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“Bellator: Manhoef vs. Shlemenko” preliminary lineup featuring California’s top fighting prospects, complete with eight new matchups
Easy Tweet: “#BellatorMMA announces prelims packed with top prospects for @team_manhoef vs. @
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (January 29, 2015) – With a thrilling middleweight matchup between knockout artist Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef (29-12-1) and former Bellator MMA champ Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko (50-9) in the headlining role, “Bellator: Manhoef vs. Shlemenko” now features a full lineup of 12 contests, loaded with some of California’s top fighting talent.
Bellator officials today announced the addition of eight preliminary contests, which join previously announced matchups of Manhoef vs. Shlemenko, Pat Curran (20-6) vs. Daniel Weichel (34-8), Julia Budd (6-2) vs. Talita Nogueira (6-0) and Chris Honeycutt (5-0) vs. Clayton MacFarlane (4-0).
The newly announced bouts include featherweights Art “King Arthur” Arciniega (14-4) vs. Charley Huston (6-2), undefeated middleweights Blake Watkins (4-0) vs. George Zuniga (3-0), flyweightsPaul Ruiz (5-2) vs. Nicolas Sperling (3-2), welterweights “Terrible” Tom Cook (1-1) vs. Mason “The Mangler” Fowler (1-0), lightweights Nick Bustamante (2-0) vs. Luis Jauregui (2-1), light heavyweights John Paul Elias (2-0) vs. Cody Sons (0-1), lightweights Jonathan “J.T.” Contrestano(4-0) vs. Ryan Tobar (3-1) and bantamweights Ray Cervera (8-2) vs. Adam Piccolotti (4-0).
“Bellator: Manhoef vs. Shlemenko” which takes place Feb. 13 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. Airs live and free on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET. Tickets for the event, which start at just $28, are currently on sale at Bellator.com and Ticketmaster.com.
Arciniega vs. Huston, Watkins vs. Zuniga, Sperling vs. Ruiz and Cook vs. Fowler all stream live on Spike.com beginning at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT local time) and precede the evening’s four-fight Spike TV-televised main card.
Meanwhile, Bustamante vs. Jauregui, Elias vs. Sons, Contrestano vs. Tobar and Cevera vs. Picolotti stream live on Spike.com following the conclusion of the televised card.
Art “King Arthur” Arciniega, of Dos Palos, Calif., brings a seven-fight winning streak to the cage, having last tasted defeat in 2009. He now face Charley Huston, of Orangeville, Calif., who has earned five of his six career wins by first-round stoppage.
Blake Watkins, of Fresno, Calif., has opened his career in spectacular fashion, owning all four of his career wins by first-round stoppage, including three of just 67 seconds or less. He now meets fellow undefeated fighter George Zuniga, who is also no stranger to quick wins, having earned a 34-second win this past September in his Bellator MMA debut.
Paul Ruiz, of Firebaugh, Calif., is a two-time Bellator MMA veteran, who made his professional debut fighting for the promotion in 2011. He now meets Nicolas Sperling, who opened his professional run with consecutive losses but has since bounced back to earn three-straight first-round stoppage wins.
“Terrible” Tom Cook, of Placerville, Calif., has earned mixed results in his first two professional bouts, but both ended in the opening frame. He now meets Mason Fowler, of Fresno, Calif., who in October needed just 28 seconds to pick up a submission win in his professional debut.
Nick Bustamante, of Fresno, Calif., makes his Bellator MMA debut on the strength of two stoppage wins to start his career. He now challenges Luis Jauregui, of Madera, Calif., who fell short in his 2010 professional debut but then took nearly four years off before returning with consecutive stoppage wins.
John Paul Elias, of Madera, Calif., owns both of his his wins by stoppage, including one knockout and one submission. He now faces Cody Sons, of Bakersfield, Calif., who suffered a disappointing TKO loss in his professional debut but now looks to rebound for his first career win.
Jonathan “J.T.” Contrestano, of Visalia, Calif., returns to action following an 18-month layoff to meet fellow prospect Ryan Tobar, of Oakdale, Calif., who open his career with three-straight first-round victories but suffered a decision loss in October and now looks to rebound from the first setback of his career.
