Category Archives: mixed martial arts

M-1 Challenge 55 card getting stacked; Fioravanti vs. Kudukhashvili & Vitruk vs. Coga added

Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show, Feb. 21 in Tbilisi, Georgia

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Jan. 21, 2015) – M-1 Global’s 2015 season-opening event, M-1 Challenge 55: Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show, is gradually developing into an exciting, stacked event on February 21 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

 

The latest fights to be added to M-1 Challenge 55, dedicated to the memory of the first M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion, Guran Gugenishvili, is an intriguing middleweight clash between American invader Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti and Georgian favorite Nodar Kudukhashvili, along with undefeated featherweight prospect Pavel Vitruk taking on upset-minded Max Coga.

 

Last week, M-1 Global announced two heavyweight fights for M-1 Challenge 55: past M-1 Challenge title challenger Denis Smoldarev (9-1-0, 3 KO/TKO, 4 SUB), of Estonia, vs. Croatian challenger Maro Perak (23-4-1, 12 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), as well as former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner (14-8-0, 7 KO/TKO, 3 SUB), of America, vs. Chechen prospect Aslambek “Titan” Musaev (5-1-0, 1 KO/TKO, 2 SUB).

 

M-1 Challenge 55 will be streamed live in high definition on 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 watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

 

Fioravanti (25-12-0, 10 KO/TKO, 6 SUB), fighting out of Florida, is coming off of an impressive first-round stoppage (punches) of
Ruslan Khaskhanov this past December at
M-1 Challenge 54 & ACB 12. He recently signed a new promotional contract with M-1 Global.

 

The 33-year-old Italian-American joined the U.S. Marines after graduating from high school. He started training in kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in California and Iraq while active in the military. Fioravanti, who holds a second-degree black belt in Pancrase Pankration, has won three of his last four fights

 

Kudukhashvili (7-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 3 SUB) is considered one of the strongest of a new generation of Georgian MMA fighters. In 2013, he won the WMMAA championships, defeating Russian champion Shamil Abdulaev in the final competition.

 

In eight professional MMA fights to date, Kudukhashvili has lost only once, by third-round decision to Jamaican-born Uriah “Prime Time” Hall, winner of the The Ultimate Fighter 17. Kudukhashvili will be making his M-1 Global debut against Fioravanti.

 

The 24-year-old Vitruk (12-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) , fighting out of Ukraine, is a rising M-1 Challenge star with a perfect 5-0 record in M-1 Challenge competition dating back to 2013 at M-1 Challenge: Fedor vs. Rizzo. Considered one of the best featherweight prospects in the MMA world today, Vitruk was 2-0 last year, defeating a pair of Brazilians challengers, Rafael Miranda (KO/TKO1 – punches) at M-1 Challenge 53 and Clayton Santos (SUB1 – punches) at M-1 Challenge 46.

Training out of the famed Alexander Nevsky Club in St. Petersburg, Russia, Vitruk has his sights firmly set on M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan Buchinger, who is a Team MMA Spirit stablemate of Coga.

 

A lightweight champion at home in Germany, Coga will be in fighting in his second M-1 Challenge event having lost last May by first-round knockout (kick) to lightweight contenderMax Divnich at M-1 Challenge 47.

 

The loss to Divnich resulted in a Team Coga decision for him to drop down one weight division to featherweight. In his last action, Coga bounced back strong with an impressive victory in his featherweight debut this past November at Fair FC 2, stopping previously undefeated (5-0-0 pro, 4-0-0 amateur records) Gabriel Sobo in the third round.

 

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

 

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 55 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

BOXING LEGEND OSCAR DE LA HOYA ANNOUNCES NEW COMBAT SPORTS, TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE NETWORK

De La Hoya TV will capitalize on huge boxing and MMA fan base among U.S. Hispanics, taking them inside the lives of their heroes

 

MIAMI (Jan. 21, 2015) Olympic gold medalist, 10-time world champion in six weight divisions and leading boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya will launch a new Spanish-language sports, travel and lifestyle cable television channel called De La Hoya TV, the “Golden Boy” announced today at the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) annual conference in Miami.

 

Offering news, analysis and original programming surrounding combat sports including boxing and MMA, the multi-platform network will feature entertainment, travel, lifestyle and news on international sports, giving fans another level of access to the champions of the sports that they love.

 

“De La Hoya TV will be the premiere authority on boxing and other combat sports, providing fans with a behind-the-scenes look into the world and lifestyles of their favorite athletes,” said De La Hoya, chairman of De La Hoya TV. “The network aims to inspire all to live the life of a champion, delivering exceptional insight into the athletes and featuring entertainment, global destinations, news and more.”

