Category Archives: MMA

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Koi TV

'Bellator 151: Warren VU. CALDWELL’ FIGHT CARD UPDATE – THIS FRIDAY ON SPIKE

March 1, 2016 FNU47 Waiho he tākupu

Click below for “What to Watch: Warren vs. Caldwell”

Santa MONICA, Calif. (February 29, 2016) – This Friday, Bellator MMA returns to Spike for the third consecutive Friday with "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell.” The event takes place from the WinStar World Casino & Huihui i roto i Thackerville, OK, and features a main event between highly touted undefeated bantamweight Darrion Caldwell (8-0) challenging former two-division world champion and the self-proclaimed “Baddest Man on the Planet” Joe Warren (13-4).

Tikiti hoki "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” are on sale now and start at just $45. You can purchase tickets at the WinStar World Casino and Resort Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com. Tatau mo tuwhera i te hui 5:00 p.m. CT wā rohe, with the first contest taking place 45 meneti i muri.

"Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” Tags ora me te utu i runga i te Koi i 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, ia ka awa pāngia tuatahi ora i runga i Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App.. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Joe Warren (13-4) vs. Darrion Caldwell (8-0)

Warren has just about done it all under the Bellator MMA banner, winning titles at featherweight and bantamweight during his nearly six-year promotional tenure. Na, Warren has his sights set on another run with the 135-pound title, a belt he lost during an intense encounter with Marcos Galvão early in 2015. A 2006 Pan American and World Champion in Greco-Roman competition, the 39-year-old will test himself against a young competitor who excels in the same skillset that Warren has used to his advantage for most of his career, mamau.

With five impressive outings in a little over a year and a half under the Bellator MMA umbrella, it was only a matter of time before “The Wolf” found himself in a position to compete for a world title. The next stop on the road to championship gold goes through Warren, a man who has held Galvao’s belt already. A standout on the wrestling team at NC State University, the 27-year-old Caldwell most recently submitted Shawn paihere via rear-naked choke in the first frame, adding to his tally of finishes (4). Initially a featherweight, Caldwell looks much more comfortable now at 135-pounds and as he proclaimed during a recent interview, “I foresee myself competing against Joe [Warren] with a No. 1 contender shot on the line, sooner rather than later.”

Fernando Gonzalez (24-13) vs. Gilbert Smith (12-4)

Gonzalez took a brief hiatus from MMA to compete in the kickboxing portion of the groundbreaking "Bellator MMA: Mua 1 " event in September, losing a tightly contest decision to world-renowned striker Daley "Semtex" Paora. Gonzalez now returns to his comfort zone of MMA, where he has strung together an impressive four-fight winning streak. A veteran of the Scott Coker-founded Strikeforce promotion, as well as World Extreme Cagefighting, Gonzalez has been competing professionally since 2003.

Smith will be making his Bellator MMA debut against a fighter who is currently in the midst of a four-fight winning streak. "Midnight Magic” is on a bit of a roll of his own, coming into the promotion riding a two-bout winning streak. A veteran of UFC and most recently RFA, Smith won the regional promotion’s welterweight belt in June, defending the title one time before signing with Bellator.

Yamauchi ake (19-2) vs. Bubba Jenkins (10-2)

Yamauchi comes into the fight riding a wave of momentum he’s caught after wins against Mike Richman, Martin Stapleton, a Isao Kobayashi. The 23-year-old Japanese fighter has only lost once in six appearances under the Bellator MMA banner and has notched 15 o tona 19 wins as a professional by way of submission.

It’s hard to ignore Jenkins inside or outside the Bellator MMA cage, being that “The Highlight Kid” also doubles as a podcast host during his free time. The Arizona State alum notched two straight wins to cap off 2015, tino tata, an impressive offensive display against a promising prospect in Horano Parsons.

