TORONTO (December 9, 2015) — Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, is the destination for live UFC fight week pre and post-fight coverage, including the live main card for UFC Fight Night™: Namajunas vs. VanZant and the live prelims for The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber, both airing exclusively in Canada. Fight Network is currently available in free preview on most carriers across Canada for the month of December.
It all kicks off on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. ET with a live presentation of the UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor pre-fight press conference from Las Vegas.
On Thursday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents the live weigh-ins for The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber, as headliners Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes tip the scales ahead of their pivotal featherweight showdown.
Later at 9 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents a live pre-show for UFC Fight Night™: Namajunas vs. VanZant, leading into the live main card at 10 p.m. ET exclusively in Canada. In the main event, No. 3-ranked women’s strawweight contender Rose Namajunas (4-2) battles surging superstar and No. 7-ranked Paige VanZant. (6-1). In the co-feature, No. 14-ranked lightweight veteran Jim Miller(25-6, 1NC) looks to continue his ascent up the rankings against The Ultimate Fighter Live winnerMichael Chiesa (12-2). Rounding out the card, highly touted lightweight youngster Sage Northcutt(6-0) tries to keep his perfect record intact against Cody Pfister (12-4-1), while Canada’s undefeatedUltimate Fighter Nations middleweight winner Elias Theodorou (11-0) faces his toughest test to date against Brazilian Thiago “Marreta” Santos (11-3). Fight Network will also televise the live post-fight press conference, which begins shortly after the event concludes.
On Friday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. ET, the UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor weigh-ins will be televised live from Las Vegas with Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor going face-to-face one final time ahead ofSaturday’s blockbuster clash for the undisputed UFC featherweight championship.
Immediately following the live weigh-ins, Fight Network presents a live pre-show for The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber at 7 p.m. ET, which serves as a lead-in to thelive prelims at 8 p.m. ET exclusively in Canada. The main card will air at 10 p.m. ET on TSN1 and TSN5. Featured prelims include heavyweights Gabriel Gonzaga (16-10) vs. Konstantin Erokhin (9-2), featherweights Tatsuya Kawajiri (34-8-2) vs. Jason Knight (16-1) and flyweights Joby Sanchez(7-1) vs. Geane Herrera (8-1). Fight Network will also televise the live post-fight press conference, which begins shortly after the event concludes.
The action-packed fight week comes to a climax on Saturday, Dec. 12. At 2 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents an encore of UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor from July 2015, which featured Conor McGregor‘s memorable performance against Chad Mendes to capture the interim UFC featherweight title, plus a top candidate for “Fight of the Year” between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald for the UFC welterweight title. The event is widely regarded as one of the best in promotional history.
At 7 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents a live pre-show for UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor, which features previews, predictions and analysis for the event, as well as on-the-scene reports from Las Vegas. Immediately following the pay-per-view broadcast, Fight Network presents a live post-showat approximately 1 a.m. ET, including highlights, reactions and the live post-fight press conference from Las Vegas.
All pre and post-fight shows will include exclusive interviews from Fight Network analysts JohnRamdeen and Robin Black on-site in Las Vegas, plus reports and analysis from Fight Network studios in Toronto. Canadian mixed martial arts pioneer and longtime UFC veteran Sam Stout will be in-studio for the live UFC 194 pre and post-fight shows.
Airing throughout the week, catch the one-hour UFC Embedded: Aldo vs. McGregor special, an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the lives and training camps of four elite fighters leading up to the massive UFC 194 event in Las Vegas. Additional reports and features air daily in Fight News Now. All airings are listed at www.fightnetwork.com.
In addition to all the live events, Fight Network is the destination for UFC library content, specials and series, including UFC Unleashed, UFC Now, UFC Ultimate Insider and classic UFC PPV events.
This Sunday, Dec. 13 at 9 p.m. ET, catch a full encore presentation of UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfortfrom February 2011 in Las Vegas, which featured a highly anticipated middleweight title showdown between then-torchbearer Anderson Silva and No. 1 contender Vitor Belfort, plus Forrest Griffinvs. Rich Franklin and Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader.