 

Building on boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya’s brand, De La Hoya TV will launch with Spanish-language content and focus on engaging the U.S. Hispanic market.

 

Latino audiences, which now total more than 50 million in the U.S., have long fueled the popularity of combat sports, and De La Hoya TV will provide the Hispanic market with an experience that they’ve longed for. Among U.S. Hispanic audiences, boxing is the second most-popular sport after soccer, and recent data suggests that more than 50 percent of the Mixed Martial Arts’ fan base is Hispanic.

 

The multiplatform network will launch in the spring of 2015 and be available for cable and satellite distribution. Initially launching in Spanish, the network will in the future provide English content, offering today’s modern consumers with multiple options to engage with network programming.

 

De La Hoya TV is a partnership between Oscar De La Hoya, businessman and international boxing promoter José Alberto “Pepe” Gómez, and media executive and Fashion TV Latin America partner Victor Hugo Montero.

 

Gomez is a successful business owner and major promoter of Mexican and international boxing. Gomez operates several media companies in Mexico, including a popular newspaper and radio station.

 

Montero is an experienced television and cable executive, having launched Venezuela’s first cable channel, Sun Channel Tourism Television, which is currently available throughout Latin America. More recently Montero helped re-launched Fashion TV Latin America, an international cable channel.

 

“In my decades of working in television, I’ve seen few opportunities to connect with an untapped market with such an exponential opportunity for growth. For over a year we have worked on this project and are focused on expanding content from Spanish to include English and make it available to a larger audience, all to serve the consumer’s appetite,” said Victor Hugo Montero, CEO and general manager of De La Hoya TV.

 

“The popularity of combat sports continues to grow throughout the United States, Latin America and the globe, and now fans will finally have a unique resource to get news and analysis through De La Hoya TV,” said José Alberto “Pepe” Gómez, executive chairman of De La Hoya TV.

 

De La Hoya TV’s unique content, which will complement existing boxing programming on the established networks, like HBO, SHOWTIME, FOX, and Televisa will help continue to fuel the growth of the sport and the intensity of the fans.

 

Original production for De La Hoya TV will begin in early 2015, with details on programming schedules to be announced soon. The network is based in Miami, Florida.

 

ABOUT DE LA HOYA TV

De La Hoya TV is a new multi-platform sports, lifestyle and travel network serving as the authority of boxing and combat sports. Focused on their slogan, Beyond Boxing, the new Spanish-language channel will feature entertainment, tourism, lifestyle, news and international sports, engaging the audience on an exciting adrenaline filled journey with behind the scenes access to the life of their favorite athletes. For more information, visit www.delahoyatv.com and follow De La Hoya TV on social media: Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and YouTube.

NEF MMA ANNOUNCES FULL FIGHT CARD FORFEBRUARY 7 LEWISTON EVENT

Lewiston, Maine (January 20, 2015) –New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, presents its sixteenth mixed martial arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVI,” on February 7, 2015 in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Earlier today, NEF announced the full fight card for the event.   A pair of title fights are scheduled to headline the card which will feature veterans of the National Football League (NFL), the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Bellator MMA, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Strikeforce MMA.

 

“This card might just be our most ambitious to date,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “There’s  something here for everyone.  If you like the big guys, we have plenty of heavyweight and super-heavyweight fights.  If you like seeing the UFC and Bellator names, we have them.  If you like wrestlers, they are well represented on this card.  If you like women’s MMA, we have a women’s fight on here.  $25 tickets to a fight card of this caliber is a steal for the fight fan.  NEF continues to bring you the biggest bang for your buck as we open our fourth year of business.”

 

In the main event of the evening, Ray “All Business” Wood (5-0) will defend the NEF MMA Featherweight Title against the challenge of Philadelphia’s Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (16-9). Morrison is a veteran of the Bellator and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) cages.  He will be Wood’s highest-profile challenge to date.  Many insiders predict that Wood could be one or two wins away from getting the call to one of the national promotions himself.

 

The co-main event of the evening will see Tyler King (7-2) defend the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title against Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-2).  King is an NFL veteran, having played for the San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals after a very successful college career at the University of Connecticut where he recorded 19 sacks as a defensive end, and was named the team’s “Defensive MVP” in 2004.  He appeared on the 19th season of UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter television series in 2014.  Tyler is the son of Steve King who spent nine years with the New England Patriots as a linebacker during the 1970s and early 1980s.  The challenger, Terry Blackburn, had a highlight-reel knockout victory over Jason Dolloff (6-19) in the NEF MMA cage in September 2013.