Sirwan Kakai (12-3) vs. Joe Taimanglo (21-6-1)

Taimanglo will be making his seventh appearance under the Bellator MMA umbrella, and is riding a two-fight winning streak. A Guam-native, “The Juggernaut” has stopped his opponent in 21 of his victories and has only lost twice in his last 14 whawhai. Look for the 31-year-old to make an impression against the bantamweight division’s newest commodity.

Kakai is one of Bellator MMA’s latest signings, joining the fray after a two-fight stint in the UFC. “Zohan," 26, hails from Sweden and owns 10 finishes in his 12 victories as a professional fighter. With a bantamweight title fight one-week prior and another marquee 135-pound pairing in the main event, it will be interesting to see what a win does for Kakai in the grand scheme of things.

Oti "Bellator 151: Warren vs. Caldwell” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Main Event: Joe Warren (13-4) vs. Darrion Caldwell (8-0)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Co-Main Event: Gilbert Smith (12-4) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (24-13)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira a'ee: Yamauchi ake (19-2) vs. Bubba Jenkins (10-2)

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Feature Bout: Sirwan Kakai (12-3) vs. Joe Taimanglo (21-6-1)

Kāri hukihuki:

Bellator MMA Welterweight tuatahi a'ee: Roger Carroll (16-13) vs. Neiman Gracie (3-0)

Bellator MMA whā tuatahi a'ee: Steve Garcia (6-0) vs. Ricky Turcios (5-0)

Bellator MMA Welterweight tuatahi a'ee: Justin Patterson (6-1) vs. Chance Rencountre (8-1)

Bellator MMA mā whitu kë ngä a'ee: Chris Jones (10-3) vs. Ray Wood (5-1)

Bellator MMA whitu kë ngä a'ee: Derek Palmer (Tuatahi) vs. Jermayne Barnes (0-1)

Bellator MMA mā whitu kë ngä a'ee: Steven Peterson (13-4) vs. Stephen Banaszak (5-5)

Bellator MMA mā whitu kë ngä a'ee: Treston Thomison (8-4) vs. Aaron Roberson (5-3)

M-1, M-1 Challenge, whakauru toi hōia, MMA

M-1 Challenge 64 Bonus Performances Announce

March 1, 2016 FNU47 Waiho he tākupu

MOSCOW (February 29, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced its M-1 Challenge 64bonus performances, highlighted by co-Fight of the Night awards, along with KO of the Night and Submission of the Night.

Veteran Russian fighter Alexander Shlemenklo (52-9-0), a three-time Bellator champion, won a close unanimous decision over former 2-division M-1 Challenge division Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (28-3-0), o Russia, in their M-1 Global Grand Prix Middleweight Tournament co-Fight of the Night match (pictured below).

Sharing top honors for Fight of the Night (kite i raro) ko Pavel Vitruk (13-2-0) vs. Ukrainian Vitaly Branchuk (21-5-0), in which Vitruk won a decision in their M-1 Challenge Bantamweight Semifinals Eliminator match.

Russian heavyweight Kurban Ibragimov (4-1-0) won KO of the Night honors with his opening-round stoppage of Ukrainian Dmitriy Mikutsa (5-3-0).

Tāpaetanga o te Po (kite i raro) was awarded to Russian strongman Alexander “Drago” Volkov (25-6-0), who captured the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship, for his winning third-round triangle choke Denis Smoldarev (11-2-0), o Estonia.

Mōhiohio

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

Twitter & Instagram:

@ M1GlobalNews

VFinkelchtein

@ M1Global

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Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Koi TV

CHEICK KONGO INCHES PAST VINICIUS SPARTAN IN ‘BELLATOR 150’ MAIN EVENT ON SPIKE

February 28, 2016 FNU47 Waiho he tākupu

COMPLETE BELLATOR 150 PHOTOS HERE

MULVANE, Haratua. (February 26, 2015) – A week removed from the most watched Bellator MMA event in company history, the Scott Coker-led promotion returned to action on SPIKE with "Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Queiroz,” an event that delivered five spectacular main card fights.

