Category Archives: MMA

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

Solid main card set for this Saturday’s M-1 Challenge 69: Battle in the Mountains 5 

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Denis Smoldarev vs. Kenny Garner
 
July 16 in Ingushetia, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (July 11, 2016) – M-1 Global has put together a solid main card for this Saturday night’sM-1 Challenge 69: Battle in the Mountains 5, headlined by heavyweights Denis Smoldarev (11-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), a two-time M-1 Challenge heavyweight title challenger, and former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner (16-9-0, M-1: 9-7-0), at Targin in Ingushetia, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 69 will be streamed live from Ingushetia 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 Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
 
One other previously announced M-1 Challenge 69 fight is Croatian featherweight Antun “Killer” Racic (18-7-0, M-1: 3-4-0) versus undefeated Russian prospect Movsar Evloev (5-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0).
Rounding out the main card are two other featherweight bouts: Brazilian Rafael Dias (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0) vs. Kazakh Sergey Morozov (6-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0) and Ukrainian Andrey “Iron” Lezhnev (8-6-0, M-1: 2-2-0) vs. American Lee “Bulldog” Morrison (15-6-0, M-1: 2-3-0), along with a heavyweight match between Brazilian Marcus “Montanha” Vinicius (9-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0) and Russian Kurban “Shkaf” Ibragimov (5-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0).
One preliminary card fight has been announced in the flyweight division as Ronny Gomez (3-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), of Spain, faces Russian Khamzat Dalgiev (5-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0).
Additional preliminary card bouts will be finalized and announced this week.
Information

www.M1Global.tv

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Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, mixed martial arts, MMA

Cage Warriors 77: Camden Centre, London

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DOORS Open to the public at 5:30pm

FIRST BOUT Amateur – 6.30pm (subject to change)

Professional – 7:15pm

Televised main card – 9:00pm (UK time)

 

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship returns to London following a sell out show in April and features the cream of European MMA. Two titles are on the line at the top of the card, for the lightweight and middleweight belts.

Headlining the show is highly ranked Welshman Jack Marshman, who meets the durable Frenchman, Christopher Jacquelin in the contest for the middleweight strap at Cage Warriors 77. 

The main card action, from the Camden Centre, London will feature five professional bouts starting at 9pm (UK time).  Fans hoping to watch the event LIVE can do so via our broadcast and TV partners on: 

UFC FIGHT PASS® | Worldwide

BT Sport | UK and Ireland 

Viasat | Scandinavia

Zuku TV | Africa

Please check your country’s listings for local broadcast times.

There will also be a small number of ticket returns available on the door. Check our social media accounts for ticket updates.

CWFC 77

Pro Prelims

Mickey Miller vs. Thomas Terdjman 

John Redmond vs. Modestas Bukauskas

Konmon Deh vs. Aiden Lee 

 

Main Card – 9:00PM (UK Time)

Featherweight 

Paddy Pimblett (10-1) vs. Teddy Violet (10-2)

Light-Heavyweight

Darren Stewart (6-0) vs. Boubacar Balde (11-8)

Lightweight

Scott Clist (10-2) vs. Tim Wilde (8-1)

Lightweight Title (5 x 5 min)

Chris Fishgold (14-1-1) vs. Adam Boussif (9-3)

Main Event: Middleweight Title (5 x 5 min)

Jack Marshman (19-5) vs. Christopher Jacquelin (8-2)

For the latest Cage Warriors Fighting Championship news and updates, keep track of us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. View past CWFC action, free and on-demand, online via Cage Warriors TV.
mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, UFC

UFC PRESIDENT COMING TO BANGOR TO SCOUT NEF MMA TALENT

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NEF00_DanaWhitePromo_FBPost

Bangor, Maine (July 8, 2016) – It has been nearly a week since the news broke.  Dana White, the president of the world’s biggest mixed-martial-arts (MMA) promotion, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), will be coming home to scout New England Fights (NEF) talent for his web show Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.  The event will originate from the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on Friday, August 5, 2016.  Tickets went on sale earlier today at the box office.

 

White graduated from Hermon High School in nearby Hermon, Maine in 1987.  He has never forgotten his roots, having generously donated $100,000 five years ago to help upgrade the school’s athletic facilities.  It is well-documented that White still maintains a residence in Levant, Maine where he often vacations.  In 2014, White was instrumental in the UFC bringing “Fight Night 47” to the Cross Insurance Center.

