Category Archives: mixed martial arts

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

FLYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR ADDED TO NEF XIX FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (July 9, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, 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 England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “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.  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 23: GAETHJE VS. PALOMINO II” WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER HITS PHOENIX, ARIZ. ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 18

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Main Event: Undefeated WSOF World Lightweight Champion
Justin Gaethje rematches heavy hitter Luis Palomino

Co-Main Event: David Branch and Teddy Holder square off to become first WSOF world light heavyweight champion in history

Live on NBCSN
Tickets on sale Saturday, July 11

LAS VEGAS (July 9, 2015) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) will return to Phoenix, Ariz., where it delivered one of its most memorable nights of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) action to date earlier this year,  with a world championship doubleheader headlined by a highly-anticipated rematch between undefeated, reigning WSOF World Lightweight (155 pounds) Champion Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje and hard-hitting challenger Luis “Baboon” Palomino at Comerica Theatre on Friday, Sept. 18, live on NBCSN.

In the co-main event, David Branch will attempt to become the promotion’s first two-division champion and first world light heavyweight (205 pounds) champion in history when he squares off with determined, hard-hitting KO artist Teddy Holder in the championship round of the four-man, multi-event tournament that kicked off at Comerica Theatre on March 28 as part of WSOF 19.

Priced from $39.99, tickets for “WSOF 23: Gaethje vs. Palomino II” go on sale onSaturday, July 11 at 10 a.m. MT and will be available for purchase at the Comerica Theatre box office and online at Ticketmaster.com.

“We are excited to return to Phoenix where we witnessed one of the most incredible fights in WSOF history earlier this year between Justin Gaethje and Luis Palomino, and to see them do it all over again,” said WSOF President Ray Sefo.

“Likewise,” continued Sefo, “we look forward to crowning the first WSOF light heavyweight champion in history and, based on their recent performances in our cage, David Branch and Teddy Holder should deliver a thrilling end to our historic tournament.”

The ferocious, 26-year-old Gaethje (14-0) of Safford, Ariz. put forth the gutsiest performance of his four-year professional career, thus far, when he faced off with Palomino, a 34-year-old resident of Miami, Fla. known for his devastating KO power, in the main event of WSOF 19.

An electric, seesaw battle that repeatedly brought the crowd on hand to its feet, suddenly ended when Gaethje, after digging down deep, put together a combination of leg kicks and punches that put the tenacious Palomino down in the third round of action and prompted the referee to call off the fight, giving Gaethje the TKO win at the 3:57mark of the third stanza.

Branch and Holder find themselves in championship round action in the WSOF tournament that kicked off in Phoenix on March 28, after both fighters faced unexpected, last-minute adversaries in the semifinal stage.

Originally slated to square off with Ronny Markes, the 33-year-old Branch (16-3), the reigning WSOF world middleweight (185 pounds) champion and a Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who hails from Brooklyn, N.Y., found himself with a new opponent in Jesse McElligott just 24 hours before fight time on April 10, after a dehydrated Markes was forced to withdraw from the affair.

Branch, who seized the WSOF middleweight strap with a first round (1:41) submission (d’arce choke) of Jesse Taylor on June 21, 2014, handled McElligott relatively easily, submitting him with a shoulder choke in the second round (1:28) of battle to notch his sixth consecutive win.

Holder (9-1) of Bartlett, Tenn. experienced a stroke of luck when, just hours before the 29-year-old was slated to enter the cage for a WSOF 19 preliminary bout, one of the original tournament participants, Matt Hamill, withdrew from his semifinal stage matchup with seasoned star Thiago Silva, and Holder was asked to replace him.

With a fraction of the professional experience of his new opponent, the heavy-handed Holder charged forward, eventually blasting Silva with a storm of punches that crumbled the Brazil native in the first round (2:00) and earned Holder a trip to the tournament’s championship round.

