dad to the gym at Greater Rumford Community Center. He returns the favor by chaperoning field trips for her kindergarten class.

“She and her friends will be on the playground practicing boxing stances and stuff,” Hansen said. “Her teacher says it’s adorable. Hopefully she is learning to take care of herself so I don’t have to.”

Kaydn’s parents are making plans to take her to her first live NEF show after she turns 6. Rau tam sim no, she is content to watch her Dad’s fights on YouTube.

“If we’re watching TV together,” Hansen said, “we have a thing where I get two shows and then she gets two shows. If I put in a fight tape, she’ll say, ‘Daddy, I know this doesn’t count as one of your shows, because this is your work.’”

Qhov qhib tswb rau Lub rau hli ntuj 18 yog teem rau 7 p.m. Tickets for “NEF 24: Promised Land” start at $25 thiab yog muaj nyob rau ntawm www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm kev hu mus rau lub chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm Colisee 207.783.2009, extension 525.

For more information on the events and fight card updates, thov mus saib cov qib lub website ntawm www.NewEnglandFights.com. Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, koj yuav saib NEF yeeb yaj duab ntawm www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, ua raws li lawv nyob rau Twitternefights thiab koom nrog cov nom Facebook pab pawg neeg "New England Fights."

FIGHT WITH DENNING IS THE CROSSROADS FOR BUSHAW

Lewiston, Maine (Lub rau hli ntuj 14, 2016) – Like so many headline-grabbing heavy hitters with New England Fights, Maine native Brandon Bushaw (1-2) had nothing left to prove in his combat sports career.

Bushaw parlayed his undefeated state championship season as a Westbrook High School senior in 1999 into a college wrestling career at Michigan State University, where he was a teammate of UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans (19-5-1).

“I was with my high school girlfriend (Cynthia), now my wife, so I knew we would always have ties to Maine,” Bushaw said. “Other than being on wrestling scholarship, I thought I was done fighting.”

The couple settled in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and opened Island Bar and Grill, which they have owned and operated for a dozen years.

It is a good, comfortable life. Extended family visited and found the area so alluring that they stayed permanently.

Those competitive juices never completely evaporated, Txawm li cas los.

“I had teammates who turned to mixed martial arts,” Bushaw said. “I watched them, and as I approached 30, it became a bucket list thing. Now here I am, 17 fights later.”

Bushaw, 35, explained the journey in a phone interview as he prepared for his fourth professional bout, a featherweight clash with Auburn’s Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (3-2) at “NEF 24: Promised Land” on Saturday, Lub rau hli ntuj 18 at Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.

The fight is Bushaw’s first on his original home turf since a 2014 loss to Elias Leland at the 135-pound limit. He ascends to 145 phaus, where he admitted he is more comfortable (“at my advanced age,” Bushaw quipped) for the confrontation with Denning.

“It’s weird, because I thought I was done competing up that way when I graduated from high school, but when I go home after all these years, all the old friends that I haven’t seen for years turn out to watch me fight,” Bushaw said. “I’ve fought all over, but any time I fight in Myrtle Beach or in Maine, it’s more special.”

Some athletes return to their competitive arena because they miss the allure of the cheering crowd.

That’s true of Bushaw, to a degree, although even the spectator interest he drew with the Blue Blazes and Spartans pales by comparison to what greets him surrounding the NEF hexagon.

“It’s nothing like high school or even college wrestling,” Bushaw said. “You show up and there’s two, peb, four thousand people watching. It’s so different. You don’t get multiple chances to fight in a week or even a single weekend. It lasts a few minutes and then it’s the highest of the highs or the lowest of the lows.”

The physical toll and the necessary complement of skills also exceed what Bushaw knew in his youth.

He made that discovery about a minute into his initial amateur bout.

“MMA is more dynamic than wrestling. I remember my first fight, the guy picked me up and threw me down and I landed on my head,” Bushaw said. “I remember thinking, ‘This was probably not such a good idea,’ but I found a way to get the win.”

“You can be better than a guy in four different categories, but if he’s better in just one, he’s capable of beating you,” he continued. “You think things are going your way and then it’s the biggest letdown in the world.”