For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit www.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.
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Category Archives: mixed martial arts
M-1 Challenge 63 bonus performances announced
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (December 9, 2015) – M-1 Global announced its fighter bonus performances for last Friday night’s M-1 Challenge 63 at the Sports and Concert Complex in St. Petersburg, Russia:
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT
Viktor Nemkov-Stephan Puetz 2
Viktor Nemkov (23-5-0, 4 KO/.TKO, 9 SUB – M-1: 13-4-0), who fights out of Stary Oskol, Russia, recaptured the M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title from the German fighter who took it from him 1 ½ years ago, Stephan “T-800” Puetz (13-2-0, 5 KO/TKO, 4 SUB), by way of another exciting, hard-fought five-round decision.
KO OF THE NIGHT
Raul Tutarauli
Georgian light heavyweight Raul Tutarauli (6-2-0, 5 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) finished off Russian Alexey “Ataman” Makhno (10-4-0, 4 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) in the second round.
SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT
Mikhail Kuznetsov
Russian featherweight Mikhail Kuznetsov (5-1-0) used a rear-naked choke to force a tap-out from Ukrainian Stanislav “White Warrior” Reutsky (8-5-0) in the second.
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Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, Eddie Alvarez, MMA Bouts and Three Other Combat Tournaments Headline MMA World Expo, Saturday, Dec. 12 in New York City
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MMA/BOXING STAR ANA JULATON JOINSPLATINUM CONDITIONING YOGA TRAINING
RIZIN FF: SHOOT BOXING RULES TO PRESIDE OVER AKEBONO VS. SAPP II ON NEW YEAR’S EVE; “KING MO” TO FACE BRETT MCDERMOTT IN EIGHT-MAN GRAND PRIX TOURNAMENT
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OF CROWS & BULLS: FIRST BOXING MATCH ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 21
Lewiston, Maine (December 9, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, NEF announced the first professional boxing match officially signed for the “NEF 21” fight card. Joel “Baby Bull” Bishop (0-0-1) will meet Crowsneck Boutin (0-0) in a four-round light-heavyweight contest.
Joel Bishop is a 2004 graduate of Upper Kennebec Valley Senior High School in Bingham, Maine. It was during high school that Bishop began boxing. He put together an amateur boxing record of 10-4, and in 2009 won the New England Tournament of Champions Heavyweight Sub Novice championship. Bishop has twice made it to the finals of the Northern New England Golden Gloves. In October 2014, Bishop made his professional debut against another NEF MMA regular, Jarod Lawton (0-0-1) and fought to a draw in Lewiston in what was a back-and-forth slugfest.
“I’m very excited to get back in the ring at NEF 21,” exclaimed Bishop. “I was at the last dual show and there was a ton of energy and excitement. On February 6th, I’ll be fighting a very tough, active fighter in Crowsneck Boutin, and I will do my best to give the fans an exciting bout.”
Crowsneck Boutin is a mainstay of the NEF roster, having competed in no less than 14 of the promotion’s previous MMA events as both an amateur and a professional. In 2014, he was voted “Fighter of the Year” by the NEF fans after going undefeated with three wins that year. Boutin will be making his professional boxing debut at “NEF 21,” but he will undoubtedly be prepared for the task, training under boxing coach Jon Pinette, an international boxing champion himself, at the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine.
“Very thankful, very fortunate for this opportunity,” said Boutin. “Joel is a tough opponent, but it isn’t my intention to let this fight reach the scorecards. It will be my pleasure to stand and gun.”
New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
Record participation numbers in 2015 World MMA Championship Testimony to WMMAA’s rapid growth
MONTE CARLO, Monaco (December 9, 2015)- The rapid growth of the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) in four relatively short years of existence was best demonstrated in last month’s 2015 World MMA Championship (WMMAA) in Prague, Czech Republic.
Nearly 200 athletes, representing 49 countries (see list below), participated in the record-setting 2015 World MMA Championship, which was dominated by team champion Russian Federation. Heavyweight Zaur Gadzhibabaev, who became the first two-time WMMAA champion, gave Azerbaijan the only gold medal not captured by the Russian Federation, which had the individual winners in six of seven weight classes.
