Tag Archives: Shamil Gamzatov

mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

UNDEFEATED PHIL HAWES REPLACES SHAMIL GAMZATOV AGAINST LOUIS TAYLOR AT WSOF32: MORAES VS. HILL II

Leave a comment

Fresh off his promotional debut victory, undefeated middleweight Phil Hawes (left) will return to the World Series of Fighting cage to face Louis Taylor on Saturday, July 30, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT from the XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. Photo credit: Ryan Loco/World Series of Fighting

LIVE ON NBCSN FROM EVERETT, WASH.
ON SATURDAY, JULY 30

LAS VEGAS (June 29, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that undefeated, top prospect Phil Hawes (4-0) will make a quick turnaround and step back in the decagon cage just six weeks after his promotional debut, and will square off with Louis “Put The Guns Down” Taylor (12-3) in a middleweight (185 pounds) contest at WSOF32, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT from XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. on Saturday, July 30.

Hawes of Little Ferry, N.J. will replace Shamil Gamzatov, another undefeated, rising star in the World Series of Fighting stable, after Gamzatov was forced to withdraw from the commitment due to a personal issue.

“We hope to see Shamil back in action soon, and we salute Phil Hawes for having the courage and willpower to return to action less than two months after his first fight with us,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

In his first start for World Series of Fighting on June 17, the 6-foot, 27-year-old Hawes made quick work of Joshua Key, scoring a first round (2:52) TKO on Key with a series of elbow strikes.

A product of the Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M., Hawes was a 2009 junior college national wrestling champion for Iowa Central Community College, also the alma mater of Jackson-Winklejohn teammate and UFC champion Jon “Bones” Jones.

Taylor of Chicago, Ill. is a 5-foot-11, 37-year-old, battle-tested veteran of World Series of Fighting, Strikeforce and Bellator, and a devastating finisher who has earned 11 of his 12 career wins by way of (T)KO or submission.

In his last start and debut for World Series of Fighting on March 12, Taylor extended his win streak to five consecutive bouts by submitting Cory Develain just 29 seconds with a guillotine choke.

Priced from $29, tickets for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II are on sale at XFINITYArenaEverett.com and WSOF.com.

In the world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship main event, Marlon Moraes 16-4-1) will defend his coveted title for the second time against Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1) while, in the co-main event and a second world championship rematch, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) will put his featherweight (145 pounds) belt on the line against the fighter he took it from –Lance Palmer (10-2).

In other action on the live NBCSN telecast, costumed crime fighter Phoenix Jones (6-1-1) aka Ben Fodor of Seattle, Wash. will look to settle his rivalry with adopted brother Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-5) of Seattle in a 162-pound catchweight affair.

Unbeaten featherweights Hakeem “Mean” Dawodu (5-0-1) and Marat Magomedov (7-0-1) will square off in a preliminary card bout.

Additional preliminary card bouts for WSOF32 will be announced soon.
mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING FINALIZES MAIN CARD FOR WSOF32 WITH SHAMIL GAMZATOV VS. LOUIS TAYLOR

Leave a comment

LIVE ON NBCSN FROM EVERETT, WASH.
ON SATURDAY, JULY 30

Plus undefeated featherweight rivals
Hakeem Dawodu and Marat Magomedov collide
in preliminary card rematch

LAS VEGAS (May 27, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today the completion of the live NBCSN (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT) televised portion of its WSOF32 world championship doubleheader, with the addition of a middleweight (185 pounds) contest between undefeated sensation Shamil Gamzatov (10-0) and red-hot finisher Louis “Put The Guns Down” Taylor  (12-3).

In addition, the league announced the first WSOF32 preliminary bout, a much-anticipated rematch between a pair of unbeaten featherweight (145 pound) rivals in Hakeem “Mean” Dawodu (5-0-1) and Marat Magomedov (7-0-1).

WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II takes place at Xfinity Arena at Everett on Saturday, July 30.  In the world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship main event, reigning kingpin Marlon Moraes (16-4) will risk his title for the second time against challenger Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1).