 

On August 5, White will scout several NEF MMA competitors during a live NEF event in Bangor, each fighter hoping to impress White and score a contract with the UFC.  The fights will be recorded for a future episode of Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight which will air on White’s Youtube page and the UFC Fight Pass subscription-based video streaming service.  The premise of the reality show has White, lifelong friend Nick “The Tooth,” and retired UFC competitor Matt Serra (11-7) traveling the country looking for the next undiscovered talent to sign to the UFC.  The trio attends regional MMA events while sampling local food and culture.

 

“Obviously everyone knows I have deep roots in Bangor, Maine,” said White when reached in Las Vegas, Nevada.  “I already brought a UFC event to the Cross Center. Now, I’m very excited to bring my show Lookin’ For A Fight to scout the talent in the area and check out the local promotion New England Fights.”

 

Among the fighters already signed to compete will be “The” Ryan Sanders (10-8), Aaron Lacey (1-0), CJ Ewer (1-0) and Josh Harvey (1-0), all representing Bangor’s Young’s MMA.  An announcement on the full, all-pro fight card is expected next week.

 

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these fighters,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “This is the chance to showcase their skills in front of the most powerful figure in this sport.  I’m expecting these fighters to light up the night with fireworks on August 5.”

 

“It’s such an honor to be selected to put this event on,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “NEF is always looking to move these fighters forward to the big stage.  So many NEF athletes have gone off to compete at the national level in the past few years, and hopefully we’ll have more going onAugust 5.  That’s the ultimate goal here for everyone.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight”  takes place on Friday, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor,  Maine.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

 

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 and www.flocombat.com, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

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

mixed martial arts, MMA, UFC

UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Alvarez Live Main Card Highlights UFC 200 Fight Week Coverage on Fight Network

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Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 multi-platform channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, today announced extensive live coverage for UFC International Fight Week™ in Las Vegas, the biggest week in UFC history, highlighted by a live broadcast of the main card for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: DOS ANJOS vs. ALVAREZ from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Thursday, July 7 at 10 p.m. ET, plus the live prelims for THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE®: Team Joanna vs. Team Claudia on Friday, July 8 at 8 p.m. ET.

 

Fight Network will air the live UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: DOS ANJOS vs. ALVAREZ main card across Canada on July 7 at 10 p.m. ET, preceded by a live Pre-Show at 9 p.m. ET.

 

In the main event, dominant UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos (24-7) puts his championship on the line in a five-round barnburner against top contender Eddie Alvarez (27-4). In other featured bouts, Roy “Big Country” Nelson (22-12) throws down with Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis (15-4, 1NC) in an explosive heavyweight collision, Alan Jouban (13-4) takes on undefeated Belal Muhammad (9-0) in a welterweight affair, plus “Irish” Joe Duffy (14-2) welcomes Canada’s Mitch “Danger Zone” Clarke (11-3) back to action in a lightweight matchup.

 

Live fight week coverage begins on Wednesday, July 6 at 2 p.m. ET with a live presentation of the final UFC 200 pre-fight press conference, featuring UFC president Dana White and main card superstars Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Brock Lesnar, Mark Hunt, Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar.

 

On Thursday, July 7 at 2:30 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents a live broadcast of the official on-sale press conference for UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor 2, featuring Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor on the same stage for the first time since their heated encounter this past March.

 

Later, on July 7 at 6 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents the live weigh-ins for THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE®: Team Joanna vs. Team Claudia, as headliners Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha weigh in ahead of their heated women’s strawweight championship rematch.

 

Following Thursday’s main card, Fight Network will broadcast the live UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: DOS ANJOS vs. ALVAREZ post-fight press conference in its entirety.

 

On Friday, July 8 at 6 p.m. ET, UFC 200 fighters will come face-to-face during Fight Network’s live broadcast of the UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2 weigh-ins, as all the stars from the biggest UFC event in history will tip the scale ahead of their highly anticipated clashes on Saturday night.

 

Fight Network will air the live prelims for THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE®: Team Joanna vs. Team Claudia across Canada on July 8 at 8 p.m. ET. The main card airs live on TSN5 at 10 p.m. ET.

