Tag Archives: Derek Campos

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

MARCOS GALVAO CLAIMS BELLATOR BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP WITH SECOND-ROUND SUBMISSION VICTORY OVER FORMER CHAMPION JOE WARREN

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CREDIT: Bellator / Eric Coleman – Additional photos below

THACKERVILLE. Okla. – March 27, 2015 – Joe Warren (12-4) may very well be “The Baddest Man on the Planet,” but Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) is the new Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Champion.

 

In a rematch of a controversial 2011 affair, Galvao earned a verbal submission win after a kneebar forced Warren to scream out in pain. The two met in the headlining contest of Friday’s “Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao” event at Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla.

 

The action was fast-paced from the opening bell with both fighters finding success. It was Warren’s takedowns that served as the primary offense, but Galvao always seemed to find an answer. He would make Warren pay in the second.

 

As the fight hit the floor again early in the second frame, Galvao transitioned to a kneebar, and as he applied the hold, Warren screamed out in pain, earning an intervention from referee John McCarthy 45 seconds into the second round. The contest was waved off via verbal submission, and Galvao was awarded the win and the Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Title.
The night’s co-main event saw L.C. Davis (23-6) and Hideo Tokoro (32-28-2) combine for an instant classic and a candidate for “Fight of the Year”, with Davis eventually earning a hard-fought split-decision victory scored 29-28 Tokoro, 29-28 twice Davis. The action was fast-paced from start to finish, with both men finding success in brutal striking exchanges, as well as slick grappling sequences. It was the type of fight which truly produces no loser, but Davis did just enough to get the official victory.

“The guy has fought the best,” Davis said of Tokoro. “I knew he was going to be tough. I thought I was going to put him away but I wasn’t able to; hats off to him.
“Next fight, I would like a title shot or a No. 1 contender.”
Tokoro admitted he disagreed with the razor-thin call but declined to blame anyone other than himself.
“I don’t agree with the split-decision, but I have to respect the judges’ decision,” Tokoro said. “I think there were many things I could’ve improved in the fight, but I think I did very well with my wrestling.”
In a light heavyweight contest, Francis Carmont (23-10) earned a decision win overGuilherme Viana (6-2), but it certainly didn’t come easy. After nearly finishing Viana in the second round with strikes, Carmont found himself defending a series of choke attempts in the third. Carmont’s defense was sound, and was granted a decision win, 29-28 on all three cards.
In the night’s first main-card contest, Ryan Couture (10-3) picked up a quick submission win over Dakota Cochrane (18-8), earning the tap at the 3:23 mark in the first round. It was Cochrane who initiated the grappling game, but Couture made him pay by moving to his back and sinking in a rear-naked choke that ended the fight.

 

Rashad Coulter (5-1) wrapped up the preliminary card with an impressive first-round TKO of Jeremiah O’Neal (13-25). The Bellator MMA newcomer overwhelmed his opponent with heavy punches and brutal knees to the body, scoring the finish by strikes just 1:44 into the opening round.
In a spirited featherweight matchup, Emmanuel Sanchez (10-1) dominated early and then survived a late rally attempt from a game Alejandro Villalobos (17-4) to walk away with a decision win, 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.
Sean Holden (3-1) couldn’t quite get a finish over Tim Roman (2-2), but he did just about everything he could to pick up a victory over fellow welterweight Roman. Dominating the action from start to finish, Holden ended the first round with a deep rear-naked choke attempt and finished the third punching away in full mount, but Roman simply wouldn’t go away. Still, Holden was awarded a clear win, 30-27 on all three judges’ cards.
In middleweight action, Neal Ewing’s wrestling game proved too strong for Logan Nail (1-1). Ewing (6-0) took the fight to the floor repeatedly throughout the three-round affair, and while he was never especially close to finishing the fight, he cruised to a decision win 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27.
Although Stephen Banaszak (4-4) missed weight for a planned featherweight matchup with Brad Mitchell (4-2), he still picked up an impressive submission win. Banaszak declined to engage his opponent on the feet, instead searching for takedown opportunities at every turn. The strategy worked, as Banaszak picked up just the second omo plata win in Bellator MMA history, tapping out Mitchell at the 2:51mark of the second round.
In flyweight action Klayton Mai (7-1) missed on early opportunity to finish Xavier Siller(5-4) via rear-naked choke but went back to the position later in the opening round. While he couldn’t quite get the choke, he adjusted the hold to a neck crank and scored the submission at the 3:55 mark of the first.
In the night’s first contest, bantamweight George Pacurariu (9-4) used a beautiful hip toss to throw opponent J.P. Cole (2-3) to the floor, where he immediately locked in a modified armbar to score the submission at the 2:59 mark of the first frame.
About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

