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TORONTO (Hlis ntuj nqeg 9, 2015) — Tua Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, is the destination for live UFC fight week pre and post-fight coverage, including the live main card for UFC tua hmo ntuj™: Namajunas vs. VanZant and the live prelims for The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber, both airing exclusively in Canada. Fight Network is currently available in free preview on most carriers across Canada for the month of December.
It all kicks off on Wednesday, Dec. 9 tom 4 p.m. ET with a live presentation of the UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor pre-fight press conference from Las Vegas.
On Thursday, Dec. 10 tom 5 p.m. LI, Fight Network presents the live weigh-ins for The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber, as headliners Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes tip the scales ahead of their pivotal featherweight showdown.
Later at 9 p.m. LI, Fight Network presents a live pre-show for UFC tua hmo ntuj™: Namajunas vs. VanZant, leading into the live main card tom 10 p.m. LI exclusively in Canada. Nyob rau hauv cov kev tshwm sim loj, Tsis yog. 3-ranked women’s strawweight contender Rose Namajunas (4-2) battles surging superstar and No. 7-ranked Paige VanZant. (6-1). Nyob hauv tus nqi feature, Tsis yog. 14-ranked lightweight veteran Jim Miller(25-6, 1NC) looks to continue his ascent up the rankings against The Ultimate Fighter Live winnerMichael Chiesa (12-2). Rounding out the card, highly touted lightweight youngster Sage Northcutt(6-0) tries to keep his perfect record intact against Cody Pfister (12-4-1), while Canada’s undefeatedUltimate Fighter Nations middleweight winner Elias Theodorou (11-0) faces his toughest test to date against Brazilian Thiago “Marreta” Santos (11-3). Fight Network will also televise the live post-fight press conference, which begins shortly after the event concludes.
Rau Hnub vas Xuv, Dec. 11 tom 6 p.m. LI, the UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor weigh-ins will be televised live from Las Vegas with Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor going face-to-face one final time ahead ofHnub Saturday blockbuster clash for the undisputed UFC featherweight championship.
Immediately following the live weigh-ins, Fight Network presents a live pre-show for The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber tom 7 p.m. LI, which serves as a lead-in to thelive prelims tom 8 p.m. LI exclusively in Canada. The main card will air at 10 p.m. LI on TSN1 and TSN5. Featured prelims include heavyweights Gabriel Gonzaga (16-10) vs. Konstantin Erokhin (9-2), featherweights Tatsuya Kawajiri (34-8-2) vs. Jason Knight (16-1) and flyweights Joby Sanchez(7-1) vs. Geane Herrera (8-1). Fight Network will also televise the live post-fight press conference, which begins shortly after the event concludes.
The action-packed fight week comes to a climax on Hnub vas xaum, Dec. 12. At 2 p.m. LI, Fight Network presents an encore of UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor from July 2015, which featured Conor McGregor‘s memorable performance against Chad Mendes to capture the interim UFC featherweight title, plus a top candidate for “Fight of the Year” between Robbie Lawler thiab Rory MacDonald for the UFC welterweight title. The event is widely regarded as one of the best in promotional history.
At 7 p.m. LI, Fight Network presents a live pre-show for UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor, which features previews, predictions and analysis for the event, as well as on-the-scene reports from Las Vegas. Immediately following the pay-per-view broadcast, Fight Network presents a live post-showat approximately 1 a.m. LI, including highlights, reactions and the live post-fight press conference from Las Vegas.
All pre and post-fight shows will include exclusive interviews from Fight Network analysts JohnRamdeen thiab Robin Black on-site in Las Vegas, plus reports and analysis from Fight Network studios in Toronto. Canadian mixed martial arts pioneer and longtime UFC veteran Sam Stout will be in-studio for the live UFC 194 pre and post-fight shows.
Airing throughout the week, catch the one-hour UFC Embedded: Aldo vs. McGregor special, an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the lives and training camps of four elite fighters leading up to the massive UFC 194 event in Las Vegas. Additional reports and features air daily in Fight News Now. All airings are listed at www.fightnetwork.com.
