Category Archives: mixed martial arts

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

Michael “Venom” Page (8-0) vs. Charlie Ontiveros (6-3) in a welterweight contest at “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2”

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (October 5, 2015) – Michael “Venom” Page (8-0) looks to remain undefeated to begin his exciting career, when he faces Charlie Ontiveros (6-3) in a welterweight contest at “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on October 23.

 

The bout will take place during the main card of “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” which airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET.

 

In addition, Ilya Kotau (1-0) will meet Kemran Lachinov (1-1), Kin Moy (7-2) fights Walter Smith-Cotito (3-3), Billy Giovanella (8-4) takes on Brandon Polcare (1-0), Sam Watford makes his professional debut against TJ Hepburn (4-1), Kevin Haley (3-3) faces Mike Zichelle (7-3), and Keenan Raymond (2-1) goes up against Damien Trites (6-6). With the addition of these contests, “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” is now complete.

 

The main event of “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2”features a bantamweight title fight between Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) and Eduardo Dantas, (17-4). In the co-feature, Brandon “Bull” Halsey (9-0) will look to regain the Bellator MMA Middleweight Title when he takes on Rafael Carvalho (11-1). Connecticut’s own “Irish” Brennan Ward (11-3) will also be in action, when he takes on Dennis “The Menace” Olson (14-9).

 

Tickets for “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” which start at just $25, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and the Mohegan Sun Arena box office. Doors for the event open at 6:00 p.m. ETlocal time, and the first contest takes place shortly after.

 

Page will be competing for the second consecutive event at Mohegan Sun, a venue that just played host to “Venom” finishing Rudy Bears at “Bellator 140: Lima vs. Koreshkov.” A resident of England, the 28-year-old utilizes his unorthodox style to open up his opponents for his vicious, lightning quick strikes. This is evident when glancing at his record, which boasts eight wins, all before reaching the judges’ scorecards.

 

After fighting exclusively for regional promotions in his home state of Texas, Ontiveros will enter the Bellator MMA cage for the first time against one of the most exciting strikers in the sport. The 24-year-old “American Bad Boy” was most recently in action this past August, defeating Bilal Williams via decision at Legacy Fighting Championship 45.

 

Complete Bellator 144: “Galvao vs. Dantas 2” Card

 

Main Card: (Spike – 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT)

Bellator Bantamweight Championship Fight: Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4)

Bellator Middleweight Championship Fight: Brandon Halsey (9-0) vs. Rafael Carvalho (11-1)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Brennan Ward (11-3) vs. Dennis Olson (14-9)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Michael Page (8-0) vs. Charlie Ontiveros (6-3)

Preliminary Card: (Spike.com – 6:50 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT

Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Isao Kobayashi (18-2-4) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2)

Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Matt Bessette (15-7) vs. Kevin Roddy (15-15)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Matt Secor (6-2) vs. Jeremie Holloway (7-0)

Bellator 150-Pound Feature Fight: Pete Rogers Jr. (2-2) vs. Marius Enache (2-3)

Bellator Bantamweight Feature Fight: Kin Moy (7-2) vs. Walter Smith-Cotito (3-3)

Bellator Flyweight Feature Fight: Billy Giovanella (8-4) vs. Brandon Polcare (1-0)

Bellator 165-Pound Feature Fight: Keenan Raymond (2-1) vs. Damien Trites (6-6)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Sam Watford (debut) vs. TJ Hepburn (4-1)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Ilya Kotau (1-0) vs. Kemran Lachinov (1-1)

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Fight: Kevin Haley (3-3) vs. Mike Zichelle (7-3)

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

JORDAN PARSONS SET TO FACE BUBBA JENKINS AT ‘BELLATOR 146: KATO VS. MANHOEF’

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (September 30, 2015) – A pivotal featherweight matchup has been added to Bellator MMA’s return to WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, OK., when Bubba “The Highlight Kid” Jenkins (9-2) meets Jordan Parsons (11-1) at “Bellator 146: Kato vs. Manhoef.”

 

The 145-pound tilt will take place during the main card of “Bellator 146: ‘Kato vs. Manhoef,” which airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Spike.com at 6 p.m. CT.

 

In the evening’s main event, Hisaki Kato (5-1) will look to build upon his highlight-reel finish of Joe Schilling in June with a victory against MMA mainstay Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef (29-12-1). Additional contests will be announced shortly.

