|
||
|
Qeb Archives: mixed martial arts
NEF THANKS MILITARY WITH FREE TICKET GIVEAWAY
Lewiston, Maine (Tej zaum 21, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” rau Hnub vas xaum, Rau hli ntuj 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced a free ticket giveaway for all past and present United States military personnel to coincide with Memorial Day weekend.
“This is something we’ve done in conjunction with Memorial Day and Veterans Day in the past, and we’ve given away hundreds of tickets,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “It is the most important promotion we do all year. It’s our small way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who serve and sacrifice so much for our nation. Come down to the Colisee box office today or Hnub vas Xuvmorning, present your military ID and get your free ticket. It’s as simple as that.”
The ticket giveaway will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee box office from the hours of noon to 5:00 pm today, Hnub plaub, Tej zaum 21, 2015, and the hours of 9:00 am to noontag kis, Hnub vas Xuv, Tej zaum 22, 2015. The Colisee is located at 190 Birch Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240. The giveaway is open to all branches of the military. Personnel must present a valid military identification card at the box office window. There will be a limit of one ticket per identification card.
Daim pib mus “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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.
FEATHERWEIGHT BATTLE ADDED TO NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD
Lewiston, Maine (Tej zaum 21, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” rau Hnub vas xaum, Rau hli ntuj 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur featherweight bout to the fight card. The matchup will feature Jeremy Tyler (4-3) facing Johnny Crafts (3-0) at the featherweight limit of 145-pounds.
Jeremy Tyler will be making his return to the NEF cage after an extended absence of nine months. A member of Marcus Davis’s famed Team Irish gym in Brewer, Maine, Tyler will look to rebound from the first back-to-back losses of his career. Both of those losses came to Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) competitors. It is a gym affiliated with Johnny Crafts’ team New England United (NEU), so the Rau hli ntuj 13 fight will be an opportunity for Jeremy to gain a measure of revenge as well. Like his opponent at “NEF XVIII,” Tyler has proven himself a submission specialist with all four of his victories coming by way of capitulation.
“I’m very excited to be stepping into the NEF cage for the first time in 2015,” said Tyler. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to fight John Crafts who is a highly ranked MMA fighter with a very good Jiu Jitsu game. I believe the NEF fans will be very happy with the match-up and feel this will make for an entertaining fight. Expect to see an improved performance from me. I took some time off after my last fight to focus, build upon my technique and add to my overall skill sets. I am ready to unleash the game I’ve been developing in the cage so June 13th can’t get here fast enough.”
Originally scheduled to challenge for the NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Championship at “NEF XVIII,” Johnny Crafts was left without a fight after his original opponent pulled out due to injury. That was until Jeremy Tyler stepped up to the challenge this week. This fight will mark the first time Johnny Crafts, who holds a brown belt in BJJ, has competed above the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds. Crafts was voted the “2014 Rookie of the Year” by NEF fans.
“I’m very excited to be fighting Jeremy Tyler,” said Crafts. “He’s a well-rounded fighter with good experience. I’m looking to test the waters at 145 for my first time and see how I feel fighting up. I was pretty disappointed in the title fight falling through, but I assure everyone that this fight will be just as exciting to watch.”
Daim pib mus “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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.
Fight Network Presents Hard Knocks Fighting 43
|
|||
|
“Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” receives first prelim fight, as featherweight standout Bubba Jenkins meets gritty Midwestern veteran Joe Wilk
“Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” receives first prelim fight,
as featherweight standout Bubba Jenkins meets gritty Midwestern veteran Joe Wilk
Easy Tweet: “.@2sinsurrJenkins thiab @JoeNoseMMA set to headline #Bellator139 thaum lub @KansasStarArena on June 26. http://bit.ly/1GfVzbx”
MONICA RAUG, Calif. (Tej zaum 18, 2015) – With an incredible four-fight Spike-broadcast main card already locked up for next month’s “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov” event, Bellator MMA officials are now turning their attention to the evening’s Spike.com-streamed preliminary lineup.
The first preliminary contest booked features featherweight standout Bubba “The Highlight Kid” Jenkins (8-2), as he looks to build his way back to a title shot against 28-fight veteran Joe “The Nose” Wilk (18-10).
Featuring a heavyweight contest between French striking specialist Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) and former Bellator MMA Heavyweight World Champion Alexander “Drago” Volkov (24-5), “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov” takes place June 26 at Kansas Star Event Center Arena in Mulvane, Kan.