In addition to all the live events, Fight Network is the destination for UFC library content, specials and series, including UFC Unleashed, UFC Now, UFC Ultimate Insider and classic UFC PPV events.
This Hnub xya, Dec. 13 tom 9 p.m. LI, catch a full encore presentation of UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfortfrom February 2011 in Las Vegas, which featured a highly anticipated middleweight title showdown between then-torchbearer Anderson Silva and No. 1 contender Vitor Belfort, plus Forrest Griffinvs. Rich Franklin thiab Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader.
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.
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Qeb Archives: MMA
M 1 sib tw 63 bonus performances announced
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ST. PETERSBURG, Zog ntawm Guj kuj (Hlis ntuj nqeg 9, 2015) – M-1 Global announced its fighter bonus performances for last Friday night’s M 1 sib tw 63 at the Sports and Concert Complex in St. Petersburg, Zog ntawm Guj kuj:
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT
 Viktor Nemkov-Stephan Puetz 2
Viktor Nemkov (23-5-0, 4 KO/.TKO, 9 SUB – M-1: 13-4-0), who fights out of Stary Oskol, Zog ntawm Guj kuj, recaptured the M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title from the German fighter who took it from him 1 ½ years ago, Stephan “T-800” Puetz (13-2-0, 5 KO/TKO, 4 SUB), by way of another exciting, hard-fought five-round decision.
KO OF THE NIGHT
 Raul Tutarauli
Georgian light heavyweight Raul Tutarauli (6-2-0, 5 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) finished off Russian Alexey “Ataman” Makhno (10-4-0, 4 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) in the second round.
SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT
 Mikhail Kuznetsov
Russian featherweight Mikhail Kuznetsov (5-1-0) used a rear-naked choke to force a tap-out from Ukrainian Stanislav “White Warrior” Reutsky (8-5-0) in the second.
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Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, Eddie Alvarez, MMA Bouts and Three Other Combat Tournaments Headline MMA World Expo, Hnub vas xaum, Dec. 12 in New York City
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MMA/BOXING STAR ANA JULATON JOINSPLATINUM CONDITIONING YOGA TRAINING
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA (Hlis ntuj nqeg 9, 2015) – Platinum Conditioning, a yoga training enterprise, is happy to announce its partnership with Boxing and MMA star Ana Julaton (2-1), who is currently in Manila, Philippines, getting ready for her upcoming showdown with Irena Mazepa (1-0). IB Championship “Spirit of Champions” will broadcast the fight live this Hnub vas Xuv, Hlis ntuj nqeg 11, 2015 on Fox Sports and on PPV at ONEPPV.com.
Platinum Conditioning’s Kent Galli, a yoga instructor of over 20-years, has brought the ancient old practice to the fight game, helping Ana Julaton with her balance and flexibility. Galli’s goal is simply to help Julaton become a more enhanced fighter through yoga.
“Ana has been great to work with and I can see she’s enjoying the results of our yoga sessions,” said Kent Galli. “I can see improvement with her breathing, mental focus and flexibility, all attributes that will help gain an edge on the mat. The ultimate goal is to continue working with professionals like Julaton, and spread the word on how yoga should be a stable of every athletes training regimen.”
“Kent’s incredible and his yoga training has helped me in ways unimaginable,” said Philippine fighter Ana Julaton. “After every session, I feel more relaxed and my mind is calm, traits that will definitely help me in the cage. In MMA and boxing, your body must be able to withstand the pounding that comes with fighting, and yoga has certainly done that. Yoga has made me a better fighter and Kent’s techniques have really enhanced my skills all around. I’m grateful that we’ve partnered up.”
