Category Archives: mixed martial arts

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

MILITARY VETERAN IN BATTLE OF NATIONAL HONOR AT NEF XVIII

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 6, 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,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the fight card.  “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (2-1) will make his debut in the 135-pound division against Canadian  Jeremy DiChiara (1-0).

 

Shorey is a fitting choice to face the native Ontarian on the patriotic-themed event.  A 2000 graduate of Foxcroft Academy in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, where he won a Class-C state wrestling title in 1998, Shorey is a veteran of the United States Navy.  He served four years of active duty in the branch, and did a tour of Iraq as a member of SEABEE Battalion NMCB 27.

 

Currently the head coach of the Shatterproof Combat Club, Shorey is coming off a victory over John Raio (2-7) last month at “NEF XVII.”  The win gave Shorey the upper hand in the three-fight rivalry between the two athletes dating back to their amateur days. While he has gotten off to a good start to his professional career, Shorey will be the first to admit he has more work to do, and the upcoming battle with DiChiara will be a real test of his skills, especially on the mat.

 

“It is truly an honor to fight in front of the NEF fans and represent this rapidly growing brand against a very dangerous opponent,” said Shorey.  “I feel that I still have a lot to prove to the fans, as well as myself in regards to the fighter I’m becoming, and distancing myself from my amateur days.  Jeremy is an undefeated purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu, which everyone knows has been my biggest weakness.  I see this as an opportunity to show everyone that I’m fixing the problem, and hand a very game opponent his first loss.”

 

Holding a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), DiChiara will undoubtedly test Shorey should the fight go to the ground. DiChiara is undefeated in MMA competition, having gone 2-0 as an amateur and now 1-0 as a professional.  He is accustomed to fighting in hostile territory with previous bouts in Michigan and half a world away in Thailand.  While in Thailand, DiChiara trained with Phuket Top Team.  He is presently a member of Canadian team Wulfrun MMA.

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” 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.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

Former Bellator MMA World Featherweight Champion Daniel Straus looks to work his way back to the belt at “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” against undefeated challenger Henry Corrales

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 5, 2015) – Former Bellator MMA World Featherweight Champion Daniel Straus (23-6) begins his trek back to a world title when he meets undefeated promotional newcomer and former King of the Cage titlist Henry Corrales (12-0) at June’s blockbuster “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” event.

 

The contest serves as the fifth and final Spike TV-broadcast main card matchup of the star-studded fight card.

 

Featuring one of the most anticipated heavyweight fights in the history of the sport with Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock, “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” takes place Friday, June 19, at St. Louis’ Scottrade Center and airs live on Spike TV.

 

Tickets for “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business,” which start at just $30, are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

 

With the night’s featured bouts now complete, additional preliminary contests will be announced shortly.

 

A consensus pick as one the best 145-pounders on the planet, Straus is anxious to rebound from a disappointing January loss to current Bellator MMA Featherweight Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. A member of American Top Team, Straus was ahead early in the fight and appeared to be on his way to reclaiming the belt he lost in 2014 before suffering a knee injury that limited his capabilities and eventually led to his late submission with 11 seconds left in the fourth round.

 

Now fully recovered, Straus plans on working his way back to a title bout as quickly as possible, and a victory on a high-profile card like “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” would certainly help him stake his claim as the division’s No. 1 contender.

 

Fighting professionally since 2011, Corrales began his career primarily as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu stylist, as witnessed by his five consecutive submission wins to begin his career. However, he’s since worked diligently to improve his striking game, and of his past six victories, four have come by way of knockout. Corrales boasts an unblemished professional mark through the first 12 contests of his MMA tenure, including recent wins over big-show veterans Jerod Spoon and Seth Dikun.

 

“Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” – Friday, June 19, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Mo.

Main Card

Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Kimbo Slice (4-2) vs. Ken Shamrock (28-15-2)

Bellator Featherweight Title Fight: Champ Patricio Pitbull (23-2) vs. Daniel Weichel (35-8)

Bellator Featured Heavyweight Fight: Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)

Bellator Featured Featherweight Fight: Daniel Straus (23-6) vs. Henry Corrales (12-0)

Bellator Featured Lightweight Fight: Michael Chandler (12-3) vs. Derek Campos (15-4)

Preliminary Card

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Justin Guthrie (17-8) vs. Steven Mann (10-1)

Bellator Strawweight Prelim Fight: Miles McDonald (0-1) vs. Dan O’Connor (5-4)

Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Malcolm Smith (4-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Kain Royer (1-1) vs. Enrique Watson (1-0)

Bellator, mixed martial arts

Bellator MMA adds heavyweight sluggers Ewerton Teixeira and Lorenzo Hood

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Bellators newest heavyweights Ewerton Teixeira (left) and Lorenzo Hood

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 4, 2015) – Bellator MMA’s heavyweight division will now play host to a pair of the hardest-hitting heavyweights in the game, as promotion officials are proud to announce the addition of Brazilian K-1 champion Ewerton Teixeira (3-0), as well as Blackzilians slugger Lorenzo “The Samoan Silverback” Hood (9-2).

 

Debut dates and opponents will be announced for both fighters in the near future.

 

A third dan black belt in Kyokushin karate, the 33-year-old Teixeira has been racking up titles in striking competitions for more than a decade. Teixeira reached the pinnacle of standup fighting in 2008, when he earned that year’s K-1 World Grand Prix in Fukuoka title and then fought his way to the K-1 World Grand Prix Final’s championship bout, where he would come up just short against Errol Zimmerman (though Teixeira would avenge that result in 2010).

 

Teixeira then turned his attention to MMA in 2012, and he has remained undefeated through his first three professional contests in the sport and is now ready to try his hand at MMA’s highest level.

 

Meanwhile, the 6-foot-3 Hood has been competing professionally since 2009 and has never had a fight go past the first round. Of his nine career victories, all nine have come by knockout. Hood has fought throughout the U.S. while competing on the regional circuit, earning himself recognition as one of the top heavyweight prospects in the sport.

 

Competing under the tutelage of former world champion Rashad Evans, the 26-year-old Hood’s work at Florida’s Blackzilians camp has prepared him for an opportunity to compete against the world’s best fighters, and Bellator MMA will now offer him a platform to prove his talent.

 

Fight Network, kickboxing, martial arts, mixed martial arts

FIGHT NETWORK MMA & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Apr. 27-May 3, 2015)

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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, May 4

 

6:30 p.m. ET – 2014 Judo Zagreb Grand Prix– Highlights from the 2014 Judo Zagreb Grand Prix from Sept. 12-14 in Croatia.

 

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 3: Jurkovic vs., Catinas – Featuring Igor Jurkovic vs. Raulk Catinas in a kickboxing bout and Ante Delija vs. Michail Lamprakis in MMA action from Apr. 19, 2013 in split, Croatia.

 

Tuesday, May 5

 

1:30 a.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.

 

2:30 am. ET – XPTV – Coverage of regional U.S pro and amateur MMA.

 

4:30 a.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

 

7:00 & 7:30 p.m. ET – Xtreme Fighting Championship – Florida-based professional MMA featuring top American prospects, international stars and UFC veterans.

 

8:00 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.

 

Wednesday, May 6

 

1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 6: Payback – Featuring Jimi Manuwa vs. Like Blythe and Brad Pickett vs., David Lee from Aug. 22, 2009 in London.

 

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 – Fighting Spirit MMA – Compilations of international MMA fights from ONE FC, UCMMA, KSW, WFC, FFC, BAMMA, EFC Africa and more.

 

8:30 p.m. ET – Cage Warriors 73 – Featuring Alex Enlund vs. Nad Narimano for the vacant featherweight title from Nov. 1, 2014 in London.

 

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, May 7

 

1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 5: Heat – Featuring Dino Gambatesa vs. Brad Whjeeler from July 11, 20-9 in London.

 

6:00 p.m. ET – 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. 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 — MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency – Gabriel Morency breaks down all the happenings in MMA, discussing odds, predictions, plus special weekly guests and exclusive interviews.

 

10:00 p.m. ET – Super Fight League 2 – Featuring Todd Duffee vs. Neil Grove and Alexander Shlemenko vs. Ikuhisa Minowa from Apr. 7, 2012 in Chandigarh, India.

 

Friday, May 8

 

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 class fights from the historic Japanese DEEP promotion including Shinya Aoki, Hayato Sakurai and Gegard Mousasi.

 

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

 

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

 

7:00 p.m. ET — Fight News Now. 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.

 

8:30 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 16 – Featuring Mamed Khalidov vs. Matt Lindland and Mariusz Pudzianowski vs. James Thompson from May 21, 2011 in Gdansk, Poland.