Additional announced matchups include lightweights Dave “The Caveman” Rickels (16-3) vs. John “The Natural” Alessio(35-17), former Bellator MMA featherweight champion Ptom “Paddy Mike” Curran (20-7) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2) ibnd a contest between middleweight sluggers with Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1) on the event’s featured portion.
The night’s main card airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. I, while preliminary bouts stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. I.
Additional bouts will be announced shortly.
Daim pib mus “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov,” which start at just $17 and include cageside seats for just $97, are currently available atTicketmaster.com.
Jenkins, a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Arizona State University, also earned All-American honors during a separate stint at Penn State University. Just 27 years of age, Jenkins has already fought seven times under the Bellator MMA banner and is considered one of the top up-and-coming fighters in the 145-pound division. “The Highlight Kid” was one step away from a shot at the Bellator MMA Featherweight World Title before coming up short against Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 132 in January. The Corona, Calif. resident now looks to get back on the winning track at Bellator 139.
Wilk is a 33-year-old Kansas native who already boasts 28 professional contests to his name and made his Bellator MMA debut this past October, where he suffered a TKO loss to fellow Sunflower State veteran Ricky Musgrave. Wilk has been a staple on the Midwestern scene since 2007 and has incredibly fought to a judges’ decision only once in his 28 appearances. He’s at his most dangerous on the mat, where he’s earned a remarkable 15 of his 18 career victories by way of submission.
“Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” – Hnub vas Xuv, Rau hli ntuj 26, Kanas Star Event Center Arena, Mulvane, Kansas
Main Card (9 p.m. LI)
Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) vs. Alexander Volkov (24-5)
Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Dave Rickels (16-3) vs. John Alessio (35-17)
Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Pat Curran (20-7) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2)
Bellator Middleweight Feature Fight: Joe Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1)
Preliminary Card
Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Bubba Jenkins (8-2) vs. Joe Wilk (18-10)
“Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” receives first prelim fight,
as featherweight standout Bubba Jenkins meets gritty Midwestern veteran Joe Wilk
Easy Tweet: “.@2sinsurrJenkins thiab @JoeNoseMMA set to headline #Bellator139 thaum lub @KansasStarArena on June 26. http://bit.ly/1GfVzbx”
MONICA RAUG, Calif. (Tej zaum 18, 2015) – With an incredible four-fight Spike-broadcast main card already locked up for next month’s “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov” event, Bellator MMA officials are now turning their attention to the evening’s Spike.com-streamed preliminary lineup.
The first preliminary contest booked features featherweight standout Bubba “The Highlight Kid” Jenkins (8-2), as he looks to build his way back to a title shot against 28-fight veteran Joe “The Nose” Wilk (18-10).
Featuring a heavyweight contest between French striking specialist Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) and former Bellator MMA Heavyweight World Champion Alexander “Drago” Volkov (24-5), “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov” takes place June 26 at Kansas Star Event Center Arena in Mulvane, Kan.
Additional announced matchups include lightweights Dave “The Caveman” Rickels (16-3) vs. John “The Natural” Alessio(35-17), former Bellator MMA featherweight champion Ptom “Paddy Mike” Curran (20-7) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2) ibnd a contest between middleweight sluggers with Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1) on the event’s featured portion.
The night’s main card airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. I, while preliminary bouts stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. I.
Additional bouts will be announced shortly.
Daim pib mus “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov,” which start at just $17 and include cageside seats for just $97, are currently available atTicketmaster.com.
Jenkins, a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Arizona State University, also earned All-American honors during a separate stint at Penn State University. Just 27 years of age, Jenkins has already fought seven times under the Bellator MMA banner and is considered one of the top up-and-coming fighters in the 145-pound division. “The Highlight Kid” was one step away from a shot at the Bellator MMA Featherweight World Title before coming up short against Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 132 in January. The Corona, Calif. resident now looks to get back on the winning track at Bellator 139.
Wilk is a 33-year-old Kansas native who already boasts 28 professional contests to his name and made his Bellator MMA debut this past October, where he suffered a TKO loss to fellow Sunflower State veteran Ricky Musgrave. Wilk has been a staple on the Midwestern scene since 2007 and has incredibly fought to a judges’ decision only once in his 28 appearances. He’s at his most dangerous on the mat, where he’s earned a remarkable 15 of his 18 career victories by way of submission.
“Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” – Hnub vas Xuv, Rau hli ntuj 26, Kanas Star Event Center Arena, Mulvane, Kansas
Main Card (9 p.m. LI)
Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) vs. Alexander Volkov (24-5)
Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Dave Rickels (16-3) vs. John Alessio (35-17)
Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Pat Curran (20-7) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2)
Bellator Middleweight Feature Fight: Joe Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1)
Preliminary Card
Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Bubba Jenkins (8-2) vs. Joe Wilk (18-10)
Easy Tweet: “.@2sinsurrJenkins thiab @JoeNoseMMA set to headline #Bellator139 thaum lub @KansasStarArena on June 26. http://bit.ly/1GfVzbx”
MONICA RAUG, Calif. (Tej zaum 18, 2015) – With an incredible four-fight Spike-broadcast main card already locked up for next month’s “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov” event, Bellator MMA officials are now turning their attention to the evening’s Spike.com-streamed preliminary lineup.
The first preliminary contest booked features featherweight standout Bubba “The Highlight Kid” Jenkins (8-2), as he looks to build his way back to a title shot against 28-fight veteran Joe “The Nose” Wilk (18-10).
Featuring a heavyweight contest between French striking specialist Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) and former Bellator MMA Heavyweight World Champion Alexander “Drago” Volkov (24-5), “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov” takes place June 26 at Kansas Star Event Center Arena in Mulvane, Kan.
Additional announced matchups include lightweights Dave “The Caveman” Rickels (16-3) vs. John “The Natural” Alessio(35-17), former Bellator MMA featherweight champion Ptom “Paddy Mike” Curran (20-7) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2) ibnd a contest between middleweight sluggers with Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1) on the event’s featured portion.
The night’s main card airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. I, while preliminary bouts stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. I.
Additional bouts will be announced shortly.
Daim pib mus “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov,” which start at just $17 and include cageside seats for just $97, are currently available atTicketmaster.com.
Jenkins, a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Arizona State University, also earned All-American honors during a separate stint at Penn State University. Just 27 years of age, Jenkins has already fought seven times under the Bellator MMA banner and is considered one of the top up-and-coming fighters in the 145-pound division. “The Highlight Kid” was one step away from a shot at the Bellator MMA Featherweight World Title before coming up short against Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 132 in January. The Corona, Calif. resident now looks to get back on the winning track at Bellator 139.
Wilk is a 33-year-old Kansas native who already boasts 28 professional contests to his name and made his Bellator MMA debut this past October, where he suffered a TKO loss to fellow Sunflower State veteran Ricky Musgrave. Wilk has been a staple on the Midwestern scene since 2007 and has incredibly fought to a judges’ decision only once in his 28 appearances. He’s at his most dangerous on the mat, where he’s earned a remarkable 15 of his 18 career victories by way of submission.
“Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” – Hnub vas Xuv, Rau hli ntuj 26, Kanas Star Event Center Arena, Mulvane, Kansas
Main Card (9 p.m. LI)
Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) vs. Alexander Volkov (24-5)
Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Dave Rickels (16-3) vs. John Alessio (35-17)
Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Pat Curran (20-7) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2)
Bellator Middleweight Feature Fight: Joe Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1)
Preliminary Card
Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Bubba Jenkins (8-2) vs. Joe Wilk (18-10)
NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES FULL NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD
Lewiston, Maine (Tej zaum 19, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” rau Hnub vas xaum, Rau hli ntuj 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the full fight card for the event.
In a highly-anticipated rematch, NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) takes on rivalJohn “First Class” Raio (2-7) in a non-title catchweight contest. Raio scored a victory over Boyington by rear-naked choke in their initial meeting in February 2014. That win, however, was marred in controversy as Boyington contends the referee mistook his wave to his fans in the crowd as a sign of submission. Regardless, Boyington and Raio will look to settle the score on Rau hli ntuj 13 in Lewiston.
NEF homegrown talent, thiab 2014 “Fighter of the Year,” Crowsneck Boutin (0-0) will debut in the professional ranks against “The Junkyard Dog” Ryan Cowette (2-2) in a middleweight bout. Boutin has developed over the course of three years from a street brawler to a well-disciplined martial artist. Cowette is the head coach of MMA Athletix and the preacher of Victory Church in Bath, Maine.
In other professional bouts: Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (4-4) looks to follow up his commanding performance last month at “NEF XVII” with another victory when he takes on Zenon Herrera(0-0); “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (2-1) will also try to make it two-in-a-row when he meets Canada’s Jeremy DiChiara (1-0) in a bantamweight battle; thiab Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1) hopes to rebound from a loss last month when he fights Chad “Machine Gun” Kelly (3-2) in what many are predicting to steal the show on the professional side of the card.
“NEF XVIII” will mark the first time NEF has crowned a set of amateur champions. The amateur card will feature five championship title bouts. Among those bouts will be a heavyweight title fight between the popular Billy “Bigfoot” Leahy (2-1) thiabRyan Glover (1-0). Glover won a 2011 state championship wrestling for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine.
