Category Archives: MMA

M-1 Challenge 70 results & pictures

 
Alexey Kunchenko decisions Eduardo Ramon
Remains undefeated at 14-0-0
M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko improved to 14-0-0 with a non-title victory by decision last night against Eduardo Ramon
SYKTYVKAR, Russia (September 11, 2016) – M-1 Challenge welterweight championAlexey Kunchenko improved his record to 14-0-0 (M-1: 7-0-0) with a non-title win by unanimous decision last night over late replacement Eduardo “Camelo” Ramon (11-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) to headline M-1 Challenge 70: Battle in Taiga in Syktyvkar, Russia.
Judges and referees were busy as six of 10 fights went the complete distance and there were no submissions.
 
Kunchenko, fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, won a 3-round decision over Ramon, of Brazil, who made his M-1 Global debut filling in as a late replacement for an injured Maxin Grabovich.  al record on the line against Ramon in their non-title fight.  Kunchenko captured the coveted M-1 Challenge welterweight title belt, which was not on the line last night, this past April at M-1 Challenge 65 when Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round. 
German light heavyweight Rene Hoppe (6-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), who also made his M-1 Global debut, won a 3-round unanimous decision over Andrey Seledtsov (5-3-0, M-1: 1-1-0), of Russia.
 
Former M-1 Challenge lightweight title challenger Artem Damkovsky (20-11-0, M-1: 11-7-0), of Belarus, stopped former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich(12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0), fighting out of Saint Petersburg, Russia by way of Ukraine, in the second round.
 
Russian featherweight  Alexey Nevzorov (10-2-0, 5-1-0) won a 3-round unanimous decision from his fellow countryman, Timur Naginbin (7-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0), while French bantamweight Moktar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (12-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0) knocked out Vadim “Bad Santa” Maygin (6-2-1, M-1: 0-1-1), of Russia, in the second round.
 
In preliminary bouts Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (7-0-0) remained unbeaten with a 3-round unanimous decision versus Brazilian Rafael “Kratos” Xavier (3-2-0), Ukrainian middleweight Artem “Shockwave” Shokalo (18-14-1) knocked out RussianRoman “War” Yarynkin (6-2-0) in round two, Russian middleweight Khabib Isaev (2-0-0) took a 3-round unanimous decision from countryman Artur Potekaylov (2-2-0), Russian bantamweight Sergey Voloshin (2-0-0) defeating pro-debuting countrymanVitaly Chesnokov by way of a technical knockout in the third round, and South Korean flyweight Son “Buddah” Li Binh (5-1-0) took a 3-round majority decision from Emin Guseynov (2-2-1), of Azerbaijan. 
OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN CARD
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
RENE HOPPE (6-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany
WDEC3)
ANDREY SELEDTSOV (5-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
WELTERWEIGHTS
ALEXEY KUNCHENKO (14-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
EDUARDO RAMON (11-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
LIGHTWEIGHTS
ARTEM DAMKOVSKY (21-10-0, M-1: 11-7-0), Belarus
WKO2
MAXIM DIVNICH (12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0)
FEATHERWEIGHTS
ALEXEY NEVZOROV (10-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Russia
WDEC3
TIMUR NAGIBIN (7-2-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Russia
BANTAMWEIGHTS
MOKTAR BENKACI (12-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0), France
WKO2
VADIM MAYGIN (6-2-1, M-1: 0-1-1), Russia
PRELIMINARY CARD
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
ARTEM FROLOV (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
RAFAEL XAVIER (3-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
ARTEM SHOKALO (18-15-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Ukraine
WTKO2
ROMAN YARYNKIN (7-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
KHABIB ISAEV (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
ARTUR POTEKAYLOV (3-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
BANTAMWEIGHTS
SERGEY VOLOSHIN (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WTKO3
VITALY CHESNOKOV (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
FLYWEIGHTS
SON LI BINH (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), South Korea
WDEC3
EMIN GUSEYNOV (2-2-1, M-1: 0-1-0), Azerbaijan
Artem Damkovsky vs. Maxim Divnich
Alexey Nevzorov vs. Timur Nagibin
Vadim Maygin vs. Moktar Benkaci
 Artem Frolov vs. Rafael Xavier
Artem Shokalo vs. Roman Yarynkin
 Khabib Isaev vs. Artur Potekaylov
 Sergey Voloshin vs. Vitaly Chesnokov
Son Li Binh vs. Emin Guseynov
        S
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VELADO CAPTURES GOLD, HALL RETAINS AT NEF 25

Lewiston, Maine (September 10, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) held its most-recent event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS” Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event featured both mixed-martial-arts and professional boxing bouts.