The live NBCSN telecast of “WSOF 23: Gaethje vs. Palomino II” begins at 7:00 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Friday, September 18.

Doors at Comerica Theatre will open for WSOF 23 at 3:00 p.m. MT and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 3:45 p.m.

Additional bouts for the event will be announced soon.

About “World Series of Fighting” (WSOF)
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF.com) 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.

ABOUT NBCSN
NBCSN, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 85 million homes, the Emmy Award-winning network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL) – including two games of the Stanley Cup Final — Premier League, Formula One, IndyCar, Tour de France, the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2015, NASCAR. In addition, NBCSN features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown  and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk, The Dan Patrick Show, and NASCAR America. NBCSN is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.
mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA 28 GETS A NEW CO-HEADLINER  AS GEANE HERRERA HEADS TO THE UFC

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RFA 28 – SANCHEZ vs. POPPIE
MAIN EVENT:
ANDREW SANCHEZ vs. JOHN POPPIE
MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
CO-MAIN EVENT:
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. ET / 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.
Tickets for RFA 28 – Sanchez vs. Poppie are available for purchase NOW through MetroTix.com.
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, and the 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 as a professional.
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. ET / 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. ET.
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

MMA COACH’S WIFE TO MAKE CAGE DEBUT AT NEF XIX

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Lewiston, Maine (July 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, 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.  OnSeptember 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 England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “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.  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.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

A FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION TO BE CROWNED AT NEF XIX

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Lewiston, Maine (July 7, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced a fight on the card that will determine the first-ever NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Champion.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) is scheduled to face Dylan Lockard (3-0) at a fight weight of 145-pounds with the winner to be crowned the inaugural amateur featherweight kingpin.

 

Aaron Lacey has been a standout of the NEF amateur roster since debuting with the promotion in the fall of 2013.  He is undefeated in the NEF cage, holding victories over the likes of Dom Cofone (6-5) and Caleb Hall (5-3).  His only loss to date was on a fight card in New Hampshire to Matt Tullos (7-0).  Lacey represents Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.

 

“I’m super excited for this fight,” exclaimed Lacey.  “It’s a tough matchup between two top ten guys.  I have a new secret weapon on my side and her name is Vanessa Sanders.  Vanessa has been transforming my strength and conditioning, so come September 12th,  I’m going to display a side of me that no one has seen before. I’m a different, more dangerous fighter.  Don’t miss this one – I’m bringing that belt home.”

 

Dylan Lockard holds the only victory to date over Lacey’s teammate, and reigning NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Champion, Josh Harvey (4-1).  Lockard burst onto the regional scene last year and, like Lacey, also holds a win over Caleb Hall.  He is a member of Tim Barchard’s Professional Martial Arts Academy (PMA) in Derry, New Hampshire.  Prior to competing in MMA, Lockard wrestled for Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, New Hampshire and later the University of New Hampshire (UNH).

 

“I’m excited to come up and fight for the NEF belt against a tough opponent like Aaron Lacey,” said Lockard.  “I haven’t had an easy fight yet, and this one is no different.  We’re going to steal the show on September 12th.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “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.  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.”

Fight Network, Judo, kickboxing, mixed martial arts

FIGHT NETWORK MMA, JUDO & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (July 6-12, 2015)

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(U.S. only schedule. For 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, July 6

6:30 p.m. ET – Judo Samsun Grand Prix 2015 Highlights – Highlights from Judo Samsun Grand Prix from Mar. 27-29 in Turkey.

7:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

7:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

8:00 p.m. ET – Final Fight Championship 12 MMA: Staring vs. Simonic – Featuring Dion Staring vs. Tomaz Simonic from Apr. 24, 2014 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

10:00 p.m. ET – Final Fight Championship 12 Kickboxing: Daley vs. Fabjan – Featuring Paul Daley vs. Miran Fabjan from Apr. 24, 2014 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Tuesday, July 7

1:30 a.m. ET – XPTV – Coverage of regional U.S pro and amateur MMA.

