Kevin MacDonald is one of the most knowledgeable and professional referees in Mixed Martial Arts. Just last Sunday he was the third man in the cage for three fights on the UFC Fight Night 81: Dillashaw vs. Cruz card. Our interview covers a wide range of topics, from rule and weight class changes on the horizon to a few behind-the-scenes glimpses into the UFC’s operations. Psychic Tom Padgett and Rabble Rousin’ Rich Bergeron also recap the past week’s combat sports events (including Szpilka vs. Wilder and Cruz vs. Dillashaw) and preview the next UFC event headlined by Anthony Johnson vs. Ryan Bader.
Category Archives: MMA
WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING AND TALK2LEGENDS PARTNER TO PROVIDE AN UNRIVALED FAN-ATHLETE INTERACTION EXPERIENCE
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WMMAA Pan-American Congress Feb. 5-8 in Albuquerque, New Mexico
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M-1 Grand Prix Tournament relaunched
ST. Petersburg, Russia (Enero 20, 2016) – M-1 Global President Vadim Finkelchtein recently announced the relaunching of its popular series, M-1 Grand Prix Tournament.
“We’ve been preparing this a long time and now we’re happy to officially announce our 2016 M-1 Grand Prix Tournament,” Finkelchtein said. “This has been a very popular format and fans are always excited about it. This time we will feature a 4-man tournament, rather than the usual 8-man pairings, because the 4-man version is faster and more entertaining. We don’t want to bore people with long expectation periods and lessen the risk of occasional injuries and fighter changes in the tournament.”
The first M-1 Grand Prix match of 2016 is set in the middleweight division as three-time Bellator champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko (51-9-0, M-1: 2-0-0) takes on former M-1 Challenge middleweight and light heavyweight titlist Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (27-3-0, M-1: 10-1-0)sa M-1 Challenge 64, Pebrero 19 sa Olympic Stadium sa Moscow.
“Maayo, we were choosing between several offers from different promotions,” explained Shlemenoko’s manager Alexey Zhernakov. “Sa katapusan, we came to the conclusion that M-1 Grand Prix participation is the most interesting option for us at the moment. Alexander is still under Bellator’s exclusive contract. Busa, we had to negotiate with Bellator, which kindly allowed us to sign with M-1 Global. We expect Alexander Shlemenko to take part in major M-1 Challenge events as they are always organized at a high level and broadly covered by the media.”
M-1 Challenge 64 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Mananan-aw makahimo sa pagtan-aw sa mga preliminary away ug nag-unang card pinaagi sa logging sa pagparehistro sawww.M1Global.TV. Fans mahimong motan-aw sa tanan nga mga aksyon sa ilang mga computer, ingon man sa Android ug Apple Smart phones ug mga papan.
WSOF28: MORAES VS. BARAJAS WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP HITS ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA SATURDAY, PEBRERO 20, PAGKINABUHI SA NBCSN
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West Coast Fighting in Sacramento this Saturday
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Kini nga Sabado mixed martial arts fans will pour into the McClellan Conference Center in Sacramento for West Coast Fighting Championship 16.
The 13-bout card features a main event that’s been dubbed “King of Sacramento” pitting local favorites Max Griffin and David Mitchell.
“It wasn’t easy, but we were able to put it together,” West Coast Fighting Championship matchmaker Jeremy Luchau said. “There was a lot that had to be negotiated between Max and David, but ultimately I feel like both guys were able to concede in some areas to make the fight happen.”
The showdown will take place at a catch weight of 175 pounds and although a non-title affair will be contested with a possible five rounds.
Griffin (11-2) is the current West Coast Fighting 170-pound champ and former Tachi Palace Fights welterweight kingpin. Samtang sa laing bahin, Mitchell (19-5) has held titles for the promotion at middleweight and heavyweight.
“I’m not sure there’s been a more significant fight booked in that region in a long time,” said Luchau, who has served as the West Coast Fighting matchmaker since early 2015. “I really believe that with a victory, one of these guys should get the call.”
Sa co-main event, an equally impressive tilt takes place pitting Sacramento’s Josh Emmett against Sothern California’s Christos Giagos.
“Emmett has been the man in the region for a long, hataas nga panahon,” Luchau said of the 8-0 Team Alpha Male product. “He has pretty much run the course of competition in the region, defeated all comers and is now looking to make that jump to the next level.”
He will have to do so against the well-versed Giagos (11-4), who held titles at both Tachi Palace Fights and Resurrection Fighting Alliance, before being cut from the Ultimate Fighting Championship after going 1-2.
“Giagos is a game opponent and was just the what the Emmett camp was looking for to give them that boost to the next level,” Luchau said. “It’s another fight where I feel like the UFC could be the next step for either guy.”
A pair of local heavyweights will vie for the newly vacant strap, as Josh Appelt (11-5) takes on Roy Boughton (12-6).
A pair of UFC vets will also be featured on the undercard, as Turlock welterweight and UFC vet Lewis Gonzalez (10-2) fights Ty Freeman (9-4) ug lisud nga-gi-igo, UFC vet Scott Smith (18-10) clashes with Bellator vet Baesman (17-8).
