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KICKBOXING & MARTIAL ARTS LEGEND JEFF SMITH NAMED PRESIDENT OF SPORTS OPERATIONS FOR PKA WORLDWIDE

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KICKBOXING & MARTIAL ARTS LEGEND

JEFF SMITH NAMED PRESIDENT OF

SPORTS OPERATIONS FOR PKA WORLDWIDE

World-Renowned Fighter & Instructor Smith Joins Resurgent Kickboxing Organization In Key Role Of Company’s Re-Introduction

ATLANTA, GA. – November 9, 2022 – PKA WORLDWIDE, the legendary pioneers of American-style kickboxing, have added another blockbuster hire to their all-star team, as kickboxing and martial arts legend Jeff Smith has officially joined the company as the President of Sports Operations.

One of the most sought after instructors in the world, Smith’s role will see him in a key position recruiting and developing the striking talent that will compete for the revitalized company led by CEO Joe Corley. With his decades of experience in competition and as an instructor, Smith will be vital in helping in overseeing the operations that will lead directly to non-stop action for fans.

“I’m honored to be at the forefront of PKA WORLDWIDE’s return to their spot on top of the kickboxing world,” said Smith. “We’ve made it loud and clear that we’re searching for the world’s greatest strikers, and with the team we have on board here, I know that we’re in a position to deliver the competition that sports fans are clamoring for.”

“Jeff’s expertise is second to none and we’re thrilled to have someone as widely revered as he is helping to lead our venture back into kickboxing,” said Corley, who is often credited as one of the founding fathers of modern-day MMA. “As we near our first event, Jeff will be critical in putting fighters in the best possible position to deliver memorable bouts again and again. With the moves we’ve made so far, fight fans should be confident in the imminent return of kickboxing’s glory days.”  

Before becoming a seven-time PKA World Champion, the Kingsville, Texas-native Smith put together a sensational run in Taekwondo that led to him winning the first ever Bruce Lee Award for Fighter of the Year and eventually induction into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in 2007. When PKA debuted in 1974, Smith became their first Middleweight champion, defending the title successfully seven times. During his run as champion, he defended his title on the undercard of 1975’s “Thrilla in Manila” trilogy match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, in an event seen by over fifty million viewers.

He finished his full contact kickboxing career with a 21-1 record, including seven knockouts before transitioning into his career as an instructor. His coaching resume includes a 10-year run as the coach of the WAKO World Champion United States Karate Team, winning world titles in all 10 years. He went on to operate a series of martial arts schools in Virginia and was eventually promoted to the rank of Grand Master (10th degree black belt) in 2016. He also serves as the Director of Instruction for Mile High Karate and COO for Martial Arts Wealth Mastery, a nationally recognized martial arts consulting company.

“With my years of experience competing in PKA, combined with decades as an instructor, fighters competing for PKA WORLDWIDE can expect to have all the tools they need to reach their full abilities as competitors,” added Smith. “This is just the start of what I’m confident will be a sustainable system that benefits the kickboxers and kickboxing fans alike for years to come.”

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ABOUT PKA WORLDWIDE

Once a staple of televised combat sports in the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, and a precursor to today’s modern hybrid styles of fighting, PKA and its’ CEO Joe Corley are often credited as one of the founding fathers of modern-day MMA. Corley first introduced professional kickboxing to the public nearly 50 years ago with an “Americanized” style in which opponents are allowed to hit each other with punches and kicks above the waist. However, elbows, knees, clinch fighting and grappling are all forbidden.

Launched in 1974, the PKA went on to garner huge national audiences on ABC, CBS and NBC, and formed long-time broadcast partnerships with cable giants ESPN and SHOWTIME while producing over 1,000 hours of unforgettable televised action.

Now, PKA WORLDWIDE returns with the search for the sport’s greatest striker as they seek to crown new PKA WORLDWIDE World Champions.

For more information, please visit PKAWorldwide.com, follow on Facebook or social

media @PKA_Worldwide (Twitter and Instagram).

kickboxing, mixed martial arts, MMA

United Fight Alliance Returns to Turkey June 17th for World-Class MMA & Kickboxing

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TAMPA, Fla. (June 8, 2021) – United Fight Alliance (UFA) has announced it is heading back to Turkey to carry the June 17th MMA World Mix Fight world-class event, featuring professional mixed-martial-arts and kickboxing, at Illusion in Antalya, Turkey.

