Tag Archives: flyweight

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA BRINGS WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT  TO CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL VALLEY

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LFA 51 – MAZO vs. NIEVERA
MAIN EVENT:
 
LFA WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION
SABINA “COLOMBIAN QUEEN” MAZO
vs.
LFA WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT TOP CONTENDER
JAIMEE “QUEENIE” NIEVERA
 
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th LIVE on AXS TV
 
LIVE at the SELLAND ARENA
in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through Ticketmaster.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that LFA will make its first trip to the Central Valley of California in September with a women’s flyweight title fight headlining LFA 51.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 51 will bring a highly-anticipated women’s world title fight to the San Joaquin Valley. The headliner will see undefeated LFA women’s flyweight champion Sabina “Colombian Queen” Mazo defend her title against LFA women’s flyweight top contender Jaimee “Queenie” Nievera. LFA 51 – Mazo vs. Nievera takes place Friday, September 28th at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring LFA to Fresno at LFA 51”, stated Soares. “This will be our fifth show in my home state of California. The Central Valley has great fight fans and a lot of MMA talent. We look forward to packing the Selland Arena on September 28th with a fantastic fight card headlined by a women’s flyweight title fight between champion Sabina Mazo and top contender Jaimee Nievera.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 51 – Mazo vs. Nievera are available for purchase NOW at Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

Mazo (5-0) is the 21-year-old LFA women’s flyweight champion that took the MMA world by storm in 2017. The Colombian wunderkind signed with LFA when she was 19-years-old and quickly burst onto the global scene at LFA 9. This happened when she knocked out 82nd Airborne Army veteran Jamie Thorton with a jaw-dropping head kick that went viral on mainstream media and MMA media outlets alike. The Kings MMA product doubled-down in her sophomore appearance for LFA by knocking out Minnesota National Guard member Linsey Williams with a nearly identical first round head kick at LFA 23. The “Colombian Queen” finally received her crown this past April. The title winning performance came courtesy of a unanimous decision over Shannon Sinn at LFA 37, which saw Mazo provide a brilliant display boxing and clinch work, as well as her signature Muay Thai skills. The Medellín, Colombia native now looks to begin her reign as champion with another masterful performance at LFA 51.

 

 

 

Nievera (7-4) earned her shot at LFA gold this past June with a dominant LFA debut win against the 2016 RFA Fans’ Choice Awards “Prospect of the Year” winner Katy Collins. The unanimous decision win came in Collins’ hometown of Branson, Missouri at LFA 42 just a few months after Collins had been ranked #4 on AXS TV’s inaugural women’s pound-for-pound rankings. The win immediately caught the attention of UFC matchmakers and Nievera was offered a main event spot on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series against Antonina Shevchenko. The 33-year-old Bellator veteran showed her gameness by accepting the fight on a week’s notice against Shevchenko, who is an undefeated MMA prospect, Muay Thai world champion, and the older sister of UFC #1 contender Valentina Shevchenko. Nievera displayed a ton of heart and skill, but did not get the result she wanted. The Union City, California native now has a chance to flip the script with a title winning performance in front of her home crowd at LFA 51.

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Women’s Flyweight Title Bout (125 lb)

 

 

– Sabina Mazo (5-0) vs. Jaimee Nievera (7-4)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event |Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)

 

 

– Gustavo Erak (19-3-1) vs. Cody Gibson (15-7)

 

 

 

Bantamweight Feature Bout (135 lb)

 

 

– Nohelin Hernandez (8-2) vs. Rolando Velasco (13-5-1)

 

 

 

Light Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)

 

 

– Jordan Powell (9-7) vs. Andres Alcantar (4-0)

 

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

 

 

– Salaiman Ahmadyar(6-0) vs. Joaquin Lopez (4-0)

 

 

 

 

LFA 51 will be the fifth LFA event to take place in the state of California. RFA hosted eight events inside “The Golden State” before the merger. The entire main card of LFA 51 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

In 2017, RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 140 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

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, Super Channel

Super Channel to launch boxing series, “SUPERBOX LIVE” May 19 in Kansas

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Launching new series

Inaugural Event

HIGH STAKES 
Saturday, May 19, 2018 * 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT
LIVE on Super Channel & Pay-Per-View (US)
U.S. Olympian Nico Hernandez in IBA World flyweight title fight

 

 

LIVE ON PPV IN U.S.