Ray Cervera, of Bakersfield, Calif., brings a three-fight winning streak to the cage and has earned seven of his eight career wins by stoppage. He’s also never been stopped, as both of his professional defeats have come by decision. He now faces undefeated prospect Adam Piccolotti, of Fresno, Calif., who began his professional career in 2013 and has since earned four-straight wins, including two knockouts and one submission.
Bellator 133: Friday, Feb. 13, Save Mart Center, Fresno, Calif.
Main Card on Spike TV (9 p.m. ET)
Bellator Middleweight Main Event: Melvin Manhoef (29-12-1) vs. Alexander Shlemenko (50-9)
Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Pat Curran (20-6) vs. Daniel Weichel (34-8)
Bellator Women’s Featherweight Feature Fight: Julia Budd (6-2) vs. Talita Nogueira (6-0)
Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Chris Honeycutt (5-0) vs. Clayton MacFarlane (4-0)
Preliminary card on Spike.com (8 p.m. ET)
Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Art Arciniega (14-4) vs. Charley Huston (6-2)
Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: Blake Watkins (4-0) vs. George Zuniga (3-0)
Bellator Flyweight Prelim Fight: Paul Ruiz (5-2) vs. Nicolas Sperling (3-2)
Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Tom Cook (1-1) vs. Mason Fowler (1-0)
Preliminary card on Spike.com (Following Manhoef vs. Shlemenko)
Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Nick Bustamante (2-0) vs. Luis Jauregui (2-1)
Bellator Light Heavyweight Prelim Fight: John Paul Elias (2-0) vs. Cody Sons (0-1)
Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Jonathan Contrestano (4-0) vs. Ryan Tobar (3-1)
Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Ray Cervera (8-2) vs. Adam Piccolotti (4-0)
PACKED HOUSE EXPECTED FOR “MOST ANTICIPATED” LEWISTON MMA EVENT TO DATE
Lewiston, Maine (January 29, 2015) – One week from this Saturday, New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, presents its sixteenth mixed martial arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVI,” in Lewiston, Maine. The event is scheduled to originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. The show will mark the three-year anniversary of the company’s inception. NEF executives announced today that they were expecting one of the largest crowds ever for the wildly-popular fight promotion’s event.
“Our February events have always been our flagship,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “Coupled with the fact that this card is loaded with UFC, Bellator, NFL veterans, two title fights, and the return of Ray Wood (5-0), it’s no surprise that ticket sales have been going the way they’ve been going.”
Indeed, ticket sales have been at an all-time high for this event. It is not unusual for the fight promotion to sell out their floor seats for any given show. The sell-out, however, has always come on fight night. The floor seats for “NEF XVI” were sold out a full 17 days prior to the event. NEF executives give partial credit for the quick sales to the addition of complimentary waitress drink service for all cage-side ticketholders. They did not confirm whether or not the promotion was considering adding more floor seats for the event.
As DiSalvo indicated, fans are clamoring for the return of Ray “All Business” Wood who will defend the NEF MMA Featherweight Title against Bellator and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) veteranAnthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (16-9). This will be Wood’s first homecoming after moving from Maine to South Carolina in late-2014.
“I’m excited for this fight,” said Wood when reached for comment. “I have absolutely nothing to lose. Anthony Morrison has fought some of the best fighters in the world and I have an opportunity to make a statement with this fight. I improve my skills each time I step in the cage and I know that this showing will be no exception. I have respect for Anthony and where he’s been in this sport and I am honored to have the opportunity to fight him.”
Wood’s teammate at Young’s MMA, Fred Lear (2-0), will be featured on the amateur portion of the card in a catchweight bout against Bryant Orrick (3-5) from Ruthless MMA and Boxing. The fight will be contested at 140-pounds.
“These people push me to be a better fighter, student, and person,” said Lear of his teammates and coaches at Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine. “I am grateful for their presence in my life, it is something I will treasure forever. I am honored to be fighting for Young’s MMA.”
Not looking beyond his own fight, Lear points out three exciting matchups his teammates Josh Harvey (2-1), Mike Peitersen (1-0) and Aaron Lacey (4-1) will contest against members of the Choi Institute of Portland, Maine.