Platinum Conditioning is a sister company of Platinum Timing, a concierge and lifestyle management firm for professional athletes. Platinum Conditioning is based in Manhattan Beach, CA. For more information on Platinum Conditioning, please visit http://
RIZIN FF: SHOOT BOXING RULES TO PRESIDE OVER AKEBONO VS. SAPP II ON NEW YEAR’S EVE; “KING MO” TO FACE BRETT MCDERMOTT IN EIGHT-MAN GRAND PRIX TOURNAMENT
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OF CROWS & BULLS: FIRST BOXING MATCH ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 21
Lewiston, Maine (Hlis ntuj nqeg 9, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” rau Hnub vas xaum, Lub ob hlis ntuj 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, NEF announced the first professional boxing match officially signed for the “NEF 21” fight card. Joel “Baby Bull” Bishop (0-0-1) will meet Crowsneck Boutin (0-0) in a four-round light-heavyweight contest.
Joel Bishop is a 2004 graduate of Upper Kennebec Valley Senior High School in Bingham, Maine. It was during high school that Bishop began boxing. He put together an amateur boxing record of 10-4, thiab nyob rau hauv 2009 won the New England Tournament of Champions Heavyweight Sub Novice championship. Bishop has twice made it to the finals of the Northern New England Golden Gloves. In October 2014, Bishop made his professional debut against another NEF MMA regular, Jarod Lawton (0-0-1) and fought to a draw in Lewiston in what was a back-and-forth slugfest.
“I’m very excited to get back in the ring at NEF 21,” exclaimed Bishop. “I was at the last dual show and there was a ton of energy and excitement. Rau February 6th, I’ll be fighting a very tough, active fighter in Crowsneck Boutin, and I will do my best to give the fans an exciting bout.”
Crowsneck Boutin is a mainstay of the NEF roster, having competed in no less than 14 of the promotion’s previous MMA events as both an amateur and a professional. Nyob rau hauv 2014, he was voted “Fighter of the Year” by the NEF fans after going undefeated with three wins that year. Boutin will be making his professional boxing debut at “NEF 21,” but he will undoubtedly be prepared for the task, training under boxing coach Jon Pinette, an international boxing champion himself, at the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine.
“Very thankful, very fortunate for this opportunity,” said Boutin. “Joel is a tough opponent, but it isn’t my intention to let this fight reach the scorecards. It will be my pleasure to stand and gun.”
New hais Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeHnub vas xaum, Lub ob hlis ntuj 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Daim pib mus “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 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. tsis tas li ntawd, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New hais 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.
Record participation numbers in 2015 World MMA Championship Testimony to WMMAA’s rapid growth
 MONTE CARLO, Monaco (Hlis ntuj nqeg 9, 2015)- The rapid growth of the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) in four relatively short years of existence was best demonstrated in last month’s 2015 World MMA Championship (WMMAA) in Prague, Czech Republic.
 Nearly 200 athletes, representing 49 countries (see list below), participated in the record-setting 2015 World MMA Championship, which was dominated by team champion Russian Federation. Heavyweight Zaur Gadzhibabaev, who became the first two-time WMMAA champion, gave Azerbaijan the only gold medal not captured by the Russian Federation, which had the individual winners in six of seven weight classes.“This year’s World Championship was the best event we have had so far,” WMMAA Director of Communications Mikhail Mazur said. “The highest number of countries, as well as participants, competed this year. WMMAA is still in its infancy but we keep evolving. You can clearly see that with each year. We have added new weight categories and accepted new countries as members of our non-profit organization. This is a difficult job but it’s extremely satisfying to see athletes fly in from all over the world to compete against the best amateur fighters who each went through a hard selection process in their home country.
“Prague was a great host and the WMMAA is extremely happy to have held the championship in this beautiful European capital. A lot more needs to be done next year. We expect more Asian and Pan-Am countries to enter the WMMAA family as our continental presidents put a lot of effort looking for the best National Federations to work as hard and as diligent as our current members do. We are only gearing up. I’m thrilled to see what the next year will bring us and the sports of amateur MMA in general.”