Tickets for “Bellator 146: Kato vs. Manhoef” are on sale now at the WinStar World Casino and Resort Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster. Ticket prices range from: $75, $55, $45 and doors for the event open at 5:00 p.m. CT local time, with the first contest taking place one hour later.

Jenkins bounced back from only the second loss of his short career, with an impressive finish of Joe Wilk at “Bellator 139: Kongo vs. Volkov,” The 27-year-old California native is widely considered to be the future of the featherweight division and has stopped his opponent in seven out of nine tries. It will be interesting to see how his wrestling pedigree stands up against a fighter the caliber of Parsons.

Widely regarded as one of the top prospects in all of MMA, Parsons has entered the Bellator MMA fray in a blaze of glory, finishing both of his opponents before reaching the judges’ scorecards. A product of Alliance MMA in San Diego, Calif., “Pretty Boy” will be facing his stiffest competition to date when he meets his Nov. 20th opponent.

 

“Bellator 146: Kato vs. Manhoef” Updated Bout Sheet

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Fight: Hisaki Kato (5-1) vs. Melvin Manhoef (29-12-1)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature Fight: Jordan Parsons (11-1) vs. Bubba Jenkins (9-2)

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

WILL ATHLETE’S RETURN BE A BAD OMEN FOR SHOREY AT NEF XX?

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Lewiston, Maine (September 30, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (3-2) has signed to face the returning Damon “The Omen” Owens (2-0) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

 

The founder and head coach of the Shatterproof Combat Club in Dexter, Maine, Derek Shorey has been impressive in his professional career thus far.  All three of his wins have come by first-round stoppage, including Shorey’s defeat of Tollison Lewis (0-5) earlier this month at “NEF XIX.”  Win or lose, Shorey does not believe in letting fights go to the judges’ scorecards.  All fifteen of his combined amateur and pro fights have ended by either knockout, technical knockout (TKO) or submission.

 

“I’m grateful to be part of this historical event that is NEF XX,” said Shorey.  “Thank you Matt Peterson and Nick DiSalvo for providing a platform for me to chase this ridiculous dream.  Damon is an interesting matchup for me because, stylistically, we are very similar.  I’m excited to get in there and mix it up with him and I think the fans will be the biggest winners on this night because they’re in for a hell of a show. I’ve only just begun to tap my full potential and to pull a ‘W’ over a fighter from the best camp in Maine, would be a very proud moment for me.”

 

Prior to moving to Colorado from Maine in 2013, Damon Owens was on the verge of becoming a breakout star on the regional MMA scene.  Owens put together a pair of solid, back-to-back wins against John Raio (2-8) and Josh Parker (4-8).  Like Shorey, Owens came into his own after leaving the amateur ranks.  Also like Shorey, Owens does not believe in letting the judges decide the outcome of his fights.  Only one of his bouts out of seven has gone the distance.  Owens is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  Returning home, he has been welcomed back with open arms to his team.  Owens has been inactive from competition since moving to Colorado two years ago.

 

“Adding this fight to such a monumental event like ‘NEF XX’ was a no-brainer,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Derek and Damon have both proven themselves to be big finishers.  They match up very well and they’re both incredibly exciting fighters.  This fight has a very good shot at stealing the show!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” 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.

mixed martial arts, World Series of Fighting

MAGOMED BIBULATOV FACES DONAVON FRELOW IN FIRST-EVER WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

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Live on NBCSN from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 29, 2015) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that it will crown its first flyweight (125 pounds) champion in history – the winner of a matchup between undefeated, surging stars Magomed “Gladiator” Bibulatov and Donavon Frelow – at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, live on NBCSN at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

The bout represents one of two world championship matchups that will unfold at “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami,” the second being a previously announced heavyweight championship contest between reigning kingpin Blagoy Ivanov (12-1) of Sofia, Bulgaria and challenger Derek “Caveman” Mehman (19-6) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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“We are looking forward to crowning the first champion ever in our fast-growing and highly-competitive flyweight division, on October 17,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

“As two of the weight class’ most dynamic stars who have yet to be beaten, Magomed and Donavon have earned their respective places in this historic championship fight, and we are confident that the winner will personify what being a champion in World Series of Fighting is about.”