In another amateur title fight, Ricky Dexter (3-0) squares off against Josh Harvey (3-1) for the lightweight championship. Dexter will represent Team Irish while Harvey will represent Irish’s Bangor-area rival Young’s MMA.
A women’s fight will also be featured on the amateur card withAlex Walker (0-1) facing Kendra Streeter (0-0). Walker thrilled the Lewiston crowd of more than 2,000 tom “NEF XVII” last month with her “Fight of the Night” performance against Randi Knowles (1-0).
The full fight card (subject to change):
PROFESSIONAL
150 Bruce Boyington 10-8 (Young’s MMA/Boyington’s TKD) vs John Raio 2-7 (First Class/Choi)
185 Ryan Cowette 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs Crowsneck Boutin 0-0 (Choi Institute)
155 Jesse Erickson 4-4 (CMBJJ – Team NEU) vs Zenon Herrera 0-0 (Independent)
135 Derek Shorey 2-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Jeremy DiChiara 1-0 (Wulfrun MMA)
135 Elias Leland 2-1 (The Academy) vs Chad Kelly 3-2 (Fighting Arts Academy)
265 Michael Hansen 2-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs TBD
AMATEUR
265*Title Billy Leahy 2-1 (CMBJJ/Young’s MMA) vs Ryan Glover 1-0 (Berserkers MMA)
155*Title Ricky Dexter 3-0 (Team Irish) vs Josh Harvey 3-1 (Young’s MMA)
145*Title Aaron Lacey 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Alex Johnson 2-1 (Ruthless MMA & Thawv)
125*Title Norman Fox 4-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Dustin Veinott 3-3 (CMBJJ – Team NEU)
135 *Title Johnny Crafts 3-0 (Team NEU) vs TBD
S.HWT Gravin Guillen 2-2 (Independent) vs Dave Smith 1-0 (Berserkers MMA)
265 “Sonny” Ora Spratt IV 0-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Nick Gulliver 0-0 (First Class MMA)
185 Heath Hanson 1-2 (3Ronin Athletics) vs Ruben Redman 0-2 (Independent)
170 Mike Bazanson 0-0 (Team Kaze) vs Jeff Dustin 0-0 (Independent)
170 Alex Bronish 0-0 (Berserkers MMA) vs Alex Payson 0-0 (MMA Athletix)
160 Pat Kelly 2-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Dr. Steve Bang 1-0 (CMBJJ – Team NEU)
155 Corey Hinkley 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Cory Trial 0-1 (Ruthless MMA & Thawv)
155 Dom Cofone 5-5 vs Jason Lachance 2-1 (MMA Athletix)
145 Dustin Shorey 0-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Rob Robinson 0-0 (First Class MMA)
135 Mike Crespo 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs Caleb Costello 2-3 (Team Irish)
125 Justin Witham 0-2 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Ryan Burgess 0-0 (Berserkers MMA)
125 David Brown 1-3 (Plymouth Fight Cluib) vs Steve Desjardins 4-3 (Team Irish)
125 Alex Walker 0-1 (Team Kaze) vs Kendra Streeter 0-0 (Independent)
145 Jimmy Jackson 2-2(Young’s MMA) vs TBD
145 Mike Peitersen 2-0 (Young’s MMA) vs TBD
Daim pib mus “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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.
Reebok Rebellion Could Revolutionize MMA as We Know It
By: Rich Bergeron
You know the Reebok battle is getting heated when people are trashing the terms of the deal both figuratively and LITERALLY:
What was more telling about the incident, though, was “Uncle Dana” not stepping in to punish the frustrated fighter for his blatant disrespect of a major UFC business partner. This was a watershed moment for the “Reebok Rebellion.”
What could Dana do, after all? Myles was actually pulling a page right out of the UFC President’s own marketing handbook. Jury was being in-your-face offensive to sell his argument. Dana does that every day.
Higher-profile fighters are consistently rubbing Mr. White the wrong way these days when it comes to the Reebok deal, and though he gave Jury and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone a pass for their recent criticism, he bit back against the likes of Brandon Schaub.
There may be a different kind of fireworks in July when this raw deal officially takes effect and all the fighters who don’t agree with Schaub and Jury start to realize their shortsightedness. Some of those UFC fighters might even regret not joining their peers on the unofficial public picket line when it might have actually mattered.
The worst part about this whole fiasco is the timing. The Federal Trade Commission is once again reportedly investigating the UFC in the wake of a series of high-profile Class-Action Anti-Trust complaints winding their way through the civil courts.