Since he made his professional debut with a second round (1:35) TKO (punches) on Murat Aibazov on January 30, 2012, the 6-foot-2, 25-year-old Gamzatov of Dagestan, Russia has been an unstoppable force, defeating all of his opponents by way of either (T)KO or submission in either the first or second round of action.

In his last start and debut inside the World Series of Fighting decagon on January 23, Gamzatov scored a thunderous, first round (2:32) TKO (punches) on Teddy Holder.

The 5-foot-11, 37-year-old Taylor of Chicago, Ill. is riding a five-fight win streak that he ignited on December 14, 2012 with a first round (4:12) KO (punch) on Joe Vedepo.

Taylor, who has earned 11 of his 12 career wins via (T)KO or submission, made an explosive promotional debut for World Series of Fighting in his last appearance at WSOF29 on March 12, finishing Cory Devela in just 29 seconds with a guillotine choke submission.

A protégé of famed Muay Thai trainer Mike Miles, the 5-foot-8, 24-year-old Dawodu of Calgary, Alberta, Canada launched his professional career inside the World Series of Fighting decagon on February 21, 2014 when he scored a first round (1:07) KO (punch) on Behrang Yousefi.

Following his successful debut, Dawodu claimed four consecutive victories – all by way of (T)KO – under the World Series of Fighting banner, before facing off with Magomedov last December 18.  Following three rounds of battle, the fight was declared a majority draw.

The 5-foot-8, 25-year-old Magomedov of Dagestan is a combat Sambo specialist who has claimed all but one of his wins by way of submission, beginning with his professional debut on July 1, 2011 when he forced Dzhambulat Magomedov to tap out from a triangle choke in the first round (3:40) of their matchup.

Additional preliminary card bouts for WSOF32 will be announced soon.

Priced from $29, tickets for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II are on sale at XFINITYArenaEverett.com and WSOF.com.

In the world featherweight championship co-main event, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) will defend his title for the first time against the fighter he took it from – Lance Palmer (10-2).

In other action on the live NBCSN telecast, costumed crime fighter Phoenix Jones (6-1-1) aka Ben Fodor of Seattle, Wash. will look to settle his rivalry with adopted brother Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-5) of Seattle in a 162-pound catchweight affair.
mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

MIKE RICCI OUT OF WSOF27 WITH INJURY; LUIZ FIRMINO STEPS UP TO FACE CAROS FODOR ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, LIVE ON NBCSN FROM MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Leave a comment
Luiz Firmino (pictured), whose last two victories came under the World Series of Fighting banner, will replace an injured Mike Ricci in the WSOF27 bout against Caros Fodor on Saturday, Jan. 23, live on NBCSN from Memphis, Tenn.

TEDDY HOLDER VS. SHAMIL GAMZATOV
ELEVATED TO MAIN EVENT STATUS

LAS VEGAS (January 12, 2016) –A re-injury of his hip has forced Mike “The Martian” Ricci to withdraw from his scheduled World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) main event bout with Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-4), who will now face streaking Blackzilians ace Luiz “Buscape” Firmino (18-6) under co-main event status at WSOF27, live on NBCSN at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT from the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan. 23.

Originally billed as the co-main event, the light heavyweight (205 pounds) contest between heavy-handed finisher Teddy Holder (9-2) of Bartlett, Tenn. and undefeated Shamil Gamzatov (9-0) of Makhachkala, Russia has been elevated to the main event.

“Our entire team wishes Mike Ricci a full and speedy recovery, and hopes to see him return soon,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

“Luiz Firmino, no stranger to our decagon cage,” continued Sefo, “is truly a courageous warrior for stepping up on such short notice to compete against a fellow star like Caros Fodor.  We commend Luiz for doing so and look forward to seeing him back in action.”

The 33-year-old Firmino of Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil is riding a five-fight win streak.  His last two victories – a unanimous decision over Jacob Volkmann on October 26, 2013 and a unanimous decision over Tyson Griffin on June 21, 2014, both came under the World Series of Fighting banner.

Prior to the victory over Volkmann, Firmino earned an impressive, five-round unanimous decision over Luis “Baboon” Palomino, who has since gone on to challenge reigning, undefeated champion Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje twice for the World Series of Fighting lightweight title.