 

On the boxing portion of the card, John Webster (9-7-1) defeated Zenon Herrera (0-3) via unanimous decision on the eve of Webster’s 48th birthday.  Webster’s last boxing victory came back in 2004, also in Lewiston, prior to his taking off a decade from active competition.

 

Also in the boxing ring, Casey Kramlich (5-0-1) remained undefeated as he stopped John Ortolani (0-1) in the fourth round via technical knockout.  Likewise, Brandon Montella (5-0) kept his pro record perfect with a second-round stoppage of Tollison Lewis (2-2).

 

Rachael Joyce (2-0) won a unanimous decision over Jessica Borga (2-2) in a highly-anticipated women’s amateur bout.  Rafael Velado (4-0) captured the amateur lightweight title with a first-round submission of Jimmy Jackson (3-3).  Caleb Hall (8-3) retained the amateur featherweight title, and in doing so handed bantamweight champion Johnny Crafts (4-1) the first loss of his career, in a very close split decision on the judges’ scorecards.

 

Aaron Lacey (3-0) kept his unbeaten streak alive with a first-round submission of Cory Trial (0-1) on the professional MMA portion of the card.  Mike Hansen (5-4) handed Matt Andrikut (2-1) the first loss of his career in the co-main event, while Jesse Erickson (8-5) submitted Crowsneck Boutin (2-3) in the main event of the evening.

 

NEF also announced that it would co-promote its next event with Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES).  The two largest fight promotions in New England will present a joint card titled “Supremacy” on November 4 in Lewiston at the Colisee.

 

The results from Lewiston, Maine:

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

Jesse Erickson def. Crowsneck Boutin via rear-naked choke, round 1

Mike Hansen def. Matt Andrikut via armbar, round 1

Taylor Trahan def. Matt Denning via armbar, round 1

Aaron Lacey def. Cory Trial via rear-naked choke, round 1

Walter Smith-Cotito def. Elias Leland via D’arce Choke, round 2

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

Caleb Hall (c) def. Johnny Crafts via split decision (145 Title)

Rafael Velado def. Jimmy Jackson via Kimura, round 1 (155 Title)

Frank Johanson def. Caleb Swoveland via armbar, round 1

Rachael Joyce def. Jessica Borga via unanimous decision

Walt Shea def. The Slenderman via unanimous decision

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

Casey Kramlich def. John Ortolani via TKO, round 4

Brandon Montella def. Tollison Lewis via TKO, round 2

John Webster def. Zenon Herrera via unanimous decision

 

NEF and CES present “SUPREMACY,” a night of mixed-martial-arts cagefights, on November 4, 2016 in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

M-1 CHALLENGE 70: “BATTLE IN TAIGA” Official Weights and Weigh-In Photos

MAIN CARD
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
ANDREY SELEDTSOV (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia 196 lbs. (89.0 kg)
vs.
RENE HOPPE (5-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany 194 ½ lbs. (88.3 kg)
Kunchenko weighs in
MAIN EVENT — WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
ALEXEY KUNCHENKO (13-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0), Russia 174 lbs. (79.0 kg)
vs.
EDUARDO “Camelo” RAMON (11-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 174 lbs. (79.0 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
MAXIM DIVNICH (12-0-0, M-1: 6-1-0), Russia 154 ½ lbs. (70.1 KG)
vs.
ARTEM DAMKOVSKY (20-1-0, M-1: 10-7-0), Belarus 154 ½ lbs. (70.3 kg)
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
TIMUR NAGIBIN (7-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia 144 lbs. (65.6 kg)
vs.
ALEXEY NEVZOROV (9-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia 144 lbs. (65.6 kg)
BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
MOKTAR “Le Kabyle” BENKACI (11-6-0, M-1: 0-1-0), France 135 lbs. (61.3 kg)
vs.
VADIM “Bad Santa” MAYGIN (6-1-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Russia 135 lbs. (61.3 kg)
PRELIMINARY CARD
MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
 