It’s hard not to question whether the world’s most powerful mixed martial arts promotion is overstepping its bounds in the way they are trying to control every aspect of a fighter’s career. It seems like a really bad deal to exchange a little bit of money and the right to fight under the UFC banner for the blood, sweat and tears it takes to stay at the top of the MMA game these days. Even to be at the middle of the pack in the UFC is a heck of a challenge. Fighters have to be starting to ask themselves when the accumulated bumps bruises, dislocations, torn ligaments, broken bones and concussions become so bad that the money doesn’t matter anymore.
What will happen when a tidal wave of former UFC fighters find out that the glory of having fought their hearts out for the fans isn’t paying the bills and/or sending their kids to college? What happens when the cushy medical coverage expires and your legendary fighter status means nothing to the doctors and the hospital billing you outrageous and astronomical fees to keep you healthy enough to live to old age?
Ask Marc Coleman. It’s not pretty.
The more the UFC fight or flight equation turns toward having no freedom to be an entrepreneur and no ability to build your own brand, the more Scott Coker’s phone is going to continue to ring off the hook. At least in Bellator, fighters can still have their own personal sponsors on their shorts.
They don’t throw all their fighters out for losing a few fights in a row, either. They don’t publicly berate their fighters at post-fight press conferences for not putting on a show. They pay what they can, and they do their best to just be considered a UFC competitor.
Phil Davis may be the first of many UFC defectors that could begin to trickle in if this Reebok deal eliminates as much income and opportunity as it sounds like it will.
I am actually disappointed that Viacom isn’t making a bigger push to acquire more UFC fighters with more lucrative contracts, but no business wants to lose money. It’s harder for Bellator to gain massive revenues in return for their investments in their fighters due to the overhead of doing their own production for free television. Yet, at the same time, Coker and Bellator’s current management seems to actually care a little more about the people who do battle under their banner. They know better than anyone that your sponsors can really keep you alive.
Fighters who value their freedom and want a little more control over their careers might start to see the only UFC competition as a much greener pasture in the wake of this sneaker giant’s exclusive apparel contract. What is supposed to look like a major step forward for the UFC might actually represent three steps back for this organization that is already struggling with cancelled and postponed fights due primarily to an increasing amount of training injuries to top fighters.
Of course we can’t forget Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones allegedly crashing a rented SUV into a pregnant woman’s car and breaking her arm before fleeing the scene on foot. This is yet another unfortunate example of the UFC not caring enough about their fighters. How could they not recognize this guy had a problem that needed to be addressed a long time before this tragic incident unfolded? How can the UFC justify not having their own random drug testing in place like other professional sports? How are illegal drugs OK for a fighter to do out of competition in the first place? Who made the rules with that gaping loophole in them?
Georges St. Pierre has been one of the UFC’s most vociferous critics on the PED-testing front. The former champion continues to sit on the sidelines after one of the most punishing fights of his career led him to announce his retirement with the door left open only a crack. Only a broad, comprehensive drug testing program can bring him back now, Me nyuam. Pierre maintains.
Even fighters like Ronda Rousey are getting a little upset with the career control measures being wielded over them by their bigwig bosses. The UFC will not even let Ronda appear in a few scripted WWE events. Just because these skits last longer than some of her actual fights doesn’t mean they are much different than what she does in her movie career. Her UFC bosses are fine with her pursuing action movie roles, so why not a little fake wrestling? Maybe it’s the fact that WWE stole the Tapout brand and took it right out of the cage and into the wrestling ring. Maybe it’s jealousy that WWE has the kind of fan base that makes them a legitimate threat, and it’s the kind of fans the UFC desperately needs. Maybe it’s the fact that the UFC lost their chance at retaining Brock Lesnar’s services again and they are still getting over it.
Whatever the reason, the UFC is clamping down more and more on what fighters can and can’t do inside and outside the cage, and it goes far beyond fake wrestling. Contracts are becoming more and more restrictive in every way.
The UFC also used to foster a climate where no fighter would dare speak a foul word about management or any business deal management put in place. The punishment would be worse than a fine if Dana decided to give you the Brendan Schaub treatment in the press.
Complain, and you’d be called a coward or a bum. You’re not a team player, some ignorant fans will still say when you stick your neck out while under UFC contract. Yet, this climate is not enough to stop this new little wave of protest that might grow to a frightening crescendo just before or after this Reebok deal officially becomes reality.