The fight marks the U.S. debut of the 27-year-old Bibulatov (9-0) of Grozny, Chechnya Russia, following a perfect, two-year run competing against opponents in his homeland as well as in France and Portugal, eventually earning the coveted, number one ranking in his weight class in Europe.

Bibulatov, a practitioner of martial arts, including sambo and wrestling, since his early youth, remains the only fighter to have beaten UFC star Taylor Lapilus, over whom Bibulatov earned a unanimous decision on October 12, 2013 in the main event of a fight card held in Lapilus’ home country of France.

In his last start on March 14, Bibulatov scored a first round (1:30) KO (punch) onEduardo Felipe in co-main event action in Bibulatov’s hometown of Grozny.

A member of MMA legend Wanderlei Silva’s vaunted, Las-Vegas based fight team, the 30-year-old Frelow (5-0) has notched four of his five professional career victories, thus far, by way of submission.

Following a near-perfect amateur career that saw him amass an overall record of 5-1 between April 2011 and October 2013, Frelow accepted his first pro fight on just four days’ notice and at the flyweight limit of 125 pounds, 10 pounds lower than that he had previously been competing at.

Frelow persevered in his first pro start, though, defeating George Garcia by way of submission (guillotine choke) in the second round (:30) of their bout on March 6, 2014.

In his third pro outing on December 20, 2014, Frelow needed only 25 seconds to submit Donald Belcher with an armbar.  Frelow has since recorded two straight wins in the World Series of Fighting decagon cage.

Priced from $39.99, tickets for “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” are on sale at Ticketmaster.com and WSOF.com.

In the welterweight main event, Jon Fitch (26-7-1, 1 NC) of Fort Wayne, Ind. will face rival superstar and grappling technician Yushin “Thunder” Okami (30-9) of Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.

Doors at the Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open at 4:30 p.m. ETfor WSOF 24, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The entire preliminary fight card will stream live on an embeddable video player on WSOF.com.

The card is subject to change.

MAIN CARD (Live on NBCSN)

Welterweight Main Event: Jon Fitch vs. Yushin Okami

World Series of Fighting Heavyweight Championship Co-Main Event:
Blagoy Ivanov vs. Derek Mehman

Lightweight: Nick Newell vs. Tom Marcellino

Light Heavyweight: Vinny Magalhaes vs. Matt Hamill

World Series of Fighting Flyweight Championship
Magomed Bibulatov vs. Donavon Frelow

PRELIMINARY CARD (Live on WSOF.com)

Featherweight: Rick Glenn vs. Adam Ward
Featherweight: Alexandre Almeida vs. Saul Almeida
Heavyweight:  Juliano Coutinho vs. TBA
Featherweight: Rodrigo Almeida vs. Bruce Boyington
Welterweight: Washington Nunes Da Silva vs. Colton Smith
Middleweight: Justin Torrey vs. Rex Harris
Middleweight: Louis Taylor vs. Nicolai Salchov
Heavyweight: Pat Walsh vs. Tyler King
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

EWER AND LACHANCE TO LOCK HORNS AT NEF XX

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Lewiston, Maine (September 29, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  CJ Ewer (4-2) is scheduled to face Jason “Second Chance” Lachance (2-2) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

CJ Ewer is a veteran of the United States Air Force security forces.  He is a product of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine where he has honed his craft under coach Chris Young.  Ewer had one of the most explosive starts to a career in NEF history, winning his first three amateur bouts in a matter of just ten weeks.  Earlier this month at “NEF XIX,” Ewer fought and defeated a very tough Ricky Dexter (3-2).  All of Ewer’s fights to date have been in the welterweight and middleweight divisions.  The cut to 155-pounds will be a first for Ewer.

 

“After watching Lachance’s videos, it’s obvious he comes into the cage well prepared,” noted Ewer of his opponent.  “He’s only lost to Jarod Tyler and Dom Cofone, who are both hardcore fighters, and his win against Steve Bang shows that he has a lot of different skills and drive.  It’ll be a great opportunity to show how I can compete at 155.”

 

Jason Lachance is a member of MMA Athletix based in Bath, Maine.  He has faced stiff competition in the first several fights of his career, as Ewer noted, so Lachance is accustomed to standing across the cage from the cream of the crop.  He is coming off a first round submission victory over David Thompson (0-1) earlier this month at “NEF XIX.”  Lachance will look to continue his winning ways when he meets Ewer at “NEF XX” on November 21.