ARTEM FROLOV (6-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 185 lbs. (84.0 kg)
vs.
RAFAEL “Kratos” XAVIER (3-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 184 ½ lbs. (83.8 kg)

ARTEM “Shockwave” SHOKALO (17-15-0, M-1: 0-2-0), Ukraine 184 ½ lbs. (83.9 kg)
vs.
ROMAN “War” YARYNKIN (7-1-0, M-1: 0-0-00), Russia 184 ½ lbs. (83.9 kg)

KHABIB ISAEV (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 184 ½ lbs. (83.9 kg)
vs.
ARTUR POTEKAYLOV (3-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 184 ½ lbs. (83.7 kg)
BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
SERGEY VOLOSHIN (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 138 ½ lbs. (62.8 kg)
vs.
VITALY CHESNOKOV (Pro Debut), Russia 137 lbs. (62.2 kg)
FLYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
EMIN GUSEYNOV (2-1-1, M-1: 0-0-0), Azerbaijan
vs.
SON Buddah” LI BINH (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), South Korea
WHEN:            Saturday, September 10, 2016
WHERE:          Syktyvkar, Russia
 
PROMOTER:  M-1 Global
LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (10.30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT in USA) 
         
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OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

Solid M-1 Challenge 70 main card set Eduardo Ramon new opponent for  Alexey Kunchenko in non-title fight headliner

This Saturday in Syktyvkar, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (September 8, 2016) – M-1 Global has put together a solid main card, headlined by M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko against late replacement Eduardo “Camelo” Ramon (11-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), for this Saturday’s (Sept. 10) M-1 Challenge 70in Syktyvkar, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 70 will be streamed live from Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
 
Kunchenko (13-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0), fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, will put his undefeated professional record on the line against Ramon in their non-title fight.  Kunchenko captured the coveted M-1 Challenge welterweight titl belt in his last fight, when defending M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round this past April at M-1 Challenge 65
Ramon is a late replacement for an injured Maxin Grabovich.  The talented Brazilian will be making his M-1 debut.
 
Russian Andrey Seledtsov (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0) takes on undefeated German Rene Hoppe (5-0-0), who will be making his M-1 debut, in a light heavyweight clash with future title fight implications at stake.
 
In another match-up that could very well lead to a title fight, former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (12-1-0, M-1: 6-1-0), fighting out of Saint Petersburg, Russia by way of Ukraine, takes on former M-1 Challenge lightweight title challenger Artem Damkovsky (20-1-0, M-1: 10-7-0), of Belarus.
 
Round out the M1 Challenge 70 main card are two more potentially explosive fights as Russian featherweights Timur Naginbin (7-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) and Alexey Nevzorov (9-2-0, 4-1-0) throw-down, while French bantamweight Moktar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (11-6-0, M-1: 0-1-0) faces Vadim “Bad Santa” Maygin (6-1-1, M-1: 0-0-1), of Russia.
 
The preliminary bouts include undefeated Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (6-0-0) vs. Brazilian Rafael “Kratos” Xavier (3-1-0), Ukrainian middleweight Artem “Shockwave” Shokalo (17-14-1) vs. Russian Roman “War” Yarynkin (6-1-0), Russian middleweight Khabib Isaev (1-0-0) vs. countryman Artur Potekaylov (2-1-0) and Russian bantamweight Sergey Voloshin (2-0-0) vs. pro-debuting countryman Vitaly Chesnokov
 
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FNU Combat Sports Show: CM Punk’s Debut, UFC Fight Night Recap, Brrok vs. Golovkin Preview

Tom, Tony and Rich discuss the week in Combat Sports, focusing on the recent UFC Fight Night in Hamburg, Germany, the UFC debut of Phil Brooks (A.K.A. CM Punk) and the upcoming battle between Kell Brook and Gennady Golovkin.

