|
Qeb Archives: mixed martial arts
FAN FAVORITE INKS MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH NEF; WILL COMPETE AT NEF XIX
Lewiston, Maine (Lub Xya hli ntuj 14, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” Rau hnub Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional light-heavyweight bout to the fight card. Crowsneck Boutin (1-0) will face Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (2-2) at a fight weight of 205-pounds. The promotion further announced that Boutin had signed a long term, multi-fight deal with the company.
Crowsneck Boutin debuted as an amateur fighter with NEF in June 2012. After going 3-0 nyob rau hauv 2014, Boutin was voted the “Fighter of the Year” by NEF fans. His successful run continued into 2015 when Boutin downed veteran Ryan Cowette (2-3) in his professional debut. He currently trains out of the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine under coach Jon Pinette.
“A few years ago, after losing my first fight, Matt Peterson gave me Jon Pinette’s (Choi coach) phone number,” recalled Boutin. “I didn’t know it at the time, but that one phone call would become the most important call I’d ever make. Ups and downs, yea? We all come by them. We find the light. I’m blessed with this opportunity to call the NEF cage my home and it’ll be a true privilege to honor those who have loved me unconditionally and have supported me through this, from when I started as a fugitive, to now, as a professional.”
“Hopefully it’s a war and things get bloody,” stated Boutin when asked about his upcoming clash with Hansen on September 12th. “I understand he has a mustache and it’s extremely cool, but I can’t let that distract me from ripping him open.”
Mike Hansen, himself an NEF-signed athlete, won a state championship in wrestling for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine in 2004. Hansen began competing in MMA soon after graduating high school, but then took nearly a decade off from the sport during which time he served in the United States Army as a combat engineer. Returning to the cage earlier this year, Hansen founded Berserkers MMA in Rumford where he trains with other Mountain Valley wrestling alum.
“Crowsneck is a hard worker out of a great school and he’s dedicated,” stated Hansen when reached for comment. “I’m sure he’s going to throw a lot of volume on his feet, kicking and punching, but it’s not like he’s going to take me down. So, it looks like we are going to stand and bang it out. I expect him to come fully prepared for battle—and battle we will.”
New hais Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Hnub vas xaum, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Daim pib mus “NEF XIX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. tsis tas li ntawd, 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 hais 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.
FIGHT NETWORK MMA, JUDO & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Lub Xya hli ntuj 13-19, 2015)
| (U.S. only schedule, excluding those listed below in blue and indicated CANADA ONLY. For full Canadian schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com from your region.)
Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, boxing, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.
Below find highlights of this week’s programming:
Monday, Lub Xya hli ntuj 13 8:00 p.m. LI – Final Fight Championship 13 MMA: Wolf vs.Milinkovic – Featuring Ruben Wolf vs. Sasa Milinkovic from June 6, 2014 in Zadar Croatia. 10:00 p.m. LI – Final Fight Championship 13 Kickboxing: Jurkovic vs. Tavares – Featuring Igor Jurkovic vs. Luis Tavares from June 6, 2014 in Zadar Croatia. Hnub, Lub Xya hli ntuj 14 7:00 p.m. LI – UFC tua hmo ntuj: Mir vs. Duffee Weigh-Ins – LIVE coverage of official weigh ins for UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee in San Diego, California. 8:00 p.m. LI – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action. 8:30 p.m. LI – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game. 10:00 p.m. LI – 5 Rounds Today – Video podcast with John Ramdeen and Robin Black breaking down a wide variety of topics in the MMA world, including previews of upcoming events and all the latest rumors and headlines. 11:00 p.m. LI – Enfusion Live #30 Dublin: Philpott vs. Jarya – Featuring Alan Philpott vs. Mohammed Jaraya and Ilisias Bulaid vs. Simon Santana in championship fights from July 11, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Hnub peb, Lub Xya hli ntuj 15 3:00 a.m. LI – Texas Fight Night – MMA action from Texas featuring the Lone Star State’s top prospects in the cage. 6:00 p.m. LI – Best of Cage Rage – Featuring classic fights from the UK-based Cage Rage organization with Anderson Silva, Antonio Silva, Victor Belfort, Paul Daley and others. 