 

“I’m excited for another opportunity to get in the cage,” said Lachance.  “I expect an exciting fight no matter where it ends up.  Ewer is tough competition.  I am looking forward to this one.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” 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.”

Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts

THE FLYWEIGHT TITLE IS ON THE LINE AT NEF XX

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Lewiston, Maine (September 28, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur flyweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  Dustin Veinott (4-3) will defend the NEF MMA Amateur Flyweight Championship against Ryan Burgess(1-0).

 

Dustin Veinott has been the feel-good story of 2015 in NEF.  After going 0-3 to begin his amateur career, Veinott went on a four-fight win streak culminating in a split decision victory over Norman Fox (4-2) this past June to claim the inaugural flyweight title.  Veinott is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston, Maine.  He predicts a finish over Burgess on November 21.

 

“It’s an honor to fight a young up and comer like Burgess,” said the reigning champion.  “He looked like he had solid wrestling in his last fight with Witham.  However, I am disappointed in my last fight. Fight fans will want to see this one.  I will get the finish.”

 

Ryan Burgess is, indeed, an accomplished wrestler.  A veteran of the Mountain Valley High School (MVHS) wrestling program of Rumford, Maine, Burgess chalked up an amazing 150 wins and captured three state titles.  Later, he continued his wrestling career at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire.  Burgess joined Berserkers MMA along with other MVHS wrestling alumni and won his amateur MMA debut this past June.

 

“Dustin has a lot of experience in the cage and had to earn his spot at the top, but he has yet to fight someone at flyweight with the same skill set and intensity that I bring to the cage,” said Burgess.  “I’m very excited for this opportunity and it will be a great chance to show how much I have improved over the last six months.”

 

“It’s not very often that you witness a fighter with a 1-0 record fighting for a title, but Burgess brings with him a lifetime of competitive wrestling and training,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “He was so good at Mountain Valley High School that they retired his singlet when he graduated.  Veinott has found his groove and really come into his own as a champion fighter.  This is a bout between two guys with a ton of drive and determination, and I can’t wait to watch to see who strikes first in this fight.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” 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.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

HEAVYWEIGHTS BOBBY LASHLEY AND JAMES THOMPSON TO SETTLE THEIR SCORE AT ‘BELLATOR 145: VENGEANCE’ NOVEMBER 6 ON SPIKE

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (September 25, 2015) – This past June, fans in St. Louis were deprived of a highly anticipated heavyweight rematch between Bobby “The Dominator” Lashley (13-2) and James “The Colossus” Thompson (20-14, 1 NC), when Thompson was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury.  On Friday, November 6, the two heavyweights will finally square off at “Bellator 145: Vengeance,” at the Scottrade Center in the Gateway City.

 

The contest completes the main card of “Bellator 145: ‘Vengeance,” which airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET.

 

Top billing at the November 6 event features two world title bouts when Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (24-2) defends his strap againstDaniel Straus (23-6) and Will “Ill Will” Brooks (16-1) meets submission specialist Marcin Held (21-3) with the 155-pound belt on the line. “Bellator 145: Vengeance” on Spike will also feature a rematch pitting “Iron” Michael Chandler (13-3) against David “The Caveman” Rickels (16-3, 1 NC).

 

Tickets for “Bellator 145: ‘Vengeance,” which start at just $30, are on sale now on Ticketmaster.com and at the Ford Box Office at Scottrade Center. Doors for the event open at 5:00 p.m. CT local time, and the first contest takes place shortly after.

 

Lashley looks to avenge a 2012 split decision loss to Thompson.  The unfinished business between the two giant heavyweights was originally scheduled to be settled at “Bellator 134: The British Invasion” and again at “Bellator 138: Unfinished Business,” but an injuries sustained by both men caused the fights to be rescheduled.

 

Thompson, a 6-foot-5 striking specialist, hails from England and has been fighting professionally since 2003. A former rugby player and bodybuilder, “The Colossus” found his true calling in MMA and has been competing around the globe ever since. Fighting some of the best heavyweights in the sport, including Kimbo Slice, Alexander Emelianenko, Don Frye, Alistair Overeem, Mariusz Pudzianowki, Bob Sapp, Dan Severn and Hidehiko Yoshida, among others, Thompson has racked up 11 wins by knockout and another seven by submission.