There’s a camaraderie in that unpredictable realm that only veterans of the cage can fully understand. Bushaw, who has trained with the likes of childhood friend Jamie Harrison and Amos Collins, noted that he has become cordial with almost all his prior opponents.

Denning (3-2) is one of the few with whom Bushaw (1-2) became “friends” on social media before their fight.

“It’s kind of strange, but all those things go out the window,” Bushaw said. “He’s fought my buddy Dom Cofone. He’s a local boy. I know it’s going to be a tough challenge for me.”

In many respects it is a crossroads bout for Bushaw, who admitted that he has considered retirement from the sport.

“Probably my last five fights I’ve gone in saying, ‘One more fight and I’m done,’ and then I keep going. I don’t shy away from anybody,"Nws hais tias. “My last fight was against a kid who was 23 and he’d been in Thailand for two years or some (stuff). That was one time when I might have said, ‘What am I doing?'

“For me it’s family, then business, then fighting. For a lot of these younger guys, fighting is first, and that makes it a challenge.”

Qhov qhib tswb rau Lub rau hli ntuj 18 yog teem rau 7 p.m. Tickets for “NEF 24: Promised Land” start at $25 thiab yog muaj nyob rau ntawm www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm kev hu mus rau lub chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm Colisee 207.783.2009, extension 525.

For more information on the events and fight card updates, thov mus saib cov qib lub website ntawm www.NewEnglandFights.com. Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, koj yuav saib NEF yeeb yaj duab ntawm www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, ua raws li lawv nyob rau Twitternefights thiab koom nrog cov nom Facebook pab pawg neeg "New England Fights."

DENISE KIELHOLTZ-GLORIA PERITORE SET TO FACE OFF IN FLYWEIGHT CONTEST AT ‘BELLATOR: DYNAMITE 2’

KICKBOXING VETERAN KEVIN ROSS RETURNS TO ACTION FOR BELLATOR KICKBOXING AGAINST JUSTIN HOUGHTON

Raug Monica, California. (Lub rau hli ntuj 10, 2016) – The SPIKE-televised main card of "Bellator: Dynamite 2" Lub rau hli ntuj 24 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis is now complete, with the addition of a women’s flyweight kickboxing bout pitting Denise Kielholtz (44-2) tiv thaiv Gloria Peritore(10-1-1) and a featherweight feature fight between Kevin Ross (31-9) thiab Justin Houghton(7-2).

 

The fights join a main event that features a heavyweight clash between “Rampage” Jackson(36-11) thiab Satoshi Ishii (14-5-1), while a lightweight title fight pitting Michael Chandler(14-3) tiv thaiv Patricky “Pitbull” (16-7) will serve as the evening’s co-main event. Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, former NFL player Matt Mitrione (9-5) thiab Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa (10-6) will trade blows in their heavyweight showdown, while a flyweight contest between undefeated Ilima MacFarlane (3-0) thiab Rebecca Ruth (6-1) wraps up a mouthwatering main card.

 

Qhov kev tshwm sim airs nyob thiab dawb rau cov ntsia hlau loj ntawm 9 p.m. THIAB/8 p.m. I, thaum ua ntej bouts yuav kwj nyob rau Bellator.com thiab Lub Bellator Mobile App. Doors for “Bellator: Dynamite 2”qhib ntawm 5:00 pm CT, with the first streamed fight taking place at 5:30 pm CT.

 

Daim pib rau cov kev tshwm sim pib thaum nyuam qhuav $30 and are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and the Ford Box Office at Scottrade Center.

 

Hailing from Amsterdam, Dutch flyweight Kieholtz will be making her second appearance under the direction of Bellator Kickboxing after earning a win in her promotional debut at the inaugural Bellator Kickboxing event in Torino, Italy earlier this year. Nrog nyob 40 career fights (one MMA bout) under her belt, the 27-year-old Kielholtz will be searching for her 45th professional victory when she prepares to take on Gloria Peritore rau Lub rau hli ntuj 24 nyob rau hauv St. Louis. Kielholtz now directs her attention to "Bellator: Dynamite 2,” where both a mixed martial arts cage and kickboxing ring will be featured just like the groundbreaking inaugural “Dynamite” event last year. If you think you can handle “5 Rounds” with her, nias no.