COMBATE AMERICAS HITS NEW YORK WITH  FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT IN HISTORY, LIVE ON BEIN SPORTS EN ESPAÑOL AND UFC FIGHT PASS® ON FRIDAY, OCT. 14

(Pictured below): Twenty-four year-old surging star John “Sexy Mexy” Castaneda (11-2) of Mankato, Minn. will bid to become the first 135 pound world champion in Combate Americas history onFriday, Oct. 14, live on beIN Sports en Español and UFC FIGHT PASS.

John “Sexy Mexy” Castaneda faces Gustavo Lopez
for the world bantamweight championship
at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

Tickets on sale now

NEW YORK – Sept. 8, 2016 – Combate Americas today announced that red-hot, streaking bantamweight (135 pounds) stars John “Sexy Mexy” Castaneda (11-2) and Gustavo Lopez (6-1) will face off in the first world championship bout in league history at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. on Friday, October 14, live on beIN SPORTS En Español and UFC FIGHT PASS®.

The 24-year-old Castaneda of Mankato, Minn. and the 27-year-old Lopez of Las Vegas, Nev. via Yakima, Wash. will collide in the main event of the 10-bout “Combate Americas: Empire Rising” Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) extravaganza.

“We are thrilled to be producing our first world title fight in Combate Americas history at our debut event in the Empire State,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren, who also produced the last live televised professional MMA event in New York State with UFC® 7 on September 8, 1995.

“John Castaneda and Gustavo Lopez put on some incredibly memorable and heroic performances during our ‘Road To The Championship’ fight series this year and last year,” continued McLaren, “so we are looking forward to have these two budding, young stars square off and to crowning our first champion.”

Each fighter earned his way to the title fight in “La Jaula,” or the Combate Americas cage, by going undefeated in three consecutive bouts during the “Road To The Championship” series that kicked off in September 2015 and concluded on May 9, 2016.


 Pictured Above (Far):  Bantamweight star Gustavo Lopez (6-1) of Las Vegas, Nev. via Yakima, Wash. will look to continue his unbeaten run in “La Jaula,” the Combate Americas cage, when he fights for his first world title.

Castaneda, who has finished 8 of his 11 professional career victories, is riding a six-fight win streak dating back to May 16, 2015 when he submitted Pedro Velasco with a rear-naked choke in the first round (2:42) of battle.

Castaneda’s run in the “Road To The Championship” series began with a unanimous decision win over Justin Governale on September 17, 2015, and continued with a spectacular, arm-triangle choke submission of Federico Lopez in the closing moments of the third round (4:49) of action.

The aggressive-minded Castaneda cemented his spot in the world title fight by edging out a split decision over Gabriel Solorio on April 25.

In his last start, Castaneda stepped up for Combate Americas on just two weeks’ notice,  replacing an injured Erick Sanchez, at the higher, featherweight limit of 145 pounds, against Angel Cruz on August 11, and scored a second round (2:25) TKO (punches) on Cruz.

Fighting out of the famed Xtreme Couture camp in Las Vegas, Lopez, a protégé of former UFC® champion Miesha Tate and UFC bantamweightBryan Caraway, will look for his sixth consecutive win in the cage, and his fourth under the Combate Americas promotional umbrella.

Similar to his opponent, Lopez is a determined finisher who has earned five of his six professional career wins by way of (T)KO or submission.

Lopez began his Combate Americas journey in the “Road To The Championship” series, defeating Mauricio Diaz by way of unanimous decision on September 17, 2015.

In his second Combate Americas appearance, Lopez submitted Joey Ruquetwith an arm-triangle choke in the second round (4:06) of action, before sealing his fate in the title fight with Castaneda by scoring a devastating, second round (4:07) TKO on Saul Elizondo with a barrage of punches on the ground.

A nationally recognized venue for legendary, fight-of-the-year-level boxing events, Turning Stone Resort Casino will now become one of the very first venues in New York to host professional MMA fights.  With a legacy of hosting some of the best events in the country, rivaling many venues in major cities such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City and New York City, Turning Stone has established Upstate New York as a premier destination for live sporting events.  Turning Stone is an award-winning destination resort, offering world-class amenities including four hotels, more than 20 restaurants and dining options, two luxurious spas, a 125,000 square foot Las Vegas style gaming floor, a cabaret-style Showroom, a 5,000 seat arena, five pristine golf courses, several bars, cocktail lounges and nightlife venues.