Afganistan Argentina Armenia Azerbaijan
Belarus Brazil Bulgaria China
Chinese Taipei Columbia Croatia Cuba
Czech Republic France FYR of Macedonia Georgia
Germany Greece Hungary India
Iran Italy Kazakhstan Republic of Korea
Kyrgyzstan Latvia Mexico Moldova
Monaco Morocco Netherlands Netherland Antilles
Nicaragua Nigeria Paraguay Romania
Russian Federation Serbia Singapore Slovakia
Spain Suriname Tajikistan Turkey
Turkmenistan Ukraine United States Uzbekistan
Venezuela
 (L-R) Tajikistan MMA President Pulod Nazarov, WMMAA Honorary President Fedor Emellianenko, WMMAA President Vadim Finkelchtein and Anatoly Kim, President of the Kazakhstan MMA Federation
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FINALLY! LONG-AWAITED BATTLE FOR BANGOR TO TAKE PLACE AT NEF 21
Lewiston, Maine (Hlis ntuj nqeg 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” rau Hnub vas xaum, Lub ob hlis ntuj 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, NEF announced the main event of the MMA portion of the fight card. Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship against the challenge of number-one contender Jon Lemke (5-3). Both Boyington and Lemke are veterans of the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
Boyington is riding high on a three-fight win streak. Earlier this fall, he made his debut on the national stage, defeating Rodrigo Almeida (13-3) on a World Series of Fighting (WSOF) card in Connecticut. Boyington followed up that win with a decisive third-round TKO victory over Jimmy Davidson (7-2) last month at “NEF XX” in a successful defense of his title. A product of Young’s MMA, and the head of Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy, both located in Bangor, Maine, Boyington has been on an unstoppable tear since losing a non-title fight to Jamie Harrison (6-1) early in 2015. He has won six of his last seven in the MMA cage, and holds another victory in the NEF boxing ring during the course of that run.
“I wouldn’t want to be Jon Lemke going into that cage with me right about now, that’s what I’m thinking, if I’m being honest,” said Boyington. “I don’t really understand why he would want a fight with me right now, and I do believe he will show up and give his best effort, but I wouldn’t want to fight me right now. I’m dangerous, and my confidence is through the roof and when it’s like this, it is going to take a world-class athlete to stop me, and my focus this whole camp will be on remaining humble and focused. When February 6th comes, I will be the most dangerous Bruce Boyington that has ever stepped foot in the cage, and I know if I want to be in there right now, I’m really going to be hungry by then.”
The bout is one that Maine fight fans have waited a long time to see. Boyington and Lemke have stood atop the NEF lightweight division together for several years now, their careers paralleling one another. With Lemke competing out of Marcus Davis’ Team Irish in nearby Brewer, Maine, the cross-town rival of Young’s MMA, Boyington and Lemke seemed like natural rivals. But they often passed like ships in the night, and the stars never aligned for an encounter between the two. That was until “NEF XX” last month when, just moments before Boyington took to the cage against Davidson, Lemke vanquished Matt Denning (2-1) in that evening’s co-main event. It was an impressive performance that saw Lemke overwhelm a game Denning as the first round went on. With both Lemke and Boyington scheduled to appear on the February card, and neither having an opponent signed, the time was ripe for the “Battle for Bangor,” as fans have dubbed it, to finally take place.
“I am so incredibly grateful and excited to be fighting for NEF once again and especially an opportunity to fight for the title,” said Lemke. “Those who know my story know what a long road this has been for me, which makes it all the more special. Bruce is the man and has done a phenomenal job promoting himself as champion, and in the process brought a lot of attention to the rest of the MMA community in the area. He has a couple of titles with different promotions and had fights on the national stage. He presents a unique and explosive set of challenges that I very much look forward to rising up and meeting that challenge head on. This is going to be a great fight that fans are not going to want to miss, so get your tickets and come on down.”