 

A 6-foot-3, former WWE superstar, Lashley started training in the grappling arts at age 12 and would go on to win several titles, including: three National Championships at Missouri Valley College, an NAIA National Championship, a CISM World Championship Silver Medal and two Armed Forces Wrestling Championships during his tenure in the U.S. Army. In addition to a professional wrestling career with stints in WWE, ECW and TNA, Lashley began his MMA career in 2008, and has built an impressive resume that includes Bellator MMA submission wins over Karl Etherington, Josh Burns and most recently, a technical knockout of Dan Charles.

 

“Bellator 145: Vengeance” Updated Fight Card

 

Bellator Featherweight World Title Bout: Patricio Freire (24-2) vs. Daniel Straus (23-6)

Bellator Lightweight World Title Bout: Will Brooks (16-1) vs. Marcin Held (21-3)

Bellator Featherweight Feature Bout: Pat Curran (21-7) vs. Justin Lawrence (7-2)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Bout: Michael Chandler (13-3) vs. David Rickels (16-3, 1 NC)

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Bout: Bobby Lashley (13-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14, 1 NC)

 

Preliminary Card:

Bellator Lightweight Feature Bout: Vince Eazelle (9-2) vs. Chris Heatherly (9-3, 1 NC)

Bellator Bantamweight Feature Bout: Scott Ettling (2-0) vs. Garrett Mueller (2-0)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Bout: Garrett Gross (6-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1)

 

mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA RETURNS TO THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES WITH BLUMER vs HIGO

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                                         MAIN EVENT:
MELVIN “CAREER KILLER” BLUMER 
vs 
LEANDRO “PITBULL” HIGO
BANTAMWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH LIVE ON AXS TV
LIVE from  Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
 
Tickets on Sale Now at Ticketmaster.com 
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will return to Minnesota with RFA 32 – Blumer vs. Higo in November. The main event will feature a bantamweight showdown between two of the promotion’s most exciting prospects as Minnesota’s own Melvin “Career Killer” Blumer battles Brazilian dynamo Leandro “Pitbull” Higo. RFA 32 – Blumer vs. Higo will take place Friday, November 6th inside the Mystic Showroom in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
“Melvin Blumer and Leandro Higo are both coming off huge wins over former RFA title challengers”, stated Soares. “I can’t wait to see what happens when these two step inside the RFA octagon together at RFA 32 in Prior Lake, Minnesota.”
Tickets for RFA 32 – Blumer vs. Higo are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com or the Mystic Box Office at952-445-9000  You can also support your favorite fighter by purchasing your tickets through CageTix.com/RFA.
Blumer (12-2) returns to the the building where he recorded a front-runner for “KO of the Year” this past March at RFA 24. He won his RFA debut with a scintillating back-hand KO over the iron-chinned MMA pioneer Jeff Curran. The KO came with just two seconds left in the first round in a manner that was just as shocking as it was telling. The significance of Blumer’s win was that it showed the world what the Upper Midwest has known for years… Melvin Blumer is a special talent that can finish a fight anywhere at any moment. Blumer is now ready to take the next step in his career by facing one of Brazil’s elite.
“I am more than happy to be in the main event for RFA where I can put the finishing touches on a stacked RFA 32 card,” stated Blumer. “I was at Leandro Higo’s last fight where he finished a guy that just went five rounds with the champ. I definitely don’t see this fight going the distance, but I do look forward to getting my hand raised against another tough and worthy opponent.”
Higo (14-2) made a statement in his RFA debut last month at RFA 29, that was similar to the significance of Blumer’s RFA debut. Just like Blumer, he finished an opponent who had just gone 5-rounds with an undefeated RFA champion in their most recent outing. Higo was able to submit Terrion Ware via Rear Naked Choke with just two seconds remaining in their fight. The win, also like Blumer, proved what Higo’s local fans in Brazil have been saying for years… Leandro Higo is one of the top up-and-coming fighters in MMA. Higo is now eager to face Blumer in a battle of two of MMA’s most exciting and promising bantamweight prospects.
“To headline RFA 32, an international show, is a great feeling,” Higo exclaimed. “I’m very happy to be a part of RFA and my main goal is to become the champion and no one will stop me from achieving that. After my last fight I met Melvin and his brother. I thought they were from another weight class because they’re too big, too strong. I even joked with Pedro Falcao like “Look at that Pedrinho, the size of the guys we’ll have to take down (laughs)”.
“We had a good interaction, although we don’t speak the same language, we had a good time. He seems to be a pretty cool guy, I like to think I’m one too myself, so it wasn’t difficult. I’m sure we’ll have a great duel, he’s coming from a big win, I’m coming from a big win, and I believe the winner of this fight will fight for the belt. Then we’ll have a new RFA champion and his name will be Leandro Higo.”
Also scheduled to fight at RFA 32 in the RFA’s return to Minnesota are three of the state’s biggest MMA stars. Former RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith (14-3), the identical twin brother of Melvin Blumer and the other half of the famed “Bash Brothers” Marvin Blumer (11-5), and the state’s top ranked lightweight Chad Curry (7-0) who has finished all seven of his fights. Smith, Blumer, and Curry are all slated to compete on the main card of RFA 32.
While Smith’s opponent will be announced soon, Blumer and Curry know who they will face at RFA 32. Blumer’s third fight in the RFA will come against fellow RFA vet Bill Kamery (13-4). Kamery has submitted his last three opponents and looks to continue that streak in his return to the RFA. Meanwhile, Curry will make his RFA debut against Landon Vannata (6-0) in a battle of undefeated lightweight prospects. Vannata was originally set to make his promotional debut at RFA 28 last month, but his opponent pulled out of the fight on the day of weigh-in. Vannata is now primed, ready, and eager to finally step foot in the RFA octagon.
The full RFA 32 fight card and further information regarding this event will be announced soon. RFA 32 will be the promotion’s third event to take place in the state of Minnesota. The entire main card of RFA 32 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, November 6th.
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents live events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 43 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).