Tickets for “Combate Americas: Empire Rising” are on sale and can be purchased at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.com.  Tickets are priced at $75, for cageside, $65, $50 and $35, and may be subject to additional fees.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.for the event, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m.

Additional bouts will be announced soon.

UFC FIGHT PASS is a digital subscription service which gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s largest fight library.

UFC FIGHT PASS is available on: personal computers, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android, Chromecast, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Sony TVs with Android TV and Roku devices.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO A SHOT AT THE GOLD, JACKSON AND VELADO TAKE MMA CAREERS TO A NEW LEVEL AT NEF 25

 

By: Kalle Oakes

Humility is the undertone for any conversation with Jimmy Jackson about his mixed martial arts career. It was a humbling experience that twisted Rafael Velado’s arm into the world of combat sports in the first place.

One of the men will depart Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston wielding a source of pride – the New England Fights amateur lightweight championship belt – after their clash at “NEF 25: Heroes and Villains” this Saturday, September 10.

Mention the idea of his earning a title shot in the hexagon and Jackson (3-2) almost can’t withhold a laugh.

“It’s a big opportunity for someone like me,” Jackson said. “I never thought I would be fighting for a title. I’ve had a ton of teammates come up to me and say, ‘You deserve this! Way to go!’ I just never thought of myself as that top-tier fighter. I’ve always been the guy kind of behind the scenes.”

Easy enough for the Bangor fighter to blend in, considering that he trains at Young’s MMA with the likes of Aaron “Relentless” Lacey, “The” Ryan Sanders, and Josh “Hook On” Harvey.

Fighting for the belt vacated by stablemate Harvey isn’t an endeavor that would have entered Jackson’s mind back in 2012, when he accepted a fight in Vermont on a relative lark. He won via submission, with a choke, in 96 seconds.

“My training started out as me and a few other guys messing around in a basement,” Jackson said. “My first fight was spur of the moment. I won and it sort of got the adrenaline going, like, ‘I can do this. I did pretty good.’”

Through a co-worker, he connected up with Young’s MMA.

After a learning curve that included back-to-back losses in 2013, Jackson steadily improved and defeated two consecutive opponents to earn his title opportunity.

“It’s a blessing and a curse. It’s truly a family. These are guys who truly stand by each other, in hard times, bad times, in and out of the gym,” Jackson said of wearing Young’s colors. “But on the flip side, everybody’s watching you, expecting a certain amount of entertainment from you. I want to perform at such a level that people are excited to watch me fight.”

While most fighters go through the drudgery of training in order to bask in the glory of fight night, Jackson contends that it’s the training he loves most. And entering the cage, he claims, is not about him.

“Fighting, to me, is just what I can do to show everybody what my coaches have accomplished,” Jackson said. “They sacrifice so much to give us fighters the recognition and they get very little recognition in return. The only reason I get in the cage is to represent them.”

Jackson gravitated to MMA with minimal experience in combat sports. Velado, of Norridgewock, brought a decade of jiu-jitsu and a black belt to the table.

That journey had less glamorous beginnings, however.

“In July 2005, I was playing basketball and a guy on my own team, if you can believe it, punched me in the face. He took exception to something and he messed me up pretty good,” Velado said. “From watching UFC, I thought I knew what to do to defend myself, and I pulled him down with an arm bar. Pathetically, but I pulled him down.”

Velado called it a reality check, one that led him to enroll in jiu-jitsu classes taught by Aaron Blake in Boothbay Harbor.

“I think all guys think they will be able to defend themselves in a situation, and most of those guys are wrong,” Velado said.

In more than three years of tournament competition, Velado said he fought more than 50 times and lost only three matches.

He grew restless and sought a new challenge. It led him to John Raio’s First Class MMA in Topsham. Velado was primed for his debut, but a sparring session with heavyweight teammate Nick Gulliver led to a torn MCL in his knee.

“That took about six to eight months before I fully recovered,” Velado said. “I dropped in on John again in April 2015, and we got a plan together. He got me in there with a lot of good wrestler types, including himself. He let me train with Marcus Davis and some other guys to expand my skill set.”