A veteran of professional MMA since the young age of 18, Firmino also boasts notable wins over prolific striker “Diamond” Ryan Healy and submission expertToby Imada, both of whom Firmino defeated by way of unanimous decision.

Tickets for WSOF27 start at just $39.99, and are on sale at WSOF.com, all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com, the FedExForum Box Office, or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

A three-bout preliminary card will stream live on an embeddable video player on WSOF.com, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

For more information, visit fedexforum.com, ‘like’ FedExForum on Facebook or follow on Twitter (@FedExForum).

MAIN CARD

Light Heavyweight Main Event:  Teddy Holder vs. Shamil Gamzatov
Lightweight Co-Main Event: Caros Fodor vs. Luiz Firmino
Welterweight Bout: Jaleel Willis vs. Chauncey Foxworth
Featherweight Bout: Jorge Medina vs. Bryce Mitchell

PRELIMINARY CARD

Welterweight: Justin Hartley vs. Wade Johnson
Lightweight: Zach Underwood vs. Jason Williams
Lightweight: Alvin Williams vs. Wes Sharp
mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING COMPLETES WSOF27 MAIN CARD WITH TWO NEW BOUTS FEATURING THREE UNBEATEN, RISING STARS

Leave a comment

Undefeated KO artist Jaleel “The Realist” Willis (pictured) will put his 5-0 record on the line against fellow unbeaten welterweight Chauncey Foxworth (2-0) at WSOF27 on Saturday, Jan 23, live on NBCSN from the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

MAIN EVENT: CARLOS FODOR VS. MIKE RICCI
CO-MAIN: TEDDY HOLDER VS. SHAMIL GAMZATOV

LIVE ON NBCSN FROM FEDEXFORUM
IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 23
LAS VEGAS (January 5, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that it has completed the live NBCSN televised (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), main card portion of its inaugural event of the New Year that will also mark its debut at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan. 23, with two new bouts featuring three undefeated, rising stars.

In a lightweight (155 pounds) contest that will kick off the live NBCSN telecast of WSOF27, unbeaten Bryce “Thug Nasty” Mitchell will square off with Jorge Medina while, in a welterweight (170 pounds) matchup, Jaleel “The Realist” Willis and Chauncey “The Machine” Foxworth will put their respective, perfect records on the line against one another.

“We are looking forward to kicking off 2016 with another spectacular, action-packed fight card that is filled with our customary mix of established, name fighters and top level prospects that have been climbing the ranks of rival competitors in order to make it to the big show,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

Bryce Mitchell vs. Jorge Medina

At just 21 years of age, Mitchell (4-0) of Searcy, Ark. is quickly gaining steam on the professional circuit and a reputation for being a considerable threat on the mat.  Since making his pro debut last January, he has produced first round submissions – three by way of rear-naked choke and the last by way of armbar – in all four of his starts.

As an amateur, Mitchell delivered similar results, earning all five of his victories between June 2013 and August 2014 by way of first round submission, en route to a near-perfect 5-1 record.

Mitchell’s opponent, Medina (4-2) of Nashville, Tenn., has also imposed his will on the canvas with phenomenal submission work, forcing his first three professional opponents to tap out from either strikes or from a rear-naked choke.

A product of Nashville MMA, the training camp that gave rise to notable stars such as Dustin Ortiz and undefeated Luke Sanders, Medina is looking to rebound from a second round (4:22) TKO (kicks) defeat at the hands of Pedro Gomes on March 28, 2015.

Jaleel Willis vs. Chauncey Foxworth

Willis (5-0) of Memphis is a former high school wrestling star who has carried his previous athletic success into the cage where he has been taken the distance of a fight just once over the course of five professional matchups.

Outside of the sole unanimous decision that he was the victor of, Willis has finished all of his adversaries inside of one round, and all with an onslaught of punches.

To date, Foxworth (2-0) of Hot Springs, Ark. has dominated similarly, scoring first round TKO’s in both of his efforts as a professional.  The 24-year-old competed as an amateur for nearly three years and 15 bouts, winning 7 of the contests by way of (T)KO or submission.