The mindless minions who criticize fighters for speaking out for their own best interests just eat right out of Dana White’s hand, even when he’s passing out rat poison. It is disgusting to hear and see so many people agreeing with a guy who never even fought an official amateur bout of any kind instead of listening to someone who actually put in the effort to compete in even one professional cage fight.
When it comes to matters of what it really means “to be a F#$%ing fighter,” Dana can give all the foul-mouthed speeches he wants, but it’s the actual fighters who bled for years under the UFC banner who gave that speech real meaning and resonance to the fans who now worship the ground Dana walks on. For the most part, these fans only like White so much because he talks and cusses just like them. Still, one UFC fighter I interviewed years ago told me there is something wrong with the sport when the most recognizable figure in MMA is Dana White. I couldn’t agree more.
Freedom is not a word to be taken lightly, and free speech is not as free as it used to be. You sign on the dotted line to step in the UFC cage, and you have to play by their rules, even the ones you don’t like or don’t agree with. That was bad enough when that was the only problem fighters faced. Now, it’s much worse because of the Reebok deal and the ramifications and ripple effects it will cause.
Some people forget this deal also alienates other long time sponsors of the UFC and its fighters. Think of all those apparel companies who will not be able to sell their products now in association with any official UFC event. The upcoming UFC Fan Expo situation is a prime example of how the UFC just doesn’t seem to care about the businesses and backers that helped put them on the map in the first place.
The people behind this powerhouse MMA league will alienate anyone or any group of people to make a buck off the backs of better men than themselves. This Reebok deal is living proof of that. Even if all the money from the Reebok partnership does go to the fighters, all those businesses that end up locked out of fighter sponsorship deals will have to line up to sign exclusive contracts with the organization itself. Either that, or they will convert to Bellator supporters and follow burned UFC fighters to that organization.
Suddenly that second fiddle is sounding like it could steal the show, and my prediction that Bellator could fail looks premature and presumptuous now.
“So you want to be a f$%^ing fighter?”
Let me give you Scott Coker’s number.
FIGHT NETWORK MMA & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Tej zaum 18-25, 2015)
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, Tej zaum 18
6:30 p.m. LI – 2014 Judo Tashkent Grand Prix– Highlights from the 2014 Judo Tashkent Grand Prix from Oct. 16-18, 2014 in Uzbekistan.
7:00 p.m. LI – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.
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 – Final Fight Championship 5: Rodriguez vs. Simonjic – Featuring Ricco Rodriguez vs. Tomaz Simonjic in the MMA main event and Pavel Zhuravle vs. Vinchenzo Renfurm in a kickboxing bout from Osijek, Croatia.
Hnub, Tej zaum 19
1:00 a.m. LI – Toe 2 Toe with Urijan Faber – John Ramdeen chats with UFC bantamweight superstar Urijah Faber about his upbringing and evolution in the sport.
1:30 a.m. LI – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.
2:30 ames. LI – XPTV – Coverage of regional U.S pro and amateur MMA.
7:30 a.m. LI – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
7:00 & 7:30 p.m. LI – Xtreme Fighting Championship – Florida-based professional MMA featuring top American prospects, international stars and UFC veterans.
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.
Hnub peb, Tej zaum 20
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 features.
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 – Fighting Spirit Season 4 – Compilations of international MMA fights from SFL, FFC, M-1 and more.
9:00 p.m. LI – Cage Warriors 74 – Featuring Kianzad vs. Siiskanen – Featuring Mannie Kianzad vs., Agnieszka Niedzwiedz for the inaurgal women’s bantamweight title from Nov. 15, 2014 9n London.
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, Tej zaum 21
1:30 a.m. LI – Ultimate Challenge MMA 8: Dynamite – Featuring Neil Grove vs. Martin Thompson, Tom Watson vs., Denniston Sutherland, Dean Amasinger vs. Scott Jansen and Jason Young vs. Abdul Mohamed from Oct. 24, 2009 in London.
6:00 p.m. LI – Championship Fightling 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 – Battlegrounds MMA: O.N.E. – Featuring a one-night, single-slimination MMA tournament from Tulsa, OK, showcasing Roan Carneiro, Brock Larson, Cody McKenzie, Trey Houston, Jesse Taylor and others.
Hnub vas Xuv, Tej zaum 22
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 class fights from the historic Japanese DEEP promotion including Shinya Aoki, Hayato Sakurai and Gegard Mousasi.
5:00 a.m. LI – Best of Jewels – Classic fights from the all-female Japanese MMA league, Jewels.
6:00 – p.m. LI – M 1 sib tw – Professional MMA from Europe featuring top rising prospects and international stars.
