Tag Archives: Ed Soares

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA, women's MMA

MACKENZIE DERN RETURNS AT LFA 24 – FRINCU vs. MILLENDER

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FEATURE FIGHT:
 
MULTIPLE-TIME JIU-JITSU WORLD CHAMPION
MACKENZIE DERN
vs.
IFBB PROFESSIONAL FITNESS COMPETITOR
MANDY “MISSDEMEANOR” POLK
 
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
 
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13th LIVE on AXS TV
COMERICA THEATRE in PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Tickets are on sale NOW through ComericaTheatre.com
 
HOUSTON, Texas –  Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the MMA super prospect Mackenzie Dern will return to the LFA Octagon in her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona at LFA 24.

The previously announced main event of LFA 24 will feature a welterweight war between two of the division’s marquee names when Australian annihilator Matthew “Thunder From Down Under” Frincu faces off with southern California juggernaut “Curtious” Curtis Millender. LFA 24 – Frincu vs. Millender takes place Friday, October 13th at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“Mackenzie Dern will return to the LFA Octagon in front of her hometown crowd at LFA 24,” stated Soares. “Dern is one of the most accomplished jiu-jitsu competitors to ever crossover into MMA. OnOctober 13th, she will face RFA vet and IFBB professional fitness competitor Mandy Polk in the flyweight division.”
Tickets for LFA 24 – Frincu vs. Millender are available for purchase NOW at ComericaTheatre.com.
Dern (3-0) is the daughter of legendary jiu-jitsu and judo black belt Wellington “Megaton” Dias. She began training with her father at an early age in the Phoenix area and is now widely considered one of the most accomplished jiu-jitsu practitioners to ever compete in MMA. The multiple-time jiu-jitsu world champion has won a world title at every rank (blue belt through black belt) and in 2015 added an ADCC Submission Wrestling World title to her trophy case. Dern will look to defend that ADCC title this weekend in Finland. After ADCC 2017, the woman who former UFC champion Benson Henderson famously stated “will be bigger than Ronda Rousey”, will return to the LFA Octagon in front of her hometown crowd at LFA 24.
Polk (3-3) will be the woman waiting to welcome Dern to the flyweight division. This is the UFC’s newest weight class that is currently being featured on the current season of the UFC’s hit reality television series The Ultimate Fighter (TUF 26). “MissDemeanor” is a native of the Memphis, Tennessee area and holds a purple belt in jiu-jitsu. She is also a high school wrestling coach and IFBB professional fitness competitor. Polk competed at the final RFA event (RFA 46) before RFA merged with Legacy FC. Upon signing with RFA and knowing about the eventual merger, Polk made her intentions clear that she would love the opportunity to compete against Dern, who was competing for Legacy FC. Polk will now get her wish at LFA 24.
Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Matthew Frincu (11-2) vs. Curtis Millender (12-3)
Co-Main Event | Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
– Joey Miolla (9-2) vs. Vinicius Zani (10-4)
Women’s Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
– Mackenzie Dern (3-0) vs. Mandy Polk (3-3)
Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– LaRue Burley (7-3) vs. Maycon Mendonça (6-2)
Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Cory Sandhagen (5-1) vs. Randy Steinke (18-11-1)
Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
– Kevin Natividad (4-0) vs. Glen Baker (3-2)
Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– Keoni Diggs (4-0) vs. Nick Chasteen (0-0)
In September, RFA and Legacy FC officials announced that they would be merging to form the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. RFA and Legacy FC have launched the careers of over 100 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
LFA 24 will serve as the second LFA event to take place in the state of Arizona. The promotion’s first trip to “The Grand Canyon State” took place in May. The entire main card of LFA 24 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.
mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA RETURNS TO MINNESOTA IN AUGUST

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LFA 20 – CURRY vs. BARNES

MAIN EVENT:
 
CHAD “BLITZ” CURRY
vs. 
NICK “THE PHOENIX” BARNES
 
WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
 
 
CO-MAIN EVENT:
 
BOBBY “THE WOLFMAN” MOFFETT
vs.
“NASTY” NATE JENNERMAN
 
FEATHERWEIGHT WAR
 
 
PLUS:
 