 

Ryan Hodge (6-9) will see action against Nah-Shon “The Rock-n-Rolla” Burrell (11-4) in a middleweight feature fight.  Hodge, who lives in Florida but has made a name for himself on the northeast regional fight scene, last appeared in the NEF MMA cage in November 2013.  That night, Hodge had a big knockout win over Josh Watson (7-4).  Burrell is a veteran of the UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce cages.  He has competed a total of nine times on the biggest stages the sport has to offer.

 

“Those three fights on top of this card are worth the price of admission alone,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “All three of those fights are main events on any regional MMA event held on the east coast any night of the week.  And we’re giving them all to the fans in one awesome night of MMA action for one low price of admission.  You can bet your bottom dollar that you will be entertained on February 7, and you won’t have to break the bank to do it.”

 

On the amateur side of the card, Gravin “The Stampede” Guillen(1-1) and 56-year-old Mladin Holman (0-1) will engage in a rematch of their super-heavyweight bout from this past November.  Many fans felt the bout was stopped early by the referee, awarding the victory to Guillen by technical knockout (TKO).  NEF executives listened to fans and quickly arranged the rematch.

 

Also on the amateur card will be two of the three fighting Bang brothers, Sheldon Bang (1-1) and Steven Bang (3-2), along with their debuting father Dr. Steve Bang (0-0).  Dr. Bang is a 46-year-old bariatric surgeon with a background in wrestling.  His four sons, including Sheldon and Steven, have all followed in their father’s footsteps, each wrestling for Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine.

 

The new blood is rising early on the amateur portion of the card when Caleb Hall (5-1) and Josh Harvey (2-1) open the show in what should be an action-packed featherweight bout.  Top prospects Nick Spencer (7-4) and Aaron Lacey (4-1) are scheduled to meet in a catchweight bout.  “Crispy” Michael Crespo(2-0) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) phenomenon Johnny Crafts (2-0) will put their respective unblemished records on the line in a bantamweight contest.  And the women will take to the cage whenHillary Cooledge (0-1) faces Fernanda Araujo (3-3-1).

 

The full fight card for “NEF XVI” (subject to change):

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

145*TITLE Ray Wood 5-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Anthony Morrison 16-9 (Daddis Fight Camps)

265*TITLE Tyler King 7-2 (Connors MMA) vs Terry Blackburn 5-2 (First Coast Full Contact/Team Riot)

185 Nah-Shon Burrell 11-4 (Fight Firm Elite & Renzo Gracie BJJ) vs Ryan Hodge 6-9 (F2 Arena)

265 Mike Hansen 1-1 (Independent) vs Artie Mullen 1-13 (MMA of Southern Maine)

155 Jesse Erickson 3-4 (CMBJJ-Team NEU) vs Frank Falso 0-1 (Team United & Santos BJJ)

145 Derek Shorey 1-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Jon Lemke 4-3 (Team Irish)

135 Matt Denning 1-0 (CMBJJ-Team NEU) vs Jovan White 1-6 (First Coast Full Contact)

 

 

AMATEUR

 

S.HWT Gravin Guillen 1-1 (Independent) vs Mladen Holman 0-1 (Choi Institute)