“I don’t know if there’s any single fight fans ask us to see more than this one,” exclaimed NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “It seems like at least a few times a week we’re getting messages asking ‘when are we going to see the Battle for Bangor between Lemke and Boyington?’ Well, it’s happening onLub ob hlis ntuj 6 at ‘NEF 21,’ and everyone within our organization is just as excited as the fans to see it!”
“The back story to this bout is incredible,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “Nothing is manufactured – it’s completely authentic and gut wrenching. This fight has been a long time coming, and I have a feeling that the lead-in to February 6th will be unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed in the countdown to a showdown of this magnitude where so much more than just bragging rights are on the line.”
New hais Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeHnub vas xaum, Lub ob hlis ntuj 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Daim pib mus “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 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. tsis tas li ntawd, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
RFA RETURNS TO COLORADO WITH RFA 34: VELICKOVIC vs SMITH
photo credits: sherdog.com
MAIN EVENT:
BOJAN “SERBIAN STEEL” VELICKOVIC
vs. BENJAMIN SMITH
WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15TH, 2016 LIVE ON AXS TV
LIVE from the 1STBANK Center, Broomfield, CO
Tickets on Sale Now at ALTITUDETICKETS.com
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will return to Colorado with RFA 34 – Velickovic vs. Smith in January to kick off the new year. The main event will feature a welterweight title fight between two of the division’s most accomplished fighters as Bojan “Serbian Steel” Velickovic battles former RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith for the vacant title. RFA 34 – Velickovic vs. Smith will take place Hnub vas Xuv, January 15th inside the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. LI / 7 p.m. PT.
“RFA has a busy 2016 schedule and I’m excited about starting it back in Colorado,” stated Soares. “Bojan Velickovic and Benjamin Smith will headline RFA 34 for the vacant welterweight title. They are two of the most accomplished 170-pound fighters in RFA history and it’s a great way to kick off the new year.”
Tickets for RFA 34 – Velickovic vs. Smith are available for purchase NOW through AltitudeTickets.com or you can support your favorite fighter by purchasing your tickets through CageTix.com. Tickets to RFA 34 start at just $30. VIP tables are available by calling 303-521-0966.
Velickovic (12-3) earned his title shot after going a perfect 3-0 nyob rau hauv 2015. In March, the Serbian destroyer earned a quick first round TKO victory over the seasoned MMA vet Chris Hugh at RFA 24. Velickovic then participated as a member of Team RFA at the historic RFA vs. LEGACY event in May. His bout was the first match of the promotion vs. promotion competition and Velickovic picked up the pivotal lead-off win against Charles Byrd. He then closed out the year with a victory over decorated Armenian-Ukrainian wrestler Vardan Sholinian at RFA 31. Velickovic’s win over Sholinian in Las Vegas was accomplished with only 5 days’ notice. Now the surging “Serbian Steel” looks to start the new year exactly how 2015 went down — with his hand getting raised.
“When I found out that I would be getting an RFA title shot, I was vey happy,” stated Velickovic. “I feel that I deserve this opportunity and it didn’t matter who I would be facing. I will fight anyone who’s put in front of me. I am also excited to be fighting in Colorado. I moved here 3 months ago and it already feels like home. This will be the first time in 5 years that I get to fight in the place I live. Ben Smith and I fought on the same card twice for RFA and he’s a really tough dude. He comes to fight and I look forward to our title fight onJanuary 15th.”
Smith (15-3) also ended the year on a high note with a unanimous decision victory over the previously undefeated Craig Eckelberg at RFA 32 last month. The win came on the heels of two consecutive RFA title fights that Smith had for the RFA in 2015. Now the second-ever RFA welterweight champion will look to reclaim his RFA crown in what he sees as his last ride towards UFC glory. That ride continues in the main event of RFA 34 against a man he shared cards with at both RFA 20 and RFA 24.