Women’s MMA Pioneer
KELLY “BLOOD RED” KOBOLD
vs.
Knockout Artist
CHRISTINE “KNUCKLES” STANLEY
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25th LIVE on AXS TV
LIVE at the MYSTIC SHOWROOM in PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
Tickets are on sale NOW through MysticLake.com
HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the LFA will make its third trip to Minnesota at the end of August with a welterweight headliner and the return of two revered Minnesotans.
The main event of LFA 20 will feature a welterweight war between rising star Chad “Blitz” Curry and former RFA title challenger Nick “The Phoenix” Barnes. LFA 20 – Curry vs. Barnes takes place Friday, August 25th at the Mystic Lake Showroom in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“I’m happy to bring the LFA back to Minnesota for a third time this year”, stated Soares. “We have a great history of bringing exciting fights to the area, and this card will continue that tradition.  Both Curry and Barnes have shown to be aggressive, physical fighters, and I really want to see how this match up plays out. Mystic Lake has been a great partner and we look forward to bringing LFA 20 to the Mystic Lake Showroom on August 25th.”
Tickets for LFA 20 – Curry vs. Barnes are available for purchase NOW at MysticLake.com.
Curry (9-1) has transformed himself from one of Minnesota’s most popular fighters to one of the sport’s most exciting and promising prospects. The man aptly known as “Blitz” has decimated his last two opponents since moving up to welterweight. In fact, all nine men that he has defeated, never saw the final round. Curry is able to do this by utilizing a unique blend of technical grappling and stout ground-and-pound. The 27-year-old Minnesotan now faces a huge test as he gets set to headline his first televised event at LFA 20.
Barnes (11-2) makes his LFA debut roughly twelve months after competing for the RFA welterweight world title. The Wyoming native, who now calls San Diego, California home, has taken the time since that fight to strengthen his already formidable skill set. After coming up short in that title fight to a man who was then immediately signed to the UFC, the 26-year-old known as “The Phoenix” will look to live by the famous words of S.A. Sachs: “Hope rises like a Phoenix from the ashes of shattered dreams.” The Phoenix will look to rise again at LFA 20.
The co-main event of LFA 20 will feature a highly-anticipated match-up between two of the promotion’s top featherweightcontenders. Bobby “The Wolfman” Moffett (9-2) and “Nasty” Nate Jennerman (9-2) will face off in a high-stakes affair as the two contenders jockey for position at the top of the division. The pair of featherweight standouts share more than just identical records. They both have roots in the famed RFA promotion. Moffett who trains at The MMA LAB in Glendale, Arizona competed three times for the RFA. Meanwhile, Jennerman who trains at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin finished his amateur career for the promotion.
The main card of LFA 20 will also feature the return of women’s MMA pioneer Kelly “Blood Red” Kobold. After a six and a half year hiatus from the sport, she will take on knockout artist Christine “Knuckles” Stanley.
Kobold (18-3-1) is one of the most respected women in the sport. She has enjoyed an illustrious professional MMA career that dates back fifteen years. A true pioneer in women’s MMA, the warrior known as “Blood Red” has been there moving behind the scenes, cutting a bloody path through the ages until suddenly, just like that, she up and disappeared in 2011. Now she is back at 125-pounds, ready to stake a claim at the top of the division.
Stanley (5-3) will be the woman waiting to welcome Kobold back to the sport she helped pioneer. The San Diego native has built a career around an explosive striking base that has earned her a reputation as one of the most feared knockout artists in the division. The RFA vet holds one of the fastest knockouts in combat sports. That knockout came in 5-seconds with a highlight reel Flying Spinning Hook Kick back in 2014. “Knuckles” has earned four of her five wins by way of KO or TKO and now looks to pick up the biggest win of her career at LFA 20.
Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Chad Curry (9-1) vs. Nick Barnes (11-2)
Co-Main Event | Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Bobby Moffett (9-2) vs. Nate Jennerman (9-2)
Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– Travis Perzynski (21-9) vs. Carl Wittstock (9-1)
Women’s Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
– Kelly Kobold (18-3-1) vs. Christine Stanley (5-3)
Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– Bobby Lee (6-1) vs. Ashkan Morvari (13-6)
Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– Jeff Peterson (7-4) vs. Brandon Jenkins (10-4)
Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
Mitch White (3-1) vs. Jesse Wannemacher (3-1)
In September 2016, RFA and Legacy FC officials announced that they would be merging to form the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. RFA and Legacy FC have launched the careers of over 100 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
LFA 20 will be the third LFA event to take place in the state of Minnesota. RFA and Legacy FC hosted a combined nine events in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” before the merger. Six of those events took place under the RFA banner inside the Mystic Lake Showroom. The entire main card of LFA 20 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.
mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA RETURNS TO MMA HOTBED IN SOUTH DAKOTA WITH LFA 19: MICHAUD vs.RODRIGUES