“This year’s World Championship was the best event we have had so far,” WMMAA Director of Communications Mikhail Mazur said. “The highest number of countries, as well as participants, competed this year. WMMAA is still in its infancy but we keep evolving. You can clearly see that with each year. We have added new weight categories and accepted new countries as members of our non-profit organization. This is a difficult job but it’s extremely satisfying to see athletes fly in from all over the world to compete against the best amateur fighters who each went through a hard selection process in their home country.
“Prague was a great host and the WMMAA is extremely happy to have held the championship in this beautiful European capital. A lot more needs to be done next year. We expect more Asian and Pan-Am countries to enter the WMMAA family as our continental presidents put a lot of effort looking for the best National Federations to work as hard and as diligent as our current members do. We are only gearing up. I’m thrilled to see what the next year will bring us and the sports of amateur MMA in general.”
Afganistan Argentina Armenia Azerbaijan
Belarus Brazil Bulgaria China
Chinese Taipei Columbia Croatia Cuba
Czech Republic France FYR of Macedonia Georgia
Germany Greece Hungary India
Iran Italy Kazakhstan Republic of Korea
Kyrgyzstan Latvia Mexico Moldova
Monaco Morocco Netherlands Netherland Antilles
Nicaragua Nigeria Paraguay Romania
Russian Federation Serbia Singapore Slovakia
Spain Suriname Tajikistan Turkey
Turkmenistan Ukraine United States Uzbekistan
Venezuela
(L-R) Tajikistan MMA President Pulod Nazarov, WMMAA Honorary President Fedor Emellianenko, WMMAA President Vadim Finkelchtein and Anatoly Kim, President of the Kazakhstan MMA Federation
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FINALLY! LONG-AWAITED BATTLE FOR BANGOR TO TAKE PLACE AT NEF 21
Lewiston, Maine (December 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, NEF announced the main event of the MMA portion of the fight card. Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship against the challenge of number-one contender Jon Lemke (5-3). Both Boyington and Lemke are veterans of the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
Boyington is riding high on a three-fight win streak. Earlier this fall, he made his debut on the national stage, defeating Rodrigo Almeida (13-3) on a World Series of Fighting (WSOF) card in Connecticut. Boyington followed up that win with a decisive third-round TKO victory over Jimmy Davidson (7-2) last month at “NEF XX” in a successful defense of his title. A product of Young’s MMA, and the head of Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy, both located in Bangor, Maine, Boyington has been on an unstoppable tear since losing a non-title fight to Jamie Harrison (6-1) early in 2015. He has won six of his last seven in the MMA cage, and holds another victory in the NEF boxing ring during the course of that run.
“I wouldn’t want to be Jon Lemke going into that cage with me right about now, that’s what I’m thinking, if I’m being honest,” said Boyington. “I don’t really understand why he would want a fight with me right now, and I do believe he will show up and give his best effort, but I wouldn’t want to fight me right now. I’m dangerous, and my confidence is through the roof and when it’s like this, it is going to take a world-class athlete to stop me, and my focus this whole camp will be on remaining humble and focused. When February 6th comes, I will be the most dangerous Bruce Boyington that has ever stepped foot in the cage, and I know if I want to be in there right now, I’m really going to be hungry by then.”
The bout is one that Maine fight fans have waited a long time to see. Boyington and Lemke have stood atop the NEF lightweight division together for several years now, their careers paralleling one another. With Lemke competing out of Marcus Davis’ Team Irish in nearby Brewer, Maine, the cross-town rival of Young’s MMA, Boyington and Lemke seemed like natural rivals. But they often passed like ships in the night, and the stars never aligned for an encounter between the two. That was until “NEF XX” last month when, just moments before Boyington took to the cage against Davidson, Lemke vanquished Matt Denning (2-1) in that evening’s co-main event. It was an impressive performance that saw Lemke overwhelm a game Denning as the first round went on. With both Lemke and Boyington scheduled to appear on the February card, and neither having an opponent signed, the time was ripe for the “Battle for Bangor,” as fans have dubbed it, to finally take place.