 

 

 

EDMONTON, Canada (April 25, 2018) – Super Channel has announced the formation of a new live boxing series, SUPERBOX LIVE, debuting Saturday, May 19, in association with KO Night Boxing LLC, from Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kansas,

 

 

 

International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas flyweight champion Nico Hernandez (4-0, 3 KOs) will take on Szilveszter Kanalas (14-7, 9 KOs) for the vacant IBA World Flyweight Championship in the 12-round main event.

 

 

 

Wichita-native Hernandez captured a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics. Two years ago, Kanalas became one of the youngest (17) world champions ever, when he defeated fellow Hungarian boxer, Jozsef Ajtai, for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Super Flyweight World Championship.

 

 

The card will also feature two heavyweight showdowns as rising Canadian star Oleksandr Teslenko (12-0, 10 KOs) faces an opponent to be determined on the televised broadcast, while Russian heavyweight prospect Andrey Afonin (5-0, 2 KOs) meets veteran Cuban fighter Pedro “El Reguilete” Rodriguez (23-4, 19 KOs).

 

 

 

Additional bouts will soon be announced for the televised portion of the May 19th event.

 

 

 

Integrated Sports Media will distribute “SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes” in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide on FITE.TV app and website (excluding Canada) for a suggested retail price of only $19.95.

 

 

 

To watch “SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes” live in Canada, showcasing undefeated Canadian heavyweight Teslenko, as well as more exciting boxing to come in 2018, fight fans can contact their local cable provider to subscribe to Super Channel and all that it offers, including premium series, movies and much more, for as low as $9.95 per month.

 

 

 

“We have had tremendous success over the last two years airing live boxing on Super Channel from around the world,” said Don McDonald, President & CEO of Super Channel. “This is why we felt on top of continuing to acquire events, we would start working directly with promoters. We have co-created the SUPERBOX LIVE series to further demonstrate Super Channel’s commitment to create original content that we can air and distribute worldwide.

 

 

 

Media executive Mike Garrow, who is the co-creator of SUPERBOX LIVE, has been appointed executive producer of the new series.

 

 

 

“Events that fans will watch on SUPERBOX LIVE will showcase stars of tomorrow, as well as feature established fighters from around the globe,” Garrow commented. “Our series shows will take place in venues throughout North America. We look forward to working with various fighters, promotions, managers, and sanctioning bodies to make SUPERBOX LIVE a ‘go-to’ show for fight fans.”

 

 

 

Venum (www.venum.com) has been named the official gloves and apparel of SUPERBOX LIVE.

 

 

 

“We’re honored to be involved in SUPERBOX LIVE‘s inaugural event,” IBA president J.C. Courreges commented. “With U.S. Olympian Nico Hernandez, our Americas champion, and an outstanding European boxer, Szilveszter Kanalas,matched in the main event, ‘High Stakes’ will make history as the first World Championship ever held in Kansas.”

 

 

The long, prestigious list of IBA world champions during the past quarter-century includes Hall-of-Famers Oscar de la Hoya, George Foreman, Roberto Duran and Arturo Gatti, as well as stars such as Roy Jones, Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosely, James Toney, Mikkel Kessler, Eric Morales, Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver.

 

About Super Channel

 

 

 

Super Channel is a national premium pay television network, consisting of four HD channels, four SD channels, and Super Channel On Demand.

 

 

 

Super Channel’s mission is to entertain and engage Canadian audiences by providing a unique and exclusive entertainment experience.  With a core foundation of integrity and accountability, we dedicate ourselves to implementing innovative programming strategies and unparalleled team work that provides viewers with exceptional value and variety.

 

 

 

Super Channel is owned by Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc., an Edmonton-based media company.

 

 

 

Super Channel is currently available on Bell TV, Shaw Direct, Rogers Anyplace TV, Shaw Cable, Cogeco Cable, Access Communications, Bell Alliant TV, Source Cable, SaskTel, MTS, Novus, EastLink, TELUS, Videotron, Westman Communications and other regional providers.