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 MAIN EVENT:
“BULLDAWG”
DAVID MICHAUD
vs.
“BAD BOY”
CIRO RODRIGUES
 
WELTERWEIGHT WAR
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18th LIVE on AXS TV
SANFORD PENTAGON in SIOUX FALLS, SD
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through Ticketmaster.com
HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will continue its tradition of MMA excellence in South Dakota at LFA 19. This is a rich and exciting history that began three years ago at RFA 17, which served as the state’s first sanctioned MMA event.
The main event of LFA 19 will feature a welterweight war between three-time UFC vet David “Bulldawg” Michaud and Brazilian powerhouse Ciro “Bad Boy” Rodrigues. LFA 19 – Michaud vs. Rodrigues takes place Friday, August 18th at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“LFA 19 will add to an exciting MMA history in South Dakota that began three summers ago with the RFA,” stated Soares. “We brought the first sanctioned MMA event to the state at RFA 17, we hosted the first MMA world title fight in the state, and ten of the fighters that competed for us in South Dakota have gone on to fight in the UFC.”
Tickets for LFA 19 – Michaud vs. Rodrigues are available for purchase NOW at Ticketmaster.com. You can also support your favorite fighter by purchasing your tickets at CombatTickets.com.
Michaud (11-3) is one of the most beloved and successful fighters to hail from the state of South Dakota. Born and raised in Pine Ridge, South Dakota on the western side of the state, Michaud won a state title in wrestling for Pine Ridge High School during his senior season. He went on to wrestle at the NCAA Division I level for South Dakota State University (SDSU) before crossing over into MMA. The man known as “Bulldawg” has competed at the highest level of MMA as well. Michaud was a contestant on the sixteenth season of the UFC’s hit reality show The Ultimate Fighter (TUF 16) and fought three times for the UFC. Since leaving the UFC, Michaud has earned dominant wins for the RFA and LFA. The MMA LAB product now returns to his home state in the main event of LFA 19.
Rodrigues (20-7) has run roughshod over the MMA scene in Brazil for the past 11 years. The Brazilian known as “Bad Boy” made his professional MMA debut when he was only 17-years-old. He has since made an indelible mark on the fight scene in his home country. The Nova União trained fighter won one of Brazil’s most prestigious titles, when he captured the Jungle Fight world title in 2015. That win came during an impressive streak, which has seen Rodrigues win seven of his last eight fights over the past four years. Rodrigues is now looking to make his name known on a global scale when makes his highly-anticipated international debut on August 18th. That will happen when he faces his toughest and most accomplished opponent to date in the main event of LFA 19.
LFA 19 will continue a rich and fascinating history of MMA greatness in the state of South Dakota. This history began three summers ago at RFA 17. That event was the first sanctioned MMA event in the state’s history. RFA 17 hosted the first two world title fights in South Dakota history and also served as the first MMA event in the state that was televised worldwide. RFA 37 was the final RFA event in the state of South Dakota and it was featured on UFC President Dana White’s hit reality show Dana White: Lookin’ For A Fight. Five fighters from that event were signed to the UFC and another two signed with Bellator. That includes every fighter that won on the main card and another fighter that won on the undercard.
RFA visited South Dakota a total of four times and produced an incredible amount of talent at those four events. Ten fighters went on to compete for the UFC and five more would go on to fight for Bellator. Christos Giagos, Luke Sanders, Devin Clark, Geane Herrera, Khalil Rountree, Matthew Lopez, Terrion Ware, Jordan Johnson, Joe Gigliotti, and Brian Camozzi are the ten fighters that competed for the RFA in South Dakota before signing with the UFC. Justin Lawrence, Mark Dickman, Francisco France, Leandro Higo, and Logan Storley are the five fighters that competed for the RFA in South Dakota before signing with Bellator.
Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– David Michaud (11-3) vs. Ciro Rodrigues (20-7)
Feature Bout | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Clarence Jordan (9-3-1) vs Marcus Edwards (12-5)
In September 2016, RFA and Legacy FC officials announced that they would be merging to form the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. RFA and Legacy FC have launched the careers of over 100 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
LFA 19 will serve as the second LFA event to take place in the state of South Dakota. RFA visited “The Mount Rushmore State” four times before the merger. That includes RFA 17, which was the first sanctioned MMA event to take place in the state of South Dakota. Further information about LFA 19 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 19 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.
mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA RETURNS TO OKLAHOMA WITH ANOTHER WORLD TITLE

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LFA BRINGS 
FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT
 TO THE “SOONER STATE” IN AUGUST
LFA 18 – AGUILAR vs. RADER