UFA CEO Jordan “Jay” Adams will be calling all the action from cageside, live on TV 8.5 in Turkey, and taped-live to tentatively air on the UFA network in July across the United States.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Turkey’s MMA World Mix Fight Organization,” Adams said. “They have been waiting a long time to produce this show. Their enthusiasm and anticipation is over the top. I can tell they can’t wait to present their athletes to the rest of the world. We now get to see their skill sets as only the region’s’ best will be on the card.  Afghanistan, Morocco, Georgia, Iran, Turkmenistan, Angola, Iraq and of course, Turkey, are all well represented in the cage on June 17th in Antalya Turkey. United Fight Alliance will be there to make sure you don’t miss one second of fights!”

Three MMA World Mix Fight title fights are on tap.  The main event is a battle between Turkey’s Bayram Yalcin (13-2-0) and Habib Karimo (10-1-0), of Afghanistan, for the MMA World Mix Fight Featherweight Championship.

Turkey’s Hamdi “Wolverine” Kuzgun (7-2-0) squares off with Elmahdi Zineddine (11-6-0), fighting out of Germany by way of Morocco, in the co-featured event for the vacant MMA World Mix Fight middleweight title.

The third title fight matches undefeated Turk, Koray Cengiz (8-0-0), against Vaja Matcharashvili (4-4-0), of Georgia, for the vacant MMA World Mix Fight Heavyweight crown.

There are two other scheduled MMA fights on the card: Turkey female strawweight Sedef Arsian (0-1-0 vs. Iranian Fatime Yavari (0-1-0), and Iraq featherweight Hamza Nahma (10-3-0) vs. RussianAkhmed Erzu Akrieve (7-1-0).

Three kickboxing fights are also on tap.  WAKO World kickboxing champion Bahram Rajabzadeh (30-3-1), of Azerbaijan, versus heavyweight Mohammed Amine (25-4-0), fighting out of Morocco by way of Netherland, showcases two of the best kickboxers in Europe.

Turkey’s World kickboxing and Muay Thai champion, Mehmet Koktas (10-3-0), throws down with South African middleweight Mateus Mengue (9-1-0), while Turkish heavyweight Mehmet “Mountain” Ozer (15-5-0) takes on Iranian Muhammad Abdollahpor (9-3-0).  

INFORMATION

Website:  www.UnitedFightAlliance.com

Facebook: /Brawlcall

Twitter: @brawlcall

Instagram: @brawlcall

boxing, kickboxing, women's boxing

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH 10 TIME WORLD KICKBOXING CHAMPION CAITLIN FORAN AHEAD OF HER PRO BOXING DEBUT

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With this pandemic lockdown in full force virtually world-wide, many fights have been already been cancelled, from the biggest, such as Anthony Joshua versus Kubrat Pulev, right through to many small hall events.


Whilst clearly the lockdown is affecting everyone involved in our beloved sport, it made me think of those that had been preparing for their professional boxing debut, such as today’s victim, sorry guest, Caitlin Foran, who was due to debut in Orkney on the 25th April.


Caitlin is a ten time Kickboxing World Champion, quite an accomplishment for someone that is still just 19 years of age, let’s face it to achieve such a high status in any sport at such a young age is quite an accomplishment and without doubt her extensive combat sports experience is going to benefit her when this pandemic is over and she makes her pro debut.


I actually had the pleasure of meeting Caitlin back in March at an event in Barrow-in-Furness, where she was supporting Paul Peers when he challenged, and beat, Nicaraguan Milton Arauz for the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) International title, and always intended to cover her pro debut, but with that put back until later in the year due to the current situation decided instead to arrange an interview with her.


Enough of my waffle, let’s get to know this amazing teen star a little better.




(GDC) Hello Caitlin, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for us. My first question is I understand you are a multi-World Champion Kick Boxer, can you please tell our readers a little about your Kick Boxing career?




(CF) So I started kickboxing in 2008 at the age of eight, at the time I was juggling kickboxing with lots of other sports and activities but over time my attention just stuck with kickboxing and it became my life.


I certainly wasn’t one of these people that had a talent for the sport. I wasn’t flexible, I had no confidence, but the one thing I did have that has carried me through to this day is determination.


Living on an island we weren’t able to get to as many competitions as other clubs on the mainland could which meant we knew we had to really put in the extra effort to make up for the lack of experience.


Also coming from a large family where my mother was a single parent to 5 children meant I rarely was able to get away to compete and didn’t really start competing properly until I got my black belt in 2011.


I then started competing usually once a month with the first big one being the WKA Scottish championships in Glasgow where I won 2x golds, that was my first big confidence booster and I went on to compete more often winning more Scottish titles as well as British and European.


I then got invited to my first world championships in 2013 in Italy where I came away with a bronze medal.


I always preferred points fighting when I was competing, which is a more karate style, ‘start stop’ style of fighting, but at my second World championships in Prague in 2014, there was a woman without a fight for her ring Continuous section so I was asked if I would take the fight.