For ticketing and streaming information visit www.westcoastfighting.com
M-1 Grand Prix 2016 Alexander Shlemenko vs. Vyacheslav Vasilevsky To headline M-1 Challenge 64, Feb. 19 sa Moscow
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ST. Petersburg, Russia (Enero 17, 2016) – INJURY TO AUGUSTO SAKAI ALTERS ‘BELLATOR 150: GALVAO VS. DANTAS 2’ CO-MAIN EVENT
USAB: LENA OVCHYNNIKOVA SET FOR BELLATOR MMA DEBUT
Santa Monica, Calif. (Enero 15, 2015) – An injury to Augusto Sakai has derailed his previously announced pairing with Cheick Kongo (23-10-2) during “Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2 " sa Kansas Star Arena sa Mulvane, Kansas. Ingon sa usa ka resulta, Vinicius Queiroz (8-3) has agreed to fight Kongo in the co-main event on Pebrero 26.
Dugang pa, the main card will feature the Bellator MMA debut of newly signed women’s flyweight Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3), when she meets Rebecca Ruth (5-1).
Bellator MMA’s Bantamweight Championship will be on the line at “Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2 " in a rematch pitting Marcos "loro" Galvao(17-6-1) batok sa kanhi champion Eduardo "Dudu" Dantas (17-4) and hometown favorite, David Rickels (16-4, 1 NC) will return to action against Bobby Cooper (12-5).
The contests make up the televised portion of “Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2,” nga Kalaki nagpuyo sa mibugway sa 9 sa gabii. UG/8 sa gabii. CT, samtang ang preliminary bouts magaganayan live sa Bellator.com ug Ang Bellator Mobile App.
Ang mga tiket sa "Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2 " nga magsugod sa lang $27, are on sale now at KansasStarEventCenter.com or Ticketmaster.com, ingon man sa Kansas Star Arena box office.
Kongo will be making his eighth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, looking to add to his impressive promotional mark of 5-2. The Paris native has fought a who’s who in the mixed martial arts landscape, with notable wins against Mirko Cro Cop, Pat Barry, Mat 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 sa "Bellator 139: Kongo vs. Volkov," defeating his 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.
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. Karon, Ovchynnikova looks to solidify herself as a top contender in the budding women’s flyweight division on Pebrero 26 against a tough foe in Ruth.
“Becky” Ruth was undefeated in 2015, winning all three of her matchups by echnical 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.
The “Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2 " undercard has also nearly been completed, with the announcement of eight pairings which are listed below. An undefeated Bellator MMA prospect will be in action during the preliminary portion of the event, sa diha nga Gaston Reyno (5-0) returns to the cage with the intent of keeping his unblemished record intact.
Updated "Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2” Fight Card:
Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title Main Event: Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4)
Bellator MMA Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Cheick Kongo (23-10-2) vs. Vinicius Queiroz (8-3)
Bellator MMA Lightweight Cebuano News Engkuwentro: Dave Rickels (16-4, 1 NC) vs. Bobby Cooper (12-5)
Bellator MMA Flyweight Feature Bout: Lena Ovchynnikova (10-3) vs. Rebecca Ruth (5-1)
Preliminary Card:
Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Gregory Babene (16-11) vs. Trey Houston (11-3)
Bellator MMA featherweight Feature bout: Gaston Reyno (5-0) vs. Chuka Willis (6-2)
Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Daniel Gallemore (4-3) vs. Frederick Brown (3-2)
Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Chris Harris (4-0) vs. Julian Marquez (2-0)
Bellator MMA Lightweight Cebuano News Engkuwentro: Marcio Navarro (14-11) vs. Henry Lindsay (4-5)
Bellator MMA featherweight Feature bout: Thai Clark (5-0) vs. Deron Carlis (4-1)
Bellator MMA welterweight News bout: Manny Meraz (7-1) vs. Andre Fialho (5-0)
Bellator MMA Lightweight Cebuano News Engkuwentro: Jason Witt (7-2) vs. Jonathan Gary (11-6)
BELLATOR MMA AND OKTAGON KICKBOXING ANNOUNCE MULTIPLE STAR ATHLETES WHO ARE SET TO COMPETE DURING CO-PROMOTED EVENT AT PALA ALPITOUR IN TORINO, ITALYA SA ABRIL 16, 2016
Labaw sa (L to R): Belluardo, Sakara, Yankova, Rogers, Manhoef
TORINO (Jan. 15, 2015) – New details were revealed this afternoon regarding the co-promotion between Bellator MMA ug Oktagon Kickboxing. The partnership is set to take place on Abril 16, 2016, when the two combat sports promotions join forces at the Pala Alpitour in Torino, Italy.
Oktagon Kickboxing Presidente Carlo Di Blasi was joined at Comune Di Torino this afternoon by several of the world-class fighters slated to take part in the highly anticipated event including Alessio Sakara ug Brian Rogers who will face one another in a light heavyweight MMA match up. Also in attendance this afternoon was Dutch knockout machine Melvin Manhoef, who will be competing in a kickboxing match up, and mixed martial artists Danilo Belluardo of Milan and Anastasia Yankova sa Rusya.