MAIN EVENT:
LFA FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION
KEVIN “ANGEL OF DEATH” AGUILAR
vs.
LFA #1 CONTENDER
JUSTIN “DARTH” RADER
FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
CO-MAIN EVENT:
BRENDAN ALLEN
vs.
CHRIS HARRIS
MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
SPECIAL ATTRACTION:
UFC VET
MIKE “THE TRUTH” JACKSON
vs.
Cris Cyborg’s older brother
RAFAEL “JACKAL” JUSTINO
WELTERWEIGHT WAR
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4th LIVE on AXS TV
FIRELAKE ARENA in SHAWNEE, OKLAHOMA
Tickets are on sale NOW through StubWire.com
HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will be bringining a featherweight world title fight to Oklahoma to kick off a busy August schedule.
The main event of LFA 18 will feature the return of LFA featherweight champion Kevin “The Angel of Death” Aguilar. He will put his title on the line against LFA featherweight #1 contender Justin “Darth” Rader in one of the most highly-anticipated featherweight title fights of the year. LFA 18 – Aguilar vs. Rader takes place Friday, August 4th at the FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“LFA is bringing a featherweight world title fight to Oklahoma at LFA 18,” stated Soares. “Kevin Aguilar is the LFA featherweight world champion and one of the most exciting prospects in the sport. He won the title with one of the best knockouts of the year at LFA 4. Aguilar will defend his title for the first time against Justin Rader, who is a world-class grappler and the #1 contender. Rader earned his shot at the title with his big win at LFA 15.”
Tickets for LFA 18 – Aguilar vs. Rader are available for purchase NOW at StubWire.com.
Aguilar (12-1) has long been considered one of the top pound-for-pound prospects in MMA. In February, the final Legacy FC featherweight champion strengthened that argument by capturing the inaugural LFA featherweight title against his longtime rival Damon Jackson with one of the most talked about knockout victories of the year. The proud Texan trains alongside LFA welterweight champion Derrick Krantz in Longview, Texas, but will have his first title defense on the road. Aguilar will put his title on the line when he heads into enemy territory to face one of the most revered fighters in the state of Oklahoma.
“I’ve been training nonstop and getting ready for defend my title. Now I get to show everyone what I’ve been working on,” Aguilar explained. “I’m looking forward to fighting in enemy territory, because that is the life of a champion. I will win over the crowd with an exciting fight. Justin Rader is a world-class grappler and I’m excited that he signed the paperwork. He has earned his shot. I have been training harder than I have ever trained before and I can’t wait to defend my title at LFA 18.”
Rader (7-2) is one of the most decorated grapplers to hail from a state that is synonymous with grappling. The proud Oklahoman is a two-time IBJJF no-gi jiu-jitsu world champion as a black belt, he is a 2013 ADCC Submission Grappling World Championship bronze medalist, and he was the runner-up in the Oklahoma high school wrestling championship in 2005. Rader also holds the distinct honor of being Rafael Lovato Jr.’s first black belt in jiu-jitsu. Rader will now look to add the biggest piece of hardware to his massive trophy case when he vies for the LFA featherweight title.
“I’m fighting The Angel of Death. His nickname says it all,” Rader exclaimed. “Kevin Aguilar is without a doubt, the best fighter I have ever faced. He is extremely dangerous, seasoned, and his fight demeanor is second to none. He stays at home and doesn’t force anything. The best opponents always pull the best out of me.  I just fought a little over a week ago, so to be able to turn around and fight for the title four weeks later is a great opportunity. When opportunity knocks, I answer.”
The co-main event of LFA 18 will feature a high-stakes middleweight showdown between two of the most popular middleweight prospects in the promotion. Brendan Allen (7-2) returns to the LFA Octagon after engaging in a five-round war with Eryk Anders for the inaugural LFA middleweight title in the main event of LFA 14. He came up short on the judge’s score cards, but won over a large new fan base due to the entertaining title contest that is a front-runner for “Fight of the Year”. Allen now looks to bounce back into title contention when he faces Chris Harris (9-1) in the co-main event of LFA 18. Harris is coming off a dominant win over Cortez Coleman in the co-main event of LFA 15 last month. He utilized his impressive striking skills throughout the contest and is eager to do the same next month in the co-main event of LFA 18.
LFA 18 will also feature a special attraction at welterweight. Rafael “Jackal” Justino (2-1) will make his LFA debut just six days after his younger sister Cris “Cyborg” Justino fights for the UFC women’s featherweight tile at UFC 214. He will meet UFC vet and wildly popular media personality Mike “The Truth” Jackson (0-1) who holds the impressive distinction of being one of only a handful of fighters to make their professional MMA debut in the UFC.
 
Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)
Main Event | Featherweight Title Bout (145 lb)
– Kevin Aguilar (12-1) vs. Justin Rader (7-2)
Co-Main Event | Middleweight Bout (185 lb)
– Brendan Allen (7-2) vs. Chris Harris (9-1)
Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Braden Smith (8-1) vs. Chancey Foxworth (6-4)
Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Rafael Justino (2-1) vs. Mike Jackson (0-1)
Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
– Tyler Shinn (8-3) vs. Chris Kelades (9-3)
Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– Daryl Wilson (6-1) vs. Jarrod Card (16-8-1)
In September, Legacy FC and RFA officials announced that they would be merging to form the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. Legacy FC and RFA have launched the careers of over 100 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
LFA 18 will serve as the third LFA event to take place in the state of Oklahoma after the merger. Legacy FC visited “The Sooner State” seven times before the merger. Further information about LFA 18 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 18 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.
boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale

FNU Combat Sports Show: Weekly Wrap Up

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Tony Penecale, Tom Padgett and Rich Bergeron break down the week that was in combat sports and look forward to upcoming events in this September 22 broadcast. We discuss Liam Smith’s brutal knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez, preview Kovalev vs. Ward, and outline the upcoming weekend’s boxing schedule. We also discuss Don King’s “N-word” slip and a couple examples of fighters being upset with the rigors of fighting professionally. First, we examine why Joe Warren had no sponsors going into his bout last Friday that served as the co-main event of Bellator 161. Then we delve into the Al Iaquinta contract dispute with the UFC that took him off UFC 205 recently. We also look back on UFC Fight Night 94 and preview UFC Fight Night 95.

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, RFA

RFA 41 – GIGLIOTTI vs. GILES

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MAIN EVENT:
“CAPO” JOE GIGLIOTTI vs. TREVIN GILES
 MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE CONTENDER BOUT
CO-MAIN EVENT:
 JAMALL EMMERS vs. RIVALDO JUNIOR
FEATHERWEIGHT WAR
FRIDAY, JULY 29TH, 2016 LIVE ON AXS TV
LIVE at the COWBOYS DANCE HALL in SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through Cowboys.ApexTicketing.com
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the RFA is heading to Texas at the end of July. The main event of RFA 41 will feature an explosive showdown between two of the sport’s top middleweight prospects. “Capo” Joe Gigliotti and Trevin Giles have finished every man they have faced in MMA and will now take aim at each other. RFA 41 – Gigliotti vs. Giles will take place Friday, July 29th at Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio, Texas. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
“I am thrilled to be bringing the RFA to Texas,” stated Soares. “The main event of RFA 41 features two of MMA’s top young talents. Joe Gigliotti and Trevin Giles are both undefeated and have stopped all of their opponents. This is an epic battle that Texas fight fans deserve.”
Tickets for RFA 41 – Gigliotti vs. Giles are available for purchase NOW at Cowboys.ApexTicketing.com or you can support your favorite fighter by purchasing your tickets through CageTix.com/RFA.
Gigliotti (7-0) has quickly gained the reputation as one of MMA’s most feared fighters. The 22-year-old Ohio native has finished all seven of his opponents. That includes the 58-second destruction of former RFA title challenger John Poppie at RFA 37 in April. That fight took place with UFC President Dana White sitting cageside. The UFC boss had very positive things to say to Gigliotti after the bout, which he used as added motivation heading into his next fight that was scheduled as the featured fight of RFA 39 this past Friday in Chicagoland. That fight, however, fell apart when his opponent Daniel Vizcaya backed out of the fight after badly missing weight. The Bellator and The Ultimate Fighter vet Vizcaya showed up to the RFA 39 weigh-in a whopping 7-pounds over the contracted weight. Gigliotti said he would fight Vizcaya anyway without even taking a percentage of his purse. The hometown veteran fighter Vizcaya backed out of the fight regardless.
Giles (6-0) is cut from the same cloth as Gigliotti. Not only is he a top undefeated middleweight prospect who has showcased his talents on AXS TV, but the 23-year-old Texan has also finished every man put in front of him. More importantly, Giles is down to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime and happily accepted the invitation to fight “Capo Joe” in his hometown of San Antonio. On Friday, July 29th, RFA 41 – Gigliotti vs. Giles in “Alamo City” will bring a new meaning to the Battle of the Alamo.
The co-main event of RFA 41 will feature a high-stakes featherweight war between a former RFA lightweight title challenger and a seasoned MMA vet from the Amazon region of northern Brazil. Jamall Emmers (9-3), who fights out of Pinnacle MMA in southern California, is coming off an action-packed lightweight title challenge in the main event of RFA 38 earlier this month. Emmers stepped up on a week’s notice and took RFA lightweight champion Thiago Moisés into the fifth round. The fight impressed UFC President Dana White, who was sitting cageside for the event.
Emmers will return to his former residence of San Antonio to face Rivaldo Junior (15-5-2), who is a native of Manaus, Brazil that now calls San Antonio home. The longtime Brazilian veteran of MMA has fought professionally for over 10 years. He has fought for prestigious Brazilian promotions Jungle Fight and Shooto Brazil and at one point had a fight scheduled with Raoni Barcelos, who is currently the reigning RFA featherweight champion. Junior looks to make his long-awaited international MMA debut in a bout he hopes will take him one step closer to finally challenging his fellow countryman Barcelos.
The full RFA 41 fight card and further information regarding this event will be announced soon. RFA 41 will be the promotion’s first event to take place in “The Lone Star State” of Texas and it will be the sixteenth state that the RFA has visited. The entire main card of RFA 41 – Gigliotti vs. Giles will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, July 29th.
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 recognized Friday 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 every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
mixed martial arts, MMA, RFA