Tickets for WSOF27 start at just $39.99, and are on sale at WSOF.com, all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com, the FedExForum Box Office, or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

In the lightweight (155 pounds) main event, Mike “The Martian” Ricci will square off rival star Caros “The Future” Fodor.

The 29-year-old Ricci (11-4) of Montreal, Quebec, Canada is riding a three-fight win streak after scoring a highlight reel KO on Joe Condon with a head kick in the first round (2:41) of their WSOF25 quarterfinal stage tournament matchup on November 20, 2015.

Fodor (10-4) of Kirkland, Wash. is a 31-year-old protégé of Matt Hume and brother of fellow World Series of Fighting athlete Phoenix Jones, looking to notch his third consecutive win in his promotional debut after concluding a successful, four-fight run in Asia.

In the light heavyweight (205 pounds) co-main event, heavy-handed finisherTeddy Holder (9-2) of Bartlett, Tenn. will battle undefeated Shamil Gamzatov(9-0) of Makhachkala, Russia.

Gamzatov, the number two ranked light heavyweight in the Ukraine, has yet to be taken past the second round of a fight, while Holder has earned all nine of his professional career wins by way of (T)KO or submission.

The WSOF27 preliminary bout card will be announced soon.

For more information, visit fedexforum.com, ‘like’ FedExForum on Facebook or follow on Twitter (@FedExForum).
mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING HEADS TO FEDEX FORUM IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, LIVE ON NBCSN

Leave a comment

Main Event: Mike Ricci vs. Caros Fodor
Co-Main Event: Teddy Holder vs. Shamil Gamzatov

Tickets on sale now
LAS VEGAS (December 21, 2015) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) will kick off the New Year with its 27th live event and first trip ever to the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan. 23, live on NBCSN at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

In the WSOF27 lightweight (155 pounds) main event, Mike “The Martian” Ricci will square off with Caros “The Future” Fodor while, in the light heavyweight (205 pounds) co-main event, heavy-handed finisher Teddy Holder will battle undefeated Shamil Gamzatov.

“We are excited to make our debut in Memphis thanks, in great part, to V3 Fights, which has a stellar reputation for putting together great events in that market and is helping us bring our brand of live, world-class MMA action to new fans,” said World Series of Fighting CEO Carlos Silva.

Tickets for the event start at just $39.99, and are on sale at WSOF.com, all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com, the FedExForum Box Office, or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Mike Ricci vs. Caros Fodor

The 29-year-old Ricci (11-4) of Montreal, Quebec, Canada will enter the World Series of Fighting decagon cage on a three-fight win streak after scoring a highlight reel KO on Joe Condon with a head kick in the first round (2:41) of their matchup in the quarterfinal stage matchup of the WSOF25 one-night, eight-man tournament.

Fodor (10-4) of Kirkland, Wash. is looking to notch his third consecutive win in his World Series of Fighting debut after concluding a successful, four-fight run in Asia.  The 31-year-old protégé of Matt Hume and brother of fellow World Series of Fighting competitor and costumed superhero Phoenix Jones exploded onto the national MMA scene in 2010 when he ran to five consecutive wins with the now defunct Strikeforce promotion.

Teddy Holder vs. Shamil Gamzatov

Holder (9-2) of Bartlett, Tenn. is a former high school football star turned MMA machine who made his first big mark in the sport at WSOF19 on March 28 after being bumped up from the event’s undercard to a co-main event matchup with established star Thiago Silva, on the day of the event due to the withdrawal of Silva’s original opponent, Matt Hamill, from the matchup.

Holder, whose nine-career victories have all come by way of (T)KO or submission, scored an upset, first round (2:00) TKO on Silva with a barrage of punches.

The unbeaten Gamzatov (9-0) of Makhachkala, Russia will make his debut in the U.S.  after finishing all of his professional opponents to date in either the first or second round.  The 25-year-old is the number two ranked light heavyweight in the Ukraine and the number 24 ranked light heavyweight in Russia.

Additional matchups for WSOF27 will be announced soon.

For more information, visit fedexforum.com, ‘like’ FedExForum on Facebook or follow on Twitter (@FedExForum).