265 Brandon Lessard 0-0 (Independent) vs Billy Leahy 1-1 (Young’s MMA)

265 Ryan Glover 0-0 (Independent) vs Jason Field 0-0 (Independent)

205 Chris Perry 0-0 (Acadia BJJ) vs Ruben Redman 0-0 (Independent)

185 Frank Dellasala 0-1 (Choi Institute) vs Heath Hanson 0-1 (3Ronin Athletics)

185 Jacob Cameron 1-4 (Team Nitemare) vs Nick Shea 0-0 (First Class MMA)

185 Joe Staples 0-0 (Team Irish) vs Raymond Harrison 0-0 (Independent)

180 Caleb Farrington 1-0 (Team NEU) vs Brandon Russell 0-0 (Independent)

166 CJ Ewer 3-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Jakub Kazuba 1-0 (First Coast Full Contact)

155 Dr. Steve Bang 0-0 Sr. (CMBJJ) vs Matthew Hanning 0-0 (Independent)

155 Steve Bang Jr. 3-2 (CMBJJ-Team NEU) vs Jason LaChance 0-1 (MMA Athletix)

155 Ricky Dexter 1-0 (Team Irish) vs Corey Trial 0-0 (Ruthless Boxing & MMA)

155 Rick Matthews 0-1 (Team Irish) vs Emmett Huber 0-0 (The Academy)

145 Caleb Hall 5-1 (Choi Institute) vs Josh Harvey 2-1 (Young’s MMA)

145 Jimmy Jackson 1-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Kris Welch 0-0 (Independent)

145 Henry Clark 1-0 (Choi Institute) vs Mike Peitersen 1-0 (Young’s MMA)

140 Nick Spencer 7-4 (Choi Institute) vs Aaron Lacey 4-1 (Young’s MMA)

141 Rob Kiah 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Clifford Redman 0-0 (Independent)

140 Bryant Orick 3-5 (Ruthless Boxing & MMA) vs Fred Lear 2-0 (Young’s MMA)

135 Johnny Crafts 2-0 (Team NEU) vs Mike Crespo 2-0 (MMA Athletix)

135 Fernanda Araujo 3-3-1 (Defensive Edge) vs Hillary Cooledge 0-1 (Choi Institute)

125 Dustin Veinott 2-3 (CMBJJ-Team NEU) vs Dave Brown 1-1 (White Mountain BJJ)

135 Sheldon Bang 1-1 (CMBJJ-Team NEU) vs TBD

 

Tickets for “NEF XVI” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.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.

Shinobi War 4 Card Shaping Up Nicely

Shinobi MMA Fighting Championships is pleased to announce the addition of 5 mouth-watering bouts to the upcoming Shinobi War 4 card.
Firstly, the Shinobi MMA FC Middleweight Title will be on the line as fan-favourite,  Amadeusz Arczewski (3-1) will battle it out with Ben Forsyth (4-1) to determine who is the best 185lb fighter.
Arczewski has appeared on the last two Shinobi Wars and has dominated both his opponents with his strong wrestling. The man from Hustle Gym in Wrexham is a fighter that certainly embraces the grind.
Forsyth is one of the latest in a long line of top amateurs coming out of SBG in Ireland. He has totally embraced the SBG ethos and dedicated himself whole-heartedly to the cause. He has a fluid fighting style, which has become synonymous with SBG fighters.
Making the trip from Iceland with Shinobi MMA FC Lightweight Title Contender, Birgir Tomasson, are two of his Viking teammates, Bjarki “The Kid” Omarsson and Magnus “Loki” Ingvarsson. They too will be taking on some of the best local talent that Liverpool has to offer. “The Kid” is set to face-off against HAMMA protégé, Beau Gavin, whilst “Loki” is due to collide with MMA Academy’s unbeaten prospect, Tim Barnett.
Also added to the card is a welterweight clash between Mick Stanton (2-2) and Tomasz Wojtyna (3-2). Both fighters are coming off losses against very tough opponents. Stanton lost to amateur stand-out, Jai Herbert at BAMMA Fight Night 2 and Wojtyna dropped a decision to James Duckett in an absolute war at Shinobi War 3.
And Finally, Kyle Preston (1-0) and Paul Williams (0-1) will fight it out in a bantamweight bout. Preston is yet another fighter from HAMMA and Williams is a local fighter hailing from Liverpool Vale Tudo.
Shinobi War 4 will take place on Saturday 7th March 2015 at the Liverpool Olympia.
Shinobi MMA Fighting Championships are thrilled to announce the Main Event for the upcoming Shinobi War 4 card. The Main Event will feature Liverpool’s very own, Gavin Hughes (5-0), taking on Shinobi Fan Favourite, Birgir Tomasson (2-0). The bout will be for the Shinobi MMA FC Lightweight Title as, current champion Thor Palsson, is leaving the amateur ranks and moving into the professional world of MMA.
Unbeaten prospect, Gavin Hughes, fights out of HFFS in Liverpool under the guidance of UKMMA legend, Tom Blackledge. Hughes is a 2-time Shinobi veteran stopping both of his opponents in the very first round. In his last bout at Shinobi War 3 Hughes climbed off the canvas following a knockdown and fought off a tight guillotine to submit Aaron McDonnell.
Birgir Tomasson made his Shinobi debut at Shinobi War 3 and stole the show with his Fight of the Night and Knockout of the Night performance against Bobby Pallett. In that fight Tomasson epitomised the Viking spirit and truly embraced the Shinobi ethos. Therefore with his teammate (Thor Palsson) vacating the title, it was only right that Birgir should be given the opportunity to fight for the Shinobi MMA FC Lightweight Title.
Shinobi War 4 will see the return of Jordan Barton (1-1) who will square off against Matt Hampson in a featherweight encounter. Barton and Hampson were previously set to collide at ICE FC 4 in November 2014. Unfortunately, Hampson sustained an injury and the bout was subsequently removed from the card.
After an unsuccessful MMA debut at the first Shinobi War, Barton switched camps and went to train at HFFS alongside the likes of Gavin Hughes, Bobby Pallett and Chris Pieroni. He returned to action at Shinobi War 3 where he dominated his opponent en-route to a TKO victory.
Matt Hampson (1-2) fights out of Full Contact Performance Centre under the watchful eye of UKMMA stand-out and Bellator fighter, Martin Stapleton. Hampson started his MMA journey at bantamweight and after a win in his debut he has found himself on a 2 fight skid. The FCPC man will be hoping that a change of weight class will get him back in the win column.
Also lined up for Shinobi War 4 is a welterweight bout between debutantes Theo Blackledge and Ricardo Lima. Theo is the younger brother of UKMMA legend Tom Blackledge and possibly due to this has found it difficult to find a willing opponent. Lima, a young man from Portugal by way of Burton-on-Trent, fighting out of Beyond Black Belt has risen to the challenge.
Shinobi War 4 will take place on Saturday 7th March 2015 at the Liverpool Olympia.
 