“I am so incredibly grateful and excited to be fighting for NEF once again and especially an opportunity to fight for the title,” said Lemke. “Those who know my story know what a long road this has been for me, which makes it all the more special. Bruce is the man and has done a phenomenal job promoting himself as champion, and in the process brought a lot of attention to the rest of the MMA community in the area. He has a couple of titles with different promotions and had fights on the national stage. He presents a unique and explosive set of challenges that I very much look forward to rising up and meeting that challenge head on. This is going to be a great fight that fans are not going to want to miss, so get your tickets and come on down.”
“I don’t know if there’s any single fight fans ask us to see more than this one,” exclaimed NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “It seems like at least a few times a week we’re getting messages asking ‘when are we going to see the Battle for Bangor between Lemke and Boyington?’ Well, it’s happening onFebruary 6 at ‘NEF 21,’ and everyone within our organization is just as excited as the fans to see it!”
“The back story to this bout is incredible,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “Nothing is manufactured – it’s completely authentic and gut wrenching. This fight has been a long time coming, and I have a feeling that the lead-in to February 6th will be unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed in the countdown to a showdown of this magnitude where so much more than just bragging rights are on the line.”
New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
RFA RETURNS TO COLORADO WITH RFA 34: VELICKOVIC vs SMITH
Russian fighters dominate 2015 World MMA Championships
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (December 7, 2015) — Russian fighters dominated the recent 2015 World MMA Championships (WMMAA), winning gold medals in six of seven divisions to easily capture the team title, in Prague, Czech Republic.
On the strength of Zaur Gadzhibabaev’s victory in the heavyweight competition, Azerbaijan won a silver medal in terms of quality medals won in team competition. Gadzhibabaev became the first two-time WMMAA champion. In quantity of medals earned, Kazakhstan won five silver and one bronze medal, second only to Russia with seven, including six golds and one bronze.
In other team scoring, Latvia and Tajikistan both won silver medals; China, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia took home two bronze medals apiece; Greece, Colombia, Czech Republic and Ukraine all earned one bronze medal.
Here’s a breakdown of results from each weight class:
BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION: -61.2 kg (135 lbs.)
1. Bakhachali Bakhachaliev (Russia)
2. Sergey Morozov (Kazakhstan)
3. Andrey Roa Ruiz Dumar (Colombia)
3. Yuan Liu Ping (China)
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: -65.8 kg (145 lbs.)
1. Magomed Yunusilau (Russia)
2. Zhumageldi Zhalgassuly (Kazakhstan)
3. Archil Taziashvili (Georgia)
3. Elnur Veliev (Ukraine)
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION: -70.3 kg (154 lbs.)
1. Gadzhi Rabadanov (Russia)
2. Loik Radzhabov (Tajikistan)
3. Rashid Dagaev (Kazakhstan)
3. Changxin Fu (China)
WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION: -77.1 kg (170 lbs.)
1. Gadzhimurad Khiramagomedov (Russia)
2. Shavkat Rakhmonov (Kazakhstan)
3. Denis Maher (Belarus)
3. Beknazar Kainazar uulu (Kyrgyzstan)
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: -84 kg (185 lbs.)
1. Gamzat Khiramagomedov (Russia)
2. Dauren Ermekov (Kazakhstan)
3. Daniyar Abdibaev (Kyrgyzstan)
3. Giorgi Lobjanidze (Georgia)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION: -93 kg (205 lbs.)
1. Magomed Ankalaev (Russia)
2. Khasan Mezhiev (Latvia)
3. Michal Kotalik (Czech Republic)
3. Yulian Borisov (Belarus)
HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION: +93 kg (+205 lbs.)
1. Zaur Gadzhibabaev (Azerbaijan)
2. Mokhmad Sulimanov (Kazakhstan)
3. Rizvan Kuniev (Russia)
3. Angelos Giatras (Greece)
Go here to watch video of the 2015 WMMAA Championships: CHAMPIONS’ QUOTES OF NOTE
2015 WMMAA Bantamweight Champion Bakhachali Bakhachali:
“It was a wonderful experience. You know it was a long road. I’m so glad it’s over and I was successful in reaching all the goals I had set. The final fight was very hard, my opponent was a serious test for me. He’s physically strong and determined. But thanks God I got the victory.