 

In featured preliminary bouts, Joaquim Silva (8-0) faces Andrew Holbrook (11-0) in a clash of unbeaten lightweights, former title challenger Gray Maynard (12-6-1, 1NC) makes his first appearance at featherweight against Brazilian Fernando Bruno (16-3), fiery flyweight contenders face off when John Moraga (16-4) takes on Matheus Nicolau (11-2-1), inaugural TUF Brazil winnerCezar “Mutante” Ferreira (10-5) meets fellow middleweight Anthony “Lionheart” Smith (25-11), highly touted Australian prospect Jake “The Celtic Kid” Matthews (11-1) faces dangerous lightweight Kevin “The Motown Phenom” Lee (12-2) and China’s Li Jingliang (10-4) takes on Australia’s Anton Zafir (7-2) in a welterweight bout.

 

Following Friday’s main card, Fight Network will broadcast THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE®: Team Joanna vs. Team Claudia live post-fight press conference in its entirety.

 

Leading into Saturday’s blockbuster pay-per-view, Fight Network presents an encore of the first meeting between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, as UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier from January 2015 airs at 2 p.m. ET.

 

Later, on July 9 at 6 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents a live UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2 Pre-Show, featuring previews, predictions, analysis, exclusive interviews conducted on-site in Las Vegas and much more. Following Saturday’s event, Fight Network will broadcast the live UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2 post-fight press conference in its entirety.

 

In addition to all the live events, Fight Network is the destination for UFC library content, specials and series, including The Ultimate Fighter, UFC Unleashed, UFC Now, UFC Ultimate Insiderand classic UFC PPV events.

 

This Sunday, July 10 at 9 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents UFC 87: Seek and Destroy from August 2009 in Minneapolis, Minn., featuring Georges St-Pierre vs. Jon Fitch for the UFC welterweight title, plus Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring and Kenny Florian vs. Roger Huerta.

 

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit www.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.
mixed martial arts, MMA, World Series of Fighting

World-ranked bantamweight star Jesse Brock has signed an exclusive, multi-fight agreement with World Series of Fighting.

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WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
SIGNS WORLD-RANKED BANTAMWEIGHT
JESSE BROCK

LAS VEGAS (July 5, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that it has inked world-ranked bantamweight (135 pounds) star Jesse Brock (22-8) to an exclusive, multi-fight agreement.

The promotional debut of the 34-year-old Brock of Boise, Idaho will be announced soon.

“We are very excited to welcome Jesse Brock to our stable of world-class athletes,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.  “Jesse is a true performer who has taken on some of the best fighters in his weight class, and he has clearly earned the opportunity to contend in our bantamweight division.”

Ranked as high as 38 in the world in the bantamweight division, Brock will enter the World Series of Fighting decagon cage riding a six-fight win streak that he recently extended with a third round (3:57) submission (rear-naked choke) of Olly Bradstreet at Bellator 155 on May 20, 2016.

The victory marked Brock’s second under the Bellator banner.  On October 25, 2013, he bested Adrian Cruz by way of unanimous decision.

To date, Brock’s experience with top caliber opposition includes Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Caol Uno and Tyson Nam, whom Brock defeated via five-round, unanimous decision on January 28, 2011.

A former high school state wrestling champion in his native Alaska, Brock went on to compete four years for NCAA Division I Boise State University where he emerged a two-time Pac 10 conference winner.

Brock’s signing comes just three weeks before World Series of Fighting’s bantamweight title is put on the line in a main event rematch between reigning kingpin Marlon Moraes (16-4-1) and contender Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1) at WSOF32, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT from XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. on Saturday, July 30.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

INJURY TO LINTON VASSELL CAUSES MAIN CARD SHIFT, LUKASZ KLINGER NOW FACES FRANCIS CARMONT ON JULY 16

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NEIL GROVE STEPS UP ON SHORT NOTICE TO FIGHT JAMES MULHERON

 

LONDON — (July 5, 2016) – An injury to Linton Vassell (16-5, 1 NC) has derailed “The Swarm’s” summer plans of competing in front of his fellow Englishmen against Francis Carmont (24-11) during the main card of “Bellator 158: London,” which will take place onJuly 16 inside one of the world’s most popular venues, The O2 in London, England. Instead, Carmont will now fight Lukasz Klinger (7-2) at 205-pounds.