 

The 27-year-old Peritore has a total of 12 professional fights over her two-year career, earning victories in all of them, including a third round knockout of Li Mingrui in her Bellator Kickboxing debut earlier this year. A native of Sicily, Ltalis, Peritore had the unique opportunity to fight in front of her hometown fans when Bellator invaded Torino, Italy in April of 2016. As an amateur fighter, she posted a 9-3 record and won titles such as the ISKA & WTKA Amateur World Kickboxing Champion and IASKA Amateur World K-1 Champion.

 

Ntawm 35 xyoo, Ross has put together an impressive kickboxing and muay Thai career, highlighted by accruing some of the most highly sought-after championships in the game. During his 53-fight career, he has collected the WBC Muay-Thai USA welterweight title, the WBC Muay-Thai International Super-lightweight title and the Lion Fight Super Lightweight Championship. Known also as “The Soul Assassin,” Ross is working on a transition into the sport of MMA and most recently made his promotional debut at the inaugural “Bellator 152”Kickboxing event in Torino, Italy where he defeated Matteo Taccini ntawm unanimous kev txiav txim siab.

 

Houghton, who hails from Michigan, has competed previously for Bellator, but on the mixed martial arts side of things. “J-Ho” most recently laced up the kickboxing gloves against Alfredo Corona, at a regional event in Denver, defeating his opponent via lopsided unanimous decision. Tam sim no, the Grudge Training Center standout sets his sights on Ross, arguably one of the most successful kickboxers in American history.

 

Sau kom tiav "Bellator: Dynamite 2” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Main Event: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (36-11) vs. Satoshi Ishii (14-5-1)

Bellator MMA Lightweight World Title Bout: Michael Chandler (14-3) vs. Patricky "Pitbull" Freire (16-7)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Matt Mitrione (9-5) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (10-6)

Bellator Kickboxing Featherweight Feature Bout: Kevin Ross (31-9) vs. Justin Houghton (7-2)

Bellator Kickboxing Flyweight Feature Bout: Denise Kielholtz (44-2) vs. Gloria Peritore (10-1-1)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Feature Bout: Ilima-Lei MacFarlane (3-0) vs. Rebecca Ruth (6-1)

 

Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Justin Lawrence (8-3) vs. Isao Kobayashi (18-3)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Guilherme “Bomba” Vasconcelos (7-3) vs. Jordan Dowdy (3-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kevin Engel (5-0) vs. Chel Erwin-Davis (3-1)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Jordan Howard (9-3) vs Justin Robbins (14-17-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Joaquin Buckley (5-0) vs Chris Heatherly (9-3-1)

Bellator MMA 130-pound Preliminary Bout: Michelle Royer (1-0) vs Katy Collins (3-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Brad Jones (5-4) vs Tyler Claussen (2-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Jason Christeson (1-0) vs Jarrod Thomas (0-0)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Lee Burns (2-0) vs. Byron Stevens (0-0)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Steven Mann (11-4) vs. Mike Estus (7-4)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Rashard Lovelace (3-0) vs. Garret Mueller (2-1)

Bellator MMA Strawweight Preliminary Bout: Nikki Smith (1-0) vs. Ashley Cummins (3-3)

Bellator Kickboxing Preliminary Bout: Elmir Kulosman (3-0) vs. Darryl Cobb (2-1)

Bellator Kickboxing Preliminary Bout: Tara Walker (4-3-1) vs. Mimi Kutzin (3-2)

THIAGO JAMBO CLIMBS INTO CO-MAIN BATTLE WITH CHIDI NJOKUANI AT ‘BELLATOR 156: GALVAO vs. DANTAS 2’

LIVE AND FREE ON SPIKERAU HLI 17

 

Raug Monica, California. (Lub rau hli ntuj 10, 2016) – An undisclosed injury to “Bellator 158” competitor Josh Koscheck has paved the way for a new co-main feature bout at "Bellator 156: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2 " Pitting Chidi “Chidi Bang Bang” Njokuani (14-4) tiv thaiv Thiago Jambo (18-4) Lub rau hli ntuj 17 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, XWS LI. Jambo will be making his promotional debut in place of Douglas Lima.