5:00 & 5:30 p.m. ET – Xtreme Fighting Championship – Florida-based professional MMA featuring top American prospects, international stars and UFC veterans.

8:30 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

10:00 p.m. ET – 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. ET – M-1 Challenge 59: Kharitonov vs. Garner – Featuring Sergei Kharitonov vs. Kenny Garner from July 3, 2015 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Wednesday, July 8

3:00 a.m. ET – Texas Fight Night – MMA action from Texas featuring the Lone Star State’s top prospects in the cage.

6:00 p.m. ET – 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. ET – Fight News Now Extra: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

7:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

8:00 p.m. ET – Cage Warriors FC: Fight Night 4 -Featuring Andreas Kraniotakes vs. Mike Hayes for the Cage Warriors heavyweight title form Mar. 16, 2012 in Dubai, U.A.E.

11:00 p.m. ET – 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. ET – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scenes coverage from events and exclusive interviews.

Thursday, July 9

1:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 15: Showdown – Featuring Ben Smith vs. Amokrane Sabet and John Maguire vs, Henrique Santana from Sept. 18, 2010 in 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. ET – 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. ET – 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. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

9:00 p.m. ET – SuperKombat New Heroes Bucharest 2015 – Featuring Claudiu Badoi vs. Adrian Asoltani and Zsolt Benedek vs. Bogdan Nastase from May 23, 2015 in Bucharest, Romania.

Friday, July 10

12:00 a.m. ET – It’s Showtime Special – The world’s premier kickboxing organization featuring Badr Hari, Melvin Manhoef and Giorgio Petrosyan.

2:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Nate Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.

4:00 a.m. ET – Best of DEEP – Featuring classic fights from the historic Japanese DEEP promotion including Shinya Aoki, Hayato Sakurai and Gerard Mousasi.

5:00 a.m. ET – Best of Jewels – Classic fights from the all-female Japanese MMA League, Jewels.

12:00 p.m. ET – Bookie Beatdown – Preview of the betting lines and top picks for major UFC events.

6:00 p.m. ET — M-1 Challenge– Pro MMA from Europe and Russia featuring top prospects and international stars.

7:00 p.m. ET – CANADA ONLY – UFC 189: Mendes-McGregor Weigh Ins – LIVE coverage of official weigh ins for UFC: 189 Chad Mendes- Conor McGregor in Las Vegas.

8:00 p.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Rory Macdonald – Sit-down interview with rising Canadian UFC welterweight star Rory Macdonald.

8:30 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.

9:00 p.m. ET — KSW 25: Khalidov vs. Sakurai – Featuring Mamde Khalidov vs. Ryuta Sakurai and Aslambek Saidov vs. Daniel Acacio from Dec7, 2013 in Wroclaw, Poland.

Saturday, July 11

5:00 a.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

5:30 a.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Featuring Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar from TKO 24.

7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Urijah Faber vs. Charles Bennett from Gladiator Challenge 46.

8:00 a.m. ET – Best of SportFight – Top quality MMA from the Pacific Northwest, hosted by UFC veterans Matt Lindland and Chael Sonnen.

9:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Name Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.

4:30 p.m. ET – Enfusion LIVE #30 Dublin: Philpott vs. Jaraya – LIVE pro kickboxing from Dublin, Ireland, featuring Alan Philpott vs. Mohammed Jaraya and Ilias Bulaid vs. Simon Santana in championship fights.

7:00 p.m. ET –UFC 189: Mendes-McGregor Pre-Show – LIVE pre-fight coverage for UFC: 189 Chad Mendes vs. Conor McGregor in Las Vegas.

8:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

11:00 p.m. ET — Ring of Combat 50 – Featuring George Sheppard vs, Jeff Lentz, Phillipe Nover vs. Dan Cion, Julio Arce vs. Thomas Vasquez and Chris Piriz vs., Leo Muniz from Jan. 23, 2015 in Atlantic City, NJ.