Velado has won three times in NEF, capped by a split decision over Mike Peitersen of Young’s.

“You’re in for a war. Young’s guys, they’re great. They’re all respectful. They train like savages,” Velado said. “Look who he’s training against…Those guys could fight anywhere in the United States and do well. You can’t not get better training against guys like that. You can’t not be a stud.”

Jackson, who said that MMA has lowered his stress level while reminding him that there is nothing else in life he can’t handle, hinted that he is the underdog on paper.

“He went three rounds with Mike Pietersen, and Mike is a tough dude. I know he’s a black belt in jits,” Jackson said. “I’m taking a realistic approach. I’m more focused on what I need to do and can’t worry about what he’s going to do. I don’t think he’s going to show me anything that I can’t handle.”

The question, Velado said, is whether or not Jackson’s modesty suggests any level of uncertainty.

“The difference between us is that I know I have jiu-jitsu in my tool box. He doesn’t have anything like that in his tool box that I know of,” Velado said. “He’s going to see what level he’s at in this fight. He’s going to find a way to get past me, or he’s going to take a step back and say is this something I really want to be doing? He definitely has to have confidence if he wants to beat me.”

The opening bell on this Saturday, September 10 is set for 7 p.m. The current docket for “NEF 25: Heroes and Villains” includes three professional boxing matches, five pro mixed martial arts bouts and five amateur MMA scraps. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

BELLATOR TO HOST THE FIRST MAJOR MMA EVENT IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL ON NOVEMBER 10

 

WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION ANDREY KORESHKOV TO FACE DOUGLAS LIMA IN MAIN EVENT

 

ALSO: ISRAELI ARMY VETERAN NOAD LAHAT SET FOR BELLATOR MMA DEBUT AGAINST SCOTT CLEVE

 

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (Sept. 7, 2016) – Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) will make the second defense of his belt against the man he took it from more than a year ago, Douglas Lima (27-6), in the main event of the promotion’s historic debut at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on November 10.

 

In addition, the card will feature one of Israel’s own in the co-headliner, when newly signed Bellator MMA featherweight Noad Lahat (9-2) meets Scott Cleve (15-5). Additional main card and preliminary fights will be announced in coming weeks.

 

The Viacom-owned fight promotion’s historic event will air in America on SPIKE Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Bellator has partnered with Ananey Communications, an Israeli television conglomerate boasting 14 channels, several of which showcase Viacom content including the EGO and EGO TOTAL channels which have broadcast Bellator in Israel since 2012.

 

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Bellator.com or Eventim.co.il/mma.

 

Currently sitting atop Bellator MMA’s welterweight division, the 26-year-old champion Koreshkov most recently dismantled former world champion Benson Henderson for 25 minutes in his first-ever title defense. 19-1 as a professional, “Spartan” hasn’t tasted defeat since 2013 and has finished 13 of his opponents by either knockout or submission. It’s worth noting that Koreshkov trains under the leadership of former middleweight championAlexander Shlemenko.

 

Coming off of a dominant victory over top contender Paul Daley, “The Phenom” Lima has earned the right to challenge for the promotion’s 170-pound title, which he once held. The American Top Team standout has a knack for winning fights in spectacular fashion before reaching the judges’ scorecards, which he has accomplished in 23 of his 27 wins as a professional. Born in Brazil, the 28-year-old has secured victories over top competition since starting his career in 2006, tallying wins against Ben Saunders (2x), Ryan Ford, Steve Carl and Olympic competitor Rick Hawn. Now fully healthy, Lima looks to fight twice in a calendar year for the first time since 2013.

 

A black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, Lahat made his professional debut in 2008, where he began an impressive streak of seven consecutive victories. The 32-year-old “Neo” then decided to take his talents to the UFC, where he tacked on two more wins, rounding out his current professional record of 9-2. Hailing from Alfei Menashe, Samaria Israel, Lahat was also a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces before transitioning to his now promising MMA career. He will look to compete in a strong Bellator MMA Featherweight class that includes current titleholder Daniel Straus, Pat Curran, Patricio “Pitbull,” Daniel Weichel, and Georgi Karakhanyan.