7:00 p.m. LI – Fight News Now Extra: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and feature. 7:70 p.m. LI – UFC Fight Night Mir: vs. Duffee Pre-Show – LIVE pre-fight coverage of UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee in San Diego, California. 8:00 p.m. LI – CANADA ONLY – UFC Fight Night Mir: vs. Duffee Prelims – LIVE preliminary fights coverage of UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee in San Diego, California. 8:00 p.m. LI – Cage Warriors FC: Hmo ntuj 5 – Featuring John Phillips vs. Chris Fields and Victor Cheng vs. Faycal Hussin from Apr. 12, 2012 in Amman, Jordan. 11:00 p.m. LI – MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency – Gabriel Morency breaks down all the happenings in MMA, discussing odds, predictions, plus special weekly guests and exclusive interviews. 11:30 p.m. LI – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scenes coverage from events and exclusive interviews. Hnub plaub, Lub Xya hli ntuj 16 12:30 a.m. LI – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game. 1:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. LI – Ultimate Challenge MMA 16: Unbelievable – Featuring Dean Amasinger vs. Jamaine Facey from Oct. 23, 2010 9m London. 3:30 a.m. EI – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and others. 6:00 p.m. LI – Championship Fighting Alliance – Pro MMA from Florida featuring the likes of Josh Sampo, Mike Kyle, John Howard, Sean McCorkie, Luis Palomino and others. 7:00 p.m. LI – Fighting Rookies – Aspiring kickboxers climb the ladder of success in the sport as rookies compete for a chance to become professionals and get experience needed to succeed at a higher level. 8:00 p.m. LI – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features. 8:30 p.m. LI — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game. 9:00 p.m. LI – SuperKombat World Grand Prix III 2015 – Featuring Catalin Morasanu vs. Colin George and Andrei Stoica vs. Abdarhmane Coulibaly from June 19, 2015 in Constanta, Romania. Hnub vas Xuv, Lub Xya hli ntuj 17 12:00 a.m. LI – It’s Showtime Special – The world’s premier kickboxing organization featuring Badr Hari, Melvin Manhoef and Giorgio Petrosyan. 2:00 a.m. LI – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Nate Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others. 4:00 a.m. LI – Best of DEEP – Featuring classic fights from the historic Japanese DEEP promotion including Shinya Aoki, Hayato Sakurai and Gerard Mousasi. 5:00 a.m. LI – Best of Jewels – Classic fights from the all-female Japanese MMA League, Jewels. 12:00 p.m. LI – Bookie Beatdown – Preview of the betting lines and top picks for major UFC events. 6:00 p.m. LI — M 1 sib tw– Pro MMA from Europe and Russia featuring top prospects and international stars. 7:30 p.m. LI — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game. 8:00 p.m. LI – Toe 2 Toe with Michael Bisping – Sit-down interview with UFC miuddleweight star Michael Bisping. 8:30 p.m. LI – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures. 9:00 p.m. LI — KSW 26: Materia vs. Silva – Featuring Michal Materia vs. Jay Silva and Marcin Rozalski vs. Nick Rossborough from Mar. 22, 2014 in Warsaw, Poland. Hnub vas xaum, Lub Xya hli ntuj 18 10:30 a.m. LI – UFC Fight Night Bisping vs. Leites Pre-Show – Pre-fight for UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites in Glasgow, Scotland. 11:00 a.m. LI – CANADA ONLY – UFC Fight Night Bisping vs. Leites Prelims – LIVE Preliminary fights coverage of UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites in Glasgow, Scotland. 6:00 a.m. LI – Best of TKO – Featuring Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar from TKO 24. 7:00 a.m. LI – Best of SportFight – Top quality MMA from the Pacific Northwest, hosted by UFC veterans Matt Lindland and Chael Sonnen. 8:30 a.m. LI – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Name Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others. 11:00 a.m. LI – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and others 3:00 p.m. LI – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scene news coverage from events, and exclusive interviews. 4:00 p.m. LI – Deep: 69 Impact– Featuring Yoshiyuki Nakanisho vs. Ryita Sakurai and Mizuto Hirota vs. Masakazu Imanari from Oct. 26, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. 