RFA IS GOING TO CHICAGOLAND WITH  RFA 39 – BARCELOS vs. MOFFETT

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MAIN EVENT:
 RAONI BARCELOS
vs.
BOBBY “THE WOLFMAN” MOFFETT
 FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
FRIDAY, JUNE 17th LIVE on AXS TV
LIVE at THE HAMMOND CIVIC CENTER
 in HAMMOND, INDIANA
 
Tickets on Sale Now at CAGETIX.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the RFA will be making its first trip to Chicagoland in June with a championship headliner. The main event of RFA 39 features the first title defense of RFA featherweight champion Raoni Barcelos. He will put his title on the line against top prospect and local favorite Bobby “The Wolfman” Moffett. RFA 39 – Barcelos vs. Moffett takes place Friday, June 17th at the Hammond Civic Center in Hammond, Indiana. The main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
“I’m excited about bringing a world title fight to Hammond” stated Soares. “Our Featherweight champion Raoni Barcelos will defend his title for the first time against number one contender Bobby Moffett. These are two of the top featherweight prospects in the world and it’s the perfect way to show fight fans in the Chicago area what the RFA is all about.”
Tickets for RFA 39 – Barcelos vs. Moffett are now available for purchase. You can support your favorite fighter buy purchasing your tickets through CAGETIX.com
Barcelos (9-1) will defend his RFA featherweight title for the first time after enjoying a dominant 2015, which many MMA pundits saw coming several years ago. Barcelos was pegged for greatness in MMA before ever stepping foot inside a steel cage. The son of Jiu-Jitsu coral (red-and-black) belt Laerte Barcelos, he began learning “The Gentle Art” at age two. Then, unlike many Jiu-Jitsu black belts, Barcelos found success in Freestyle Wrestling where he competed as a member of the Brazilian National Wrestling Team. However, his rare blend of high-level grappling disciplines isn’t what makes him special among top MMA prospects. It is the fact he possesses ample striking power that can also get the job done. This is evident in the fact that more than half of his victories have come via KO or TKO, which includes the first round KO of previously undefeated NCAA Division I All-American wrestler Jamal Parks at RFA 23. Barcelos is now looking to do the same to another top prospect as he prepares for his first RFA title defense.
“I am very happy to defend my RFA world title at RFA 39,” stated Barcelos. “RFA shows the best new MMA talent in the world and it is now televised live here in Brazil. My friends, family, and teammates now have the opportunity to watch me fight live on Esporte Interativo. It’s a dream come true and an honor to be a champion of a great event like the RFA. This belt is coming back home to Brazil with me in June.”
Moffett (8-1) is coming into this fight with a lot of momentum. He is riding a four-fight win streak, which includes a victory over longtime RFA vet Dan Moret at RFA 24. Moffett was born and raised 10 miles from the venue just across the state border in Homewood, Illinois. The task of defending home turf and capturing the RFA featherweight title has only increased the hunger of this exciting young prospect. This is a hunger “The Wolfman” will need as he faces the most dangerous opponent in his career. To quote the classic 2010 film that shares his nickname, “I didn’t know you hunted monsters? Sometimes monsters hunt you.” Moffett is now eager to channel his inner lycanthrope at RFA 39.
“I am just very grateful that the biggest fight of my career will be at home in front of my family and friends,” Moffett explained. “I feel that everything I’ve been working for has now come to fruition. Barcelos is a tough. He’s a very good fighter and the champion. I’m honored that he wants to fight me. I’m looking forward to taking the next step in my career by winning the RFA title on June 17th.”
The full fight card for RFA 39 – Barcelos vs. Moffett will be announced soon. This will be the RFA’s first event to take place in “The Hoosier State” of Indiana and it will be the fifteenth state that the RFA has visited. The entire main card of RFA 39 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT this Friday, June 17th.
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 recognized Friday 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 every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
mixed martial arts, MMA, RFA