 

At 34 years of age, Scott Cleve is set for his fifth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, the Colorado native has a knack for ending fights early, stopping his opponent in 11 of his 15 victories. Notable victories on the “Pariah MMA” standouts resume include wins over UFC veteran Abel Trujillo, along with Bellator competitors Derek Campos and Matt Bessette.

 

“Bellator MMA in Tel Aviv” Main Card:

Welterweight World Title Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) vs. Douglas Lima (27-6)

Featherweight Feature Bout: Noad Lahat (9-2) vs. Scott Cleve (15-5)

HALL AND CRAFTS PREPARE FOR ONE LAST AMATEUR SCRAP BEFORE THE PROS

 

By: Kalle Oakes

It is hard to believe that Caleb Hall and Johnny Crafts’ paths have not crossed in the New England Fights mixed martial arts hexagon before now.

Separated by only two years in age and only a handful of pounds on the scale, the two former high school athletes made the transition to the cage from other combat pursuits at around the same time. Hall was a champion wrestler, while Crafts was a decorated grappler in the jiu-jitsu realm.

They are even considering a jump to the professional ranks at the same time … after one final stop to stand toe-to-toe with one another in a clash of amateur champions at “NEF 25: Heroes and Villains.”

NEF amateur featherweight champion Hall (7-3) of Portland by way of Dixfield will collide with NEF amateur bantamweight titleholder Crafts (4-0) of Lisbon this Saturday, September 10.

“I’d say my days in the amateur ranks are numbered,” Hall said. “I feel at this point, as tough as the fights are getting, I might as well be a pro. I just didn’t want to do it too early. I wanted to be a legitimate pro athlete.”

Hall took a measured approach to his ascent through the ranks. Not many fighters stick around for a double-digit number of amateur bouts before either taking prize money or returning to the safety of spectator-hood.

Then again, not many debut in the sport as early as Hall. He remembers getting his first recruiting call from NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson while helping a friend, Josh Thornton, train for an NEF appearance.

“He called me out of nowhere and tried to get me a fight on short notice. Then he saw me filling out the information sheet and noticed that I was still only 17,” Hall said, noting that the rules prohibit minors from entering the fray. “So I ended up fighting in September, a month after my 18th birthday. I was hooked from the first time I watched it. I knew it was something I wanted to do.”

Hall won his first three fights, largely on the strength of his wrestling acumen, while bouncing between his hometown in the Western mountains of Maine and Plymouth State University in New Hampshire.

While sparring at First Class MMA in Topsham, Hall heard NEF mainstay John Raio rave about the merits of the Choi Institute in Portland. Hall took the advice and quickly discovered a place where his boxing and striking skills improved exponentially.

“Most of my training has been stand-up. I’ve tried to improve on it,” Hall said. “I figure that I’ve wrestled so long that I can kind of put it down when it comes to training and put more effort in the areas where I need to improve my skills.”

Hall carries a two-fight winning streak. The latter victory was a second-round submission over Erik Nelson for the vacant 145-pound strap in April.

He has stayed busy, rarely skipping back-to-back NEF cards during his time with the organization. By contrast, Crafts had been out of the cage for a year prior to his third-round TKO of Henry Clark for the 135-pound title in February.

“Injuries are what have screwed me over. I should have a lot more fights for as long as I’ve been at it,” Crafts said. “If I’m healthy, win or lose, I think this is probably my last fight as an amateur. I’m 24. I don’t want to drag it on too long.”

Crafts agreed with Hall’s assessment that whichever of the two fighters is able to step out of his comfort zone on the mat will gain the upper hand.

“Caleb is a really good wrestler. I never wrestled in high school, just jiu-jitsu. But with jiu-jitsu, you learn how to wrestle,” Crafts said. “I think people are going to be surprised by my wrestling, and I think everybody’s going to be impressed with my boxing. I feel more confident. I think he’s going to be surprised when I punch him in the face.”

Hall has fought all but two of his fights at 145 pounds and said that he considers that weight class “home.” Crafts dismissed any disadvantage in having to step up, noting that his walking-around weight is in the 160s.