8:00 p.m. LI — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game. 8:30 p.m. LI – Legend 1: Emelianenko vs. Sapp – Featuring Alexsander Emelianenko vs. Bob Sapp on a hybrid MMA/kickboxing show from May 24, 2014 in Moscow, Zog ntawm Guj kuj. 10:00 p.m. LI — Legend 1: Lightweight Tournament – Featuring a one-night, single-elimination lightweight tournament showcasing Dhabar Askerov, Enriko Gogokhiya, Artur Kyshenko and Yury Nessmertny from May 24, 2014 in Moscown, Zog ntawm Guj kuj. Hnub xya, Lub Xya hli ntuj 19 12:00 a.m. LI – Australian Fighting Championship 9 – Featuring Corey Nelson vs. Callan Potter and Gustavo Falciroli vs. Kaiwhare Kara-France from May 17, 2014 in New South Eales, Austrailia. 6:00 a.m. LI – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Name Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others. 11:00 a.m. LI – Best of ADCC – Featuring compilations of the greatest grappling matches ever held, featuring Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes, Eddie Bravo, Fabricio Werdum, Marcelo Garcia, Ronaldo Souza and Royler Gracie. 12:00 a.m. LI – Elite Muay Thai: Thailand vs. Challenger – The biggest Muay Thai series in the world featuring premium international stand-up fighters taking on the renowned Thai National Team 5:00 p.m. LI – USA Wrestling Weekly – Host Scott Casber gives weekly news and analysis centering around USA Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body, including interviews, features, and a look back at the past. 5:30 p.m. LI – Judo Tokyo Grand Slam 2014 – Highlights from the Judo Tokyo Grand Slam – Highlights from the Judo Tokyo Grand Slam from Dec. 5-7, 2-014 in Japan. 11:00 p.m. LI – Enfusion Live #23: Bulaid vs. Zairov – Featuring Ilias Bulaid vs. Zahid Zahid Zairov for the -67kg world title from Dec. 21, 2014 in Gennep Nijmegen, Netherlands.
INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram @fightnet
|
 |
| ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK: Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. |
ROGER ‘THE LEPRECHAUN’ CARROLL STEPS UP ON SHORT NOTICE TO FACE ‘IRISH’ BRENNAN WARD AT BELLATOR 140 THIS FRIDAY
MONICA RAUG, Calif. (Lub Xya hli ntuj 13, 2015) – Connecticut’s own“Irish” Brennan Ward (10-3) will compete against a new opponent at “Bellator: Lima vs. Koreshkov,” which takes place thisHnub vas Xuv, Lub Xya hli ntuj 17 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, I. Roger “The Leprechaun” Carroll (16-11) has agreed to face the dangerous welterweight on seven days’ notice, in the place of Gavin Sterritt, who withdrew from the contest and was subsequently cut from the promotional roster.
“Bellator: Lima vs. Koreshkov” features five world-class 170-pound bouts including world champion Douglas Lima (26-5) thiab Andrey Koreshkov (17-1), Chris Honeycutt (6-0) vs. Paul Bradley (22-6), Michael “Venom” Page (7-0) noj Rudy Bears (16-13), and knockout artist Paul “Semtex” Daley (36-13-2) challenging Dennis Olson (14-8).
The main card airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. LI/8 p.m. I, while the announced preliminary bouts stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. LI. Limited tickets for “Bellator MMA: Lima vs. Koreshkov,” which start at just $25, remain on sale now at the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office or Ticketmaster.com.
Having won Bellator’s Season 9 Middleweight tournament, Ward decided to test himself in the welterweight division, and shined in his 170-pound debut with a first-round rear-naked choke submission victory over Curtis Millender at “Bellator: The British Invasion” this past February.
The Waterford, Conn. native has an affinity for the finish, having ended nine of his ten professional tilts before reaching the judges’ scorecards. With his hometown a mere ten miles away from the venue, “Irish” is sure to have a strong home cage advantage over his short notice opponent.
Carroll rides into Connecticut in the midst of a three-fight winning streak. The Claremont, N.C. resident has spent most of his seven year mixed martial arts career competing at 185-pounds, but will make the move to welterweight for his Bellator MMA debut.
“The Leprechaun” fits the description of a “submission specialist,” with 15 of his 16 wins as a professional coming by way of making his opponent quit. One half of Carroll Brothers BJJ, Roger also doubles as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor alongside his brother Joseph at Superior Martial Arts Academy in North Carolina.