I roto i te hui matua o te ahiahi, Cheick Congo (24-10-2) intelligently managed the distance between he and Vinicius Spartan (8-4), kicking and jabbing his way to a split decision victory (30-27, 28-29, 29-28).

Spartan did have his moments during the heavyweight encounter, securing takedowns in rounds two and three, followed by a knockdown late. Otiia i roto i te mutunga, Kongo received the benefit of the doubt from the Kansas-appointed judges. The Frenchman has now won two straight, and improved to 6-2 overall under the Bellator MMA banner.

It only took Rawiri Rickels (17-4) three minutes and 49 seconds to finish Bobby Cooper (12-6) in front of a sellout crowd at Kansas Star Arena on Friday. Both men had their moments during the action, but after a knee to the body dropped Cooper to his knees, “The Caveman” pummelled his foe with hammerfists until referee John McCarthy called a stop to the action.

Kendall Grove (23-15) mutu Francisco France (13-4-1) with a vicious punch 35 hēkona ki te tuarua a tawhio, winning by knockout. The victory was an emotional one for “Da Spyder,” who recently lost his brother and made it clear his performance was dedicated to his late sibling. Grove has now won three of his last four tilts, all via finish.

Chuka Willis (7-2) ringa Gaston Reyno (5-1) the first defeat of his mixed martial arts career on Friday, winning via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27). The scrap went back-and-forth over the course of 15 meneti, with multiple submission attempts and knockdowns by both men. But in the end – much to the delight of the partisan crowd – Willis earned the nod.

Former Shamrock FC Flyweight Champion Rebecca Ruth (6-1) patua Lena Ovchynnikova (10-4) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) in the opening main card fight at "Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Queiroz.” For “Ruthless” the win is the first of her career via the judges’ scorecards and extended her current winning streak to four straight.

Hua Kāri hukihuki:

Kyle Noblitt (2-0) patua David Hammons (1-2) mā TKO (nifó)

Rome Lindsay (5-5) patua Marcio navarro (14-12) mā TKO (nifó) 2:30, R1

Chris Harris (5-0) patua Julian Marquez (2-1) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Andre Fialho (6-0) patua Manny Meraz (7-2) mā knockout (nifó) :29, R1

Gregory Babene (17-11) patua Brandon Farran (12-11) mā tāpaetanga (kowaowaotia iho muri-tahanga) 3:37, R1

Thai Clark (6-0) patua Deron Carlis (4-2) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28 X3)

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Koi TV

RAFAEL CARVALHO SET TO DEFEND MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST MELVIN MANHOEF AT ‘BELLATOR 155’ ON MAY 20

February 28, 2016 FNU47 Waiho he tākupu

PAT CURRAN RETURNS AGAINST GEORGI KARAKHANYAN IN FEATHERWEIGHT ACTION

Santa MONICA, Calif. (February 26, 2016) - Rafael Carvalho (12-1) will make his first defense of the Bellator MMA Middleweight Championship against heavy-handed Melvin "No te aroha" Manhoef (30-12-1) i roto i te hui matua o "Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef " i te 20 i CenturyLink Arena i Boise, Idaho.

I roto i te hui tahi-matua, former Bellator MMA Featherweight Titlist Pat Curran (21-7) ka hoki ki te mahi mo te wa tuatahi mai i Pipiri, when he faces the always-dangerous Georgi Karakhanyan (24-5-1).

Tikiti hoki "Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef " tīmata i te tika $25 and go on sale next Rāmere, March 4 i Bellator.com, the CenturyLink Arena Box Office, CenturyLinkArenaBoise.com or by phone at 208-331-TIXS.

"Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef " Tags ora me te utu i runga i te Koi i 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, ia ka awa pāngia tuatahi ora i runga i Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App. Additional contests will be announced in the coming weeks.