 

11:30 p.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Firas Zahabi – Sit-down interview with Tristar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi, trainer to the likes of Georges St. Pierre and Rory MacDonald.

 

Saturday, May 9

 

1:00 a.m. ET – SuperKombat: New Heroes Opatija 2013 – Featuring Ivan Stanic vs. Laurent Attrifi, Mladen Brestovac vs. Andy Van Steen and the opening round of the heavyweight tournament from Feb. 23, 2013.

 

6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Featuring Shonie Carter vs. Jason MacDonald from TKO 21.

 

7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Jake Shields vs. Randy Velarde from Gladiator Challenge 49.

 

10:00 a.m. ET – 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.

 

1:30 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 46 – Featuring Brendan Barrett vs. Mlodrag Petkovic and Frankie Perez vs. Rafael Machado from Sept. 20, 2013 in Atlantic City, NJ.

 

4:00 p.m. ET – DEEP: 62 Impact – Featuring Satoru Kitaoka vs. Daisuke Nakamura, Daiki Jata vs. Yoshiro Maeda, Dan Hornbuckle vs. Yuya Shirai and Akihiro Gono vs. Taisuke Okuno from Apr. 26, 2013 in Yokyo.

 

7:00 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champion – Featuring heavyweight champ Mrcin Tybura vs. light heavyweight champ Stephan Puetz in a champion vs. champion superfight from May 2, 2015 in Orenburg, Russia.

 

10:00 p.m. ET – UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt Pre-Show – LIVE pre-fight coverage of UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt from Adelaide, Australia.

 

11:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and more.

 

Sunday, May 10

 

1:00 a.m. ET – UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt Post-Show – LIVE post-fight reaction and coverage of coverage of UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt from Adelaide, Australia, including live post-fight press conference.

 

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

 

10:00 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.

 

11:00 a.m. ET – Elite Muay Thai: Thailand vs. Challenger – The biggest Muay Thai series in the world featuring premium international stand-up fighters takingon the renowned Thai National team.

 

7:00 p.m. ET – 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. ET – Judo Astana Grand Prix 2014 – Highlights from the Judo Astana Grand Prix from Oct. 10-12 in Astana, Kazakhstan

 

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

FIFTH CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT ADDED TO NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (May 4, 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,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur bantamweight bout to the fight card.  It will be the fifth amateur title awarded on the June 13 card.  The bout will feature Johnny Crafts (3-0) going one-on-one with Jeff Watts (5-2) at the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.

 

Voted the “Rookie of the Year” for 2014 by NEF fans, Johnny Crafts has dominated in all three of his prior bouts.  For those familiar with his background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), it comes as no surprise that the brown belt has submitted each of his opponents. Last February, Crafts handed the previously-undefeated Mike Crespo (2-2) his first loss in the NEF cage.  He is currently a member of Team New England United (NEU) – the largest BJJ team in the northeast.

 

“I’m very excited to be fighting for the first ever NEF ammy bantamweight title,” said Crafts.  “This is definitely my hardest fight to date and I am ready to show everyone my progression.  Jeff seems like a very well-rounded, experienced fighter and this  should be a battle for the NEF fans to enjoy.”

 

Jeff Watts is a product of western New York state where he developed a reputation at a young age as a tough street fighter. With a background in Karate and wrestling, Watts began training in MMA in 2009.  A familiar face to New England MMA fans having competed twice in Plymouth, Massachusetts, June 13 will be his debut in the NEF cage.  Watts is known internationally  as writer “Karmaatemycat” on major MMA website Cagepotato.com. Currently residing in Wausau, Wisconsin, he trains out of Rising Son MMA.

 

“I’m incredibly excited to be fighting the caliber of Jiu Jitsu that John brings to the cage,” said Watts.  “I’m even more excited to see how he handles being punched in the face. First ever Bantamweight title for NEF. What an honor! Win, lose, or draw–it’s going to be a crazy night. I’m  excited to show some skills I’ve never shown before. Let’s put a show on John. Bang with me.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” 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.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

BELLATOR MMA INKS LIGHTWEIGHT KNOCKOUT ARTIST MELVIN GUILLARD TO A MULTI-YEAR, MULTI-FIGHT DEAL

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 4, 2015) – Bellator MMA officials are proud to announce that they have signed MMA fan-favorite Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard (32-14-2) to a multi-year, multi-fight contract.

 

A debut date and opponent will be announced for Guillard in the near future.