Regards,
Press & Media Relations
Shinobi MMA Fighting Championships

FIGHT NETWORK MMA & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Jan. 19-25, 2015)

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 and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Fight Network recently launched on live streaming website KlowdTV.com.
Fight Network, 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:

Fight Network, 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, Jan. 19

 

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.

 

9:00 p.m. ET – Journey Fight Series 11 – Featuring Derek Jolivette vs. Jake Mackenzie for the vacant Canadian Muay Thai title from Nov. 1, 2014 in Calgary.

 

Tuesday, Jan. 20

 

12:30 p.m. ET – XPTV – Coverage of regional U.S. professional and amateur MMA events.

 

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

 

9:00 p.m. ET – Journey Fight Series 10 – Featuring Chris McMillan, Ben Pride, Matt Speciale and Manny Andrew in tournament action from Calgary.

 

Wednesday, Jan. 21

 

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

 

4:00 a.m. ET – Rocktagon MMA – Professional and amateur MMA from the Buckeye State of Ohio featuring the next generation of stars.

 

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. 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 score, recaps, features and inside analysis on the fight game.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA – Compilations of international MMA fights from ONE FC, UCMMA, KSW, WFC, FFC, BAMMA, EFC Africa and more.

 

9:00 p.m. ET – Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 62 – Featuring Neil Seery vs. Ulysses Gomez for the Cage Warriors flyweight title from Dec. 7, 2013 in Newcastle, UK.

 

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, Jan. 22

 

1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 29: Vassell vs. Chapman – Featuring Linton Vassell vs. Nick Chapman from Aug. 18, 2012 in London.

 

6:00 p.m. ET – Championship Fighting Alliance – Professional MMA from Florida featuring Josh Sampo, Mike Kyle, John Howard, Sean McCorkle, Luis Palomino and others.

 

7:00 p.m. ET – Enfusion Season 3 – Fighters from 18 different countries compete in the 85 kg MAX category in Ohrid, Macedonia as they live and train together in their quest for a kickboxing title.

 

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

 

9:00 p.m. ET – DEEP: Jewels 6 – Featuring Seo Hee Ham vs. Saori and Emi Fujino vs. Ayaka Miura in all-women’s MMA action from Tokyo.

 

11:00 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.

 

Friday, Jan. 23

 

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

 

5:00 a.m. ET – Best of Jewel – 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 levels.

 

9:00 p.m. ETKSW 25: Khalidov vs. Sakirai – Featuring Mamed Khalidov vs. Ryuta Sakurai and Aslambek Saidov vs. Daniel Acacio from Dec. 7, 2013 in Wroclaw, Poland.

 

Saturday, Jan. 24

 

1:00 a.m. ET – KSW 29: Khalidov vs. Cooper – Featuring Mamed Khalidov vs. Brett Cooper and Mariusz Pudzianowski vs. Pawel Nastula from Dec. 6, 2014 fron Krakow, Poland.

 

4:00 a.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Josh Koscheck – Sit-down interview with UFC welterweight star Josh Koscheck.

 

6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Featuring Sam Stout vs. Tyler Jackson from TKO 20 and Jeremy Horn vs. Stephan Potvin from UCC 7.

 

7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Rocko Henderson from Gladiator Challenge 3.

 

10:00 a.m. ET – Best of SportFight – Top quality MMA from the Pacific Northwest, hosted by UFC veterans Matt Lindland and Chael Sonnen.

 

6:30 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.

 

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 – Final Fight Championship 11 Kickboxing: Sanchez vs. Bekavac – Featuring Eddie Sanchez vs. Stjepan Bekavac in MMA action from Apr. 4, 2014 in Osijek, Croatia.