Sunday, July 12

1:00 a.m. ET – UFC 189: -Mendes- McGregor Pre-Show – LIVE post-fight coverage, highlights and official press conference for UFC: 189 Chad Mendes- Conor McGregor in Las Vegas.

6:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Name Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.

11:00 a.m. ET – 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. ET – 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

11:00 p.m. ET – Enfusion Live #22: Souwer vs., Sheikholeslami – Featuring Andy Souwer vs, Ardalan Sheikholeslami Mohammed Jaraya vs. Mark Vogel Andrew Tate vs. Orhan Karlioglu and Max Baumert vs. Valdet Galshi from Oct. 4, 2014 in Germany.

INFORMATION:

 

www.FightNetwork.com

 

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

 

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

 
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.
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

WELTERWEIGHT TITLE QUALIFIER ADDED TO NEF XIX FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (July 6, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced an amateur welterweight title qualifier had been added to the fight card.  Ricky Dexter (3-1) will meet CJ Ewer (3-2) at a fight weight of 170-pounds.  The winner of the bout will get a shot at becoming the inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Welterweight Champion at a later date.

 

Ricky Dexter is a member of Team Irish in Brewer, Maine and a protégé of the legendary Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (22-11).  Dexter got off to a remarkable 3-0 start in his amateur career, finishing all three of his opponents in the first round.  Last month, Dexter faced CJ Ewer’s teammate Josh Harvey (4-1) in a losing effort for the NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Title.  Dexter will look to avenge that loss on September 12.

 

“The taste of defeat definitely left a foul taste in my mouth,” recalled Dexter of his most recent fight.  “You better believe I’m more hungry than ever to get this win.  Expect to see a Ricky Dexter you’ve never seen before.”

 

Similarly, CJ Ewer also got off to a 3-0 start in his amateur career.  The summer of 2013 saw Ewer defeat his first three opponents in a matter of a mere ten weeks.  He would put his MMA career on hold to serve his country in the United States Air Force security forces before returning to NEF this past spring to face Connor Barry (5-1).  Barry would be Ewer’s second loss in a row.  He recognizes that to get back on the winning track will not be easy with Dexter standing in his way.  Ewer is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.

 

“Ricky  Dexter seems like a really tough fighter,” said Ewer.  “You can’t judge him on his last fight because Josh Harvey is elite – he’s the next Ray Wood.  I feel like this will be a great match up.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “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.  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.

 

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

 M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 Results: Kharitonov stops Garner in 1st round

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M-1 Global Prsidet Vadim Finkelchtein congratulates Sergie Kharitonov

ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN (July 4, 2015) – For the second time in less than eight months, Russian striker Sergei “Paratrooper” Kharitonov defeated former M-1 Challenge champion Kenny Garner in a Heavyweight SuperFight, stopping the dangerous American in the opening round this past Fridaynight in M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 main event in Astana, Kazakhstan.

 

Kharitonov (23-5-0, 13 KO/TKO, 9 SUB) defeated Garner at the 4:11 mark of the first round via punches, setting the stage for a potential showdown with M-1 Challenge heavyweight Marcin Tybura

 

A pair of promising Kazakh prospects, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Sergey Morozov, gave their fellow countrymen in attendance plenty to cheer about. Rakhmonov (3-0-0, 1 KO/TKO 2 SUB), the 2013 WMMAA welterweight champion, locked in a guillotine choke on Polish welterweight Michael Wiencek (5-3-0, 0 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) only 49-seconds into their fight for a win by submission. In M-1 Challenge’s inaugural bantamweight fight, Morozov remained undefeated with a second-round technical knockout of the United Kingdom’s Andy “Naz” Young (6-7-0, 0 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) by way of a spinning back fist and punches.