Main Card (9 P.M. EST)
Bellator Welterweight Title Fight: Douglas Lima (26-5) vs. Andrey Koreshkov (17-1)
Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Chris Honeycutt (6-0) vs. Paul Bradley (22-6)
Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Michael Page (7-0) vs. Rudy Bears (16-13)
Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Brennan Ward (10-3) vs. Roger Carroll (16-11)
Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Daley (36-13-2) vs. Dennis Olson (14-8)
Preliminary Card (7 P.M. EST)
Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Blair Tugman (7-5) vs. Kin Moy (6-2)
Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Ilya Kotau (debut) vs. Nicolas Sergiacomi (1-0)
Bellator Heavyweight Prelim Fight: Parker Porter (5-4) vs. Eric Bedard (6-5)
Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Billy Giovanella (8-3) vs. Remo Cardarelli (4-2)
Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Dean Hancock (1-0) vs. Alex Dunworth (2-1, 1 NC)
Bellator Flyweight Prelim Fight: Kaline Medeiros (4-4) vs. Sarah Payant (1-0)
Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Waylon Lowe (15-6, 1 NC) vs. Ryan Quinn (10-5, 1 NC)
About Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 400 million homes worldwide in over 120 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike, the MMA television leader. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
About Spike:
Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
BELLATOR MMA AND SPIKE TV NAME SEAN GRANDE PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER FOR ITS LIVE FIGHT COVERAGE
MONICA RAUG, Calif. (Lub Xya hli ntuj 13, 2015) – Bellator MMA and Spike have named veteran sports announcer and the current voice of the Boston Celtics, Sean Grande, as its new play-by-play announcer. Grande will team up with color analyst Jimmy Smith beginning this Hnub vas Xuv, Lub Xya hli ntuj 17 for “Bellator 140” at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Fans can tune in to hear Grande and Smith call the action for the first time at “Bellator 140,” which airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. LI / 8 p.m. I. The event features five action-packed welterweight fights, headlined by Bellator Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima, who defends his belt against Andrey Koreshkov, plus the return of hometown favorite Brennan Ward.
“Sean Grande is an incredibly talented and well-accomplished sports announcer with a passion for mixed martial arts,” said Scott Coker, President, Bellator MMA. “He has been behind the microphone for many championship events and we look forward to him bringing his enthusiasm and energy to Bellator as our league continues to grow.”
“I’m proud to have called games for some amazing organizations, ABC Sports, CBS, the Celtics, the Red Sox, Westwood One,” said Grande. “But I’ve simply been blown away by the people at Spike TV and Bellator, and the product they want to present. I’m legitimately honored to join both of these teams, and make some great sports television.
“I absolutely love what Scott (Coker) has done for Bellator and l’m thrilled to start calling the fights alongside Jimmy Smith Hnub vas Xuv night on Spike. I’m going to have the best seat in the house, watching Douglas Lima and some of the best welterweights in the world. Hard to imagine a better way to kick things off, and it’s all taking place just a short drive from Boston.
“I understand why I’m a story today. But what I’m really excited about, is being able to tell the stories of amazing champions like Patricio Pitbull, Will Brooks, Douglas Lima and Liam McGeary as they rise to the top of the sport.”
More on Grande (@SeanGrandePBP):
Recently completing his 18th season in the NBA and 15th as the voice of the Boston Celtics, Grande’s epic account of the two-month run to the 2008 World Championship cemented his status as one of the nation’s elite play-callers. He’s joined by analyst Cedric Maxwell for all Boston Celtics games. Since shortly after their 2001 pairing, “Grande and Max” have become one of Boston’s most popular and iconic on-air combinations, and the soundtrack of the Celtics “New Big Three Era”.
On May 20, 2013, Grande made his Major League Baseball debut, after being named the alternate play-by-play voice of the World Champion Boston Red Sox. It completed his cycle of broadcasting major pro sports (NBA, NFL, NHL, WNBA and MLS). In January, he returned to his television roots, calling college basketball on CBS Sports Network.
Grande’s reached several milestones over the last few years. Only the legendary Johnny Most and current television voice Mike Gorman have now called more Celtics games. Nyob rau hauv 2009, he called his 1000th NBA Game, joining Marv Albert and Ian Eagle as the only three to reach that plateau before the age of 40. Grande and Max were honored pre-game at TD Garden for their 1000th game together on February 3, 2012.
Voted by the readers of Boston Sports Media Watch as the best play-by-play announcer in Boston, Sean was recruited back to town in 2001 after serving three years as the television voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves. When he signed in 1998, he was the youngest announcer in the NBA. The versatile Grande’s play-by-play credits also include two seasons as part of ABC Sports College Football broadcast team, joining the likes of Keith Jackson and Brent Musburger.