“The next step is of course the Russian MMA SuperCup. I hope God will help me win it.
I’d like to say thank you to my coaches: Rasul Magomed-Aliev, Abdulla Gaidarbekov. Thanks to Shamil Alibatyrov who was cornering me throughout the whole championship and helped me a lot.”
2015 WMMAA Featherweight Champion Magomed Yunusilau:
“Extreme happiness. First of all, I was not sure I would be able to participate because of injuries, but my coaches, friends and family helped me gather physically and mentally. I flew to Prague and got the best possible result.
“I had four fights. The first one (1/8) went the distance. My opponent, from Colombia, was really determined, he would not give up. It was a hard-fought battle. In my other fights I finished all three opponents.
“First, I need to heal my injuries; it’s revalidation time. I’ll take a break for the first post-World Championship week and then I’ll focus on my health. I have issues with my back and one knee. And then, God bless, I’ll get back in business within 2-3 months. I intend to transfer to professional MMA competition. We have great coaches and the team that are highly qualified and able to facilitate in my transition. I’m sure I’ll be OK.”
2015 WMMAA Lightweight Champion Gadzhi Rabadanov:
“I’m extremely happy. It’s such a nice feeling to make your friends and family happy. I’m really grateful for all support I got from them.
“I had four fights in total and I finished all of my opponents. I can’t say which one was harder, everyone in front of me was quite good in his own right.
“If I look back, I’ve had five full training camps this year. Now, it’s time for a break from competition. I need to heal my wounds, rest and then return as a different fighter. There is enough room for improvement. I know I had one more fight planned at the Russian MMA SuperCup in December but I’ll have to cancel it because of my knee injury. Moreover it’s rather hard to make weight twice within a 10-day frame. It would be to the detriment of my health under these circumstances. Sorry, everyone who was hoping to watch me fight in Chelyabinsk (Russia –wmmaa.org) come December 5.”
2015 WMMAA Welterweight Champion Gadzhimurad Khiramagomedov:
“I can’t describe my feelings right now. It has been a long road. Two years ago, me and my brother, (Gamzat Khiramagomedov – wmmaa.org) set our sights on the World Championship. And here we are – both champions. I’m so happy.
“I really need to repair my body before planning anything else. My hand and foot are broken. One ligament is torn on my left leg. I need time to heal and then we’ll see.”
2015 WMMAA Middleweight Champion Gamzat Khiramagomedov:
“This experience is the best possible. After all work that I had done it’s time to catch a breath for a little while. Still, I’m not going to relax on my laurels. I have a fight scheduled at the SuperCup against Gamazan Gamzatov. After that fight I’ll be able to rest normally.
“At the World Championship I had four bouts. Assessing my opponents, I can say they were all good fighters. The hardest battle I had was against a warrior from Georgia. He would not give up; extremely powerful and good wrestler. I injured my left arm that’s why I couldn’t show my best in the finals. However, I’m so happy I made my people smile, especially my brother, Gadzhimurad, who puts a lot of effort into helping me. He’s always happier than me when I win. He’s my biggest fan.”
2015 WMMA Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev:
“My feelings are the best possible. Gold in this amateur MMA World Championship had been my target for a long time.
“I had five fights and the final one was the most difficult for me. I felt huge responsibility because it was up to me whether or not the Russian flag would be flying that high. Thank God, I was able to achieve that.
“I plan to take part in the Russian MMA SuperCup. After that, I’ll take a rest that, I believe, I’ll have fully deserved.”
2015 WMMA Heavyweight Champion Zaur Gadzhibabaev: “A lot was at stake in the finals since my opponent, Mokhmad Sulimanov, wanted to avenge his loss from last year’s WMMAA World Championship. I’m glad I prevailed again.
“I’m honored to be the first two-time WMMAA champion. The competitors in my division were outstanding this year. I trained very hard to give my best and I’m very happy with my performances during the tournament.”
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