 

11:00 p.m. ET – Final Fight Championship 11 Kickboxing: Jurkovic vs. Kaluderovic – Featuring Igor Jurkovic vs. Jovan Kalunderovic in kickboxing action from Osijek, Croatia.

 

Sunday, Jan. 25

 

1:00 a.m. ET – Global Fighting Championship 4 – Featuring Badr Hari vs. Arnold Oborotov on a stacked MMA/kickboxing card from Oct. 16, 2014 in Dubai, UAE.

 

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 taking on 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.

 

 

Information:

 

www.FightNetwork.com

 

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

 

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

 

Jon Jones Fined For Cocaine Use, But UFC Light Heavyweight Champ Still Seems to Be Getting Special Treatment in Cocaine Scandal

UPDATED 1/19/2015 with full interview video:

By: Rich Bergeron

For Mixed Martial Arts fans enthralled by the controversy surrounding Jon Jones and the accidental test that snagged him in a cocaine scandal, “The Interview” is not a comedy starring James Franco and Seth Rogen.

The above clip shows just a few snippets of the full Fox Sports 1 sit-down session surrounding the results of a December 4th “out of competition” test that most MMA fans around the world are now all too familiar with. For those on a different planet who didn’t hear the news, the test revealed Jones had cocaine metabolites in his system.

Tonight, Jones is appearing in a long-awaited “come to Jesus” moment in front of the cameras, but instead of Barbara Walters asking the questions, it’s Charissa Thompson.  The Jones Interview is slated for an 11PM EST time slot, long after all the little kids who look up to him go to bed. For more details on what will be covered, check out this preview put out by Fox in advance.

It didn’t take very long after reports of the positive test surfaced for the Scarface jokes , memes and parodies to start circulating.  Though the situation is far from funny to many folks who are truly disgusted by these developments, it’s really hard not to laugh at some of the stuff plastered all across the Twitterverse about Jones. Making matters worse are reports that the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion spent only 24 hours in rehab, but folks on Twitter once again found a few ways to poke fun at that development as well:

The one promising development to come out of the whole situation is that the UFC finally stepped up and levied some limited punishment on Jones. Though it seems a day late and a few thousand dollars short, the promotion hit their poster boy with a $25,000 fine and issued the following statement:

“Jones tested positive for cocaine during an out-of-competition drug test conducted by the Nevada Athletic Commission on Dec. 4, 2014. The $25,000 will be donated to a substance abuse prevention program.

The UFC came to this decision after reviewing the facts surrounding the issue, and after receiving confirmation from the Nevada Athletic Commission that Jones passed all required drug tests following his bout at UFC 182 on Jan. 3.”

Did the UFC just remember they have a code of conduct they require all their contracted athletes to follow? It’s a fair question, but complicating matters is the fact that the Nevada Athletic Commission technically overstepped their bounds by even subjecting Jones to a test for something that is not actually banned in an out of competition environment.  The UFC’s legal bigwigs had to take a step back and figure out how to defend whatever punishment Jones would face in light of the test.

A code of conduct violation seemed like an open and shut case to most experts, but making the penalty too costly would likely give Jones an avenue to dispute the fine. All he would have to do is call attention to the athletic commission referring to the test itself as an “administrative oversight.” Making the fine into a donation seems like a great way to prevent any legal challenge by Jones.

Still, regardless of which side of this issue you are on, the whole incident smacks of unhealthy favoritism shown by the UFC toward Jones. It’s easy to imagine someone who fights on the UFC’s preliminary cards getting immediately thrown out of the organization if caught in the same situation. Yet, Jones is slapped on the wrist with a minimal fine and literally given high praise for confronting the issue like the champion he is.  He even gets to go on national television and explain why he “messed up.”

Even though most cases involving UFC fighters who tested positive for pot in recent years involve completely different scenarios regarding in competition tests, Dana White did not come out in any of those instances talking about how much those fighters needed help. He did not line up any interviews for any of those fighters with a major network the UFC has a multi-million dollar broadcasting deal with.

Some Jones fans might argue that most of the harsher penalties dished out for marijuana users were cases of repeat offenders. Granted, this is a first offense for Jones when it comes to drug testing. Yet, we also cannot ignore the fact that he wrapped his Bentley around a telephone pole, earning a DUI, a few thousand dollars in fines and penalties (including $7,000 to replace the pole) and a six-month driver’s license suspension for his actions on the morning of May 19, 2012. There was no official punishment by the UFC for the crash. He was allowed to defend his title in September of the same year.