 

At only 32 years of age, “The Young Assassin” has amassed 50 professional bouts in a career that dates back to 2002. With 21 victories coming by KO, Guillard has generated a large fan base with his exciting fighting style.

 

Born in New Orleans, the knockout artist has honed his skills at some of the top MMA gyms in the world including Jackson’s MMA, Blackzilians, Grudge Training Center and American Top Team, where he currently trains. During his 22-fight stint with Ultimate Fighting Championship, Guillard broke MMA great BJ Penn’s record for most KO’s in the lightweight division with eight, an accolade which he still holds to this day.

 

“We are excited to have Melvin coming onboard,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “Withcompetitors the likes of Lightweight Champion Will Brooks, Michael Chandler, Marcin Held, Derek Anderson, Saad Awad, Dave Jansen and Patricky Pitbull on the roster already, the matchup possibilities for an exciting fighter like him are endless.”

 

Guillard owns victories over notable names that include Marcus Davis, Dennis Siver, Gleison Tibau, Evan Dunham, and Jeremy Stephens.

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

M-1 Challenge 57 results & pictures – Puetz defeats Tybura, Barnaoui upsets Divnich

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 Presents

M-1 CHALLENGE 57: IN THE HEART OF THE CONTINENT 

MARCIN TYBURA, M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Champion

vs.

STEPHAN PUETZ, M-1 Light Heavyweight Champion

 

MAXIM DIVNICH vs. MANSOUR ‘Tarzan’ BARNAOUI

M-1 Challenge Lightweight Championship

May 2, 2015   ● Orenburg, Russia
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

M-1 Challenge 57: Battle in the Heart of the Continent

Puetz stops Tybura in Heavyweight Superfight

Barnaoui takes Divnich’s title belt

 OFFICIAL RESULTS

Stephan Puetz defeated Marcin Tybura in Heavyweight Super Fight

ORENBURG, Russia (May 2, 2015) – M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title holder Stephan “T-800” Puetz defeated previously undefeated M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin “Tybur” Tubura in tonight’s heavyweight super fight that headlined M-1 Challenge 57: Battle in the Heart of the Continent in Orenburg, Russia.

 

In the co-feature, challenger Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui upset defending champion Max Divnich to capture the M-1 Challenge lightweight championship.

 

Puetz (13-1-0, 6 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) established himself as a genuine MMA star by defeating the larger Tybura (12-1-0, 3 KO/TKO, 4 SUB). The ultra-talented German won his fourth straight M-1 Challenge fight with a third-round technical knockout of the Polish heavyweight, who was unbeaten in six previous M-1 Challenge bouts, resulting from the doctor’s stoppage.

 

Barnaoui (12-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), fighting out of France, stopped previously undefeated champion Divnich (11-1-0, 6 KO/TKO, 1 SUB), of Russia, in the second round via punches.

 

Also fighting on the main card, Russian welterweight Alexei Kunchenko (9-0-0, 6 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) knocked out British challenger Dez “The Arm Collector” Parker (4-2-0, 1 KO/TKO, 3 SUB) in the opening round, Russian featherweight Magomed Idrisov (5-0-0, 2 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) won a three-round decision over German invader Max Coga (11-4-0, 2 KO/TKO, SUB), and Russian featherweight Nikita “Piranha” Chistyakov (4-1-0, 0 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) took a hard fought three-round decision from Frenchman Moktar “Le Benkaci” Benkaci (11-6-0, 3 KO/TKO, 7 SUB).

 

In preliminary bouts, lightweight Murad Mirzabekov (2-1-0, 0 SUB) knocked out fellow Russian Fabrice Dato (6-2-0, 2 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) in the first round, Russian heavyweight Kurban Ibragimov (3-2-0, 2 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) punched his way to a second-round victory over Spaniard David Trallero (1-2-0, 1 KO/TKO), Russian light heavyweight Rashid Yusupov (5-1-0, 1 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) registered an impressive first-round KO of Russian Mitry Medvedev (7-5-0, 3 KO/TKO, 3 SUB), Adam “Beard” Yandiev (6-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 3 SUB) remained undefeated with an opening-round submission (guillotine choke) win against Dmitriy Adeev (1-2-0, 1 KO/TKO) in a battle of Russian light heavyweights, Damir Ismagulov (2-1-0, 1 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) took a three-round unanimous decision from fellow Russian lightweight Sergey Andreev (5-4-0, 2 KO/TKO, 2 SUB), Kazakhstan welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov (2-0-0, 1 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) punched out Bartos “Hulk” Chyrek (4-2-0, 4 SUB) in the first round, and Russian featherweight Timur Nagibin (7-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) knocked out Akhmandjon Mamurov (0-1-0), of Tajikistan, in round one.