“Leading up to ‘NEF XVI,’ I can’t help but highlight our matchups with Choi’s,” Lear continued. “Nick Spencer [Lacey’s opponent (7-4)] is dangerous everywhere, Henry Clark [Peitersen’s opponent (1-0)] is coming off of an impressive debut, and I’ve known Caleb[Hall – Harvey’s opponent (5-1)] since high school and there is no doubt about his grit and talent. The atmosphere at the Colisee will be electrifying as six high-caliber fighters look to leave their mark.”
Hall and Harvey are set to open the show in a featherweight bout at 7:00 pm sharp. Hall has competed on six previous NEF MMA events, and he has definitely noticed an increased excitement from fans leading into “NEF XVI.”
“The anticipation is at an all time high because of all the good match ups on the card,” noted Hall. “On February 7th, I’m expecting it to be the most exciting night yet.”
Having fought for smaller promotions in the past, Harvey is clear that the size of the crowd does not matter to him. He will bring his A-game to the cage whether the fight be under the big lights in a world-famous arena like the Androscoggin Bank Colisee or held in a tiny, poorly-lit room with a few chairs set up around a cage.
“Personally it doesn’t matter who or how many people are watching,” stated Harvey. “I’m going to put on a show whether there are 20 people or 20,000. I love to entertain. After Caleb hooks on to me he’ll know he’s been in a fight.”
Jason Lachance (0-1) from MMA Athletix in Bath, Maine is scheduled to meet Steven Bang (3-2) of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Auburn, Maine at “NEF XVI.” Lachance credits the level of talent on the NEF roster with bringing in large crowds like the crowd expected on February 7.
“NEF has a lot of talent on this night of fights, as they always do,” said Lachance. “I expect nothing less than an exciting night for the fans. The support from our fans means everything, and my fellow fighters and I come ready to throw down and send everyone home with even more anticipation for the next event. God has blessed us with another opportunity to do what we love to do in front of so many.”
Billy “Bigfoot” Leahy (1-1) will also see action at “NEF XVI” when he steps into the cage to face debuting independent fighterBrandon Lessard (0-0) in a heavyweight bout. Leahy got the first win of his MMA career this past September at “NEF XIV” before some 2,000-plus fans at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. As such, he is familiar with the feeling that comes from performing for a massive, ravenous fight crowd.
“I’m expecting a great night of fights,” exclaimed Leahy. “I am honored to be on such a great card. The NEF fans are like no other, and I can’t wait to put on a great show in front of my family, friends and fans.”
NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVI,” takes place on February 7, 2015with an all-star lineup of fights scheduled. Ray “All Business” Wood (5-0) returns that night to defend the NEF MMA Featherweight Title against Bellator and WEC veteran Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (16-9). NFL and UFC The Ultimate Fighterveteran Tyler King (7-2) puts the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title on the line against Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-2). In the feature bout of the evening, UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce veteranNah-Shon Burrell (10-5) makes his NEF MMA debut against Ryan Hodge (6-9). Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 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.
Jake “The Gorilla” Pilla takes on NY Badass Danny Abad for CZ Title this Friday night!
This Friday January 30th, Combat Zone Champ Jake “The Gorilla” Pilla puts his title on the line against NY native Danny Abad! This matchup has all the makings for an explosive fight and will surely leave the fans cheering!
Guillermo Rigondeaux encouraged by Oscar de la Hoya comment about Leo Santa Cruz unification fight
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MIAMI (Jan. 28, 2015) – World Boxing Association (WBA) Super, World Boxing Organization (WBO) and The Ring Magazine super bantamweight champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs) is encouraged by reports that World Boxing Council (WBC) title-holder Leo Santa Cruz‘ promoter, Oscar de la Hoya, believes a Rigondeaux-Santa Cruz unification fight has to happen.
BOXING RETURNS TO PRIMETIME NETWORK TELEVISION
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Boxing manager Adrian Clark releases mini documentary Adrian Clark: Before The Bell on Youtube
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Martin Aiming to ‘Gun’ Down Boylan This Saturday
St Neots, Camb’s Tommy ‘Da Gun’ Martin has the biggest fight of his young career this coming Saturday, when he challenges Carshalton’s Ricky Boylan for the vacant English Super Lightweight title, on the Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport promoted CAPITAL PUNISHMENT mega show, at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London.
Tommy, who’s just twenty years of age, has already amassed a career record of ten bouts, ten wins and three of those victories came by way of stoppage finishes.