7 p.m. LI – UFC 187 Weigh-In – LIVE coverage of official weigh-ins for UFC 187: Jones vs. Johnson in Las Vegas.
8:00 p.m. LI — KSW 18 – Featuring Overeem vs. Rozalski – Featuring Valentijn Overeem vs. Marcin Rozalski, Jan Blachowicz vs. Mario Miranda and Curt Warburton vs. Artur Sowinski from Feb. 24, 2012 in Plock, Poland.
11:00 p.m. LI – Hard Knocks Fighting 43 – LIVE MMA from Calgary, Canada, featuring Jason Zentgraf vs. Nick Ring, Mixhsa Cirkunov vs. Shaun Asher and Sergei Juskevic vs. LT Nelson,
Hnub vas xaum, Tej zaum 23
1:00 a.m. LI – SuperKombat: World Grand Prix III – Featuring Andrei Stoica vs. Ali Cenik for the super cruiserweight title, plus the cruiserweight tournament semifinals from June 21, 2014 in Constanta, Romania.
4:00 a.m. LI – Toe 2 Toe with Chris Weidman – John Ramdeen talks in depth with UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
6:00 a.m. LI – Best of TKO – Featuring Patrick Cote vs. Steve Vigneault from TKO 14.
7:00 a.m. LI – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Dave Taylor from Gladiator Challenge 2.
10:00 a.m. LI – Best of SportFight – Top quality MMA from the Pacific Northwest, hosted by UFC veterans Matt LIndland and Chael Sonnen. This episode features the rise of SportFight champion Enoch Wilson.
2:00 p.m. LI – KSW 31: Materia vs. Drwal – LIVE MMA from Gdansk, Poland, featuring Michal Materia vs. Tomasx Drwal, Mariusz Pudzianowski vs. Rolles Gracie and Goran Reljic vs. Attila Vegh.
7:00 p.m. LI – UFC 187 Pre-Show – LIVE pre-fight coverage and analysis for UFC 187: Jones vs. Johnson in Las Vegas.
8:00 p.m. LI – WSOF Canada 1: Ford vs. Powell – Featuring Ryan Ford vs. Joel Powell for the WSOF Canadian welterweight title, plus Michael Hill vs. Ryan Dickson from Feb. 21, 2014 in Edmonton, AB.
10:00 p.m. LI – WSOF Canada 2: Loiseau vs. Lewis – Featuring David “The Crow” Loisean vs. Dwayne Lewis, plus Josh Hill vs. Mike Adams and Tim Hague vs. Matt Baker from June 7, 2014 in Edmonton, AB.
Hnub xya, Tej zaum 24
1:00 a.m. LI – UFC 187 Post-Show – LIVE Post-fight coverage for UFC 1878: Jones vs. Johnson in Las Vegas.
6:00 a.m. LI – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Name Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.
10:00 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.
2:00 p.m. LI – Enfusion LIVE #29: Amsterdam – LIVE professional kickboxing from Amsterdam, Holland.
7:00 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 look back at the past.
7:30 p.m. LI – Judo Qingdao Grand Prix 2014 – Highlights from the Judo Qingdao Grand Prix fromNov. 19-21 in China.
Information:
Twitter & Instagram @fightnet
“Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” adds middleweight slugfest pitting Joe Schilling vs. Hisaki Kato, making it the fourth and final main-card matchup
Easy Tweet: “.@JoeSchilling187 and Hisaki Kato join #Bellator139 thaum lub @KansasStarArena rau Rau hli ntuj 26. http://bit.ly/1GfVzbx”
MONICA RAUG, Calif. (Tej zaum 18, 2015) – A card loaded with explosive contests has received one more potential slugfest, as middleweight sluggers Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling (2-4) thiab Hisaki Kato (4-1) will clash in the fourth and final main-card matchup of next month’s “Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” event which airs live on Spike.
Headlined by a heavyweight contest between French striking specialist Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) and former Bellator MMA Heavyweight World Champion Alexander “Drago” Volkov (24-5), “Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” takes place Rau hli ntuj 26 at Kansas Star Event Center Arena in Mulvane, Kan.
Additional matchups include lightweights Dave “The Caveman” Rickels (16-3) vs. John “The Natural” Alessio (35-17) and former Bellator MMA Featherweight Champion Pat “Paddy Mike” Curran (20-7) noj Goiti Yamauchi (18-2).
The night’s main card airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. LI/ 8 p.m. I, while preliminary bouts stream on Spike.com. Additional bouts will be announced shortly.
Daim pib mus “Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov,” which start at just $17 and include cage side seats for just $97, are currently available at Ticketmaster.com.