 

Complete results and picture gallery below:

 

 

MAIN CARD

 

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERFIGHT

Stephan Puetz (13-1-0), Germany                  WTKO3 (3:48)          Marcin Tubura (12-1-0), Poland

 

M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Mansour Barnaoui (13-2-0), France         (WKO1 (punches – 4:48)            Maxim Divnich (11-1-0), Russia

(Barnaoui won M-1 Challenge Lightweight Title)

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Alexei Kunchenko (9-0-0), Russia           WKO1 (punches – 2:55)                    Dez Parker (4-2-0), England

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Magomed Idrisov (5-0-0), Russia                        WDEC3                                   Max Coga (11-4-0), Germany

 

Nikita Chistyakov (4-1-0), Russia                        WDEC3                              Moktar Benkaci (11-6-0), France

 

PRELIMINARY CARD

 

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Kurban Ibragimov (3-2-0), Russia            WTKO2 (punches – 2:00)                 David Trallero (1-2-0), Spain

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Rashid Yusupov (5-1-0), Russia               WKO1 (punches – 1:32)               Mitry Medvedev (7-5-0), Russia

 

Adam Yandiev (6-0-0), Russia            WSUB1 (guillotine choke – 1:14)          Dmitry Adeev (1-2-0), Russia

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Shavat Rakhmonov (2-0-0), Kazakhstan     WKO1 (punches – 2:50)             Bartos Chyrek (4-2-0), Poland

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Damir Ismagulov (2-1-0), Russia                          WDEC3                             Sergey Andreev (5-4-0), Russia

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Murad Mirzabekov (2-1-0), Russia            WKO1 (punches – 2:50)                   Fabrice Dato (6-2-0), Russia

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Timur Nagibin (7-1-0), Russia             WKO1 (punches – 1:05)    Akhmandjon Mamurov (0-1-0), Tajikistan

 

 
The great Fedor Emelianenko addressed the crowd

 
MMA sperstar Stephan “T-800” Puetz

Mansour vs. Divnich fight is all over

New M-1 Challenge 57 lightweight champion Mansour Barnaoui

 
Murad Mirzabekov ends fight with Fabrice

Kurban Ibragimov and David Trallero exchange kickx

Shavkat Rakhmonov controls Bartos Chyrek

Adam Yandiev has hold on Dmitriy Adeev

Moktar Benkaci and Mikita Chistyakov mix it up

 
Rashid Yusupov put Mitry Medvedev to sleep

Damir Ismagulov and Sergey Andreev

 

 

Information

www.mixfight.ru 

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

 

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein

 

@M1Global

 

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

 
mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA RETURNS TO MILE HIGH CITY TO CROWN WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION

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RFA 26 IN COLORADO
FRIDAY JUNE 5TH LIVE ON AXS TV
MAIN EVENT:
Ben Smith vs Gilbert Smith
WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIOSNHIP
PLUS:
THE RETURN OF BOSTON SALMON, DANNY MAINUS, JARRED MERCADO, AND BRUNO FRAZATTO



LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will be returning to the state of Colorado next month. RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith will feature a main event between two RFA fan favorites. RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith returns to face man similar in name and talent. His first title defense will be against #1 contender Gilbert Smith, who will be looking to keep the title from leaving his home state. 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. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