Grande’s first stint in Boston began at Boston University where he spent seven seasons calling Terrier hockey, football and basketball on both television and radio. On the television side, Grande was the original voice of the Hockey East Game of the Week on Fox Sports Net. His college hockey work for Fox and the NCAA Tournament garnered him three New England Emmy nominations including the 1999 Emmy for best Play-by-Play. He’s served six years as the television voice of the NCAA East Regional. And this past April in Philadelphia, his twelfth year as “Voice of the Frozen Four” on CBS Radio, Grande called his record fifteenth NCAA Championship Game.
His broadcast career included a seven-year stint at WEEI (1991-1998), the final three as Sports Director. His wide-ranging play-by-play career has seen him call NFL Football for Westwood One, WNBA basketball for the Minnesota Lynx (1999-2001) and Connecticut Sun (2006-2007), MFS Pro Tennis, Providence Bruins hockey, Harvard basketball and even Major League Soccer. He served three years as host of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on NHL radio and co-hosted the NCAA Hockey Selection show on ESPN2.
BELLATOR & WEC VETERAN RETURNS TO DEFEND NEF TITLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (Lub Xya hli ntuj 10, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” Rau hnub Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional featherweight championship bout to the fight card. Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (17-9) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Featherweight Title against Vovka “KGB” Clay (3-0). The bout is scheduled for five five-minute rounds at a weight of 145-pounds.
Morrison stunned the NEF universe this past February when he arrived in Lewiston and submitted hometown hero Ray Wood (5-1) in the fifth round to win the championship title. It was as if he had sucked all the air out of the Colisée with a vacuum. Morrison played the role of spoiler that cold, snowy night in Lewiston.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “The entire place just dropped into a dead silence. I don’t think anyone in Maine saw that coming, and I certainly don’t think anyone who’s followed NEF expected a fighter to come in and do that to Ray Wood. Everyone was shocked. It was a surreal moment.”
Morrison is a seasoned veteran with more than a decade’s experience in the sport. He has competed against the best MMA has to offer on the national stage, including a stint in World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Bellator. Morrison trains out of Daddis MMA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“I am very thankful to return to the beautiful state of Maine, for my first title defense,” said Morrison. “It will be a very entertaining fight and another victory for the five time! Five time! Five time! Five time! Five time! Mixed martial arts champion, Anthony Morrison.”
Vovka Clay is undefeated as a professional. He competed as an amateur twice in NEF and won both fights by submission in an impressive fashion. Clay is considered one of the true rising stars of the New England fight scene. A win over an accomplished veteran like Morrison could potentially propel Clay onto the national stage. He is a product of Team Triumph/Boston BJJ of Nashua, New Hampshire.
“Every fighter has a dream of making it to the UFC,” said Clay. “Some choose to go after meaningless titles and pad their records fighting nobodies. I choose to fight the highest level of competition possible. I am thrilled to be fighting Anthony Morrison for the NEF Featherweight title. He is a very durable and crafty veteran. It won’t be easy, but if I fight my fight, I will finish Morrison and I will be the NEF Featherweight Champion.”
New hais Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Hnub vas xaum, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Daim pib mus “NEF XIX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. tsis tas li ntawd, 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 hais 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.
FLYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR ADDED TO NEF XIX FIGHT CARD
Lewiston, Maine (Lub Xya hli ntuj 9, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” rau Hnub vas xaum, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur flyweight bout to the fight card. “Crispy” Mike Crespo (3-2) is scheduled to face Ryan “Gordo” Burgess(1-0) at a fight weight of 125-pounds. The bout will be a title eliminator for a future shot at the NEF MMA Amateur Flyweight Championship currently held by Dustin Veinott (4-3).
Crespo is a member of MMA Athletix in Bath, Maine where he instructs in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He is also a member of Victory Church, located in Bath as well, which is the ministry affiliated with the MMA Athletix gym. After getting off to a 2-0 start in 2014, Crespo was nominated for the “Rookie of the Year” award. He dropped two in a row to start 2015, but bounced back with an impressive win over Caleb Costello (2-4) last month at “NEF XVIII.”