 

In two other main event fights, American middleweight Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti (26-13-0, 10 KO/TKO, 7 SUB) used a rear-naked choke to force a second-found submission of previously undefeated Sergey Kovalev ,(5-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 2 SUB), while Azerbaijan heavyweight Zaur Hajibabayev (4-1-0, 3 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) punched out Spaniard David Trallero (2-4-0, 2 KO/TKO) in round two.

 

On the preliminary card, Kazakh welterweight Rashid Dagaev (3-1-0) won a three-round unanimous decision over Daniel “The Gladiator” Tabera (18-8-3), of Spain, Russian lightweight Damir Ismagulov (4-1-0) registered a win by first-round technical knockout (punches) against Spain’s Pedro Eugenio Granjo (3-2-0), Georgian middleweight Nodar Kudikhashvili improved his record to 10-1-0 with a decision over pro-debuting Ukrainian Aleksander Boyko (0-1-0), Russian light heavyweightBatraz Agnaev (3-0-0) remained unbeaten with a first-round technical knockout (punches) of UkrainianAnton Pazenko (2-1-0), and Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (4-0-0) used a triangle choke to win by opening round decision over pro-debuting Russian Inshel Erkimbek (0-1-0).

 

Complete results and picture gallery below:

 

 

MAIN CARD

 

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPER FIGHT

Sergei Kharitonov(23-5-0), Russia              WTHO1 (Punches – 4:11)                        Kenny Garner (16-9-0), USA

 

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Zaur Hajibabayev (4-1-0), Azerbaijan             WTKO2 (Punches – 4:37)                    David Trallero (2-4-0), Spain

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Luigi Fioravanti (26-13-0), USA           WSUB2 (Reared Naked Choke – 1:56)      Sergey Kovalev (5-1-0), Russia

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Shavkat Rakhmonov (3-0-0), Kazakhstan   WSUB1 (Guillotine Choke – 0.49)      Michal Wiencek (5-3-0), Poland                              

 

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Sergey Morozov(6-0-0), Kazakhstan   WTKO2 (Spinning Back Fist & Punches – 3:50)    Andy Young (6-7-0), UK

 

 

PRELIMINARY CARD

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Batraz Agnaev (3-0-0), Russia                    WTKO1(Punches – 3:00)                    Anton Pazenko (2-1-0), Ukraine

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Nodar Kudukhashvili(10-1-0), Georgia                  WDEC3                                Aleksander Boiko (0-1-0), Ukraine

Artem Frolov (4-0-0), Russia                   WSUB1 (Triangle Choke – 1:15)             Inzhel Erkimbek (0-1-0), Russia

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Damir Ismagulov(4-1-0), Russia                   WTKO1 (Punches – 2:53)         Pedro Eugenio Granjo (3-2-0), Spain

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Rashid Dagaev (3-1-0), Kazakhstan                      WDEC3                                      Daniel Tabera (18-8-3), Spain

 

 

 
Kenny Garner & Sergei Kharitonov

 
Kharitonov (right) hammers Garner

(L-R) Shavka Rakhmonov & Michel Wiencek

Luigi Fioravanti (bottom) closes show vs. Sergey Kovalev

Zaur Hajibabayev & David Trallero

 
Sergey Morozov throws Andy Young

 
Damir Ismaguluv & Pedro Eugenio Granjo

Nodar Kudukhashvili

Batraz Agnaev (top) & Anon Pazenko

 

 
Artem Frolov & Inzel Erkimbek

Daniel Tabera & Rashid Dagaev
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

FIRST TITLE FIGHT ANNOUNCED FOR NEF XIX

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Lewiston, Maine (July 3, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the first amateur title bout on the fight card.  Josh Harvey (4-1) will defend the NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Championship against Ryan Dibartolomeo (4-3).  The fight will take place at the lightweight limit of 155-pounds.

 

Harvey won the title at “NEF XVIII” last month by defeating Ricky Dexter (3-1) via first-round submission.  He is a perfect 3-0 in the NEF cage since debuting with the promotion in the fall of 2014.  All of Harvey’s victories in Lewiston have been first-round stoppages. He is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.