Although they were not in attendance at today’s press conference, it was announced that one of MMA’s most promising young prospects, A.J. McKee will be fighting Belluardo, and kickboxing standouts Raymond Daniels ug Kevin Ross will be competing as well on April 16.
Ang maong kalihokan adunay duha Bellator MMA ug Oktagon Kickboxing bouts, uban sa mga Bellator MMA bahin airing sa Estados Unidos sa mibugway. Exact broadcast information and fight card will be announced in the near future.
Bellator MMA Presidente Scott Coker was unable to be in Italy for this announcement, but added: “We are beyond excited to be announcing the participation of these incredible athletes alongside Carlo Di Blasi. This is an incredible indication of the amazing show that we are putting together, and there is so much more to come!"
Oktagon Kickboxing Presidente Carlo Di Blasi miingon: “When Scott Coker confirmed me of the coming of Bellator MMA in the Olympic city of Turin with Oktagon kickboxing I immediately thought this is actually the biggest hit ever in European history of fighting sport.
“The expectations are really high and I am sure the spectators at venue and on TV will keep this enthusiasm during the whole show.”
Niadtong Abril 16, Italy’s own Alessio Sakara will be making his first appearance for Bellator MMA and looking to build upon his first-round TKO victory this past September. “Legionarius” has competed at 185-pounds for a majority of his nearly 14-year career but going forward the 34-year-old will be facing opponents at light heavyweight. With wins against Joe Vedepo, Thales Leites, ug James Irvin already on his record, Sakara will have plenty to fight for when he enters the fray in front of a partisan crowd on Abril 16. It’s worth noting that Sakara has also taken professional boxing tilts, compiling a record of 8-1 with six wins coming by way of knockout.
Sakara’s opponent Rogers recently moved up in weight classes, making the jump from 185 to 205-pounds. The 31-year-old Strikeforce veteran has been competing under the Bellator MMA banner since 2011 and has had 11 fights along the way. Labing bag-o lang, “Ang Professional Predator” nahuman Virgil Zwicker via arm-triangle choke, putting the exceptional roster of Bellator MMA light heavyweights on notice. Karon, the Denver, CO. based slugger looks to add to his impressive record of finishing fights when competes for the first time in 2016.
The 20-year-old McKee undoubtedly has the attention of everyone in the MMA world after a 3-0 start to his career, and for good reason. The son of respected MMA veteran, Antonio McKee, A.J. fights with fearlessly aggressive, unorthodox approach that results in pure excitement and has fans and media alike clamoring for more. He will be facing Belluardo (5-1), who is sure to have the Italian fans in full support of his effort.
With his stoppage of up-and-coming Bellator MMA middleweight contender Hisaki Kato at the conclusion of 2015, the 39-year-old Manhoef has proven once again that he has plenty left in the tank. “Walay Kaluoy” has competed in more than 100 professional bouts during his combat sports tenure, with more than 50 of his victories coming by way of knockout. Look for that trend to continue when the dangerous striker returns to action in Northern Italy.
It’s easy to classify Anastasia Yankova ingon nga “just another pretty face,” but the 24-year-old Russian Muay Thai Champion has the fighting skills to more than match her good looks. Undefeated thus far in her budding MMA career, the Moscow native has attacked the limbs of both her opponents and earned early submission stoppages, piquing the interest of promotions around the globe. Katapusan, the Akademiya Box product recently signed a long-term contract with Bellator MMA, which continues to build out its impressive women’s flyweight division.
The 35-year-old Ross is a highly regarded American Muay-Thai kickboxer. Ross has racked up a slew of championships during his 52-fight career, including the WBC Muay-Thai USA welterweight title, the WBC Muay-Thai International Super-lightweight title and the Lion Fight Super Lightweight Championship. Known also as “The Soul Assassin,” Ross is working on a transition into the sport of MMA.
Daniels is a multi-time champion karate fighter who made a name for himself under the now defunct World Combat League banner. A confident, explosive striker who owns some of the most highlight-reel worthy knockouts in kickboxing history, Daniels has only been defeated four times in over 29 appearances while competing in some iteration of combat sports. Karon, “Ang Tinuod nga Deal” looks to showcase why he proudly wears the acronym “G.O.A.T.” on the back of his tights when he fights in Torino, Italy on Abril 16.
2015 was a record-shattering year for the Scott Coker-led Bellator promotion. The success was powered by several major events including “Bellator 138: Wala pa mahuman nga Business,"Nga namugna 2.9 milyon nga manan-away ug "Bellator: Dinamita 1,"Nga gibutang sa panon sa mga talaan alang sa pagtambong ug ganghaan. Ang Abril 16 event in Torino marks Bellator’s first-ever event overseas, apan kini dili ang katapusan, as the promotion has announced plans for additional international events in London and Israel slated for later this year.