“Smith vs. Smith will be a fantastic welterweight title fight at RFA 26,” stated Soares. “Benjamin Smith was completely dominant in winning the title, while Gilbert Smith was valiant in his last title fight by going 5 rounds with a guy who missed weight by 5 pounds. Smith and Smith will give Colorado a title fight they deserve.”
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.
Benjamin Smith (14-2) returns to the RFA octagon after winning the vacant RFA welterweight strap with a dominant TKO victory over Tat Romero in March. That win came after he bested Josh Cavan in the co-main event of RFA 20 to close out last year. Smith has been perfect in MMA for the past two years and is currently riding a 6-fight winning streak. The surging Minnesota based fighter now looks to solidify his control of the RFA welterweight division with his first title defense.
“It feels great to be defending my title in Colorado, since I had a great experience fighting there in November,” said Smith. “I won the title back in March and this is a great opportunity. It gives me holding status. Gilbert Smith has a great last name. He’s also a really physically strong competitor. I look forward to finishing him and keeping the belt at RFA 26 on June 5th.”
Gilbert Smith (10-4) enters the title fight looking for redemption and some vindication after his first shot at the title in January was hindered when his opponent egregiously missed weight by 5-pounds. The always-game Smith agreed to take the fight anyway, but the brazen weight advantage that his opponent possessed, played a pivotal and unfair role in the outcome of their 5-round affair. Smith is now eager to get his shot at the title on a level playing field.
“First and foremost, I am really excited to be getting this opportunity,” Smith explained. “It will be nice to get redemption. I do wish my opponent made weight in the last fight, but I ended up learning a lot from that fight. I was back in the gym on the Wednesday after the fight and I have filled in the holes that I needed to fix. Benjamin Smith is a deserving champion. He’s a good grappler that has been working on his boxing, but he has a similar style to me. That will play to my advantage. I don’t know how, but I will finish him, and get that belt strapped around my waist in front of my friends and family in Colorado.”
RFA 26 will also see the return of former RFA bantamweight title challenger Jarred “Shutout” Mercado (12-2). He faces fellow two-time RFA vet Bruno Frazatto (6-2). Mercado has NCAA Division I wrestling credentials, while Frazatto is a highly-decorated jiu-jitsu black belt. The main card will feature another pair of RFA bantamweights that are both known for their exciting and action-packed fights. Hawaiian striking sensation Boston Salmon (3-0) will look to keep his flawless record intact with a fourth straight TKO win. He will face collegiate wrestler and three-time RFA vet Danny Mainus (3-3) in a bout that has “Fight of the Night” written all over it.
The co-main event, feature fight, and additional bouts at RFA 26 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” in 2015. The entire main card of RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 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 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.
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

Official weights and pictures for M-1 Challenge 57 in Russia

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 Presents

M-1 CHALLENGE 57: IN THE HEART OF THE CONTINENT 

MARCIN TYBURA, M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Champion

vs.

STEPHAN PUETZ, M-1 Light Heavyweight Champion

 

MAXIM DIVNICH vs. MANSOUR ‘Tarzan’ BARNAOUI

M-1 Challenge Lightweight Championship

May 2, 2015   ● Orenburg, Russia

WATCH LIVE ON M-1GLOBAL.TV
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
M-1 CHALLENGE 57
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PICTURES

Marcin Tybura vs. Stephan Puetz headlines May 2 in Orenburg, Russia

Stephan “T-800” Puetz

 

MAIN CARD

 

 
(L-R) M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura &
M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan Puetz

 

M-1 CHALLENGE HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERFIGHT – 5 X 5

MARCIN “Tybur” TYBURA (12-0-0), M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Champion, Poland 251 ½ lbs. (114.2 kg)

STEPHAN “T-800” PUETZ (12-1-0), m-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion, 229 lbs. (104 kg)

 

 
(L-R) – Mansour Barnaoui & Maxim Divnich

 

M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5

MAXIM DIVNICH (11-0-0), Champion, Russia 154 lbs. (70 kg)

MANSOUR “Tarzan” BARNAOUI (11-2-0), Challenger, France 154 lbs. (70 kg)

 
(L-R) – Dez Parker & Alexei Kunchenko

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ALEXEI KUNCHENKO (8-0-0), Russia 169 lbs. (76.8 kg)

DEZ “The Arm Collector” PARKER (4-1-0), England 169 ½ lbs. (77 kg)

 

 
(L-R) – Max Coga & Magomed Idrisov

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MAGOMED IDRISOV (4-0-0), Russia 144 ½ lbs. (65.6 kg)                                    

MAX COGA (11-3-0), Germany 144 ½ lbs. (65.7 kg)

 

 
Moktar Benkaci & Nikita Chistyakov

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MOKTAR “Le Benkaci” BENKACI (11-5-0), France 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

NIKITA “Piranha” CHISTYAKOV (3-1-0), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

 

PRELIMINARY CARD

 
Frabrice Dato & Murad Mirzabekov

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MURAD MIRZABEKOV (1-1-0), Russia 153 ½ lbs. (69.8 kg)
FABRICE DATO (6-1-0), Russia 154 ½ lbs. (70.3 kg)