“This is the last hurrah for ole Ben Smith,” Smith explained. “I’d been feeling that way before my last fight, but I also wanted to put an exclamation point on my career by reclaiming my RFA title and earning my shot in the UFC. I got the win at RFA 32, but I felt like I could do more, which is what I will show in this next fight. Colorado has always treated me well and I enjoy competing there. Bojan is a good fighter, he’s a marketable guy, and a very worthy opponent. When I was offered this fight, there was no way I could say no. I love to compete and I’m looking forward to this title fight with Bojan.”
The full RFA 34 fight card and further information regarding this event will be announced soon. RFA 34 will be the promotion’s seventh event to take place in the state of Colorado. The entire main card of RFA 34 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. LI / 7 p.m. PT rau Hnub vas Xuv, January 15th, 2016.
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents live events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 43 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).
About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognizedHnub vas Xuv Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC everyHnub vas Xuv night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. LI.
Russian fighters dominate 2015 World MMA Championships
 PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Hlis ntuj nqeg 7, 2015) — Russian fighters dominated the recent 2015 World MMA Championships (WMMAA), winning gold medals in six of seven divisions to easily capture the team title, in Prague, Czech Republic.
On the strength of Zaur Gadzhibabaev’s victory in the heavyweight competition, Azerbaijan won a silver medal in terms of quality medals won in team competition. Gadzhibabaev became the first two-time WMMAA champion. In quantity of medals earned, Kazakhstan won five silver and one bronze medal, second only to Russia with seven, including six golds and one bronze.
In other team scoring, Latvia and Tajikistan both won silver medals; China, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia took home two bronze medals apiece; Greece, Colombia, Czech Republic and Ukraine all earned one bronze medal.
Here’s a breakdown of results from each weight class:
BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION: -61.2 kg (135 lbs.)
1. Bakhachali Bakhachaliev (Zog ntawm Guj kuj)
2. Sergey Morozov (Kazakhstan)
3. Andrey Roa Ruiz Dumar (Colombia)
3. Yuan Liu Ping (China)
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION: -65.8 kg (145 lbs.)
1. Magomed Yunusilau (Zog ntawm Guj kuj)
2. Zhumageldi Zhalgassuly (Kazakhstan)
3. Archil Taziashvili (Georgia)
3. Elnur Veliev (Ukraine)
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION: -70.3 kg (154 lbs.)
1. Gadzhi Rabadanov (Zog ntawm Guj kuj)
2. Loik Radzhabov (Tajikistan)
3. Rashid Dagaev (Kazakhstan)
3. Changxin Fu (China)
WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION: -77.1 kg (170 lbs.)
1. Gadzhimurad Khiramagomedov (Zog ntawm Guj kuj)
2. Shavkat Rakhmonov (Kazakhstan)
3. Denis Maher (Belarus)
3. Beknazar Kainazar uulu (Kyrgyzstan)
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION: -84 kg (185 lbs.)
1. Gamzat Khiramagomedov (Zog ntawm Guj kuj)
2. Dauren Ermekov (Kazakhstan)
3. Daniyar Abdibaev (Kyrgyzstan)
3. Giorgi Lobjanidze (Georgia)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION: -93 kg (205 lbs.)
1. Magomed Ankalaev (Zog ntawm Guj kuj)
2. Khasan Mezhiev (Latvia)
3. Michal Kotalik (Czech Republic)
3. Yulian Borisov (Belarus)
HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION: +93 kg (+205 lbs.)
1. Zaur Gadzhibabaev (Azerbaijan)
2. Mokhmad Sulimanov (Kazakhstan)
3. Rizvan Kuniev (Zog ntawm Guj kuj)
3. Angelos Giatras (Greece)
Go here to watch video of the 2015 WMMAA Championships: CHAMPIONS’ QUOTES OF NOTE
 2015 WMMAA Bantamweight Champion Bakhachali Bakhachali:
“It was a wonderful experience. You know it was a long road. I’m so glad it’s over and I was successful in reaching all the goals I had set. The final fight was very hard, my opponent was a serious test for me. He’s physically strong and determined. But thanks God I got the victory.