RFA 34: VELICKOVIC vs SMITH FULL TV CARD ANNOUNCED

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WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
BOJAN VELICKOVIC  

vs. BENJAMIN SMITH
CO-MAIN EVENT:
ADAM STROUP vs. JOHN POPPIE
MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
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 earlier this month that the promotion will return to Colorado with RFA 34 – Velickovic vs. Smith in January to kick off 2016. Now the main card has been announced. The event will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between Serbian sensation Bojan “Serbian Steel” Velickovic (12-3) and former RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith (15-3). The co-main event will see Colorado native Adam Stroup (10-2) and former RFA title challenger John Poppie (6-2) meet in a middleweight showdown. RFA 34 – Velickovic vs. Smith will take place Friday, 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. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
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.
The main card of RFA 34 will also include a pair of RFA and Colorado fan favorites in the light-heavyweight division. Cody Mumma (8-2) is currently riding the momentum of three consecutive KO victories. That streak started with a scintillating 11-second KO of Colton Vaughn at RFA 20. The KO is tied for the second-fastest KO in RFA history.
Mumma will face fellow RFA vet Jeremy Kimball (11-5), who will be entering this contest fresh off a lightning fast KO victory of his own. That win came over Jason Clayton in just 22 seconds last summer. However, Kimball’s most high-profile win to date came in the co-main event of RFA 7, when he submitted Chidi Njokuani via Rear Naked Choke.
In the bantamweight division, six-time UFC vet Hugo “Wolverine” Viana (8-3) and two-time RFA vet Zac “The Anointed Warrior” Riley (3-3) will share the RFA Octagon together. Viana burst on to the global MMA scene in 2012 as a semi-finalist on the first season of the UFC reality show TUF – Brazil. He then won his first two UFC bouts before losing to current UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw, who is now one of his teammates.
Riley will be entering this bout with a large amount of praise and fanfare in his own right. This past October at RFA 31, Riley made headlines after accepting a bout in Las Vegas with undefeated Hawaiian prospect Shai Lindsey on just 48 hours’ notice. The highly-touted Lindsey, who had finished all of his opponents, was blitzed at the opening bell by southern Colorado’s newest star. Riley ended up finishing the fight in just 59 seconds with an airtight Triangle Choke.
At welterweight, Brian Camozzi (4-2) will make his long-awaited RFA debut. Camozzi is the younger brother of UFC star Chris Camozzi and fights out of Factory X Muay Thai in the greater Denver, Colorado area. He will face Tyler Milner (7-2) who is a longtime standout in the Alaska FC promotion. Milner now trains at Jackson-Wink MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico and will be fighting for the first time in his career outside of Alaska.
The main card of RFA 34 will get started in the featherweight division with a pair of featherweight prospects eager to make their national television debut. Cory Sandhagen (1-0) will be making his promotional debut after enjoying a decorated amateur career. He is a main training partner of UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw at Elevation Fight Team in Denver, Colorado. Sandhagen will face undefeated Jackson-Wink MMA standout Andrew Tenneson (3-0) in a bout that is sure to get RFA commentators Pat Miletich and Michael Schiavello excited from the start. Tennesson, like his opponent Sandhagen, is a finisher as both men have finished all of their opponents before the final bell.
The full RFA 34 preliminary 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. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, 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 recognized Friday 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 every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
mixed martial arts, MMA, RFA

RFA RETURNS TO COLORADO WITH RFA 34: VELICKOVIC vs SMITH

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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 Friday, 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. ET / 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 in 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. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, 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 recognizedFriday 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 everyFriday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA RETURNS TO NEBRASKA WITH SMITH vs. JARDINE

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                                          MAIN EVENT:
ANTHONY “LIONHEART” SMITH vs. 
BROCK  “THE MACHINE” JARDINE
MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
CO-MAIN EVENT:
RYAN “ARE YOU READY” ROBERTS vs. 
ADAM “PRIME TIME” TOWNSEND
FEATHERWEIGHT WAR
BANTAMWEIGHT FEATURE FIGHT:
DARRICK MINNER vs. MATT BROWN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH LIVE ON AXS TV
LIVE at the Pinnacale Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska
 
Tickets on Sale Now at Ticketmaster.com 
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will return home to its roots in Nebraska with RFA 30 in September. The promotion hosted its first show in the “Cornhusker State” in December 2011 and has since promoted MMA events in 13 states across 3 time zones. RFA 30 will take place Friday, September 18th inside the state-of-the-art Pinnacle Bank Arena located in the state’s capital city of Lincoln, Nebraska. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

“RFA started in Nebraska and I’m excited to see Anthony Smith and Brock Jardine add to our history in the Cornhusker State,” stated Soares. “These are two surging UFC vets that are about to collide in a fantastic main event at RFA 30.”
Tickets for RFA 30 are available now through Ticketmaster.com. You can also support your favorite fighter buy purchasing your tickets through CageTix.com.
Smith (22-11) is currently enjoying a career resurgence that has left his last five opponents reeling and looking for answers. Smith, who is a native of Nebraska City, Nebraska, quickly rose to prominence in mixed martial arts. Widely known for his no-nonsense approach to fighting, Smith racked up win-after-win and soon found himself a veteran of the UFC, Strikeforce, and Bellator by the time he was 25-years-old. However, it wasn’t until he turned 25 that he feels that he was finally able to close all the gaps in his MMA game. That turning point in his career has contributed directly to his recent winning streak heading into RFA 30 and he is excited about showcasing his new form back in the city where he made his professional MMA debut in 2008.