About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
About MYSTIC LAKE CASINO HOTEL:
Mystic Lake CasinoHotel, the premier gaming facility in the Midwest, continually creates new, fun and exciting entertainment experiences for its guests. Mystic Lake® offers gaming, three lively bars, exceptional dining at seven restaurants, headline performers, unique special events and luxurious accommodations. Located 25 minutes southwest of Minneapolis / St. Paul in Prior Lake.
amateur boxing, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

LEWISTON AND BANGOR COLLIDE IN THE MMA CAGE AT NEF XX

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Lewiston, Maine (September 25, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  Lewiston’s own Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (2-0) is scheduled to meet Bangor, Maine’s Jon Lemke(4-3) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.

 

Matt Denning has been nothing short of impressive in the first two fights of his professional career.  After putting together an amateur record of 4-3, Denning has since finished both Zenon Herrera (0-2) and Derek Shorey (3-2) via first-round submission in the pro ranks.  He is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston.  Denning’s upcoming fight will present an opportunity to gain a measure of revenge, of sorts, on Lemke who defeated Denning’s coach Jesse Erickson (6-4) at Bellator 93 in March 2013.

 

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be on the ‘NEF XX’ card,” said Denning.  Boxing and cage fighting under the same roof – it’s going to be a crazy night.  I’m looking to go 3-0 as a pro against a very high level opponent in Lemke.  It’s a heavier fight, against a guy who beat my coach in Bellator.  I’m excited to showcase my skills and put on a show for the NEF fans.  I’m Lewiston’s own Ken Doll and I plan on bringing everything I have into this fight. Fighting a friend is hard, but it’s all a part of this wide-growing sport.  My career is on the rise while Lemke’s is going down.”

 

Jon Lemke is a member of Team Irish in Brewer, Maine where he trains under the legendary Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (22-11).  Like Denning, Lemke went on a tear at the start of his professional career, winning his first three bouts in a row.  He last appeared in the NEF cage at “NEF XIV” last fall, defeating Amos Collins (4-5) via first-round technical knockout (TKO).  After some time off from competition, Lemke is ready and eager to return to NEF in November.