“I’m excited to be in the cage again,” said Crespo. “Sadly, there’s nothing I can say about Ryan Burgess, except that he’s another wrestler. I know he won’t stand with me, like most of the wrestler and Jiu Jitsu-based fighters I have gone against so far. If he does stand with me, great – but I doubt he will. If he chooses to go to the ground with me, even better. I am prepared and definitely have the mindset. I wish my opponent the best, but let Dustin (Veinott, 125-pound title holder) know I’m coming for him very soon.”
Ryan “Gordo” Burgess, a native of Mexico, Maine, is a 2011 graduate of Mountain Valley High School where he was a three-time state wrestling champion and one of the most winning wrestlers in Mountain Valley’s history under coach Gary Dolloff. Burgess made his MMA debut last month at “NEF XVIII” in Lewiston. That night, he defeated the more experienced Justin Witham (0-3) via unanimous decision.
“Crespo is an experienced fighter with a different style than most fighters in this division,” said Burgess, “and I can’t wait to step in the cage and put on a show with another hungry opponent. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to see what it has to offer me as I journey towards an amateur championship fight.”
New hais Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Hnub vas xaum, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Daim pib mus “NEF XIX” 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. tsis tas li ntawd, 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 hais 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.
“WSOF 23: GAETHJE VS. PALOMINO II” WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER HITS PHOENIX, ARIZ. ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 18
|
|||
|
RFA 28 GETS A NEW CO-HEADLINER AS GEANE HERRERA HEADS TO THE UFC
|
|
RFA 28 – SANCHEZ vs. POPPIE
MAIN EVENT:
ANDREW SANCHEZ vs. JOHN POPPIE
MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
COV KEV TSHWM SIM MAIN:
MATT MANZANARES vs. KEN PORTER
FLYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7th LIVE ON AXSTV
LIVE at The Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, MO
Tickets on Sale through MetroTix.com
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that RFA 28 will feature a new co-main event after Geane “La Pulga” Herrera got called up to compete in the UFC. Replacing the undefeated Herrera will be former RFA flyweight champion Matt Manzanares, who will be making his record-tying seventh appearance for the promotion. He will face St. Louis’ own Ken Porter, who is a rising flyweight MMA prospect and an undefeated professional boxer. The main event of RFA 28 will feature RFA fan favorite Andrew Sanchez and The Ultimate Fighter alum John Poppie vying for the vacant RFA middleweight title. The event takes place Friday, August 7th at The Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. LI / 7 p.m. PT.
“I am excited to see Geane Herrera represent what the RFA is all about by extending his undefeated record in the UFC,” stated Soares. “The co-main event of RFA 28 will now feature the return of former RFA flyweight champion Matt Manzanares against fellow boxer-turned-MMA fighter Ken Porter.
Manzanares (7-5) returns to the RFA for a record-tying seventh appearance for the promotion. In his time as a professional fighter, the former RFA flyweight champion has faced and accepted bouts with the who’s who of his division and will be looking to take full advantage of that experience. The two-time Junior Olympian boxer possesses some of the slickest hands in the sport, but those skills will be tested to the fullest against Porter who is 4-0 as a professional boxer. Manzanares and Porter also bring with them nearly 300 combined amateur boxing matches, which could make this one of the best flyweight striking displays in MMA this year.
“This is the most motivated I’ve been for a fight in a very long time,” Manzanares exclaimed. “I think Ken Porter is a great fighter and has a lot going for him, but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I’m looking forward to getting my hand raised and putting my name back at the top of the division.”
Porter (8-2, 1 No Contest) will be the man tasked with welcoming back the hungry former champion and he looks forward to doing it in front of his excited home crowd. The proud St. Louisan is perhaps the only flyweight in MMA that can match Manzanares’ experience in amateur MMA and amateur boxing. He has also lived up to his nickname “The Sensation” since making his professional boxing debut in May 2014. In that time, he has been sensational in combat sports by going 4-0 in professional boxing and 4-0 in professional MMA. Porter is now eager to extend that streak at RFA 28.
“I feel like Manzanares poses a much bigger challenge than Herrera,” stated Porter. “He brings a lot more to the table and has fought much tougher guys. I’ve been working really hard for this fight and look forward to making a big statement in my national television debut for the RFA.”