 

The fight completes a card that features a Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title rematch pitting Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) tiv thaiv Eduardo Dantas (17-4), while Fresno native, Chris Honeycutt (7-1) returns home to take on Mikkel Parlo (13-2) in a middleweight slugfest. Pub muab kwv yees tawm lub ntsiab card, John Salter (11-3) thiab Brandon Halsey (9-1) duke it out in a 185-pound feature bout.

 

 

"Bellator 156: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2 " airs LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 9 p.m. THIAB/8 p.m. I, thaum ua ntej bouts yuav kwj nyob rau Bellator.com thiabLub Bellator Mobile App. Daim pib rau cov kev tshwm sim pib tom xwb $25 and are currently on sale at the Save Mart Center Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com.

 

 

Having not lost a fight in his last six appearances dating back to 2013, “Chidi Bang Bang” will try to keep the train rolling as he prepares for Jambo. The 27-year-old Las Vegas native finished his 2015 campaign on a high note, recording a unanimous decision victory over Ricky “The Sniper” Rainey in his promotional debut at "Bellator 146: Kato vs. Manhoef. " Njokuani will face one of the stiffest tests of his career when he meets Jambo in the co-headliner of "Bellator 156: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2.”

 

The 35-year-old Goncalves has landed himself a golden opportunity when he steps into the cage with Njokuani in the co-feature on Lub rau hli ntuj 17. The 12-year professional most recently earned his 18th career win by defeating Matt Baker via technical knockout in the second round of their contest and now the Brazilian welterweight will be making his Bellator MMA debut after impressively recording six wins over his last seven fights dating back to 2010.

 

Sau kom tiav "Bellator 156: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2 "Card:

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title Bout: Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Co-Main Event: Chidi Njokuani (14-4) vs. Thiago Jambo Goncalves (18-4)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Brandon Halsey (9-1) vs. John Salter (11-3)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Chris Honeycutt (7-1) vs. Mikkel Parlo (13-2)

 

Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA Middleweight Yam ua ntej Bout: A.J. Matthews (8-4) vs. Ben Reiter (16-1)

Bellator MMA teeb Heavyweight Yam ua ntej Bout: Jermaine McDermott (2-0) vs. Blake Watkins (5-0)

Bellator MMA 140lb. Preliminary Bout: Paul Ruiz (6-4) vs. Christian Navarro (5-0)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Javy Ayala (8-5) vs. Roy Boughton (14-7)

Bellator MMA Hnav Yam ua ntej Bout: Nick Bustamante (5-1) vs. Antoine Smith (3-5)

Bellator MMA Hnav Yam ua ntej Bout: C.J. Keith (8-3) vs. Carrington Banks (4-0)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Yam ua ntej Bout: Justin Smitley (10-7) vs. TBD

Bellator MMA teeb Heavyweight Yam ua ntej Bout: John Paul Elias (3-0) vs. Jose Cabesas (5-8)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Chris Lewis (0-0) vs. Gil Medina (1-0)

Bellator MMA Hnav Yam ua ntej Bout: Luis Jauregui (3-2) vs. Ryan Tobar (3-2)

 

TALENTED FEATHERWEIGHTS JUSTIN LAWRENCE AND ISAO KOBAYASHI SQUARE OFF IN FEATURED PRELIM OF ‘BELLATOR: DYNAMITE 2’ ON JUNE 24

 

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Raug Monica, California. (Lub rau hli ntuj 3, 2016) – A featherweight bout pitting Justin Lawrence (8-3) tiv thaiv Isao Kobayashi (18-3) will anchor the preliminary portion of "Bellator: Dynamite 2" Lub rau hli ntuj 24 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

 

The bout joins a main event that features a heavyweight bout between “Rampage” Jackson (36-11) thiab Satoshi Ishii (14-5-1) in “Rampage’sfirst fight for the Scott Coker-led promotion since 2014. The evening’s co-main event will feature a lightweight world championship fight between former titlist Michael Chandler (14-3) thiab Patricky “Pitbull” (16-7). Also the main card, former NFL player Matt Mitrione (9-5) makes his debut for Bellator MMA against Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa (10-6). Rounding out the main card action, undefeated Ilima MacFarlane (3-0) yuav fim Rebecca Ruth (6-1) in a flyweight contest.