Carvalho’s second-round body kick knockout of Brandon Halsey i "Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho” was the third biggest oddsmaker upset in 2015, and extended his current winning streak to 12. The 29-year-old will be making his fourth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner and has an impressive finishing rate of 83 ōrau.

With a resume of knockouts as violent as Manhoef, it’s no surprise the Dutch competitor has been given the nickname of “No Mercy.” Known for his relentless striking style, the former K-1 and Strikeforce competitor is fresh off his emphatic knockout of Hisaki Kato i "Bellator 146: Manhoef vs. Kato” i roto i te Whiringa-. Now the 39-year-old is in position to lay claim to the Bellator 185-pound MMA title, before returning to kickboxing competition in the newly founded Bellator Kickboxing league.

It’s hard to find a Bellator MMA fighter with as many memorable moments for the Scott Coker-led promotion as Pat Curran. The former featherweight kingpin has been involved in wars with fighters the likes of: current champion Daniel Straus, Patricio Freire, Daniel Weichel, a Joe Warren. Now “Paddy Mike” sets his sights on “Insane,” in a bout that surely has future title implications at stake.

Karakhanyan made a splash in his return to Bellator MMA in 2015, rāoa i Bubba Jenkins in his first fight for the Viacom-owned promotion since 2011. Na, the Millenia MMA standout will put his knack for submitting opponents (14x) to the test against Curran, a fighter who has only been submitted once in 28-fights.

"Bellator 155: Carvalho vs. Manhoef” Updated Fight Card

Whawhai Bellator MMA whitu World Taitara: Rafael Carvalho (12-1) vs. Melvin Manhoef (30-12-1)

Bellator MMA mā whitu Co-Main Takahanga: Pat Curran (21-7) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-5-1)

whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Showtime, UFC

JACKSON WINK MMA ACADEMY FEATURED ON THE NEXT EDITION OF “60 MINUTES SPORTS” TUESDAY, MARCH 1 ON SHOWTIME®

February 26, 2016 FNU47 Waiho he tākupu

lick HERE To Watch A Video Preview Of This Segment: http://s.sho.com/1KLdpqm

NEW YORK (Feb. 25, 2016) – Noted mixed martial arts journalist Jon L. Wertheim takes an in-depth and personal look at how Holly Holm, a barely known underdog, was able to knock out women’s MMA queen Ronda Rousey. In the piece, Wertheim visits Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, N.M., the home of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn. Wertheim investigates how the world-renowned trainers helped guide Holm to victory last November and have established their once-unheralded outpost in Albuquerque as a mecca for some of the best MMA fighters in the world.

Wertheim’s report appears on the next edition of 60 MINUTES SPORTS, premiering Rātū, March 1 i 9 p.m. AND/PT i te SHOWTIME. Nathalie Sommer is the producer.

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Koi TV

ILLNESS REMOVES MARCOS GALVAO FROM CARD, CHEICK KONGO VERSUS VINICIUS QUEIROZ PROMOTED TO MAIN EVENT SLOT

February 26, 2016 FNU47 Waiho he tākupu

MULVANE, Haratua. (February 25, 2015) – Over the course of fight week, Marcos "loro" Galvao (17-6-1) has been battling an illness. After consulting physicians, Bellator officials have decided to to pull him from his Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title defense against former champion Eduardo Dantas (17-4).

After making weight inside Kansas Star Arena at 10 a.m. CT, Dantas was paid his show money. The fight will be rescheduled in the near future.

Ka rite ki te hua, Cheick Congo (23-10-2) ki Vinicius Queiroz (8-3) will now serve as the headliner and Rawiri Rickels (16-4) versus Bobby Cooper (12-5) is the new co-main event. Rounding out the SPIKE-televised card will be a middleweight attraction pitting Kendall Grove (22-15) ki Kiko France (13-3-1), the Bellator MMA debut of Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3), when she fights Rebecca Ruth (5-1) a Gaston Reyno (5-0) – fresh off his new exclusive multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA – will fight against Chuka Willis (6-2).

“Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Queiroz,” te pahiatia e ora i runga i te Koi i 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT, ia ka awa pāngia tuatahi ora i runga i Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App.

Oti "Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Takahanga Main taumahamaha: Cheick Congo (23-10-2) vs. Vinicius Queiroz (8-3)

Bellator MMA Lightweight Co-Main Event: Dave Rickels (16-4, 1 NC) vs. Bobby Cooper (12-5)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Kendall Grove (22-15) vs. Francisco France (13-3-1)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira a'ee: Gaston Reyno (5-0) vs. Chuka Willis (6-2)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Feature Bout: Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3) vs. Rebecca Ruth (5-1)

Kāri hukihuki:

Bellator MMA taumahamaha Āhuahira a'ee: David Hammons (1-1) vs. Kyle Noblitt (1-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Brandon Farran (12-10) vs. Gregory Babene (16-11)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Āhuahira a'ee: Manny Meraz (7-1) vs. Andre Fialho (5-0)

Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Chris Harris (4-0) vs. Julian Marquez (2-0)

Bellator MMA Āhuahira Kōmāmā a'ee: Marcio navarro (14-11) vs. Henry Lindsay (4-5)

Bellator MMA mā Āhuahira a'ee: Thai Clark (5-0) vs. Deron Carlis (4-1)

Bellator MMA Āhuahira Kōmāmā a'ee: Jason Witt (7-2) vs. Jonathan Gary (11-6)

Amateur MMA, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, WMMAA

Meet Tomas Yu WMMAA Vice President

February 26, 2016 FNU47 Waiho he tākupu

Monte Carlo, Monaco (February 25, 2016)- Ao MMA Association (WMMAA) vice president Tomas Yu, o Albuquerque (NM), who is also president of the WMMAA Pan-American division, took time from his busy schedule to address questions about his MMA background and experience, the sport of MMA and WWMMA in particular.

Can you tell us about you and your experience in Martial Arts?
TY: “I’m from the generation that grew up watching 3 Ninjas,Ninja Turtles… I wanted to be a Ninja! I grew up practicing Tae Kwon Do in Mexico, all the way to my black belt. At age 18, I ventured to practice Aikido and Judo in El Paso, Texas. I loved learning and I always wanted to be a rounded student, which is why I always looked for different arts to offset the weaknesses of the other.”

How did you first enter the world of MMA?
TY: “I was really looking for a place I could introduce my daughter to Martial Arts. I was looking for a more rounded self-defense Martial Art but not a fight club. I was introduced to the sport of MMA by a good friend and pioneer of the sport, Chris Luttrell. I was immediately bonded to the sport, since that is what at one point all Martial Artists are looking for.”

When did you first hear of MMA and what was your first impression? Did
you expect this sport to grow as much as it is now?
TY: “I have been privileged to see the evolution of MMA since 1993 as a teenager, all the way to now, becoming the first Pan-American Division President in the most important Regulation Organization for MMA in the world.”

What is your function and main activities within WMMAA?
TY “My biggest function is to introduce simple business principles to the sport of MMA and keeping Martial Art in MMA. What I mean by that is, the common denominator for every individual Marital Art are (Respect, Loyalty, Honor) and the mixture of martial arts should not represent what people perceive MMA is today. It should be a mixture of Respect, Loyalty and Honor. It should be a much more admired sport.”

How would you assess WMMAA’s progress during its three year existence?
TY: “Well, as an entrepreneur, I’m never satisfied, I always see ways to do things better but the reality is that, i roto i te 25+ years MMA has been evolving and becoming not just a mixture of Martial Arts but also a true blue sport. Many people have tried to add value to the sport with no real success until this past two years with the WMMAA.”