I’ve never been one to turn down a fight so I took the fight and ended up winning it as well as two others so I came away with my first three World titles and new love for ring fighting.


From 2014 to 2017 I went on to win seven more World titles in various countries.


By 2016/17 my kickboxing career was really taking off and I was looking at turning professional sometime soon, however at the end of 2017 my coach Ryan Reffell sadly passed which put an end to my kickboxing career.


(GDC) What influenced you to switch from Kick Boxing to Professional Boxing?


(CF) As I mentioned previously, I have never been a naturally flexible person so in kickboxing my legs were predominantly used for powerful body single kicks.


While I was still training with Ryan as part of Nemesis Kickboxing, at the end of 2015 we decided I was getting better with my hands and started thinking about switching to boxing.


This lead Ryan to start boxing classes on a Monday night as well as the kickboxing classes through the week.


I was offered my first fight that September with 4 days notice for the UKBC featherweight international title. I went on to win the fight and defended it in a rematch that December.


2017 was when I really started to focus more on boxing and less on kickboxing and had two more fights, with the last fight in my unlicensed career being a Five Nations title fight in April 2017 which brought my record to 4-0-0.


I thought my boxing career had ended then, until Paul Peers moved to Orkney in 2018 and got in touch via Facebook which then kickstarted my training again as he showed great interest in my boxing and was a massive help in getting my love for the sport back and showed that he believed in me which made me more confident in myself and got myself back to training properly again ahead of signing my professional contract in January this year.


(GDC) You were due to be undertaking your professional boxing debut in Orkney on the 25th April, obviously this is being rescheduled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, so firstly how have your preparations been going?


(CF) Yes, it was devastating when all this started but I am making sure to keep as active as I can with daily running and home exercises making use of the little space I do have at home.


(GDC) Has the Government ordered lockdown had an effect on your preparations?


(CF) Prior to lockdown we were getting sparring in at least once or twice a week at the club and had started our partnership with Lee Mcallister at Assassin’s boxing in Aberdeen in order to mix Orkney Boxing Clubs fighters with theirs for some sparring at weekends.


We only managed this once so far with weather being bad and boats not certain to run but were planning more in the lead up to the show.


(GDC) When the lockdown ends and the new date is announced, your opponent is stated to be Carly Mackenzie, do you know much about her?


(CF) I was originally due to fight Carly Mackenzie however my opponent recently changed to Professional Boxing Council (PBC) International Silver Champion Jamie Bates Wallis. I don’t know a great deal about Jamie to be honest but from what I’ve seen she is a strong orthodox boxer with a strong offence and sharp defence.


I took the fight knowing it would be a challenge especially being my first fight back in 3 years.
She’s proved to be a champion so in order for me to become a champion I must beat champions.


(GDC) Moving away from your career to date, who is your favourite boxer, male or female, and why?


(CF) My favourite boxer to date has got to be Katie Taylor. She has played a massive part in getting Women’s boxing to where it is today and is a real inspiration to any athlete out there as she has shown that any obstacle can be overcome if you really want something.


(GDC) In the same vein, which is your all time favourite fight, and why?


(CF) It is so hard to choose a favourite fight but one has to be Katie Taylor’s most recent fight against Christina Linardatou as she continued her winning record and added WBO Super-Lightweight world title to her ever growing list of achievements. Usually Taylor would be getting stuck into the fight, firing shot after shot. However she kept to the outside this time boxing smart and not wasting energy.


(GDC) Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, finally is there anyone you would like to mention with regard to your upcoming debut?


(CF) I would like to give thanks to my sponsor, Gary Sutherland at GSRI, Steven Logie at Strength 101 for keeping me in shape and Paul Peers for everything he has done over the last year and a half to get my confidence back up and reignite my love for boxing. I would also like to give a shout out to all of my old teammates at Nemesis kickboxing Academy and Nemesis Boxing Gym without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Bellator, kickboxing, MMA, Paramount Network

OFFICIAL RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR MILAN, BELLATOR 230 AND BELLATOR KICKBOXING 12

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 Complete Fight Night Photos Here

 

Bellator 230: Carvalho vs. Nemkov Fight Card:

Vadim Nemkov (11-2) defeated Rafael Carvalho (16-4) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:56 of round two

Dragos Zubco (3-1) defeated Hesdy Gerges (0-2) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Kirill Sidelnikov (12-6) defeated Domingos Barros (6-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Walter Pugliesi (5-2) defeated Andrea Fusi (8-5) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Nicolo Solli (3-0) defeated Dan Cassell (4-4-1) via submission (triangle choke) at 3:15 of round one

 

Bellator Milan: Manhoef vs. Bahati Fight Card:

Melvin Manhoef (32-14-1, 2 NC) defeated Yannick Bahati (9-5, 1 NC) via KO (strikes) at 2:29 of round one

Alessio Sakara (24-13, 2 NC) defeated Canaan Grigsby (8-8) via TKO (strikes) at 0:23 of round one

Stefano Paterno (13-3-1) defeated Ashley Reece (8-2) vis unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Rafael Macedo (10-4, 1 NC) defeated Kane Mousah (12-3) via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)

 

Bellator Kickboxing 12: Varga vs. Faustino Fight Card:

Gabriel Varga (18-6) defeated Cristian Faustino (31-12-2) via unanimous decision (50-45 x3) to retain Bellator Kickboxing featherweight title

Chingiz Allazov (60-3, 1 NC) defeated Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee (287-53-4) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Luca Cecchetti (24-5) defeated Alex Avogadro (46-6-3) via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 2:09 of round one

Shan Cangelosi (35-10-1) defeated Kevin Ross (33-12) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Yuri Bessmertny (45-20-2) defeated Giuseppe De Domenico (51-10) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Jade Jorand (1-0) defeated Silvia La Notte (66-18-4) via KO (kick) at 0:12 of round two

Endy Bonat (32-10-1) vs. Kebrom Neguse (33-2-2) ruled a majority draw (28-28, 28-28, 29-28)

Taras Hnatchuk (12-0-1) defeated Giacomo Licheri (7-1) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Luca Mameli (9-2) defeated Pawel Szymanski (15-14-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

  

 

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

 

****
Bellator, kickboxing

BELLATOR DEBUTS IN MILAN, ITALY ON SATURDAY, OCT. 12 WITH STACKED EVENT FEATURING DUAL-MMA CARDS AND THE RETURN OF BELLATOR KICKBOXING

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FORMER CHAMP RAFAEL CARVALHO MEETS VADIM NEMKOV IN MAIN EVENT OF PARAMOUNT NETWORK’S BELLATOR 230

BELLATOR EUROPEAN SERIES SEES MELVIN MANHOEF TAKE ON YANNICK BAHATI IN BELLATOR MILAN HEADLINER

Plus, Gabriel Varga Defends His Bellator Kickboxing Featherweight Title Against Cristian Faustino At Bellator Kickboxing 12 and Rome’s Alessio Sakara Looks to Entertain the Italian Crowd


 

LOS ANGELES – Bellator returns to Italy for the seventh time on Saturday, Oct. 12 with a unique event worthy of three separate billings. The MMA and kickboxing action will all emanate from Allianz Cloud (Ex Palalido) in the heart of Milan for one incredible night of combat sports.

 

The Paramount Network (and DAZN simulcast) portion of the card will be headlined by former middleweight titleholder Rafael Carvalho (16-3) squaring off withVadim Nemkov (10-2) in a light heavyweight affair as part of the Bellator 230: Carvalho vs. Nemkov broadcast. Bellator 230 will air on a tape-delay in the U.S. at9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

 

Additionally, the fifth installment of the Bellator European Series, Bellator Milan: Manhoef vs. Bahati, will feature an explosive 205-pound matchup betweenMelvin Manhoef (31-14-1, 2 NC) and Yannick Bahati (9-4, 1 NC) that will stream live on the Bellator Mobile App in the U.S at 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT. Bellator Milanwill air LIVE at 10 p.m. BST on Channel 5 in the U.K. Also on the card, Italian MMA legend and Bellator ambassador Alessio Sakara (20-13, 2 NC) takes on light heavyweight Canaan Grigsby (8-7) in a special feature bout.

 

Opening the evening’s action will be Bellator Kickboxing 12: Varga vs. Faustino, a card anchored by current Bellator Kickboxing featherweight championGabriel Varga (17-6) defending his title against Palermo, Italy’s Cristian Faustino (48-18), while the co-main will also see Chingiz Allazov (55-3, 1 NC) compete in a 158-pound catchweight bout against Sudsakorn (289-54-4). Bellator Kickboxing 12 will kick off the action live on the Bellator Mobile App at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Tickets for the entire night of action are on sale now and are available at Bellator.com and Bellator.it.

 

Hailing from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, the 33-year-old Carvalho will make his second appearance of the year, following an impressive win over Chidi Njokuani just last month. Since signing with Bellator in 2014, the American Top Team-fighter has collected seven victories, highlighted by his middleweight championship win over Brandon Halsey, which he later followed with three successful title defenses. Standing opposite the Brazilian knockout artist will be fellow international powerhouse Vadim Nemkov, as the 27-year-old Russian will look to add to his current five-fight winning streak. Since making his professional debut in 2013, the former Sambo World Champion and Fedor Emelianenko-protégé has strung together 10 victories over a dozen bouts, with eight knockouts and eight first round finishes highlighting his resume.