“BELLATOR: WARREN vs. GALVAO” OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR FRIDAY NIGHTS FIGHT ON SPIKE TV

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“I’m not worried about anything that Marcos Galvao does, he’s just a body in front of me to punish. I have a focus and game plan. If I keep moving forward, no one can stop me.” – Joe Warren
“I am well prepared for wherever the fight goes. I am better than him in all aspects of MMA, including wrestling.” – Marcos Galvao
 

THACKERVILLE. Okla. – March 26, 2015 – Fighters took to the scales and successfully hit their targeted weights Thursday afternoon at the WinStar World Casino & Resort, the site of tomorrow’s highly anticipated “Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao” event, which airs LIVE and FREE on Spike at 9 p.m. ET.

 

“Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao” is headlined by a rematch of a controversial fight between Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Joe Warren (12-3) and Marcos Galvao (16-6-1).  Many people felt that the Brazillian Galvao was robbed in their first match up, and now Warren looks to win in convincing fashion tomorrow night.

 

The event also features a bantamweight co-main event between L.C. Davis (22-6) and Japanese mainstay Hideo Tokoro (32-27-2).

Joe Warren (134.4 lbs.) vs. Marcos Galvao (134.6 lbs.)

LC Davis (135.4 lbs.) vs. Hideo Tokoro (135.6 lbs.)

Francis Carmont (204.8 lbs.) vs. Guilherme Viana (205.6lbs.)

Ryan Couture (156 lbs.) vs. Dakota Cochrane (205.6 lbs.)
George “Geo” Pacurariu (135.8 lbs.) vs. J.P. Cole (134.4 lbs.)
Klayton Mai (126 lbs.) vs. Xavier Siller (126 lbs.)
Brad Mitchell (145.4 lbs.) vs. Stephen Banaszak (146.8 lbs.)
Emmanuel Sanchez (145.4 lbs.) vs. Alejandro Villalobos (145.2 lbs.)
Logan Nail (184.8 lbs.) vs. Neil Ewing (184.6 lbs.)
Sean Holden (169.6 lbs.) vs. Tim Roman (170.8 lbs.)
Rashad Coulter (229.8 lbs.) vs. Jeremiah O’Neal (242.4 lbs.)

Additional fighter photos / Credit Bellator/Eric Coleman
PRE-FIGHT QUOTES:

 

Joe Warren: 

“It’s an honor to be fighting again at WinStar Casino. I’ve been here three or four times and my fans show up and we sell out the venue. It’s really exciting to have the opportunity to beat up another Brazilian tomorrow.

 

“I always perform better in the bigger events in front of my fans. I rise to that level, it’s from my Olympic background.

 

“I’m not worried about anything that Marcos Galvao does, he’s just a body in front of me to punish. I have a focus and game plan. If I keep moving forward, no one can stop me.

 

“I am 100 percent looking for the knockout. I am trying to be the champion everybody wants me to.

 

“If it’s a five round fight, I am ready for that. This is a championship fight and MMA is the most unpredictable sport. Of course I would like to finish every single opponent in the first minute of the first round, but if that doesn’t happen and I am ready for good long fight.

 

“I am ready for whoever they put in front of me. Whoever is in that cage with me, I am going to punish. I want to keep this belt for as long as I can.”

 

Marcos Galvao:

“I have never felt better going into a fight. I had the best training camp I have ever had, I am ready for tomorrow.
“I am well prepared for wherever the fight goes. I am better than him in all aspects of MMA, including wrestling.
“It is a dream come true to be fighting on SPIKE. Everybody back home in Brazil is very excited to watch me fight. They all have their big screens up in their house and are ready to cheer me on.”

  “Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao” – Friday, March 27, WinStar World Casino, Thackerville, Okla.
Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Bantamweight Title Fight: Champ Joe Warren (12-3) vs. Marcos Galvao (16-6-1)

Bellator Bantamweight Feature Fight: L.C. Davis (22-6) vs. Hideo Tokoro (32-27)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Francis Carmont (22-10) vs. Guilherme Viana (6-1)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Ryan Couture (9-3) vs. Dakota Cochrane (18-7)

Preliminary Card (6:30 p.m. ET)

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Sean Holden (2-1) vs. Tim Roman (2-1)