 

“I am excited and grateful for another opportunity to do what I love and continue my career with NEF,” said Lemke.  “I am grateful to fight Mr. Denning, who has started his pro career off on the fast track.  I realize that I have been very inconsistent in my last couple of fights, however, I have taken steps to remedy that and am happy, healthy and looking to get back on track.  Mr. Denning brings a good skill set and a big fan base to the cage, and I look forward to the challenge and rising up to that challenge.  It’s going to be a great night of fights and people are not going to want to miss this fight in particular.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” 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.

mixed martial arts, World Series of Fighting

“WSOF 24: FITCH VS. OKAMI” ADDS SEVEN PRELIMINARY CARD BOUTS TO STAR-STUDDED, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT AT FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO IN CONNECTICUT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

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 Rick Glenn vs. Adam Ward tops the undercard bill that streams live on WSOF.com before the live NBCSN telecast

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 24, 2015) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today seven matchups stacked with some of the sport’s most prolific, emerging talent for the star-studded “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” world championship event at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, live on NBCSN, beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

A featherweight (145 pounds) contest between former World Series of Fighting champion Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn and aggressive-minded standout Adam Ward will headline the preliminary bout card that will stream live on an embeddable video player on WSOF.com before the live NBCSN telecast of the five-bout main card.

An eighth bout pitting heavyweight Juliano Coutinho (6-1) of Cape Cod, Mass. against an opponent to be determined, will be announced soon.

“We are set to unleash what could very well be our most exciting lineup of preliminary bouts yet, filled with a diverse group of hungry, up-and-coming talent, future superstars and even a former world champion in Rick Glenn,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

The 26-year –old Glenn of Marshalltown, Iowa is looking to rebound after a hard-fought defeat at the hands of Lance Palmer that cost Glenn his World Series of Fighting featherweight title.  The loss snapped Glenn’s phenomenal unbeaten streak that spanned 13 fights over the course of more than 4 years.

Heading into what will be his promotional debut under the World Series of Fighting banner, Ward of Chicago, Ill. is riding a five-fight win streak that began on September 27, 2013 when he submitted Pedro Velasco with a rear-naked choke just 42 seconds into the first round of battle.

In other featherweight preliminary bout action, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida(16-5) of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil will square off with Saul “The Spider” Almeida (18-5) of Boston, Mass.

Alexandre, 27, will hunt for his fourth consecutive win.  To date, 12 of his 16 career conquests have come by way of submission.

Saul, 26, is seeking his sixth straight win after earning a split decision victory overChris Foster at World Series of Fighting’s debut event at Foxwoods Resort Casino on April 10.

Also at featherweight, Rodrigo “The Young Lion” Almeida (12-2) of Woburn, Mass. faces off with Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) of Bangor, Maine.

The 29-year-old Almeida is looking to notch his eighth consecutive win, while Boyington, 36, boasts an 80 percent finish rate.

In one of two middleweight (185 pounds) preliminary card fights, hard-hitting KO artist and Iraq war veteran Justin Torrey (7-1) of Springfield, Mass. will throw down with Rex “T-Rex” Harris (7-2) of West Pittston, Penn.

Six of Torrey’s seven wins to date have come by way of (T)KO, while all seven of Harris’ victories have come by way of (T)KO or submission.

In the second middleweight scrap, recent World Series of Fighting signee Louis “Handgunz” Taylor (11-3) of Chicago will make his promotional debut against unbeaten prospect Nicolai Salchov (5-0) of Dusseldorf, Germany.

In the midst of a four-fight win streak, Taylor has produced 10 of his 11 career wins by way of (T)KO or submission.  Salchov has done likewise in 4 of his 5 starts.

Washington Nunes Da Silva (5-1) of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil will meetColton Smith (5-4) of Manassas, Va. at welterweight (170 pounds).

The WSOF 24 preliminary bout card will kick off with a heavyweight affair pittingPat Walsh (6-2) of West Bridgewater, Mass. against Tyler King (9-3) of North Attleboro, Mass.

Priced from $39.99, tickets for “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” are on sale at Ticketmaster.com and WSOF.com.

In the welterweight main event, Jon Fitch (26-7-1, 1 NC) of Fort Wayne, Ind. will face rival superstar and grappling technician Yushin “Thunder” Okami (30-9) of Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.

In the co-main event, World Series of Fighting Heavyweight Champion Blagoy Ivanov (12-1) of Sofia, Bulgaria will put his coveted title on the line for the first time against seasoned contender Derek “Caveman” Mehmen (19-6) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Doors at the Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open at 4:30 p.m. ET, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 5:30 p.m.  The card is subject to change.

About “World Series of Fighting” (WSOF)
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a world wide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and “World Series of Fighting” President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.