 

Making his eighth appearance for Bellator, Melvin Manhoef has built a name for himself over the course of a 24-year career that has seen him finish 28 of his 31 victims via knockout, including 25 in the first round and eight within the opening minute of action. Fighting out of Amsterdam, the versatile 43-year-old also has 38 career kickboxing wins under his belt, making him one of the most experienced and dynamic fighters in the business. With three wins and a pair of impressive knockouts since joining Bellator, “No Mercy” hopes to find his way back into title contention with a win over the recently signed Bahati. “Black Mamba” enters the Bellator cage for the second time of his career, hoping to duplicate the success he had in May when he finished Amir Dadovic in the opening round of Bellator Birmingham. The 29-year-old middleweight will be making the jump up in weight class to challenge what will undoubtedly be the toughest task of his eight-year career in Manhoef.

 

Gabriel Varga is fresh off an emphatic win in his mixed martial arts debut, a fight he finished with a jumping knee and punches at Bellator 224. Now, the Toronto-native returns to the sport where he made his name and became the inaugural Bellator Kickboxing 145-pound champion. The 34-year-old Canadian has tallied three knockout wins over a four-fight run, which includes championship victories over Kevin Ross and Shan Cangelosi. Hailing from Palermo, Italy, Faustino will enter the kickboxing ring with the support of his country behind him. The 29-year-old Italian competes out of Pro Fighting Sempre Avanti Bologna and holds almost 60 fights to his name. Now, he has a shot at Bellator Kickboxing gold when he competes on Oct.12.

 

Fighting out of Minsk, Belarus, Chingiz Allazov will be competing under the direction of Bellator Kickboxing for just the second time in his eight-year career, where the 26-year-old phenom has earned 55 victories over a 59-bout stretch. Having already defeated Klinmee in Italy just last year, the former K-1 Super Middleweight Champion will try to replicate the victory in an exciting rematch. Hailing from Pattaya, Thailand, the 32-year-old Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee will make his Bellator Kickboxing debut on Oct. 12. The reigning Thailand and World Kickboxing Network Muay Thai welterweight world champion also hopes to add to his extensive professional resume, which includes 289 wins and 74 knockouts.

 

Born in Rome, Sakara will return to his home country for the sixth time since signing with Bellator in 2016. When fighting in Italy under the promotion, “Legionarius” has amassed three victories, all of which ended in a knockout. The 37-year-old former world title contender has earned 20 career victories, including 16 finishes and 14 knockouts, making him one of the most dangerous 205-pound athletes on the roster. Tasked with the opportunity to spoil Sakara’s homecoming is 39-year-old Oklahoman Canaan Grigsby, who is also known for his ability to put his adversaries away early in the fight. With seven of his eight career victories coming by way of knockout, including four first round-finishes, “Super Beast” will be looking for the biggest win of his seven-year professional career when he steps inside the Bellator cage for the first time.

 

Updated Bellator 230: Carvalho vs. Nemkov Fight Card:

Light Heavyweight Main Event: Rafael Carvalho (16-3) vs. Vadim Nemkov (10-2)

 

Updated Bellator Milan: Manhoef vs. Bahati Fight Card:

Light Heavyweight Main Event: Melvin Manhoef (31-14-1, 2 NC) vs. Yannick Bahati (9-4, 1 NC)

Light Heavyweight Feature Event: Alessio Sakara (20-13, 2 NC) vs. Canaan Grigsby (8-7)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Andrea Fusi (8-4) vs. Walter Pugliesi (4-2)

 

Updated Bellator Kickboxing 12: Varga vs. Faustino Fight Card:

Kickboxing Featherweight World Title Main Event: Gabriel Varga (17-6) vs. Cristian Faustino (48-18)

158-Pound Catchweight Co-Main Event: Chingiz Allazov (55-3, 1 NC) vs. Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee (289-54-4)

Featherweight Bout: Enderson Bonat (21-9) vs. Kebrom Neguse (33-2-2) 

 

*Card subject to change.