What are the main goals of WMMAA and what are the main obstacles for the association?
TY: “This question has a long and complicated answer! The number one obstacle is pride, pride to admit that past performance or formulas to add value didn’t and won’t work. Pride to admit that working together will pave a new path. The number two obstacle, is UNDERSTANDING, understanding the big picture, like Micro and Macro economics really being two different worlds.

“The sport or art of MMA is much more than what we see on television. There is a much deeper impact to society than pay per view.”

How do you assess the third World Championship that took place in
Prague?

TY: “Moments like these are the ones that 3 years ago we would dream about. Well, last year that dream came true… mo 40 countries participated in the beautiful city of Prague. I can’t explain the clash of emotions when you see and hear country after country being announced as they walk into the arena with their head held high as they carry their national flag.

We as an organization created Continental Presidents to be able to perform better follow through and also be more sensitive negotiating in different cultural environments. Our Europe and Czech Organizing Committee did a wonderful job.

Were there any countries that stood out or surprised you?
TY: “The fact they were there, that’s what really stands out! Some countries were participating for the first time. The level of mental competition for some countries was amazing. I can’t wait for the 2016 World Championships.”

What are the2016 mid-term goals for WMMAA PanAm?
TY: “The number one focus for PANAM is the roll-out of our new initiative on ‘Global MMA Officials and Licensing’ to standardize the sport worldwide, but also standardize the officials looking out for the sport.”

Can you describe what 2015 was like for WMMAA?
TY: “2015 was a year of foundations, recruiting, and preparing for the volumes of growth coming our way this year.”

What words of wisdom would you like to share with the members of WMMAA family?
TY: “I have always said that in every sport there is a business behind it, whakapono: ‘Till this far, MMA is like Capital… it goes where it is welcomed and it stays where it’s treated well'”

WMMAA keeps expanding. However there are still multiple countries that
are not yet WMMAA members. Why should any local Federation apply
for WMMAA membership?

TY: “We are the only organization of its kind. They would be able to get courses, national and international licenses but, tino nui, they can be part of history by allowing athletes in their respective countries to participate in our version of the Olympics of MMA.”

What would you tell them?

TY: “You are not alone. Here is where being part of a team with qualified individuals opening door. Power really does come in numbers.”

People keep asking: why should we use SportID and SportData. Can you
repeat why it is so essential?

TY: “I’ll keep it short. The number one reason – reason enough – is to avoid private owned companies from having biased control on who and how they upload information.”

Mōhiohio

www.WMMAA.org

www.facebook.com/World.MMA.Association

www.youtube.com/user/TheWMMAA

Amateur MMA, mekemeke, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai

SECOND PRO BOXING BOUT ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 22

February 25, 2016 FNU47 Waiho he tākupu

Lewiston, Maine (February 25, 2016) - New Ingarangi whawhai (Nef), Tau-kotahi whakatairanga whawhai rohe Amerika o, ka mau tona hui muri, “Nef 22: ARATAI ROADS KATOA HERE” i runga i Rāhoroi, April 23, 2016i te Androscoggin Bank Colisée i Lewiston, Maine. The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. I mua i teie mahana, NEF announced the addition of a light-heavyweight contest to the boxing portion of the “NEF 22” kāri whawhai. Crowsneck Boutin (0-0-1) Kei te whakaritea ki te kanohi Brandon Montella (3-0, 2 Koó) in a four-round bout.

Crowsneck Boutin, a regular on NEF MMA cards since 2012, made his professional boxing debut earlier this month on the “NEF 21” event in Lewiston. He fought Joel Bishop (0-0-2) to a draw in an exciting slugfest that had the Colisée crowd on the edge of its collective seat. Boutin, considered the underdog in that bout, expertly worked his jab to control the first two rounds of the fight. Like the Bishop match, Boutin is preparing for another war with Montella on April 23.

“Brandon is a very tough opponent,” ka mea a Boutin. “He’s going to present me with many obstacles. My training is grueling and I’ll be prepared for a war.”