“This is my first time fighting at 145. I’m really excited about it. Getting down to 135 is a really big cut for me. I felt it in the last fight. I could just tell. I really shouldn’t have been as tired as I was,” Crafts said. “And Henry was a good opponent. I was working on things, using more of my stand-up. That kind of prolonged it.

“He’s definitely the best at 145 in my opinion,” Crafts added in reference to Hall. “He’s one of the most experienced amateurs out there. He’s definitely the best guy for me to fight.”

The opening bell this Saturday, September 10 is set for 7 p.m. The current docket for “NEF 25: Heroes and Villains” includes three professional boxing matches, five pro mixed martial arts bouts and six amateur MMA scraps. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

About New England Fights

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

Event Details: Cage Warriors 78, Echo Arena, Liverpool, England.  Sept 10, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 6, 2016

DOORS                        Open to the public – 5:00pm
FIRST BOUT                Amateur – 6:20pm (subject to change)
TELEVISED                  Main card – 9:00pm* (UK time)
This Saturday, September 10, Cage Warriors Fighting Championship returns to Liverpool’s Echo Arena for the first time in two years, with a show packed with the cream of European MMA performing in front of a global TV audience.

Back in 2014, CWFC 68’s main card produced 10 stoppages and the promotion is hoping for the same fireworks on Saturday.  At CWFC 78, two world titles are on the line for the lightweight and featherweight belts – both being contested by home crowd favourites, Chris Fishgold and Paddy Pimblett.

Headlining the show is highly ranked Englishman Chris Fishgold, who makes the first defence of his lightweight title against Frenchman, Jason Ponet.   His teammate Paddy Pimblett challenges Frenchman Johnny Frachey for the featherweight title.

The main card action, from the Echo Arena Liverpool will feature five televised professional bouts starting at 9pm* (UK time).

CHANGES TO THE CARD:

Vaughan Lee has withdrawn due to injury.  His opponent Arnold Quero is now matched on CWFC 79, due to take place next month in Newport, Wales.

Doors at the Echo Arena, Liverpool will open at 5:00pm – tickets are available to purchase here.

BROADCAST & TV PARTNERS
Please check your local region’s listings for local broadcast times.

The main card is live on:
UFC FIGHT PASS® | Worldwide
BT Sport | UK and Ireland
Viasat | Scandinavia

CWFC 78

Main Card – 9:00PM* (UK Time)
*The main card will start on BT Sport via the red button at 9pm and revert to the main channel at 9.15pm.

Main Event: CWFC Lightweight World Title (5×5 minute rounds)
(Champion) Chris Fishgold (15-1-1) vs. Jason Ponet (16-10-1-1nc)

Vacant CWFC Featherweight World Title (5×5 minute rounds)
Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett (11-1-0) vs. Johnny Frachey (18-10-0)

Lightweight (3×5 minute rounds)
Tim “The Experiment” Wilde (8-2-0) vs. Mickael “Ragnar” Lebout (14-6-1-1nc)

Welterweight (3×5 minute rounds)
Ali Arish (21-5) vs. Mohsen Bahari (8-3)

Middleweight (3×5 minute rounds)
Leeroy Barnes (15-15-0-1nc) vs. Victor Cheng (10-2-0)

Pro Prelims
160 lbs catchweight
Jordan Miller (16-15)  vs. Ellis Hampson (5-3-1)

Welterweight
James Lewis (5-2) vs. Dez Parker (7-5)

Welterweight
Alexandre Roumette (4-6) vs. Dylan Mcloughlin (2-0)

130 lbs Catchweight
Sam Halliday (4-3) vs. Sam Creasey (6-0)

For the latest Cage Warriors Fighting Championship news and updates, keep track of us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram. View past CWFC action, free and on-demand, online via Cage Warriors TV.

Photo: Cage Warriors/Dolly Clew

www.CageWarriors.com

CAGE WARRIORS FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP is Europe’s leading and longest-running mixed martial arts promotion. An Irish-owned brand with offices in the UK & Ireland, CWFC is the sport’s fastest-growing organisation, having staged 80 events in 12 countries across three different continents since its establishment in 2002. Home to some of biggest stars of MMA’s past, present and future.