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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WMMA PAN-American Counvorses Feb. 5-8 Albuquerque, New Mexico
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M-1 Grand Prix Tournament relaunched
ST. Petersburg, Russia (January 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)at M-1 Challenge 64, February 19 at Olympic Stadium in Moscow.
“Well, we were choosing between several offers from different promotions,” explained Shlemenoko’s manager Alexey Zhernakov. “In dhamaadka, 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. Sidaa darteed, 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. Daawadayaasha noqon doonaa in ay daawadaan dagaallan hordhaca ah iyo kaarka ugu weyn ee ay leedahay internet adreska in ay iska diiwaan awoodiwww.M1Global.TV. Taageerayaasha daawato laga yaabaa in dhammaan garoomada ku yaal kombiyuutaro ay, iyo sidoo kale Android iyo Apple telefoonada smart iyo kiniiniyada.
WSOF28: MORAES VS. BARAJAS WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP HITS ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, Ku nool NBCSN
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West Coast Fighting in Sacramento this Saturday
SACRAMENTO, Message. - Saturday Tan 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. Dhanka kale, 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.”
Haddii ay dhacdo in co-weyn, 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, waqti dheer,” 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,"Luchuasuu yidhi. “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) iyo adag-dhufasho, 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 ee Moscow
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ST. Petersburg, Russia (January 17, 2016) – INJURY TO AUGUSTO SAKAI ALTERS ‘BELLATOR 150: GALVAO VS. DANTAS 2’ CO-MAIN EVENT
SIDOO KALE: LENA OVCHYNNIKOVA SET FOR BELLATOR MMA DEBUT
Santa Monica, Message. (January 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 " ee Kansas Star Arena ee Mulvane, Kansas. Sidaas darteed, Vinicius Queiroz (8-3) has agreed to fight Kongo in the co-main event on February 26.
Waxaa intaa dheer, 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) wajahayaan kooxda heysata horyaalka hore 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,” oo hawada ku nool Spike at 9 p.m. IYO/8 p.m. CT, halka roonaadaan hordhac ah qulquli doonaan live on Bellator.com iyo The Bellator Mobile App.
Tigidhada for "Bellator 150: Galvao vs.. Dantas 2 " kaas oo bilaaban doono oo kaliya $27, hadda waa iib KansasStarEventCenter.com or Ticketmaster.com, iyo sidoo kale xafiiska sanduuqa Kansas Star Arena ee.
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, 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 at "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. Hadda, 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 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, markii 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 Galvão (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 Feature khafiif xumad: 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)
Card hordhac ah:
Bellator MMA Middleweight Feature Bout: Gregory Babene (16-11) vs. Trey Houston (11-3)
Bellator MMA featherweight Feature xumad: Gaston Reyno (5-0) vs. Chuka Willis (6-2)
Bellator MMA Feerka 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 Feature khafiif xumad: Marcio Navarro (14-11) vs. Henry Lindsay (4-5)
Bellator MMA featherweight Feature xumad: Thai Clark (5-0) vs. Deron Carlis (4-1)
Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature xumad: Manny Meraz (7-1) vs. Andre Fialho (5-0)
Bellator MMA Feature khafiif xumad: 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, ITALY ON APRIL 16, 2016
Xagga sare, (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 iyo Oktagon Kickboxing. The partnership is set to take place on April 16, 2016, when the two combat sports promotions join forces at the Pala Alpitour in Torino, Italy.
Oktagon kickboxing Madaxweynaha 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 iyo 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 of Russia.
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 iyo Kevin Ross will be competing as well on April 16.
Munaasabadan ayaa waxaa kasoo muuqan doona roonaadaan Bellator MMA iyo Oktagon kickboxing labada, iyadoo baahinta qayb Bellator MMA ee Mareykanka on kororka. Exact broadcast information and fight card will be announced in the near future.
Bellator MMA Madaxweynaha 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 Madaxweynaha Carlo Di Blasi sheegay: “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.”
On April 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, iyo 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 April 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. Dhowaan, “Predator Professional The” dhammeeyayna Virgil Zwicker via arm-triangle choke, putting the exceptional roster of Bellator MMA light heavyweights on notice. Hadda, 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. “Mercy No” 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 sida “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. Ugu danbeyntii, 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. Hadda, “Deal ayaa Real” 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 April 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: Aan la Business,"Kaas oo ahbaa 2.9 million daawadayaasha iyo "Bellator: Miinada 1,"Kuwaas oo dhigay diiwaanka shirkadda u imaanshaha iyo iriddii. The April 16 event in Torino marks Bellator’s first-ever event overseas, laakiin ma noqon doonto ugu dambeeyey, as the promotion has announced plans for additional international events in London and Israel slated for later this year.