 

 

 

Connect with Super Channel:

 

 

 

www.superchannel.ca

Twitter: @SCSportsTV

Instagram: @SuperChannelTV

Facebook: /SuperChannel

 

 

 

About KO NIGHT Boxing LLC

 

 

 

KO Night Boxing is an emerging combat sports promotional company whose core value is “Fighters First!” KO Night Boxing produces live events for CBS Sports Network. Follow us on Twitter @KONightBoxing
boxing

Olympic medalist Nico Hernandez injured, “KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” postponed

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Feb. 10 at Hartman Arena in Park City, KS
PARK CITY, Kansas (November 27, 2017) – Due to an injury suffered by 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Nico Hernandez last week at training camp, this Saturday night’s “KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” card, presented by KO Night Boxing LLC, has been postponed until February 10, at the same venue, Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.
The 21-year-old Hernandez was scheduled to headline the event in his hometown against Hungarian flyweight champion Jozsef “Little Red” Ajtai (19-9, 12 KOs) in the eight-round main event for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas flyweight championship.
The promoter plans to keep the card intact, as much as possible, and he is hopeful that Ajtai is available to challenge Hernandez for the IBA Americas title.
“Injuries are an unfortunate part of boxing, but the good news is that Nico will be 100-percent ready to go February 10th,” promoter John Andersen said. “I know that Nico feels that he’s letting everybody down but, at the end of the day, all that really counts is his health. He’s a tough kid who has his entire pro career ahead of him.”
“Over the last six months, Nico has become like family to the Hartman Arena staff,” said Hartman Arena Executive Director, Ben Bolander. “We wish the best for him and hope for a speedy recovery, so we can see him back here in February fighting for the title.”
TIckets to the December 2nd event will still be honored at the February 10 event. If ticket holders, are unable to attend the new event date, full refunds will be offered at the point of purchase. Tickets will remain on sale for the February 10, 2018 event date.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @KONightBoxing, @IBABoxing
Facebook:  /NeonStar, /IBABoxing
Follow @Nicomhernandez on Twitter and Instagram
boxing

2016 Olympic bronze medalist Nico Hernandez & Hungarian champion Jozsef Ajtai have taken different paths into pro ranks

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“KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” for
vacant IBA Americas flyweight title
 