The 31-year-old Schilling has been fighting professionally since 2006, starting his combat sports career in muay Thai, where he earned both U.S. and world titles. Since he’s turned his focus to MMA, Schilling continues to compete in kickboxing events, as well, working his way to GLORY’s Last Man Standing tournament this past June, competing three times in a single evening. Schilling made his Bellator MMA debut in November, scoring a “Xyoo knockout” candidate stoppage of noted striker Melvin Manhoef.
A karate stylist who first made his name in Japan in the sport of Kudo – a hybrid version of MMA that involves fighting in a gi, gloves and a mask – the 32-year-old Kato will fight in the U.S. on June 26th for the first time. Kato’s transition in 2013 to traditional MMA rules has proven to be a rousing success, as he’s earned four knockout victories in his first five bouts. Three of those wins were earned in the first round, including an April 2014 victory that came in just 53 seconds.
“Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” – Hnub vas Xuv, Rau hli ntuj 26, Kanas Star Event Center Arena, Mulvane, Kansas
Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) vs. Alexander Volkov (24-5)
Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Dave Rickels (16-3) vs. John Alessio (35-17)
Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Pat Curran (20-7) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2)
Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Joe Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1)
RFA 26 GETS NEW CO-MAIN EVENT, FULL TELEVISED CARD RELEASED
|
|
RFA 26 IN COLORADO
FRIDAY JUNE 5TH LIVE ON AXS TV
MAIN EVENT:
Ben Smith vs Gilbert Smith
WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
CO MAIN EVENT:
Thiago Alves vs Marcus Edwards
LIGHTWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) will feature a new co-main event as the promotion heads back to Colorado next month. RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith now has a co-headliner pitting two lightweights looking to make a big statement in the Mile High City as Colorado’s own Marcus “Bad Intentions” Edwards battles Brazilian submission ace Thiago “Monstrinho” Alves. The event takes place Friday, June 5th at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. LI / 7 p.m. PT.
Tickets for RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith are available for purchase NOW through AltitudeTickets.com. Tickets start at $25.00. A limited number of catered 8-seat cageside VIP tables are available by calling 303-521-0966.
Alves (8-2) is a 28-year-old native of São Paulo, Brazil who holds the rank of black belt in jiu-jitsu. Alves is replacing former RFA title challenger Zach Juusola, who was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury. The Team Link representative has secured six of his eight career victories via submission since making his professional MMA debut in 2011. Two of those submission wins have come this year and he will look to stay perfect in 2015 as he makes his national television debut at RFA 26.
“I don’t know a lot about Marcus Edwards personally, but this will be a great opportunity for the both of us to show off our skills on national television. I look forward to going to his hometown and doing my job at RFA 26.”
Edwards (9-3) will be celebrating a double-homecoming at RFA 26. The 26-year-old Factory X Muay Thai standout will be returning to fight in his home state of Colorado for the first time since 2013, while also returning to AXS TV, where he fought three times in 2014.
RFA 26 will be headlined by a welterweight title bout as RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith (14-2) puts his title on the line against RFA #1 welterweight contender Gilbert Smith (10-4). The main card will also feature a pair of bantamweight bouts. NCAA Division I wrestler Jarred “Shutout” Mercado (12-2) will lock horns with jiu-jitsu black belt Bruno Frazatto (6-2), while Hawaiian knockout artist Boston “Boom Boom” Salmon (3-0) will clash with collegiate wrestler Danny Mainus (3-3). Also on the main card, former RFA middleweight title challenger Andrew “El Dirte” Sanchez (5-2) squares off with Respect FC and SFFN middleweight champion Clinton Williams (5-1) and undefeated heavyweight prospect Brandon Griffin (4-0) battles The MMA Lab destroyer Ashley Gooch (7-4).
170 CHAMPIONSHIP:
Ben Smith vs Gilbert Smith
155 COV KEV TSHWM SIM MAIN:
Thigo Alves vs Marcus Edwards
135 Feature Bout:
Jarred Mercado vs Brun Frazzato
265 Feature Bout:
Brandon Griffin vs Ashley Gooch
185 Feature Bout:
Andrew Sanchez vs Clinton Williams
135 Feature Bout:
Boston Salmon vs Danny Mainus
Additional bouts rau the RFA 26 undercard will be announced soon. RFA 26 will be the promotion’s sixth event to take place in the state of Colorado. It will be the second time the RFA has visited “The Centennial State” nyob rau hauv 2015. The entire main card of RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. LI / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, June 5th.
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 moreLIVE 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.
|