 

One of the card’s featured preliminary fights has also changed, with the news that the always-exciting James Mulheron (8-1) will now enter the cage to fight London native Neil Grove(12-7).

 

In addition to these newly announced bouts, fans will also have the pleasure of watching the always-entertaining British sensation Paul Daley (38-13-2), as he prepares to put on a show for his hometown fans against former welterweight world champion and knockout specialist,Douglas Lima (26-6). Michael “Venom” Page (10-0) aims to continue his raging pace and remain unbeaten when he challenges himself against MMA veteran “Cyborg” Santos (21-17). Rounding out the televised action, Matt Mitrione (10-5) will return after his emphatic win last month to face “Britain’s Strongest Man” Oli Thompson (17-8) in a heavyweight beater, andJames Gallagher (3-0) takes on Mike Cutting (6-5).

 

In the United Kingdom, “Bellator 158: London” will be broadcast on SPIKE UK from 9 – 10 p.m. BST and Channel 5 from 10 p.m. – midnight BST. Meanwhile in America, the card will air live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

 

Tickets start at only £40.00 and are on sale now at TheO2.co.uk or The O2 Box Office.

 

Hailing from Paris, France, the 34-year-old Carmont will be making his first appearance of 2016 and fourth under the Bellator MMA umbrella. Carmont had strung together a couple wins before his most recent appearance at “Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1.” After winning his first bout of the evening, Carmont replaced an injured Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal on just a few minutes’ notice, to face a formidable Phil Davis in the tournament final, where he was defeated. Now, “Limitless” looks to upset Klinger during the main card of “Bellator 158: London.”

 

A native of Przemysl, Poland, Klinger has been competing professionally since 2013 and taken fights almost exclusively in the United Kingdom. The 32-year-old went nearly three years without suffering his first loss as a pro, amassing finishes in all seven of his victories. “Hitman” has laced up the gloves once already in 2016, and now looks to impress in his Bellator MMA debut when he faces Carmont on July 16 at The O2 in London.

 

“Bellator 158: London” Fight Card

 

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Bout: Douglas Lima (26-6) vs. Paul Daley (38-13-2)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Matt Mitrione (10-5) vs. Oli Thompson (17-8)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Bout: Michael Page (10-0) vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (21-17)

Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Francis Carmont (24-11) vs. Lukasz Klinger (7-2)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature Bout: James Gallagher (3-0) vs. Mike Cutting (6-5)

 

Preliminary Card:

 

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: James Mulheron (8-1) vs. Neil Grove (12-7)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Michael Shipman (8-1) vs. Lee Chadwick (21-12-1)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Pietro Menga (12-0) vs. Spencer Hewitt (12-10)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Luiz Tosta (9-2) vs. Dean Garnett (7-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Jason Radcliffe (8-2) vs. Jack Mason (29-15)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Chase Morton (6-2) vs. Nathaniel Wood (8-3)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Alex Reid (11-9-1) vs. Manuel Garcia (27-19)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: C.J. Meeks (4-1) vs. Danny Mitchell (17-7-1)

mixed martial arts, MMA, WMMAA

Team Maldonado files WMMAA appeal to reassess result of June 17th Emelianenko vs.  Maldonado fight in Russia

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MONTE CARLO, Monaco (July 4, 2016) — The World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) has received an appeal from Stefano Sartori, manager of Brazilian fighter Fabio Maldonado, to reassess the result of his June 17thfight with Fedor Emelianenko, which headlined Fight Nights Global 50 in Saint Petersburgh, Russia.
Emelianenko was awarded a win by majority decision, which Team Malondado has appealed, claiming a conflict of interest because all of the judges are employed by the Russian MMA Union, of which Emelianenko serves as president.
Team Maldonado believes Maldonando should have won the decision, or the fight declared a draw at the very least, in their opinion, as the Brazilian clearly won the first round, 10-8, Emelianenko came back to take the second round, 10-9, and the third round was a toss-up.
Because Russian MMA Union vice president Radmir Gabdullin was the head judge for the aforementioned bout, Team Maldonando feels that a fair judgement regarding its appeal can be rendered only by independent, international judges reviewing the fight.
Team Maldonando has appealed the decision on grounds that there was an obvious conflict of interest in terms of the Russian MMA Union judges and their close association with Fedor, as well as the quality of decisions they rendered.  Rather than appeal the decision to the Russian MMA Union, which they claimed would place Russian judges under intense pressure, Team Maldonando made the appeal directly to the WMMAA because the Russian MMA Union is a sanctioned member of the worldwide sanctioning body WMMAA.
WMMAA president Vadim Finkelchtein has announced the following sequence of actions:
  • WMMAA Secretary General Alexander Engelhardt has been appointed to handle the appeal procedure
  • A group of objective international judges, under the guidance of experienced referee/judge Marco Broersen (Netherlands), to be appointed to assess the Emelianenko-Maldonado fight based on the tape and render an unbiased verdict regarding the fight and work of the judges
  • Temporarily suspend WMMAA head judge Radmir Gabdullin from his position
  • Discuss judges’ work at the next WMMAA Congress, taking into account the pending verdict of the independent commission
Schedule of Major 2016 MMA Events
 