 

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.
Bellator, DAZN, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

FULL FIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR 211 & BELLATOR KICKBOXING 11

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Bellator 211 Photos Here

 

Bellator 211: Sakara vs. Kauppinen Results:

Kent Kauppinen (11-4) def. Alessio Sakara (23-13, 2 NC) via KO at 1:10 of round 1

Domingos Barros (6-0) def. Hesdy Gerges (0-1) via TKO at 2:53 of round 1

Pedro Carvalho (9-3) def. Luca Vitali (11-5) via sub. (guillotine) at 0:43 of round 1

Alen Amedovski (8-0) def. Ibrahim Mane (7-2) via KO at 0:12 of round 1

Kiefer Crosbie (5-0) def. Orlando D’Ambrosio (7-4) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Giorgio Pietrini (15-4-1) def. Nemanja Milakovic (5-4) via KO at 0:20 of round 1

Andrea Fusi (7-4) def. Walter Pugliesi (4-1) via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

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Bellator Kickboxing 11 Photos Here

 

Bellator Kickboxing 11: Varga vs. Cangelosi Results:

Gabriel Varga (17-6) def. Shan Cangelosi (34-10-1) via KO at 2:42 of round 1 to retain championship

Raymond Daniels (35-3) def. Zakaria Laaouatni (10-4) via majority decision (29-28 x2, 29-29)

Yuri Bessmertny (42-19-2) def. Karim Ghajji (99-16-1) via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27 x2)

Gabriele Casella (20-2-1) def. Dani Traore (21-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Younes Rahmouni (14-4-1) def. Tiziano Campus (15-5-1) via majority decision (29-28 x2, 28-28)

Christian Zahe (58-24-7) def. Samuel Toscano (28-12-3) at 2:20 of round 1

 

Bellator Kickboxing 11 Preliminary Card Results:

Sabir Temirkhnov (13-4) def. Matteo Costa (18-7-2) via TKO at 0:39 of round 2

Giacomo Licheri (6-0) def. Filippo Solheid (43-18-8) via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)

Matteo Di Luca (24-9-2) def. Giacomo D’Aquino (22-3-8) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

 

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

 

boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, MMA

FFC 34 On Nov. 9 At Fight Dome Las Vegas Has Been Canceled

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Medical Concerns And Fighter Safety Led To The Cancelation Of FFC 34
Photo Courtesy of: Final Fight Championship

LAS VEGAS, NV (November 8, 2018) – Due to reasons involving medical issues, Final Fight Championship has announced that “FFC 34” on November 9th has been officially canceled.

 

 

 

Nick Sadeghi, MD of Athlete Advantage Medical in Las Vegas, NV, released the following statement to Final Fight Championship.

 

 

 

The Nevada State Athletic Commission requires a series of medical examinations to be completed by a professional fighter in order to determine the medical condition of a fighter, the outcome of those exams determining if the fighter will be cleared to compete or not. Of utmost concern is the fighter’s physical well-being. It was determined by independent physicians conducting the exams for FFC as well as the Nevada State Athletic Commission that several fighters scheduled to compete on the November 9th fight card would not be able to compete due to abnormal MRA findings which identified small aneurysms in the brain. For obvious reasons, these fighters could not be cleared to compete without proper medical workup. This includes consulting with a Neurosurgeon and an Interventional Radiologist.  Some fighters may be cleared after this, but some may need a surgical procedure to correct the aneurysm before he or she can continue to fight in the future.

 

 

 

FFC CEO/President, Orsat Zovko, issued his own statement regarding the unfortunate cancelation.

 

 

 

“We are disappointed to make this announcement, but on such short notice it was impossible to move forward because four of our six fights were stopped by the commission and medical personnel, including our Main Event and Co-Event,” said Zovko.

 

 

 

“We must follow the strict rules and guidelines of the Nevada Athletic Commission, and we respect the decisions made by the medical community, because it is in the best interest of the fighters, and to protect their health is the ultimate goal.”

 

 

 

Final Fight Championship (FFC) is the first and only professional combat sports franchise offering fans a unique ‘multi-discipline’ experience (Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA), where every event culminates with a championship title bout. All FFC events take place inside “Fight Dome” at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas, the all-new mecca of combat sports.

 

 

 

For more information about Final Fight Championship, please visit finalfightchampionship.com, Facebook at Facebook.com/FFCFighting, and Follow FFC on Instagram/Twitter @FFCFighting.

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 FFC 33 Results from Las Vegas

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New Kickboxing Champion Crowned at FFC 33
 
Chub Upsets Previously Unbeaten Vrtacic for Middleweight Title
(Photo: Mykta Chub (left) wins FFC Middleweight Kickboxing Title with Orsat Zovko (right) FFC CEO/Founder)
 
Photo courtesy: Sergey Baranov/Final Fight Championship

 

Las Vegas, NV, (November 2, 2018) – The Main Event of “FFC 33” delivered an upset and a new champion, as Mykta Chub (18-7-0) defeated previously unbeaten champion Andi Vrtacic (10-1-0) by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) to win the FFC Middleweight Kickboxing Title.