The main event of RFA 28 will feature two of MMA’s top middleweight prospects, when RFA fan favorite Andrew Sanchez (6-2) returns home to St. Louis to battle Wisconsin native John Poppie (6-1) for the vacant RFA middleweight title. Sanchez was a two-time NAIA national champion, four-time NAIA All-American, thiab 2011 NAIA Wrestler of the Year while attending St. Louis area school McKendree University. He will face Poppie (6-1), who was a light-heavyweight cast member on the nineteenth season of the UFC’s hit reality television show The Ultimate Fighter. Now competing at his natural weight class of 185-pounds, Poppie will look to extend his four-fight win streak. Poppie also has a collegiate wrestling background from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.
RFA 28 also features the return of Bobby “The Wolfman” Moffett (7-1). The fearsome featherweight will look to follow up his dominant RFA debut in March with another howling triumph in his sophomore appearance for the promotion. He will face one of Missouri’s top featherweight prospects in Nick LoBosco (8-1). LoBosco has never lost in his home state and the collegiate wrestler will be looking to keep that record intact when he fights in front of his home crowd on August 7th.
The main card of RFA 28 will also feature the highly-anticipated RFA debut of Curtis “Razor” Blaydes (4-0). Blaydes was an NJCAA national wrestling champion at Harper College and is widely considered one of the top heavyweight prospects in the sport. He will have a stiff test in his promotional debut as he faces a dangerous RFA vet in Justin “The Grizzly Bear” Frazier (7-2). Frazier hails from “The Natural State” of Arkansas and has displayed a natural finishing ability, as all seven of his wins have come via stoppage.
In the featherweight division, Jamal Parks (5-1) returns to the RFA Octagon for the second time. The former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler from Oklahoma State University will face promotional newcomer Javon Wright (6-3). Wright has not lost a fight in two years dating back to a hotly-contested split decision verdict he dropped to current RFA bantamweight kingpin Luke Sanders.
In lightweight action, Turkey’s first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Murat “Lord Pitbull” Kazgan (2-0-1) will be making his highly-anticipated RFA debut. Kazgan, who has already fought in Turkey, South Korea, and Russia, is looking to remain unbeaten in his North American debut. He will face two-time Golden Gloves winner Jake “The North County Nightmare” Roberts (4-0). The St. Louis native Roberts, who has recently joined The MMA LAB in Glendale, Arizona, is currently riding an impressive streak. Roberts has submitted all 12 men he has faced in MMA: 8 as an amateur and 4 thaum muaj kev.
Additional bouts at RFA 28 will be announced soon. RFA 28 will be the promotion’s second event to take place in the state of Missouri and its first foray into the city of St. Louis. The entire main card of RFA 28 – Sanchez vs. Poppie will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. LI / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, August 7th.
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. LI.
|
|
 |
MMA COACH’S WIFE TO MAKE CAGE DEBUT AT NEF XIX
Lewiston, Maine (Lub Xya hli ntuj 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” rau Hnub vas xaum, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a women’s amateur fight to the card. Angela Young (0-0) will make her debut against Rachel Reinheimer (1-0) at a fight weight of 130-pounds.
Angela is the wife of Chris Young, the founder, owner and head coach of Bangor, Maine-based gym Young’s MMA. She has spent the last several years being trained by her husband in combat sports. Her debut fight is a moment Angela has prepared for for some time, and she is excited to finally step into the NEF cage. RauSeptember 12, she will look to continue the tradition of success Young’s MMA has come to be known for on NEF events.
“Chris, my husband, has been my coach from the very beginning, and I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to test myself in the sport I’ve loved for so long,” said Angela. “My opponent comes out of a great gym, but then again, so do I.”
Rachel Reinheimer does, in fact, come from one of the longest active and most respected fight camps in New England – Sityodtong in Somerville, Massachusetts. A graduate of Simmons College in Boston, a mother and employee of the United States Department of Labor, Reinheimer has trained with Sityodtong for the past six years, honing her skills in all areas of the martial arts. This past spring, she made her MMA debut, decimating Hillary Cooledge (0-2) on her way to a unanimous decision victory.
“My first amateur fight was an incredible experience, and I owe everything to my Sityodtong family who pushes me every step of the way,” said Reinheimer. “I love this sport, and I am completely driven to keep evolving and getting better every day. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to fight for NEF in September.”
New hais Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Hnub vas xaum, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Daim pib mus “NEF XIX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. tsis tas li ntawd, 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 hais 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.