Aug.3-8 – Asian MMA Championship in Hwasun, South Korea
Sept. 14-16 – European MMA Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia
Oct. 7-9 – Inaugural Pan-American Championships in Santiago, Chile
Nov. 18-20 – World MMM Championship in Macau, China
Information
Twitter:  @theWMMAA
Instagram: @worldmmaa
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

‘BELLATOR 158: LONDON’ NOW FEATURES TWO OF THE GAME’S TOP HEAVYWEIGHT SLUGGERS WITH THE ADDITION OF MATT MITRIONE-OLI THOMPSON

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B158_1920x1080_mitrione_thompson

 

 

LONDON — (July 1, 2016) – Fresh off his emphatic knockout victory over Carl Seumanutafa at “Bellator: Dynamite 2,” former NFL player Matt Mitrione (10-5) has cleared medical testing and will now face “Britain’s Strongest Man” winner Oli Thompson(17-8) during the main card of “Bellator 158: London,” which will take place on July 16 inside one of the world’s most popular venues, The O2 in London, England.

 

In addition, fans will also have the pleasure of watching the always-entertaining British sensation Paul Daley (38-13-2), as he prepares to put on a show for his hometown fans against Brazilian knockout specialist Douglas Lima (26-6). Michael “Venom” Page (10-0) aims to continue his raging pace and remain unbeaten when he challenges himself against MMA veteran “Cyborg” Santos (21-17), and Linton Vassell (16-5), who returns to action against Francis Carmont (24-11).

 

In the United Kingdom, “Bellator 158: London” will be broadcast on SPIKE UK from 9 – 10 p.m. BST and Channel 5 from 10 p.m. – midnight BST. Meanwhile in America, the card will air live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

 

Tickets start at only £40.00 and are on sale now at TheO2.co.uk or The O2 Box Office.

 

The 37-year-old Mitrione will enter the Bellator cage for the second time under a month, after knocking out Seumanutafa (10-6) in his promotional debut on June 24, in a journey that was brilliantly documented by Chuck Mindenhall.  A native of Indianapolis, “Meathead” joined the Bellator MMA team as one of the highest profile free agent acquisitions ever, carrying with him a talented athletic background that includes stints in the NFL with the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings. Mitrione is a 14-time UFC veteran that is known for ending fights early and violently, with nine of his ten victories coming by way of knockout and six of them ending in the first round.

 

A resident of East Sussex, England, Thompson will be making his Bellator MMA debut after 25 career fights amongst the heavyweight division’s elite. “The Spartan,” who solidified himself as “Britain’s Strongest Man” in 2006, is looking to build off an impressive 2015 campaign, in which he emerged victorious in all five of his bouts, including two first round knockouts. Since making his professional debut in 2009, Thompson has fought under the direction of multiple regional promotions, and the UFC. At 36 years of age, he will undoubtedly make the most important appearance of his career when he takes center stage in front of thousands of hometown fans in the main event of “Bellator: London” on July 16.