 
David Trallero & Kurban Ibragimov

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

KURBAN IBRAGIMOV (2-2-0), Russia 213 ½ lbs. (97.0 kg)

DAVID TRALLERO (1-1-0), Spain 235 lbs. (106.8 kg)

 

 
Rashid Yusupov & Mitry Medvedev

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

RASHID YUSUPOV (4-1-0), Russia 202 ½ lbs. (92.0 kg)

MITRY MEDVEDEV (7-4-0), Russia 205 lbs. (93.0 kg)

 

 
Adam Yaniev & Dmitriy Adeev

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ADAM “Beard” YANEIEV (5-0-0), Russia 202 ½ lbs. (92 kg)

DMITRIY ADEEV (1-1-0), Russia 202 ½ lbs. (92 kg)

 
Sergey Andreev & Damir Ismagulov

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

DAMIR ISMAGULOV (1-1-0), Russia 154 lbs. (70.1 kg)

SERGEY ANDREEV (5-3-0), Russia 153 ½ lbs. (69.8 kg)

 
Bartos Chyrek & Shavkat Rakhmonov

 

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

SHAVAT RAKHMONOV (1-0-0), Kazakhstan 169 lbs. (76.8 kg)

BARTOS “Hulk” CHYREK (4-1-0), Poland 169 lbs. (76.9 kg)

 
Timur Nagibin & Akhmandjon Mamurov

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

TIMUR NAGIBIN (6-1-0), Russia 144 ½ lbs. (65.7 kg)

AKHMANDJON MAMUROV (0-0-0), Tajikistan 144 lbs. (65.5 kg)

 

WHAT:            M-1 Challenge 57: Battle in the Heart of the Continent

 

WHEN:            Saturday, May 2, 2015

                       9:15 a.m. (New York City), 5:15 p.m. (Moscow)

 

WHERE:          Orenburg, Russia 1:30

 

PROMOTER:    M-1 Global

 

LIVE STREAM: WWW.M1GLOBAL.TV

 

M-1 Challenge 57 will be streamed live from Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the fights by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV.Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may also watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets. The entire card will also be broadcast live, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET, on Fight Network via Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., nationwide in Canada, and on Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

INFORMATION

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1Global

@VFinkelchtein

@M1GlobalNews

 

Facebook:

 

ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premier entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With its office in St Petersburg, Russia, the M-1 brand has staged more than 160 events worldwide, including M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge, M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the U.S. network, Showtime. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Sergei Kharitonov, Aleksander Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2015 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global Champions among the greatest fighters in the sport.

 

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

THE TWO COR(E)YS… OF THE NEF MMA CAGE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 1, 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,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the fight card.  The bout will feature Corey Hinkley (2-3) against Cory Trial (0-1) at the lightweight limit of 155-pounds.

 

Cory Trial made his NEF MMA debut this past February at “NEF XVI.”  While Trial came out on the losing end of the fight, he showed powerful striking skills in a wild slugfest with Ricky Dexter (3-0).  It is a fighting style that Trial and his teammates at Ruthless MMA & Boxing of Benton, Maine have become known for.  It is a style that has also produced some of the most memorable fights on the last several NEF events.  Ruthless head coach Josh Parker (4-8) is confident in Trial’s ability to finish the bout coming up on June 13.

 

“When Cory walked into my gym, I knew I had something special,” said Parker.  “The guy is an animal, and in June he will be looking to show everyone that in his last fight the lights killed him.  This fight won’t be going out of the first round.”

 

“I’m excited for this fight,” exclaimed Trial.  “Excited to get another chance to show people who I am as a fighter.  Last time, I was overwhelmed with the lights and the crowd.  This time, the real Cory will be in the cage, and I’ll be looking for the finish.”

 

When they meet at “NEF XVIII,” it will have been nine months since the last time Trial’s opponent, Corey Hinkley, stepped in the cage to compete.  After starting his amateur career at 2-1, Hinkley has dropped his last two in a row.  He and his coach at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), Jesse Erickson (3-3), say that Hinkley has been training harder than ever for his return and has put personal issues behind him since his last appearance for NEF.

 

“I’ve had a lot of personal things going on in my life in the past, but I’m now able to train the way I’ve been needing to and I’m coming back stronger than ever,” said Hinkley.

 

“I have never seen Corey so focused,” stated Erickson.  “He’s training harder than he has for any of his previous fights, and I can’t wait to watch him do his thing in June!”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” 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.”

 

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.