“I’m super pumped about headlining RFA 30 in front of my fans in Nebraska,” stated Smith. “I don’t know any fighters with my kind of support system. You can’t beat 3,000 people. That noise is pretty much a third man in the cage and no one is beating me in Nebraska. I grew up in Nebraska City, I live in Omaha, and I made my pro debut in Lincoln. My fans in all three cities will be there to see me win in devastating fashion on September 18th.”

Jardine (12-5) is currently enjoying a career resurgence of his own, now that he is back competing as a middleweight, where he has never lost.  Jardine, who competed twice for the UFC as welterweight, holds a career record of 7-0 at 185-pounds. That includes wins in his last three fights, which have all taken place in headliners in his home state of Utah this year. Jardine credits his head coach Rob Handley at Absolute MMA in West Jordan, Utah for his recent win streak at middleweight and looks to parlay that run into a career defining victory at RFA 30, which he sees as his golden ticket back to the UFC.

“I’m very excited to be a part of a great organization like the RFA,” Jardine exclaimed. “Everyone knows what the RFA is all about, developing top prospects and getting UFC vets back to the big show. This will be a great fight for the fans, where the winner could very easily punch their ticket back to the UFC. That’s exactly what I plan on doing at RFA 30.”
The co-main event of RFA 30 also features a local favorite, who is looking to get back to the UFC. That would be Ryan “Are You Ready” Roberts (21-10-1), who like Smith, is also riding the momentum of a five-fight win streak. Roberts most recent outing was his most impressive fight during this run. He stopped fellow UFC vet Junior Hernandez via TKO in the first round of a regional title fight. Roberts is now looking to stick to his winning ways in his RFA debut.
“I’m honored to be fighting as the co-main event in the RFA,” stated Roberts. “I believe I am one of the top featherweights on the roster and will be able to prove that by finishing a tough RFA vet, who is on a roll fighting out of Tennessee. Being able to fight in Lincoln will allow a lot of my fans, friends, and family to make the short trip and liven up the Pinnacle Bank Arena. I can’t wait to finish this fight with the crowd roaring live on AXS TV.”

Traveling into enemy territory to lock horns with Roberts will be one of the more affable and entertaining fighters in the sport. That would be none other than Adam “Prime Time” Townsend (13-3), who will be dropping down to featherweight for this fight. The high-octane Tennessean made his RFA debut at lightweight in May, as a part of the RFA team that defeated a team of Legacy fighters in the historic promotion vs. promotion event that took place in Robinsonville, Mississippi. The flamboyant Townsend, now looks to reassert himself against his fellow RFA fighters.

“I’m excited about coming to someone else’s hometown and whooping them in front of their fans,” Townsend exclaimed. “Honestly, I’m too big and fast for him. I’m easily the best fighter he has ever faced. I’m surprised he even accepted the fight. He’s probably going to back out of the fight once he starts watching tape on me.”
The feature fight at RFA 30 will mark the return of one of Smith’s lifelong friends from Nebraska City. That would be Darrick Minner, who will be making his fifth appearance inside the RFA octagon. Minner has gotten his hand raised in three RFA fights, which includes a win over Marvin Blumer at RFA 24 this past March. That win was a dominant career-defining moment in the young fighter’s career that has many wondering how far he can ascend in this sport. The man eager to test Minner’s potential is a man who has been making his own star glow brighter by defeating highly-touted prospects in his first two RFA fights. That would be Matt Brown (10-4), who has a fighting style eerily reminiscent to the UFC welterweight star who shares the same name.
Also scheduled to return to the RFA octagon on the main card of RFA 30 are former RFA lightweight title challenger Zach Juusola (10-3), four-time RFA vet Dan Moret (8-2), and former University of Nebraska wrestler James Nakashima (3-0). Juusola will face Nebraska native Robert Rojas (10-4) at lightweight, Moret welcomes undefeated Grand Dawson (7-0) at featherweight, and Nakashima will tussle with fellow undefeated welterweight prospect Chance Recountre (7-0).
The RFA 30 preliminary card and further information regarding this event will be announced soon. RFA 30 will be the promotion’s sixth event to take place in Nebraska since its inception in 2011. The entire main card of RFA 30 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, September 18th.
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.