 

“Bellator 158: London” Fight Card

 

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Bout: Douglas Lima (26-6) vs. Paul Daley (38-13-2)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Matt Mitrione (9-5) vs. Oli Thompson (17-8)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Bout: Michael Page (10-0) vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (21-17)

Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Linton Vassell (16-5) vs. Francis Carmont (24-11)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature Bout: James Gallagher (3-0) vs. Mike Cutting (6-5)

 

Preliminary Card:

 

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Michael Shipman (8-1) vs. Lee Chadwick (21-12-1)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Pietro Menga (12-0) vs. Spencer Hewitt (12-10)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Luiz Tosta (9-2) vs. Dean Garnett (7-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Jason Radcliffe (8-2) vs. Jack Mason (29-15)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Chase Morton (6-2) vs. Nathaniel Wood (8-3)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Alex Reid (11-9-1) vs. Manuel Garcia (27-19)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: C.J. Meeks (4-1) vs. Danny Mitchell (17-7-1)

 

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

Heavyweight headliner for M-1 Challenge 69 Denis Smoldarev vs. Kenny Garner   July 16 in Ingushetia, Russia

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ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (June 29, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced heavyweights Denis Smoldarev and American MMA veteran Kenny “Deuce” Garner will square off in the M-1 Challenge 69 main event, Saturday night, July 16, in Ingushetia, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 69 will be streamed live from Ingushetia in high definition onwww.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 Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
 
Known as the “Brock Lesnar of Estonia,” Smoldarev (11-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0) is a combat sambo specialist and two-time M-1 Challenge heavyweight title challenger.  In his last fight this past February at M-1 Challenge 64, Smoldarev lost by third-round submission via a choke to Alexander Volkov for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship.
 Smoldarev (black trunks) drives a knee into his opponent
Garner (16-9-0, M-1: 9-7-0), fighting out of Port St. Lucie, Florida, was the M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion four years ago.  In 2011 at M-1 Challenge 27, Garner submitted Maxin Grishin in the fifth round by strikes to become Interim M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion.  After successfully defending his Interim title versus Magomed Malikov (KO3 – strikes) at M-1 Challenge 32, the stage was set for Garner to challenge “regular” M-1 Challenge heavyweight title-holder Guran Gugenishvilli in a rematch to avenge an earlier loss.
Garner graduated from Interim to “regular” M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion June 21, 2012 with a victory over Gugenishvilli via doctor’s stoppage in the third round. Six months later in their “rubber match,”, Garner stopped Gugenishvilli on punches in the fourth round to retain his title belt.
At M-1 Challenge 44 in November 2013, Garner lost his crown to Polish challengerDamian Grabowski by third-round submission (choke).  In his last fight at M-1 Challenge 59, Garner was punched out in the opening round by Russian great Sergei Kharitonov one year ago in Kazakhstan.
One other fight has been announced for M-1 Challenge 69 as Croatian featherweight Antun “Killer” Racic (18-7-0, M-1: 3-4-0) takes on undefeated Russian prospect Movsar Evloev (5-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0).
Racic, who is coming off a split decision loss to Vitali Branchuk last February at M-1 Challenge 64, is a submission master, while Evloev is a strong striker who stopped Alexander Krupenkin in the opening round at M-1 Challenge 66 in his most recent action.
            
           

(Antun Racic (L), Movsar Evloev (R)
Information

www.M1Global.tv

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global
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Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

EMMANUEL SANCHEZ-DANIEL WEICHEL PAIRING SET FOR MAIN CARD OF STACKED ‘BELLATOR 159’

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PHILIPE LINS-GUILHERME VIANA & THE PROMOTIONAL DEBUT OF BRUNA ELLEN COMPLETE STACKED MAIN CARD

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 29, 2016) – A gem of a featherweight contest pitting divisional standouts Emmanuel Sanchez (13-2) and Daniel “The Weasel” Weichel (36-9) has been added to the main card of “Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo” on July 22 inside Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas. Completing the televised card, Philipe Lins (9-1) will face Guilherme Viana (7-2) in light heavyweight action and Brazilian strawweight Bruna Ellen (2-0) will make her promotional debut against Jessica Middleton.

 

The fights join a main and co-main event that has the MMA world abuzz, featuring the undefeated Darrion Caldwell (9-0), who will meet Joe Taimanglo (22-6) in a 135-pound main event to determine the No. 1 contender for Bellator MMA’s Bantamweight Championship. In support, Kansas’ own Dave Rickels (17-4) will return to Mulvane’s Kansas Star Arena to face the always-exciting Melvin Guillard (32-16-2). In addition, multiple preliminary contests have also been confirmed, namely, the debut of recent strawweight signee Bruna Vargas (2-0) who will be facing Emily Ducote (2-1) and Uruguay’s favorite MMA superstar, Gaston Reyno (5-1), when he takes on L.J. Hermeck (3-1). Both of these preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.com andThe Bellator Mobile App beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

 

“Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo” airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Tickets for the event start at just $27 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com,KansasStarEventCenter.com or the Kansas Star Arena box office. Doors for the event open at 5:30 p.m. CT local time and the first preliminary bout will commence one hour later.