Dec. 2 at Hartman Arena in Park City, KS
PARK CITY, Kansas (November 20, 2017) – USA Olympian and hometown hero Nico Hernandez and Hungarian flyweight champion Jozsef “Little Red” Ajtai took completely different paths into the professional ranks.
Hernandez vs, Ajtai is the eight-round main event for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas flyweight title fight, Saturday night, December 2, on the “KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” card, at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.
“KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” is a presentation of KO Night Boxing LLC., in association with Hartman Arena, and sponsored in part by Twister City Harley-Davidson Metro PCS, Mort’s Cigar Bar andJimmy’s Egg.
The action will be taped live for future airing on CBS Sports Network.
The 21-year-old Hernandez (3-0, 2 KOs), fighting out of Wichita, was a decorated amateur boxer who compiled a sterling 123-12 record, highlighted by his bronze-medal winning performance at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Hernandez made his pro debut last March. All his fights have been at home, each has been in the main event, and on national television. His fight against Ajtai, however, will be his first title fight, coming in only his fourth pro bout.
Ajtai, who is one year and six days younger than Hernandez, made his professional debut 2 ½ years ago, and he’s already fought in five title fights.
Hernandez’ amateur pedigree versus Ajtai’s pro experience?
“I feel like I’m already at the level of a lot of top pro fighters,” Hernandez said. The only advantage he has is he’s used to fighting more rounds than I (this is Nico’s first scheduled 8-rounder), but I don’t plan on letting it go the distance anyways.
“I feel blessed to have this IBA title fight opportunity so early in my pro career. It honestly couldn’t come any faster. I do believe it will be special and open a tot of opportunities to fight bigger names once I win this fight. A win should open-up additional title fight opportunities, both overseas and, hopefully, back here at home to help us continue building Wichita into a fight town.”
Ajtai (19-9, 12 KOs) has already had 28 pro fights, including a full 10-round distance loss by decision last year at Madison Square Garden in New York City to two-time Olympic gold medalist Shiming Zou, the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight world champion. The Hungarian has fought at home in Hungary, as well as on the road in the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Ukraine and Slovakia. A trip to America’s heartland doesn’t faze him in the least.
“He will be at home, where everybody wants to fight, but this isn’t a problem for me,” Ajtai explained. “I know he is a good boxer, but I will try to be a bit better December 2nd. When my condition is good, as it is for this fight, nobody likes to fight me.
“This is a big opportunity for me. It’s always difficult to beat a good fighter but doing so is real success. Fighting Shiming Zou in only my fourth fight was very nice for me. I want that feeling again in this fight against Nico.”
Hernandez realizes that this fight could be his last at home for a while, due to the lack of quality American flyweights, and that most world-class fighters in his weight class are from Central America, Thailand and Japan.
“I don’t think I’ll have many more fights at home,” Hernandez admits. “I don’t think that will matter too much because I feel more pressure fighting at home than elsewhere. I will miss everyone cheering my name like they do at home. I think I’ll be traveling more to fight bigger names to work my way up the ladder until I’m at the top.
“I think the early rounds in this fight (vs. Ajtai) will be a chess match because, from what I’ve seen, he runs a lot. I feel that once I start landing my body shots, he’ll slowdown in the latter rounds. and, like I’ve said, I don’t plan on this fight going the distance.”
Ajtai, of course, isn’t traveling all the way to Kansas to visit Dorothy or the Wizard of Oz, he’s coming to win!
“Nico will not know where I will be in the ring,” Ajtai predicted. “When he looks to the left for me, I will go to the right; when he tries to find me on the right, I will be on the left. When he wants to rest, I will come forward punching; when he wants to punch, he won’t find me.
“I have a plan for this fight and I’m sure he does as well. But, in the ring, only one fighter’s plan can succeed. It’s going to be a good fight, but I can’t promise the public that Nico will be the winner.”
The full “Gold & Glory” card will be announced later this week. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 24 @ 10 a.m. CT) at the Hartman Arena box office and http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/50551?Brand=Hartman. Prices are $115.00 (VIP), $75.00, $50.00, $35.00, $25.00 and $20.00 (prices do not include service fees).  Student tickets are available – kindergarten through college – for $15.00 dollars but are only sold at the arena. Student Identification is requited.
This is an all-ages show. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. CT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 p.m. CT.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @KONightBoxing, @IBABoxing
Facebook:  /NeonStar, /IBABoxing
Follow @Nicomhernandez on Twitter and Instagram
boxing

2016 Olympic bronze medalist Nico Hernandez   To fight for first pro title, Dec. 2 at home vs.   Hungarian invader Jozsef “Little Red” Ajtai

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“KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” at Hartman Arena in Park City, KS
Nico Hernandez
Tony Schock / GS Memory Maker

 

PARK CITY, KANSAS (October 23, 2017) – 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Nico Hernandez will be fighting for his first professional title on Saturday, December 2, when he takes on Hungarian invaderJozsef “Little Red” Ajtai in the eight-round main event for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Flyweight Championship, headlining “KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.

“KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” is a presentation of KO Night Boxing LLC., in association with Hartman Arena, and sponsored in part by Twister City Harley-Davidson Metro PCS, Mort’s Cigar Bar and Jimmy Egg.