It’s hard to imagine even the best athletes in any other sport getting the same treatment by their bosses. Consider the case of Diego Maradona, arguably the best soccer player ever. He was suspended from the sport for 15 months in 1991 after failing a drug test due to cocaine. Back in 2007, Martina Hingis tested positive for the same metabolites found in Jones, but her levels were actually below the acceptable level in the United States military’s drug screening protocol. The International Tennis Federation still suspended her for two years. These are two sports where the stated objective is not to hurt your opponent in order to win. MMA is a different animal, and even in training fighters can often get hurt.

Even though “out of competition” does not include the official fight a particular mixed martial artist is paid to compete in, it’s a period when a great deal of sparring could happen. Though few would argue cocaine is a performance enhancing drug, there’s a reason the phrase “hopped up on cocaine”  is so common. If Jon Jones was under the influence of the drug during any training sessions where sparring occurred, he could have put himself and/or his sparring partner in serious danger.  Not to mention the damage a long-term cocaine habit can do to a person. Though he insists he’s not an addict, that’s a common refrain of people who have serious drug problems.

Many times, people in positions like Jones just cannot handle the fame and attention that comes with stardom. They then turn to mind numbing substances of the legal and illegal variety. It’s easy to understand why Jones is having these issues, but at the same time it is all the more necessary to refuse to give him such an easy way out.

Even more so than the average Joe who ends up experimenting with drugs, someone like Jones can easily afford to have a really bad habit, and he has every reason to hide it from the general public. This means the hallmark of addiction–using while alone–could conceivably be concealed by Jones for a long period of time.

Offering up minimal punishment, acting like it’s not a serious problem, and allowing him to go on the record to officially deny he has any problem with cocaine could be extremely detrimental to his recovery. This is especially true if he indeed does have a serious problem that he’s trying so hard to avoid admitting.

The worst part of this whole scenario, though, is the message sent by the revelation that there is no hard rule forbidding cocaine use out of competition, at least as far as the Nevada Athletic Commission is concerned. I doubt many mixed martial artists or boxers knew that before this incident made headline news. Now they do, and that could create a very serious problem.

Fighters often come from harsh backgrounds, and instead of perpetuating the behavior that only leads to jail, they turn to fighting to escape from drugs and crime. This incident makes it clear to every fighter who might have refused to get involved with cocaine in the past that he or she can now get away with doing it on a whim, once or twice, or whenever they are not fighting. How many of these fighters will jump right back into that old lifestyle once they get to the edge of the cliff?

How many lives could potentially be destroyed, how many role models will be exposed as frauds, and how many careers will be permanently derailed because fighters now know without a doubt that they can do illegal drugs of all kinds as long as it’s not detected in that small “in competition” window? We will never know, because as it stands we can’t know. We’re not supposed to know. That way the scourge stays forever hidden, which is where drug use and abuse festers and grows more rampant and dangerous to the user and those around him or her.

Whether Jones is an addict or not doesn’t matter. The fact is, he made a bad choice that countless fighters could make if put in the same position.  Sometimes it just takes one poor decision to start a downward spiral that only ends in tragedy. Treating this guy differently just because he can get in the cage and throw down with the best in his division is a recipe for disaster.

Even if it’s a six-month suspension from the sport, something more should be done by the UFC to send a different and more important message. The UFC needs their fighters to know this is not OK, will not be tolerated, and should not be repeated by anyone on their roster. The company does not need their fighters thinking that the higher level of fame and status they earn in the sport means the more troubling behavior they can get away with.

This whole idea that stardom or athletic prowess equates to special treatment is exactly what gives the NFL so many headaches every year and puts so many celebrities in early graves. Fighters are supposed to be held to a higher standard, and the best message to send is one that shows it is better to avoid all intoxicants and troubling behavior if you want to be successful in combat sports. Accidents and mistakes happen to the best of people who have the strongest character, but these tiny molehills can become mountain ranges when left unchecked.

I would really like to see the UFC bite the bullet and bring in an organization like the World Anti-Doping Agency to do the kind of random drug testing they once promised they would subject all fighters on their roster to. That testing should include random tests for illegal street drugs in addition to PEDs. If the company brass really cared more about the fighters than their own financial bottom lines, they would want to know how many of their employees don’t have a problem and just need “help.”

He’s Back! Bellator MMA signs the unmistakable Kimbo Slice to a multi-fight contract

THE BEARDED BRAWLER IS BACK!