 

Daim pib rau "Bellator: Dynamite 2” pib ntawm cia li $30 and are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and the Ford Box Office at Scottrade Center. Qhov rooj rau cov kev tshwm sim qhib 5 p.m. I hauv zos lub sij hawm, and the first bout is scheduled to take place one hour after.

 

"Bellator: Dynamite 2” airs nyob thiab dawb nyob rau ntawm cov ntsia hlau loj ntawm 9 p.m. THIAB/8 p.m. I, thaum ua ntej bouts yuav kwj nyob rau Bellator.comthiab Lub Bellator Mobile App. Qhov rooj rau cov kev tshwm sim qhib 5:00 pm CT, with the first streamed fight taking place at 5:30 pm CT.

 

Exactly like the groundbreaking inaugural “Dynamite” event this past September in San Jose, both a mixed martial arts cage and kickboxing ring will cover the floor at Scottrade Center, giving fans in attendance the opportunity to see both iterations of combat sports on the same night. A portion of the preliminary action on Lub rau hli ntuj 24 will take place simultaneously, allowing those in attendance to witness MMA and kickboxing with a simple swivel of the head.

 

A native of Missouri, Justin “The American Kid” Lawrence will put his 8-3 career mark on the line when he challenges Isao Kobayashi in front of his hometown fans at "Bellator: Dynamite 2.” The 25-year-old budding star has won four of his last five bouts, including a first round knockout in his Bellator MMA debut against Sean Wilson at "Bellator 138: Unfinished Business.” Lawrence began his professional career under the Strikeforce umbrella, before a brief stint on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show and now has his eyes set on truly making a splash in the always-competitive Bellator MMA featherweight division.

 

After going undefeated through his first eight fights as a professional, Kobayashi has put together an impressive resume with an overall record of 18-3, and eight wins coming by way of knockout. Following seven with the Pancrase promotion, the 27-year-old will enter the cage for the second time under the Bellator MMA banner and first time since October of last year. The Japanese featherweight has been known to extend fights and outlast opponents with his phenomenal endurance. Each of his last eight fights have made their way to the third round, with six of those eight going the distance. After recording a streak of 12 consecutive fights without a loss over a four-year period (2010-14), Kobayashi will look to kick off yet another long string of success when he takes on Justin Lawrence on Lub rau hli ntuj 24.

 

Tshiab "Bellator: Dynamite 2” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Main Event: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (36-11) vs. Satoshi Ishii (14-5-1)

Bellator MMA Lightweight World Title Bout: Michael Chandler (14-3) vs. Patricky "Pitbull" Freire (16-7)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Matt Mitrione (9-5) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (10-6)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Feature Bout: Ilima-Lei Macfalane (3-0) vs. Rebecca Ruth (6-1)

 

Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Justin Lawrence (8-3) vs. Isao Kobayashi (18-3)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Guilherme “Bomba” Vasconcelos (7-3) vs. Jordan Dowdy (3-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kevin Engel (5-0) vs. Chel Erwin-Davis (3-1)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Jordan Howard (9-3) vs Justin Robbins (14-17-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Joaquin Buckley (5-0) vs Chris Heatherly (9-3-1)

Bellator MMA 130-pound Preliminary Bout: Michelle Royer (1-0) vs Katy Collins (3-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Brad Jones (5-4) vs Tyler Claussen (2-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Jason Christeson (1-0) vs Jarrod Thomas (0-0)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Lee Burns (2-0) vs. Byron Stevens (0-0)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Steven Mann (11-4) vs. Mike Estus (7-4)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Rashard Lovelace (3-0) vs. Garret Mueller (2-1)

Bellator MMA Strawweight Preliminary Bout: Nikki Smith (1-0) vs. Ashley Cummins (3-3)

Bellator Kickboxing Preliminary Bout: Elmir Kulosman (3-0) vs. Darryl Cobb (2-1)

Bellator Kickboxing Preliminary Bout: Tara Walker (4-3-1) vs. Mimi Kutzin (3-2)