The action will be taped live for future airing on CBS Sports Network.
The 21-year-old Hernandez (3-0, 2 KOs), fighting out of Wichita, will be fighting in a scheduled eight-round bout for the first time. His three pro fights to date were all scheduled for six rounds and each was held in Kansas, the last two in his second home, Hartman Arena.
In his last fight this past September 23rd, Hernandez was forced to fight late replacement Kendrick “Uprising” Latchman who outweighed the celebrated American Olympian by more than 10 pounds. Hernandez won a six-round unanimous decision by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice.
Despite being younger than Hernandez by almost a year to the day, Ajtai (19-9, 12 KOs) has already had 28 pro fights, including a full 10-round distance loss by decision last year to two-time Olympic gold medalist Shiming Zou, the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight world champion.
“By far, Nico is fighting the toughest opponent of his pro career,” Hernandez’ promoter John Andersen (“KO Night Boxing LLC) said. “Ajtai has much more experience as a pro than Nico, plus he went the distance against a two-time Olympic gold medalist, Zou. Ajtai is a busy fighter with a good knockout ratio (63%). This fight is going to tell us a lot about Nico, especially his power at 112 pounds.
“Nico fighting for a title in only his fourth pro fight proves that all our hard efforts of KO Night Boxing and Team Nico has paid off quickly and we’re grateful that the IBA has given him this great opportunity. I didn’t realize the high quality of champions the IBA has had in the past and we’re proud that Nico can someday join this group. In the flyweight division, Nico may enter world title fight shot discussions earlier than I had originally thought, which was in his third year as a pro.   An impressive performance against Ajtai could position him for a world title fight next year with less than 10 fights under his belt.”
“We’re excited to have an American Olympian fighting for our first Americas title,” IBA PresidentJ.C. Courreges added. “Nico Hernandez is an Olympic bronze medalist and we’re hopeful that he will develop into an IBA world champion in the not too distant future. His amateur pedigree speaks for itself and we’re very happy to have this young man fighting for the IBA Americas title.”
IBA world champions during the past quarter-century include Hall-of-Famers Oscar de la Hoya,George Foreman, Roberto Duran and Arturo Gatti, as well as stars such as Roy Jones, Jr.,Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosely, James Toney, Mikkel Kessler, Eric Morales, Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver.
Other fights on the “Gold & Glory” card will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 24 @ 12 p.m. CT) at the Hartman Arena box office and http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/50551?Brand=Hartman. Prices are $115.00 (VIP), $75.00, $50.00, $35.00, $25.00 and $20.00 (prices do not include service fees) .
This is an all-ages show. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. CT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 p.m. CT.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @KONightBoxing, @IBABoxing
Facebook:  /NeonStar, /IBABoxing
Follow @Nicomhernandez on Twitter and Instagram
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.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV, women's MMA

BELLATOR WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT CHAMP TO BE CROWNED IN 2017

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LOS ANGELES – Bellator is pleased to announce the signings of Valérie Létourneau (8-6), Alejandra Lara (6-1), Sabriye Şengül(Debut), Kristi Lopez (2-0), Na Liang (6-0) and Juliana Velasquez (5-0) to multi-fight contracts that will see them compete in Bellator’s emerging 125-pound division. Additionally, Bellator will look to crown its next women’s flyweight world champion this year.

“2017 has been a big year for us in terms of bringing in marquee free agents that can have an immediate impact on their division,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “This group of flyweight signings demonstrates that we’re committed to that throughout our roster, as we’re adding even more depth to an already-competitive weight class. We’re adding a proven title contender, along with a group of prospects from all around the globe, and we look forward to putting on great fights and displaying the talent this division has to offer.”

These news stars join a division that already includes talented fighters, such as Keri Taylor-Melendez (1-0), Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (6-0),Anastasia Yankova (5-0), Emily Ducote (5-2), Colleen Schneider (11-7) and Lena Ovchynnikova (12-4, 1 NC).

The Canadian-born Létourneau, a former UFC strawweight title challenger, carries an impressive track record of thrilling fights, highlighted by a world title contest against undefeated UFC champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk. Now, moving up to a more natural weight class, the 33-year-old American Top Team product will make her debut for Bellator in 2017. She will look to improve upon her eight victories as a professional, a tally that includes five finishes, with four coming by way of knockout.

Hailing from Medellin, Colombia, Alejandra Lara will look to make a statement in Bellator’s budding women’s flyweight division. The 22-year-old knockout artist has earned six victories in seven outings since making her professional debut in 2011. “Azul” has shown tenacity in her fights thus far, showcasing a pair of first round knockouts, as well as a first round armbar submission. Lara trains alongside UFC fighters Alexa Grasso and Irene Aldana at Team Lobo in Mexico.

Fighting out of Hollywood, Calif., Kristi Lopez will enter the Bellator fray as she prepares for her third professional bout. Prior to that, “Loba” also tallied three victories over a four-fight, two-year span on the amateur circuit.