Brandon Montella is a 1998 graduate of Carrabec High School in North Anson, Maine. Following graduation, Montella joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and served until 2003 with an honorable discharge. Montella worked in construction in Virginia until 2011 when he moved with his wife to the Boston, Massachusetts area. He owns and operates The Way, LLC boxing gym in Woburn, Massachusetts.

“Coming back home from to Maine after all these years to fight in a place of such history is an amazing feeling,” said Montella. “It will bring my friends and family from the past and the present together under one roof for an awesome event.”

Montella had a very successful amateur boxing career with a final record of 14-7. I roto i te 2011, he won the prestigious Rocky Marciano Tournament. Montella went on to win the New England Golden Gloves the following year. Ka tahuri ia pro i roto i 2015 and has won his first three bouts with two finishes.

“As far as my opponent Crowsneck Boutin, I have seen his fights and read his back story,” Montella continued. “What I see is a man like myself – someone who is determined to change his life and take matters into his own hands instead of sitting around like too many men do today. When two men as determined as we are get in the ring in front of a large crowd, magic happens. We grow larger than life and the fans get one hell of a treat.”

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', "NEF 22: ARATAI ROADS KATOA HERE,"E wahi Rāhoroi, April 23, 2016 i te Androscoggin Bank Colisée i Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 a kei runga i te hoko i teie nei i www.TheColisee.com ranei na roto i te te karanga i te tari pouaka Colisée i 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

Mō New Ingarangi whawhai

New Ingarangi whawhai ("Nef") Ko te whawhai whakatairanga ngā kaupapa kamupene. Misioni a nef ko ki te waihanga i te mau ohipa kounga teitei mō ngā whawhai, me pā o Maine rite tahi. Whānui wheako i roto i te whakahaere hākinakina whawhai he kapa whakahaere o nef, production ngā kaupapa, whanaungatanga pāpāho, marketing, ture me te pānuitanga.

Bellator, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Koi TV

'Bellator 150: GALVAO VU. DANTAS 2’ THIS FRIDAY – UPDATED FIGHT CARD INFORMATION

February 23, 2016 FNU47 Waiho he tākupu

Click above for “What to Watch: Gavao vs. Dantas”

Santa MONICA, Calif. (February 22, 2015) - Tenei Rāmere, Bellator MMA brings a world championship matchup between two highly skilled mixed martial arts practitioners when bantamweight champion Marcos "loro" Galvao (17-6-1) defends his strap against former champion and former friend and training partner, Eduardo "Dudu" Dantas (17-4) i "Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2.

The event emanates from the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas this Rāmere, February 26, and airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. AND/8 p.m. CT, ia ka awa pāngia tuatahi ora i runga i Bellator.com a Te Bellator Mobile App. Tīkiti mō "Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2 " e tīmata i tika $27, are on sale now at KansasStarEventCenter.com or Ticketmaster.com, me te tari pouaka Kansas Star Arena.

In addition to the title fight, a heavyweight co-main event of Cheick Congo (23-10-2) ki Vinicius Queiroz (8-3) will anchor the number two spot. Ano i runga i te kāri, Kendall Grove (22-15) e i runga i Francisco “Kiko” France (13-3-1), tino whenua Rawiri Rickels (16-4, 1 NC) will return to action against Bobby Cooper (12-5), plus the Bellator MMA debut of newly signed women’s flyweight Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3), te tangata e ki runga ki Rebecca Ruth (5-1).

"Ratou,"Ko wai kua whawhai hoki whakatairanga te ao-ingoa o nga momo o te Ao Extreme Cagefighting me Shooto mai 2003, Ka whakataetae mo te 11^th wā i raro i te kara Bellator MMA. Ko wawetia te-tau 34-tawhito i roto i te waenganui o te pūkenga toa e wha-whawhai, e kua puta i kaha i roto i te whitu o tona kohi e waru whakamutunga. I roto i tona haerenga whakamutunga, Oti Galvao Joe Warren i "Bellator 135: Warren vs. Galvao " via submission to win his first-ever championship and fulfil a promise he made to his mother before her unfortunate passing.