Back in April last year, Tommy secured his first Championship win, the British Masters Bronze, with a shutout points victory over Michael Maloney.
Whilst young Tommy was busy celebrating his success, he was totally unaware that this victory had bought him to the attention of the UK’s two top promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren.
After meeting with both, Tommy decided that the chance to fight on the huge Matchroom Sport shows, whose events are broadcast live on Sky Sports, was his preferred choice.
As such his next fight see him travelling to Liverpool to face Ainsley Seivwright on the undercard of the Matchroom Sport promoted Tony Bellew versus Julio Cesar Dos Santos WBO International title fight.
With another solid victory under his belt, Eddie Hearn decided to really test his latest signing, by having him face Southampton’s Matty Tew in a ten rounder, needless to say Tommy came through with flying colours, stopping the highly experienced Tew in the seventh round, in doing so earning the right to make his first challenge for a major domestic title.
Following one of his final training sessions, a clearly elated Tommy spoke briefly about the upcoming showdown with Ricky Boylan.
“Yeah I’m over the moon, absolutely over the moon with it.
I’ve been training really hard for this for eleven, twelve weeks or so, I literally had a week off after my last fight and got straight back into the gym as soon as I heard the news about getting a shot at the English title.
I’m taking this opportunity with both hands, it’s what I want, I want to be fighting for titles, that’s why I’m boxing I want to be a Champion, not just any champion, I want to do this the old fashioned route, English, British, European and then go for the big one – World.
Everyone is saying this is as genuine a fifty-fifty fight as they come, not just the fight but also those forecasting the result. A lot of people are saying Boylan and an equal number of people are saying Martin, to my mind it is all going to come down to which Ricky Boylan or which Tommy Martin turns up on the night.
I honestly believe my plan A will be better than his plan A and my plan B is better than his plan B.
I can’t see him out-boxing me and I can’t see him out working me, I think I will be too quick and too sharp for him.
Winning the British Masters for me was a massive stepping stone, I absolutely loved the moment, it was an excellent stepping stone for titles like this one I have coming up. It gave me my first experience of Championship boxing, which puts me on the front foot on Saturday as I have already fought a title fight.
I want to say a huge thank you to close to five hundred fans that are coming down to support me on Saturday night, I really appreciate you getting behind me it means everything to me and hopefully I’ll give you a really good show and if all goes to plan I’ll have the English belt round my waist at the end of the night.
I promise I’m not going to make it easy for him, hopefully I’ll give him real problems on the night”
Tommy’s manager, the esteemed Champions TKO supremo Johnny Eames then spoke about his young charge and his upcoming showdown with ex TKO fighter Ricky Boylan.
“This is Tommy’s biggest fight to date, what’s more it’s against an ex-TKO fighter, Ricky Boylan.
It’s a genuine 50/50 fight, you can toss a coin to see who is going to win this one, it really is that close.
Obviously I lean towards Tommy, or else I wouldn’t have taken the fight on, but it ain’t going to be a push over.
Ricky comes to fight, he prepares himself well and he’s trained by my old mate Jamie Moore, with the Manchester boys, so we know he’s going to be well prepared.
I’m really looking forward to the fight, it’ll be a great fight.”
June White Joins the FNU Combat Sports Show TONIGHT!
By: Rich Bergeron
Our special guest this week on the FNU Combat Sports Show is June White. It’s perfect timing since I just received this message on Twitter the other day:
“You are blocked from following @danawhite and viewing @danawhite‘s Tweets.”
June White (@JuneWhiteMMA) will join Tom, Tony and Rich on the FNU Combat Sports Show TONIGHT to discuss her unauthorized biography on the UFC President known for his brash language and a ruthless approach to building and expanding the UFC brand. Her book is an unflattering, honest look into the life of the former boxercise instructor who now rules over the UFC with an iron fist and a loud mouth. Check out this telling YouTube Promo for “Dana White, King of MMA:”
“Psychic” Tom Padgett, “Rabble Rousin’” Rich Bergeron and Tony “The Tornado” Penecale also have a ton of combat sports events and news to discuss this week.
Click Here to Listen to our broadcast Live from 8-10PM EST Tonight. Use the same link to access the recording of the show. The June White interview starts at 9:15 PM EST.