 

BELLATOR MMA SIGNS KIMBO SLICE TO A MULTI-FIGHT PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT

 

 

 

 

SANTA MONICA – (January 16, 2015) The legend of Kimbo is back on Spike.  One of MMA’s most recognizable names, the wildly popular former internet sensation Kimbo Slice has signed an exclusive, multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA and will make his promotional debut later this year.

 

Bellator officially announced the signing moments ago on Spike TV during the “Bellator: Pitbull vs. Straus” event when Bellator’s Jimmy Smith caught up with the Miami slugger via Skype (#technology).

 

“I’ve been trying to keep busy as much as possible,” said Slice. “Been boxing over the past couple of years. My current record [as a boxer] is 7-0. Bellator is up there in the tops and they’re giving me the opportunity to fight on primetime and Spike TV. You know you can’t resist Spike TV.

 

“You gotta think, I’m still hungry out there.  I haven’t got my fill yet. Whoever steps up to the plate, they got to bring it. I’m comin to get it.”

 

“Anyone who has been to a Kimbo Slice fight has felt a thick, electric, tension in the air,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “The man has a proven knack for evoking excitement every time he steps inside a cage, and that fits perfectly with the kind of fights we aim to put together.”

 

Born in the Bahamas and raised in Florida, Slice started his combat sports career on the streets of Miami, where he competed in unsanctioned prize fights on camera. The bouts were viewed by millions on the Internet, establishing Slice as a true viral sensation.

 

Slice turned his attention to mixed martial arts in 2007, picking up a submission win over former WBO heavyweight boxing champion Ray Mercer in an exhibition contest to begin his career. He would go on to compete professionally for both the UFC and EliteXC, where he would notch wins over MMA legend Tank Abbott, as well as fellow sluggers Houston Alexander and James Thompson.

 

Slice walked away from the sport in 2010 to focus on a career in boxing, where he went undefeated in seven professional contests. Six of those wins came by knockout.

 

Nearly five years after his final MMA appearance, Slice now returns to the sport, where the 6-foot-2 heavyweight slugger again looks to stand toe-to-toe with anyone willing to put on a pair of four-ounce gloves and trade blows in the pocket.

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
Access the application for each fight by clicking on the proper banner

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PATRICIO “PITBULL” FRIERE SINKS IN A REAR NAKED CHOKE ON DANIEL STRAUS TO RETAIN FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

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 AND STILL!!

 GEORGI KARAKHANYAN GETS NEXT TITLE SHOT WITH WIN OVER BUBBA JENKINS

 
Follow us on Twitter Easy Tweet: @PatricioPitbull submits @DanielStraus to retain his @Bellatormma title

 on @SpikeTV!

  

  

TEMECULA, CALIF. (Jan. 16, 2015) – Bellator MMA Featherweight World Champion Patricio Pitbull (23-2) was pushed to the limit by tenacious challenger Daniel Straus (22-6), but in the end, the Brazilian showed a ton of heart and retained his title with a gutsy fourth-round submission win.

 

The contest headlined Friday’s “Bellator: Pitbull vs. Straus” at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif.

 

Known for his wrestling, Straus showed improved striking skills throughout the bout, as he used his reach and quickness to frustrate Pitbull and open a cut over the champ’s right eye. But Pitbull refused to relent his title and used a late fourth-round takedown to work himself on to his opponent’s back, where he sunk in a rear-naked choke that ended the fight with just 11 second left in the round.

 

“I knew he’d come out striking,” Pitbull said after the win. “He’s a former world champion and one of the best strikers on the planet.

 

“I stuck to my gameplan and showed why I’m the champion. AND STILL!”

 

Pitbull already knows his next opponent, as Georgi Karakhanyan (24-4-1) picked up an incredibly impressive win over top featherweight prospect Bubba Jenkins (8-2).

 

The two-time D1 All-American Jenkins went quickly to his preferred attack, looking for the takedown, but Karakhanyan was waiting with the perfect counter: a guillotine choke.

 

Karakhanyan missed on his first attempt at the hold, but when they returned to the feet, Jenkins again looked for the takedown but left his neck behind. Karakhanyan happily cinched up the hold and put Jenkins to sleep with a spectacular finish at the 1:49 mark of the first.

 

Karakhanyan said he looks forward to the opportunity to erase the frustration of a 2011 loss to Pitbull.

 

“I’m very excited that I’m getting a title shot,” Karakhanyan said. “I’d love to fight Patricio and get my revenge.”

 

In additional main-card action, local hero Virgil Zwicker (13-4-1) edged out Houston Alexander (16-11-1) by split decision, while Fernando Gonzalez (23-13) outstruck Marius Zaromskis (20-9) en route to a unanimous decision win.

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
Access the application for each fight by clicking on the proper banner

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