Na, Ka titiro Dantas ki tārua i te angitu i ia ki a Galvao i roto i to ratou hui tuatahi, which resulted in a second-round knockout at “Bellator 89.” Last May, the 27-year-old Nova Uniao product dispelled of Mike Richman mā te whakatau loto i "Bellator 137: Halsey vs. Grove. " Ko te Season Bellator 5 Bantamweight Tournament winner is looking to become a two-time bantamweight champion come October 23.

Kongo will be making his eighth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, looking to add to his impressive promotional mark of 5-2. The Parisian native has fought a who’s who in the mixed martial arts landscape, with notable wins against Mirko Cro Cop, Pat Barry, Matt Mitrione, and Alexander Volkov already on his record. In his last outing – which just so happened to be inside the Kansas Star Arena — Kongo impressively defeated Volkov via unanimous decision.

After nearly two years out of action, Queiroz returned to the Bellator MMA cage against Ewerton Teixeira i "Bellator 139: Kongo vs. Volkov," defeating his fellow Brazilian opponent via second round arm-triangle choke. “Spartan” hopes to plant the seeds for a busy 2016 with the matchup against Kongo, where a win can undoubtedly place him in the midst of the heavyweight title picture.

Grove capped off 2015 with an emphatic knockout of Joey Beltran i "Bellator 143: Warren vs. Davis," i roto i te Mahuru. The winner of“The Ultimate Fighter: 3," has fought professionally since 2003 for promotions all around the world, notably ProElite and UFC. This will be “Da Spyder’s” sixth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner as he hopes to climb back towards a 185-pound title shot – he competed for the gold last year against Brandon Halsey.

A veteran of Strikeforce, “Kiko” France has strung together a five-fight winning streak as of late, most recently handing the formerly undefeated Ben Reiter the first loss of his young career at "Bellator 146: Kato vs. Manhoef. " It’s safe to classify the 33-year-old Arizona native as a “submission specialist,"Ki 12 o tona 13 wins as a professional coming by way of making his opponent tap.

A Bellator MMA event in Mulvane, Kansas just wouldn’t be the same without “The Caveman,” who will return to action for the first time since competing against Michael Chandler tenei Whiringa mua. Rickels always comes ready to put on a show, ahakoa te mea i runga i tona ara ki te whare herehere, ranei ka ngā tango ia i runga i te nei te nei Bellator MMA taranata Kōmāmā o. The 27-year-old will be making his 16^thappearance under the promotional banner.

The last time Bobby Cooper fought inside the Kansas Star Arena, he took home a closely contested split decision victory over“Bellator 147” co-headliner Pablo Villaseca. Na, “Super Duper” will look to move to 3-0 under the Bellator MMA banner when he faces Rickels in hostile territory. It’s worth noting that the Missouri native has only lost twice in his last eight MMA appearances.

Hailing from Ukraine, Ovchynnikova will enter the fray fresh off a new exclusive, multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. “Hunter” has previously fought the likes of Joanne Calderwood and at only 28-years-old has already competed professionally since 2006. Na, Ovchynnikova looks to solidify herself as a top contender in the budding women’s flyweight division on February 26 against a tough foe in Ruth.

“Becky” Ruth was undefeated in 2015, winning all three of her matchups by technical knockout under the Shamrock Fighting Championships banner. The lone loss on the Missouri native’s record came against Resurrection Fighting Alliance champion Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger, via controversial split decision.

Oti "Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2” Fight Card:

Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title Main Event: Marcos Galvão (17-6-1) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4)

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Cheick Congo (23-10-2) vs. Vinicius Queiroz (8-3)

Bellator MMA Āhuahira Kōmāmā a'ee: Dave Rickels (16-4, 1 NC) vs. Bobby Cooper (12-5)