“The next step is of course the Russian MMA SuperCup. I hope God will help me win it.
I’d like to say thank you to my coaches: Rasul Magomed-Aliev, Abdulla Gaidarbekov. Thanks to Shamil Alibatyrov who was cornering me throughout the whole championship and helped me a lot.”
 2015 WMMAA Featherweight Champion Magomed Yunusilau:
“Extreme happiness. First of all, I was not sure I would be able to participate because of injuries, but my coaches, friends and family helped me gather physically and mentally. I flew to Prague and got the best possible result.
“I had four fights. The first one (1/8) went the distance. My opponent, from Colombia, was really determined, he would not give up. It was a hard-fought battle. In my other fights I finished all three opponents.
“First, I need to heal my injuries; it’s revalidation time. I’ll take a break for the first post-World Championship week and then I’ll focus on my health. I have issues with my back and one knee. And then, God bless, I’ll get back in business within 2-3 months. I intend to transfer to professional MMA competition. We have great coaches and the team that are highly qualified and able to facilitate in my transition. I’m sure I’ll be OK.”
 2015 WMMAA Lightweight Champion Gadzhi Rabadanov:
“I’m extremely happy. It’s such a nice feeling to make your friends and family happy. I’m really grateful for all support I got from them.
“I had four fights in total and I finished all of my opponents. I can’t say which one was harder, everyone in front of me was quite good in his own right.
“If I look back, I’ve had five full training camps this year. Now, it’s time for a break from competition. I need to heal my wounds, rest and then return as a different fighter. There is enough room for improvement. I know I had one more fight planned at the Russian MMA SuperCup in December but I’ll have to cancel it because of my knee injury. Moreover it’s rather hard to make weight twice within a 10-day frame. It would be to the detriment of my health under these circumstances. Sorry, everyone who was hoping to watch me fight in Chelyabinsk (Zog ntawm Guj kuj –wmmaa.org) come December 5.”
 2015 WMMAA Welterweight Champion Gadzhimurad Khiramagomedov:
“I can’t describe my feelings right now. It has been a long road. Two years ago, me and my brother, (Gamzat Khiramagomedov – wmmaa.org) set our sights on the World Championship. And here we are – both champions. I’m so happy.
“I really need to repair my body before planning anything else. My hand and foot are broken. One ligament is torn on my left leg. I need time to heal and then we’ll see.”
 2015 WMMAA Middleweight Champion Gamzat Khiramagomedov:“This experience is the best possible. After all work that I had done it’s time to catch a breath for a little while. Still, I’m not going to relax on my laurels. I have a fight scheduled at the SuperCup against Gamazan Gamzatov. After that fight I’ll be able to rest normally.
“At the World Championship I had four bouts. Assessing my opponents, I can say they were all good fighters. The hardest battle I had was against a warrior from Georgia. He would not give up; extremely powerful and good wrestler. I injured my left arm that’s why I couldn’t show my best in the finals. However, I’m so happy I made my people smile, especially my brother, Gadzhimurad, who puts a lot of effort into helping me. He’s always happier than me when I win. He’s my biggest fan.”
 2015 WMMA Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev:
“My feelings are the best possible. Gold in this amateur MMA World Championship had been my target for a long time.
“I had five fights and the final one was the most difficult for me. I felt huge responsibility because it was up to me whether or not the Russian flag would be flying that high. Thank God, I was able to achieve that.
“I plan to take part in the Russian MMA SuperCup. After that, I’ll take a rest that, I believe, I’ll have fully deserved.”
 2015 WMMA Heavyweight Champion Zaur Gadzhibabaev:“A lot was at stake in the finals since my opponent, Mokhmad Sulimanov, wanted to avenge his loss from last year’s WMMAA World Championship. I’m glad I prevailed again.
“I’m honored to be the first two-time WMMAA champion. The competitors in my division were outstanding this year. I trained very hard to give my best and I’m very happy with my performances during the tournament.”
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