Chinese submission specialist Na Liang will look to build on a 2017 campaign that already saw her finish an opponent in a mere 38 seconds. The first-round stoppage marked the fifth time in six appearances that Liang’s opposition failed to make it out of the opening round. After competing exclusively at bantamweight to begin her career, Liang decided to move down to the flyweight division, where she also saw success by collecting a trio of first round finishes.

With an impressive following in Turkey from her kickboxing career, Sabriye Şengül will now transition to MMA under the direction of Bellator. With a professional kickboxing record of 6-1, the 26-year-old prospect holds the potential to achieve the same success in multiple combat sport disciplines.

Undefeated at 30 years of age, Juliana Velasquez trains under the Nogueira brothers in Brazil, carrying one of the most famous names in MMA with her inside the Bellator cage.  Additionally, Juliana trains alongside fellow Bellator flyweight Bruna Vargas. With five wins in five appearances, the Rio de Janeiro resident will look to become another Brazilian Bellator champion.

boxing

DAMIEN VASQUEZ FACES VETERAN LORENZO TREJO APRIL 1ST

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LAS VEGAS, NV (March 31, 2017) – This Saturday, April 1, 2017, undefeated flyweight prospect, Damien “Sugar” Vasquez (9-0, 4 KOs), will step in the ring against Lorenzo Trejo (35-32-1, 22 KOs), a veteran of sixty-eight fights.  The 8-round main event, will take place at the Riverebend Sports Complex in Salt Lake City, UT.
Damien, the nephew of former two-time super-bantamweight world champion, Israel Vazquez, fights out of Las Vegas, NV, with trainer, Bones Adams.  Adams, a former super-bantamweight champion himself, feels Damien Vasquez has all the talent to follow in the footsteps of his uncle Israel.
“Since I’ve been training with Damien, I’ve watched him grow as a fighter,” said Clarence “Bones” Adams. “He’s getting better with each fight and I really believe he can win a world title someday.  He definitely has the talent and work ethic to do so.  He reminds me of his uncle Israel in many ways.”
Facing a veteran like Trejo, is just the type of fight Damien is looking for.  Vasquez wants to face fighters with a lot of experience.
“I’m sure Trejo has a lot of tricks up his sleeve with all his experience,” said Damien Vasquez. “These are the type of fights I look forward too, where a young fighter like myself can learn a few things.  I’m going to set the pace early, and go from there.  By no means am I taking him lightly.”
Vasquez’s father Oscar, has been in his sons corner from day one.  He’s thrilled, knowing his son has progressed since his first pro fight.
“I’m very proud of my son because I know how hard he works, and I can see the improvement after every fight,” said Oscar Vasquez. “My brother and I always knew he had the talent to become a good professional boxer.  I’m confident he’ll come out victorious against a tough veteran like Trejo.”
boxing

Sampson Boxing Congratulates John Riel Casimero for Title-Winning Victory Over Anmat Ruenroeng

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Calls out ‘Chocolatito’ for Unification Match
Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing sends his warm congratulations to his newest champion, John Riel Casimero of Cebu City, Philippines, for his KO 4 victory over previously unbeaten IBF flyweight champion Anmat Ruenroeng at the Diamond Court in Beijing, China.
In a rematch of their controversial first fight in June 2015, won by Ruenroeng by unanimous decision, Casimero (22-3, 14 KOs) dropped Ruenroeng (17-1, 5 KOs) twice in the fourth round to end things at 2:10. A counter left hook dropped the champion first and then a follow-up left hook to the body brought the finish.
Casimero is now a two-time world champion. He previously held the IBF Light Flyweight Championship from 2012-2014 and made three successful defenses before moving up in weight.
The new champion joins Sampson Boxing promotional stablemates Oscar Escandon and Hugo Ruiz to become Sampson’s third world champion to be crowned this year. He also handles current WBA World Super Featherweight Champion Javier Fortuna.
“John Riel has gotten this out of the way now,” said Lewkowicz of defeating Ruenroeng. “My congratulations to him and to his people in the Philippines. He is now their third current world champion and is very proud to represent them. Next, we want to unify against Chocolatito. Tell him we are ready any time.”
Referring to current WBC Champion Roman Gonzalez, Lewkowicz says this is a fight that needs to happen.
“They say no one wants to fight Gonzalez. We do! John Riel is right here and ready to unify the championships. My phone is always on. Let’s make it happen.”
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.
Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.
mixed martial arts, World Series of Fighting