 

“Any time you can get two title-holding, top-ranked fighters, it’s bound to peak interests and get attention,” said Harvey.  “Since that is exactly what this title defense is, I believe we have all the necessary ingredients for the fight-of-the-night.  This will be yet another step in the right direction.  Ryan, get ready to hook on, Bub.”

 

Ryan Dibartolomeo is no stranger to the NEF cage.  He fought for the promotion at “NEF X” in September 2013, defeating Nermin Zilic (0-2) via unanimous decision.  It was the start of a four-fight win streak that Dibartolomeo will look to continue on September 12 in Lewiston.  He recently captured his first amateur MMA championship on a fight card in New Hampshire.  Dibartolomeo represents Team Triumph/Boston BJJ of Nashua, New Hampshire.

 

“Fighting for the NEF belt is a huge step forward in the positive direction in my career,” stated Dibartolomeo.  “It’s always an honor to fight for one of the top regional promotions, and now throwing a chance at the belt in on top of that – I couldn’t be more excited to go out and put on a show for the fans.  Josh Michael Harvey is arguably the best ammy 155 fighter coming out of Maine right now. I’m going to have to be ready in all aspects of the game and look to eliminate as many mistakes as possible.  I am going to show up ready to fight.  I’m looking to bite down on my mouthpiece and press forward until he has had enough of me up in his face and looks for a way out.  There is no room for error, but I am extremely confident in the fact that I have Coach Fain and Coach Olsen standing behind me in my corner.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF XIX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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.  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.”

 

Fight Network, M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, RFA

Fight Network Presents M-1 Challenge 59, RFA 27 LIVE this Friday, July 3

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TORONTO (July 2, 2015) — Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a pair of explosive mixed martial arts events this Friday, July 3, beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET with M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 from Astana, Kazakhstan. Later, at 10 p.m. ET, Resurrection Fighting Alliance returns to primetime with RFA 27: Murphy vs. Brock from CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho.

 

Fight Network’s live broadcast of M-1 Challenge 59 will air on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, RFA 27 will air in Canada and internationally on Fight Network, while the domestic U.S. broadcast airs on AXS TV.

 

In the M-1 Challenge 59 main event, Sergei “The Paratrooper” Kharitonov (22-5) and Kenny “Deuce” Garner (16-8) meet in a highly anticipated heavyweight superfight rematch. In other featured bouts, Poland’s Michal Wiencek (5-2) faces Ukraine’s Shavkat Rakhmonov (3-0) in a welterweight bout, UFC veteran Luigi Fioravanti (25-13) looks to hand Russia’s Sergey Kovalev (5-0) his first pro blemish in middleweight action, England’s Andy Young (6-6) meets Ukraine’s Sergey Morozov(3-0) in a bantamweight matchup, plus Spaniards David Trallero (2-3) and Daniel Tabera (18-7-3) will collide with Zaur Gadzhibabayev (3-1) and Rashid Dagaev (2-1), respectively.

 

In the main event of RFA 27, the first nationally televised MMA event to the state of Idaho, rising prospect and fan favorite Joe Murphy (8-2) returns to face surging veteran Jesse Brock (20-8), who is one of the most accomplished MMA fighters to call Idaho home. The co-main event will feature two of the sport’s most promising flyweight prospects when Idaho’s own Czar Sklavos (11-4) battles Jeremy Horn protégé Nick Burgos (9-3). In other action, Jan Jorgensen (7-1) throws down with JR Lugo (7-1) in heavyweight action, featherweights Daniel Swain (12-4-1) and Scott Thometz (7-4) are set to face off, Miles Hunsinger (4-0) puts his perfect record on the line against Austin Miller (3-1) in welterweight action, plus Darrell Flores (5-4) takes on Stephen Martinez (10-3) in a lightweight tilt.

 

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.