 

 

 

Chub and Vrtacic displayed a great deal of endurance during their five round war. Chub was able to pin Vrtacic into the corners quite often during this fight, frustrating the young Vrtacic and preventing him from using his signature high kicks. Vrtacici landed some nice head kicks and few solid combinations but it wasn’t enough to impress the judges, allowing Chub to steal the win, and the title.

 

 

 

In the Co-Main Event, which involved two very exciting MMA lightweight fighters, Darrick Minner (22-9-0) wasted no time submitting former UFC Fighter, “Cassius” Clay Collard (16-8-1) by rear naked choke in the very first round. The submission victory, which was the 19th of Minner’s career, only took 31 seconds to execute.

 

 

 

Andre Keys (10-1-0) went the distance with Randy Fuentes (7-7-1) in their Super Welterweight Boxing bout. Keys won by split decision (55-59, 55-59, 58-56) in a fight that featured both fighters standing in the pocket and trading hard shots for the majority of their six round fight.

 

 

 

In a Kickboxing Lightweight matchup, despite breaking his left arm in the fight, Chris McMillan (38-10-0) won a split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) against Teo Mikelic (18-7-0) in a fight that featured some vicious kicks and crisp punches by both fighters.

 

 

 

The night began with Sherrard Blackledge (1-0-0) winning his professional MMA debut by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27) over Jordan Christensen (0-2-0) in the Welterweight division.

 

 

 

“Most of these fights ended up going the distance and the fighters did not disappoint tonight,” said FFC CEO/Founder, Orsat Zovko. “FFC 33 showcased a lot of endurance and toughness and delivered an entertaining show for the fans.”

 

 

 

“FFC 33” took place at its permanent home, “Fight Dome”, which is located at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas. The event aired nationwide on CBS Sports Network.

 

 

 

Final Fight Championship (FFC) is the first and only professional combat sports franchise offering fans a unique ‘multi-discipline’ experience (Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA), where every event culminates with a championship title bout. All FFC events take place inside “Fight Dome” at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas, the all-new mecca of combat sports.

 

 

 

 

Complete “FFC 33” MMA results below:

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

 

 

 

(KICKBOXING) FFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

 

 

Mykyta Chub (18-7-0), Ft. Lauderdale, FL via Ukraine

Win by Split Decision, 5 Rds. (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)

Andi Vrtacic (10-1-0), Pula ,Croatia

(Chub wins FFC Middleweight Title)

 

 

 

(MMA) LIGHWEIGHTS

 

Darrick Minner (22-9-0), Nebraska City, NE

Win by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) :31, Rd. 1

Clay Collard (16-8-1), Toquerville, UT

 

 

(BOXING) SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

 

Andre Keys (10-1-0), Tacoma, WA

Win by Split Decision, 6 Rds. (55-59, 55-59, 58-56)

Randy Fuentes (7-7-1), McAllen, TX

 

 

 

(KICKBOXING) LIGHTWEIGHTS

Chris McMillan (38-10-0), Calgary Alberta, Canada

Win by Split Decision, 3 Rds. (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Teo Mikelic (18-7-0), Pula, Croatia

 

 

 

(MMA) WELTERWEIGHTS

Sherrard Blackledge (1-0-0), Las Vegas, NV (Pro Debut)

Win by Unanimous Decision, 3 Rds. (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)

Jordan Christensen (0-2-0), Las Vegas, NV

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Kickboxing Title Bout Headlines FFC 33 Multi-Discipline Event on Nov. 2

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Mykyta Chub fights Andi Vrtacic for the FFC Middleweight Championship at Fight Dome

LAS VEGAS, NV, (October 30, 2018) – The main event is set for “FFC 33” and it will involve two explosive kickboxers from overseas. Mykyta Chub (17-7-0) of the Ukraine, battles Andi Vrtacic (10-0-0) Pula, Croatia, for the FFC Middleweight Championship on November 2nd, at Fight Dome located at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas.

 

 

 

Both fighters have fought for FFC multiple times. Chub has a (3-1) record during his tenure with Final Fight Championship. Vrtacic, who is the defending middleweight champion, boasts a (4-0) record with FFC.

 

 

 

“The fans at Fight Dome Las Vegas loved our Kickboxing fights at FFC 31,” said FFC CEO/Founder, Orsat Zovko. “And we are excited to have world champion kickboxers fighting for us again on November 2nd.”

 

 

 

The Co-Main Event for “FFC 33” will feature an MMA Lightweight clash between, Darrick Minner (16-5-0) Nebraska City, NE, and former UFC Fighter, “Cassius” Clay Collard (16-7-1) Toquerville, UT.

 

 

 

There will be one other Kickboxing bout at “FFC 33” as Chris McMillan (87-10-3) of Calgary Alberta, Canada, takes on Teo Mikelic (18-6-0) Pula, Croatia, in the Lightweight division.