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: Neal Ewing (5-0) vs. Logan Nail (1-0)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Emmanuel Sanchez (9-1) vs. Alejandro Villalobos (17-3)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Stephen Banaszak (3-4) vs. Brad Mitchell (4-1)

Bellator Flyweight Prelim Fight: Klayton Mai (6-1) vs. Xavier Siller (5-3)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: J.P. Cole (2-2) vs. Geo Pacurariu (8-4)

Swing Bout

Bellator Heavyweight Prelim Fight: Rashad Coulter (4-1) vs. Jeremiah O’Neal (13-24)

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

Two of MMA’s biggest superstars clash on Friday, June 19 at “Bellator: Unfinished Business” – Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock

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Also: Former Lightweight Champ and Mizzou wrestling star Michael Chandler takes on Derek Campos

 

Event date changed to June 19 – Tickets on-sale March 27

 

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (March 24, 2015) – Their names transcend the sport of MMA.  Kimbo.  Shamrock.

Two of the most recognizable fighters in combat sports – Kimbo Slice and “The World’s Most Dangerous Man,” Ken Shamrock – will now battle in the Bellator cage on Friday, June 19.   “Bellator: Unfinished Business” will air Live and Free on Spike TV from inside St. Louis’ Scottrade Center.

On October 4, 2008, a freak accident robbed the MMA world of one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the sport. On Friday, June 19, Bellator MMA will right that wrong.  Street fighting legend and YouTube sensation Kimbo Slice and “The World’s Most Dangerous Man,” Ken Shamrock, have agreed to renew their rivalry and will now meet in the main event of “Bellator: Unfinished Business,”

“I remember how excited I was when this fight was originally announced, and how disappointed I was when it didn’t come to fruition at that time,” said Bellator President Scott Coker.  “I’m very happy we were able to put this one together because I know these guys still have a lot of unfinished business to take care of, and when they do, it will be something special.”

Additionally, former Bellator MMA World Lightweight Champion and Mizzou wrestling standout Michael Chandler meets Derek “The Stallion” Campos in a featured contest.

More bouts will be announced shortly.

Tickets for “Bellator: Unfinished Business,” which range from $30 to $200, go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 27, at Bellator.com and Ticketmaster.com. Online presales begin on Wednesday, March 25.

The two superstar headliners each played featured roles in the two most-watched MMA contests in U.S. television history.

For Slice, a chance to revisit the matchup provides an opportunity to rewrite history.

“Ken Shedrack, I owe you this ass whooping,” Slice said. “No more running! No more hiding!”

Meanwhile, Shamrock is an MMA Hall of Famer and multiple-time world champion who is universally recognized as a true pioneer of the sport. Competing professionally since 1993, Shamrock has fought the absolute biggest names in the history of MMA, including Rich Franklin, Don Frye, Royce Gracie, Matt Hume, Ortiz, Bas Rutten, Kazushi Sakuraba and Dan Severn, among many others.

Shamrock believes his drive and determination have him in the best form of his career.

“I am back,” Shamrock said. “It’s good to be performing again for my fans. I feel great, and my health is great. Age should never be a factor if an athlete is healthy, in great shape, and has the drive to continue their sport. I will quit fighting when I want to.”

And for Shamrock, the frustration of that bizarre 2008 night has lingered for years. Now is a chance to prove he would have been the one with his hand raised.

“Kimbo Slice and I have some unfinished business,” Shamrock said. “I am a fighter – that’s who I am. Fighting has always invigorated me.”

Chandler is a former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri who opened his professional MMA career with 12 consecutive victories, including Bellator MMA wins over Eddie Alvarez, Patricky Pitbull, Marcin Held and Rick Hawn, among others. Along the way, Chandler picked up the Bellator MMA lightweight belt, defending it twice before losing it in a hard-fought split-decision result to Will Brooks.

Campos is a 26-year-old Texas-based fighter who is 6-1 in his past seven overall contests. A professional fighter since 2009, Campos has fought five times under the Bellator MMA banner and now looks to announce himself as a true title contender with an impressive win over a former champion.

THIS WEEK: Catch Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Joe Warren defend his title in a rematch against a very dangerous Marcos Galvao.  The event airs Live and Free on Spike this Friday, March 27 at 9/8c from the WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, OK.

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

About Scottrade Center:

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary this season, Scottrade Center is a contemporary, 12-story glass and concrete structure located in the heart of downtown St. Louis. The home of the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club, Scottrade Center also features a full range of arena programming, including concerts, ice shows, family shows and other sporting events. Scottrade Center is consistently ranked by Pollstar Magazine as one of the top grossing arenas in the country.