MAGOMED BIBULATOV FACES DONAVON FRELOW IN FIRST-EVER WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

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Live on NBCSN from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 29, 2015) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that it will crown its first flyweight (125 pounds) champion in history – the winner of a matchup between undefeated, surging stars Magomed “Gladiator” Bibulatov and Donavon Frelow – at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, live on NBCSN at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

The bout represents one of two world championship matchups that will unfold at “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami,” the second being a previously announced heavyweight championship contest between reigning kingpin Blagoy Ivanov (12-1) of Sofia, Bulgaria and challenger Derek “Caveman” Mehman (19-6) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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“We are looking forward to crowning the first champion ever in our fast-growing and highly-competitive flyweight division, on October 17,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

“As two of the weight class’ most dynamic stars who have yet to be beaten, Magomed and Donavon have earned their respective places in this historic championship fight, and we are confident that the winner will personify what being a champion in World Series of Fighting is about.”

The fight marks the U.S. debut of the 27-year-old Bibulatov (9-0) of Grozny, Chechnya Russia, following a perfect, two-year run competing against opponents in his homeland as well as in France and Portugal, eventually earning the coveted, number one ranking in his weight class in Europe.

Bibulatov, a practitioner of martial arts, including sambo and wrestling, since his early youth, remains the only fighter to have beaten UFC star Taylor Lapilus, over whom Bibulatov earned a unanimous decision on October 12, 2013 in the main event of a fight card held in Lapilus’ home country of France.

In his last start on March 14, Bibulatov scored a first round (1:30) KO (punch) onEduardo Felipe in co-main event action in Bibulatov’s hometown of Grozny.

A member of MMA legend Wanderlei Silva’s vaunted, Las-Vegas based fight team, the 30-year-old Frelow (5-0) has notched four of his five professional career victories, thus far, by way of submission.

Following a near-perfect amateur career that saw him amass an overall record of 5-1 between April 2011 and October 2013, Frelow accepted his first pro fight on just four days’ notice and at the flyweight limit of 125 pounds, 10 pounds lower than that he had previously been competing at.

Frelow persevered in his first pro start, though, defeating George Garcia by way of submission (guillotine choke) in the second round (:30) of their bout on March 6, 2014.

In his third pro outing on December 20, 2014, Frelow needed only 25 seconds to submit Donald Belcher with an armbar.  Frelow has since recorded two straight wins in the World Series of Fighting decagon cage.

Priced from $39.99, tickets for “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” are on sale at Ticketmaster.com and WSOF.com.

In the welterweight main event, Jon Fitch (26-7-1, 1 NC) of Fort Wayne, Ind. will face rival superstar and grappling technician Yushin “Thunder” Okami (30-9) of Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.

Doors at the Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open at 4:30 p.m. ETfor WSOF 24, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The entire preliminary fight card will stream live on an embeddable video player on WSOF.com.

The card is subject to change.

MAIN CARD (Live on NBCSN)

Welterweight Main Event: Jon Fitch vs. Yushin Okami

World Series of Fighting Heavyweight Championship Co-Main Event:
Blagoy Ivanov vs. Derek Mehman

Lightweight: Nick Newell vs. Tom Marcellino

Light Heavyweight: Vinny Magalhaes vs. Matt Hamill

World Series of Fighting Flyweight Championship
Magomed Bibulatov vs. Donavon Frelow

PRELIMINARY CARD (Live on WSOF.com)

Featherweight: Rick Glenn vs. Adam Ward
Featherweight: Alexandre Almeida vs. Saul Almeida
Heavyweight:  Juliano Coutinho vs. TBA
Featherweight: Rodrigo Almeida vs. Bruce Boyington
Welterweight: Washington Nunes Da Silva vs. Colton Smith
Middleweight: Justin Torrey vs. Rex Harris
Middleweight: Louis Taylor vs. Nicolai Salchov
Heavyweight: Pat Walsh vs. Tyler King