 

 

 

In Boxing, it will be a battle of two Super Welterweights in a six round contest as Randy Fuentes (7-6-1) McAllen, TX faces off against Andre Keyes (18-4-1) of Tacoma, WA.

 

 

 

“FFC 33” will air on CBS Sports Network, as a part of a multi-year agreement to broadcast FFC’s ground breaking multi-discipline (Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA) Fight Dome series at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas. The event will also air in Spanish on Claro Sports in Mexico and Latin America. Check your local listings for more information.

 

 

 

Tickets for “FFC 33” are available at any Las Vegas Caesars Entertainment Box Office, by calling 702-777-2782 or 855-234-7469, or online at Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

For more information about Final Fight Championship, please visit finalfightchampionship.com, Facebook at Facebook.com/FFCFighting, and Follow FFC on Instagram/Twitter @FFCFighting.

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FFC 32 NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS OFFICIAL MMA RESULTS

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
‘Gravedigger’ Buries ‘Badwater’ for FFC Title
 
‘AK-47’ Vanderford Remains Undefeated With KO at FFC 32
Shelton Graves (left) wins FFC Heavyweight Title by keeping Carl Seumanutafa (right) against the ropes.
Photo courtesy: Sergey Baranov/Final Fight Championship

 

 

Las Vegas, NV, (Oct. 20, 2018) – Sometimes things in life are simply quick and painless. Most of the fights at FFC 32 however, were actually quick and painful. Knockouts, let’s be honest, usually are quite painful.

 

 

 

Friday night’s Main Event was one of the only fights at FFC 32 (which was an all-MMA event) that did not end in a knockout. Shelton “Gravedigger” Graves (9-3-0) defeated Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa (11-9-0) by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to win the vacant FFC MMA Heavyweight Championship Title.

 

 

 

Graves did a great job of avoiding standing toe-to-toe with the knockout artist, Seumanutafa, spending most of the fight pressing the heavy-handed Samoan (Seumanutafa) up against the ropes and using knees to the body and a series of quick uppercuts to frustrate his opponent. The strategy worked, as Seumanutafa was frustrated with the constant pressure, which allowed Graves to keep him on the ropes and against the turnbuckle, taking away any opportunity for a Seumanutafa trademark knockout.

 

 

 

In the Co-Main Event, Undefeated Welterweight, Austin “AK-47” Vanderford (6-0-0), kept his unblemished record in tact when he rocked Emilson “The Amazonian Warrior” Freitas (7-3-0) with a nice left hand to the temple at the 1:38 mark of round one. Vanderford wins by KO for only the second time in his professional career.

 

 

 

Previously unbeaten Light Heavyweight, Ivan Erslan (6-1-0), was trying to stay undefeated as a professional but his opponent, Branko Busick (3-1-0) had other ideas. Busick sent Erslan to the canvas at the 4:41 mark of the second round with a solid left hand to the chin and it was all she wrote for Erslan. Busick picks up the first KO victory of his young career.

 

 

 

In the Lightweight division, as promised, it was a “grapplers paradise” for as long as it lasted… And it didn’t last very long. Brandon “Kiba” Ricetti (9-2-0) submitted Adam “Smash” Smith (11-10-0) by Arm Triangle at the 4:26 mark of the very first round. If you’re keeping score, all nine of Ricetti’s wins have come by submission.

 

 

 

FFC 32 took place at its permanent home, “Fight Dome”, which is located at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas. The event aired nationwide on CBS Sports Network.

 

 

 

Complete “FFC 32” MMA results below:

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

 

 

 

FFC HEAVYWEIGHT MMA CHAMPIONSHIP

Shelton Graves (9-3-0), Baltimore, MD

Win by Unanimous Decision, 5 Rds. (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa (11-9-0), San Francisco, CA

(Graves wins FFC Heavyweight Title)

 

 

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Austin Vanderford (6-0-0), Portland, OR

Win by KO (Punch), 1:38 Rd. 1

Edmilson Freitas (7-3-0), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

 

 

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Branko Busick (3-1-0), Steubenville, OH

Win by KO (Punch), 4:41 Rd. 2

Ivan Erslan (6-1-0), Zagreb, Croatia

 

 

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Brandon Ricetti (9-2-0), Chico, CA

Win by Submission (Arm Triangle), 4:26 Rd. 1

Adam Smith (11-10-0), Spokane, WA

 

 

 

BANTAMWEIGHTS (Pro Debuts)

Brady Hiestand (1-0-0), Spokane, WA

Win by Unanimous Decision, 3 Rds. (29-26, 29-26, 29-26)

Corey Conway (0-1-0), Las Vegas, NV