 

“The Weasel” has shown great consistency as of late, recording wins in eight of his last nine fights dating back to 2012 over fighters the likes of Pat Curran and Georgi Karakhanyan. Since joining Bellator MMA in 2014, the German featherweight has posted a 5-1 record, proving time and time again that he belongs among the division’s elite. Of his 36 career wins, 21 have come by way of submission, making Weichel one of the most skilled athletes on the ground. The 31-year-old submission specialist will look to build off his deserving unanimous decision win against Karakhanyan at“Bellator 147: Thomson vs. Villaseca,” as he prepares to take on “El Matador” inside Kansas Star Arena on July 22.

 

Sanchez also enters this contest having won five of his first six bouts under the Bellator MMA banner. Hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and training at the world-renown Roufusport camp, “El Matador” has recently put together an impressive run, claiming wins in nine of his last 10 fights. The 25-year-old most recently defeated Daniel Pineda via split decision at the record-shattering “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie”event in Houston. Sanchez will enter the cage riding a three-fight winning streak, all of which subsequently ended in split decision victories.

 

At only 30 years of age, Viana has impressed only nine fights into his professional career. Most recently, Viana put his unique skillset on full display against Houston Alexander at “Bellator 146: Kato vs. Manhoef,” emerging victorious after a second-round knockout. The Brazilian light heavyweight now has seven career finishes to his name, including three in the first round, and will look to add to that total when he enters the cage with fellow Brazilian competitor Philipe Lins on July 22.

 

Hailing from Natal, Lins has consistently impressed through his first 10 professional bouts, recording nine wins, with four victories coming by way of knockout. After winning his first four professional fights, Lins decided to take an extended break from MMA from 2007 until 2011. After the hiatus, Lins rallied off five wins, including his first two bouts under the Bellator MMA umbrella. Now, “Monstro” will look to return to the cage for the first time since a brutal knee injury that he suffered against Kelly Anundson at “Bellator 122” back in 2014.

 

Undefeated to start her professional career, Bruna Ellen, 20, competed twice in 2015, winning both of her bouts. A member of Team Nogueira Campinas in Sao Paulo, Ellen recently did a stint of training at the world-renown Blackzilians gym in Florida, where she continued to hone her budding striking and skills on the mat. It’s also worth noting that Ellen’s listed on this year’s “Top-Ten Brazilian Prospects” compiled by MMAFighting.com.

 

Eight years the elder of Ellen, Middleton will be making her professional debut after a stellar 4-1 amateur record on the regional scene. If unfamiliar with her work, look no further than her spectacular finish of Holly Torrez via spinning-backfist here.

 

Complete “Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo” Fight Card:

 

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Main Event: Darrion Caldwell (9-0) vs. Joe Taimanglo (22-6)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Co-Main Event: Dave Rickels (17-4, 1 NC) vs. Melvin Guillard (32-16-2, 2 NC)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature Bout: Daniel Weichel (36-9) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (13-2)

Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Philipe Lins (9-1) vs. Guilherme Viana (7-2)

Bellator MMA Strawweight Feature Bout: Bruna Ellen (2-0) vs. Jessica Middleton (Debut)

 

Preliminary Card:

 

Bellator MMA Strawweight Preliminary Bout: Bruna Vargas (2-0) vs. Emily Ducote (2-1)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Gaston Reyno (5-1, 1 NC) vs. L.J. Hermreck (3-1)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Manny Meraz (8-2) vs. Trey Ogden (5-1)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Chris Harris (6-0) vs. Matt Foster (6-8)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Marcio Navarro (14-12) vs. Fernando Martinez (14-10-1)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Johnny Marigo (1-0) vs. Andy Riley (2-1)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Josh Pfeifer (4-2) vs. Henry Lindsay (5-5)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Chuka Willis (8-2) vs. Brandon Phillips (5-1)

 

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 400 million homes worldwide in over 120 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.